So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

Suffolk_lass

Happy New Year - I'm sorry I have been MIA for ages. I just wanted to say about skiing - the breakthrough for me came with understanding that I needed to keep my knees relaxed and my weight over the bindings, with my shoulders pointing down the slope. If you can think about those three things it just gives you that bit of control. Initially I used to lean down, lift my weight and do an imaginary pole plant down hill and then bring the weight down and forward to direct my skies around the pole. I say imaginary, because hitting the pole or splitting your legs round it is not good. I skied for maybe twenty to thirty years

themadvix

Morning all,

Thanks Jessy and Cheery! I didn't quite make it to the New Year, but I am back at my desk today and thought I'd give a little update. More pondering/goals will come in the NY, probably after my birthday and our party (might start a fresh diary then too).

Christmas was stressful in the lead up and I've already decided things will change from next year and started to put things in place to that effect. We did the usual traipsing 30 miles to see Mr MV's godparents (with his family) on Christmas Eve. This was the first year we've cooked Christmas dinner ourselves (bar 2020, but that was just for us) and we were cooking with BIL and SIL in the in-laws kitchen. And we then took ourselves over to my Aunt's to see my family in the evening, followed by having everyone to us on Boxing Day. It's too much - by the time we've cleared up from lunch on Christmas Day, it's time to go to my Aunt's and while it's lovely to see everyone, it's just not at all relaxing. I've made quiet enquiries with Aunt as to whether we might be able to join them for lunch next year - then we could alternate years, aligning well with when BIL and SIL are celebrating with the in-laws and Niece is with Sis at Aunt's. We might even be able to host Christmas sometimes then and see Dad and his wife too on Christmas Day. Mum won't be happy, but as she does none of the hosting (always offers for Boxing Day, but then I wouldn't get to see Dad and wife at all), it's tough!

All that being said, the day itself was lovely and actually pretty stress-free (I think because I was past caring what time we got to my Aunt's and because I had a plan for not doing the same again next year). The dinner went well (and I didn't even bother with any replacement for the turkey for me - and I certainly didn't miss it), there were plenty of leftovers and we had a lovely time in the evening. I got some lovely presents (some that were on my list, others that were just perfect even though I hadn't chosen them) and we played lots of games.

Mr MV and I escaped to Norfolk for a night in the youth hostel and a day in the mist and murk on Friday/Saturday and it was lovely to get away for some peace. Yesterday was Niece's birthday so more family gatherings (can you see why we needed the Norfolk trip?!) and saw our friends in the evening (to help them eat leftovers). Mr MV has gone into work this morning, and I am doing some work/paying myself and the normality is much appreciated. Meant to be meeting a friend for a drink this evening, but I think we might cry off - Mr MV has had a grotty cold since Friday and I am just exhausted.

In MSE news:
*four portions of turkey curry are in the freezer, the cats had turkey for one meal and Mr MV had turkey leftovers for lunch (all despite only being able to get a breast joint, not a full turkey); 4 portions of cooked pasta (from Boxing Day), two of roasted veg and 2 of chilli are in the freezer, as well as 2 portions of roast potatoes;
* Fridge contains a few bits that will be turned into lentil bolognese for dinner tonight (using some of the frozen pasta);
*I've harvested the remains of the oca from the allotment and will definitely leave them till after Christmas next year - the tubers are much bigger than the ones I harvested at the beginning of the month;
*I've been cat sitting - one over Christmas itself and another from the 27th-3rd;
* Cats received treats for Christmas, so we won't need to buy any of them for a while

* Cat food ordered via TCB

Gratitudes:
* A joyful Christmas Day  - it was fun cooking with BIL and SIL and it worked well
* My thoughtful presents - particularly the game Splendor, which we have taught everyone we've seen to play over the last few days!
* Some quality time with Mr MV in Norfolk - could just have done with a few more days of it!

* A bit of normality on Friday and today

I'll be back again later in the week. Not using my phone for MSE or social media has been wonderful and I've definitely broken the 'I've got a second/I'm bored, I'll pick up my phone habit' which is lovely.

Happy New Year all!

LadyWithAPlan

Glad you had a lovely if busy Xmas 
I also felt I was running, cooking, washing, shopping, wrapping for days !  

Think having more sensible plans for 2025 is a good idea 

greenbee

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Norfolk, although I'm amazed you could see to get here and back as we were in the middle of a cloud for about a week! (The sun is shining now though, as I'm back at work). 

themadvix

Thanks both. Yes, it was full on LaPlan, although the wrapping is solved - I've now got enough drawstring fabric bags in festive fabric that it's a doddle now. I made them for environmental reasons, but the time saving is huge (especially when people hand them back complete with the gift tag, which can just be saved as is for next year!).

Greenbee, it was very foggy on the way up on Friday night, but wasn't too bad by the time we were coming home on Saturday evening - the worst bit we came upon wasn't actually fog, but some idiot having a fire right by the road - suddenly came upon it and couldn't see anything through the smoke!

Have paid myself, done money shuffles and paid off CCs. All OK, although I've paid myself less than the last few months as I know next month income will be lower and it's nice to have a buffer in the business account.

I'm not sure how long we'll last, given the length of January and how little we actually started with in the freezer, but as is tradition, I'll be trying to have a no-grocery-spend January as far as possible. Once birthday festivities are out of the way, it should largely be a no-spend January too, but I'm making no promises before then.

Workwise, I've got a little project I'm working on currently, several Cambridge reports to finish and then a large project arriving for UK client as well as the usual biannual project for my main client, so I should be fairly busy until March.

rtandon27

@themadvix - sounds like you had a really lovely, if jam packed xmas week!  Completely understand the need for simplicity!  The whole season can simply be too much & full on if it's not rationed.  Changing up the plans going forward sounds like a sensible plan!

debtfreeoneday

It’s hard isn’t it balancing the need / wish to see people against not running yourself ragged. Alternating can work well but there will always be someone that isn’t happy. Glad you have a good Christmas and great work on the freezer stash. 

Cheery_Daff

I flippin love fabric Christmas bags too - made myself a decent stash over the last few years, and a couple of people have bought me some of those thin silk wrappings, basically just a square that you tie in the corners. I love wrapping now whereas it used to be a massive chore! 

newgirly

Hi Vix, glad you had a good if tiring Xmas and a happy new year to you 😊 

themadvix

Absolutely agree Cheery about the bags - I'm very evangelical about them and not just for environmental reasons. I too, used to hate wrapping, but it's so quick and easy now and they look so lovely.

I am pondering a new diary... just need to come up with a good title. But first, I need to get a giant loaf out of the oven (The Good Life style). Mum bought me a Netherton Foundry loaf tin for Christmas and it looked like I needed to use the whole two-loaf dough to fill it when I was doing the second rise.... now it's in the oven, I'm not so sure! And then, a quick walk with Mr MV that will take in the post box and the vets to tick off two small jobs.... Back later (or possibly tomorrow now.... depends if I can think of something to sum up my focus going forward).