NST August: Cut the chaff

evkizzy

Fmess wrote: »

evkizzy two queries, what is Tofurky? And you do life modelling, wow, how did you get into that?

I get asked about life modelling a LOT Fmess. Haha.
I did it a few times at Uni (Art School) and a friend set up a life drawing class about 2 years ago and asked if I wanted to pose again. I said yes. Since then I’ve been introduced to a few local art groups and individual artists and try to do whatever I can. It’s really sporadic work. I can do nothing for 6 months then suddenly be requested 3 times in a week.

It’s good money at around £15 p/h but that has to cover my transport costs (which can sometimes be really high- I only travel for long sessions to make it worth my time). Plus I like to set some of that money aside to pay for semi-regular pilates. You do actually have to be quite strong to sit still in awkward poses for hours at a time. Some artists really push the boundaries of what the human body can do and others are happy for you to curl up and get comfy (the trick there is not to fall asleep or start to slump!). I do enjoy it as I always feel like if I’m not being productive that I am failing at life somehow.... this way, I am paid to be still. Forced to meditate. It’s my own bit of paid self care... if I can get the work, that is.

And Tofurky? It’s a combination of the words ‘tofu’ and ‘turkey’. A fake meat substitute that is by far the tastiest of all the sliced meat-alternatives (which my SO had everyday in his sandwiches for pack-up). We are both Vegan and don’t worry, Bro... we get enough protein. Haha!!! :rotfl:

evkizzy

And now.... an actual update.

I didn’t spend money today and I didn’t leave the house on Saturday so that’s another 2 no spend days bringing me to a pathetic total of 6 (I think) so far. Must try harder.

I’m finally in a semi-regular routine of eating “breakfast” or as it really is “eating within the first 2 hours of waking up”. I discovered that I quite like cornflakes...but only if there is a tonne of strawberries on top, with a bit of almond milk and... wait for it.... cream!!! (Soya cream obvs. but still...) It’s like having pudding for breakfast. I can’t seem to eat enough cornflakes and broccoli atm.... must be “that time” again (lol.)

Still doing well on the no alcohol drinking front... though I very naughtily splashed out on a 1L bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin from Sainsbury’s as it was (massively) reduced to just £18 (rrp £27). The logic was... that it might not be on offer next month when I can drink again which almost totally negated the point of not drinking this month (to save money), even if I have no current plans to drink it. Ugh! I suck at going without alcohol. I don’t really drink an excessive amount, I just like a glass of red with a meal in a restaurant and a nice fancy drink when I’m out in the sunshine. My iced coffee habit (which I’ve been making at home to stay thrifty) will have to keep me going on the straight and narrow.

I had another QC payment today of £13+ and joined Swagbucks and I’m already up to 511SB (that’s good right?) and I finally deleted FB from my mobile (Goodbye pointless screen time!) to make room for Receipt Hog. (Hello extra pennies!)

Long walks with the SO have made me feel all lovely and nature-y. I do like walking anywhere where there are trees. And long naps have helped relieve some of the stress of having a messed up sleeping pattern due to random insomnia plus now I’m having really scary nightmares. AAAhhh!

Hoping to post more updates when I know what is happening and will have a proper read of everything I’ve missed on this thread over the past few days.

I thought I’d subscribed then tried to find the thread but kept getting distracted by other things. I’m very scatty and hyper at the moment. My GP appt. got cancelled so I still haven’t made any progress on the mental health front but I guess life often gets in the way when we’re open to distractions.......

“Squirrel!”

Ev x

juliejim

Morning All

I need to work our how many NSDs I'm on - I had another 1 yesterday and 1 Saturday - I think I'm on about 6 or 7.

I went swimming yesterday for the first time in ages - 40 lengths so I was pleased with that.

Have a good day all

Jue

crazy_cat_lady

Bobarella wrote: »

Yep I could see the same in our house. Honestly no one tells you that an almost 8 year old boy will eat more than I do. I am struggling to keep my bills down really. He can now eat a whole pizza and look for pudding. Me and OH share one between us. Obviously I discourage this but if he is hungry and asking for more??

