NST Muddy March Marathon

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for seeing my counsellor, for good journeys to and from school, for seeing an old friend at work, for getting home in time to collect dd, for snuggles with dd, for a yummy tea (I am cooking it soon!), for patches of gorgeous golden croci on the way to the bus, for getting the headspace app on my phone, for a nice chat with mum, for a cheque for £152 from the tax man.

FurryBeastOz

Having a lovely holiday - down with my godmother (85ish) putting the world to rights. NSD today, although I'm paying for dinner, it's all in my week away pot.

I resisted stopping on the motorway to pick up some Pepsi - i had my bottle of tap water at the ready

Use it or lose it- I have a pantry list with expiry dates. I am going to do some meal planning while I am away to use up some OOD items next week between trips. Tuna with sesame seeds (from 2006) will be one:rotfl:

Gratitude - my godmother, a rock through hard times, still going strong. Finally being able to drive, so able to see lots of friends I haven't been able to see for years (or while I was drinking had the inclination to see), so that's another gratitude. My sobriety.

Cheeky one - being able to get back into the same outfit I wore to the Savoy on my 18th birthday (20yrs ago). I will be wearing it on Saturday night at a ball in Cambridge assuming I can find silver sandals tomorrow at Bluewater.
Also, the narcissi and croci in my godmothers garden, the camellia I saw while running yesterday and the milder weather this far south. It's lovely.

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone. :wave:
Not a nsd today - I'm waiting for Mr T to arrive with my first grocery shop of the month. Just couldn't find the time to get out and do it but we're getting desperate for a few things.
Am also still mad busy at work...
Been into the kitchen and found a long forgotten jar of chocolate spread with seeds in it. I will leave that out and use it up over the month.
I have so much to be grateful for - hopefully writing it down will help me to calm myself a bit over the little so-and-so's that egged the house today... So here are my gratitudes:
My own home, which I can afford to heat, my husband and kids, cuddles with the cats. A job I enjoy, a boss that cares, a head of department that trusts me, no kids clubs tonight, a useful hobby and a large stash of wool.

greent

NSD today

Use it or lose it - started a new book last night and am loving it. It's quite a chunky book but I suspect it will be finished just after the weekend (won't be reading much over the weekend, as both DD and OH are home) - will then pass it on to my mum (who then passes it on to my aunt, who then passes it to a friend or the CS )
Food - made a massive effort at eating odd things from freezer last month - much easier to do when OH is away. There are a few things in there which are specific to DD - she can take some back to uni this time, along with some pantry items. Still gradually working my way through frozen fruit. Spices are all used, even if only occasionally. I do have a tin of condensed milk on my shelves which I need to do something with at some point.....

Gratitude:
* that it's almost the weekend
* main meals for next week (busy week) are prepped and in fridge/ freezer in portions.
* a catch up with a friend after school
* lighter mornings
* lighter nights
* gorgeous blue sky today
* a fun Zumba class
* nice food
* my children
* a visit from my mum (who also brought me 2 large steaks and a bag of kale (latter for the guinea pigs - it's disgusting stuff!))
* my new(ish) vacuum - it's so good!
x

swimminginaseaofdebt

M : Mantra - "Live in the Spirit of the Season" - Opened my windows for a bit to let in some fresh air. Hope to do this a lot more as we settle into spring.
U : Use it or Lose it - Finished reading my kindle book. Also ate my leftover fritatta from yesterday for dinner today.
Debt free date & Debt/Savings first - Paid £50 off my credit card. Was going to hold on and make the payment at the end of the month but this way I'm not tempted to spend it.
M: Monitor Goals - Updated my spreadsheets.
A: Avoid Takeaways - Was craving a Subway but resisted.
H: Health - Ate a bag of potato chips for lunch. Ooooops.
O: Outside - Walked to the supermarket. Was getting cabin fever and thought the fresh air would be good for the little one (plus I needed more calpol and don't drive so no choice really).

Also bought my nephew a Lego set for his birthday. It was reduced to £13.33 from £20 and I had £7.50 of Nectar points so it was a bargain. I'll not need to buy anything else. I'm really lucky as my family aren't bothered about spending loads on presents. His birthday is not until October though so I'll have to remember I'm sorted for it.

Eager_Elephant

Today has been a rather large spendy day - brought petrol, transferred money to my friend for the last part of the holiday payment, ordered pet food and got birthday cards for DH (tomorrow).

My cupboards are mainly things I will use but I do know that I have a packet of gluten free spring roll sheets when I had a mad moment in an ethnic shop and realised how much I missed spring rolls. I must read the recipe on the back of the pack so when I go shopping I get what is needed and get these used up.

10 Gratitudes:
1. DD & DS (although I fear I have made them too independent)
2. DH
3. All my animals
4. That I love my job
5. I have a lovely house which keeps us warm and dry
6. Living in a lovely village
7. Outdoors/Nature
8. Having an income which allows us to do mainly what we want to
9. Family who help whenever required (even when we don't see each other for months)
10. Variety of food available to everyone

mothernerd

Apple lovely gratitudes and money from the tax man (program has put capital on your name).


Indigowarrior doing great on NSDs.


Skint Teacher excellent progress,


f0xh0les one of several turtles with a very wise attitude to mistakes. When losing weight it is important to accept your body – I keep patting and rubbing my tummy and telling it goodbye.


Fmess here's to the longest bath ever.


Swimminginaseaofdebt I believe food banks and women's refuges will take nappies.


