NST JUST JUNE

mothernerd

June Challenge Day 8
Simplify Your Wardrobe. I always use up old tatty clothes for painting and messy jobs (I put them in the bin when the amount of dried paint makes them feel more like a suit of armour). I once managed to paint a whole door frame in good clothes only to brush against it as I went to collect the children from school (had kept my good clothes on because I only had a small time slot).
It's usually joggers that are baggy and faded with ragged holey t-shirts and baggy or shrunken jumpers in winter but I have happily worn a long skirt pulled up like a pinafore (I looked like Holly Hobby) but it was extremely practical - I could get up and down a step ladder with ease of movement, not tripping myself up and no danger of exposing bits I'd rather keep private.
However I'm really enjoying wearing the 'not fit to be seen in public' clothes. Most days I'm returning to doing 'dirty' tasks (mainly the garden) so it makes sense (to me) to put on the already dirty clothes from yesterday and put in a few hours before showering. I am losing weight so wearing out the shabby clothes makes sense. 
I also enjoying having a shower and putting on a 'good' dress. That feeling of having done 'the day's work' (not saying 'a day's work' because it can take me all day to do an hour's work but forward is forward) and it being time to relax, sit watching tv with mum, maybe chop veg or do small tasks in the advert breaks (cooked a pan each of chilli and bacon soup during Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children) but not 'having' to do anything and that feeling of having earned my rest.
However it has occurred to me that it would work the other way round. Pull out all the clothes that are taking up space in your wardrobe (apologies to those who have already transformed their wardrobe habits) and wear them for a day. You'll soon be reminded why some of them never see the light of day - the buttons that undo themselves leaving your assets exposed, the'square' neckline that repeatedly forms a collapsed parallelogram, the skirt that inches it's way up at the back, the colour that makes you look really really ill. These need to go (as soon as practical/ possible - clothing bank bins, friend or relative who would look great in them, charity bag if you have somewhere to store them other than putting them back in the wardrobe).
If they are comfortable wear them. Living in pj's could save you a mint if you have to wear 'smart' clothes for work (mini challenge - purely optional - any hints or tips on things to save money during lockdown).  
It took me years to get mum to wear her 'good' clothes for everyday. She habitually wore 'old clothes' in the mornings to do her housework and would change into 'clean' clothes and put on tights (to hide the veins on her legs) if she was going out (doctor's, church, for the day). She also had an extensive wardrobe of clothes 'for going dancing' ('tea dress type' might also be worn for being taken out for a pub meal but the sparkly stuff only for dancing). Now the 'old' stuff was very old. There were things in the wardrobe that had been my grandma's (died over 40 years ago), things passed  on by one of my aunts (died over 20 years ago) and lots of very boring stuff that was 'tired' way beyond the point where it should have gone in the ragbag.
About 11 years ago someone else was doing some of her housework (heavy stuff first but eventually being paid for it), dancing was put on hold (balance and co-ordination problems which were eventually diagnosed as myasthenia gravis) but she was still getting dressed in the 'old' clothes - the harsh colours making her look older than she was, stubbornly keeping wardrobes of 'best' clothes for Sundays, holidays and dancing (put on permanent hold by her partner's dementia). Lots of persuasion and gentle hints eventually worked and she's slowly donated some of the 'more suitable for Liberace' numbers. I still had to persuade her to let me pack away two suitcases full of 'best' coats and 'bought for a wedding' outfits in March so that more of her clothes could move into the room she is using (4 floor to ceiling cupboards) and out of the 2 wardrobes in 'my' room (she had had a set of drawers moved into 'my' room, for me to use but when I moved in, there were only 1.5 empty drawers for me.

Don't worry about what to wear today, your smile goes with everything

Celebrations - World Oceans Day
6th - 14th Children's Art Week
                  Bike Week (organised by Cycling UK)

Couldn't find the old list (had only written down the first week dates), but found a new (UK) one - 13th is unmissable (rofl)

crazy_cat_lady

Morning
Apologies for my absence. I've had a few days of trying to cope with the trauma of my bathroom floor almost completely failing and the ensuing acceptance that it needs replacing and I have had to borrow money for that. Anyway it's done now, and I have the money, and the bathroom is patched again and will be replaced in a fortnight or so. I just need to try and overcome the mental stress of more debt which I've never wanted but alas think I need in the short term.
Busy madly decluttering, and in a twist of fate, started on clothes yesterday. Our tip has clothes recycling banks and I have an appointment there on Friday. I've told the kids I want the car filled with rubbish and recycling before I go. 
Other than that, I think my mood is low because of the finances at the moment - but I will pick myself up and carry on as I always do. I have survived worse than this and will continue to survive.
Mothernerd, please don't ever stop being you. I love all of your posts - political, advisory, funny stories, and I find you truly inspirational.