Yesterday my ds had cereal for breakfast then asked for a sausage and bacon sarnie at 1030. Both of which he ate. Then he had lunch with me and dd just after 1, then snacked all afternoon, then wanted dinner at 6 - so I made him another sandwich to keep him going until dh got home from work and we all had dinner. He's such a skinny little thing as well - I don't know where he puts it all.

Fmess

Hi all

SFDs are eluding me at the moment. Had chiropractor yesterday so combined it with getting a card and present I need for the weekend and posting a parcel. Today I caved in for an ice cream whilst out on a walk. Back home now so no further spends and have £20 to get out of checkout smart

Going to list an item on gumtree that my sister has said I can have the proceeds for if I sell it Then going to read all afternoon Dogs have already been walked before it got too warm and the washing is already nearly dry

Have a lovely day all

SpekySquarehead

Hi all,

NSD yesterday I'm pleased to report and today will be the same. Still on track for 5 in a row this week so there aint no stopping me!

CCL - I've a friend who's the same and we just say he has an amazing metabolism. Lucky sod.

Bobarella

Ah boo was trying to add a photo via photo bucket but its just not playing ball. Sorry

Bobarella

crazy_cat_lady wrote: »

Yesterday my ds had cereal for breakfast then asked for a sausage and bacon sarnie at 1030. Both of which he ate. Then he had lunch with me and dd just after 1, then snacked all afternoon, then wanted dinner at 6 - so I made him another sandwich to keep him going until dh got home from work and we all had dinner. He's such a skinny little thing as well - I don't know where he puts it all.

Wow! Can you inagine having twins :rotfl:

Calling14

Enjoying reading everyone's posts. Laughing at the overcrowding on the naughty step - perhaps you all should have had the month off:p It's my first day back at work today so finding it hard going so switched off for a few mins

Dublin was ace, great city. have been before but that was more pub crawl followed by U2. So nice to see most of the city. Did the Guinness Factory tour loved it, especially the Gravity Bar, fantastic views of the city. :cool:Well worth 14 pounds, spent nearly 2 1/2 hrs in there. Spending wasn't that bad considering ate out most time. My friend I stayed with was amazing. I bought a few meals for my accommodation plus actually did some work half day on Saturday with him. Suddenly realise that I have a great life and extremely lucky. Why do I moan so much:o

Brought some Euros back :)just changed them back as need to get wedding pressie for weekend.:( and bday pressie for following weekend

Can't wait for September to start debt busting properly I miss it.

Florence_J

Sorted out the kitchen today. It all started with having to put the dishes away and deciding to wipe the cupboards, then I was on it. The shelves of random cooking stuff have been gutted and I have two big bags for the charity shop of cooking tins and cookie cutters and old scales that haven't been touched at all. Got rid of a whole box of recipes I have never made and don't need to make when I have much loved cook books. Cleared the top of the microwave which is a 'hot spot' for random things, decanted some cereal into their storage boxes. Did and inventory of the cupboards, spices, freezer (which showed me there were a lot of things i already had that were going to be bought in the next food shop) and finally found a space for my cookbooks.

Today was a NSD...sort of...my OH bought milk and cucumber, and as I am solely in charge of the food from now on I have to pay him back, but when this happens i see it as paying a bill/debt so if i didn't buy anything else that day it is still a NSD.

So that takes me up to 5 I think. Will have to check.

Also I feel like I have won the lottery because I have been selected to join Shop and Scan which I have been waiting for for ages! I was so happy when I got that email

Been going through the cupboards and frantically using up things that are near their best before date. Today we had jelly for dessert. My OH was disappointed that the jelly needed time to set so he said it was his dessert dessert and had cookies beforehand as his 'dessert' ! It would be him who is as thin as a rake. Good thing the jelly was no added sugar.