Hey! How’s everyone doing today? I hope the week has been treating you kindly so far. If not, I’ll come and give it a kick up the bum for you (please note I don’t condone violence, but a bit of ass-kicking of chronic illness is acceptable). I thought I’d just do a mini Mini Me Update, including tips on free Amazon Prime & Music trials, though given how much I ramble it’s probably not as mini as I’d anticipated – sorry!
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Festive Vibes
I thought I’d show you my low budget, low effort guide to bedroom Christmas decor : a piece of tinsel! I was fashionably late with the advent calendar. Last year I forgot to buy one. This year I bought one then forgot to put it up. D’oh!
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I’m not feeling very Christmassy at the moment. I think I’ve just been too stressed and too busy trying to play catch up. I have managed to leave these four walls, however. A pop to the shops these days is a rather painful and brief affair, but I do love seeing the Christmas decor. I especially love novelties.
Question: How many layers am I wearing? Answer at the end of the post.
What I’m Loving
Entertainment With A Free Amazon Prime & Music Trial
I’ve been making the most of a free Amazon Prime trial, as I was surprised to be eligible for another. Very glad due to the Christmas present panic scenario where next day delivery has been a blessing! On Prime Video I’ve started the new season of New Amsterdam, the medical drama. Very good! You can check if you’re eligible for a free trial here – Amazon US & Amazon UK.
Need some Christmas tunes, or some heavy metal to drown out the Christmas cheese? YouTube is a good place to start, or music streaming. I’m making the most of the cheap months of Prime Music for 99p. I won’t pay for a streaming service as I don’t think I ‘need’ it so I can’t justify the cost, but at a quid for 4 months it would have been rude not to! You can check it out here – 4 months for 99p in the UK and 4 months for 99c in the US.
I’ve also had a free trial of NowTV. There are a few things on there for different tastes with the Entertainment pass, but I hate their separate NowTV player. Incredibly glitchy and frustrating, so I won’t be buying a subscription in the near future. Anyone else had similar experiences?
Jewellery Fiend
I may not get out much these days unless you count the supermarkets, but I still wear jewellery a lot at home. It just makes me feel a tiny bit happier, and every little helps. In the photo, the pendant is from House of Silver, gifted for my previous review here (necklace chain I bought separately). Watch this space as there’s a House of Silver giveaway coming soon on InvisiblyMe for the New Year!
Bingo!
A little while ago I joined in with a Disney-themed bingo game hosted by my fellow blogging friends at Assholes Watching Movies – Jay, Sean & Matt – when they took an adventure to Disney World. I can’t believe it but I won! I felt so guilty for Jay sending this across the pond to the UK and then I saw what was inside… absolutely amazing! Thank you so much guys, I bloody love it all ♥ If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out their blog, it’s how I find out about the latest releases and I use their reviews to add to my to-watch list of movies.
Cat Cuddles
Virgil spends more time with me in the colder months, so it’s nice to have his company. He has taken either a liking or a disliking to my laptop, I’m not sure which. Sometimes he’ll sit on it and I can lift it up with him still on it, like a flying magic carpet. Other times he tries to rest his little leg over it when I leave the room. I think he’s trying to limit my screen time.
Disconnected!
The peril’s of modern technology. My phone randomly died the other week. Unfortunately I hadn’t backed it up or transferred photos to my laptop in quite a while, so it looks like it’s all gone. I’ve only had the phone since March, so I sent it back to GiffGaff. I’ve been with them for years and would recommend them for their tariff. But the return/repair process if you buy a phone from them? Not so much!
I’m not very patient these days with stuff like this, it’s all unnecessary extra stress. A bit like the PayPal saga, which is still ridiculously ongoing! Did I tell you about that one? Maybe that’s a story for another day.
Health Stuff
Pain hasn’t been good, nor have other health issues lately. I’ve upped the prescription pain meds on some days and I’m contemplating discussing other options to try with my GP as things are getting worse and it’s driving me around the bend somewhat. Frustratingly, however, I called to make a GP appointment the other week and my decent GP has gone! Nooooooo, not again! It takes so long to find a good egg, and then they go. This is the second time this year I think.
