NST: January 2017

mothernerd

Yes very sad, suicide is one of the biggest causes of death in youths and young men (more girls attempt suicide but the boys are more likely to succeed).

Another SFD for me, haven't been outside the house. Cold wet and a howling wind, had a brief look and decided to keep the curtains closed (window is very slightly open and there was an icy draught ). Made progress on my goals. I found (yet another) notebook which listed the areas I want to target (roughly).

It was very sobering reading as I had laid it out in October 2015. The other house had been up for sale for over a year, I had run out of money and had to go onto a TPP (temporary payment plan). That year, as now, I had caught a bug that refused to go (was 'too ill' to have my flu jab and had to have a course of antibiotics first) and was bothered that my recovery from my operation was incomplete.

Made me realise that things are much better now, even though some problems (weight/ struggle to exercise/ mum's health and general situation - partner has dementia which has worsened) persist. All debts were paid off in January 2016 when the house sale went through.

Mothernerd's Goals For 2017 (part one)

Health - want to be as fit and healthy as I can be, physically and mentally. To be independent as long as possible, be fit to look after future grandchildren, not be a burden to my chilldren and to enjoy life.

What to do . Excercise want to be able to walk for pleasure as well as day to day running around. Shed the extra pounds again (2 to 3 st this year). Eat well, healthily and on a budget. More vegetarian meals. Continue with anti-depressants, seeing the doctor and my counsellor (examine whether certain 'patterns' in my life are inevitable or avoidable).

First (baby steps) targets.
Walk five times a day round the car park, building to 10. Carrot sticks in the fridge for healthy snacks. Reduce sugar, fat and salt. Batch cook, starting with meals based on what we have. Eschew stress. Refuse guilt. Review weekly.

FINANCES

Money and Budget working atm. Continue to save. Initial target £100 per month. Increase when have more information on costs of accommodating a third person (and 3 grandchinchillas) plus gadgets.

What to do. Continue with turtle challenges. Go through budget in preparation for new financial year - need to set up a couple of DDs when new bills arrive (had to cancel them to allow for juggling when money was tight and then was waiting for final bills on old house - confusing if there are 2 DDs).

First steps - write it down, keep track of expenditure. Aim for as many NSDs as possible. Allow yourself a treat now and then. Tour of charity shops for a couple more outfits when foot is better.

WORK/CAREER

Modest earnings from self-employment. Not going to make my fortune but would like to do better. Self-employment allows me to work round my health issues.

What to do - new products/ change of direction. Acquire skills needed. Pay N.I for year voluntarily - I have done this year and another year will give me the full 35 years of contributions required for a full state pension (provided the goalposts don't get moved again). If I earn enough to pay further contributions in subsequent years whoopee.

First steps. Continue 'using up' (thinking time). Think about new products (Valentine's Day:eek: , summer weddings?). Also leisure sewing, which items do I want to complete this year (too many part completed projects) and start a couple of 'heirloom items' for prospective grandchildren (DS1's gf is winning the argument - she has conceded that he can teach the baby to climb and that they are allowed lego with electric circuits in. I have contributed that there are babygros with polishing cloths attached to the arms, legs and chest so that when they are crawling, they clean the floor at the same time). Have had an idea for a birth sampler.

GROOMING/PAMPERING

Wasn't sure what to call this category. Let's face it. 2016 was a rotten year (be positive, I became debt free andhad al the outstanding repairs done to my house, decorated throughout). Standards have slipped. My style mantra can best be described as 'whatever is easist to pull on' all the way down to my wellies and my 'beauty regime' is non-existant.

Obviously I am missing a few 'feminine' genes because I don't know what to do about most of this. Clothes will be a problem until some of the weight goes (very unevenly distributed and knowing my legs and arms aren't fat isn't much consolation). Think a hairdresser might need to be involved at some point :eek:

Baby steps Brush my hair (keeps going in knots, the 'style' I cut it into is growing out and flops across my face). Moisturise - take my time applying lotion to arms, legs, feet etc. Start looking (at clothes/ hair styles 'how to' articles) - maybe this should wait until next month. Review end of month.

There is more but that will do for now.

Today I am grateful for my lovely warm bed, for getting a lot done without moving very far (sorting threads, sewing accessories, stationery/ found library books, notebook, money - more coins) and for the books I have read over the past few days.

Abundant got to love a star chart.

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone
Made it to Friday and survived the first week back at work :j
Apple - thanks for telling me about bliss balls - they sound like something I definitely have to try.
F0xh0les - sorry to hear about your dh. I think that stress, depression and anxiety are rife in young people. I see so many of them at school dealing with so much pressure from all angles. I only hope that people will talk more openly about mental health and it will become acceptable to have mental health issues before too long.
Today I've bagged another nsd, which is good considering how tight my finances are already looking this month. Other than that, just the usual - work, home, sleep and repeat.
Today I'm grateful for
My big freezer so I can freeze lots of home made ready meals for lunch at work.
My new big boss at work (so far so good)
My to do list helping me stay organised.

abundant1972

FOxhOles... Just read your post... that's a really difficult thing for anyone to have to face... but it sounds like your husband did everything he could. It is often the people around someone who has attempted/committed suicide who struggle to make sense of it and feel responsible that they should have noticed/done more etc. Hopefully social services has intervened and that burden of care has been taken off that student, and the person who attempted suicide is getting some professional help. Hugs though - these events can ripple out and touch the lives of so many people.

