NST May 2020: May the force be with you. (Star Wars 1977)

mothernerd

Yesterday I mended the gate padlock as it was refusing to click shut. No WD40 so sprayed it with the one calorie spray and it worked. Have done some work on cleanng the bathroom and kitchen. Everything was taken out of the fridge, wiped or thrown - nothing of any great value, mostly end of life veg that had been rescued in various ways but the last little saved bit had not got eaten (and 2 pots of stuff that I bought 7 weeks ago and are now over a month ood). Also used up various odds and ends for today's meals.

Cleaned the bottom of the shower this morning, did the door yesterday. I have my own shower and then get down on my knees using the integrated shower stool, fold that away and take up the first mat, take the cloth and cleaning stuff from the bathroom chair and clean that half of the shower floor, then move the chair and fold the shower door, crawl out onto the bathmat, turn round, remove the other shower mat and scrub that half (could feel what I thought were little bumps of soap - I didn't take my glasses in the bathroom and I have to not move too far as I am using one arm to help support my body and don't want to go sliding across the slippery surface (that's why I go onto my knees, trying to do it whilst standing would be too much).

Tried and failed to place an Icyland order for the third day running, 11am arrives and no new slots appear. I do have a Tessimo order coming next week (23rd) I think, and we aren't going to starve but I do need to keep plugging away to keep food coming into the house. Tried Arseda but there were no slots all the way up to the 29th.

Had visits from mummy of twins and her eldest, little girl was astonished at all the things I had growing. I talked to her mum (both stood a safe distance either side of the gate) and the little girl went to the front to talk to mum through the window. DS2 and his gf came later on but came into the yard to look at my planting (I'd unlocked the gate so that he could pour shopping from his bags into the red box).  Mum and I stayed at the door and they stayed nearer the back of the house, then we came back inside whilst they left. So we have chocolate and wraps (sure there are still some in the shed but could not find them) and some ibuprofen and hayfever meds.

Today I am grateful for getting some difficult household tasks done (also had a mini move round in the front room), for visitors and supplies, for a hint of rain (and the promise of actual rain to come), for seeing my handiwork through fresh eyes, for lovely food and pleasant surprises tucked away in the fridge.

Just edited - I sprayed the lock, not spayed it (it hasn't been misbehaving in that manner)

greent

Yesterday's thankfulness: sunshine, early night, it being Friday, family dinnertime, small flebay sale

Today's plans - more schoolwork for DS2 & DS3 for part of the day (they'll get tomorrow off - both have fallen behind), brunch, laundry, wrapping presents for bdays (DS3's and my mother's 70th both next week) and see if can persuade DH to finish a couple of small DIY tasks he started last weekend....

Toni'sfriend

Mothernerd - I am constantly amazed at your ability to adapt and find ways of getting things to work. I don't know where you live but I think your local Iceland must be busier than ours as ours has slots for Monday available. I am alternating between Iceland and Tesco and Tesco is definitely becoming easier to get here.

We were a bit lazy again yesterday. It's becoming really difficult to get motivated but lots needing done today. I have to get Himself started on moving books. The new bookcase looks very nice but it would look better with books in it.

I'll finish my coffee and then get cooking.

PurpleFairy26

Not posted for a few days as it's all rather blurred into one hasn't it?

but quietly plodding on. Thankfuls this week:
being able to see parents on face time and catch up with them 
getting some jobs done round the house that have been outstanding for a while. Just using things we already have 
sorting several drawers and cupboards out (leave house - charity - rehome) piles created. 

My lovely family. 

Being able to 'treat' friends by leavings HM cakes on their doorstep 

crazy_cat_lady

I had a look in the cupboard and have found two solid blocks of coconut cream. I have no idea what to do with them, where I got them from or how long they've been there. Any suggestions turtles?
I had a 'busy' day yesterday - and possibly the busiest working week since lockdown began. I was in bed and asleep early last night but not feeling rested at all this morning for some reason. I've done myself a list of things to be getting on with now I'm starting to feel a bit more human again. It's mostly nice stuff - might be one of those days where I do nice stuff for an hour then rubbish stuff for 20 minutes, and repeat till it's all done.
I have gratitudes from yesterday as well - being able to afford to buy breakfast food for the kids at school that aren't getting breakfast, getting a hopeful sounding email from the exam board, my big black lady cat snuggling up for a cuddle with me (she's not friendly at the best of times), feeling like I earned my wages and seeing my friend for a chat from a safe distance on my way home from work. 

f0xh0les

Well I am now £150 lighter, but the water is hot, and we will be alright if it snows next week

The 2 youngest are very excited about the Eur0visi0n programmes on tv tonight (???) they know it is not the real one, but they have booked the tv in the living room, so I had best make sure they have some snacks and I know I have some 17p pop hiding in the pantry.  In fact I am going to do a full pantry and freezer inventory today.  Needs must when the boiler misbehaves.

