December 2022: The Turtles do the Cha Cha Cha

BadBookkeeper

All our exciting plans for today cancelled as DS full of cold and had us up at 2:30am to say he couldn’t sleep.  We are shattered today and DH is starting to feel unwell so gone back to bed.

So I’ve had a good 2023 planning day.  Pay day today and all pots replenished.  School holidays marked in my new planner, my planned days off work earmarked and Christmas 2023 budget planned.  Also made a list of 23 goals to do in 2023.  

January budget planned and notes made for the rest of 2023 to accommodate more expensive school uniform for high school and our trip to visit in-laws in Australia in April although DH is mostly covering that,  I will need to pay for clothes for me & ds. Hoping to use council tax free months to cover most of that. May even do another bank switch to boost that but my credit score wasn’t happy last time I did that!! 

House is a tip but ignoring it!  Enjoying another lazy day! 

thriftylass

Also had a good 2023 planning day. Updated my debt. Did my loose themed meal plan where basically every day has a theme with a choice of meals rather than an actual recipe assigned to each day. We then choose the evening before what to have based on what we have in and it doesn't feel so strict, which made us fail in the past. Since I do the shopping I can obviously influence it as needed beforehand. Had a chat with the kids about no spend January (DH is still to get his). 

Also talked to DH and tomorrow will be a rather well behaved affair as he needs to drive early on the first anyway. 

Sorry last post for today, just full of motivation and excitement. 

thriftylass

Also had a good 2023 planning day. Updated my signature and filled in the kitchen planner. Did my loose themed meal plan where basically every day has a theme with a choice of meals rather than an actual recipe assigned to each day. We then choose the evening before what to have based on what we have in and it doesn't feel so strict, which made us fail in the past. Since I do the shopping I can obviously influence it as needed beforehand. Had a chat with the kids about no spend January (DH is still to get his). 

Also talked to DH and tomorrow will be a rather well behaved affair as he needs to drive early on the first anyway. 

Sorry last post for today, just full of motivation and excitement. 

lcc86

Last day at work for the year woohoo!

Got myself in order for next week and sorted some annual leave for next year (very important task!). I cycled partway to work in the pouring rain, got wet legs but my coat kept me dry and I changed into my jeans when I got to work. Was the first time on the bike for a few weeks so glad to get some exercise in. 

Not much else to report today, had another awful night's sleep last night, keep waking up absolutely boiling for some reason. Is 37 too early for menopause?! hopefully an early night and a good sleep later.

apple_muncher

beanielou said:

So so wet here today. 

I'm some places round here, it's hard to know whether it is the rain or one of the many burst water mains!

ditty1234

Today was a big day, planned stuff for ds1 to do with rehab and some group sports ideas came up, have set some dates aside and have ideas for more trips and plans. We also went for a walk and went shopping for new years. All is now set for the weekend and mostly for next week. Ds2 is claiming uni work against chores, but was asleep when we came back from shopping. He is now cooking dinner though. I genuinely feel I am the only one doing laundry and cleaning. And I have proof - I now have clean sheets on my bed and soon all beds. 
December has been a funny one, Christmas was almost painfully quiet, until at my younger sisters, round hers it was all bad news; car totalled, friends at the end of an illness and a random acquaintance of theirs falling down stairs. She claimed she wasn't stressed or had too much on - but she was clearly fibbing. Did my best to help, and we did have a nice couple of days together. Slightly happy new year to everybody, life is busy - and that is my aim for next year, more life, more happy ness and more movement. I am already on day 4 of a 30 day free yoga programme if anybody fancy joining. 

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for having a car, for knowing that although I got rather wet I was able to change and be warm and dry, for fun at the gym, for school prep happening and dc doing a smidge of art, for finding a frame for some artwork I bought in April - I'm actually using a cork notice board as the frame, and it's already hung on the wall.

I found out about the 2 minute rule today. It's fab!

thriftylass

@ditty1234 gosh, that's a lot to deal with, hugs. 

Sounds interesting, what is that 30 day yoga programme.

pollyanna_26

grandmanerd said:

apple_muncher said:

Can you get a lift home?

apple_muncher said:

Can you get a lift home?

I had a taxi. None of it was a huge amount of walking but was so wobbly I wasn't sure I could get down the path and I didn't want to end up in an ambulance. It cost but it was so worth it and it meant I could bring my new Christmas present walker home with  me in addition to the one I took. It was a heavy spend day anyway as I've ordered accessories for my CPAP machine (and a brush for cleaning the hose) and did an emergency food order to come today between 4 pm and 6 pm. 

