NST;September Squirrels

mothernerd

MrsGSR wrote: »

Sorry, I've been MIA. Life has been very busy and in have also been ill (again) another physical thing linked to my HMS, sigh.

You'll fit right in, we're very much under par this month.

Deleted_User wrote: »

Evening everyone

Mothernerd, this is a confession: its nearly 8pm and I am still in my PJ's, having had a mega unproductive pottering around session all day....and not even a NSD as I purchased some tickets for me and DM/DD to go to an event in a few weeks time. Some washing got thrown through the machine and half heartedly onto the line, and I did do one hour of ironing whilst tv watching, but I basically lost most of the day! I've eaten only toast and leftovers, and generally not touched any of my many many jobs in a concerted way . I have about an hour before I'd like to be curled up in bed, to prep the house for next lot of guests / DD's return, and get ready for the week ahead.

Paying guests - has been a bit much / will be so for the next few weeks, people here nearly all the time. On one hand, once house is tidy for them it is not so hard to get ready between guests for the next lot if there are fewer gaps, I generally just stay on top of it...but on the other hand, I'd like my bed back!

Sounds like a great day, to me and a little cause and effect. Self-build show sounds great. Something I have always wanted to do but may have missed the boat. I would have wanted an eco-house and the self build kits were reasonable but I could only supervise/ project manage now. not do it myself.

speakingofart wrote: »

Yes, exactly! I just would like it to be showing in the account balance, because I'm obsessive That's an awesome row of smileys - I'm fighting an urge to do star jumps whilst drinking wine, mostly because I've just cleaned the flat and it would make a mess.

Not long to go - make a chart and tick each hour off or add a star jumping smilie.

NSD for me and I have earned my keep today. Cleaned the fridge - needed a lie down after. If I say that even the fresh eggs had mould spots and I washed and dried them individually and the container before putting them all back together.

Later on I painted two radiators and the skirting board in here (still a bit behind me but leaving that for another day) and used stain stop on one of the walls (spots where things have fallen/ been trapped behind the bed). Need to tackle the stairs tomorrow and am at the old house on Tuesday. lots to do but pleased with progress.

Today I am grateful for Satinwood paint (even the unlovely rough wood that has been used on one wall instead of proper skirting board looks reasonable), for batch cooking (had leek and potato soup and a lovely curry - no plan. they were just the first two containers I found in the freezer) and sunshine (first batch of washed rags has dried).

Fmess

Hope you feel better soon MrsGSR

So excited for Tuesday for you SOA

Today was a SFD Did lots of jobs and visited family and was fed and given lots of food to bring home . Not much else to report unfortunately.

Fmess

Oh applemuncher don't get me started on dog beds! We get through them so quickly but this week was ridiculous, bought 2 new beds and they had both split at the zips within 48 hours! Wrote an email of complaint to the company but not expecting much! So then bought another dog bed on Saturday to replace the most urgent one.

Calling14

Apologies a hectic weekend but popped in now.

Sorry to hear GSR you're not well, hugs to everyone going through tough times and anyone feeling low.

I have spent £1.80 this weekend yesterday on cakes, seeing bf bought lunch. Yes my tummy survived the most awesome shortbread I have ever tasted. Unless just because it was first sweet thing in weeks. Determined weight not going back on so last treat till next weekend.

Today spent all day wallpapering and painting. Hall finished. Off work tomorrow chill out day, paint skirting boards bedroom later and try to fit some floorboards.

Fmess I bought a headboard last week off Facebook, lovely 6 months old £10 and she had newish bed double to get rid of. May need to live in Wales! Dog beds best one from Factory Store lasted years.

Dress sounds lovely Mothernerd, think you deserve it.

mothernerd

Planning and Preparation Week Three

KEEPING WELL

The weather is changing, the children have gone back to school and soon they will be bringing back all manner of germs, viruses and bugs. So stock up now on your preferred pain-killers, cough medicine (or honey and lemon), tissues and toilet rolls. The pound emporium/ value range ones seem to be as effective as the premium brands and when you are suffering at least you know you have been:money:MSE and you won't have the added pain of damage to your purse.

Make a few batches of soup up and freeze some against the weeks when you can barely crawl to the kitchen. Have the makings for hot chocolate or drink of your choice and at least you can be ill in comfort. I sometimes allow myself a tin or two of bought soup - think it's more the association with childhood - when you are ill you want that feeling of being five years old and being looked after.

