NST March TURTLES ARE TOUGH

crazy_cat_lady

Evening all
Reporting in after my return to work. I'm still alive. :j And it was lovely to see my classes again although one or two of them I could do without.
Mothernerd, I am most grateful to you for running the thread. I was stressed out to the max and then without my laptop so have been on here way less than I would have liked. I have relaxed and rejuvenated a bit and have a bit of my fight back again. :T My aim for the rest of the month is to get my eating under control again. I feel like I've gained at least half a stone while I've been wallowing in my own self pity. That, and not spending any more money.
Today I'm grateful for: fantastic parents evening reports for both of my kids, another nsd and surviving the first day back - letting other people's stuff just bounce off me.

mothernerd

Apple so glad you are enjoying the home snagging.

FunBrum well done on making the most of the good weather.

Bob there are no babies yet. It's just that I am rather 'hands off' with the boys atm as they are establishing their own homes and relationships. My mother had a key to this house when I first moved in and would let herself in if I didn't answer the door at the first knock. Luckily I was much faster then than I am now as I narrowly averted many potentially embarrassing moments. I just thought i should let him know it wasn't that I didn't want anything to do with them.

Thank you for all the kind words about the challenge and the quotes. Kim McMillen started her notebook in her fortieth year. In the introduction she says "For many years I lived with a guarded heart. I did not know how to extend love and compassion to myself. In my fortieth year that began changing". She died unexpectedly at the age of 52 in September 1996. Her daughter Alison found her notebook after her death and self published it originally. Kim McMillen was writer, teacher, consultant in organisational development and a volunteer chaplain at Boulder Community Hospital.

It is a lovely little book and there are more good quotes but I think there is a line between quoting and just writing out the whole book. Try reading it yourself sometime.

Well I made the most of the weather by doing the second coat on all the outdoor woodwork and finished off the fence panel (all diagonal slats) whilst waiting to do the second side of the wood pieces. The fence panel only has one coat but I have finished off the second paint can.

DS3 came home so I've missed the chance to sort the rest of his stuff into boxes. I have explained that he has broken his bed base and we will go round the charity shops (only 3 do beds) to look for a replacement (think he was going to offer to buy a new one - he has finished off a commission whilst he was away and this month's game sales mean he has come back with £400 more than he went with after travel costs and despite having several takeaways). He's only come back because of the limitations of the laptop he was using (not working well with his drawing tablet).

So he's going to pay to have the laptop with the non-responsive keyboard repaired and possibly for his new bed/s (Hospice shop had 2 x 2'6" orthopedic divans which could be bolted together and might last longer). He's also bought me a takeaway for tea. Strictly speaking it's against the rules but he offered (I did not suggest/ hint etc) and I was very tired from making myself do the painting so I am counting it as a belated Mother's day gift. Feel free to demand that I go on the naughty step - it was worth it.

Have taken a few things to the charity bin in the library. Reading the Kon Marie and other clutter clearing threads and feeling the need to ramp it up a bit.

Today I am grateful for lovely sunshine (I did get to spend some time just sitting and enjoying the warmth and the hay fever hasn't kicked in yet), for the bellringers (it's practice night and it's quite pleasant to listen to) and for the takeaway (some left for tomorrow). A SFD - meant to go for basic toiletries and some ys veg but too tired now.

XSpender

Hello Turtles

I have lost the plot a bit with the challenge and will re group and re focus for the rest of the month. We have got distracted by job interviews and selling/buying a house.

My assignments have not even been started but I have been putting extra effort into work and have a few extra responsibilities over the next few weeks.

DH has decided to go back to SW from tomorrow and we have been doing a lot of walking this weekend which I am hoping we will kick start our healthy living regime. We have even taken the dog out tonight in the dark!

I am going to go over my food budget. I underestimated the amount we would spend on holiday food and holiday treats. Won't be by too much though I hope.

I have been keeping on top of the house work a bit better this month.

I am going to get up at least half an hour earlier every morning this week as I am not away with work for a change and doat least one thing housework related and something healthy eating/exercise related. Tomorrow I will vaccum the living room and out on a load of washing and defrost some chicken for SW chicken and chorizo Spanish rice for tea tomorrow.

mothernerd

GSRcat feel free to drop in at any time. Cheerleaders are always welcome and we are always ready to celebrate one of our band becoming debt free. See you still have your 'cat' name.

doingitanyway an excellent start.

