NST March 2019: WINS against the debt

mothernerd

Sorry to go awol but just having a really strange week - lots of highs, some challenges and just did not know what to say. Totted up several easy NSDs on the run then went on a spend binge on Friday.

I am much much better but still tiring very quickly and some symptoms persist but are annoying rather than hurting. Just noticed that my hair and skin look good, for the first time in weeks - always the first things to go when I' m ill but constantly sweating and running your hand through your hair doesn't help. Could have written a thesis on the parade of spots, not that you'd want to.

On Thursday I did my own version of the 27 fling boogie - picked up rubbish, collected recycling, put things on shelves in batches of 27. Had a couple of days when I did nothing but sleep.

Friday was exercise class, discussion topic was drink (all fluids - water, soft drinks, tea and coffee and alcohol). Only did what I could exercise wise, got through most of it sitting when necessary but had to cut short a couple and then sat down near the end (dizzy again). 'Tai chi' for the cooldown. Overran by about 20 minutes we were having so much fun.

Caught the little bus to the town centre, spent about an hour pottering round even though I tried to take the best route. Had some planned purchases and some things to but for mum. Planned were new 'boots' ( the kind like big slippers that you just shove your feet into) and a t-shirt.

When I saw the podiatrist I said that the boots I bought in 2017 had been supportive when I bought them but as the fake fur lining has flattened (barely had them off my feet since I bought them) they are now less so, but the thought of trying to get into my proper walking boots is painful (would help once they were on but would be difficult if not impossible to get onto strapped up ankle and then might be stuck unable to get them off again.

I had looked at replacement boots for about a week until I saw some likely ones but I've bought two pairs, another black pair and and a sort of coffee colour (they're lovely, dark enough not to show the dirt too much, 'neutral' colour and bought both in a size smaller than the previous ones (not wearing socks much with double bandages on left ankle).

T- shirt. My t-shirts have needed replacing for a while. Have promised myself for at least the past 3 years to buy some and then just made do and spent a lot of last year haunting one high street store hoping they would reduce their already bargainaceous prices only to have my preferred colours disappear. This shop also scored near the top for ethical standards amongst high street retailers (17/20).

Apart from 3 cs purchases my most recent tees are ones gifted by DS1 (go through pile, keep what you want, take rest to cs) approximately six years ago, the oldest possibly from 2006. Not worn into holes but very very sad looking. I am away for 5 days next week (always a stretch for my wardrobe), had the charity event on Friday night and the week hasn't been great drying weather.

Decided that if I bought a tee to match my full length cotton skirt (hides the bandages / boots and is quicker to wash and dry than leggings/ joggers most of which were already in the wash or drying) I could dress them up with my navy 'chiffon' shirt which has tiny bits of red and turquoise in it. I would also take a second look at a lovely emerald green blouse I saw last week.

So I spent far too much mostly on tees and a twin pack of leggings. Think I should have 4 pairs of leggings, two old ones which are increasingly 'hairy' (the lycra has gone and the broken threads show up as white whiskers, most noticeable around bits I'm trying not to draw attention to) and a 'new' twinpack which stay in the drawer for days when I need to be respectable or can't find a top long enough to cover the damaged areas.

Have had problems finding 'bottoms' (leggings/ joggers) recently - I suspect there may be a subterranean level on the couch which I've not gone down to yet or they have disappeared into their room - basic black leggings, usually have to check the labels to work out which are mine (not the m n s ones or the walmart) and as nearly all my wardrobe fits into one washload, when drying is difficult I soon get down to wearing my nightie and wellies.

All 'planned' purchases, as in I knew what I was going to buy, when I bought it - but spend day was to be deferred as long as possible.

The charity evening was both better and worse than anticipated. We were both on the brink of not going until the moment mum booked the taxis. The first comedian (a last minute replacement) was absolutely dire - ran the gamut of mil, mildly (confusedly) racist to a wide spread of nations before starting on the fat people jokes. It wasn't even shocking just dreadfully cliched, predictable and not funny and when people didn't laugh he tried to 'explain' to those who didn't laugh.

I scored 20 in the quiz, having absolutely no idea about many of the questions (cars, adverts, BGT winners) but very good on maths, old politicians and owl identification (so pleased, think I was the only one in the room). The team next to us, who called themselves 5 dumb blondes and used their phones until told not to, scored 30 and the winners 33. Prize was only a round of drinks for 6 and as mum and I only had one drink each and someone else bought them, it didn't matter.

