NST March 2019: WINS against the debt

Kerry_Woman

NSD today - 20/20.
Walked in the park - 2 laps of my usual route.
Caught up with a few things in the flat.
Deciding what to do tomorrow night for Earth Hour.
Using up what I have already in.
Self care.

mothernerd

A tiring day but one which ended much happier than it started. Had set the alarm but had problems falling asleep so sub 4 hours actual sleep, took longer than expected getting ready (extra pills and shower on a stool and having something to eat - last scraping of sandwich filling on the crust from the half a loaf - could not be omitted) so caught the bus after the one planned (still in good time for the exercise class).

I was irritated with myself at getting less done than planned yesterday and a bit fed up by new things to get done springing up like hydra heads as soon as I've dealt with the last - not helped by a letter in the post about my ex's driving licence renewal:eek::mad::(. We've been divorced and he hasn't lived here in 26 years but apparently this is still the address on his license.

He's only qualified in a couple of obscure categories anyway. He's allowed to drive an overhead crane (smaller version of those things that put containers on ships - pick up something at one end of the track, move along the 'rail' and put it down at the end - from a job he had at sixteen between leaving school and being allowed to join his chosen vocation) and some thing else (might be go-carts or tractors) but definitely nothing that goes on a road. But need to contact him (doesn't do e-mail and if I phone I'll be quizzed about the current state of everyone he knows including drinking cronies I haven't seen in over 20 years) or dig out his address and post it to him with a covering note.

Exercise/ advice session was good, subject was eating out and takeaways - five of us managed to correctly put 10 meals in order of least to most calories (prawn chow mein to pepperoni pizza) and I gave myself a 17 on the Borg scale (can't make 7 of 9 jokes as I have to explain them) which basically means I had to sit down for the last two exercises as I was out of breath and dizzy. However the LAs were on the cd and I sort of did something approximating dancing whilst doing the climbing up the wall exercise (plus underlying illness) so quite happy.

Have an exemption for the next session in two weeks time. i will be returning some equipment to the hospital 8+ miles away and then need to take 2 buses to get home again (3 to reach the infirmary) - basically if I get back I'm welcome to join in the end of the session but should not stress if I can't do it.

Phoned mum whilst in the queue for the bus (literally asking if I should get on the bus or go back into the infirmary) re when she last had her bloods taken - specialist hospital has not had her results. Luckily someone was visiting her so it cut down on the conversation/ waiting time.

Got off at the bus station and went to buy a bereavement card mum wanted. Was very self indulgent and risked going in the stationery store. Did not buy any of the really pretty accessories but they had what used to be my favourite pens reduced from 19.99 to 7.99 (one pack only, 10 fineliner and 10 colouring in the same colours) but have written it off as buying my own Mother's day present (resisted flower perfumes in another shop). Did a slow toddle across town, bought a sandwich (ate the last defrosted crust for breakfast, remember) and a smoothie/ tea/ multivitamin type drink.

Sat down in the town hall square to eat, then moved nearer the library after checking the time (clock still waiting for hour change) to wait for mum. Went inside to pay for our cinema tickets and then back to wait for her - heard her downstairs so didn't go down in the lift but called down and waited for her to come up. Great film, very enjoyable (less so for male viewers I suspect, funnier from the female perspective). This evening's film sounds really good but not a fun watch so missing it out.

Took mum to the taxi place and updated her on various appointments whilst there. She was peering at my bag asking if I had bought shopping for her and I explained that I hadn't yet been home (left at just after 8.30am and it was gone 3pm) despite being able to see my bedroom window whilst waiting for her to arrive. Will see her Monday unless i need to see her about re-applying for her Attendance Allowance before then (her medication list alone is 2 pages long, let alone the chronology of what illnesses were diagnosed, when).

Came home, had a nap, tired but happy but really need to get stuff done over the weekend.

Today i am grateful for a successful exercise/ advice session, for entertaining films, for getting everything I needed to (only my mother could send me into a card shop 2 days before Mother's day - it was hell, couldn't get my walker past the crowd of 'unprepareds' and the queue went all the way down the back half of the shop), for mostly eating healthily using what I had (supplemented by purchases but no big food shop this week) and being able to rest after a challenging and stressful week.

apple_muncher

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

greent

Yesterday's gratitudes: a fab evening out with friends from school, some of whom I hadn't seen for 30 years - was super fun, OH picking me up/ taking me there (I didn't drink, though), line-dried washing, watching and listening to birds.

