NST February A FOREST ADVENTURE

apple_muncher

greent wrote: »

Where's the Spam button gone....?

I reported it too - you now have to type in your reason!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a clear crisp day, for finding seats for us all on very busy trains, for dd enjoying the V&A when the queue for the sci museum was over 30 mins long, for lunch in the sun by the water, for walking straight in to the sci mus after lunch, for the bubble man, for a lie in this morning, for still having the weekend ahead of us, for mothernerd's quotes!

Kerry_Woman

Was a spend day. Got a take away for my friend and I. I have unofficially adopted her as my sister and she has been very supportive during the last few months.
Went to my appointment with the GP. He has increased my anti depressants medication.
Grateful for:
Walking through the park for my GP appointment.
Going to my friend's after the appointment.
Having an understanding GP.
Having a very chilled out day.
The charity shop picking up the computer desk about 9.30am.

mothernerd

f0xh0les commiserations on the visitors, do whatever you have to, to survive. This may include fantasy violence or imitating the hamsters (hide under the bedclothes all day, run on your wheel at night?)

When DS1 was a few weeks old, I was only told about a visit after 10pm at night - we had no phone and bf had received the call at work during his shift. He had forgotten that he was at a meeting in Mc all Saturday morning leaving me with a house to clean, a baby who never stopped crying, food to prepare (nowt much in the cupboards and 20 years before late night shopping) and then 2 people who barely spoke to me to entertain until he got home (Seriously,we visited them shortly after his father was made redundant, they were asking bf questions on welfare rights. He looked at me, I answered and they would then address the next question to him).

dolly go girl. Keep us updated on your zero waste progress.

laurenh1 lovely ys bargains. Not much on offer here, 50% off if you're lucky. Must not complain as I bought 2 x 20p bags of grapes today (not zero waste though)

Calling congratulations on your 25% debt repayment milestone.

I have also reported the post. Thank you for your kind comments on the quotes, anything that helps you get through the day.

Today turned into a good day. Very little sleep (my fault as I failed to get on with things yesterday and then worked hard from the evening onwards). Had morning pills around 6am, made myself 2 ham and cheese spread wraps (found wraps last night, and my diary and several other useful bits) but could not get in the bathroom as Beloved was in there. Phone was put on charge (was checking the time). Had a lovely sleep, then woke in a panic.

Took several shortcuts but was not willing to forgo the bath (still not washed hair, was frightened of falling in head first earlier in the week). Phoned mum to tell her I was delayed, returned library books, picked up shopping. Also booked a weekend break for mum and me in April (thought it was fully booked when I tried before but it was only the computer being blooody minded).

Mum had a day trip leaflet so have 2 to book. Mum wants to go to the Terracotta Warriors exhibition in Liverpool (just checked the museum for accessibilty as she was worried about it) and we have a midweek trip to Southport and Port Sunlight. May add a trip to the Liquorice Festival in Pontefract (mum was tempted but thought it might be too tempting).

She loves the Tall Ships but that trip is on a Bank Holiday and when she went before it was very crowded and she thinks shecould not cope with the crowds. I am also thinking of adding a coupleof days out on my own - must keep expanding my horizons (rather fancy the Whitby Gothic weekend).

Wrote a list of birthday cards mum needs for March and April (+ 2 wedding anniversaries), insisted on going through the pile of cards mum already has which sorted 14 of them (only 6 to buy + one to make and 1?). Wrote them all out - had to stop part way which is a little worrying, made food, watched pointless and Supervet and came home.

Today I am grateful for getting things done, for the 'mess' being tackled - lots of bits to transfer into a notebook and finally found 'the' notebook (was reluctant to write everything into a temporary 'holding' notebook) and for good food from a variety of sources (was sent to hunt in the freezer for ready meals made for mum which she is not keen on) and the prospect of some fun days out.

mothernerd

Happiness is a day on the couch

Being a little weird is just a side effect of being awesome

Having at least one'lazy day' a week can help reduce stress, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease

When life knocks you down, roll over and look at the stars

Go outside and do something you will remember

Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.

She couldn't keep her colours inside the lines, so she drew new lines

To whoever reads this, I hope something good happens to you today.

Apologies if I have repeated any quotes - there are a couple that have been typed at least twice but the post got swallowed.

misstara

Hello turtles, haven't posted for ages but have been reading along. The last week and a half up until Thursday were horrendous at work, totally lost track of NSDs and food budget. I've been off work Thursday and yesterday and now feel a lot more relaxed. Back to work on Monday so still a few more days off to enjoy.

I've been clearing out my clothes so will take a big bag to a charity shop next week. Trying to persuade OH to have a clear out of his DVDs but it's not going well.

Fmess

Morning all,

Thank you for your get well wishes. No drastic changes yet but it!!!8217;s only been 36 hours on the antibiotics.

