Daily Discussion Thread:🎅Mon 25 Dec 2023

I am so glad I gave myself a pep talk and booked a solo restaurant lunch today. Was going to do a solo picnic but that would not have worked. Was so anxious about being the weirdo on their own but no-one cares and I have a lovely little treat. And it's walking distance so no wet roads to deal with.

Cheers all

Looks like covid is keeping me home.

It's pizza and tv and web surfing for me 😸 No being baited by haters, no name calling at me under people's breath. Would have been nice to see the kids tho and the young generation.

also, the Phantom Furry Toe Tickler struck again this morning while I was asleep. This is a case for Seagoon!! ( It was Ted Cat )

Chrissy do was decent

My cheesecake didn't look as good as it did at first when next to all the delicious desserts everyone else bought

Always nerve inducing meeting new people, especially when I'm the only person there that doesn't know everyone else, but it is pretty easy to get involved if people give you an in

Finally home! I got to bring home all of the leftover meat so imma have turkey, pork and ham sammiches for like a week. Time to nap forever goodbye.

PSA: as of just after lunch, the DDT now has an official numbat. See post from @Catfish@aussie.zone below. The name 'Nimrod' has been suggested. I like this, but I'm sure there are other names we could consider.

Tried to sponsor a Numbat for you all, but something is b0rked. Some other day I guess.

Was meant to go to Seymour to camp with the fam this Christmas; I bailed last night because the forecast looked bad, and I just can't be fucked sitting around in the wet lol

Looks like more rain for all of us is coming, so I don't feel so bad, it was the right decision.

Now I have the cat purring and drooling on me, making biscuits; he seems very, very happy I am here to be his bed lol

Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas!

I survived xmas.

Hooray.

Jeez there were a few d & m's though.. Things be rough out there for a few of those exteneded family people. relationship stuff.. I hope they work it out. I am not equipped to help with that correctly. I think that showed but thats okay.

I'm glad I decided not to stay overnight at my parent's place and can sleep in my own bed tonight. It's a lot of driving for one day, but at least I will get a good night's sleep.

Well, I got the dog walk in before the rain started but it looks like it will be a long wet drive to Christmas lunch this year.

I wish everyone in the DT a happy and safe Christmas day.

Remember drive to the conditions if out on the roads, check your gas BBQ connections for leaks before lighting it, and don't use gas or charcoal BBQs in an enclosed space. Plus remember knives are sharp and to keep your fingers out of the way when chopping vegetables or carving the turkey. (does it show that I work in Emergency Services? 🤣)

A happy Christmas to those of you who celebrate, hugs and care to those for whom it is a tough day, and a nice quiet day to those for whom it’s just another Monday. Take care out there, wet roads and family stress can make it a tough day to drive or travel. Pats to the pets, and watch out that they don’t eat anything they shouldn’t. If you have to work, may your shift be easy and pass quickly, and I hope you’re getting sweet extra cash.

Here’s a picture of the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market to enjoy.

Merry xmas to everyone, and especially those who are spending the day by themselves. I hope you make the best of the day :)

Omg. How fun is an epilator when it's not your own hair?

Merry Christmas DDT Fam! 🧑🏻‍🎄

Dragged my sorry self out of bed to haul ass. Didn’t want to be on the road when it really comes down with the rest of Melbourne. Definitely made the right choice.

Gonna do the sad sappy thing, avert ye eyes if it makes you squick.

Just thinking about what can be the difficult nature of relationships especially between families/relatives and whatnot.

The weather obviously doesn’t lend itself to the best of spirits, but if what you have is good, maybe savour it that little more today, if it’s average, maybe if you have it in to lean into patience/kindness a little more.

And for I suppose the rest we all have our own stories/narratives as others do and we can only control (for lack of a better word) our own little spaces. Protect them if need be and be kind to yourself.

/eof-squick

Have a great day everyone! Stay dry, safe and full!

Looks like the garden got some decent rain overnight for Christmas.

I did wake up at one point overnight and could hear a strange noise and was worried the rain had done some damage or something, then realised the cat was snore-purring and all was well.

Mr Woof successfully kept all intruders out of the house overnight. It is possible that Santa made it into the chimney and gifted the possums who live there with some fruit.

Cheesecake update!

Finally got it sorted and we found a big round tin to put it in. It's a no bake rocky road cheesecake, with a rocky road base and raspberry cheesecake interior

Bad pic because it's late and already in the fridge:

In the morning I have to whip some cream and decorate it with more marshmallows, some pistachios, and raspberries, then at 10 we begin the long trip to Corinella. I'll also have to make a tropical punch drink, although that hardly seems relevant with how cold it is

Merry Christmas @melbaboutown@aussie.zone May you get lots of of huggles from Miss Melba Cat. oxoxox

Merry Christmas, gang! 🎅🎄

Cancel the plans for a picnic down by the creek today. But my house plants are having a lovely time out in the backyard getting some gentle rain and soft light. Might even go so far as to repot them tomorrow.

I'm back from the pudding lady's house. We brought little dog with us because I wasn't going to leave him at home with that weather. He doesn't travel well that's why I have to wrap him like a burrito to stop him from trying to take over the driving. I am covered in fur.

Everybody fed him. He does not like the meringue or strawberries from the pav but happy to lick the cream. We are tired now and are snuggling on the couch.

Merry Christmas everyone 🎄

Christmas sunrise pretty + a RAINBOW. 🌈 May that be a good omen for everyone's day.

Not only do I have a big old coldsore, I also slipped twice this morning while trimming my beard... I will be in the very very back of the Christmas photos hiding my shame.

Hope you all are having a delightful day! I did a family lunch with the bf's family, probably the first "family" Christmas I've had for near 15 years. It was nice, but I'm happy to be back home, in my Christmas PJs and having a glass of wine.

