December 2022: The Turtles do the Cha Cha Cha

Thrifty_Taylor

I've not spent today, but DH went on the bus, so needed money for his fare. Currently on NSD#9, vexed I can't include today & make double figures!
Felt dizzy still on wakening, so didn't exercise this morning. After a late breakfast, I walked to the village shop to ask them to save me some newspapers for our fire. Will collect them tomorrow. It rained on me on the way home, but I didn't care! Chopped sticks & made a fire, ready for when DH returned. Used up some wilted veg out the fridge to make a stir-fry for my dinner, then got my sewing machine out. Got all the sewing jobs done (had 2 Christmas films on in the background, one after the other) while I sewed. Got them all finished by 9.15pm, so poured myself a Woo Woo & went in the bath with my book. Let my holidays begin, apart from cleaning & a bit of shopping tomorrow morning, I'm all organised 🤞

Grateful for seeing jobs being finished, an email from my auntie in America, with photos of a black bear on her house steps!! & treat time once my jobs were finished. Nearly forgot, a rainbow spotted on my walk 😊

Shrewbie

Thanks @lcc86, the journey was pretty painless…. Happy birthday to your ds4 @f0xh0les!
 
I arrived in the afternoon yesterday, my mum and her partner picked me up from the airport which was nice. Spend the evening having cuddles with my mum’s dog and mum showed me the Spanish homework she’s been doing! I brought a couple of Spanish kids’ books for her which she was more excited by than I expected!! Had an early dinner and fell into bed. Realised that yesterday had been an NSD after all.  Feeling refreshed today.

grateful for an unexpected NSD, for seeing family and being woken by a furry alarm clock instead of the usual variety. 

apple_muncher

Happy birthday to ds4, f0xh0les! Hope he enjoys today.

Thrifty_Taylor, you keep an nsd for spends on travel.

Shrewbie, welcome to a rainy Blighty!

I popped to liddle at 8 when it opened. Usually, I'd share the place with a dozen others. But not today. I got one of the last two parking spots and the queues were huge. I was tempted to put back my 20p hummus and rocket and 70p pizza (for DH). But I stayed and claimed my goodies!

It's madness out there, turtles. Keep your cool and take time for yourself. Breathe, relax your shoulders, enjoy.

grandmanerd

Yesterday was very tiring but I did  make good progress. I am ill, so I am working steadily and slowly with lots of resting in between. Started putting things I am taking away with me into bags (they will be repacked before leaving) but one small toiletry bag containing 19 items including pills, 2 wrapped presents, any clean presentable clothes (some may be swapped for better ones as the dried ones come up and I have more to choose from). Also started a bag for when I next see my grand-daughter and her parents.

Tried to order takeaway hot food yesterday but one didn't tell me it was a pre-order until I got to the end so hot food is coming at 11.30 am. Gave up  on another order after it cut out for the sixth time. Ate 3 small baked potatoes from the freezer and as my throat is getting worse had a helping of defrosted berries with 2 small yoghurts (repeated for breakfast just now). The fridge and freezer are emptying nicely, I may have to put bottles of water in the freezer to keep it working efficiently.

Late night (watched a film which wasn't my usual sort of thing but I enjoyed it - my serial wouldn't load) but once I felt properly awake I started sorting through things on the bed. One pile of mum's things (although most of it has been resolved - just a few utility companies to contact when the sale finally goes through). One pile of my stuff (nothing urgent so may get filed in a drawer). One pile of stationery (a couple of notebooks and loads of little things - stray envelopes, file dividers, parcel labels). One older project book has been labelled - health/ well-being, house (only put in the list of paint cans we have so far) and Plans/ Challenges with a carried forward To Do list on the back page (stuff I'm moving onto next year). Plus a small 'useful box' - pens, pencils, stray cutlery, scissors and tape, 2 screwdrivers and a tape measure which belong elsewhere but for the moment they are  contained. have used the rough categories to transcribe noted from scraps of paper - CBT notes (just the most useful bits extremely condensed - a lot of the course file is old ground and I know it backwards). 1 large drawer (from the dismantled wardrobe, 2 wooden trays and one A4 box all emptied.

Christmas cards will not get sent - found the cards and one addressed envelope but not the multi-page letter, then when I went back I couldn't find the addressed envelope and need to find the 'Christmas planner' for the other address (think it's on the floor but I'll go  dizzy if I bend down again). I will text my cousin to say it's on it's way and ask her to pass a message to my other cousin (all the rest have had them). Will e-mail the friend in the IOM to say the same. Decorations are not happening (possibly between coming back on the 29th and New Year's Eve but cleaning and clearing will take priority).

I've had my shower, washed my hair and did one extra grooming task, cleaned my mask and hose and put out a clean bathroom towel. I'll continue working in my room until food is due to arrive (the end is in sight). A lot of the mum's stuff can't be progressed until after the holidays. My priority is getting me and the things I need to DS1's tomorrow and not be so ill I collapse in bed until it's time to
come home.