Second act (son of the woman who sold us the tickets) was good, original visual comedy ranging from mildly amusing to very funny. On the whole we had fun, weren't too tired, people we knew came to chat with us, it wasn't at all stressful and it was an evening for mum really, I just went as carer/ helper.

Back at mum's by 11pm, dealt with the emergency button lady (out after curfew), into pjs in under 5 minutes, elected to read rather than watch films and had a very patchy night's sleep. I keep sliding down in the recliner and am finding it hard to shuffle back up to a safe point. I did end up on the floor at one point and switched to the couch. Who needs to go up mountains and have to sleep on a narrow ledge in constant danger of falling off when you can achieve the same effect on a couch - less drop but still able to do serious damage to yourself.

Yesterday I was back to the 27 fling boogie. I did go to the library and then had to decide whether to go home or set out to do the errands (my coat is still sodden so I only had a large cardi against the rain). Went for it, which was probably the wrong decision. Got cash from the machine (mum has given most of the last lot to Mr and Mrs builder who will replace the fence whilst we are away and scrape off all the stones in the front and put down another layer of strong weed proof fabric) for both of us, went to the pound shop for toothpaste for mum. Waited in the doorway for another 'gap' in the rain.

Failed to find a back -up coat, was very wet, coughing constantly and very fed up. Cut my losses, walked up as far as the small cafe (not cotsa), had an all day breakfast and then worked my way through to the market side entrance and phoned for a taxi to take me home.

More slogging on with the 27 fling boogie. All non-perishable food is now away on the under stairs shelves, dishwasher was emptied (put it all in a bag and told DS3 to put it away on the shelves), refilled and set off. Have a pile of emptied bags for life (food, pots, recycling, miscellaneous). Some parts of the floor have been swept, worked my way under the kitchen table, finally got rid of the ancient brown pillow which has been lurking for ages, cleared the area from the front door to the middle door, took back the trolley which I used to get me back from little arseda after attending a funeral several weeks ago, set up the airer and put the clothes from the machine and the sodden coat to dry (asked DS3 to take down the dry sheet and put a wet one over the door).

Wondered if I could have a bath and DS3 told me firmly that if the way I sat down was any indication then I definitely could not get in and out of the bath. Settled for a sit on the stool shower and washed my hair, then crawled into bed. A bit of reading, lots of sleep (could do more).

Lots of me aches (only if I try to move) but I am very pleased with myself. Lots of determination and persistence (maybe even Kat would be proud of me). Didn't want to do it but wanted it done. Wasn't well enough to do it but carried on. I don't have f0xh0les puddles of space but I can walk from my front door to the back and as far as under the stairs without there being anything I can trip or slide on - long term goal which has had considerable set backs due to illness and general decrepitude.

By the way - the capsule wardrobe is working. Trying to get away from black (staple for previous ten years and probably black or navy base for 30+ years) so basic plan is black plus jewel colours sapphire blue and emerald green. In practice (if you show mainly from cs you have to have a flexible attitude) neutrals are black, light grey, dark grey, blue- grey (faded colours that look deliberate are good) with colour of sapphire, emerald and all shades of turquoise from duck egg to deepest teal. Must have saved hours because I just looked for spots of my highlight colours (always going to be able to find the basics in black).

I have an awful lot to be grateful for. Getting things done, being able to walk safely round most parts of my house, some help from DS3 (also planted the idea of him paying for one off cleaning - told him it will be 200 pounds), for soup, for all day breakfasts, for water, for my exercise class and all the helpful staff, my lovely doctor, my bed and the library.

I have things I would like to get done today but priorities are packing what I need for the next 5 days and doing one admin bit each for me and mum. Would like to do the front room (lots covering the floor but don't think there is much substance to it) so I could tell them that I want to return to the same level of tidiness but will do what I can - need to switch into holiday/ relaxing mode. I got mum's suitcase down yesterday, told her to put things in it and to get it into her head that we are going on holiday and we are going to enjoy it.

f0xh0les

Just keep on mothernerd, and get in that holiday mode.

