NST A Gentle Jog Through July

Karmacat

I learned the truth at seventeen ....

I think I was only 19 the first time I heard that song. Amazing.

mothernerd

Everybody wave to KAT, she's reading. I take full responsibility for anyone misbehaving (that doesn't mean you can all go and do really stupid things - that's what I have sons for).

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 14

Did go for a little walk but not nearly far enough.

Lunch from freezer (YS sping rolls) and I've made a minestrone soup from what veg we have to have with some of the many ciabatta rolls which are in the freezer (warmed up, of course!). I'm beginning to realise (it's taken a while) that having something like this or something on toast is fine if you fancy it and it fills you up. It doesn't really need to be meat and two veg, etc, does it?

Now I want to explore the canal network far and wide

Friends of ours had a canal boat and many a happy week-end we had travelling the waterways of Yorkshire. No canals where we live but I wish there were. Just wandering along the tow paths watching the wildlife and having a little lunch or dink in a canal side pub was wonderful. The history of the canals and the towns and workers is fascinating. Would really recommend it.

mothernerd

I have dealt with a frog (hopefully). I had jotted it down on Monday and it was the one thing I didn't do, but the guidelines said they were very busy on Mondays and other days were better for phoning.

I hadn't received a renewal pack for my Working Tax Credit and the deadline is 31 July. I did mum's tax return and her Attendance Allowance Claim renewal ages ago (so glad that one only needs doing every 3 years). So having gathered all my tax paperwork, carer's allowance paperwork, WTC forms from previous years, business accounts book and set up the advice line and my bank account on the laptop (so I could find the answers to any questions). Topped up my phone balance and saw it needed charging so did that.

After answering a lot of impertinent questions from a machine (at least it could understand my accent) I was put on hold to wait for an advisor (declined the machine's advice). Only took half an hour. He tried to bring my claim up on his system and couldn't. He asked me to wait whilst he reset the system and then said they had nothing for last year (they have kept sending me the money).

Luckily I jot notes on the paperwork so could tell him when I sent last year's paperwork. I also had one change that I had notified them of (working hours reduced to 16 as I was over 60 - this is in addition to 35+ hours looking after mum) and a mistake in section B (it said I had claimed the child element - DS3 is 29 so no i didn't claim it). He agreed that these had been notified and the date was correct but for some reason the system had not registered these changes.

He asked me to phone back on Monday as it will take 48 hours for the changes to register on his machine. Then he spoke to his supervisor and found out it's a fault on the system (very rare apparently :rotfl:) so I don't have to fill in a renewal form but will receive one for next year (19-20). I asked for his name and have jotted down what was said, just in case.

Nothing much has changed, an small increase in carer's allowance and my self-employment earnings are more likely to reduce than increase. It depends how quickly the arthritis advances - I can no longer embroider for a long time and I need to take longer breaks in between sessions. I am going to do a 'time and motion study' on myself to quantify the changes so far.

Other than that I've had a quiet pottering day (didn't get to sleep until the early hours). Lots of rubbish thrown away (still want to go and get all the stuff that has gone under the couch in the front room). Also did some weeding/ cutting back in the garden and backs.

The bite on my arm is hot, swollen and was very hard. I have tried not to disturb it but it's very close to the inside of my elbow and over a vein so normal movement is spreading it into my blood stream. Have pinched it earlier and let some of the poison out (will be keeping it well covered) and its eased a little.

Today I am grateful for pleasant agency staff, for bung it in the oven lunch and good reading material.

apple_muncher

A bit late, but HELLOOOOO to KAT if she's still around....!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for having some rain, for my gooseberries, for dd enjoying school, for a quiet day, for the tour, for clothing a bunny, for my niece getting a first for her degree :T:T:T, for a good book.

mothernerd

I love when people that have walked through hell walk out of the flames carrying buckets of water for those who are still consumed by the fire

You are not a true success unless you are helping others succeed

Helping one person may not change the world, but it might change the world for one person

That person who helps others simply because it must or should be done and because it is the right thing to do, is indeed, without a doubt, a real superhero
Stan Lee

No one has ever become poor by helping others
Anne Frank

You have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others
Sam Levenson

At the end of the day it's not about what you have or even what you have achieve ..... it's about who you have lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back

Your job is not to judge. Your job is not to decide whether someone deserves something. Your job is to lift the fallen, mend the broken and to heal the hurting

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others
Mahatma Gandhi

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone,

It's been a mad 7 days, which unfortunately means a spendy 7 days and I only think I managed 2 NSD's which I think takes me to 11 for the month. Now it's time to keep my wallet firmly shut!!

f0xh0les

Yesterday was NSD7 and I received £2 in Amaz0n1an vouchers for random surveys, so quids in. Will put them by to buy the next book in a series I like (for free to me) for when I am in Ireland next month.

Rainy old day here, I managed to rescue the laundry off the line just before it started, while off on my wanderings the last few days, it looks like there is going to be a bumper crop of blackberries this year. The sloes are dripping off the bushes too.

So, today will be cleaning, tidying, and food inventory, with a spot of menu planning and a minimal shopping list for tomorrow.

Might make scones as I have raspberry jam in the fridge.

The budgets are all looking good, Happy Friday Turtles, and Happy holiday to CCL

Nice to see Kat reading along.:wave::hello:

apple_muncher

Thank you for today's quotes, mothernerd. Especially the orange and purple ones. About 4 hours ago, the neighbours were having a massive massive barney, and the result is that Mr neighbour has left. We've already been helping Mrs neighbour, I've just taken her shopping as she has no car. The kids'll be back from school soon enough, and will have the summer hols to adapt.