NST: January 2021 – the Turtles do the Jitterbug

Buffythedebtslayer

Mothernerd's reflective ideas:

Questions to Reflect on the Year
What went well this year?
Honestly. Not a lot! Flashes in the summer of success in the garden. 
What did not go well?
Mum's health has got worse over this year. Her not going out ever has taken a massive toll. Work is awful. 
What do I want to do the same next year?
Not one single thing. 
What do I want to do differently?
Everything. Eat different food, see people, exercise, 
When did I feel most alive?
In the garden or when we were back teaching. I love teaching. 
When did I feel most exhausted and drained?
April/May.
What did I say 'yes' to that I wish I'd said 'no' to?
I haven't had a lot of clear choices in stuff this year. So many have tos. 
What did I say 'no' to that I wished I'd said 'yes' to?
I turned down a lot of zoom calls and meets with people. 

Year end Review
One word to describe the year
Hard
Best thing you did for someone else this year
Looking after Mum I guess. 
Most embarrassing moment of the year
Asking a man in Home bargains where the wrapping paper was, he didn't work there, helped me any way, I couldn't see through steamed up  glasses! 
The time you laughed the hardest this year
Crossing a "river" bare foot in the summer. 
Something you learned to do/ had never done before
Make bread. Tasted fishy!! 
Most newsworthy event (?!!?**)
healthcare workers in the NHS. For God's sake you miserble Tory !!!!!!, give them a pay rise. In fact give them your pay rise. 
Biggest lesson learned
That I truly do not have to explain myself. 
Favourite place you visited (this may be a generic list)
The beach, the forest. 
Most memorable moment / day
hmmm all the days are pretty much the same. 
Best advice you received this year
Stay in your lane, do what you do. 
An achievement you are most proud of
Saving money in a bank account, and despite expensive vet bills keeping most of it there. 
Reminisce on one great compliment you received
ermmmm. 
What or whom are you most thankful for this year
Myself,
My friends. including the friends here. XXXX 

f0xh0les

WelshKitty85 said:- well chocolate coated strawberries are better than cake, right?

That is what I tell myself every time I put them in the kids lunchboxes, so yep, i'm convinced.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a walk with dd first thing and an evening walk with a friend too, for working on my tiny jigsaw,for doing some sch prep (would rather have it prepped and have to tweak it than not do it 'just in case things change and then have to rush it,) for twinkly lights, for good coffee.

misstara

NSD 1 for me today.  Had the day off work so had a nice relaxing day with OH.  We went a rather chilly walk along the beach this morning and then watched films for the rest of the day.  Grateful for technology to be able to 'see' family, a warm and cosy flat, spending time with OH, watching the waves at the beach and the white chocolate and salted caramel cheesecake we had for pudding, it was amazing.

facethemusic

NSD 1 today.
Had a bit of a tidy up/sort out in DDs wardrobe, so 1 bag ready for the charity shop(at some point) and another bag of clothes to pass on to a friend for her younger daughter. There is far too much stuff in this house- despite throwing out loads before we moved. This year it will be organised and got rid of! DD has loads of craft kits and bits- I have a plan to set aside a couple of hours every couple of weeks to make/craft/be messy to use up the things to make slightly better things which can be gifted to grandparents/aunts etc. If my plan works we will have Birthday and  Christmas presents ready to go and at least 1 very large box in the wardrobe can be refilled with different stuff! 
Aim for the year is not to buy ANY stationary-  I have some sort of odd compulsion to buy pens and notebooks! Similar plan for toiletries, although it needs to be amended slightly- we have lots of some things and very little of others, so I will only buy if I know there isn't already a spare. 
I want to use up what's in the freezer this month- it's so full I can't find anything in it, so I'm starting in the top drawer and using whatever I find- I know there will be a lot of rhubarb crumble and some sort of parsnip soup on the menu this week! 
I will write a proper post with aims for the month tomorrow, this was just random ramblings! 

crazy_cat_lady

apple_muncher said:

Ccl - just realised I'd missed you off the dance card. Whoops. But you're on there now!

If I've missed anyone else off, please holler!

And there I was thinking I just wasn't welcome any more  
Thank you for having me back. I know that I'm an unreliable and flaky turtle. It's just poor time management - or the fact that I am actually doing two full time jobs as well as being mam, dad, homeowner, homeschooler, cook, cleaner, DIYer, cat whisperer etc etc etc.
Seriously though, it is much appreciated and I know I always do better when I'm accountable. And god knows I need to be held accountable financially as I'm a right mess. I'm having the most frugal January that I can manage. I don't need anything (except maybe a pair of wellies but I have an amazon voucher - and I will wear the wellies to walk in the mud, hence still exercising).
Today has been a bit of a good day in terms of wins. NSD - not tempted with online sales and shopping. It wasn't Saturday as I first thought so I didn't do my urgent exam work. It's needed for a meeting on Sunday afternoon, and I thought best do the work when I'm not tired from the day after a late night and a few drinks. I'll get it done in half the time after a good night's sleep tonight.
So I did a bit of prep and cooking to continue to use up the massive glut of food that's still leftover from Christmas. And took the decorations down and put them away for the next 11 months. And tidied the kitchen. And did a bit of crochet. I feel quite productive.
Long may this continue.

grassgirl

Number 22
Chalking up 1NSD so far.

Thank you  

ditty1234

[Deleted User] said:

Hi @ditty1234,  have you ever tried The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It's got lots of exercises to bring out our inner creative and work through obstacles.  I too feel alive when being creative but then things get in the way and I just stop. Your posts have inspired me to have a look at The Artist's Way again and nurture and explore my creativity this year. Thank you. 

Funny enough - that is the one I am doing - I know it's a bit doing it a second time, but I feel I am still just skimming the surface, I do my morning pages every day and have joined a FB group that will do the whole 12 weeks together, I feel very short of network and forums, even more so for being stuck at home for so long. I hope you get your creative mojo up and running as well, let me know how you get on. 

ditty1234

Wrote a lot yesterday so will keep it short - did a sweater cull last night - I think I have a thing for sweaters - oops. but I made room for my new sweaters and I have one that is going back, if the shops ever open again!
I am grateful for a warm house and for running shoes that has not lost their soles yet! For tidying the kitchen last night - so it was nice to get up and make coffee this morning. Hoping for NSD 2 today. Would like to aim for 20 but not sure can be that organised. 

apple_muncher

crazy_cat_lady said:

 I know that I'm an unreliable and flaky turtle.

Turtles don't flake.

So you can't be flaky.

You are an awesome ninja saving turtle.

In a cape.

With new spotty wellies to complete the look.