NST April - SPRING INTO ACTION

Calling14

EE. Hope your relative is on the mend. If it is Tia's can you bring controlled with medication, my brother has that. Well done fab weight loss.

Mothernerd sounds a good investment and you do spend a lot of time at home, make it your palace.

Xspender so glad for you assuming yr dh will share his payrise with you lol.

Calling14

Had a lovely weekend went to NT places both days making full use of my card as it runs out soon. Will try and get another yr if I can afford it.


Today so happy I saw a red squirrel and managed to get a pic. Never seen one in the wild before so made up.

Both places I visited look stunning blossoms and snowy mountains as a back drop. Grateful for living in such an awesome place.

Today I was nearly out of petrol so had to spend and treated myself to a cream tea, naughty but nice. Seeing as forgot my banana I was hungry.

Rounded up some pennies so can make payment towards my cards tomoro. X

Bobarella

Calling aren't they beautiful the reds and completely different to grey squirrels..had never seen one in England but when we went to Helsinki we saw them there in the parks.

juliejim

Evening all

A very quick post as I have been at Cub camp all weekend and will be going to bed very shortly as I'm exhausted!

Hope everyone is well and I'll catch up properly tomorrow.

Jue

WelshKitty85

Hi everyone!

Calling I have been looking at either a cadw or national trust membership. I noticed nt are doing a good offer for new customers only (25% off I think) so it could be worth letting it run out then buy again at a later date?

Sorry Ive not been around for a few days. Working overtime has been taking its toll and I've been exhausted. I have more overtime this week, but am on holiday next week so the thought of that should keep me going.

I think I am up to SFD 11. Yesterday was a big spend day - £100 on groceries, but this will last us all of this week and also includes all the supplies we need for holiday as we are staying in a self catering apartment.

DS had rugby again today. There was a lake next to the rugby field and 2 swans there had some tiny babies. There were just sooo cute!

Have done a bit of batch cooking for work. Have made some oaty-biscuit-type-things to use up some over-ripe bananas and some frozen berries and have also done some twice baked potatoes to use up a huge supply I had.

Now to enjoy a nice cuppa then an early night I think.

Eager_Elephant

Week 3 Challenge – Putting yourself first

Putting yourself first is like securing your own oxygen mask before helping others (love this quote)

1. Change your game plan . Do you ever feel like you can never get your house clean enough? Have you spent an entire weekend trying to cross off everything on your to do list only to have to start over on Monday? Set new priorities. This is exactly how I used to feel, weekends were spent trying to do as much housework as possible as well as making time for the allotment while the rest of the family did their own thing (usually consoles or TV. That all changed at the start of April when I made a housework rota and now at the weekend I only have 1 room to do and the others all do one room as well – I don’t’ let it bother me when it is not to my standard because as long as it’s nearly done then the world won’t cave in!!

2. Decide what putting yourself first is. It's important to be specific I always make sure I get at least 8 hours sleep and I am starting to put myself first for a change – sometimes what I crave is peace and quiet (as in a silent house so I can just concentrate.

3. Situations in which to Remember to Put Yourself First

At work
I have stopped volunteering for so much at work – when someone in the department gets paid more to be a supervisor then they should be picking up the slack instead of doing the minimum they can.

In relationships/ family situations

My marriage is in quiet a good place at the moment but previously we have been on very rocky ground and I have nearly walked away numerous times. To get through it I decided that once my DD was 18 I would leave – it made it easier to cope with everything knowing I have a get out. Ironically since DH got ill (just over 5 years ago) he has actually been quite a good husband.

With friends
The key is to focus on friendships that let you be more, not less, you. I just have one best friend and also my best friend from school who I see about twice a year and it’s like we have never been apart. I just can’t be doing with any other friends - the problem is my interests and hobbies are usually shared by people about 20 years older than me!!

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.

List 5 things that you enjoy

1. Reading (either books, blogs or newspapers) – I haven’t read a fiction book in ages but have been reading my growing veg books, I read a set group of blogs every weekend and I try to flick through the newspaper every day but don’t get a chance to read it all.
2. Gardening/Allotment – I have been on the allotment today preparing things but have not started on the garden yet
3. Walking – I walk the dog every day but I like walks which go further afield and I have not been on one for about 2 months.
4. Roast Dinners – every Sunday without fail and now I have perfected gluten free yorkshire puddings my life is complete.
5. Spending time with the family – I love an afternoon of board games with all of us (me, DH, DS – 19 and DD – 13). Not done this since Easter.

Know from experience there are highs and lows of debt busting/saving. A feeling of despair, getting no where fast. getting so impatient wanting to see debt diminish. This added to this we have stressful lives, with caring for family members/ helping others. So this week be extremely selfish if you can delegate, put your feet up after done all your exercise that is. Most important no feelings of guilt anyone. I think I only have washing up one day this week which is great as before April I washed up everyday but now it is on the rota so I do actually get to put my feet up sometimes!!

However still keeping your budgets in check and trying to top up those SFD.

What have your paid off? Saved? Percentage of target? Since you started on MSE look how far you have come. – We deserve a rest and reward this weekWill go back and look at what I have paid off in the last 5 years, I know it is not as much as I want but I have more focused goals now and have savings towards buying our house.

