Apple muncher's number crunching

Karmacat

I watched that programme about Victorian bakers.


Love seeing childhood home type things ... I went to see my old high school before it got pulled down, and I went to see the last house we lived in in Liverpool, before moving across the water to the Wirral.


Enjoy yourself today (baking!).

apple_muncher

Today has been spent travelling back home. It always tires us out, even when it is a simple and well-known journey.

Dd slept well once she got to sleep - which was far too late for a littl'un. And thus slept in until rather late this morning. There's only a limited amount of quiet things you can do in a hotel room without disturbing the other sleeper! However, after reading all the mse things I could think of and putting a lamp on, I started on cutting out more teddies. And she just slept on!

We were home by about 2.30 and have just been chilling out with Poirot, and luxuriating in being back in our own home. It has been extra quiet as dh has an eye appt (not expecting good news from it) at the hosp and is not back yet.

Spurred on by what you said, karma, I have actually made a 12th night verion of the cake by Mary Berry. We'll see how it turns out... Her version had 5 eggs! But I scaled it back to 2 and it was a Victoria sponge mix + ground almonds + a lot of dried fruit. It smells good so far...



Still mulling over 2019. And what to get done. Much ponderation but not much concrete yet.


Dh has got us invited to a NYE bash, along with dd. I so do not want to attend as it'll wreck dd for several days, even if we only stay until 9. I'd much rather send him on his own...:D

apple_muncher

Headspace - done
Bunny slope #11 - done
Shoulder ex - done
Warm up + cool down - done
Dd fed and watered - done


The Midnight Gang recording is on and we are off swimming soon. So far, so good.

apple_muncher

We swam.

We booked dd in to lessons starting early Jan. Yay! £25.40 per month.

We bought 5 packs of cards from Sense at 50% off. And 3 word map tea towels of the UK at £1.50 each too.

We finished watching the Midnight Gang. Thoroughly enjoyable. Then a recorded WSM. And now we have Chicken Run

Dd has decided that she doesn't want to go to HP world for her bday, as the friend she wants to take hasn't read the books, and does suffer from bad nightmares. Instead she wants to go with her friend to a dolls house shop. Sweet!


Looking forward to a simplified Jan...

apple_muncher

So here's the January challenge for the turtles by ccl.

:snow_laugNST Join In January Challenge :snow_grin

The month of January is named after the Roman God Janus, who had two faces in order that he could look at both the future and the past at the same time. Janus is the God of transitions and beginnings and he symbolises changes in life and the universe.

Many people see a New Year as a new beginning and the opportunity for a fresh start and to make changes in life. This January for me personally with be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life, and I am keen to learn from the mistakes I’ve made in the past in order to make the future an improvement.

We cannot stop change from happening, however we can influence it, and increasingly I am finding that small changes can make a big difference to everything. January is traditionally a ‘blue’ month in terms of finances, mood, weather etc and whilst many people start the month with grand ambitions, these can quickly be abandoned once the initial motivation wanes.

And so, I present Join in January for the Turtles – the opportunity to make some small, sustainable changes that will hopefully add up to big benefits.

Spend free days (NSD’s) –Am going for 18

Make plans for the month – Nights out, treats and outings should be planned well in advance, and reduced wherever possible. No treats planned yet, but it is DD's bday in a couple of weeks.

Always pay your debts first – No debt, just mortgage repayments. but we want to go to see dh's mum at Easter - in texas, so not cheap! And last time, we stayed with her but now she is in a home, so we'll be paying accommodation and food ourselves...

List your frogs – Write a list of jobs that you have been putting off doing, no matter how big or small. If you’ve been meaning to make a phone call, or appointment, put some things away in a cupboard, go through a pile of post etc, then put it onto a list. Aim to cross one thing off the list each day in January and you’ll be amazed how much better you’ll feel as the month goes on. This could be one for the whole year! But my '19 before 19' has been interesting and a good focal point, so I might try for 31 in Jan.

Little savings – I'll be paying down the mortgage, saving for Texas and adding to dd's savings. Ideally.

Chill out – Whatever helps you to relax, make time for this – even if it’s only 15 minutes a day. A small amount of time just for you leads to much better mental health. Absolutely! I've done Headspace for all of Dec and really feel the benefit. Less telly and more moving around would be good.

Helping others – Definitely. Aiming for 31 foodbank items again.

Always be grateful – Take time every day to think about and write down three things in life that you are grateful for.

New to You – There are a few things that I'll need soon - mostly undies and a new cossie. So I'll save up for them (£1 for every NSD, sugar-free day, 1lb lost, workout)

Get involved – Will do.

Exercise – Will try for 30 days of 30 mins. That can involve a full workout, swimming or walking on the busy days.

Sort it out – Your food cupboards and stores. Great idea. I want January's food bill to be significantly less than December's.

As always, the challenge runs from midnight on the 1st Jan 2019 to 2359 on 31st January. Whether you’re going into the New Year with a bang, or more like me and intend to be asleep for the first 8 hours of it – we should all be able to make these small changes for the month ahead.

So - who will join me in January?

I've also read a post on earlytorise.com about 10 changes to make now and not wait until the new year.



I want a simpler jan. The calendar isn't too full (yet), though it'll be good to get beyond the half-way point...

apple_muncher

Dd trotted in to us at 1.30. Ugh. So dh went to the spare room and dd and I snuggled down. At 3.30 I went and got her duvet from her bed to cover me. At 6.30 I woke up and I got up at 7.25. All thoughts of going for a run banished!

Dd has written all her hand-written thank you cards, and we went to hand deliver one. Dd wanted to take her bike - she's not yet learned to ride it, so off we went - 3 miles in total. Anyhow, she now has the hang of pushing off an riding along for a bit. :T And I did get to trot along a little!

Karmacat

That sounds better! And how sweet, I love the image of your dd gradually learning to ride her bike while delivering her thank you notes

apple_muncher

Just been blocked, so sent the email off. Then tried again and I am now acceptable!


Lost a longish post, of course.


Summary:


Car hass died. Been there. DOne that. Got the tee shirt. Sigh.


It didn't stop us going out and droppping 2 bags to teh Sally Army and visiting the ch shops and getting dd some clothing she needed.


My cold is going strong, ugh.


Dd has taken herself out again on the bike and has mastered cornering.


THis month's spends are less horrendous when i remove the gifts, fuel, medical, non-food. Hmm, prob need dh to amend the spreadsheet for me to separate those things out...


Staying in tonight. Oh yes indeedy!


Happy New Year for tomorrow!

apple_muncher

Here are the numbers I can think of:

31 headspace
31 days of taking a photo
31 items to the foodbank
31 frogs
30 mins exercise for 30 days
21 shoulder ex
18 NSD
18 days NOT at work
13 days at work
12 workouts
5 to lose
3 counselling
3 dance classes
2 physio
2 scholarships
2 sch tests
1 parents eve
1 kids klub
1 bday
1 visit to mum
1 dance exam


...for now...

apple_muncher

Headspace have sent me an email offering a free 1 month trial, if anyone is interested. Just pm me. Fraid there's only 1 available though....