Sick bugs are also doing the rounds so if you have children it may be worth hiding a bottle of lemonade for re-hydrating. A spare bottle of cheap conditioner is useful for those with small children or those in regular contact with them.

Keeping warm is important. Now is the time to think about extra curtains/ linings and draught excluders - if you have lots of curtains you can use two pairs back to back. If you are making your own curtain linings, I found that budget sheets worked out cheaper than buying lining material off the roll and they come in a wide range of colours (and are ready hemmed - you only need to add the curtain tape). An old blanket wrapped round the mattress (under the sheet) will keep you warmer in bed.

Finally if you or anyone you are responsible for is eligible for the flu jab, check when your doctor is getting their supply and book appointments. This year's flu jab is going to include the shingles vaccine according to a report on another thread - could be useful.

I hope you don't need any of this preparation but we are two weeks into September and between us we seem to have had everything (except itchy heads) so here's hoping a little preparation helps us get through.

I honestly jotted down all these ideas for mini challenges last month.

speakingofart

Mothernerd, what a good idea! Luckily, I don't seem to pick up as many bugs now I've left teaching, but will definitely go through the medicine drawer - I get a flu jab paid for through work, so will investigate that as well! Thanks again for running the thread this month, I'm really enjoying these mini challenges!

XSpender

Good idea Mothernerd - I still have a bug from the beginning of August !


The Christmas challenge has really got me thinking and as DMum has asked us not to buy them much this year I have found a useful and practical gift to make:) My Mum can sew but always says she neglected our education as neither me or my sister can. I do have a sewing machine though and if I can succeed in making this gift I think she will be more pleased that I made it than the gift itself. DH is also going to force some Christmas bulbs (never tried it before) for Mum & MIL too.


Oh and the gift for my mum will use up an old duvet cover and either a dyed old towel or a cheap new bath towel depending what is most cost effective.


I have applied for 4 jobs this morning of the temp/Christmas variety. We can manage on DH wage, just, but this will enable us to save more and go towards clearing our 2nd mortgage which once paid will mean we can afford to have a holiday next year.


I am aiming for 4 NSDs this week. Small spend of £6.50 for us all to swim yesterday, £10 in aldee this morning and £1.50 for DS school contribution. Tues, Wed, Thurs and Sunday should be NSD. I am out with a friend on Friday and I am not doing the weekly shop until Saturday when DH can come to the new Aldee with me which is 5 mins drive/cycle away or a 20 minute walk. If I walk or cycle non of it is on roads too:)


I have £72 left in my food budget and 2 x £5 vouchers for the new aldee until the end of the month. If I stick to my budget I will have knocked £10/week off the previous months spends. There is still room for improvement though so I will be looking for another fiver a week next month.


Right, will have a quick catch up with the thread before I make a sandwich.

nannygladys

Well it's my bday today and dd1 has been over and taken me out to lunch and yesterday dd3 took me out for a meal!! So I don't think I need to eat for a couple of days!!

So today is another sfd and I'm definitely too full for any exercise!! So it's lazing in front of a dvd with a glass of something for me as from now! So signing off and will be back sober tomorrow
Nannyg

apple_muncher

Happy Birthday nannyg! hope you have a lovely evening!


I have another NSD in the bag, so am now in double figures - yay!

And I have managed to sell our child bike seat for £20. Result! They weren't selling on 3bay, as I looked at the 'finished listing' option, and almost all were unsold. Not that I ever use the bay, but it's good to measure prices. Gumtr33 came up trumps instead. Dh said he'd be happy to take £15, but is also pleased with £20! I so rarely sell things, as what we own was usually 2nd hand to start with.

Today I am grateful for selling the child bike seat, for a yummy tea, tor a useful meeting with the Head, for my lovely neighbour, for my dh of 13 yrs today.

moohound

Fmess wrote: »

Oh applemuncher don't get me started on dog beds! We get through them so quickly but this week was ridiculous, bought 2 new beds and they had both split at the zips within 48 hours! Wrote an email of complaint to the company but not expecting much! So then bought another dog bed on Saturday to replace the most urgent one.

I have a slight obsession with dog beds, currently have 3, upstairs bed, downstairs bed and cat-box-for-the-car bed, which is really a cat bed but don't tell the dog.

I only have one dog by the way, an ancient Miniature Dachshund, who sleeps at night under the chair in our bedroom.