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

[NoWordForFluffy]

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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! 🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻

We don’t have a washing line yet and it’s too windy to put the clothes horse out like I usually do.

Wow that's some going Fluffy!!

So much for a drying day - we've had hailstorms throughout the day 🌧

Our washing is dry now, I'd think. It's been perfect for it all day. #rubsitin

We've had stupid amounts of rain generally this month though.

I had almost dried a full load of washing when there was a 5 minute heavy rain shower 🙄

Went out for lunch with my sister and her kids today. My well trained niece is coming along nicely - she was looking at photos on my phone, found some from last Christmas and started jabbering about looking forward to Christmas and seeing Santa again
She's coming to me for a sleepover next weekend and made me promise we could watch the Grinch.
She's coming on so well!

Currently wrings a to do list for tomorrow and started series 3 of Race Across The World.

At last I start saving this week can’t wait now to start saving.

274

Morning!

It's a beautiful day here today. I took the dog to the allotment this morning to try to acclimatise him to it. I'm not sure it was a total hit, but it's a bit of a sensory overload with all the smells and new noises! I'm sure he'll like it eventually.

Bit more housework today then not much else planned really.

It’s raining here. Dh is at work, dd is still asleep and ds is playing fifa. I just got back from the gym so need a shower then I need to do some more uni work. At least all the washing is done. Although I should probably wash the towels, I’ll do that after a shower.

I have just been for my hand ultrasound. That was a weird experience. Not doing much today as I don't feel very well (not unusual but I think the clocks have put me about a bit).

I'm not doing much today either why
Ddog had a bit of a turn in the night so we watched the clocks change in the emergency vets. He's ok now but his scan results show his borrowed time is running out quickly.
We got home at 4am with him and I've barely slept so ddog and I will be vegging on the sofa for the day.

DH is doing the food shop now and is going to do a roast later. Looking forward to that, I'm starving!

Crazy I hope DDog is feeling a bit better today. We spent the "longest day" at the vet, well technically longest night (2 -4am) with Boycat. I swear they know it's more expensive and that they're worth every last penny. I dashed out without my phone (but with fresh scratches) and was supposed to ring them when we got there to get into the building...🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🙄

Day 27 of whatever bug this is. It won't shift. I can't stop coughing and spent Sat night downstairs in the chair again. I can't lie down.
Why I hope you're having a better day today.🍫
fluffy I hope you can train "Digger" to dig in rows. 😸 Think of all those spuds he can plant to save your shoulder.

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Thanks puss. Ddog is ok for now I think, but we're at the stage where we know we're going to have to make a horrible decision soon.
He did make me laugh in the vet though - we rushed him in as he was wheezing, struggling for breathe, limp etc. an hour later they let us see him and I swear he looked like nothing had happened and we were just being dramatic!
They also said not to he worried as he'd likely lose his appetite for a few days due to medication. Not a bloody chance - yesterday he had breakfast then thanks to a communication mess up, both DH and I fed him dinner. 3 meals and he cleared his bowl each time!
Essentially he's been on borrowed time for 18 months at least - in July 2021 we were told he wouldn't make Christmas - so we're making the most of him while we can.

Your bug has settled in for the long haul hasn't it? Did you do a Covid test at all? Hope you're feeling better soon 😷

Crazy We didn't test for Covid 🤦‍♀️ but I'm really beginning to wonder if I should have got some tests.
Our old DCat had meds for years, eventually had to make that decision to PTS. I still miss her, even with 2 new reprobates to distract me - and yes, due to miscommunication they often get double-dinners! 🤦‍♀️😸 Oh, and last time Boycat went to the vet, I was told he'd be off his food due to the meds. Hah! Not a flippin' chance. He ate his dinner and pushed his sis away and ate hers too.🙄

272

Morning!

I somehow managed to dodge the rain on my walk with the dog this morning. It's setting in for the day now, by the look of it.

Crazy, it's sad when you know your dog is on borrowed time. And also typical that you take them to the vet looking like they're at death's door, only for them to bounce out a bit later!

