NST DECEMBER Don't Be a Martyr for Christmas

mothernerd

Hugs Kerry_Woman.

ldee2111

Hi NSTs! 

NSDs 2/20 but next couple of days I will be spending on a wee top-up shop and our planned takeaway pizza on Friday when we are putting up the tree and watching Home Alone. 

Leftovers for lunch today and homemade spag bol for tonight’s dinner. OH made a big pot of it so there’s sauce there for another 4 dinners. All tubbed up for going into the freezer when it’s cooled. Planning to make a big pot of carrot and rice soup tomorrow in the soup maker (26 minutes for any soup!) Prep consists of chopping and chucking stuff in it and hey presto! Tomorrow’s dinner is fajitas but going to try substituting chicken for mushrooms. Healthier for us and cost a lot less. It was the OH’s idea to try with mushrooms  - I think he might be absorbing my frugal vibes! Hooray!

Walked for 20 minutes listening to free audiobook from library - ‘The Woman who Stole my Life’ by Marian Keyes. Never read any of her books before but enjoying this one so far. 

Pleased to have had 1500ml of water again today. Literally sitting the bottle next to my computer mouse so that I remember to drink it. 

Grateful for another mostly dry day with some winter sun, exchanging texts with a friend, and OH making dinner.

facethemusic

Kerry_woman- (socially distanced) virtual hugs, so hard but so beautiful to see the robins. 
Wednesday- yesterday was a NSD, today was not- top up shop done and a totally unplanned and probably unnecessary but Oh-so-snuggly blanket also purchased! So NSD 1/15. 
Today has mostly been spent playing with ponies, far too icy to ride but good to spend a large chunk of the day outside and got plenty of exercise. It's my main "me time" so also very good for my MH and keeps me calm. 
Gratitudes today- the type of winter day I like- cold and icy but dry and not windy, parcel deliveries arriving quickly, my new super snuggly blanket.  

mothernerd

Finally got to town this afternoon. I hovered for quite a while yesterday and mum was still trying to write a letter to go in one of the cards when it started to get dark. Don't want to be in the town centre when all the high school kids are coming off the buses and a bit sad because it was a good painting day but put clothes on for going out (outside the yard only) rather than painting clothes. Spent about 2 hours outside the house. Taxi dropped me off by the side entrance of the market (just off the main shopping street). More shops open than I was expecting but fairly quiet - Wednesday afternoon was the traditional half day closing and although the shops no longer close, the older people tend to act as though they did. 

Collected some cash for mum (to put in Christmas cards for her deceased partner's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cards for Australia and France have been sent off (Ryman's PO counter was a good place to go to but we all of had cards and parcels to weigh - only 3 customers allowed at the counter and me and one other woman waiting by the shop entrance). Ticked off nearly everything on my list and a few that weren't (salted peanuts to go in my Christmas food cupboard, 100 plain tea lights - have asked DS1, DS2 and others to buy mum tealights for Christmas as she only wants token consumable presents but these will keep us going). Carpet slippers have been purchased (traditional style, proper full back and a good sole so mum doesn't go flying when she slopes off down the yard) and brass cup hooks so the upcycled curtain tie backs can be put up.

Dropped off present money from mum at home for DS3 and Beloved and £10 from me for the grand-chinchillas and £20 at mum's cousin's house to purchase pots and flowers for the cemetery visit. The only thing I didn't do was sort out the money for DS1, DS2 and their respective partners (tried online banking again this morning and it's giving me absolutely nothing) as the bank had closed when I got that far. I also have a pair of slippers - little furry boot ones (should have something on my feet and don't think just slipping my wellies on when I get to the door is doing my feet and heels any good). I was tempted by the microwavable animals but they didn't have polar bears - was torn between a blue-green dragon and a wolf / arctic fox but will think about it (there are lots of things I'm thinking about. Bought a big Issue and gave the seller extra money because there have been a couple of times when I didn't have money with me to purchase it.
 
Today I am grateful for pleasant chatting with taxi drivers and shop assistants (I quite like the pace of 'new style' shopping - may even venture into the card shop when I go back to go to the bank, but will make mum use up as many of the ones she has first), for it being warm enough to be comfortable in a dress and jumper, for working in a logical order, for knowing there are things that need doing but not stressing over them. Very tired and hope to sleep soon.

apple_muncher

Hugs Kerry Woman. Can't believe it's been 3 years already. Robins are such wonderful birds.

Today I am grateful for traffic not being stooopidly chaotic as lockdown finished, for hopefully being able to get mum's visitor from Home Instead to get back to seeing her regularly, for sausage + chips for tea, for having a job, for coffee (with you on that one, Shrewbie!)

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening Turtles
I've achieved NSD 1 today.
My gratitudes - seeing all the Christmas lights on people's houses when i went for an evening walk; DD1 for cooking tea; lovely colleagues at my PT role
Deni x

mothernerd

December 3rd 2020
Grief never ends
But it changes
It is a passage not a place to stay
Grief is not a weakness or a lack of faith; it is the price of love

HOPE
Be hopeful
Be optimistic
Never lose that sense of hope

Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay
Maya Angelou

I am not an optimist, but a great believer of hope
Nelson Mandela

Don't lose hope. When the sun goes down, the stars come out



When it rains, look for rainbows
When it gets dark, look for stars

[Deleted User]

Can I join please? Last month was a bit of a bust but this month WILL be better!

abundant1972

Good morning

So far so good. Have drawn out money for the week and have my cash envelopes on the go. 

Yesterday = NSD number 2 whoop 🥳

Work has been super busy and lots of ups and downs, but feels as though I am coming out the other side. Have been mindful for 2/2 days this month haha. Long may it last. Now I am not the most festive of people but have welcomed the litle twinkly lights and Christmas trees popping up everywhere. They just lift the spirits. It occured to me that I have never ever made a Christmas Cake / Pudding. F0xh0les - you make cooking sound effortless! I know a chap, a Mr Kipling, who makes all mine haha! 

Catch you all tomorrow

apple_muncher

Hi stuck2020- welcome to the turtles!

abundant - yay to the envelopes!