NST: Standing Firm in November

GSRcat

Boberella- the HV is spot on but like you say the advice is applicable when you have older children and times are busy. He works very long hours and it's tough on us all. He works in retail so it isn't going to get any better sadly!
I've had a count up and have 10 NSDs so far, I get paid next week so I reckon I can beat the target by then.

apple_muncher

Bob - dh had an eye op to reduce the pressure. It basicslly works like a catflap for a few weeks, to drain the excess liquid out. He is taking the full 2 weeks off, which is a huge relief. And if this op is successful, the other eye will be done in the new year.

Mot an NSD here as I decided to have a little look in the charity shops after work. I parked where it is free, so would spend nothing if I bought nothing? I just needdd to get putside and be blown around a bit! For £3.60 I acquired some more grey fabric for a craft project, a beautiful fleece for dd to grow in to, about 4 strings of gorgeous butterflies and a craft magszine. Worth losing an NSD!

But I did do 450 kettlebell swings and am now up to 60.5%.

mothernerd

Bob I did read Lorna Doone but it was many years ago. DS3 is sort of a 'young Hagrid', DS2 is tall and thin (takes after my maternal grandfather) and DS1 is nearest to my height but still has problems with trousers because his thigh muscles are so big (think that's my father's bricklaying and canal building ancestors). I get a shock when I am with my cousins because most of the men are only my height when I am used to (my brothers, my sons and my ex and his brothers being 6' 4" average). DS3 beat them all at his grandmother's funeral and I'm not sure he has finished growing yet.

He does a lot of cosplay and orders things on the internet. We have sometimes had e-mails to check that the measurements really are inches, not centimeters.

I have had a pondering day. Things are not quite right so I have been considering what I need and what I need to do right now. Think I need to add a lot more veg (preferably raw) into my diet and keep things as simple as possible in the run up to Christmas.

Trying to avoid spending money and just not going down certain aisles in some shops. I have spent a little money and have visited several stores in fruitless pursuit of a proper metal shovel (small one you would use for putting coal on a fire). I have a bin each of soil and hm compost at the other house. DS1 turned the bins on their sides for me a few weeks ago. I need to bag them up in small quantities in rubble sacks so that I can move them. There may be a shovel there but it is probably in poor condition.

Need to restart the 'putting away 3 things in each room' as that was giving good results and have decided I will make a donation to "pens-for-kids". They send pens, pencils and other school items out to Africa (and some Eastern European places). I donated lots of pens and other items earlier in the year but they need cash to help with transportation costs. I promised a donation as soon as I could and this is the first time I have had money. I will continue to donate tins to the foodbank when I can.

Today I am grateful for finding some leftovers in the fridge (didn't want much), for getting the rubbish out painlessly and for having the washing out on the line (sorry it rained) instead of inside the house. Mostly cleaning rags anyway, if I run out I will just have to postpone further cleaning.

crazy_cat_lady

Evening all
Dolly - schools aren't allowed to charge for compulsory school trips any more. They can only ask for 'voluntary contributions' and warn that if they don't get enough contributions then the trip may not go ahead. I have seen this before where they overcharge in the hope of getting enough contributions to cover the cost of the trip and issue a partial refund to those that have paid. Strangely enough it always seems to be those with the most money who don't like to contribute...
Thrifty - the kids club I use is £4.50 before school and £8.50 after school. When dd started school I didn't know anyone and she went there 5 days a week, morning and evening. Within the first year though, she made good friends with a girl whose parents used to drop her off in the morning for me. Then I started finishing early one day a week to pick her up. Once she turned 8 (Year 3) I decided to let her walk to and from school on her own. I work in the comp attached to the primary so she only has to walk round the corner - there are no roads to cross. DS used to go every morning and 4 nights a week - now dd is in Year 6 he walks round with her every morning (he's in Year 2) on condition that he behaves himself. I finish early 2 nights a week to pick him up from school, he goes to kids club 2 nights and 1 night at a club after school. I'm lucky to be in the building next door but it is hard juggling kids and work - no doubt about it.
I'm claiming a NSD today - I got fuel but that's allowed because it was planned and budgeted. It's been another busy day but I will find things to be grateful for.
1. A little bit of wind down time to myself.
2. My own skills at fixing the hoover for less than a tenner.
3. It's less than 2 weeks until payday.

GSRcat

Forgot to say what I am grateful for today
1. A lovely friend who gave me a massive hug
2. Two beautiful and clever children-loved my cuddles with DS and chat with DD
3. For being warm and snug inside while storm barney rages on.

misstara

apple hope DH recovers well.

:eek: to childcare costs - I had no idea it was that expensive. I just assumed breakfast/after school clubs at school were free - think it's pretty obvious I don't have kids :rotfl:

Nothing exciting to report today - another NSD taking me up to 10. Was planning to go to the gym this evening, had booked a kettlebells class but got caught out in the rain on the way home and then couldn't be bothered going back out in it. Being very lazy this month have only been to the gym 3 times.

Oops forgot to say - today I'm grateful for
- the laptop being repaired (so much easier to post now)
- a productive day at work
- being inside and cosy on a miserable night

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for being blown about by the wind (I love it!), for Barn Owl at brownies being so good about that child being there (the one that is so mean to dd), for dh making tea, for getting my kettlebell swings done, for clean hair!

dolly84

apple - I've been meaning to ask what was going on with your DH, I hope it isn't too painful, it sounds pretty horrid.

CCL - yes they always ask for a voluntary contribution which all seems a bit of a nonsense. I've always paid for the trips but do get annoyed when the same people never pay. There is one girl in DS's class who's parents never pay and her dad runs a successful pub so it's not financial, on a recent trip there was an opportunity to be wrapped up like a mummy and the staff picked her - I couldn't believe it, I know it's not her fault personally but they could pick a child that had actually been paid for.

I will check in later as I need to get ready for an appointment now.

P.S. Hope no one had any damage in the wind last night.

thriftylass

misstara wrote: »

:eek: to childcare costs - I had no idea it was that expensive. I just assumed breakfast/after school clubs at school were free - think it's pretty obvious I don't have kids :rotfl:

Hehe, yes I was also under the illusion that things get a lot cheaper once they start school. Found out they are so expensive because they bus the kids in the morning and after to the three schools they cover, so they have car and insurance cost most clubs don't have. Nothing we can do if he has to go to one of them. Don't think DH would ever let DS walk to that school by himself though esp in the dark. Anyway, decided to stop worrying. Will find out more today and get a list of alternative schools, clubs, childminders together today and figure out how the whole application process works.

Applemuncher hope OH recovers quickly.

Not an SFD yesterday as we went and topped up on fruit and veg and got a goose :j in Mr L. Today will be one though, number 10 I think. Got 1 pound in my account and 6 in my wallet. Will stretch as far as possible. Should have enough food for the week and dinners for longer. DH get's paid on the 20th and hopefully again on the 26th from his new job, but a week less as it was in between jobs. Short this month due to him borrowing money and me already spending/buying christmas budget money from December. Need to look at next months budget again and adjust it.

Today I am grateful for

DS taking to his reward chart like a fish to water
A warm waterproof coat this morning
Strong coffee

chocolatelover93

Morning everyone
Still catching up with the thread but thought I would pop in to let you know how I'm doing today

Forgot to make my lunch last night for work and skipped breakfast this morning as didn't have time for that either so unfortunately I'm going to have to buy something at work (I can feel my stomach digesting itself so need to eat!! haha)

Three things today:
1. My mum cooking me dinner tonight
2. The sun was out this morning - makes the cold a bit more bearable
3. I'm working morning shift at work so I have time to myself this afternoon

xx