NST June Challenge

Bobarella

Calling14 wrote: »

Apologies I have been rubbish posting this week.

Fmess happy solo anniversary. I will be up to 7 yrs solo on 4th July my independence day. Looks like I am staying single lol

I couldn't cope with teaching little ones, is it me are they are usually germ magnets or attract nits eek.


Today frog eaten, well went and got passport photos done so hopefully get my passport sent off over the weekend.


Happier today got physio appt Monday as I have been struggling last few nights in pain.

Yesterday I cleaned out all my kitchen cupboards washed everything hadn't used in ages, threw glasses and plates out, charity shops refuse them around here. Oh only cupboard didn't get around to was under sink one - another world in there. I can find everything now, did an Aldee food shop after. Did a walk after with friend and whether overdone it but muscles went so tight, squealed all the way home.

Today would have been Sfd but passport pic needed.

Still waiting on decorater to make an appearance probably eloped with Mothernerds Laminate guy. Getting used to hole in the ceiling now.

SpekySquarehead I batch cook vegetable lasagne not a veggie but love it.

As been a busy week got a steak for tonight a little treat and have a wee drink. Have a chilled out evening folks.

Well done on your flying Calling, its great to have a nice tidy place:T also jealous of your steak:D

Bobarella

Fmess wrote: »

Evening all,

calling my sister is a primary school teacher and she constantly has nits and has had worms a few times

SFD here and I've transferred £360 to pay off some more debt from my marking money. Getting there slowly but surely.

Wow your poor sister!

Bobarella

Have had an offer on another ebay item. I'd listed it as £10 but I've had an offer at £7. Im tempted to just accept it as its a toy and it would be good to clear the space.

mothernerd

Well I seem to have spent the whole day shopping. I have entered it in my budgets where applicable and nearly all the rest is covered by the building works. I have spent (overall not today) more than I would have liked to but it is all needed and to put it in perspective all the work so far is less than half what my mother spent just on her new bathroom. This may change over the weekend as I am roughly at the 50% mark (all receipts saved but not yet totted up and some items have been added that were not on the original estimate.

So I bought a bacon barm on the way to the paint shop. Sat on a bench and ate it. First shop (paint, paint, 4 castors) was over £60. They had a number of accessories (toilet roll holder etc) so I wrote down the prices for comparison. They did not have purple curtains (DS3's request) in the required size (limited range in 90" drop and would have been £65 if they had had them). I am planning to paint the 2 filing cabinets used as bedside cabinets and a small table but needed the curtains to match the shade of paint. I moved to another shop.

They had the required curtains for £24.99. They also had some thermal curtains reduced to £49.99 but they looked like a very bad imitation velvet in a sort of grey with a drop of purple colour. DS3's proposed new bed (he's paying the extra over the £160 cost of the bed I saw in the charity shop) is a super king so I went through their stock and found a purple and a black fitted sheet (purple seems to be on the way 'out' as a colour now). DS3 only does fitted sheets so I bought those (had already checked in a couple of places and they didn't do SK).

I know the shop (the one I bought my quilt and pillows from) does the SK quilt but they one had one purple duvet design and no SK, so I think I might let him manage with the existing small quilts (using more than one) for the time being - he has a huge purple fluffy thing he hibernates under.

Was fully loaded by then so went home with only a bit of the list done. Ate lunch. Went back out to Home Barg'ins for led light bulbs (need to clean fitting and replace ones that have gone over the weekend) but they have sold all the bc ones and bathroom accessories were dearer/ not available. Did buy six bottles of water for a £ (star wars characters - thinking I can put a set of skittles together to amuse little ones at a party planned for mum's partner's birthday).

Returned to shop number one, bought paint to match bedding, 4 led light bulbs and stainless steel toilet roll holder and mini pedal bin. Stuck with plain white plastic for the loo brush as I have seen lots of thrown away rusted ss ones. Bought a big issue and browsed stalls for international market (loved a purple gecko made from recycled drink cans but will ask DS3 if he wants it first - he had a Buddha in his drawer which he does not like but cannot throw away because a friend bought it for him). Also browsed charity shops. Since I failed to buy anything two weeks ago (and several more things have been demoted to paint clothes diminishing my sparse wardrobe) I have been looking around for weather appropriate clothing. I was thinking about asking my fellow turtles for advice on setting a clothes budget as I don't know how to proceed (basically I beg for forgiveness when I have to buy something just to be able to leave the house on a regular basis).

So I paid £8.49 each for the fabled full length t-shirt dress (slightly posh as it has an integral lacy vest underneath - but still black) and a slightly retro emerald green broderie anglais dress with a bow at the waist which I will have to slim into (yes I know you aren't supposed to do that and I am trying to find things that make my feel good now but it is very joyous). Put the 2p change into the collection box and added a few more (but have found odd bits of roadkill over the last two weeks). It's from Self ridges if that helps.

