Share Your Day
Replies
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double hug and fingers crossed the work issues resolve favourably.2
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Alexandra - so glad you feel you can share this here - that is a whole heck of a lot of experience to carry inside. Glad boyfriend is coping pretty well. Of course my first thoughts are for you. Sending you strength and patience and love. Be gentle with yourself. You are being a bit of a superwoman - and an alter-ego like that needs lots of support to keep up her superwoman feats. I know you will always take care of everyone you love. Just want to send a nudge-nudge that YOU need lots of your love during this stressful time too.
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lauriekallis wrote: »Alexandra - so glad you feel you can share this here - that is a whole heck of a lot of experience to carry inside. Glad boyfriend is coping pretty well. Of course my first thoughts are for you. Sending you strength and patience and love. Be gentle with yourself. You are being a bit of a superwoman - and an alter-ego like that needs lots of support to keep up her superwoman feats. I know you will always take care of everyone you love. Just want to send a nudge-nudge that YOU need lots of your love during this stressful time too.
I'm working hard at staying compliant with my meds, and staying on my schedule because that makes me feel balanced and safe and comfortable.
I'm working on plans to fill the freezer for the week that I'm dealing with my thyroid surgery, which helps me feel like I'm doing all I can to prevent problems.
And I'm going to do a lot of baking and giving people food for Christmas (my girlfriend is getting a box of single-portion chips in her favorite flavor, for example, and she can enjoy them with her lunches for a couple months). That's something that will make me happy and distract me from the stress, and I plan to go out for lunch a few times over the next month with my boyfriend's mom, who is a sweet woman, and with my mom.6 -
You are a treasure Alexandra!3
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Bella_Figura wrote: »You are a treasure Alexandra!
QFT!1 -
"Quoted for Truth"
Had to look that one up
thought I would share with anyone else not savvy to PAVs acute lingo talents. 3 -
Oh my, that almost sounds obscene. But I just can't make myself go back and edit it because it makes me laugh. Good think I didn't describe you as cunning!2
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Laurie, I’ll bet PAV is blushing somewhere out there!
Began making cookie dough today. Dangerous territory.3 -
You kids😹2
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lauriekallis wrote: »Oh my, that almost sounds obscene. But I just can't make myself go back and edit it because it makes me laugh. Good think I didn't describe you as cunning!
🤣🤣🤣
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And you thought men’s locker room talk was bad. 🔥🔥🔥3
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Had to check which forum I was on for a second. (wicked grin)
We've contacted an employment lawyer. $$$ but worth it to make sure he has someone who knows what not to say and do in this situation.
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Great idea, Alexandra.3
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Went out today and looked at dishwashers, as he loaded the dishwasher last night and learned why I do not like it. I don't think it will be an immediate purchase, but it's nice to go out and see what sort of features there are and what I like and don't like. That was fun.
Am slowly getting the tree up and decorated this weekend. It's time.
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Happy tree trimming! I finally found a tree that doesn’t eat all the floor space.4 -
Looks very festive Yooly!
I’ve just made my front door wreath - it looks rather homespun, but I'm telling myself that's part of its charm! Hopefully it’ll look a little better against my black front door when I hang it tomorrow.3 -
Such a lovely wreath! You’re an artiste. You’re so lucky to have local greenery. Our wreaths and trees are imported from northern states. Here’s an example of a local wreath sans prickly spines.
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You two are funny!
(aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!---it's almost here! And I don't even have a list of who to send Christmas cards to!)
(So.... do I have to decorate?)2 -
All depends. You can send e-cards. A few actual cards to older folks who don’t do technology. And a festive wreath on the door. Maybe a couple poinsettias inside. DONE!
Did a little shopping today. Had a BLT for lunch. Took out half the bacon for hubby to put on his cheeseburger 🍔. It was the first BLT I’ve had in years. Soooo good.2 -
hey the BLT mayo is POTENTIALLY more Calories than the bacon... I am surprised at how "few" calories crispy bacon has! And don't think that I am not taking pointers @Yoolypr
Task list: find wreath. Locate plastic poinsettias. Task accomplished!!! (do wreaths survive negative temperatures?) Do I HAVE to be festive? Can I be GRUMPY SOURPUSS?
