NST December 2023 The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year?

Betharooni

Hi all

Can I join in for December? Not sure how much I’ll remember to post but will definitely read along and post where I can.

B x

DawnW

Yes please @grandmanerd - I don't seem to be posting much as I have difficult family stuff going on, but I always read along.

lcc86

I'm going to get in early and set out my stall now as I don't know how frequently I'll be able to post throughout the month.

Aiming for 15 NSD's, maybe more if possible. I've no Xmas parties to go to as the one being arranged by my work seemed a bit naff so I didn't commit!

I'm planning daily yoga, even if it's just 10 minutes, on top of my usual workouts. I've actually just given my 1 month's notice at the gym as I want to mix things up in the new year and have plenty of workout gear at home. Plus if I change my mind I can sign up again in January when there are always discounts! 

Work is pretty stressful atm, so I need to reevaluate how to de-stress and make time for myself, as well as what I want to achieve career-wise long-term. I have a few options and some time off over Xmas so that's a good time to have a think. 

Most of all I want to be kind to myself and others! I feel like there's less kindness out there atm so time to try and spread a little.

ditty1234

Hi can I join pls :-)

grandmanerd

Friday 1st December 2023

A warm welcome to all turtles old and new and all our followers who read along.

H   Help - you should not take on all the responsibility. Ask for help, give clear requests, say please and thank you
We're mostly very bad at asking for help and often end up grumpy and resentful when no-one offers or even notices all the things that need doing. Sometimes our nearest and dearest  assume we 'enjoy' doing - Christmas, the cooking, the cleaning, making arrangements, hosting. Sometimes the assumptions grow year by year - you're so good at it, you're organised and in control, you don't have anything else to  do with your time (and sometimes we tell ourselves those things too).

Start small  A simple request - could  you collect your dirty laundry and bring it down?, Can you pick up xyz when you go out shopping? Accept any offers of help gladly. I'm still surprised that strangers stop to ask if I'm okay when I sit on my walker. Usually I'm fine and just need a 5 minute break but I always thank them for asking and I'm grateful because one day I might need that help.

Start them young We  didn't  have many toys when we were small but we always sorted through them and decided which could 'go to boys and girls who had none'. Although I still felt a slight trauma when my dad did it with us one year and he threw a headless doll onto the fire -  I wasn't that bothered but recognised that it wasn't the right thing to do (sociopath spotting for 6 year olds). Children enjoy baking, making cards and presents, doing the tree and they should be allowed to.

Share the load  Some blogs suggest making  the Christmas prep into a social event - invite a few friends and bake/ prepare ahead with music and wine. It works for assembly line butty making for school/ church/ family events, it might work with 2 or 3 friends in whoever has the biggest kitchen with cups of tea (hot choc/ mulled wine). Divide up the catering -  our school parties used to work like this, notes were sent home and mums ticked to say what they would send (cakes, sandwiches, crisp,  jellies - enough for 6 children). You can even enlist the help of family members in dealing with 'awkward' guests (divide and conquer)

Clear requests Defined tasks (boys soon learn to use the 'we can't multi-task' line). Make sure they know you want them to do it - it's not a vague suggestion or something they might consider doing. Time limits - they don't have to do it now but 'by teatime', 'this weekend'. Be prepared to drop your standards - 90% done is better than nothing and if you have  to tweak it, don't do it in front of them (or they'll lose all motivation to help again).  

Say please and thank you Add lashings of praise for young ones. We can often be quite rude to our nearest and dearest, teach them by example, you aren't a drill sargeant.

If you are  currently 'doing it all' and are fed up to the back teeth  with it Institute change. Start small. Be clear. I always found it easier to pretend to lose my temper before I actually did. That way you can make it clear that you are angry but still make the points you need to rather than bursting into tears and stuttering incoherently.

Friday Quotes
The Elimination diet
Remove anger, regret, worry, resentment, guilt and blame. Then watch your life and health improve
(Charles F Glassman)

There are times I see what other people are doing and think I should do that too'.  But then I remember 'I am on a different path' (Greg McKeown)

You will change the world just by being a warm kind-hearted human being

beanielou

Great start for December @grandmanerd. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Pinch punch 1st of the month! Please can I join? #18 would be fab 🤞

f0xh0les

Happy December sparkly Turtles! I am with heating and hot water today, the builders are busy putting in insulation under the floorboards in the new loft room, so I am watching them, and have looked to see what they are using - it seems to be the apprentice's job - and I will be replicating their work in other rooms in the house.  I can do this! One floor at a time ... it will give me a chance to ask people if they still want X piece of furniture in their room, or if there is something else that will make their room work better for them. 

First words out of DS4's mouth this morning was 'can we decorate the house tonight?' I see trees in my future. He did not think my response of 'as soon as your bedroom is tidy' was reasonable.

More Mutiny On The Landing when he realised I was not going to drive him to school.  Everything is my fault. Oh well!

Food Bank was quite busy yesterday and we shifted a lot of food to people. Job done!

C-word Jumper Day is 7th December - next Friday - so am going to take the kids to a couple of c/s to find a new-to-them jumper - I have a feeling I donated them back before Xmas last year, but there might be one in the suitcase with the decorations in it. Will have a search when the builders disappear tonight (3pm).

abundant1972

Happy 01st December 🎅🏻🎄 ⛄🔔

Ok - well no snow yet in Manchester but I live in hope! Has anyone else got any yet? 

Thanks for this month grandmanerd and liking your quote about the elimination diet 😊

Plan for today and over weekend:

✅Coffee 
✅Unpack and set up new appliances in kitchen 
✅Another coffee 
✅Budget review
✅Clean bathroom 
🔲Sort journals out 
✅Vacuum/dust everything*
🔲Food cupboard/fridge/freezer inventory
🔲Meal Plan
✅Walk outside daily for some fresh air

I will come back and tick off as I complete them. That's accountability for you!!! There is zero reason why today cannot be an NSD. No excuses haha. Loving my organising emojis. If you press the windows key and > together it brings up an emoji table. I found these under 'check' and 'square'. Go knock yourselves out 😂

Today I am grateful for:

1) Time at home to plan and sort
2) My coffee machine (and other gadgets!)
3) Hot water and a shower/bath

Today = NSD number Zero!!!! 

Catch you all later x

Additional: Well did a few more jobs... *Most of apartment vacuumed and dusted! Whoop!
Alas... I realised I needed some cleaning things, so had to do a shop... so got some other bits too. Used vouchers so 2 x carrier bags only cost me 0.83p!!! Bargain. And still some money on vouchers left. Am gonna do a bit more dusting and think I will tackle journals tomorrow now. Need to be in the right frame of mind to sit down and plan! See you tommoz!

f0xh0les

It  snowed in Le'Shire for three minutes yesterday, but nothing since.