Went home and made executive decisions on the bathroom until 2.45 (bath panel will be made from sparkly wall material - stronger than normal flimsy bath panel and there is enough left over). Builders left early to replace sink waste pipe (wrong one sent) and to track down laminate man. I have a working bath but still quite a bit of work to do. they are coming tomorrow.

Laminate man came before 3pm (Mrs Builder phoned to say they had him) and is to do the fitting for £60 next week (hopefully Monday). I now have his name and phone number.

Set out once more with master list (culled from about six pages of various musings). Little Arseda for large budget bottles of fizzy water and diet decaff coke. Also bought flowers 1 ys, 1 full price. Stocks - wonderful smell. I am fairly desperate to buy some flats of bedding plants, resisted so far but they are everywhere.

I visited the £ emporium searching for a particular stainless steel cleaner as bathroom towel rail radiator is currently propped up in the bedroom and normally inaccessible bits are easy to get at. Spent £5 (but was expecting to spend about £20 this weekend and counting it as part of the building costs as have used up remains of six cleaners this week - plaster dust etc not normal cleaning activity).

Bought a coin purse for £6 from one of the stalls then went to the cs again as looked at some there last month (brand new - they get given lots of accessories), avoiding the gecko stall. Whilst I was paying for that I noticed a navy and turquoise (looked like silk, felt like silk) blouse in my size. Had looked through t-shirts earlier but this was on a different 'arm' of the rack. Had to seriously count my pennies to see if I had enough. Was counting coins onto the desk and girl asked for a different amount - it had been reduced to half price. Happy mothernerd. Even happier when I finally got home - it's Mon soon. Used to haunt that shop in the days when I occasionally went to the big city but never dared buy.

Continued hunt for cleaner in Home bar'gins. Bought soda crystals (good prices on some other cleaning products but see how I get on with what I have for now) and a bottle of cider. Had noticed these earlier and thought it was a good drink for a hot Summer night but by the time I decided to buy (at little Arseda) prices were much steeper.

Carried on to Tessimo's. Still no ss cleaner but ys cooked meat and noodles for tea, ys celery for next 2 days and finally purchased knickers and socks. Once again I have been embarrassed in a public place by runaway knickers (foiled in their attempt by my leggings - they could fall no further). I had looked when I went to buy the bananas but postponed once again.

Took a taxi to the retail park and ordered the replacement fridge and old one to be taken away. Free delivery is next Friday. I will cope. Resisted six attempts at persuading me to buy insurance cover on it so wasn't going to pay for delivery. Same prices as I paid four years ago (threw receipt away as I was going through files this week).

Then walked up the by-pass (past two huge SMs and car parks and one being built) to b n q to check out laminate and prices. then two more blocks (plus multiple crossings to get across 2 sides of by-pass) to the Builders house to ask them to buy the laminate (+ underlay and edge strips) tomorrow morning. Then a taxi home.

So about £170 on paint and stuff need to complete rooms plus committed to spending on laminate and fitting (not sure of total as prices on-line were different). Food added to total. Taxi fares in travel. Fridge from savings (emergency fund is still healthy - enough for 2 - 3 years not just 6 months). Probably need to think of setting up a fund for replacement of long term products like that. Purse, flowers, big issue, socks and knickers from extras budget - now slightly over budget for the month.

Clothes spending £20.85. Will have to think some more on this. Still no idea what is normal. I know I want to lose weight (again). I know it's important to accept the way I am now and find some things that make me feel good. I expect most of my future wardrobe to be home made or cs finds. It's taken me 3 months to reach a decision on buying a purse. This was a need as the current one doesn't close properly, all my coins regularly end up in the bottom of my shopping bag and my key and my trolley pound go awol because the fabric is so thin they don't stay in their designated compartments.

Today I am grateful for my lovely new bath - it feels both deeper and wider than the old one, I did have it quite full but won't do this all the time. I am grateful for being clean and for having clean hair. I love the little shower head on the taps because it made it so much easier to clean my hair and put less stress on my back. I am grateful for having items in my wardrobe that lift my heart when I see them. I am grateful for my stocks. I have just transferred them from the sink into a vase (a jug actually, I rarely buy/ am given flowers and it's easy to do a natural arrangement in a jug so I sent my vase to the cs). I am grateful to all the people working on my house, trying to make it my dream home on a budget. I am grateful for my little house, which has sheltered me for many years and glad I can once again give it the care it needs. I am glad my feet have stopped hurting. I am pleased that I managed to walk for about two hours this evening (probably about 4 hours during the day). I am forever grateful for my resilience, just thinking about the difference between yesterday's (actually the day before's, now) post. I was feeling down and now I am floating (hope this isn't just the cider talking), much more confident about what I have to do and my ability to do it.

