Countdown to Christmas 2023: get past the post-Christmas slump by thinking about the next one! (Thread 1.)

[NoWordForFluffy]

364

Morning (just)!

I failed at eating yesterday which meant I got blotto far too early and wasn't well. Oops! 🙈

But we had a great time anyway and I avoided having to tidy up!

Countdown to next year is go go go! 🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

Becoming more human again today after yesterday was a wipe out mostly (DH and I were at the annual engineers ball - 1st since covid- and it was not a blot to but a late and somewhat alcoholic night. Followed by 20 excited Cubs trying to dictate which patrols they would be in yesterday morning...). I had to buy more badges and scout shop had a sale, I needed boots anyway (current pair lost a lace fixing and have a split) and had a flask on my list for a long time (lid on old one is broken) but hangover shopping meant I bought everything I wanted at once as it was on sale...so a freezer week of groceries beckons.

Mostly I am working on decluttering around the house whenever I am not actually working. I cleared out 2 drawers in the kitchen dresser yesterday (and found duplicate puncture repair kits for bikes, 1 in each, lots of extra cables, and birthday candles o had been looking for that someone had "tidied"). And a few other small cupboards. I did clear out a shelf in the office bookcase and I'm giving DSis a box of craft materials I have no time to use (wooden pegs, lots of cars making bits and some other random things) - she'll use lots herself and with her girl guides, and give other bits to DM. I'm trying to refocus on sewing, XSt and knitting as the main things I can get to.

And I need to finish my household repairs. 4 jumpers need holes repaired (moths!😡), DD's school skirt needs lining resewn and a sheet has a rip (which may be repairable or it may provide cotton for lining bags etc for my sewing).

Went to supermarket today ( I usually do on a Friday and I really CBA yesterday ) , some washing on , then I'll sort dinner .
Just one of those lazy , non-productive days /weekends .

I cleaned the loo-brushes though , soaked overnight in Bio powder and hot water . They are ££ silicone ones so not just throw them out and buy new ones .

Should've put them in the dishwasher, 70 (if you didn't read that thread you'll be baffled)! 🤣

Ive been removing the dog smell from the house today. FluffyDog is going to have his first bath before he's allowed back in the front room! Turns out that Shake'n'Vac and put the freshness back works well! We're washing everything he's touched as well. He smelled very doggy when we got him, so he needs that scent removing and regular washing going forward!

I went to feed the birds at the allotment and popped to Aldi on the way back to get some bits and bobs as well. I now need to put my potted strawberry runners in the ground as the dog attacks them as he loves / hates the black pots they're in. 🙈🤣

Ha! , I did read that thread Fluffy . I will put many things in the dishwasher that aren't dishes - lid for the kitchen bin, the glass containers in the bathroom that we keep toothbrushes and razors etc in, but No Loo Brushes

<Clutches Pearls>

I use Method or Dr Bronner soap liquid to wash the kitchen and bathroom floors as it's not toxic to the cats when they wash their paws after stamping about on my clean floors !

Haha I put everything in the dishwasher too but def not loo brushes. I put yoghurt pots and jars in too rather than rinse them out before recycling.

I need to go to the shop as my deodorant broke this morning. Very annoying dd needs some bits for art homework too so we will go to the range.

One thing I always put in the dishwasher before recycling is tins when we have tuna/sardines. Also the washing up brushes. Hadn’t thought of putting yoghurt pots in.

Hope you get rid of the pong fluffy , I normally use bicarbonate of soda as the other stuff my my eyes sting.

Our dog puked grass on our pale grey carpet yesterday 🤦‍♀️

Our cats like to throw up frothy spit and grass on DS floor .-luckily it's a hard floor

"Cats eat grass as medicine " cuts no ice woth DS

The pong is gone! The dog tolerated the shower quite well really. Initially tried to escape, then resigned himself to it! 🤣

329

Everyone must be very busy today. Hope you are all ok.

I have been faffing about with this and that. Back to work tomorrow after three weeks off trying to recuperate. Well I am no different so going to have to wing it 🤣

It's the dog...takes up lots of time!

Plus applying for the kids' passports tonight. Bye bye £98! 😭😭

Good luck tomorrow, Why!

328
Good luck today why

Yesterday flew by - we had some system disasters at work then a big meeting that I struggled to stay awake for, and I ended up working late.