I have food coming on Saturday (mostly drinks and fresh salad and veg) but I was going to pick up food from the Morries salad bar in the city centre before getting on the bus and do a ys trawl locally. I did the right think for my circumstances (slept sitting up the past 2 nights (and last night it was 4 am before I actually got to sleep) so I've ordered easy to swallow stuff - yoghurts, ice cream (will start defrosting the second bag of frozen berries soon). I had enough food to make do for a couple of days but now can't eat most of it. A pleasant drive with a lovely taxi driver who agreed with my preferred route for getting home. Our local A & E is only taking extreme cases, they have absolutely no beds.

Anyway I'm home and in the house - DS3 had gone to bed and left keys in both the front and back doors so mine wouldn't go in. No  stress, will do what I can (throw clothes in the machine, clear stuff from the fridge so I can complete the fridge clean, make my bed and get in it). They were all on the list before I went but had to pare it down. Nothing very difficult if I do it in stages - bed is very nearly clear and I have a pile of clean sheets. Lots of rubbish to go out to the black bin. But eating and sleeping are most important - yesterday I managed half a bowl of d-i-l's hm soup, a salad, raspberry sorbet and one portion of cauli/ broccoli cheese. Today I've had raspberry sorbet.

My other presents were a dress, 2 pairs of black leggings, 2 pairs of fluffy bed/ wearing round the house socks and a microwavable heat pad. They did fill your own crackers and my cracker had the sweetest little owl brooch, sitting on a crescent moon.

It sounds as though ds1 and his wife created a perfect Christmas break for you . Both food and gifts showed real understanding of your needs and wants. I know how much you love Owls so one on a crescent moon must have been the icing on the cake.

Enjoy your smart new walker and other gifts they do seem to have really thought things through.

Is your sons home in Wales or nearby?

When one of my sisters and her husband lived in Bromley Cross I'd often drive over and we'd head out walking, climbing etc and

Boggarts Hole was a popular destination .Sometimes we'd have the children with us others just the three of us.I wish I had the energy I did back then for walkig, climbing and running but I have my memories of hills fells and mountains around the UK and treasure them.

I'm glad you're home safely but wondering why on earth DS3 would leave a key in the door lock. I'm assuming you meant inside rather than out but the emergency services give stern warnings re leaving keys in outer doors even if locked.  It the key is inside it enablrs "fishing" via  the letterbox to steal keys or gain access. How were you suposed to get in? Was he in bed or had he stayed up to let you in?

I am pleased you had a good break and someone was looking after you for a chenge

Youngest dd has always been a healthy eater  first veggie ow more vegan. When she couldn't think what to have for Christmas last year a forum friend suggested a soup maker and when I mentioned it she said they'd been wondering about one having bought a breadmaker now she struggled with both making bread and soup.

I offered to buy  her and BF one and it's been in almost constant use and very easy to clean. I also bought a book of 100 soup recipies very low price from the Big River Site. So good I bought a soup maker and the reciepe book myself and it's been great on low energy days. I've always liked Cream of Celery Soup and now have a good recipe.

Rather than sandwiches and meal deals and snacks when you're out and about you could reheat healthy homemade soup when you get home.

Have you done anymore about getting a valuation on the vinyl? I know the bungalow needs signing off but you did mention a local auctioneer who'd assess the records. A month from now it will be next year and time for DS3 , Beloved and Chinchilas to head for their own home. you have been very tolerent but have spent far too much time clearing their mess. You'll never be free of heavy graft or exhaustion until they are in their own home and you can arrange and organise yours as you wish and have it remain clean and organised.

It will be far easie to have your grandaughter , her parents other family members and friends visit. Once your home and garden is as you planned.

The NW may not be tropical but we do get lovely sunny days -though not at the moment. You could potter and rest in the garden rather than needing to carry bin bags to other peoples bins.You wouldn't have all that rubbish anymore. My recycling is glass, metal and some paper most paper is compsted . I don't buy plastic or takeaways so minimum to recycle. Most unneeded items go to our  community soup kitchen/day centre. It also serves as a warm place during cold weather.

Idea first evolved a few years ago when the local council  had to trigger SWEP (severe  weather emergency protacol} In an affluent area very little homeless accomodation they needed to travel over 20 miles by train but fares were expensive and hostels were already full.

Our local fire station stepped in with sleeping space and have done it each year through the pandemic. They're now a warm space during the day for anyone fearing the energy crisis or needing advice or some company, The last few Christmas's those firemen have provided Christmas dinner to all whatever their circumstances needing company in these strange times.

It was strange to see the photos of firemen on duty in full unform with Santa Hats dishing up the cooked there food with one ear open for a call out and helmets nearby.

Considering it was origianally intended for a weather emergency the community soup kitchen came about because of lockdown and the need for the homeless to be safe. It's now somewhere to eat, socialise and talk to advisers so a pandemic led to something positive and changed quite a few lives and brought hope.

pollyx

greent

That sounds lovely, polly x