Calling heathy eating sounds like a good plan. I went out yesterday hoping to get basic toiletries and (hopefully ys) raw veg but it was the third (and furthest shop) and I was out of puff after two.

ccl glad your first day back was okay. Destress and look after yourself.

misstara

Sorry didn't manage to post the last couple of days, had a lovely day off on Saturday mostly just watching the rugby. Work yesterday and today has been incredibly stressful and I left today thinking is the promotion really worth it? However, a day off again tomorrow and Wednesday is another day so will hopefully feel better then. Plans for tomorrow are to have a lie in (OH said earlier that I looked really tired), go to the gym, see my gran and then meet the girls for tea. Really looking forward to seeing the girls, it's been about 6 months since we all last managed to get together. NSDs today and yesterday so now up to 7

Bobarella

Mothernerd How interesting. And how sad she died so early.
I must look her up.

FunBrum

Bob I looked up the Frugalwoods blog. Very inspiring. There a few blogs i like to read on the subject if 'all things frugal'. They are a wealth of knowledge!

I'm glad your back in class CCL and you seem more up beat. Well done!:T

mothernerd I've said it before, but I really don't know how you fit it all in. Your a star! :A

I think I'm doing ok this month but the one thing I fall down on is putting things off! I've always had trouble with procrastinating, in fact I think I was Spanish in a previous life...always 'manyana'!:rotfl:
I will try harder tomorrow to complete my 'to do' list!:D

Fmess

Morning!

Thought I posted yesterday but can't see it now! Yesterday was a spendy day as I had a chiropractor appointment but today should be a SFD

Managed a very hectic day at work yesterday so quite pleased with myself and today should be a much easier day.

I'm hoping to confirm the gas engineer visit and get a builder to look at my house and give me a quote this week. I like having something to focus on

Have a good day all

XSpender

Morning all

Getting up half an hour earlier combined with only having local appointments today and not having to leave the house until later has means I got some jobs done this morning:

Ironed DS uniform and a shirt for DH (he does the ironing usually)
Unloaded the dishwasher
Ran the dishwasher on an intensive cycle with half a cup of white vinegar to clean it
Hoovered the living room
Made the beds
Tidied up a bit
Got chicken out to defrost (DH appears to have scoffed the chorizo so it will be enchiladas instead tonight)
Checked the banking
Updated YNAB
Checked my work emails
Prepared for my appointments

When I get back from my appointments and done the paper work I will put washing on and sort out the pile of clean laundry and get DH to do the ironing as there isn't much really.

I am aiming for a NSD today I have to pick up part of my GF prescription that they missed off from Sains but it is already paid for.

clippy_girl

Morning all,

Sunday was a lovely day but turned out spendy and unhealthy! Didn't go to the gym as decided I wanted to do some gardening as it was so lovely. Done the front and nearly half of the back. Need to get my saw out and some longer screws from loft to try and repair fence panel. Will need a few small plants for my tubs but will wait until I'm back from holiday in case it's warm and dry.

Then I went for lunch with friend and ended up having big roast, dessert and two cocktails :eek::o also bought a new lovely handbag for work but luckily had a booking for next week which paid for it.

Yesterday was a very unhealthy day but only spent £1 on eggs from a colleague who has hens. Just had some for breakfast and they are delicious :j so much better than any sm ones.

Today I am off for my first jab, will need the second one next Tuesday. Also need to pick up the bin and get cat food. Pah don't seem to have any offers on science plan food which is really annoying. I keep just buying one small bag until I can stock up on offer but they haven't had any offers I think I have have a voucher lurking from a free sample so need to find it.

Determined to eat well and gym it today!

I get paid on Friday and have been thinking about how to budget as my 3 week holiday is in the middle of two pay days. Think I will give myself the full budgets in March and stretch them for 5 weeks so I use them when I'm back until May payday. If my guest confirms her extended stay then I am nearly at my target bookings for April so all the April pay money is extra and can go off the card when I'm home :D she has got an obscene discount but it means that the house is occupied nearly the whole time I'm away and as I'm not providing breakfast or cleaning it's nearly free money. I am having to pay my friend to pop in and do the changeover for the next guests though.

Hope everyone has a lovely day x