NST: February: Back to Basics.

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone :hello:
Normality has resumed. Minor headache. Stressed out with work. Busy etc.
Looking forward to my 'me' time from tomorrow for Lent
Nothing to report apart from a full teaching day and a load of marking and badly behaved kids.

XSpender

Get well soon to those under the weather.


2 NSDs achieved this week so I am on 4 so far this month which is as many as I achieved all last month!


Not much happening this week as I am away with work. Hoping for another NSD tomorrow

mothernerd

Congratulations Calling. Hugs to Stewby, Crazy cat lady and anyone else who wants one.

Planned spendy day for me (since 4 am when I found myself tired but unable to sleep, eating bread and marg and making lists) but I didn't quite stick to the plan and took a bigger chunk out of the budget than anticipated.

I have enough odds and ends in the freezer to put together a few meals but was really craving bananas (which ran out a few days ago) and fish and I have been planning a little Icy land shop for the past few weeks. Ticked off all the things on the list + some items to keep DS3 off takeaways. Beans were the same price as at the bargain shops (but delivered), offer on tinned tuna knocked spots off the little Arseda one I'd seen the night before and finally they had a pack of 24 toilet rolls (needed this week but enough for 2 - 3 months and delivered) which again matched the bargain price - they had even cheaper ones but I squeezed them and they felt very loosely wrapped so a false economy.

Will probably be able to keep within budget but should have lots to carry over to next month, if not. Also bought 4 packs of my favourite low fat cheese spread, which they now seem to be the only stockists. Rival US brand getting lots of shelf space and price is going up. Before Xmas I switched to SM own brand philli type instead, am now on pack 4 out of 5 and struggling. So a little treat (especially as back at the £1 a pack best price) and will use up the other in between.

Most of today I have been doing my well known impression of a pack animal. 2 sacks of stuff to Red Cross and asked if empty jewellery boxes were any use. Took those back plus a rucksack of small but heavy items then onto hospice shop with a kettle. Back to hospice shop with an electric blanket (2nd one wasn't CE marked so have returned that to the tip pile - was going to take the wires out and see if anyone wanted a dog blanket but that would have left me with the wires and I can't go to the tip because they won't let you on without a car).

Carried on and did shopping as above, booked delivery for 5 - 7 pm which gave me time to go home, phone mum's church friend, bus hop to deliver large rucksack and two bags of items suitable for raffle/tombola prizes, round to the hovel, refilled rucksack with more c/s items, went through paper bin to check that our missing paperwork had not been thrown, bus hop back to town, straight to YMCA shop, then home to wait for food delivery.

At one point I felt really ill, severe pain in my side but felt much better after resting and am quite happy with what I have done (few extra bits in there somewhere). This morning the only thing that got me out of the house was needing to get the stuff out of my house. I've been through plodding doggedly, being on a roll, struggling and now really pleased with my 'productivity' - feel much more like the old me.

I have decide that my challenge for February is to do something new or 'different' each day. Today's was rather mundane. I bought a pasty (bad for me so I choose to buy one 2 or 3 times a year rather than make a tray load or buy a pack of frozen ones). Then I sat out on the Town Square and ate it, taking in my surroundings. Was a lovely sunny day though rather windy and all the primulas have come out (mostly yellow but the odd rogue pink of red one dotted in).

I have something 'planned' for Thursday (more serendipity actually). My counsellor phoned to say she has to be somewhere else on Thursday but that if I didn't mind, the young volunteer who acts as a 'greeter' really enjoyed talking to me about local history and would like to spend some more time with me, so that's what I'm doing. I had something planned but that would have needed some work tomorrow, but (serendipity again) whilst going through the paper bin this afternoon I found a 2003 calendar with old photographs in it and a Council newspaper with plans for the 'new' shopping centre (before it was built).

I am also thinking about spending some money. The Hospice shop had a wardrobe and two small sets of drawers. Not exactly to my taste but very well made. I came home and googled the brand and they are a bargain. They had another couple of small items I liked. I went round another couple of c/s this afternoon and it's not the end of the world if these ones get sold but I am thinking about it. To balance things out I have gone round the house and identified 8 furniture items I would be happy to 'let go' so added that to the phone call list for tomorrow.

Today I am grateful for the primulas on the square, for charity shops and all their volunteers and for thinking about doing things differently (and meeting new people and being sociable) and being able to 'let go'.

The_Only_Girl

Last night DS1 booked his train tickets to Edinburgh in April for his uni look around/open day. When he showed me his itinerary before he paid for the tickets, I noticed that the economy class was £26 and the first class was £23.10, which he didn't notice. He said something really complementary which melted my heart: "I'm so glad I consulted you. You've got frugal eyes which I hope to inherit. You are what Proverbs 31 in the Bible describes as the virtuous woman. Awwww."

Calling14

Stewby I think my grandson is just forward thinking or perhaps he thinks sugar is salt lol. Hope you get the help you need and enjoy your week off. :cool:

I just went into meltdown mood and booked tomorrow off. :mad:

My heating packed in last night, with gs wrapped in a blanket, trying to keep him quiet with putting Sponge bob on tv, making pancakes, trying to get hold of British Gas whilst this head cold has made me lifeless to say the least.

Todays good news, got British Gas out and heating up and working - just fan sticking but seeing as my boiler is probably over 25yrs old I am getting a quote for a new one off them. Just so I can be prepared and try and save for it.

Todays bad news, overpaid my wages last month by 40.00 not happy Tough month as it is, going to pay it back in a few weeks time. Went to hang my washing out this morning before work and realised my line is not there - it snapped a few days ago and I haven't got a new one yet. Bit of another one left so all piled on that one.

Welshkitty how annoying re your microwave. Seen a few newish ones on facebook local selling page lately.

The only girl wow what a lovely son made me smile frugal eyes:)

Hope all the stressed out turtles chill out tonight

Calling14

Oh forgot SFD today takes me up to 4.

Tomorrow window unit being fitted so a spendy day.

The_Only_Girl

Last day of my sick leave today. I am not yet 100%, I'm still coughing for England but I've decided to go back to work tomorrow. Done a bit of light tidying up, and reduced my fabric stash a bit. Finished another apron for another niece using the left over fabric from the other apron that I did three weeks ago. I also replaced the window dressing I had in the toilet using a remnant fabric that I bought for £1. I still have enough to make either a couple of cushion covers or a table runner. Undecided which one to go for so I'll leave that for another day when the inspiration comes to me. I have a couple of percale pillow cases with dainty flowers printed on them that are screaming to me wanting to be a blouse instead. I might give it a go.

Lazy afternoon planned and hopefully NSD no. 6. I won't declare it yet until the day is over.

apple_muncher

Most people want you to remain in your comfort zone. They resist and hate change. They believe they are stuck and want you to remain stuck with them. You must not harbor any bitterness or resentment against those that try to hold you back. They know not what they do. Stay strong and never give up on what is important to you...even if that means a big step out of your comfort zone. Keep on pushing on.

Eager_Elephant

Still pondering on what I can take up....
I am taking up the carpet on Sunday as we are having new flooring laid as we have dry rot!!! Does that count?!!?:rotfl:


Today was a NSD.


Did a quick audit on the way home so that will be £25 paid next month.


Hopefully tomorrow will be a NSD!!

crazy_cat_lady

Yeehah! Another nsd and on top of that my head of department treated me to lunch today.
Mothernerd - please take care of yourself a bit - I thought I was a busy stresshead, but you are always on the go.
I'm just going to catch up on here then head off to do a bit of exercise and relaxation - part of making time for me.
apple - funny you should mention the whole comfort zone thing. I was literally just discussing that with dh earlier...