It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

Loughc

dubstepper wrote: »

I'm going to find it tough not allowing myself to eat and drink what I want. My sleep pattern has gone to bits. I'm going to bed around 1:30AM and getting up at 10AM. Need to move back to 7AM/11PM

Also, weighed myself today and have put on half a stone over the last month

I'll do it again next year tho' :D

I’m on the same sleep pattern as you. 1.30/2am up at 10am.

Tomorrow’s 7.30am alarm will hurt.

I’m 100% the same as you the biggest thing I miss about being off plan is the snacking on demand.

Saying all that I am ready to be back into a routine. I feel better when I am.

Sheep Shagger

jellybear wrote: »

100% freshpopcorn.

Husband and I chat about it a good bit and his take on it is very clear- there are must haves and nice to haves so when deciding who to meet, where to go etc is it a must or a nice to....
We're also very much in the "just because you can, it's open etc, doesn't mean you have to" camp.

Fully agree. Really suprised and disappointed in people I know who were straight in to pubs and restaurants and posting on social media sayingvitvwax great to be able to catch up

I felt and still do at times like an idiot having turned away a couple of invites to meet up with people, just didn't want to take the risk. Again just because you can meet up shouldn't mean that you do.

As it happens a teacher in our local school tested positive just before Christmas so after all the sacrifice they didn't get to spend the 25th with their grandparents (apart from 10 mins in garden at a distance).

Mystery Egg

Some of the lockdown rules are stupid, yes.

But we didn't have 3500 cases a day when we were in lockdown with schools and crèches open because children are not the super spreaders we thought they were at the start of this.

These high numbers are not because of schools and they're not because somebody breaks a rule and stands in the garden to have a socially distanced visit with their parent. They're because of rampant and reckless socialising in groups as described and thanked here.

Anyway I'm going to log out and cool off and be ready again for Christmas cheer 365 as usual in a bit.

Loughc

Mystery Egg wrote: »

Some of the lockdown rules are stupid, yes.

But we didn't have 3500 cases a day when we were in lockdown with schools and crèches open because children are not the super spreaders we thought they were at the start of this.

These high numbers are not because of schools and they're not because somebody breaks a rule and stands in the garden to have a socially distanced visit with their parent. They're because of rampant and reckless socialising in groups as described and thanked here.

Anyway I'm going to log out and cool off and be ready again for Christmas cheer 365 as usual in a bit.

Sadly schools (secondary) are a spreader. My wife is a teacher and just before Christmas 4 students in one of her class got COVID. One of the students past it on to her entire family (5 people) who in turn passed it on to more. The HSE asked the school to keep it quite and said not to tell other students as they didn’t have the capacity to test them, the teachers and other close contacts.

Anyway rant over and back to regular Christmas programming now

Posy

dubstepper wrote: »

I'm going to find it tough not allowing myself to eat and drink what I want. My sleep pattern has gone to bits. I'm going to bed around 1:30AM and getting up at 10AM. Need to move back to 7AM/11PM

Also, weighed myself today and have put on half a stone over the last month

I'll do it again next year tho' :D

I'm the same, sleeping at 1.30 to 2am and getting up nigh on 11am.
Tomorrow will be a shock to the system!! I'm glad I had Thursday though to ease me in a little.

I've skipped my last 2 weekly weigh ins, so not looking forward to stepping on the scales next week! :eek:

Loughc

Posy wrote: »

I'm the same, sleeping at 1.30 to 2am and getting up nigh on 11am.
Tomorrow will be a shock to the system!! I'm glad I had Thursday though to ease me in a little.

I've skipped my last 2 weekly weigh ins, so not looking forward to stepping on the scales next week! :eek:

I’m weighing in this Saturday. Pray for my scales

Loughc

So in 3 months this thread is one third of the way there to be closed.

That’s the quickest our chat thread has ever moved!!

antimatterx

Loughc wrote: »

So in 3 months this thread is one third of the way there to be closed.

That’s the quickest our chat thread has ever moved!!

It's a really great thread.

appledrop

I was reading article today about news years resolution, losing weight, dry January blah blah blah + I just thought what a load of crap.

Now don't get me wrong fair play to anyone who has decided to reinvent themselves but this is not a normal January, people should not he made feel guilty for putting on few pounds over Christmas by these pointless articles.

I think we should all just be glad we got through the year + got to enjoy Christmas.