Tog Eek to spilled juice and lost chargers. Wish I could send you some buttons. I recently acquired my mum's (including some that were my grandma's – died over 35 years ago) in addition to the ones I have accumulated over the years. I was very selective about what I kept but it included sets of women's 'suit type' (probably from 'costumes') dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.


Laralozzle I knew someone would have bulghar wheat. Glad Welcome to all new and returning turtles.
work are being supportive.


ChasingSunshine leaving cards and cash at home is a great technique.


Speky enjoy your stag weekend but don't party too hard (and resist any suggestions involving nakedness or tattoos).


Misstara yay to sleep and extra cash.


Thrifty thanks for the tips on the Morrocan spice. Since I wrote it down at lunch, I have become aware of how much 'mind space' they are taking up. Either I know exactly what I have in stock or I have subconsious guilt over the purchases.


Mrshubbard very on the ball. Turtle gang is definitely the place to be for paying off debt as fast as possible.


Abundant I believe you are supposed to rest for 2 days out of 7 to avoid muscle damage.


Toni'sfriend wonderful ys haul. Hugs, look after yourself.


Calling 14 can't shout at you over the hifi as I bought 2 magazines (one cross stitch, one sudoku). The cross stitch one isn't even a 'want' (need to cull what I have further). Some nice things but nothing 'essential' and I had bought my shopping (mum's shopping) and did not need to go in the shop. Blaming low resistance on the cough and sore throat taking hold – I suppose a small controlled spend is better than a chocolate/ junk food binge but must try harder.


FurryBeastOz such a lovely and well thought out list of things to be thankful for.


crazy_cat_lady chocolate spread with seeds, think I will pass. You have a lovely attitude, I know things have not been easy.


Greent condensed milk – fudge, would also make a lovely mousse with some of your fruit, if you have gelatine. I have some 'vegetarian gelatine substitute' as I now ask my mum if she has any before paying for something I don't use regularly. Mardartha on the prepping thread thinks kale is a swear word – the regulars put it in asterisks if they dare to mention it.

mothernerd

Went to local history session, returned book to the library, quick walk round town picking up bits of shopping (some for mum) thenwent to see mum.

Took bus to centre and a taxi from far side of the bus station to mum's. Sore throat and cough are digging in and I have felt dizzy (will have to ration the cough medicine again, have had a nightime and a morning dose the past two days).

Some totally unecessary spending on 2 magazines. The puzzle one is useful for measuring brain function and logical thinking (slight challenge when fine, hard if muzzy headed) but the cross stitch one wasn't 'needed' (still need to cut back on what I have). I had no need to go in the shop - just a boo sucks moment. Nearly bought a gardening mag (which would have been a better/ more intelligent buy) rather than the cross stitch. Deepest apologies turtles.

Very tired and probably spend tomorrow (and possibly the weekend) at home, resting and then catching up on the domestic front.

Gratitudes
1 Thankful for all the extra things I can do whilst in the bathroom - includes putting on or taking off most of my clothes, re-stocking the toilet rolls, putting clothes to dry on the towel rail, cleaning the towel rail and parts of the floor and walls.

2 Thankful for all the little movements that are returning to me - kneeling, squatting, standing on tiptoe, turning over etc.

3 Thankful that this cough and sore throat (annoying and irritating) will pass and that I am managing to function and am not hospitalised. If I take a little care I should soon recover.

4 That my foolish spending was a minor blip and not a full blown chocolate and junk food binge.

5 For getting things back in perspective instead of feeling sorry for myself.

6 For my lovely little house and all the years of shelter and comfort it has given me.

7 For my energy compant suggesting I apply for the warm homes discount and for them reducing (halving) my direct debit. For never having to deal with the FU energy company ever again.

8 For my sons who have given me lots of joy over the years in their own very individual ways.

9 For my mother, even though she aggravates the life out of me quite often

10 For the sun, the moon, the wind and the rain, for this beautiful planet and all those who seek to make it a better place.

Okay going to stop for now, getting a little out of control (and I can't even blame the cough medicine).

One more - that although I may not have much money, I can organise my life so that I can take time to recover tomorrow, can even stay in bed all day if I want/ need to.

f0xh0les

Today was spendy - petrol and coffee and kid cereals.

Came home, cleaned the pantry, rigged a second shelf by putting my leftover offcuts of the bedroom shelving on 4 mason jars. All the spices now stored alphabetically, pantry cleaned and shelves wiped down. Inventory sorted. Menu planned. Should get by this week with a very small food spend - as in less than £30.

Gratitudes:
We are all healthy
Spring has sprung
Most of the house is clean!!
SiL is flying in for the weekend - nice for the kids to see their Auntie.
Batman movie planned for w/e
I got the dates requested for my competition holiday win
Only three more rooms to clean and tidy
My DIY skills are getting marginally better
Paracetamol and Ibruprofen - the dentist can see me in JUNE!!!

SkintTeacher

A very quick check in for me -
2 NSDs
Absolutely shattered but I suppose I should be grateful I've managed not to get gastroenteritis from my son (would rather that than watch him suffer, though)
Went for a swim tonight despite barely being able to keep my eyes open - managed 45 mins rather than my normal 60.
Use it or Lose it - OH couldn't face cooking after what he'd seen /cleaned up today and was about to throw away sausages he'd defrosted (so unlike him, he never throws food away) when I suggested wacking them in the slow cooker and sorting dinner for tomorrow. Also used a baked potato from Wednesday for my tea as no-one else wanted dinner.
Hoping to get out in nature over the weekend as we've been cooped up / in work all week.
Well done everyone - great work towards all your targets. It really spurs me on to have you all there