I’ve lost several days due to migraines and feeling too unwell that I don’t remember blocks of time. And then I manically try to catch up on everything I’ve fallen behind on… it never quite works. I’ve also been very worried about my mum, who’s had a lot of pain in her back/hip. Three trips to the GP and I bet they’ve written ‘patient has a very pushy daughter’ on her notes.
General Election
No, only joking! Best leave this one well alone. I think those of us in the UK have had a gut full of it. I’m just angry at the way mass media has behaved. I’m almost surprised it has been allowed given the extreme extent of bias and misreporting; it has skewed the ability to have a democratic view of the situation beyond any recognition. Pretty sure many of you in the US following the current impeachment proceedings have have enough of politics, too!
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Answer : Thermal top, long sleeve top, cardigan, another cardigan, cable knit jumper, sweater, winter coat. Followed by hat, scarf, thermal gloves and two pairs of socks under the Dr Martens. Yes, I was still cold.
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What’s been going on with you? How many layers do you wear when you leave the house? I hope you all have a restful weekend ahead, whatever you’re up to. Don’t let Christmas stress you out too much – try to relax, enjoy a little of the festive feeling & look after yourselves.
Caz ♥
28 comments
Oh I feel bad for your temperature woes but your little layers quiz did so make me laugh.
I wear hardly anything and it’s been -34 here this week. Because of my disease and constant infection, I also have a constant fever, so I’m overly hot almost of the darn time!
Also, I’m sad about your doctor situation. That is SO frustrating. It’s hard so hard to start over with someone else, let alone the search.
Wow, that’s a lot of layers!
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling so poorly lately. I hope things perk up a bit for Christmas. ❤️❤️❤️
Dear Caz, am so glad that despite the cold & the layers, you still get out. feel almost bad to say it, but I’ve got on a tank top, sweatshirt over it with sleeves rolled up, leggings, & barefoot — wish I could send you our warm sunshine. just yesterday was on sharper image, which I never look at, & saw socks & jackets with heaters in them – that would be me if I lived somewhere cold… as for docs, I have same prob with finding a good one, then their leaving or my husband’s insurance plan getting changes. As for xmas, I’ve only hung a handmade christmas ball someone made for me lol – mwah! & hug to you, dear soul
Sorry to hear that you are not able to celebrate the holiday season pain-free, but I admire your efforts to embrace the season anyway! Your tinsel is a perfect touch of spice…it’s always a time of trying to get too much done…nothing wrong with relaxing…time to catch up on the main awards films, like “Marriage Story” on Amazon….powerful film!
I guessed 8 layers. We’ve had so much rain and I’ve tried to send some of it to family in Australia. Their politicians are just as bad and in total denial of climate change, even though the whole country has record breaking temperatures – no layers needed there!
You are most beautiful.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, my friend. ♥
I hear you about the politics and elections and impeachments and blah blah blah. Today I see Brexit is “getting done”. I need a holiday from all of it and the other day I saw a video of Andrea Bocelli singing a lullaby to Sesame Street’s Elmo. I decided I would turn off the news and just be in Sesame Street world for the day. It was refreshing.
I remember feeling cold all the time before my thyroid issues have been diagnosed, and it sucked. Snuggle with Virgil and put as many layers on as you want!
I am also very tired of politics *sigh*, but it seems to be everywhere.
Have a great weekend, Caz xoxo
Hi Caz. It’s always great to hear from you. I am so sorry you are in so much pain and boy how frustrating finding out your Doctor is gone. Boy with so many layers it’s hard to believe there is any you there.
I do dig your outfit! 🙂
Have a merry and bright xmas X
Sorry to hear youve been suffering more lately, and your mum too. Wishing you all healthier and happier times in the new year.
Oh, I hate it when a good doctor leaves! I’ve had that happen so often. 🙁 My doctor now is wonderful, and firmly placed, but she’s my age, which means she’s over 65. I just know she’s going to retire soon, and then I’ll be bereft again. Probably just in time for me to develop Mom’s Sjogren’s Syndrome. Well, happy holidays! We keep things almost Spartan-ly simple. No decorating (because we have a cat who eats everything), only presents for children under 18, pitch-in feasts. Unplugging Christmas was the best decision we made since we got married. lol
That was me bundled in 10 layers when I was chronically ill. I dress much lighter now.