I'm hoping to post the January thread later today (I'd feel better if it were done). I'm presuming I can use my laptop at DS1's but want to 'be present' whilst I'm there. If I don't get back on here later I hope you all have the celebration of your choice (and if not think about how to change things for next year), that illnesses and mishaps are minor ones and if this is a difficult time for you, that you treat yourself kindly, take time for yourself and take a time out if you find things difficult to cope with. Lots of hugs from me.

Thanks to apple  for running the thread (I will be back at some point before the end of the month/ year but my only goal is to get on that bus tomorrow). Grateful for feeling clean, being happy with what I've done even if it's far less than I wanted to do, being warm and peaceful and not in any rush (I get less done if I rush).  
 

abundant1972

Good afternoon ⛅

Lovely to hear there are so many folk living in/around Scotland. I am in Manchester myself. 

Sorry for being AWOL for a few days. Solstice (21st) I met family for lunch which was lovely and saw my Mum in the home. Yesterday I think I was wiped out from the previous day, and didn't get going until late. That said - when I eventually did get up I cleared out all my unhealthy stuff, emptied bins and did my laundry so a productive day all in all. Today I felt good - first proper day in ages. Got to the gym and did some batch cooking for next week (7 meals). 

21st = NSD number 14 
22nd = spend day
Today = spend day

The last few days I have been grateful for:
1) Family time
2) All the amazing staff that look after Mum
3) For local amenities on my doorstep

Achievements for December: 

Week 3: 15th - 21st December: ⭐ Mindfulness 🧘🏻‍♂️ = 1/7 ⭐ Nature Walk 🌳 = 0/4 ⭐ Gym 🏋🏻‍♂️ = 2/3 ⭐ = £17.50/£60.00

Have a great day 😉

beanielou

@grandmanerd.REally hope that you feel better really soon & can enjoy your time away xxx

lcc86

Evening turtles

Got up early today and downloaded a free trial for a pilates app. Did one brief session on it this morning then logged onto work by 8.30 as had loads to do and wanted to log off by 1, which I just about managed. Am doing overtime on call for court tomorrow, no idea if it'll be quiet or incredibly busy. Fingers crossed for the former.

I popped to the shops at lunchtime to get the few small items I forgot to get with the big shop, I needed them to finish my batch cooking. Got that done so have freed up a little room in the fridge but barely! Cleaned the kitchen, took the dishwasher to the dump (pains me to say that knowing how much washing up Xmas Dinner will generate!), then came home and did my nails for the first time in about a month while having an orange baileys (tastes exactly like Terry's chocolate orange in liquid form!).

I fell asleep for about 20 minutes just now but have quickly got my clothes together in case I am called in tomorrow. About to pop the oven on to get some dinner started then I may have a small glass of wine, can't go overboard with work tomorrow!

DrCarrie

Evening Turtles, 

I have been away in the Midland seeing DD and her BF for the winter festivities - Tom Bowcocks eve specifically. It's a West Cornwall folklore celebration. 

Grateful for: cooking with my daughter, her partner really appreciating the food, a good night's sleep. 

BadBookkeeper

Finally finished work until 3rd Jan. That was a very long week!

Rained all day here & seemed dark with people rushing around looking stressed and miserable.  It’s sad it’s come to this!

Not an NSD as took cash out for money wallets.  

Visited my Nan & she looked well, much better than when I saw her last.  

Called into local hotel for a drink on our way home seemed to lack any atmosphere.  Maybe I’m expecting too much!!

Turned my alarm off and very much looking forward to a lie in tomorrow and as I’ve not done my chores tonight, will need to do them tomorrow.  I’m just too tired tonight so going to bed now.  I am starting to think redecorating our bedroom recently has made it too comfy and I just want to go to bed early every night!! 

Hope you all have lovely things to look forward to and enjoy tomorrow. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks @apple_muncher, that makes #11 NSD 😊

I'm determined to go to bed earlier tonight! Last night was 11.30, then alarm went off at 7.30 this morning. I need more sleep! Did exercises, then headed to town. Picked mum up, very difficult to get a space in a carpark to drop sewing off! Went to L1dl & Tosco. The carpark of the latter was choc-a-bloc. Got everything done, took mum home, then dropped a present off. Feeling quite organised now. Christmas bedding on the bed (bought last month from CS), & got cake iced after tea.

Great excitement today - received a round robin message from a lady I'd met in Norway 28 years ago. We've kept in touch over the years, especially when she lived on our island whilst studying for a year. I replied to her message, saying how we've got lots to celebrate this next year (DS1's 21st, DS2's 18th, DH new kidney & our 25th wedding anniversary). She said why not celebrate in Norway? She is letting us stay in her flat & she'll stay with a friend nearby, so we just need to pay for flights & food 😃 DS2 wants to stay home, but the rest of us are going. We're all very excited! Planning to go in the Easter holidays. We have some savings in the holidays envelope, but have 3 months to save a bit more & send away for passports. Haven't been abroad since our honeymoon! Will have to brush up on my Norwegian (I learnt it 31 years ago at night classes).

Grateful for kind friends, feeling excited, being organised for Christmas & not stressing like some of the people I overheard shopping this morning!