NST: November 2019

lcc86

Evening all, just recovering from a very busy and very spendy weekend. I vastly underestimated how much we would spend in Bath. We had a dinner reservation at an expensive place we've been to before and I also knew I wanted to take OH to the spa as a birthday treat, which is £40 each, yet for some reason I only budgeted £100 for the entire weekend. It was wildly optimistic to say the least (I don't normally splash out but it was OH's 30th).ended up using the cc but will pay off from this month's wages. Just need to actually be realistic next time!

Did manage to get a couple of Xmas gifts while we were there for which was handy. Back to work today, absolutely ran off my feet, I don't know what's going on at the moment but it's crazy. Didn't chalk up a NSD either as needed some veg for the rabbits but not a big spend.

apple_muncher

Your sister's move sounds like it's a v positive one, greent.

Thanks for the reminder about no-buy-friday.

Dd's school have three different, yet similar, charity collections going on this week.

Firstly, she brought home a bag to fill with 'good quality clothing and footwear' - but I reckon it'll still only be weighed, like ca5h4cl0thes does, and although half the money made is going to the Trussell Trust, it's not my priority.

Today we had a message about socks! They are decorating the school cmas tree(s) with socks and scarves and hats and gloves and then donating the clothing, toys and food (they've asked to roll up a sock into its pair for someone to wear; also asked for sweeties and small toys to put inside socks) to the foodbank and women's centre.

Thirdly, they've joined with the Sally Army asking for suitable new items from a list for teenagers.


So we had a busy half hour going through our stuff and have found at least 30 items to give :T.


Just need to remember to take them in on the right day now...


Today I am grateful that dd's school is so outward-looking, for not getting too wet, for some lovely times with the pupils (one of which the Head walked in on), for a good book, for a 6-week quest, for having so so much, for my lovely cousins.

mothernerd

Still slow and creaky so even small wins count.


I took a plastic box to mum's (think it was a mega mushroom box) and filled it with coir compost from the bag behind her shed and put some of the strawberry runners in it.


Filled mum's kitchen cupboard with soup, baked beans and took note of things that need renewing. Looked through her freezer as well. Planning to do a big order for mum soon with a small special order the week before the holidays.


have tried to work out the 'shape' of 'C'. I usually stay at mum's for a few nights at 'C' and again at new Year but this year we are going away for 3 days (28th to 30th). Think I may sleep at mum's/ the hotel throughout but come home for the day (probably the 27th and 31st) - saves lugging my breathing machine about. So I need enough food for 'C' but not too much that may go off whilst we are away and then sort New Year either just before or after we get home. If mum wants a turkey it may get bought soon, breast meat and gravy frozen and eat turkey broth in December.



Mum's new table is due tomorrow. I need to put it together as there is no way I was paying £45 to have it 'expertly put together'. My expertise is not in doubt, it just may take me a while.


Have discussed the rearrangement of furniture in the front room and taken out the small drawers and content of the first of 3 cupoards into separate cardboard boxes. The unit needs 'knocking back together' - I already did this with a similar, slightly smaller unit. Tomorrow I want to try moving it into it's new location.


This week was fairly busy with film club on Friday and carol service Saturday (and a Maker's Market which I'm sure will be full of lovely things but do I need the temptation). We have now added a funeral on Thursday morning. In addition an appointment that was for Friday of next week has been moved forward to Tuesday next week and mum needs to have bloods taken again (should have been last week but abandoned the idea when she ended up on the floor). It has fitted nicely into an after film club slot a couple of times (no queuing).



I may have to go shopping for mum tomorrow as most of the possible days for deliveries now have activities.



Have brought home the remaining items of mum's partner's clothing to go to the charity shop as his children have taken the things they wanted to keep. Also brought some sewing that I left there as I was making better progress there.


Today I am grateful for a quiet day, for always managing to see the funny side of things that happen to me (may take a day or two) and my new (bought last year but only started wearing it recently) green jumper (it covers my bum and after a wash or two it may get to my knees) which is soft warm and fluffy. For sparkly socks and perfume (really making an effort today folks).

misstara

For yesterday and today

Budget - ynab updated with spends, small food shop yesterday.

NSDs - now on 11/15.

Lunch to work - Took soup and a rowie today. On a late shift tomorrow so going to make pasta salad to take with me.

Items removed - 44/60.

Use up - 2 hand creams now used up, 2 to go.

Outings - have been to the fireworks and met friends for coffee and cake.

Daily fresh air - walked into town and back yesterday, went for a run/walk with my friend today.

Gratitudes - managing to run further than I thought I would, yummy leftovers for tea, productive day at work.