yesterday turned into another NSD and today will be as well. Took all 4 kids into town, had lunch at the Indian - was gorgeous, did all the stupid bits shopping, that the kids paid for with their vouchers and left over xmas and birthday monies. Then DH bought them all doughnuts for later on, and we did not need to cook last night, they were happy with a sandwich (unheard of !!) watched new D1scovery (star trek) episode, and I spent no money at all! I think this will bring me to NSD 11 - will check back and amend as necessary later on - nope, it is NSD 12
Lovely windy but sunny day, so will crack on with the laundry, the baking, the hoovering, and get all the annoying housekeeping jobs today (and teenage bedsheets - bleugh!) oh, and the dreaded PE kits. So that I can hit the sewing machine jobs while they are all at school this week. Like mothernerd I hit the c/s on Friday and now have a couple of new (with tags) tops and dresses and the smalls have a few more joggers to roll around muddy sportsfields in. They are growing again, must be the longer days and wet weather. No progress made on the seed planting - now have a veritable Stonehenge of loo rolls to start planting off in. Just have not done it yet. I will have flowers this year. I am determined. And those plastic veg boxes will be used as pots, I will not buy more plastic than is strictly necessary.
Shrewbie - keep putting your stuff in jars, and beware leaving your cereal packets/ flour vulnerable to attack.



Ok, coffee, politics, and then the big leap forward into cleaning stuff. Enjoy your Sunday folks!

apple_muncher

Mothernerd - kat would certainly be proud of you. And so am I. Hope you can get into holiday mode and have a lovely time away.

dolly84

mothernerd - when the lycra goes in my leggings I wear them under my cycling tights in winter (don't really need a workout after wrestling myself in and out of that getup), maybe yours would be good under long skirts in winter.


Went for a 7 mile walk with DH and the dog this morning, bought some of Sainsburys lovely granola slices and some Mc'D's fries - naughty but nice. Then we spent £19 in Wilko on compost, grass seed, roofing tacks to repair the summer house roof and a rhubarb crown. At some point during the week I will get the compost dug in and plant my strawberrries, blueberries and rhubarb.



Called into the charity shop where DD volunteers and got a lambswool jumper for £4 and a BN Sanctuary body butter set for £2.



M&S sent me a voucher code for £10 off an online shop on clothing, beauty or homeware, there was no minimum spend. There was nothing DH or I needed, DS lives in two outfits but DD needed some bras so I got her a 2 pack for £16 less the £10, happy to pay £3 per bra. Having them delivered to store to save money. Then we popped onto the Millets site and ordered a waterproof rucksack cover for when DD does her DofE, an electric coolbox to keep DH happy when we are camping, a new flask as the top has broken on ours and isn't keeping drinks hot, we do have a massive one but it is too heavy so we got a 1/2 litre one. Also got two new camping chairs.


I think I need a long lie down after all that spending.

Toni'sfriend

NSD 10/15

Had intended to go to Lidl to see if I could get some YS fish but got up too late and it started raining again. Might go tomorrow.

Planted up the chives and moved some more books but other than that haven't much more than the minimum.

Fmess

Morning all,

Spendy day yesterday as bought a plant pot for the plant my dog walker gave me, to remember my dog. Then when I visited mum and dad, they’d bought me a gorgeous rose bush and planted it in a lovely pot too, so I have two lovely plants to remember him with Had fuddle with family and gave presents to dad for his hospital stay, it’s going to be another tough week but I’m so lucky to have my friends and family (except ‘bestie’ who has gone awol since having a baby last year ) Hope the weather is calmer today.

apple_muncher

When you truly don't care what anyone thinks of you, you have reached a dangerously awesome level of freedom.

Shrewbie

Morning turtles

I am on nsd 8/15, not counting yesterday as I accidentally bought some cheese. :rotfl:However that's the only thing I bought during the whole week so I'm still counting the spending freeze as pretty much successful!

cockroach watch = 100s seen yesterday as housemate/landlord pulled the fridge back and found their "nest" behind there.:eek: cue an evening of breathing in insecticide. I have all my food sealed in containers/jars thanks f0xh0les so hopefully no nasty surprises and hope we've seen the back of the majority of them. None spotted dead or alive this morning.

Pay day today and I have updated my savings totals :j

have a wonderful day!

SpekySquarehead

apple_muncher wrote: »

Speky - how is your weekend with all your friends shaping up???

It was wonderful. Lots of laughs and catching up with friends. From an MSE perspective, although we don't condone gambling, we won collectively won £300 so that was our kitty sorted! So it hasn't cost anywhere near as much as it could have.

Needless to say - no NSD's.

dolly84

shrewbie - yuk, hope you get rid of your unwanted house guests.


Yesterday got even spendier as our shower packed up last night, we knew it was going to go at some point, we have ordered the inside bit rather than the whole thing so that has saved about £50.



Have cycled this morning, plan to make chickpea and spinach curry for tea, do some cleaning and walk the dog, hopefully I will not be spending any money.