The diets can wait until people are ready for them in their own time.

jellybear

You're so right, appledrop. I definitely need to lose a bit of weight but I'm not putting mad pressure on myself. Little changes here and there, sustainable ones!, and hopefully it'll make a bit of difference Although it is my birthday in a couple of weeks and I've told hubby all I want is a really nice chocolate cake

Loughc

Complete agree appledrop 2020 took so much for everyone.

So I say do whatever makes you happy in 2021. If that means extra treats go for it. I’m getting back into a routine from tomorrow cause I want to but I’m not going to be massively strict for the first month anyway.

We’ve a busy cold lockdown January coming up. Do what makes you happy.

Posy

I'm going to try and be healthier in January- more home made lunches at work, rather than fast food etc. I'll also try and get out with the dog for plenty of walks, when the weather allows.
But I'm putting zero pressure or any high expectations on myself.

I'm really just going to try and muddle through the month, be careful on public transport, lots of sanitizer and hand washing etc. I'm not denying myself much though, January will be miserable enough!

appledrop

Loughc wrote: »

Complete agree appledrop 2020 took so much for everyone.

So I say do whatever makes you happy in 2021. If that means extra treats go for it. I’m getting back into a routine from tomorrow cause I want to but I’m not going to be massively strict for the first month anyway.

We’ve a busy cold lockdown January coming up. Do what makes you happy.

Thats exactually it. We all know we have got out of routine over Christmas + over indulged but thats what was great about it because it made it feel like a normal Christmas when it was far from that!

People will get their but give them a chance! Just thought very lazy article. Peoples mental health very important right now so they should take things at their own pace.

Caranica

Back in Dublin after two glorious weeks. Much quieter Christmas and New year than usual. Low contact numbers but as someone who effectively lives alone (I have a lodger who stays in their room 99% of the time) it meant the world to me to see my parents and my sister and her kids.

Missed so many traditions and lots of physical contact but it still was what my soul needed and I owe it to my loved ones and to society to stay safe and not put people at risk.

Had two amazing surprise presents waiting for me when I got back which brightened the gloom.

Odeta

dubstepper wrote: »

I'm going to find it tough not allowing myself to eat and drink what I want. My sleep pattern has gone to bits. I'm going to bed around 1:30AM and getting up at 10AM. Need to move back to 7AM/11PM

Also, weighed myself today and have put on half a stone over the last month

I'll do it again next year tho' :D

Fair play to you for getting on the scales. I’m in happy denial here eating chocolate tiffin. Also putting off going to the dentist lol

Pistachio19

Caranica wrote: »

Had two amazing surprise presents waiting for me when I got back which brightened the gloom.

That was lovely. We still have presents here for some of my family in Dublin and vice versa. I think I'll organise a courier to do a swap in a couple of weeks. I figured before Xmas that the post and courier services would have been too busy.

freshpopcorn

My aunt posted Christmas cards on the 16th to our address.
One came on 22nd another on the 24th and another on the 31st.

dubstepper

Yeah I don't think it is worth pressuring yourself in Jan. I put on an extra bit of weight over the winter but normally take it back off during the year.

January is a hard month without punishing yourself on a diet. Or going off drink!

dubstepper

I normally buy a few decorations in the sales. After the recession you would get lots of great things in the sales in Jan. I have noticed the last few years there has been less and less. This year was particularly bad, but that was obviously covid related. For the first time i don't think I picked up anything.

freshpopcorn

dubstepper wrote: »

I normally buy a few decorations in the sales. After the recession you would get lots of great things in the sales in Jan. I have noticed the last few years there has been less and less. This year was particularly bad, but that was obviously covid related. For the first time i don't think I picked up anything.

We used find that also but I find most places sell stuff on now in sales before Christmas.

appledrop

Pistachio19 wrote: »

That was lovely. We still have presents here for some of my family in Dublin and vice versa. I think I'll organise a courier to do a swap in a couple of weeks. I figured before Xmas that the post and courier services would have been too busy.

It can actually be nicer to get them later on you appreciate them more.

appledrop

Well during my tidying spree today I found an unopened box of Butlers chocolates!

They are amazing! Good job I ate the cheap chocolates first because nothing compares to these.

Caranica

freshpopcorn wrote: »

We used find that also but I find most places sell stuff on now in sales before Christmas.