You lot are rad, thank you for being such a lovely space.

I swear my dad has significant stock invested in Big Breakfast. Will not stop bugging me to eat something every time I stay over as if I couldn't stand to miss a couple of meals lol We'll be having Christmas lunch in a couple of hours, dad! Just relax!

sent all them Christmas messages in the morning, and now everyone's awake replying them

Partner and I made a pork belly roast, crackling came out great! Devoured before pics could be taken.

Now we're having gin and tonics with cucumber, very merry christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate, and happy holiday of your choice! I was invited to a friend's family lunch, which was lovely, but between driving through the worst of the weather and only knowing him and his wife (and her only slightly) I am drained.
Still, everyone was lovely, I got to cuddle their new baby, and between all the food I ate, took home and bought for the solo Christmas that was originally planned I'll only have to buy milk and petrol for a week.

Rejoice, all ye DTers, for in a little less than two hours, you shall be free of Christmas songs for another 11 months.

Solo christmas for me this year and loving it so far. Just made my self a huge breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, coriander and mexican spice mix and a bit a soy sauce for flavouring, a ton of bacon and bubble n squeak. Lunch is probably going to be Chicken nuggets with some sweet and juicy grape tomatoes. Dinner will be hungarian inspired hamburger patties, chips and corn and peas on the side. My day will be filled playing Star Trek: Birth of the Federation ( with TNG on in the background) and possibly Arkham knight later tonight. To all the others having a solo xmas, make the most of it, do what you enjoy, eat what you enjoy and cherish the serenity!

Merry Christmas everyone and have a good night. Luv you all. 😘

One National Geographic subscription.

Two books

One backpack

One hideous (beautiful) Christmas jumper with bells on so I jingle when I move

Two new shirts

One Collingwood 2024 calendar

I feel I've done well

Christmas lunch of tomato onion and breadcrumbs, steamed asparagus, mint peas, spinach and zucchini, cauliflower cheese, crispy baked taters, carrot and parsnip and chimichurri steak. Phwoaaaar

Bring your plates, folks, fill 'em up.

here's the cookies I made for xmas. They turned out ok.

I is going to be so hungover tm for this family luncho but I promised myself I is NOT putting my foot in it. If it's topical.. I'm not interested.

I will be having Waldorf salad for breakfast lunch and dinner all week.

Breakfast 🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍈🫐🍓🍇🍉🍌🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥦🥑🫛🍆🍅🥝🥬🥒🌽🥕🥐🍠🫚🥔🧅🥯🍞🥖🥨🧀🧇🥞🧈🍳🥚🥓🥩🍗🍖🫓🍕🍟🍔🌭🥙🧆🌮🌯🥗🍲🍜🍝🥘🍛🍣🍱🥟🦪🍥🍘🍚🍙🐠🍤🪼🦀🐙 🍗🥮🍢🍡🍧🍰🧁🥧🍦🍨🎂🍮🍭🍬🍫🥜🌰🍪🍿🍯🥛☕️🍵🍺🍶🥤🧋🧃🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹🧉🔋

Merry Christmas! 🎅🏻🎄🎁

Wishing you all a safe and happy Christmas!

Ended up treating myself to a big indian feast from punjabi curry cafe for dinner. It is most definitely hitting the spot

How good are sandwiches made with leftover Christmas lunch meat for supper? I'll answer that. Bloody delightful.

Santa will be here any minute, track him here. https://www.noradsanta.org/en/map

Cricket's not looking super likely tomorrow, boo.

Decided to cut up the lamb and cook the portion I cut off.

So easy in the airfryer and flipped midway.

Was so delicious!

I’m staying at home solo today as well. Going to busy myself with a coffee and a Devon toasted sandwich then later on I’m going to figure out how to cook the lamb I bought and if I should maybe cut it up in half and cook over several days instead.

Ooh. Found The Hogfather on Prime video. My favourite Christmas watch

And now there is blood everywhere from Boyo stabbing himself with his new spoon carving chisels.

Man I like fireworks sometimes, but must there be illegal fireworks set off a street away at 1:16am? Is that really necessary? Can't you wait till NYE 😐😐😐

My online friends are busy... sigh. I do have things to entertain myself with if only I had the motivation. Things are feeling a bit stale.

One thing I don't like about this time of year is the way it's so all or nothing. Dealing with overstimulating crowds or very isolated. Lots of shopping and then everything shut. Lots of spending and then things are tight. Heaps of food and then diets. A frantic rush vs inactivity. I feel like there should be smaller more frequent holidays broken up through the year so everything isn't thrown so out of whack at the end. (I'm not even Christian.) That might force them to be shorter though and make it hard for people to get together.

Having hot tea with my dressing gown over pjs. Trying to decide if rewatching Buffy will hold my interest.

Merry Christmas all!

This just came up on my yt feed - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-PtHbEHQiYU God(s) is good.

Hmm another coffee or a glass of wine?

A Christmas Carol, this one with Fredric March and Basil Rathbone and other huge movie stars of the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih5NNa6PEvA Music by Bernard Herrman 👍

heavy rain!

On to A Christmas Carol #7

It's hard to improve on Charles Dickens' dialogue. It's that good and all the shows use it.

"There's more gravy than of grave about you"

Every movie or radio staging chooses their own Carols for titles.

I like radio plays, I have a good imagination and can construct the scenes in my mind.

Trying to decide if I want to play Harvestella, Mario Kart, D4, watch a Christmas movie, do a puzzle, a paint by numbers or just continue to pointlessly browse online.

A Christmas Carol #8. This one with Albert Finney and art work by Ronald Searle. 🤗