Today's plans are low key (5 hours sleep - was wide awake at 6.30- I will crash this afternoon if I'm not careful!) - some ironing, some laundry (one load already on), maybe a visit to my nan's house to collect some CS stuff and a small bit of paperwork sorting. That'll do.

Lovelifeloveliving

Waste management
- Food waste - I continue to use up odds and ends from the freezer and cupboards and continue to have some odd meals:rotfl:
- Plastics – Continuing to be innovative with plastic waste.
- Utilities – Continue on the power police trail.
- Money – Still focusing on reducing spending and aiming to be within budget at the end of the month.

Invest in yourself
- Do something every single day that makes you happy.
I'm going to look after my two little nieces this afternoon, they're adorable.
- Do something else every single day that takes you a little bit nearer to your long-term goals (and now is a good time to set some, if you don’t have any…)
I've been to the gym to bootcamp.
- Learn a new skill or re-start an old one.
Still thinking.
- Can you grow any food this year?
My basil plant is surviving. I need to think of a few more easy to grow plants.

Needs not wants
- We all know Martin’s mantra. Be consistent in applying it. Learn to distinguish between what you truly need and what you want to have now and simply cannot ever live without…
Focusing on the needs. I'm determined to get to the end of the month without spending on the wants.
- Appreciate what you have and enjoy it.
I am grateful for having the time to complete some household chores that I've been putting off, my BF making me laugh as I hauled myself around the circuits at bootcamp, a hot shower and 15 mins to myself.

Simplicity

-Put routines in place that keep your life running smoothly and make things automatic.
B]I now have a beauty routine in place, I'm so poor at those things like skin care. [/B]
- Simplify your stuff. Just get rid of the unnecessary stuff. Donate it to a charity shop. Freecycle it. Give it to friends and neighbours.
I have decluttered a few items of clothing for the charity shop.
- Make space for yourself.
I tidied and reorganised my bedroom at the weekend.
- Cut out the extra noise in your life. This might be computer games, the Interweb, tv, radio, certain people. Allow yourself peace and quiet to simply be.
A relaxing evening planned.
- Be frugal in your needs.
I haven't purchased any cleaning products or clothes.
14/15 NSDs.
12/12 Lunch to work.
No vending machines purchases.


Have a good day everyone. Xx

f0xh0les

Guess who's back?
Had to do the mercy dash to bedsit the 80yr old. She pulled through, but it gave me 7 more NSDs which puts me on 20 I think. There is something to be said for being stuck in the middle of a field, plumb in the centre of nowhere, right down the bottom of the Rs end.

Your posts kept me going, no wi-fi so had to resort to mobile data and daily update emails rather than logging on.

Thank you for noticing my absence, it meant a lot.

greent

Welcome back, f0xh0les

mothernerd

Forgot to say, I managed to lose another 2 lbs, despite a week of full hotel meals plus honey, ice cream, ice lollies, hot chocolate and sugary throat lozenges.

Welcome back f0xh0les it hasn't been the same without you.

Toni'sfriend

Nice to see you back F0xh0les - I was wondering where you were.

NSD 16/15. Think that's going to be me for this month.

Needed some paper to wrap the wee one's birthday present and buy a little something for her sister. She's only four so I don't like to have her feel that's she's being left out. Just some pencils and a colouring book from HB. Unfortunately whilst we were out Himself found some of his favourite chocolate going cheap. He's not been drinking for the past six weeks but has been eating lots of chocolate and biscuits instead. Suppose it is the lesser of two evils in his case so I'll not complain too much.

Made two huge pots of soup for the Boy's lunches. All meals for today and tomorrow are from stores and freezer but I want to go to Lidl tomorrow to see if there is any reduced chicken or meat to make curry for the Boy's dinners whilst I'm away.

Other than that having a quiet day watching old TV programmes. Early night with my new book and a pot of tea, I think.

dolly84

Spendy day today.


Cycled first thing, was off for 8.30am so we could be back in time to take DS for a haircut. Went to Ikea next to spend my £5 birthday voucher and look at their kitchens. We got a pack of tea lights (you have to don't you they are the best ones) and a solid wood chopping board - spent £7.95 after the voucher. Also spent on hotdogs and doughnuts on the way out.


Home for a cuppa then off into town. Bought oat milk and soya custard from Sainsburys, DH got his monthly beer purchase, spent £5 on a cashmere cardigan in the charity shop for DH and also bought chips from the amazing chippy in town.


Am home now and do not plan to spend for the rest of the weekend.