NST December 2018 – Exterminate the debt!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for an early morning swim, for a relaxing start to the day, for clear skies, for mum being fairly mellow, for a smooth journey home, for a chick-lit book that I couldn't put down until it reached a happy ending, for a great podcast about 2018 and into 2019, for dh having put up some artistically-draped sparkly lights, for dd eating a lot (for her), for plots and plans for my own 1000 days.

crazy_cat_lady

Evening everyone :hello:
The end is in sight, just one more get up - and work has suddenly become a lot more pleasant now that we're almost done. Three more hours to do.
Didn't manage a nsd as I decided to buy my form class a tub of chocolates for tomorrow (not entirely necessary but less than buying them a little bit of something each).
I have a lot of gratitudes today so there will almost certainly be more than 4.
1. The kids at school who wrote me thank you notes that made me cry.
2. The Head and Deputy head coming round with tea/coffee and biscuits for all of the staff during the day.
3. My friends and colleagues who are always lovely and welcoming with ds.
4. My own children for not being too materialistic.
5. The child in Year 7 who sneaked me a piece of pizza from his pizza party because I said I was jealous.
6. Getting home to a couple of surprise presents in the post from friends.
7. Getting home to my decree nisi
8. A letter from child maintenance services telling me how much ex has to pay, which is more than I was expecting.
Told you - lots of gratitudes.

mothernerd

cclsounds like a really good day. I spent most of it resting but ventured out just before 4 pm. Only went to get choc brazils (mum's favourite but had to hunt for them this year) and baubles (again for mum).

Did well (lots of sit downs), followed the route I had decided on, found choc in 2nd place I tried then crossed to Wilco's for the baubles. They had gold reindeer in stock (smaller than the ones I had originally seen) but as they were on 3 for 2 $6 baubles and 2 x $4 reindeer cost $10 (these are pounds - keyboard doesn't seem to have a pound sign).

Pondered how much work I have made by being too good at shopping. Originally mum wanted little things for the arms of the couch and chairs and cushions. She was thinking rust or brown (to 'go' with aubergine curtains + lots of random bits of colour). I persuaded her to have throws as it would be less 'bitty', struggled to find aubergine ones (knew I would before I started).

Eventually found two (bought 1 to try and had to get a different but still co-ordinating one when I went back), but bought a dull gold bedspread for the little couch, as I thought all aubergine would be dark and dismal. MUm loved the gold so much I was sent back to get repeat throws for the chairs, then source aubergine cushion covers to contrast.

This week I've had to source purple and gold tree decorations because she wants it all to match. Cards are going on the dining room tree. I suppose it shows how much better she is because for the last two years she hasn't even been bothered about a tree and younger members of the extended family actually turned up with baubles and did it for her.

When I came back from shopping I rested and then did baked potatoes for me and the guest. Food order has just come and I'm very pleased with it (couldn't remember what I had ordered). Lots and lots of toilet rolls (that I remembered), then fresh fruit veg and salad and a few bakery bits (have wraps in the freezer but bought white barms for bacon butties and wholemeal seeded rolls for a change. Plus ice lollies, some meat (small chicken) and lots of fizzy water and cheap pop, requested by them.

I do seem to have slipped up with eggs - think I put them on three separate orders and now have a small egg mountain. Will do a batch of crustless quiches and I want to bake.

Sat on the spare bed and decanted lots of chinchilla nuggets into their storage box after putting it in the top of the wheeled shopper. Spare packs are down the side and the empty box has been ripped up to go in the bin. First 3 toilet roll packs have been brought upstairs, put quite a bit of stuff in the new fridge and sprayed one of the worktops.

Will clean that next time I venture down, move the over microwave shelf into that corner and put back the shelves that had to come down to accommodate the microwave.

Taking tree saw to mum's tomorrow in case I have to raid the canal bank - seems a lot less hassle than getting trees out of the attic.

Today I am grateful for rest (much needed), for the things I have been able to get done, for a mostly sensible food delivery, for feeling settled (full cupboards, fridge and freezer), for lovely reading material.

LavenderBee

Congrats on a lovely day ccl

greent

Some fantastic gratitudes there, ccl :T :T

GlendaSugarbean

Mothernerd: please no mountaineering to get into the loft! Proper ladder or nowt, missus.

apple_muncher

Today is the winter equinox. The shortest day of the year.


So get outside and get some daylight in your veins please.


From here onwards, it'll be getting lighter, but still use your candles and be warm and cosy.

f0xh0les

Solstice blessings to all Turtles


I am grateful for that which I have.
I am not sorrowful for that which I do not.
I have more than others, less than some,
but regardless, I am blessed with
what is mine.

To those who dislike the beautiful darkness, from tomorrow, Spring is on the way.


Last day of school for 2, last half day of school for the other 2. Need to take more care of DH as he is not well and I am worried about him. See how a week of 'food as medicine' sorts him out.



For now, I am grateful for getting to the last day of school, for one of my children thinking of buying Xmas presents for people.

For having more than enough, even if my 'more' is not new, not branded, a bit tatty, but useful.

My 1000 days will involve dirt, dust, plaster, knocking sh*t down and building it back up! yep, I have set a date for all the things to be fixed on the house and being able to get a new carpet from the top floor all the way down to the kitchen door. Which will involve spending money (boo!) that I do not yet have, but will have by the time I have to spend it - no debts allowed.



So the saving drive begins on 1st January 2019

GlendaSugarbean

Wishing everyone a peaceful Solstice as we move slowly back to the sun . I'm odd as I love winter, it's a time to slow down, to reflect and to get comfortable with the darkness in ourselves.

I wish to have a mini boast: paid today and for the first time in memory I have not had to use any of December's pay to fund Christmas! Nor have I raised my (meagre) savings. Of course I do have Youngest's birthday in early Jan and an unexpected school trip payment (£70, eesh), but a real improvement, seeing as I started the shiny new budget in August. Another milestone: I have more in savings than my CC balance. :A

Then I remembered the expensive haircut I have booked for the end of Jan. Still, that's next month .

I thought I was done with shopping, except that a kid present from my Dad has been delayed, so I am deputed to (deep breaths) go to the Platform 9 3/4 Shop at Kings Cross after work. Friday before Christmas. Fun.

If I haven't been trampled by tourists, will report in tomorrow.

mothernerd

Not going in the attic (probably). Going to take my card tree - it's gold metal, folds flat and revolves out (3 nesting triangles that make a substantial mini tree (3' + and approx 20" at the base) and hope she likes that. Will go on canal bank if necessary (Beloved is coming to get her hair trimmed so could take her with me) and get branch or twigs to 'make' a tree. Shed -breaking depends on how I feel after necessary jobs are done.

A Happy and joyous Winter Solstice to all.

Need to put some clothes on and do a mini shop for mum - she will have used the 2 loaves from Tuesday (or need more for over the weekend) and has also started thinking of other bits for me to buy. It never ends :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: