NST April - SPRING INTO ACTION

Bobarella

Calling14 wrote: »

Just thinking Bob have you a metal detector? I having visions of you scouring streets with one and baby Bob strapped on yr back 6 months old gosh that has gone quick.

Ha ha no. My son had a toy one for xmas once but it was rubbish. Maybe I will invest in a giant magnet instead and attach it to the pram so when I'm out walking I will attract all the shrapnel :rotfl:

dizzyblnd

Polly that is amazing. Such a thoughtful thing to do. I hope that boy uses it wisely.

Bob I can't believe ur baby is 6 months- where did that time go.

Calling- no naughty step for u, u have run such a good thread this month!

crazy_cat_lady

Checking in with a relaxing but productive day... Not a nsd as planned, but for good reason. I've been getting very annoyed with our slightly leaking toilet for a little while, and last night attempted to fix it (but failed). Had a closer look this morning and realised it needed a new seal on it, so spend £2.99 at my favourite shop (Scr3wfix) and less than 5 minutes of my time. I do have a regular plumber who I completely respect, but it would have been a minimum of £60, so a lost nsd is something I can live with for that level of saving. Means it's going to be a struggle to get to the 20 target but I'll try my best...
I haven't been out other than to training, and to take ds to gymnastics, but the weather has done a bit of everything, from the snow, to bright sunshine, to hailstones. So I've used it as an excuse to stay indoors.
Spending time with the boys now, football on tv that I'm not watching, and have started my next crochet project...

greent

Polly - that was an amazing act of generosity :T


APologies for not checking in for a couple of days - busy week with work, volunteering and also suffering a bit of a bug. And it was DS1's 16th yesterday. Have managed a couple more NSDs but have been lacking in steps/ exercise as a result! Aim to try and catch up on steps at some point when my chest is clearer.


5 things I enjoy doing & when:
- reading a book (a couple or so days ago - been too tired)
- playing family games (last weekend, I think. If not, a couple of days before that)
- family days out (low on cost but high on quality time) (probably Feb half term? - harder to spend time together with all 6 of us and satisfy everyone)
- a meal out (even if lunch) - Jan or Feb?
- going to the theatre (Dec)


x

XSpender

Spent again today as took DMIL to C0stc0 but very restrained and only bought basics as don't want to move loads of stuff in a few weeks time.

DH also got a new phone. He uses it for work and it was not working. It hasn't been working properly for a while but I have made him hang on until it has finally died. Looked into claiming on accidental cover as bent but it was a bit of a con as you paid the excess whether they upheld your claim or not and you would only get a reconditioned phone. Bit the bullet and bought a new one and the same contract is almost £10 cheaper.

DH has sold his old phone tonight and along with a couple of items has recouped the money it cost to get out of his contract early on the broken phone.

DH also received confirmation of his promotion and pay rise. The good news is not only has his basic gone up but his bonus structure has increased by double this so he is over the moon. He was only told about the increase to basic when offered the promotion

Things that make me happy:

Chicken enchiladas for tea(made from store and freezer stocks including some ancient GF tortillas) - my favourite

The book I started reading yesterday and finished today

Daffodils:)

mothernerd

Well done polly.

A SFD. Mr and Mrs Builder have been and will contact me with costs later in the week. I am a bit worried about the cost but it is mostly essential. We are going with having a new improved bathroom rather than patching up. The current one is 13 years old and even if everything had been repaired there would still have been problems with the walls and floor (one painted, floor has a temporary scrap of vinyl with gaps at the edges).

Not quite ready for a walk in shower but upgrading to a bath with shower over the top, moving the fittings round, walls will be clad in acrylic stuff (insulates and easier to clean than tiles) and proper storage added.

If I am going to be here for the next 10 or 20 years then getting the house up to standard and in good shape is the most important thing I can do. The kitchen will be finished off properly one wall in the front room needs work and the chimney window in DS3's room needs insulating on the attic side. Roof man will be contacted to give a quote for the flashings (and 2 roof tiles need replacing). Few other bits to be fixed.