This year there were fewer sales...Home store and More didn't do any online, M&S did no sale and Debenhams are gone three places were great sources for decorations.

DvB

Caranica wrote: »

This year there were fewer sales...Home store and More didn't do any online, M&S did no sale and Debenhams are gone three places were great sources for decorations.

And the range were cleared out early.

Caranica

DvB wrote: »

And the range were cleared out early.

I keep forgetting about them as we have none in Blanchardstown.

appledrop

Caranica wrote: »

This year there were fewer sales...Home store and More didn't do any online, M&S did no sale and Debenhams are gone three places were great sources for decorations.

Yea I went to have a look whenever shops reopened in Dec + nothing left!

Everyone bought online this year early.

Heroditas

One last beer and then bed with the alarm set for 7.30 in the morning. Urgh!!
I went a bit mad today and cooked a ham and a turkey crown with stuffing, roasties, veg etc and we also had some of the M&S and Aldi starters.
Feck it, as far as the kids are concerned, it's Christmas for another week!
Sitting on the couch absolutely stuffed with half a crown and half a ham sitting in the kitchen with the cats howling at the door dying to get their paws on it.
Funnily enough, I'm watching one of the Masterchef Professional Christmas specials and now have some ideas for the leftovers from today, one of while was a turkey, ham and stuffing tortilla. Guess what I'm having for lunch tomorrow

Loughc

I only had this conversation earlier about not being able to find Christmas stock for sale post Christmas. I chatted to a friend on retail about this that why are we more likely to buy Christmas stock in august than January.

He said stores in recent years hides their Christmas stock after Christmas for fear it looks bad that their stock doesn’t sell and people might not buy It for full price next season.

Bananaleaf

dubstepper wrote: »

I normally buy a few decorations in the sales. After the recession you would get lots of great things in the sales in Jan. I have noticed the last few years there has been less and less. This year was particularly bad, but that was obviously covid related. For the first time i don't think I picked up anything.

I found it hard enough to get decorations BEFORE Christmas this year :eek:

Loughc

So here it is. The last couple of minutes before reality comes hitting hard. Yes we still have 3 days of Christmas to go but sadly once work starts tomorrow the Christmas feeling dies for me and becomes a memory that builds and builds throughout the year.

mirrorwall14

Husband back to work in the morning so it’s me and the kiddos this week. Asthma has flared up so I’m housebound too as too much covid about for someone on steroids to really even do playgrounds with them unfortunately. It’ll be potter around the house, try and fit a few jobs in and keep them entertained.

Mother of god it was cold outside today though, I actually wore a mask by choice out the front because it was whipping the breath from my lungs lol.

No decorations down yet. I’ll wait for the sixth this year

Finished off the turkey and ham from New Years today with Thai green turkey curry. It was delicious. I’m raging though, I forgot to do my potato cakes this morning for breakfast. I’m assuming my mash is dead? It did go straight in the fridge and it’s a new good fridge but never done day 4 before..... internet says 3-5. Will have to have a sniff test in the morning. But couldn’t face illness so maybe not

Jude13

I am in full countdown mode for this years Christmas, I have just booked two weeks off and have my fingers crossed that I will be able to fly home to Ireland for Christmas.

I have visitors in January (again not in Ireland and low cases and roll out of vaccine, plus tests before and after arriving) so there is no point in a dry January, I have not seen them a year.

To encourage reducing waste in our house I am eating everything but its having a terrible effect on my waist. I am gyming it still but diet is out the door for Jan.

I still have green festive ink in my pen in work which will last a few months and be a reminder of the season.

DvB

Can confirm the cant sleep bit, reckon I got about 2 hours last night on and off.... will be knackered later.

DvB

Back at my desk in the office and it feels weird (par for the course for the first day back though) just one other person in atm so its all quiet & cold (heating only just been turned on again) so have a mug of coffee here beside me, suspect I'll be having a few of them today after the lack of sleep last night (cliche's are cliche's for a reason) and the saddest thing so far has been changing my desktop wallpaper from my traditional christmas one to my work one, I'll need to do the same on my PC at home when WFH tomorrow

Weighed myself without thinking this morning & it appears I've only put on one single pound over the last 2 weeks so happy days on that score. I did try to take it easy on the treats & definitely drank less alcohol through a lack of socialising so despite feeling like I ate & drank all the food managed to limit the damage nicely. Avoiding 'treating' myself for the next 2 weeks as a reward for being back in work & back to normal will be key I suspect. I've fallen into that trap before & will do my best to avoid this year. With all the decorations down I've gotten my exercise bike back in from the shed so if the weather is too bad for a run, I can sweat buckets on that to keep me ticking over.

