NST April - SPRING INTO ACTION

mothernerd

Love this week's challenge, will do my best to comply. Note to self -STOP FEELING GUILTY, you are doing the best you can for everyone )and more than they deserve in some cases).

I have phoned the builder (answering machine). Took the cs things that were bagged and have found another 37 items since. Think I am finallt reaching the end of mum's possessions (although probably loads more at the bungalow when I get to spend time sorting there). I have been through my grandmother's sewing box today. I have confiscated all the wool for darning socks - if mum's partner ever gets through the ones in his drawers (culled from a binbag full) there are two (squashed down from 3) carrier bags of brand new socks in the 'spare' room.

Will add them to the things for the crafty cs or possibly Oxfam - they had a make do and mend display the other week. I used to donate a lot to Oxfam but they are further up the high street than several other shops and as some loads have been very heavy.

Today I am grateful for
making do - I thought what I had in would get me through the first week (with a little spend), perhaps through this. Running low now but still have sandwich makings and maybe a some things I could cook. Just had a wrap with coleslaw (with a dribble of low fat dressing) ekeing out the tuna and sweetcorn which had balsamic vinegar in and then a dressing made from what's left in the mayo bottle with balsamic vinegar and low fat dressing added and shaken up. Didn't look nice but tasted good. Using balsamic vinegar for everything as the shop had no cider vinegar last time I went and then I remembered buying this before Christmas.
being able to let things go - life (for me) is too short to darn socks (especially as I have 3 sons and get their discards) so I had no qualms about the darning wool and although there was a proper darning mushroom in grandma's box it should go to someone who will make use of it
little pockets of space appearing in the house - still looks a mess but in addition to things for the cs and to take to mum's I have put away 3 gardening/ builder's gloves, 2 packs of curtain rings, curtain wire, binned an odd sock (it's been given two wash loads at least and there is still one spare) and a few pieces from some boxes I resorted last night. Just wish the Council would hurry up with the bulky waste collection

Things that made me happy
a member of the library staff thanked me for putting things in their cs collection bin - told her it was nearly full again and it's only just been emptied (we both had things waiting to go in)
Tackling a frog - lots on my to do list so I'm trying (whilst everything is such an effort) to tackle the worst job first - so filing has been done and one phone call off the list. Not as much progress as I would like with the clutter clearing but the 'let's just look what's in here' is helping.

Things I enjoy doing and when I last did them
Reading (today) book and cup of water always by my side - I get twitchy if I don't have a book.

Sewing (3 days ago) I have been trying to update my computer skills this week. I have a small drawer of pieces and threads beside me but need to do a clear out. I intend donating a few finished pieces to local charities but need to be ruthless about which patterns etc I keep - have done this at least once a year as well as sorting through but still needs doing again. Would like to make something to wear but think getting some house repairs out of the way first takes priority.

Gardening (two weeks ago?, pulled a few weeds to put in the bin). I have done the fence painting but need to get sowing/ planting - need to be out there pottering maybe in the evenings. Again need to get the roof work done first as they will need space for ladders/ scaffolding.

Music and Dancing (last night, but couldn't find what I was specifically looking for). I was going to put these separately but one often leads to the other. More dancing needed. lots more.

Walking Missed several times this week. So less worrying, more walking.

misstara

Had a day off today so a day of catching up with things around the flat in the morning and then the afternoon relaxing with a book. A spend day as I got a couple of things to go with tea.

Calling14 wrote: »

Week 3 Challenge – Putting yourself first

On your own
Set aside some time to do at least a couple of things that make you happy. Write 5 things that you enjoy doing.

My 5 things
- going for a walk with OH (can't really mind when we last did this properly)
- going out with the girls (few weeks ago)
- reading (today)
- going to the gym (think I last went on Saturday)
- crafts (I really enjoy doing any sort of crafts but haven't done any for a long time)


If your feeling tad down, most of you a week from payday. This is the FUN week, cheer yourself up Perfect I have a night out with the girls planned for tomorrow, really looking forward to it

However still keeping your budgets in check and trying to top up those SFD. Not doing too great on the NSDs this month, need to step up a gear

What have your paid off? £8591.83 Percentage of target? 82.2%

Dizzy_Imp

Ooh - my first week in and I love this week's challenge!