I am actually thinking for flying Christmas day. It is by far the least expensive day to fly over the holiday season. And way less busy based on past experience. And I get to have an excuse to not deal with festivities... so win win win win? Except for the somewhat good time that I eventually DO have during festivities when I partake?2 -
Held the mayo on the BLT. It was still wonderful.
No plastic poinsettias! Real or don’t bother. Yes pine/ greenery wreath survive below zero proven but living in northern Maine for several years. In fact live greenery does better in cold than our 80 degrees here.
Feel free to be as grumpy, grinchy and Scrooge like as you wish. But WHY?2 -
PAV you make your list for this years cards from the ones you received last year!1
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conniewilkins56 wrote: »PAV you make your list for this years cards from the ones you received last year!
And add a person or two who may have had a particularly difficult year. Spread some joy around! It’s been in short supply lately. You would be amazed how being thought of and remembered makes someone feel.
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Anyone here suffer from SAD? I've just had a lengthy chat on the phone with my sister, who suffers terrible depression during the darker days.
I'm lucky that I don't seem to suffer from SAD, but I still have some coping tactics that I use to make the dark days as enjoyable as possible.
First of all, even when I was working and went to and from work in the dark, I always tried to get outside at lunchtime, even if it was only for 15 minutes.
Secondly, I invested in some really top quality bad-weather gear. I have EVENT fabric overtrousers and jacket, good walking boots and comfortable fleece-lined wellingtons, waterproof cycling boots and overshoes. This way I can still get outside to walk the dog or go for a bike ride in reasonable comfort even on the worst days. The endorphins give me a mood boost.
Thirdly, I make positive associations with darkness and coldness. I have a stash of colourful, comforting handknitted/handcrocheted blankets and throws that my mom and grandma made, and I bring them out of hibernation and throw them over every sofa, armchair and windowseat in the house, for instant cosiness. They're all autumnal shades (reds, auburns, oranges, yellows) so instantly mood-lifting. And seeing them reminds me of my mom and gran, which makes me feel happy.
Fourthly, I make a real effort to make the house cosy and inviting. I light the fire, illuminate rooms by using candles and fairy lights, try to cook or reheat something every day that fills the house with fragrance, such as homemade mincemeat, spicy soups and mulled wine. I'm not a great one for Christmas decorations, but my whole house has a sort of Christmassy feel from the end of October until the end of February, because there are always herbs drying and spices baking, and the piney smell of logs burning. And every single night, from Hallowe'en until the end of January, I curl up in an armchair after dinner and read a ghost story, sometimes out loud to my husband, sometimes just to myself. I have a huge library of ghost story anthologies that I've collected since childhood, most from the English canon, some in the original Italian and French, and there is something so cosy about snuggling into one of mom's blankets and reading a ghost story that's as familiar to me as my own face. The ritual makes me almost look forward to the darker nights...6 -
That sounds really lovely!
I always enjoy decorating our house and just got the tree finished today. Now I need to finish stocking stuffers and wrapping presents as they arrive.
Christmas dinner is planned, the meat is bought, and I am going to do something nice for Christmas Eve in company with my sister. She is going to pay for the local BBQ place to do a big takeout order of pulled pork, and I will supply the sides. I rather think that will be some cornbread muffins, some macaroni and cheese, and some green beans cooked in broth with some diced bacon added for flavor.
I'm having my in-laws (Boyfriend's parents...it's not legal yet, but it will be) over for Christmas dinner. I have a lovely prime rib roast in the freezer that I will do Christmas day, and I'll do an au jus for that in case someone wants it. For sides, I will make individual scalloped potatoes (muffin tins) and carrots and parsnips with cinnamon and honey, and brussel sprouts steamed with bacon drippings. Fresh homemade rolls and butter, of course. And, for dessert, individual chocolate Bundt cakes (I have a pan) with whipped cream and a Chambord-raspberry sauce drizzle. I have a good old-fashioned devil's food cake recipe that I can make sugar-free with Splenda, and I have sugar-free black raspberry jam to use as the base for the raspberry sauce. If I can get them I'll add some fresh black raspberries for the presentation, but if not, I'll use red, and that will be fine.3 -
Bella_Figura wrote: »Anyone here suffer from SAD? I've just had a lengthy chat on the phone with my sister, who suffers terrible depression during the darker days.