I am now on half term and so excited to be away from work and hopefully will spend a lot of time with my pets. My theee legged dog had a biopsy of a lump yesterday so today I need to buy a collar so he can!!!8217;t bite the stitches. I!!!8217;ll also pick up a few food bits to get me to payday on Friday. I intend on getting out in the garden this week as much as possible and potter around as it!!!8217;s one of my favourite things to do.

Well done on getting to 25% debt free calling

DancingDragons

I'm hoping to catch up with everyone's progress, I'm sorry I haven't posted for a week or more, so much has hit it's impossible and serves no purpose in sharing. Snowed under and I feel like I am the only one shovelling. I have sorted everyone's "Contract" problems out though.
Go me
My maths "test" is in a few weeks so I have been doing all I can to pass it. Feeling futile though as if I went out and got a full time job this house would just fall apart. I know a lot of parents have a cleaner to balance that, but geez, going to work to pay a cleaner isn't what I had in mind.

I am now on NSD 11 I think ... bought the first big christmas pressie yesterday from savings, (Lego - always safe)

Mothernerd today's inspiration is right on the nail. Draw new lines...

Gratitude: Once again, this thread being my rock in the storm.

greent

Thanks for that apple - have had a peek at Zuzka Bunny Slope and will try week 1 next week x

Always pay to debts or savings first - car & 0% CCs on direct debit. 'Regular' spending CCs paid off in full at start of month. Remaining kitchen bills are last 5% of kitchen fit (might not be required to pay it until March, due to snagging timetable) and 50% of floor - will pay next week after snagging done. Once they are all paid I will start with extra payments to OH's 0% CC (I believe it 'runs out' in July, so would rather clear it before then than BT it)

First of February until the 28th, inclusive.
Organise your budgets before the start of the month and stick to them.
* Food 279.59/450
* Diesel (me) - 63.53/65
* Toiletries - 1.44/10
* Gifts - 13.50/ 25 -
* Clothing - 86.44/100 - OH bought some mega bargain trainers in a sale
* Social - 0/50 - some being spent tonight, as we are out with friends
* Half term - 83.70/75 - ooops
* Money in - 33.40/50
Reserve a small portion of your budget (cash or goods) for the food bank or charity of your choice. - ok. Monthly DD to WWT. Should be attending a charity coffee morning this weekend (although time is tight!) and paid out 3.10 to school charity things. Also a small bag of toiletries to foodbank
Environment -
Stock take your cupboards, fridge and freezer. Base your meal plan upon them and your shopping list on what is needed. Stick to your list. - using up is generally going ok. -
Takeaways are forbidden (unless as part of family entertainment night/ birthday choice). Coffee shops, vending machines, works canteens etc are also banned .


Always take your lunch to work and snacks and drinks for outings or appointments (may excuse one trip with children or allow ice creams etc if part of the experience). - r
Do something different. If nothing changes, nothing changes. We want to see small positive changes which become habits and then just part of who you are. Pick 2 or 3 things you want to change. Start with one small change and after five successful days, add another.
Valentine Who? after 30+ years together we don't really do Val now
Exercise 5 times a week please. It should be commensurate with your abilities and current state of health (be careful after flu/ viruses). Getting outside helps with mental health too. - Hmmm - about 99% certain I've broken a toe today
NSDs are staying at 18 this month. Exceptions for medical care, petrol (should be within budget), bus fares, ys bargains and milk for greent. 8/18
Throw it away.-recycle or donate appropriately but we all have too much stuff -looking to remove 150 items this month - whether sell/ donate/ recycle/ bin - 53/150
Use what you have. Fix something (for free if possible). we need to update our house to do list this month - some jobs are being done as we have workmen in for the kitchen so are having them do some other bits whilst here (more cost efficient - and even managed a couple of freebies :T) My main focus for Feb is a big clean and tidy- lots of dust spread everywhere from the works . Clean up is continuing - am thinking of it as an early Spring clean
Refuel properly. Feb is a month of re-charging for me
Elephants and Frogs. .Am sure I can find some frogs. An elephant I need to tackle is getting OH's co accounts for the year ready for the accountant
I think this will be a post-half term job! Dealt with a frog re the flooring - and it was easily sorted (phew!)

Have just identified another issue with kitchen - so will have to ask kitchen co about that (fully integrated washer dryer is causing water to run down inside of the external door when in drying mode - as door is real wood it has already absorbed some moisture and feels mis-shapen. We did not have this issue before (was the same WD and we had real wood doors then) so something is not right...)

Half term budget busted last night - bowling and burgers (25% off both) - extra drinks and then 3 x air hockey games after took it over. However, was 2.5 hours of good fun at the end of what has been a rather boring half term (stuck indoors because of workmen and poor weather), so I don't begrudge it. Could have gone for cheaper earlier in the week, but OH was working away, so would have been just me and the boys - more fun with all of us.:):)

f0xh0les

Today I am a cork,
bobbing on the surface of deep water.
I will keep afloat,
although I might get dunked
I will rise again.

My mantra for today is
Not my circus, not my monkeys.