5 things that I enjoy and time since last opportunity:
1 - Walking on the Ashdown Forest with my dogs - last done when we were in Sussex at least a month ago.
2 - Reading a good crime novel - so long now that I can't actually remember!
3 - Baking cupcakes - November before the house was flooded and we had to move into the static caravan
4 - Snuggling up with my two little boys - I do this every day!
5 - Making birthday cards - again, nothing made since the flood...

As this is the fun week, I feel no guilt about palming the kids off on friends so we can attend a wedding on Saturday. We will be able to enjoy the day without worrying that one of the small people is pulling the tablecloth off the cake display :eek:

I'm going to have a think about the other parts of the challenge and post back later x

Bobarella

Morning Turtles

Just scrolling through my twitter feed and came across one of those motivational message tweets.

PUSH YOURSELF BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS GOING TO DO THAT FOR YOU.

It made me feel really fired up so thought I'd share.

Happy Friday.

Bob

crazy_cat_lady

Morning all :wave:
Apologies for not checking last night - I was really tired and couldn't do anything.
Just wanted to say I'll have a good think about this week's challenge - which is brilliant thanks Calling, and to post 2 things that made yesterday happier for me.
1. Being able to pay it forward - I took lunch in for a colleague yesterday.
2. A very early night and a solid sleep.

thriftylass

Happy Friday!

Well I nearly forgot my 5 (well 6) things, here they are:

1. cuddles with my kids (this morning )
2. Cooking new things from scratch (last night)
3. tri training (yesterday)
4. reading a book in peace (gosh, probably before the kids
5. crafting/crochet (last December)
6. gardening (checked my garden babies this morning)

So not that bad actually. Although the list could easily go on a bit further (with them happening a lot less often - like being on my own - about once a year )

Might not be a SFD today, will wait and see. Still no sign of my replacement card though. Phoned them and they said I should have it by Monday, by which time my account is nearly transferred anyway to the new bank I hope. At least this week was really good in terms not wasting money on unhealthy snacks in work as I physically couldn't .

Going for a run today come rain or shine.

Calling14

Wow today is moving so fast, nearly be home time.

I did my food shop in Aldee for a change yesterday, spent ages in there as sell so many various products besides food. Damage came just under 50 pounds very happy with that. However I couldn't get my coin token out of the trolley besides slapping, banging and kicking it. Too busy to venture back inside so will buy a new charity one.

Didn't go out to book swishing event last night just struggling with bad chest so had a hot bath instead to loosen it. Pity would have liked some newish books.

Staying in tonight, my idea of fun, love Friday nights in early pjs and catch up on tv.

Will do a long walk after work, used up all my chicken in nice soup had for tea and lunch today.

SFD 8 in the bag today. 20 pounds to EF. Just surviving until next week now but lots of food in - so happy.

Bobarella

So it's raining cats and dogs today. Not looking forward to the school run. We had a roast chicken for dinner last night and have loads left so I may do a chicken noodle soup (whispers my noodles are actually spagetti) for tonight.

Hope everyone is well on this wet Friday.

Bob

GSRcat

Hi everyone,
didnt get to check in again last night cos I was in bed at 630 due to feeling ill. Woke up two hours later and my throat was raw. This morning I was such a wreck I went to the doctors and I have bacterial tonsillitis. So I have ABs and a stack of painkillers but as that's exempt from the NSD list it's still and NSD.
Just had an email to say our energy bill is going up from 69.50 to 137.00! I thought it would go up but not that much! Can't switch since we have debt now. Luckily we can manage it but it's tight.

thriftylass

GSR I hope you feel better soon.

Bobarella wrote: »

....We had a roast chicken for dinner last night and have loads left so I may do a chicken noodle soup (whispers my noodles are actually spagetti) for tonight.

.
Bob

How do you manage that. I normally buy a normal sized chicken (1.5 kg maybe) from Lidll, kids (5+2) have a leg each and DH and I have a breast each. I never get the rubber chicken (what is the right phrase again for a chicken that lasts three meals?) right. Ours lasts only a dinner and maybe one or two sandwiches and I don't think our portions are outrageous, are they ?