“patient has a pushy daughter”…I’m pretty sure my parents medical charts read much the same way. After you have lived with doctors that don’t listen, you know how important it is to have someone fight for you. I’m glad you are able to do that and I’m sure your parents are too! As far as layers, barely any, but not because it’s not cold, more because it’s very difficult to get clothing on and off. Fortunately for me, my time spent outside is minimal. House to car, car to doc, doc to car etc. Hoping you have an amazing rest of the year, and that your pain slows down for you
Good to hear from you Caz. Love the pendant. Looks great on you. Never would have guessed the amount on clothes you had on in the pic. It all must be layered very very well. Luck is with you..Bingo!
Enjoy the weekend my friend.
LOL about the advent calendar, I have a nutcracker that I love that was given to me as a present a few years ago, every year I forget about it, my intention every year is to put it out right after Thanksgiving so I can enjoy it, I love looking at it in my house but every year by the time I remember and put it out it’s like 2 days or so before Christmas, this year though I intentionally didn’t put it out, gave myself a break from it. I also love to look at the Christmas decorations, I love going to the mall walk around and listen to the piped in music, and there’s nothing like the ones in Las Vegas malls, these past couple of years though I haven’t been able to get there I’m hoping to next year. You look so beautiful and wearing a piece of jewelry has always lifted my spirits up, good for you. I’m sorry that you feel so cold, but your layers of clothing made me laugh. Have a wonderful Christmas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year dear Caz, blessings to you and your family xoxo
I hope you feel better soon!!
That’s a lot of layers! I usually have a few layers on when it’s cold. Even in the house. And I’m never without fuzzy socks at home because my feet are always so cold!!
Wishing you a very merry Christmas!!
Hey, Caz, happy crazy holidays to you. I hope 2020 is a good year for you with many good things on the way. Take care. xo
Gutted for you about your phone AND your doctor. You’re not having much luck are you. I hope 2020 is a good year for you and have a very Merry Christmas xx
Though I don’t drink (alcohol is a migraine trigger for me), I shall lift my glass on New Years Eve in tribute to your delightful self and hope that the dawning decade helps you find a fine new doc, better pain relief, and sufficient strength to meet and banish any health challenges you may face.
Annie xx
Oh Caz, I think you wear even more layers than me! I always feel the cold. Maybe we were born in the wrong country!
I have the same problem as you right now. My GP has also left the practice. The others all seem nice, but you just build up a relationship with a doctor and you hardly need to explain anything then they leave and we need to start again.
Hope your Mum is okay.
I love catching up with you. Usually I am very cranky around the holidays. When I go in the stores and hear Christmas music, I know that it’s not being played for my pleasure. Instead, it’s a manipulation to prompt me to buy, buy, buy. I recognize it for what it is. But this year, I’m not focusing on it so much. I have learned to simplify Christmas. Very few decorations, presents for grandchildren only and plenty of famiky gathering. That’s really what we should be celebrating anyway. Pure love, shown to us by the Christ-child that we are celebrating. Merry Christmas to you. Best of health with what you have to work with for the new year.
I hope you feel better over Christmas! I use to suffer from migranes for years. Do you know what is the cause of yours? Mine turned out to be low Vitamin B12 from Pyrolle disorder. I love your skull print and heart necklace btw. xo
I’m sorry your doctor left. That’s some weird stuff that they just keep moving like that.
The paragraph about Virgil made ma chuckle. Magic carpet, limited screen time, keeping it warm. All great possibilities.
Furry friends make the best cuddle companions! I’m glad you have an adorable kitty to help brighten each day. I know my favorite doggie has that magical ability himself, and it’s such an amazing gift. <3
Wow, that’s a lot of layers, but I think I read somewhere things are set to get a bit warmer soon! So hopefully you’ll be more comfortable then.
Your reindeer picture reminded me of doing guide dog training many years ago. We trained just before Christmas. The dogs didn’t mind all the people and general Christmas craziness in the shopping centre, but a couple of them were very wary of the big reindeer statues, to the point where one was even reluctant to go past it!
It’s too late for Christmas wishes now, but wishing you all the very best for 2020 XX
I STILL haven’t recovered from my favorite GP ever quitting his job two years ago. Ugh. It’s. The. Worst.
As you can tell from the date of my reply, 7 January, I’m reading things I overlooked amidst the Christmas crunch. Please tell Virgil that I said Hi. He’ll recognize a message from a cat lover. ????