Mothernerd - What an awesome 2017 plan! Sounds fantastic! Have you thought about doing a star chart???

Bobarella

Abundant yes I do know exactly what you mean. I struggle to spend any money on myself. I always think of something else I'd rather spend it on. Like the debt for example. I don't know if there is a solution. I think some of us at juat wired to want rid of the debt at whatever cost. I think that's a good thing really. Maybe I will treat myself to a nice hair shirt once the money is paid off

Bobarella

dolly84 wrote: »

Bob - good news about your business enquiries.

Thanks Had another just now. It would be for 1 hour per week but if it works out that would still be £100 a month for not much effort.

Bobarella

f0xh0les wrote: »

DH came home last night very shaken up. One of his students came to his office today in pieces as his housemate tried to kill himself. He spent a long time with him, and got him a lot of help, but that was the day over for him. Nothing more got done and he cannot put it out of his head. Lots of hugs needed, cos he thinks he is ok now he has talked about it, but still it is there behind his eyes and you can see him dwelling on it. He woke up sad this morning after a wretched night's sleep. Will keep a close eye on him without seeming to be keeping an eye on him.

Today I am grateful for us all being healthy and alive and never having had to deal with any of this before.

Be kind to yourselves today.

Very sorry to hear it. Must be very distressing.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a nature walk up to the dr, for the receptionist finding the letter I asked for and also sorting out dh's prescription, for a pootle round aldee (and being able to carry the bags home - it was a heavy vegetables shop, mostly), for cuddles with dd, for big sis having a good chat with the solicitor.

F0xh0les - sending you and your dh some hugs. It must be such a difficult situation to cope with.

And hugs to Toni'sfriend and C too - you've been through a lot, but do seem to be looking out for and looking after each other.

Florence_J

Today I am grateful for

NSD #3
My Friday Gin and Tonic after work
Managing to blog 6 days in a row

x_raphael_xx

Didn't get a chance to post yesterday (again) my bestie came round, and I planned on a thread catchup in the evening when she had gone home and after we came back from puppy class. Went to turn on the laptop and my harddrive had died!
Popped out to get a new one today, so missed another NSD, although they had run out of chicken at the butchers so I would have had to get that today anyway.

Saved myself a little money by fitting the new harddrive myself with very little hassle. I was surprised how simple it was. Sadly I lost all my programs and a few files. But I tend to keep everything backed up on a seperate harddrive, so the important things have been saved.

25 NSDs - 03/25 - Yesterday £3.05 in grocerys, £3.99 for my comic. Today £20.00 grocerys and £59.99 for a new harddrive
[STRIKE]Donate to a charity.[/STRIKE] Quilt and blankets dropped off to dogs home.
Pay to your debt or savings first. I was a little annoyed at having to put another £60 on the credit card, but I have re-jigged my budget and paid the £100 I had left owing, plus the £60 I put on it today. Onwards to savings!

January's rules:
Food budget. £23.05/£120
Things I am grateful for [STRIKE]today[/STRIKE]yesterday:
1) Puppy got tired at puppy class and snuggled into my neck for a nap. Cute puppy cuddles.
2) Grateful for past-me deciding for the first time in my life that creating a recovery disk would be a smart move.
3) Backing up all my important stuff.

Things I am grateful for today:
1) Having a tech savvy friend to talk me through re-installing my operating system!
2) Being able to clear my credit card.
3) Taking down the xmas decs without falling off the ladder (I did whack my head on a door frame though)

Cheap/free family & friends events.
Another visit from my bestie yesterday, we tackled another round of Game of Thrones card game. Really fun, but brain taxing.

FurryBeastOz

F0xh0les I hope your DH can take some comfort from helping his student. Mental health issues have a huge impact on the wider community and I second abundant1972's desire for wider discussion of the issues.

Just indulged in a takeaway. We rarely do it, but I budget for it monthly and we didn't have one last month at all.

Bad news for DH today. His car is terminal. Looking at £800 for immediate repairs and another £1k to pass its MOT. Basically the entire thing is falling apart. So an expensive month coming up. Thankfully we put money aside monthly so it's not so much of a problem. Just delays our next holiday.

So definitely not a NSD today, although technically within budget even with the takeaway.

Further spending tomorrow. I need a jacket for my already booked and paid for ski holiday in March, and then we are going to see Rogue One. DH is going to collect his car in the hope he can nurse it along until he can find a decent one 2nd hand.

Decorations need to come down tonight, and I need to catalogue some items to list on bay of E.

Today I am grateful for - 1) Ability to save monthly meaning the car isn't a disaster, 2) Delicious curry (and a muck up with the order means we had a lovely one tonight just not what we expected, and we get the next one half price:j, 3) My gym. Very satisfying session this morning, and although I've put on weight, my muscle mass is up while fat is down. If I can finally kick this cough I plan to up my cardio and reduce the pounds as well. Back to 10st today. Only 1.5 to go.:rotfl: