NST February Challenge : A Winter Voyage

Bobarella

Foxy Sympathies on the little Foxes not wanting to go out. I really struggled with that in the summer holidays. Now DH doesn't have to burn his annual leave to help cover school holidays, he has actually booked the whole of half term off next week, for which I am eternally grateful. We are in London for the first two days then going visiting till end of Friday. I can't wait.

Bobarella

Mothernerd hugs to you. Glad the funeral is now done.

mothernerd

Still not feeling like doing much (I may have been out of the house for most of the past two days but DS3 and Beloved have definitely been in - kitchen is a bombsite again).

Going to play with the penguins and forest animals a bit longer then either find the get up and go to attack the kitchen (one of those 'why do I bother' jobs) or find a film or two and get as much of this sewing as I can done. That's relaxing but also a bit get it done and out of the way (feel obliged to do it but a bit resentful too - person it is for was not nice to other people on Wednesday).

nannygladys

Hi everyone

Just a quick post, visitors stayed extra days!! Really nice but disappointed that they made no effort to help with food bill, I'm a pensioner and live on my own and they both work, so not too happy and I may be away if they want to stay again!!!! Rant over, they are visiting some more friends all today and are going first thing, so only breakfast left to provide!!!!

So back to being extra frugal as food budget shot, fuel budget exceeded by a whole tank full, and treat money went ages ago!!!

I don't have much food in so I will try to eat out of the cupboards and freezer, lentils here I come. I have come to the conclusion that everyone must think I have loads of money hidden under the mattress (I wish) that I have a large private pension (I don't have one at all) and I must try to be more assertive and ask!!!

Anyway going to shut up now sorry for being so negative and I won't be falling for the 'overnight stay' again!!!

Nannyg
Just reread post and realise it's a bit garbled, but I will leave it as I must get it off my 'ample' chest!!!!

Toni'sfriend

Afternoon Shipmates

Making sausages with beans and peppers for dinner tonight. Recipe from my new cookery book. Looks lovely in the picture – lets hope mine looks as good. It’s served with crusty bread so had to go to Lidl this morning to buy some (it’s a good long walk). Not doing too well with NSDs this month and not really sure why. Will have to take a good look.

Otherwise everything is going quite well. I’m off to Edinburgh for 2 nights tomorrow. Have given myself permission to have a drink but I will try to limit it to a glass of wine with dinner (or nothing at all if I’m being very good). Hoping to walk a bit when we get there on Sunday and looking forward to a long walk on Monday.

Have a good week-end.

Today I’m grateful for;

The tiny neighbours who make me laugh
TWO Midsommer Murders on TV tonight

Calling14

Hi folks

Nanny G must be difficult, some people just don't think. Perhaps drop few hints next time. Hope you have enough to live off, lentils are a life saver at times.
Furrybeast Oz well done, keep going it's a hard slog.

Mothernerd wise words as ever, need to get my act into gear and work out def DFD. Glad you got through funeral alright, sometimes after hits you hardest.

Foxy think I get how your feeling. Dd was coming over at 10am for a day out, I have been in work all week so looking forward to fresh air. Shows up late, expect this with baby. 3 hrs later still hadn't gone out so just ended up in local park, then home within an hour. Such a relief for them to go home gs niggly, flying helicopter into baby not really relaxing day.

Cooked a Christmas ham this am as supplies were low. Munched that and fed the crew with it.

Grateful for Just chilling doing a few surveys and having a coffee in peace.

apple_muncher

Nannyg - maybe save the lentil dishes for next time they visit! But your idea of not being available sounds an excellent plan. Go you - having foreseen a problem (that'll cost you many pennies), you have found a solution to avoid it.

crazy_cat_lady

NannyG - how rude of your guests. I still can never quite believe how thoughtless some people can be.

Bobarella wrote: »

Someone on another thread has coined the phrase 'deadzone' to describe this part of the month Cat. Have to say I quite like it.

I like it as well. I'm well and truly in the deadzone now. Unfortunately I also have to go to London on Monday and whilst I can claim back expenses I need to pay in the first place. Grrr. Never mind. I will get through this. I may have a couple of extra hours of tutoring available over the hols as well so fingers crossed because that would really help me to survive the week ahead.
I've been tutoring this afternoon and did a small (ish) shop in L1dl which should see us through the week ahead. I'm determined not to do any more housework this evening - hoovering can wait until tomorrow.
I am grateful for:
My tutoring job
DS friends keeping him entertained
L1dl

greent

Quickly popping in to say massive well done to FBOz, hugs to mothernerd and sending half term coping vibes to CCL - hope the extra tutoring comes off for the extra money

Small spend by OH today on a couple of dolphins and a handful of other bits - will add to sig tomorrow.

SHore leave being taken tonight - although its now just us going out for a meal, not with friends. No idea where we're going - it's a secret

Thankful for:
* fun game with the smallies just now
* a 'secret' venue for a night out (hope I enjoy the food!)
* quick catch up chat with lovely neighbour
* OH being very organised today and sorting some quick jobs which needed doing:T

x

shyspender

Evening Turtles,

I now have my shelves under the stairs loaded. Like Bobarella said on her diary, I keep going back to look at them to see them. Managed to get all my tools in and sorted, decluttered my sideboard cupboard so that I can make it more dinner related and also moved some seldom used kitchen stuff into them. So I have space to make a bit of a pantry (not really something I need but I like entertaining so my non shy herbs etc have gone in there) and can let my ma loose on the kitchen organising in a few weeks.

Big shop yesterday but came in less than I thought. Managed to get some great storage boxes, one, with wheels, fits just right under the bottom shelf and is now filled with all my tools and stuff. I guessed the height of the shelves but i dropped lucky. Loads more space than I thought and than you get from just throwing in and slamming the door.
Stocked up on food essentials, stuck to my list though and for the first time in forever I didn't go off list. Will update my signature when the card payment shows and I can split it into food and household stuff.
Picked up my new glasses yesterday. Still getting used to them and I really need to check them out with night driving because that is where I have been struggling lately.
The knock on effect of the shelves is that I can see the carpet in the office and next time I have some days off (not next weekend because I'm going to see the family) I will try and sort things in there. Although I call it the office, it is always going to be the junk room, especially since I spruced up the spare, but it can be better organised.

Thanks for the feedback on tradespeople. Guess I was a bit stingy and I'll try to remember earlier next time.

Grateful:
No phone calls from work, always a relief when I don't get them and I can switch off
My new shelves - I love them and I can't wait to show my folks
Snoozes - I've had a few today, around pottering and sorting and I love that because I am off tomorrow that I can snooze, without it affecting my night time sleeping