Discover what is really important in your life and enjoy week 3

Fmess

Eager elephant please share your secret for gf Yorkshire puddings?! Mine never rise

SFD number 12 here. I've had a productive day, mainly doing school work but quite content with just the dogs for company so got a lot done.

Night all

mothernerd

A SFD. Mostly spent sloth-ing around. Meant to get up after finishing my book but fell asleep every few pages. Also I keep dreaming I am doing things (housework but sometimes playing games on the computer) and wake up tired from all the 'work' I have been doing. Was going to the toilet in the middle of the night and realised that my fingers were still trying to move round imaginary figures in an imaginary game (had my eyes shut).

Today I am grateful for
DS3 organising the food
getting to finish my book (quite complex and involving)
still not having to buy food (now out of salad, yoghurts and other things but may last another day or two)

Things that make me happy
reading done
more sewing (quite satisfying to use up the odds and ends - hope to be able to donate a book or two to the cs soon).
only a short walk - hope to do more
DS3 vetoed music (tried to get me to use his old ear things but they don't work with my 'deaf' ear) but he's gone to bed now.

thriftylass

Fmess wrote: »

Eager elephant please share your secret for gf Yorkshire puddings?! Mine never rise

Sorry to jump in . I use 200ml milk, 200 ml eggs (about 4), 200ml (about 140g) flour.. I put a muffin tray in the oven with some goose fat in each well (goose fat gets hotter than oil, a bit like beef drippings). Once the oil is hot I pour the batter in. 20 min at as hot as my oven can do (I think 220 maybe). I think the hot tray and fat is the answer :cool:

Had a mixed weekend of getting thinks done (some decluttering, tidying, crocheting started again) etc and feeling meh and can't be bothered. I always get more done if I have the kids on my own for some strange reason . Whereas if the is four of us it doesn't work the same and I use them as an excuse. That needs to change. My new game plan. Will also have to adopt Eager_elephants approach of getting more done during the week and free up weekends although now sure how yet. By the time I done the everyday stuff and had dinner it's 9 and I'm goosed.

Washing machine packed it in over the weekend :mad::mad:. So not what I need just now. Got some money saved but it was meant for the front door which now will have to wait. Also not sure what to do. Get the Curry's engineer for a £119 flat fee or look out a wee man with a van as it might be cheaper. Any advice? Thanks

Healthy ford and HIIT for lunch. Oh and bagged another two SFD over the weekend (Fri and Sun).

EDIT; found a local company that would do it for 60 if it's just the carbon brushes as I suspect (after spending 2 hrs on washing machine repair forums last night, lol)

GSRcat

Thirty lass, what is the make of your washing machine? Call the manufacturer direct and see what they can do.
EE I hope this week is a quieter one for you.
EE I couldn't agree more about putting ones self first, I thought I was being selfish but actually it's in everyone's interests that I do that because if I'm out then nothing happens.
At work
Like you EE I'm going to stop volunteering for stuff cos I feel a little let down by my main work place ATM and my heart isn't in it. I enjoy what I do at my second work place more but I don't feel I have been recognised by the right people about what I can really do, that said I will continue to enjoy it.

Relationships/family
My marriage has definitely improved. Some of you might remember that around Christmas I was in a very deep depression and I have taken steps to heal myself and since then things have got better. DH is much more supportive and there when I need him and as we have both been really ill we have looked after each other. He has recognised when I have needed space from the kids which I very much appreciate.
We have good relations with our parents but sadly our relationships with siblings have broken down, we have tried to be involved but they aren't interested or they have unhinged partners.

Friendships
My friendships are transitioning now, the group of friends I had when I had DD seem less relevant to me now. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with them as people, I just think I'm so very different to them now in terms of the way I choose to live eg- they all have posh cars and fancy jobs and are always going out and shopping and buying "stuff" whereas we just bumble along comfortable and we aren't bothered by how old a car is and our kids having loads of stuff. I'm making new friends through various things I'm involved in and they seem to "get" me if that makes sense and it doesn't sound too pretentious

On your own

I do like my own company and I get this a lot at my main work as I work nights and it's quiet and I often work alone. I'm alone with my own thoughts and my music and it's lovely. I do like to sit quietly with no tv and no radio on and am most content in a woodland area.

5 things I enjoy

1. Cooking and eating- since going vegan I have become more into cooking, I love experimenting and trying new things and baking cakes that the kids gobble up
2. Crochet- I've almost finished my big project from just after Christmas so I will be on the look out for a new one. I'm self taught and I have made 3 blankets so far but think I should branch out and try something different.
3. Callanetics- work out from the 80s which has been updated for the 21st centuary. It has elements or yoga, Pilates and barre, but being invented by a woman it's tailored to shape you better and it's just fantastic. I've had amazing results but I just haven't had time to do it as much and with being ill I feel I have to start over again.
4. Reading- just finished a book on the kindle. Might take a walk to the library one day to get another out.
5. Family time- we have very little due to work but next week DH is off so hopefully we will have a bit more time together and with the childre, even if it is just a walk into town.