Have spoken with my neighbour this morning and confirmed I did see a rat in my garden on the weekend 😩 Apparently the house behind has at least one living in their garden but isn't doing anything about it and neighbour has seen it climb into his garden then go back so he's going to ring the council/environmental health.
For now it means no bird food in our garden so there's nothing to tempt it in. Horrible bloody things!

poor;y eyes so not around much today got ointment for them.

Oh no to rats, Crazy (there's never just one, sorry)! Where do you put your bird food? If it's a table, can you fashion a baffle out of anything, so they can't get up to it? I have a baffle at the allotment, which seems to work.

How did it go today, Why?

I actually managed to be productive today. Wonders will never cease!

Oh no crazy! We had a baby rat loose in the kitchen once. Dh found it in the toaster, alive.

It was hard work Fluffy and my toes and fingers really really hurt but I just about managed it.

327 Morning - very cold here today. Long day of training today - I'm going to struggle to keep my eyes open I think!

Fluffy I'm assuming house behind us has a fair few rats - they've given them a great place to set up camp - pet food, long grass, a pile of rubbish and broken furniture etc. The people there are a nightmare, lots of shouting etc and my nice neighbour said the bloke has been a bit aggressive to him previously (neighbour is in his 90s) so I'm not happy.

I'll have to consider best way to feed the birds over the next few days. I have a bird table which I liked as I also had a little bird bath (or dish of water with stones in). It was lovely to watch so I'd like to find a way to keep that.

why First day back sounded tough. Hope you were able to rest and get that pain under control when you got home.

A moan...

DH please close the kitchen cupboards when you have finished doing what you are doing. I've shut six kitchen cupboards just now. SIX!!!

DD when you get dressed in the morning, don't just peel off your pyjamas and drop them on the lounge floor...and while we are on the subject, when you come in from school and put your pyjamas on, don't leave your uniform on the floor also in a pile.

DH, DD and DDog all of you are slobs. I went to bed at 6 last night because I had a pig of a headache, woke up and straight back to work at 8 this morning. I've emerged from my dungeon office and the house looks like squatters have moved in! 😫

Moan over

Why hope your doing ok and not in to much pain.

@TribeD Maybe squatters have moved in! #HelpfulPost

Unfortunately my pain is always there, nothing gets rid of it, which is why I am hoping for some form of diagnosis in the near future and maybe some painkillers. Working makes it worse especially as my job is quite intense and physically demanding.

326

Afternoon!

It's a chilly old day today. I'm at the station waiting for the train to take me to the south side of Liverpool so I can have my x-ray / MR Arthrogram. I'm dreading it (and it's costing a fortune). Oh well, at least I've not had to endure the NHS wait for them!

Tribe, my family drive me mad also. You have my sympathy!

TribeD I'm going to join you in a moan if that's ok?
DH FFS stop leaving your slippers and random packaging where I can trip over it. And for the love of god break down the cardboard boxes your packages have come in and put them in the recycling, because they aren't gping to walk there from the back door 😡

And a mini moan - ddog, I know you can't see much but why must you always stand so close to my feet that I trip over you? <disclaimer here - I love ddog and know he does it so he can track and follow me because he is practically blind and I'm his safety blanket so I don't really mind>

Hope today went ok Fluffy. When will you get some answers?

why are there any sideways moves you can make in work that puts you more in office-territory and makes the job a little easier on you?

Found out who got the promotion I went for today and I'm not happy. Am working my frustration out by attacking the cabinet on the landing that seems to just accumulate stuff somehow and is a disorganised mess.

why have you got onto Occy Health at work to help you ?
fluffy hopefully your Xray went well and you get your answers quickly ( one advantage of Private Medicine is quicker results !)
crazy do you have to work with the person who got the promotion?

I'm ploughing through washing (again) doing a shopping list ,
(My glamorous life yeah )

325

Morning

Woke up to find one of the cats had wee'd on the floor <little swine> right next to the huge , clean litter tray . <sigh>

Neither of them will own up , but FemaleCat is giving me vibes of "It was HIM , Mummy , HIM " (It was next to MaleCats tray so I;m holding him in suspicion )

You;ll have all the PuppyAccidents to look forward to Fluffy !

'Tis very quiet (like the Night Before Christmas , when all through the house , not a creature was srirring, not even a mouse )

I bought a really nice top in TKMaxx , it is not a shop I go to for clothes , I like a wander in the HomeSense part ,
But I know from experience in HomeSense if you like something -buy it . It won't be there when you go back.