NST: October: Letting go of the love of stuff.

apple_muncher

Oh Stewby, reading my witterings and incoherent mumblings must have sent you to sleep. I am loving crafting, but do need to find an outlet for all the things I've made! I 'currently' do 2 school summer fairs and 2 Christmas ones - at my and dd's schools. I know I should put myself out there more... I do have the bones of an Etsy selling account, but it's the taking of good photos that is my sticking point. Mothernerd would say that that is my frog and I know that I should jolly well swallow it! Too yellow-bellied thus far...

mothernerd

Hugs to all poorlies and anyone else who wants one.

House offer was very poor but I am going ahead with the sale (36k less than I paid for it and not even going to think about all the time and money I have poured into it). It is what it is and we are going to keep positive. It will pay for mum's bungalow/ ground floor flat (checked before I went to the solicitors, she's not going ahead with the teeny tiny bungalow - awkward vendor - but then I had to wait an hour as they were viewing another flat. Would have made sense to combine selling and buying with one solicitor.) pay off my debts and have a small emergency/ get repairs done here fund.

Really didn't want to go out (hacking cough tearing my apart) as was struggling after taking some books back to the library and going to buy a replacement alarm clock from the pound emporium (as mobile no longer working needed something to tell the time when I was out). Going to stay home for the next two days being quietly domestic (and filling in the wedge of paperwork solicitor has given me - think we should charge them for our hours).

Was such a lovely day but too poorly to visit anywhere. However the journey to the solicitor was a magical mystery tour. Last time I went I came back this way but it was too dark to see anything. Bus from home town was missing so did two bus hop and started by circling main town and then out to beautiful village where solicitor is (up in the hills, luckily the threatened snow had not fallen at weekend). So many memories - went past train station I used for getting to meetings when DS1 was baby and for conferences and day trips / laser quest and old cinema venue/ places I've organised promotional events at/ represented people at tribunals / done fundraising stalls and advice sessions. Places I have been to parties, celebrations and funerals and even the place we left the car when catching a coach to a Greenham Common event (had to dig the car out of a foot of snow in the early hours when we got back).

If I am feeling better later in the week I am going to walk to an exercise session at a local park (don't think I am ready to participate, the walk will be enough of a challenge and on Friday afternoon I might go to the library cinema session - there's an oldies film club on the last Friday of the month and it's only a pound. I will have social life (baby steps, baby steps).

Today I am grateful for selling the house, for beautiful scenery and happy memories.

crazy_cat_lady

Evening all
Not too much of an update here. Loads of batch cooking, including some good old fashioned syrup sponge and custard which went down a treat. NSD apart from some expenses I'm hoping I can claim back from work (so I'm not counting it yet). Payday is almost in sight - and when I think about my dfd being so close I get stupidly excited. Small things and all that.
Applemuncher - you are my hero. That's so kind of you to help out like that, and it will have meant so much to your friend.
LSD - hope you get your money back sooner rather than later.
Bob - feel better soon
And mothernerd - congrats on the house sale and you feel better soon as well.

mothernerd

Sorry posted twice - computer went off in between.

Apple muncher I am struggling to get my business going on-line. I need to take photos - did that taster course back in June last year but couldn't do the course in September (two buses and had just been told I shouldn't be walking), January was still on crutches (course is at the boys' old school so know how much walking is required) and it didn't seem to run in the term from Easter.

Have to work out how to get photos to computer then onto 'shop' or web site (DS1 did vaguely offer to do a website for me yonks ago). Need to set up a new papypal account - old one may pre-date move to other house, details were on old computer or possibly one before that.

Need to get sewing machine up and running - DS3 did get it out from under the stairs before he left this morning. I did replace the plug (bent pins) and fuse before the move and I have a library book out (renewed this morning) as I have never used a machine with a side loaded spool. I am gradually crossing bits off the list (have also got a bookface book and a computer one I have had before on loan). I have signed up to several crafters / networking groups but some of them are annoying.

Was gearing up to try taking photos on the mobile (can do calls, scroll through, add contacts and do short texts) but couldn't get it to work on the meter readings last time I tried but now that's dying on me. I have got another out of the drawer (I was given 3 old ones when I asked around last year) and charged it up. Have put the code in but it's still not working and the manual smells strongly of cigarettes.

The reason I know about frogs is that I am surrounded by the little blighters. At least the house is going for such a bargain price that I will feel no guilt whatsoever if I don't get the minor diy jobs finished - I've provided the materials, she can do the work. Just wish I could breathe without it hurting atm.

You will get there apple muncher. I will too -I'll have to, the back up pension plan just failed, so I need some money. Write a list of what you need to do and nibble at it, one little chunk at a time. What are you doing for your nephews and nieces Christmas presents this year - clothes for the rabbits? I made clothes for my brother's bear when I was eight, using an idea from a Blue Peter Annual - waistcoats are easy, especially if you use a fabric that doesn't need the edges finishing.

dolly84

Bob - hope the doctor was helpful, I suffer with sinusitis and it really makes my top front teeth ache. There is something called Neuralgia which makes your face ache too.

apple - thanks for the tip about water I will try that next time (hopefully never) I have a bout.

andar - it sounds like you are rising to the challenge of having only £2.

stewby - we have the basic package with Sky but only watch a few things on it so it feels like I am paying £20 a month to rent the box so I can record and pause.

misstara

mothernerd congratulations on the house sale, on the poor offer but at least it's sold

ccl yum syrup sponge - one of my favourites, must attempt a gf one at some point

apple what a lovely thing to do

Bob that sounds awful, hope you feel better soon

Another NSD yesterday so that takes me up to 15. Today definitely won't be as there's very little milk left and I've just used up the last of the butter with breakfast.

On training today so thought great I can have a lie in until 7.30 but no still up at 6 on the plus side I've had a lovely leisurely morning so far and I've still got an hour until I need to leave the flat. Said I would go into work for a few hours after training as they are short, few extra hours overtime is always good at the end of the month

Payday on Thursday and very much looking forward to it. Hope everyone has a good Tuesday.

dolly84

mothernerd - glad to hear about the house but shame about the price. I wouldn't do another thing on the place if I were you.

We are going out for most of the day again today. The dog is coming with us and we are taking a picnic so no expensive lunches today. We are going to pay to go into a very specific museum but that may just be for me and DD.

I really need to go for a run today aswell, I am feeling very sluggish and am eating too much which I always do when the kids are off school.

dolly84

It's me again. I forgot to say thrifty I thought for a minute I had made cheese but it was actually butter I made. Good luck with it and let us know how you go on and the costings.

thriftylass

Good morning,

hugs to everybody that is poorly, Bobarella hope the doctor was of help.


Mothernerd glad you did finally sell that house, boohiss to the offer though. But you're right at least it's done now.

Not much to report. Will have a chat tonight with hubby about our christmas gift idea list. Will see what he thinks about making cheese and might get the stuff I need on Friday.

Went for a run yesterday and will go for a cycle today. On Friday I'll sign up for my next triathlon, one in Aviemore next August. Still swaying between the long or the short one.

Have a good day

dolly84

Today's spends from the half term budget for our day out:

Museum entrance for me and DD £13
Car Parking £ 2.40
Chocolates £1.60

On the way home we called to get our Halloween/Bonfire things:

Fireworks and sparklers £22
Pumpkin £2
Sweets £2

I had budgeted £27 for this but I used some nectar points as well as coming in just under so the difference has gone to the debt. I know these are not strictly needs but I don't know how many more years our kids will want to do these things so I'm not going to miss out whilst they still do.

Tea tonight is spaghetti bolognese. The sauce was already done and just needed defrosting so it will be a quick meal.