I must go to sleep, don't know what time the roofer is planning to turn up and I want to make enough space for me to work without getting in the builders way.

apple_muncher

That sounds like one satisfying day, mothernerd! I also have most of my clothes from ch shops, they can be joyous places indeed.

However, you are posting later and later- are you getting enough sleep?

mothernerd

Think so apple. Remember I have lots of little rests in the day time - my bed is the only place I have to go to atm. There is a chair in the kitchen but sometimes I am in the way there. Using a chair at the bottom of the yard to sit and rip cardboard boxes etc.

One night I couldn't get to sleep. I was too tired even to read, my eyes were actually hurting with tiredness but my brain wouldn't stop (making lists, going over what needed to happen and in what order). So was tired the next day and did rest a lot. Builders are usually here from 10 am (sometimes 11 am) until about 3 pm, so it's not a long day.

Also the 'youth' on the car park (the disruptive ones) are staying later (2 am some nights) and playing loud music (one tune I recognise but can't identify so that is exercising my brain when I want to go to sleep. I try to discipline myself not to get the laptop out until 9 pm but as it's lighter I am able to do jobs later
and then it gets later when I start.

Today I feel good but found my legs soon started aching when I was moving around so came back to read for a while and also found a 'sitting down job' I can do. I read the (recently revived) 'My house is a mess' thread. A lot of the people on there have illnesses or circumstances that mean things have got in a mess and they only have limited energy to tackle them.

Flylady is good but on days when you feel everything is beyond you, just reading it is exhausting. The messy thread allows everyone to go at their own pace (with some days when you can't leave the bed) and celebrates the things that you can do. I used some one else's advice the other day 'Just because you can't do it all, doesn't mean you can't do some of it'.

Feeling very good today (buzzing and alive) but my legs and arms ache so those will be my limiting factors today - any jobs that put extra stress on those are out. Outside jobs (my bedroom window sill, garden gate post and a plank, setting some seeds off) will be okay if the sun dries up yesterday's rain. Lots of tidying to do and will have all this evening and Sunday to do what i want without being in anyone's way.

I have put extra pressure on myself by doing the painting but it will make things simpler in the long run.

Roofer has just been and will give me a price early next week. He things it can all be done without scaffolding and the current price of lead (for the flashings) is the determining factor. That makes it sound as if the cost will be considerably less than I have put aside (fingers crossed). He wants to take down one of the chimneys (small one at the back) and roof over the space so that it could not cause any problems in the future.

Bobarella

Hi All
Been doing a bit more ebaying today, 2nd sale this week and 1 item under offer.
Excitment this evening was provided by a fox appearing in the front room whilst I was upstairs putting DD to bed. DS was in there at the time and it ran out when it saw him. I have been saying for weeks that if the back door to the garden is open which it often is right now so DS can get out there to play, then the kitchen door needs to be kept shut. The foxes come in from the lane at the back of the garden. I dont trust them at all and am quite concerned at what one may do if it had the chance. Plus not great for the recent flea issues....

Hope everyone has had a good day.

Bob

FunBrum

In my last house Bob, I had a Fox and two cubs that would come in and play most nights. Lovely to watch

Nothing much to report other than a SFD. I didn't bother going shopping and ended up going to my sister's again and finished off her ironing. She comes back from Portugal on Thursday, so I will give her house a quick dust and vac, to spruce it up. It's immaculate anyway but i will air the rooms. It's a large house so I must remember to lock all the windows up before I leave. I would hate to leave one open and someone get in!

Had a Chinese take away bought for me this evening. Beef and peppers and black bean sauce and fried rice, plus spare ribs and prawn crackers. Have loads left over as couldn't eat it all and I'm stuffed! :eek:

Well I'd better check on the footy score, sounds like we've scored....My friend has just yelled from the next room! :rotfl:

apple_muncher

Wow! Over a third of the way through the month already.

I've worn more clothes in June than in December, been soaked though several times and also worn shorts and sandals. Keeps me on my toes, this weather!

Am starting to think of that special day of dec 25th... money may get tighter as the year goes on, so forward planning is essential to ensure thoughtful gifts are given.

dizzyblnd

Yesterday was a nsd so I'm up to 7/20. Not sure I'm going to make the target.

Bob u sound like uve got it all under control. Even if selling is more expensive than expected.
Fmess I'm primary n I've never had either of those. Hope I haven't jinxed myself now.
Calling- what did u decide?