Was discussing the christmas we had with the wife last night & she reckons it went really really fast despite us only really doing anything on christmas day, the rest was just the 4 of us at home or out for walks, whilst I felt it was a nice long break and for all the usual wishing it wasnt over currently dont feel that bad about being back to normal (for now anyway, wait till the emails start in earnest) As for christmas 2021, she normally refuses to entertain talking about christmas until the summer, but his year has already been making plans & has decided we're hosting and all her family are invited as she got to see none of them this year (we met mine on Christmas day) so assuming we're more or less back to normal re: covid looks like we'll be flat out again being hosts this year!

But remember

Posy

Ugh, didn't sleep until well after 2am last night, already counting down to 5pm!

RentDayBlues

I’m not back til Wednesday, still dreading it though especially with the kids being off too. My forecast said snow so I’m lying in bed waiting for it! On the plus side, I’m awake before 9 ;0)

Loughc

Posy wrote: »

Ugh, didn't sleep until well after 2am last night, already counting down to 5pm!

I seen 3.30am on my watch last night, the tossing and turning was just silly

I will be wall falling later... roll on 5.30pm

DellyBelly

Loughc wrote: »

I seen 3.30am on my watch last night, the tossing and turning was just silly

I will be wall falling later... roll on 5.30pm

I'm the same. Serious case of the blues. But at least I can remember the great times I had catching up with friends (many I hadn't seen in ages) and family and that will keep me going over these next few weeks.

DvB

Loughc wrote: »

I seen 3.30am on my watch last night, the tossing and turning was just silly

I will be wall falling later... roll on 5.30pm

At least we're all in this together!

Jude13

DvB how so? The night before last my youngest was up as she has a cold. It was like I was drunk for the day.

Jude13

I feel like the lucky one, my work week started yesterday so I am on day two, and I am four hours ahead. I hope this forum is as active un Jan and Feb as last year as it helps keep the boo boo's away for many.

antimatterx

I had plans to get up and go for a run this morning. After the lack of sleep, that didn't happen. I'm going to need multiple coffees in me today hahaha.

I'm back eating healthy anyway - porridge for breakfeast.

Loughc

antimatterx wrote: »

I had plans to get up and go for a run this morning. After the lack of sleep, that didn't happen. I'm going to need multiple coffees in me today hahaha.

I'm back eating healthy anyway - porridge for breakfeast.

I did get up for the 7.30am pre-work walk with the dog, needed it to wake up.

I am not eating health today as I'm having pancakes for breakfast haha.

DvB

Jude13 wrote: »

DvB how so? The night before last my youngest was up as she has a cold. It was like I was drunk for the day.

Just tossing & turning as it was the last night before heading back to work this morning... always the way!!:D

Odeta

antimatterx wrote: »

I had plans to get up and go for a run this morning. After the lack of sleep, that didn't happen. I'm going to need multiple coffees in me today hahaha.

I'm back eating healthy anyway - porridge for breakfeast.

I’m on coffee number 3.
Went for an early chilly walk which was much needed after overindulging this weekend. Just wondering ... does this page stay active during the year? Please say yes

TRS30

Jude13 wrote: »

DvB how so? The night before last my youngest was up as she has a cold. It was like I was drunk for the day.

Our youngest is still teething. Seems to be going on for ever!

There is a direct ration between the amount of sleep I get and the coffee I drink!!

Posy

Hell yes!

Posy

Loughc wrote: »

I seen 3.30am on my watch last night, the tossing and turning was just silly

I will be wall falling later... roll on 5.30pm

Yeah, I definitely seen 3-something on the clock too. I'm goggly eyed today!

Loughc

Odeta wrote: »

I’m on coffee number 3.
Went for an early chilly walk which was much needed after overindulging this weekend. Just wondering ... does this page stay active during the year? Please say yes

Oh hell yes we do, we are here 24/7, 365 days, the Christmas forum is not just for Christmas. It for everyone who believes in the good of Christmas all year.

Loughc

Posy wrote: »

Yeah, I definitely seen 3-something on the clock too. I'm goggly eyed today!

Same, I feel borderline drunk this morning and I wasn't even drinking