New habits - to do an average of 10,000 steps each day so 300,000 over the course of the month, 218,506/300,000. Really need to up my steps if I'm going to make this target.

facethemusic

I've been missing for a few days, too much going on to have much time to check in. Have managed 2 NSDs, so 14/15- should manage at least 2 more. Unfortunately my spend days have been properly spendy! However a few "C" presents bought, fridge and cupboards stocked, and replaced my broken hair straighteners with a bargain reduced offer good quality pair so at least the spends have something to show. Few more items in the CS box, couple of bits in the bin and a couple in the rag bag so sitting at 56/60 I think.
With some of the previous posts in mind, gratitudes at the moment include that I enjoy my job and it pays "enough"- for a roof over my head, bills,food with enough for clothes we need and the odd treat. So many working parents struggle to provide even those things to their children. We have sorted out some giving tree/charity Christmas presents for children who will struggle at that time. Hopefully DD will realise how lucky we are. I strongly believe everyone should vote- so many people live in societies where they do not have the option, we should appreciate that we can and use that vote! However this election is thoroughly depressing as I'm struggling to trust any politician to do "their best" for the good of all the people and not just themselves.
So grateful for democracy, enough money that I can do a little to help others with less than I have, for DD being a fantastic companion and my best little buddy.
I continue to use up toiletries- have bought none- and cleaning products- only replaced as they have run out.
Fresh air has been taken daily, although that has involved getting rained on quite regularly.

CCL- keep going with the spot ons, when you sprayed the house did you remember curtains, sofas etc? Not just carpets? You can ask your vet for a prescription to buy the spot on from an online pharmacy, or ask them if they will give you discount if you buy a certain amount of treatments at a time- many vets will. Hope you don't mind me saying this.

dolly84

misstara - what on earth is a rowie.


apple - I never put anything other than rags into those clothing collection bags, I also never fill the ones that come through the door, I see so many sat out in the rain overnight and it seems such a waste.


facethemusic - I agree about the politics, everyone seems to be out to make a name for themselves one way or another, I just want to see them working together (yeah right) to do what is best for this country first and foremost and all the people in it.


Payday today. All budgets have been set and thanks to forward planning there is not extra needed for next month.

misstara

dolly - it's also known as a buttery and is local to this area of Scotland. It's a sort of flat roll made with flour, oil (in the past with lard) and salt. They are delicious but very fattening!

XSpender

Feeling a bit better this morning

Budget - all up to date in YNAB. Still £8 left in the food budget

Pay to Debts/Savings first Another DD come out, last 2 to come out on pay day

15 NSDS 2/15

Avoid Coffee Shops - bonfire night and coffee with friend were my 2 outings.

Lunch to Work - Aiming for 20 days for DH 12/20 It must be more than this but I've lost count

Remove 60 Items - 10/60 extension lead that kept blowing the sockets, some old work paperwork

Use up Toiletries and Condiments Going to sort out the condiment cupboard and see if I can reclaim a shelf (it's a very narrow cupboard)

Daily Fresh Air Walked the dog in the drizzle

Donate £5 - poppy appeal and shoe box donations done. CIN donation. Food bank donation dropped off.

Daily Gratitude - 1) A warm house 2) home made soup 3) DS loving the STEM week at school

Help others, Love People :heart2:

New Habits - I've made a list of 21 vegan meals to make, some new ones and some tweaks ready for next week. I was veggie for 25 years and have 3 Deliciously Ella books to look through which will help although quite a few of hers include nuts and DH is allergic. Not sure what milk I will put in tea though and can't do 4 days without it.

1) Eat 3 proper meals each day 17/30
2) Drink 2 glasses of plain water each day 16/30
3) Eat a minimum of 3 F&V each day 7/30 - 5 the last 2 days
4) Complete 2 items off my to do list each day 12/30

f0xh0les

Today has been a spend - I had enough lunchbox stuff for 4 kids for the rest of the month, but DH has been stealing pasties from the freezer, and so I noticed this morning I did not have enough for tomorrow, let alone the rest of the week. It is still money saving as he is only buying coffee and cake at work rather than lunch, coffee, and cake. That and it comes out of my budget, not his = money saving!!!:cool:
DS1 seems to be enjoying his work experience, the main experience is that he was knackered :rotfl:.

Also we have a shampoo emergency situation:eek: there is none. Will buy one bottle and buy the rest on December budget reset day. I am trying to buy this stuff on a planned monthly basis rather than an ad hoc one.

So staying on NSD 15 for today:T

Gratitudes: I have nothing really to do today except a little light recreational hoovering, and a bit of extra-marital cooking. I am making a 3 bean chili. It is going to be lush. I have wraps and some refried beans too. It will be a feast. I have a proper cough now, it has finally happened. I have succumbed. So... off to hoover instead of feeling sorry for myself.

Toni'sfriend

Misstara/Dolly

it's also known as a buttery and is local to this area of Scotland. It's a sort of flat roll made with flour, oil (in the past with lard) and salt. They are delicious but very fattening!

I have 42 in my freezer due to Himself's addiction and the fact that he cannot resist buying them when they are reduced in Aldi.