I battle depression and anxiety year round, but I will say it is worse this time of the year. The mix of the holidays being rough plus the dark and cold can do a number on me. I did finally force myself to move out from the bedroom to the living room which has already helped. I used to do everything in my bedroom... watch TV, read, eat... it was bad. Plus that room is darker because I keep the curtains closed as the window is on a walkway. In the living room I have blinds open so the cats can look out.
I don't decorate for Christmas. Maybe on or two things and I may add things to one of my altars for Yule, but I have never gone through all the boxes of Christmas stuff that I brought up from TN when I moved after my mom died. So none of that is brought out. While I pack to move in the spring I will go through them.4 -
Oh Alexandra, you're such a wonderful home-maker! Your BF, GF and son are very lucky to have you taking care of them!
I love the build up to Christmas!
Today I've hung my wreath, filled stockings for my husband and all our guests, created space for the tree (which I'm soaking the trunk in a bucket of water for 48 hours prior to bringing indoors); festooned the spare bedrooms in fairy lights, put fresh bed linen on all the beds and washed all the windows inside and out. I've also wreathed our mini tree in lights and moved her from the back garden where she resides in splendour from January to early December onto the front door step. Boy, she's grown so much since last year! She no lightweight to heft from place to place in her terracotta pot!
What else have I done? Oh yes, set up a makeshift bar (on a little drop-leaf table) so that our guests can just help themselves to whatever drinks they want...
So much to do, but we'll do a little each day...
Our guests arrive Christmas eve...I'll make a hearty, warming soup for lunch and bake a nice granary loaf. Dinner the first evening will be bruschetta pomodoro, followed by fettuccine al ragu, followed by a choice of desserts: chocolate torte or lime cheesecake (which takes no time at all in the Instant Pot using this recipe: https://myheartbeets.com/2-ingredient-cheesecake-instant-pot-indian-cheesecake/
It made me smile Alexandra when you said 'fresh baked rolls and butter of course' because rolls and butter are definitely NOT part of the average Christmas day lunch in the UK.
Christmas Day lunch will be homemade arancini with a tomato and 'nduja dipping sauce, followed by roast turkey and all the trimmings (i.e. roast potatoes, honey roast parsnips, brussels sprouts with roast chestnuts and streaky bacon, braised spicy red cabbage, cauliflower cheese, pigs in blankets, roasted carrots, crispy sage and onion stuffing, roast-chicken-and-cranberry-gravy and yorkshire pud for those that want it.) Followed by a choice of desserts...Christmas pud with mascarpone; fresh raspberry trifle; lemon torte or fresh fruit salad and Greek yoghurt.
None of this will be healthy or sugar-free...4 -
I am on a med for anxiety,pain, and depression and it seems to help….I still have times when I am “ down “ but after a few days of being sad, I bounce back….I love the holidays and I like everything to be perfect ( OCD )…I enjoy the cooler days of winter here….it is usually so hot and humid….we have lights everywhere; around the doors, kitchen bar, tree, grandfather clock, and china cabinets!…Christmas Eve we open gifts and I fix homemade stuffed manicotti, garlic rolls, and a huge salad….we have strawberries dipped in chocolate and cookies….Christmas morning we do stockings and have a breakfast casserole with muffins and fruit salad….late afternoon/ evening we have meatballs,potato salad,deviled eggs,ham,baked beans,veggies and dips,flavored coffees and cookies….all served in my moms, grandmothers and great grandmothers plates and bowls….
It is just too much and every year I start with good intentions to cut back!3 -
You guys are putting me to shame! I am, err..., not very holiday-y. Not sure why not. But it is just the case. Probably because of childhood trauma associated with relatives pulling a 2:1 for birthday and Christmas. I am now considering whether I might make an exception and let myself be influenced by you cheerful and cheery lot! We shall see. I even found a stash of paper cards!
In the meanwhile I am trying to make some room for the new clothes-hanger/s] biking device. Sheesh. It claims it needs even more room than the huge amounts of room I've already assigned!2 -
Grandaughter Aliyah’s birthday is the day after Christmas….always so afraid she might be traumatized and scarred for life feeling neglected
( eyeroll ) we go overboard…
PAV don’t feel bad….our family seems to celebrate everything….dogs birthday is in Jan. and we will have a party for her, too!1