Later in the year I will have laminate flooring everywhere that needs it and internal doors sorted out. I have to decorate throughout before the floors are done.

Things that made me happy
I answered the door when DS3's takeaway came and the driver called me 'darling' twice.
I have done 3 hours of sewing (embroidery). just finishing off and using up threads but quite relaxing.
Although I am am worried about the expenditure and the dent in my savings, I do finally have the money to do the necessary repairs. My little house does a good job of shelter and it's good to be able to look after it properly.
Reading a good novel. Have a short funny one when this is done.
No music but may put some on now that DS3 has gone upstairs.
More stuff for the cs (not taken as I didn't know when the builders would come), more stuff binned, more stuff put away properly (and washing on the line).

Jazee

Morning all. Well done to Polly and XSpender's DH.

A spendy day here yesterday as I did the BIG shop. Should last about 6 weeks though with only fresh top ups required.

Hoping for a no spend day today as my day out has been cancelled, so I'll just potter in the garden.

Eager_Elephant

Sorry not been on for nearly a week - my week has been eventful unfortunately.

Tues 12th - Spend day as got some shopping bits we needed - fruit, shampoo etc

Weds 13th - should have been a NSD but got a phone call at 4pm to say Relative had been admitted to hospital with suspected stroke so left work early, came home to get DH (who has been off work sick again - he has my cold/sore throat and that has made his head pain come back), went to Relative's flat and collected clothes and medication (he has Parkinson's and the hospital had none of his meds in the whole place!!). Then up to the hospital to see Relative who was actually surprisingly well (definitely not a stroke so more likely a TIA), stayed until 7.45pm and then got McDonalds on the way home (well I had a McFlurry as can't eat anything else except chips).

Thurs 14th - NSD. Relative allowed home as walking much better (I think this was caused by his Parkinsons meds being out of sync) but speech even worse. Had to return the next day for MRI (they couldn't keep him in as too many other patients needed the bed)

Fri 15th - NSD (had to get the bus home from work as DH had the car to take relative to hospital for MRI but no counting that as counted as travel to work)

Sat 16th - Spend day as friend came with her children to see the pigs so had to get biscuits and crisps in - also got some fruit and bits for next week. No big food shop done so far this month and still enough food in the house.

Today may be a spend day as off to see relative to get a shopping list (he had enough bits in to last him until today) and do his shopping.


Due to all the above I have not done the audit but will do it this week - I haven't even had time to get my YNAB up to date :eek:

Also need to declare a 6lb weight loss:j:j - weighed myself on Thursday (after 2 weeks on 5:2) and am down to 10st 9lb:T
I think the weight loss is down to a combination of the 5:2 and also logging all food on My Fitness Pal - the shock I get when I enter some items is enough to put me off for life!! I don't think it will drop this fast in the next 2 weeks as surely most of this is water etc but if I can lose another few lb's by month end I will be pleased.

apple_muncher

Well done E_E on the weight loss, and on looking after your relative.

mothernerd - those house jobs sound like they will be a good long-term investment for you.


I have swallowed 4 frogs today. Well, probably more like tadpoles (!) but I have made myself do 4 small things that I have been putting off and off and off. Now I feel better.

Got myself a workout done before I was properly awake - which is probably the best time to do it for me! 1-legged push up burpees, weighted side jump lunges and side plank with knee tuck. I ressembled a beetroot at the end of it...

Off to make cherry bakewells and then do some ironing.

Bobarella

EE sorry your week has been so stressful. A sad sign of the times that he couldn't be kept in overnight for the MRI. Having had a recent hospital stay myself I felt the cuts were very apparent. Hope he will improve now.

X Spender congrats to your OH on the nice surprise on the package front. Sounds like things will be getting really good for your household soon.

Apple Your workouts are amazing. Is your husband a fitness fan too?

Today for me has been mainly housework and child rangling so not much to report. Gammon pasta bake for dinner later and then need to find something else to watch now we've finished season 2 of Peaky Blinders. Can't wait for the new one!

Bob