NST February 2020

abundant1972 · 29 February 2020 at 8:58PM

Good evening... Happy Leap Year!!!

Had a crazy second half of month and been very up and down. Issues at work, putting in for a new job which is stressful but potentially rewarding... I'm in full-on withdrawal mode and not wanting to see anyone or do anything much. I'm going to have a bath, and then chill out and have an early night.

Not done too badly on NSDs... 15 this month. Budgets for March all done too.

Sorry again that I haven't been very present. Thank you F0xh0les for this month's challenge. You're a STAR!!! See you all tomorrow x

DawnW · 29 February 2020 at 8:59PM

NSD 15 for me today, which is a record for me I think! Combination of using up stuff in the freezer and being ill for a few days, probably. Thank you very much for running February F0xh0les (where is this year going?), and looking forward to 'seeing' everyone in March xx

mothernerd · 29 February 2020 at 10:24PM

The tone for February was set during the last three days of January when 3 appointments (one as a result of an appointment the previous week) turned into an extra 13 overnight. We have been back and forth across the 3 towns which make up this half of the Borough and I've been living out of bags between here and mum's, doing my best to recover from this plaguey virus by 'resting'.

I haven't had a really bad month. I have had a mini capsue wardrobe (about 3 days worth) at both houses with some things in the wash. Several things look a bit tired but there is still plenty of use in them and the 2 items that are not fit to be seen in public (1 dress, one tunic) are designated spare nightdresses/ stay at home wear ie they cover me up as much as is needed to get to the bins and keep me warm if I'm doing dirty jobs.

I've listened to familiar and 'new to me' music and sang along at times (dancing was restricted to the odd handjive). Apart from the district nurse visits (made friends with the other 'regulars' and chatted to other professionals who recognised us - one podiatrist works across more than one clinic so we've seen her at our clinic but she knew us when she saw us at the other location) we have been out for a meal at a friend's house and to cinema club. The gig I was thinking about going to was packed out (people came from as far as Edinburgh) so quite happpy to have missed it (lots of pictures of middle-aged performing punks in the local paper), the exhibition in the local gallery is on until April so lots of time to fit that in. Mum has been talking about a recently set up daytime quiz thing (line dancing was also mentioned) someone had told her about so we might try that - anything that gets her out of the house.

The drains had to be cleared a second time which was an extra expense but finances are okay. I have hit my first target (minimum which I don't want to go below) and by the end of next week I will have made the second one (the level at which I feel 'safe', ie there is money if it is needed and don't have to delay calling in professional help when needed). So will be setting a date (maybe a steady target and a stretch target) for the third level and can think about making a start on the kitchen and garden (the bits that will cost money).

Not done as much clutter clearing as I would like and am just about keeping the house from slipping further behind (continual round of rubbish/recycling collecting, laundry cycle and loading and unloading the dishwasher, trying to relocate all the cooking ingredients (spices on the rack, marg, mayo etc back in the fridge, teabags and eggshells onto the garden) and find the worktops hidden underneath. Finally joined the community shop and plan to use it regularly.

Thanks for the challlenge f0xh0les, any shortcomings were mine.

Today I was down to 2 library books, one I was half way through and the other I wasn't sure about (one of those that starts in the middle of something and you don't know who anyone is or what's happening) so I went to the library. DS3 knew - apparently I'm making a habit of putting something to cook in the oven, trotting across to the library and returning as my food finishes cooking. Okay for the next few days now. Ate one of the bargain cheese rounds from the freezer with some crackers (discovered where I put some of my C*****mas foods - on a high shelf as previous C*****mas I came back from mum's and all my crackers had been eaten).

DS3 told me DS1 said I should check my messages - he has suggested I visit them and meet my new grandpuppy next Saturday. Explained that I'd been at mum's since Wednesday evening, then talked about buses, when I should be there, if I should bring a present and whether he wanted the money from mum in cash or transferred to their joint account.

This means I have two pieces of embroidery to complete and frame this week. Went out about 2.30pm to trawl the cs for frames. Found two the right size at the hospice shop (my first stop), cost me £1 each. Then went to Wilco for a sit down on their lovely indoor bench. Had a walk round and they had wellingtons that fit (have been looking on and off for the past 3 years, mine leak). Also bought chicken poo and am such a happy bunny (am I a sad person or a shining example of someone who is content with very little, as long as I have what I need). Bought a second rack for holding the oven trays, ibruprofen because my back was killing me and a bottle of pop to wash it down.

Now I had decided to reward myself for every financial target I met with something from my 'wanted' list. I had thought that an organic cotton or linen duvet cover would be one. Wellingtons were also on this list - would it be greedy to have the chicken poo as well as the wellingtons. I did try to buy it last autumn but got there after all the gardening shelves had been cleared (to be replaced by halloween and C*r*s*m*s stuff). Have been out again (as it's not going to be a NSD) and bought a small cabbage, a bag of carrots and sliced onions (going to make prawn coleslaw with prawns from the freezer), 2 ys sandwiches and 4 large yoghurts because it may be the only thing I can eat tomorrow.

Today I am grateful for croci, it not raining all day, for wellingtons that do not leak and chicken poo.

misstara · 29 February 2020 at 11:03PM

Sorry sort of disappeared from the challenge this month but thank you for running it f0xh0les. Totally lost count of the number of NSDs but have got to the end of the month with money leftover, not much but still

Deni_debt-free_dreamer · 29 February 2020 at 11:23PM

hi all
echo thanks to f0xh0les for a great challenge. I had a NSD today so can end the month on 13 NSDs, definitely my best ever total

Gratitudes: Nice visit to family; hospitality from sis; dad giving me money towards petrol even though i left home 30+ years ago!
see you next moth Deni x