Puss, digger is really surpassing himself with where he's creating new holes. It's frustrating! Good job he's cute.

Evening. No real news here. I'm watching ddog like a hawk but he's doing ok for now. He even had some steak for tea (courtesy of my df 😂 who loves him almost as much as I do).

Weather has been awful today but I was expecting it so yesterday after work I got into the garden and planted onions and the garlic my neighbour gifted me. No idea what I'm doing but 🤞🏼 they do ok!
I've decided in the garden my aim is to grow a small amount of a lot of things to work out what works (and I can manage) and what is a PITA.

I've got a slightly festive task to do tomorrow. DH has just been into the attic and in pulling some stuff down, he's ripped open a cardboard box of Christmas decorations.
Tomorrow he's on a residential trip so I'll be going through the box and trying to fit the stuff into a new, smaller box..

Hope everyone's ok, especially you puss!

271

DD has just asked if we're putting up Easter Decorations.

Does she not know me at all??

Of course we are!!

What Easter decorations will you put up TribeD? I only know one person who does anything similar - she has a white twiggy tree in her hall that is decorated for every holiday. I think she hangs brightly coloured decorated eggs on it for Easter.

Work was stressful today and as DH is away, I worked some of the stress out by deep cleaning the bathroom (including removing and bleaching the rubber bits on the shower doors), putting away washing, sorting the loads for tomorrow and changing bedding. I've completely ignored the broken Christmas decoration box though 😂

I think I'm going to settle down to a film and some cross stitch now then have an early night.
I'm leading a big meeting tomorrow and I'm dreading it, but once that's done I'm off until Monday 🥳

270

Crazy - exactly that, a white twig tree and easter egg baubles. We have friends coming for lunch on Easter Sunday so we're pushing the boat out a bit.

DD is very excited about putting them up, so I think that's what we will be doing this weekend.

270

Oooh I can di the Countdown

I read some of the Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles yesterday (but spent most of the chapter seething spices and chocolate do NOT go together Nige . you are barking

I used to do an Easter Tree years ago , twigs from the peartree , painted white , in a tub of putty then put inside an Easter felt bucket , hung with lots of pastel egg decorations .
As it wouldn't survive les chats I hanf a decorated East Wreath on the door .
I have some of thise glass ball things hanging up that get filled with yellow chicks for Easter .
Trying to plan the menu for next weekend , it's pretty much ;like the Christmas Menu but with no sprouts

hanf a decorated East Wreath

hang and Easter <blames keyboard>

I also type really slowly

269

Morning!

It's definitely starting to warm up a bit now, thankfully. Dog walks are more pleasant now!

We won't decorate for Easter. I think the dog will attack! 🙈🤣

The kids finish for Easter today. For the first time in a long time, Easter is actually in the middle of the holidays!

It’s wet and windy here. Really miserable. I’m off work now until the 12th. So pleased I’m completely done in 😅

What a weird weather day. It's changed from grey and hammering down to blue sky with a good wind and back every hour or so all day

I've had the day off work and I think I needed it. I've cleaned the house from top to bottom, moved my starter plants from propagator to tray with a plastic cover, sown more seeds in the propagator and tidied up the general gardening mess id accumulated.
Also had a good shower and did the nice things like a body scrub, moisturising sock thing for my feet and a decent facial cleanse etc. Feel loads better now.

Just waiting for DH to come home. I think we're going to have a takeaway for tea as a treat for him - he's been on duty for 3 days straight and is always exhausted after a residential trip.

I was thinking about what to read earlier and may copy you 70. I've had the nigel slater Christmas book for 2 years now and haven't read more than the intro

Me too, Crazy, in relation to Nigel Slater!

The weather is shocking 🌧 I got drenched walking ddog at lunchtime, thankfully I was wearing DH's coat which is far too big and reaches my knees but it is completely waterproof. I was too lazy to get my own coat from the boot of the car so my laziness paid off.

If this weather keeps up, next week will be horrible...wet dog, kid with cabin fever and a husband at home...I might head into the office for some peace.