Monday Message

"Start now to create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan. Watch for best buys that will fit into your year’s supply. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we’re putting away. The instability in the world today makes it imperative that we take heed of the counsel and prepare for the future." (L. Tom Perry)

You know I said we got better in the last post...well we went to church on Sunday wearing our N95 masks, so many were coughing and...yep, I am now sick again. I guess I will have to attend virtually till flu season is over, grrrr :( So since it has been almost a week, if it is like last time it means a little more than two to go. We will see though as I feel like I have less stuff in me to fight it. So lying low here.

Trying rest with my bag o' cat.

I hope all of you are well and enjoying the holidays.

Just a reminder to build your sick plan.

https://www.hillcitybride.com/2020/12/gift-ideas-when-you-have-no-money/ - here are some low cost ideas.

I think so many will have a hard holiday.

It is okay to cut back. There's no shame in it at all. This is the year we should all cut back. Think how those before us did Christmas. They had way less and worked way harder. In things I have read from back then, it was a family time, they didn't have much but they had each other.

I remember my grandma talking about Christmas one year during the depression. They had nothing to give the little ones. She gathered them together in the kitchen and they looked at the coals in the cook stove and played what they could see in the coals like you do when you look at the clouds. I am sure they all had fun with their mom finding pictures of fish or flowers or bunnies. That is a hard Christmas.

Now is a good time to start a new "less cluttered with things" Christmas.

Who could argue about watching movies and having caramel corn?

One family is doing no gifts but they have plans to fix favorite meals and snacks instead and the kids are so excited they are looking through recipes and if they can be excited over that we can do things too.

What do you plan to do to cut back? Write and share with us below.

https://www.frugalandthriving.com.au/free-gift-ideas/ good ideas here too.

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/gifts-that-dont-cost-a-dime/ - she has great ideas as well.

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/100-free-gift-ideas-people-actually-want/ - some ideas here as well.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/20-gifts-that-cost-nothing-to-make-but-just-might-be-priceless_b_6282918

I think you get the idea that shopping till you drop or spending more than you have is probably something worth foregoing this year for sure.

I will tell you that this also is the time to de-stress and find time to rest.

https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/what-is-hygge/ - with winter coming full force, this is a great thing to slow down, put soup to cook, light some candles, everyone pick a book they want to read and hot cocoa for all.

This week, besides being sick, I finished the cowl I was working on, it was fun to knit

It is being blocked in this picture.

https://www.pinterest.com/hackettjm/free-cowl-knitting-patterns/ - these cowl patterns are all free.

I hope you all are well and having fun in all you do.

Missy says stay safe and well, be working on skills and storage as you can and make sure you have catnip on hand or under your tree this year.