- So close to getting a blackout on my Book Spin Bingo reading challenge card before the last day of the month for once.
- My secret reading nook.
- About to be the weekend.
3 Likes
- Lisa went to the pharmacy to get some medication for me first thing, so now I’m feeling a bit better.
- Christmas countdown presents have of course commenced! I do so enjoy giving people presents.
- Despite bad sleep/not feeling great, I’ve got a lot done so far today.
2 Likes
- Much better sleep last night.
- Looking forward to today’s advent present for my wife.
- Dad’s coming over to install another (solar-powered) light for us in the garden, which will be super helpful.
2 Likes
Warning: my gratitudes are kinda sad tonight, though they are genuine. I will spoiler them out so they are click-to-reveal rather than in your face. I hope that does something appropriate for email notifications too, but I’m rambling a bit as an intro to make sure people are aware the following stuff is sad, just in case.
- CN: death of a pet. Dad came over and took Hulk’s body, and buried her in my parents’ garden beside Breakfast. Reunited at last.
- Ditto. Dad is going to come over this week to help us with cleaning out Hulk’s things, so that we (especially Lisa) don’t have to do it, but forward progress is made.
- CN: death of a grandparent, not new (March) and therefore less raw. My end-of-year playlist brought “Hello Young Lovers” back around to me, and I can listen to it without crying now, mostly, just thinking about Grandma telling the story of meeting Grandad on the day she was supposed to get engaged to someone else, “on the chance that you’ll meet / and you meet not really by chance”.
- 2025 is almost over, with the artificial fresh start that the new year provides. May 2026 treat us better.
- And you know what: a gratitude to me, for being practical and resilient, and also patient with my own grief when it visits.
4 Likes
- Had a really relaxing day today!
- Really looking forward to visiting home and seeing my family soon!
- Went out with friends both Friday and Saturday evenings and had a great time both times!
2 Likes
- I used a new shaving soap today and loved it! Made a beautiful lather and I love the smell.
- Had a great conversation with people at lunch today!
- Speaking of events coming up, it’s almost time for Anime Weekend Atlanta. Holy shit, FLOW (of Code Geass opening fame) will be there!
3 Likes
- Me and my sister trading some work slots so I get a week off over Christmas.
- Lisa’s deeply into one of the kits I got them for Christmas. Video perhaps once it’s complete.
- I have a Christmas jumper for the first time in my life.
It’s soft and warm and comforting, and nerdy!
4 Likes
- Since our vacation this summer was to somewhere with good wifi I was able to work throughout that week and not use any vacation time. So, I decided to cash it out on last week’s paycheck. Used that money to purchase some Lego sets and Squishmallow items my children wanted for Christmas, and got myself a new nail stamping plate as well.
- Friend brought a really good apple pie to game night.
- My mom got a new coat for my daughter. She’s usually happy to wear her brother’s hand me down coat, but this one she really doesn’t like. Grandma to the rescue with a nice, pretty, comfortable coat.
4 Likes
- We got my Christmas sweater through the wash again in record time so I can wear it for a call today.
- I finally got myself to settle down and finish reading MDZS last night. And as expected, I had a lot of fun.
- My traded in books netted me £100 credit with Bookshop.org. I don’t have many books left to get in my Christmas shopping, so it’s mostly for meeeeeeeee… sometime in the new year, when I’m allowed to buy books for myself again and my wishlist has restocked post-Christmas frenzy.
4 Likes
- Got a lovely gift from someone.
- Christmas gifts for people are all starting to come together/actually arrive/at least get dispatched, which is a relief.
- Found a handy hot/cold wristwrap thing which is helping with the ?RSI/injury to my wrist that’s been chugging along being a pain since August.
4 Likes
- Had a great time at the many parties I attended on the weekend!
- Work today was a lot of fun, and I got a lot done!
- (Vegan) cookies I baked this weekend turned out really well!
3 Likes
- Got my invites for my graduation ceremonies (plural! I get to graduate from both LSHTM and UoL).
- Last night, right before the new patch released with new raids, my static raid group finally beat the final fight of the last tier. Just in time!
- Some new story stuff and a new dungeon in FFXIV to enjoy this evening.
4 Likes
- Silver lining gratitude: My parents’ barn burned down on Monday. No people or animals were hurt, it’s just property damage. It sucks, but it’s just stuff.
- My husband said he got me a few items from my wishlist for Christmas, but said he wanted me to try one thing on before the return window closes. I’m now eagerly awaiting Christmas when I get to wear my new heated robe.
- I found a great shirt for my husband for Christmas that I can’t wait to give him, although I’m saving it for a later Christmas event we’re doing with oue board game friends since it will be funnier there.
4 Likes
- Tom Morello did a song for FFXIV and it’s great. Here’s a video with gameplay footage of the fight it’s in if you’re curious. It’s a good thing I love it because I will be hearing it for several hours a week once my group ascend to that final fight.
- Got all the new minions in FFXIV in one day through having quite a bit of luck! Retained my #1 in the world spot throughout. (I’m not alone on #1, everyone who has them all is #1 together, but I was one of the first to reach it and definitely the first on my server.)
- A pretty quiet work day, got everything done and a bit extra.
3 Likes
- Enjoying my time off thanks to swapping shifts with my sister.
- Tomorrow is Christmas! I have so many gifts for people, I’m excited.
- Me and Lisa got the game Split Fiction in the Steam sale, and we’re having a whale of a time. It’s co-op play, so we’re having to work out how to help each other get through the levels, it’s fun.
3 Likes
- I am visiting home now and quite enjoying seeing family.
- Have been really loving a novel I am reading now.
- Season 2 of Andor is great!!
3 Likes
- Got properly spoiled for Christmas. And my sister’s fiancée got me the next two books in a series I had juuust started (which I was reading unexpectedly fast, leading to me pouting a bit that I wouldn’t be able to get the next book quickly because shipping would be slow over Christmas/New Year). Perfect timing!
- Got a game on a whim in the Steam sale, Split Fiction, and me and Lisa are having a whale of a time progressing through it. It’s a co-op game, where we each have to help each other to progress. Some of the levels really had us puzzled for a bit so far, in a fun way.
- Eclair didn’t want to eat last night, but has eaten fine this morning. Whew.
4 Likes
- Had a great time at a holiday party with friends tonight!
- It was really nice seeing all my family on Christmas day!
- All of my friends and family have made a lot of effort to make plenty of vegan food when I’ve been visiting!
4 Likes
- Had a Talisker 10 tonight, which was delicious as always!
- Really happy with some pants I bought today! And for that matter, I have really been loving the shirts I bought on black friday!
- I love being back home with the snow in the winter!
3 Likes
- Had a great Christmas with my family, and in-laws just got into town for the next Christmas celebration tonight.
- Kids are happily enjoying their Christmas presents and still have another week off school.
- Friend got me Flotsom on Steam. It’s a lot of fun so far.
4 Likes