NST Challenge - Spring is here!

Calling14

Welcome home apple muncher.

DrCarrie come join in the fun. I won't have got as far as I have come without these lovely turtles support.

Well today was going to take it easy, got back from walking the dog and suddenly I found some energy and can finally announce the garage is decluttered and spring cleaned. Ok bit OTT but used my old hoover and it is cobweb free.

Threw some really old paint away, painted all the boring plant pots cream, look lovely going to put herbs in them on my patio.

Haven't spent a penny. Put the heating on as feeling the cold bit now, just quick blast as snow on hills this morning. Going to soak all cobwebs and aches away now in bubbly bath and then watch Paddington.

Have lovely evening folks x

Calling14

Lilt loved your wise words. Making me change my plans for tomorrow! I really can't see the point of wasting a day with someone I am not that keen on.

apple_muncher

Thank you for the welcome backs! The time with MIL was brill and we wish we could have stayed longer. We'll just have to go again...

It's been a temperature shock to return from 30 degree heat and high humidity. But I've made it into short sleeves while pottering in the garden with dd, and the washing was out on the line drying.

A plentiful spend in aldee was had - but much less than we spent in food in America - and although I committed the error of buying 'off-list', it was all worth it. And will mean I have less to buy on Weds when normal service is resumed.

Welcome DrCarrie - good luck with the job-shifting plans.

I managed to find some frogs for mothernerd and now we are on to demons. Am sure I have plenty lurking around the place...

Lilt - phew to ynab being kind to you! Shows that the budgetting malarkey actually works!

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

Traveller I know exactly how you feel about the driving! I hated learning to drive and had panic attacks waiting for the instructor to pick me up. I failed my test 6 times because of nerves!!! I thought it would get better once I passed but it didn't and I used to hate having to drive and would make DH do it wherever possible. BUT it's been 8 years now and, after driving nearly every day for those 8 years, I still don't love driving but it's ok.

Spend day for me today. I have to confess to a little flutter on the horses. In my defence it was what was left of the roadkill DH found so didn't actually cost us anything. Needless to say, we didn't win!

Also did a shop in M&S. Got £35 worth of shopping for 75p after using a voucher I got for opening cc and taking advantage of some offers! Was lovely to be able to pick up some treats from there without worrying about the cost. Will be due a £125 voucher next month for switching banks.

Been in work today and have been feeling awful and I think it is because of a new novelty air freshener we are stocking next to the till. I've been sneezing and eyes streaming all day and have a headache that started this afternoon and won't go away. Will have to see if they can be moved next time I'm working.

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend!

Fmess

Glad you have a lovely time applemuncher

Welshkitty I do love M&S food but it has to be an occasional treat as my MSE head won't allow it.

Today has been a SFD. Caught up on things and home and helped out my little sister for a few hours with an errand.

Decluttering is still happening, a few items at a time but the house feels more roomy and organised already so it's having the desired positive effect.

Hope you've all had a lovely day

DrCarrie

Caeraugirl wrote: »

[and welcome DrCarrie! I too am defecting from the NHS, returning to full time student status in September for primary teacher training, ironically to earn less full time once qualified than I do currently working 3 days a week. But it's about increasing my job satisfaction, not my income, I'm the wrong side of 40 and I don't want to regret wasting my last years in employment doing something I no longer love..... Good luck with your private practice plans.

Many thanks, it sounds like wew are in a similar place! Good luch at Uni, and in the class room! Cograts on taking the leap.

liltdiddylilt

Hi guys

Glad you liked the pic and it made you think. I am eyeing it up as a birthday present for myself from Jelly it is framed, but rather expensive! But it definitely comes in under the Kondoesque way of 'Things that spark joy'

apple welcome back hun nice that it was not so shockingly cold that you managed in shirt sleeves. I have a very nifty skiing jacket I am desperate to wear so I am wanting it to get cold again just for me to show it off..

Welshkitty sorry you suffered on the till... Maybe you could take an anti-histamine before your next shift to see if that helped. There is an air freshener in an interview room at my office and when we have had clients in my boss turns it on. Within half an hour I have the beginnings of a migraine and feel sick and itchy.

Hugs to all. SFD was had. I was treated to a chinese take away lush and did not break the bank (mine especially!) and have watched The Lion King after Jelly refused to sit still for half a minute to watch earlier

P.S Welcome DrCarrie good luck in your endeavours. Stick with us and you will be ok

And fmess welcome home I decluttered 2 old bedding sets I have now successfully replaced, and kondoed my entire wardrobe, Him's meagre collection of clothing at mine included lots of space! Got 2 cupboards to empty and go to town on before the end of the month and then my entire house has been done! :j

mothernerd

Welcome DrCarrie.

I really like the poster as well lilt. Is it not available anywhere as a print and you could scour charity shops for a suitable frame to reduce the cost? I will add it to my list of things to embroider. I have a shawl with lots of little squares on and am going to use that for my favourite phrases. I like the one about life not being about waiting for the sun to come out, but learning to dance in the rain and also love one which is someone's signature on one of the threads which is (roughly) about adopting a positive mental attitude, it won't solve everything but will annoy enough people to be worthwhile. Love the blend of optimism and sheer cussedness.

Another quiet SFD. Washing has all dried (was chucking it down at 6am then all sunny by 11am) and am eating my way through the fridge and stacking up bits of finished sewing (definitely a chapter of life that is drawing to a close). Still waiting for DS3 to decide whether to swap rooms - don't want to shuffle more bits and then have to move it all to a different room). however still getting rid of as much rubbish and charity shopping (well big charity bin in the library) as much as possible. Big things soon.

Today I am grateful for sunshine, for being able to reach and use the washing line, for books (reading a challenging but rewarding novel + two easier reads) and for interesting food (lots of similar meals but not bothered).

DrCarrie

Calling14 wrote: »

DrCarrie come join in the fun. I won't have got as far as I have come without these lovely turtles support.

apple_muncher wrote: »

Welcome DrCarrie - good luck with the job-shifting plans.

mothernerd wrote: »

Welcome DrCarrie.

Thank you turtles! Nice to be made so welsome...I will keep under my shell for now, but very much enjoying the vibe.

Bobarella

Welsh kitty -I took 4 goes to pass my driving test. It was definately nerves. I wish I'd had the brains to stick at my lessons whilst living in safe Somerset but I didn't have the money and kept having to stop. When I started again at 22 I was living in Kings cross! My instructor was rubbish. Didn't warm me how much work to put into the theory test so I failed that first time round too. Gave up again till I was 23 and then just stuck with it, this time in the wilds of Lewisham. Found a great instructor and just kept going even though it bled me dry. I don't mind driving at all. Although having given up my car last August for financial reasons I'm not missing it one bit (having a car) I'd estimate we save around £200 a month in petrol alone. Anyway that's my driving saga