I have started a new (alien space pirates) book so I will not be bored for the next 48 hours, plus feeding everyone, and stripping the beds tomorrow - I thought the weather forecast said it was getting warmer - this morning it is a tad chilly with grey clouds!! Hope it burns off as I need  to get stuff on and off the line in readiness for all those bed sheets.

So, today is going to be a lazy day, light tidying, food prep, reading, hassling kids to do their work, being ignored by kids with no intention of doing any work, listening to kids pretending that they will do some work after lunch/ tea/ a biscuit/ the dinosaur wrestling etc...  trying not to take it personally, and having a European tat fest of sound.    I do not know what is going on inside their tiny fluffy heads.  At least they are still reading books. 

When Eton and Harrow reopen their doors and it is safe for rich posh kids to go back to school, then my kids will be skipping back through the school doors.  I am kind of resigned to them being off until September now. 

I have no confidence in the government 'science' that says the virus is not dangerous if it is French or Irish - so you can travel to those countries from June  with no restrictions -  but Italian and Spanish Covid is entirely different, so you can't go there without a 14 day each way isolation period.   Ridiculous. 

f0xh0les

crazy_cat_lady said:

I had a look in the cupboard and have found two solid blocks of coconut cream. I have no idea what to do with them, where I got them from or how long they've been there. Any suggestions turtles?

Curry,  Thai curry, satay,   anything with butternut squash or sweet potatoes or  red lentils in it, coconut rice, pea and mint soup with coconut (google it).

If you heat it, it melts, so as a base for flapjacks, or fudge, or anything you would use melted butter for, or just general frying.

Bird seed fat balls if it has gone off - taste it -  rancid is rancid - but birds don't care. Just don't hang it in the sun, then your cats can watch 'Bird TV'.

DawnW

f0xh0les said:

crazy_cat_lady said:

I had a look in the cupboard and have found two solid blocks of coconut cream. I have no idea what to do with them, where I got them from or how long they've been there. Any suggestions turtles?

Curry,  Thai curry, satay,   anything with butternut squash or sweet potatoes or  red lentils in it, coconut rice, pea and mint soup with coconut (google it).

If you heat it, it melts, so as a base for flapjacks, or fudge, or anything you would use melted butter for, or just general frying.

Bird seed fat balls if it has gone off - taste it -  rancid is rancid - but birds don't care. Just don't hang it in the sun, then your cats can watch 'Bird TV'.

I keep a block in the fridge at all times purely to add to curries. Tastes lovely, and thickens sauces that are a bit thin. Hadn't though of using it for frying or flapjacks, so will give that some thought

abundant1972

Good Afternoon!!!

Had my usual mid-month absenteeism streak... this month's excuse haha was a new job and new routine!!! Thank you everyone for your well wishes regarding my new job. It went really well this week and I loved it. Not a normal week as lots of orientation and IT stuff... it probably won't look like my actual job until life gets back to some semblance of normality though. 

A new routine, new car journey, new people to work with, new everything... it felt like I'd thrown my life up into the air and all the pieces just landed and I'm like - oh wow. Dropping a day has made a big difference to my me-time and energy levels. I felt I had more to give for Mum and Dad yesterday and today too. I have a good work-parent-me life balance now at last.

This last week I have been grateful for:

1) The friendliness of my new team
2) A nice little walk from where I park into walk - extra steps on my day!!!
3) A brain re-boot!

Hugs to anyone who is struggling mentally or financially at this time. Stay strong... and come and chat on here anytime... Oh and Mothernerd... if you need a character reference I think you can safely say you have the Turtles at the ready!!! 

Have a good evening everyone   

apple_muncher

Glad to hear that the new job is bringing many benefits, abundant.

Today I used up an old (2016!) gf bread mix. The b5ead wasn't great - it's pure white for starters! But I used half the mix to make some absolutely awesome cakes that rose soooo high!

Today I am grateful for making something edible from the mix, for finishing my 1000 piece jigsaw, for a day off from school work, for getting some meals to give to my neighbours, for dh doing a food shop.