On your marks, get set, go...it's the countdown to Christmas 2020. Thread 1!

[ThatsMySantaHisBeardIsSoFluffy]

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Afternoon.

Here we go again! It feels slightly bonkers setting off again before today is over, but it's tradition, so who am I to argue?!

Fluffy sorry they won't let you change your hours

It's frosty here this morning. Will have to pick dd up from her sleepover in a bit, she will he tired and grouchy so will require a nap hoping to watch the new Aladdin later. Also the horrible histories movie is on prime which dd will want to watch, it was filmed not far from here.

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Morning!

Flouncy, is it your age? Have you seen the GP re blood tests to see if HRT would help? Failing that, could you take supermarket menopause tablets (I think I've seen that Tesco do them at least; don't pay £££ for branded ones)?

I know you're a touch older than me, so likely to be peri at least. (My sister may have more / better advice when she comes along.)

Wreck, it's a pain, but there's a combination of factors to take into account and I do understand why. And March isn't far off!

I don't envy you your grumpy DD, Wreck!

No frost here. But the washing has finally dried! 😂 Next lot can go out now.

Flouncy I'm early 50's and had terrible insomnia from my mid 40's until last year. Peri menopause plus bereavement plus a desire to be on my own for an hour or two led to me only going to bed in the early hours but still getting up between 6 and 7 to do the school run. I looked like a zombie.

After my mum died I had a bit of a crisis and cried on a doctor. I admit I didn't get much help with the menopause symptoms (not a candidate for HRT unless I have a Mirena and I am a hag on artificial hormones anyway) but he was very sympathetic about the insomnia. I got a fortnight's worth of sleeping tablets to reset my schedule. I took them for 10 days and then kept the last 4 for emergencies. I had the odd wakeful night so I'd probably used them all by May. I also started taking a daily magnesium supplement.

I'm now in bed by 11 most nights. I read my kindle for a bit but manage 7 hours most nights - a huge improvement on the 4 I was getting. I have the blue Nytol now for the odd night when I can't get to sleep.

Morning all. Gorgeous morning here and I have a stinking cold that my son kindly shared with me.

Flouncy (I can't highlight names on the app) I started peri when I was 36/37 and had horrendous insomnia for a year or so. I was up at 03.30 - 4.00 am every morning so I feel your pain. I went on to HRT at that point as I was having non stop hot flushes and literally tantruming like a toddler plus periods went awol then continuous. Has been a wonder for me honestly. I sleep lots and feel much better now. Thankfully.

Going to see my mum today plus I am invited to a baby shower tomorrow which I am not entirely sure what they entail but I guess a present for baby will be required which I will buy today.

Dd fast asleep, I've made low carb shortbread and chocolate muffins. Second load of washing on. Ds moaning for lunch already. It's just about defrosted outside now.

Thanks flouncy! One of us has got to be successful surely?!

flouncy my dm had similar and it was related to the death of my auntie (her sister). She was a bugger for giving in and having a nap every now and again when the tiredness caught up with her and it didn't help.
I think it was a culmination of MH and menopause. Luckily a mix of excercise, HRT and low dose anti anxiety meds seem to have helped.

Cars were frozen solid here last night, and any parked in the shade still are.

Wreck would you mind sharing your low carb shortbread recipe please?

I'm going to a big Tesco soon so I'll look for the mini eggs for you too!

I got up at 7, did kitchen, bathroom and washing before having a shower and getting ready. Have now had my car looked at (all ok for now) and just taken FILs Labrador for a walk as they're out for most of the day (SIL is coming again at 5), then on to Tesco.
Busy day today!

Sure crazy I used this one. I used granulated sweetener (not powdered) and used 25g instead of 40g.

Success @WreckTangled! I took the last 2 bags. DH has already scoffed half of one but the other is yours if you want it?

Ah thank you crazy! Can you pm me
Your PayPal? And I'll reply with my address? I can't pm on the app but can reply to them via email. Unless you're on the app too in which case I will stop being lazy and log on through safari

Success @WreckTangled! I took the last 2 bags. DH has already scoffed half of one but the other is yours if you want it?

Thank you for the recipe!

I hope they're worth it after all that, Wreck

Well done crazy. On your busy day, as well as your successful Tesco excursion!

Is sweetener better on low carb? D-S-MIL follows low carb, might make those next time she visits!

I've finally finished getting all the Christmas decorations down We had urgent family business come up so I had to abandon it halfway through. Feel like I can breathe again now. Next job is to home all DS's new toys...

Some sweeteners are fine on low carb others are not. The expensive ones are the good ones (xylitol (but poisonous to dogs) erythritol and stevia) but lots of cheaper ones say stevia on the front when they're mainly malitol or similar which is as bad sugar. I like Natvia and total sweet sugar alternative, both available at the four big supermarkets.

Thank you I will accept all offers of choc orange anything

Flouncy I think you get a slight chemical taste with it, I prefer xylitol. With erythritol you also get a cooking effect in your mouth afterwards. It's weird and I don't like it so use it sparingly.

I'm making crust less taco pie for dinner. Basically taco mince in a dish baked with eggs cream cheese and salsa. Hope it's nice. Expect no one else will like it. Will offer ds ketchup as a bribe

I haven't eaten either of my chocolate oranges from Christmas yet. DH may have eaten them for me though!

I didn't get to sort my gardening stuff as due to DH's shit time management ability, he needed to go and sort the bathroom at his parents' house as they're back from holiday on Tuesday. He should've started the task sooner, but now my weekend plans are shot time pieces as he was gone all day and the kids wanted to play with their Lego, so I couldn't just leave them alone in the house.

It'll have to be the weekend after next now, which is really annoying as I wanted to do it this weekend after not fitting it in last week. I'm very pissed off with him.

Fluffy I would be annoyed too! I hate disorganisation and faffing. I can easily eat a chocolate orange in one go hence why I don't buy them

Mmm coco pops. Ds actually liked the dinner but dd didn't so there's another recipe I won't be trying again

You've met DH then, Wreck?! Faffer extraordinaire!

I didn't even know he was doing the bloody bathroom until a shower tray appeared in our dining room!

I'm annoyed as I have two days off a week and needed to do stuff today which was written off by his idiocy. He's been an arse while he's doing it too. I've been giving him the silent treatment as I'm so pissed off in general AND specifically!

341 am up late so thought l would do the countdown before l go to bed
Have been busy looking for houses with DD2 all horrible or too expensive [hmm[ then we came home & have been looking for car ins ever since. Nearly £200 difference in Admiral £333 to the next one Hastings £525
I can't see us beating that tbf
My sister has told my Mum that she is being disrespectful to my Father by having a recently deceased friend's DH for a cuppa, to talk to him because he is so upset , while we are there mark you!
Dh has been like a man with road rage behind the wheel today , he is such a gentleman but when he gets behind the wheel he turns into a monster, so l am pissed off with him & so get where you are coming from FLUFFY!
I have had a feed of my family today tbh with you [hmm[
Hope everyone has had a good day
Here's to a great day tomorrow today it can only be an improvement
Woolly, good to see you l have missed you m'dear

Mrs do you have a TopCashback account? You'd get £50 back for going with admiral. If you don't then I can refer you and get free money if you do then make sure you do it!

DH is a faffer too. We're always waiting for him when it's time to go out etc.

Da has football miles away today. I've asked DH to bring me back a McDonald's. I need cheese melts before they stop selling them. Also must tackle all the washing, dusting, hoovering and some exercise.