[Deleted User]

Mother nerd thank you for putting all you do into the thread. My grandma was much the same. I remember her workskirt (housewife) was a woollen skirt but devoid of a lining and the pleats had not seen a press in years. Her cardigans were old knitted scruffy things and often she wore an zip up pinny like the dinner ladies used to wear. Every day she dressed like that but Thursday was her day to the hair dressers and the finest came out for the social trip.

In theses times I have been wearing out all the cheaper, man made fabric clothes I have and slowly building a wardrobe of natural fibre clothing. The aim is to layer up everything, or remove layers and have the wardrobe suite whatever the weather all year round. 

abbi_aurelia

Hi all, I disappeared over the weekend, sorry, any advice for an independent toddler who hates being on reins, but will not hold my hand/the buggy and I am terrified she'll run into the road (mostly I give up in despair and strap her back in the buggy. Unless a dog happens to be walking the same way we are, I think she would follow them anywhere). Family BBQ in the garden went well, good to see people and catch up, was sunnier then we though so quite a bit of sunburn this morning.  Not much to report really, I need to lose some weight as I weighed myself and had a bit of a shock, not sure where to fit in exercising at the moment, but I'll keep thinking. Grateful for seeing family, osteopath reopening with full PPE so OH can go and get his back sorted and for being 6ft2 which means its impossible to accumulate a lot of clothes without a lot more money, so things get worn until they fall apart (or I outgrew them, feet when up a size after LO)

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi everyone
Thanks for wise words as always mothernerd
i have just sold the last 3 items that got relisted on Bay of E so that is all my stuff now sold from my latest wardrobe purge.  I still have stuff in the garage to sort and i have things i haven't worn for years but think i like so will test them out by wearing them as suggested
Work is ok; had to advise one of my team that i need to check something he does before sending it out - was worried about him taking offence but thought i worded the email sensitively and he was fine about it - relieved!
Sorry to hear about the bathroom floor CCL.  I need to phone a plasterer as we have both a hole in the kitchen ceiling and one in the bathroom.  Houses are a money pit.
i am grateful for:
Sales on Bay of E; getting my washing dry on the line; getting ahead by making tea in between breaks from my desk/laptop; good exercise class to look forward to
Deni x

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 7

I don't have a lot of clothes, Mothernerd. Had a really good clearout last year and donated loads to the Charity Shop, some still unworn with labels still attached I'm ashamed to say but if they made some money from them that's good. Totally revamped my wardrobe. Don't go out a lot normally so don't need a lot. Must admit some of it is getting a bit tight now so really have to watch the diet. Himself, on the other hand (although he denies it) has load of clothes that he has never worn and is still wandering around in tee shirts full of holes.

Productive day again so I think I'm starting to get into a bit of a routine.

I confess I am a bit concerned about Himself's eating habits. His appetite seems to have really diminished. A few spoon fulls and he says he's full. I'm abandoning meal planning now because most of what I make is ending up in the freezer. He did have an omelette for lunch (that's been the first lunch for a bit) and I'm making pork chops for dinner but if he finishes it I'll be surprised. Difficult to know if this is mental or physical.

On a brighter note we had a bit of a conversation today and identified a few places fairly  locally that we might think about having mini breaks once this is all over. It is something to look forward too because I'm really missing my holidays. Sounds really frivolous and selfish considering what other people are going through.

Anyway, hope the weather is as nice where you are as it is here. Have a nice evening.

Narola1976

Hi everyone, yesterday was not a good day for me, won’t go into the boring details but if interested it is on my diary. Sorry to hear about your bathroom @crazy_cat_lady. I often read your diary and know how much you have been through. You are an incredibly strong person and yes you have been through so much and come out the other side, so I know you will through this too. 

I must admit working from home means that I never really invest in clothes. I do love getting new PJ’s as this is what I live in. Of course now in the age of Zoom work calls I have to make sure the top half is presentable and my hair is brushed  I always ask for new PJ’s as a gift. Nothing better than showering and getting into fresh PJ’s for the day. I have loads of clothes that do not fit but I refuse to part with it as I am convinced I will lose weight. But its a real struggle. I have lots of weight to lose, but find dieting hard and expensive. 

Anyway on to gratitudes: 

1. For regular opportunities for time on my own.
2. For my job that pay the bills
3. For food on my table

Thanks mothernerd for these words of wisdom. 

greent

Thankful for DS3 having a good first day back at school, a socially distanced visit from bestie and her hubby in the garden (just DH and myself were chatting to them), using more things up from the freezer, DS1 eating a decent amount today (has been dumped by gf and wasnt eating - even his skinny jeans are hanging off him now), for getting some weeding done, for getting rid of (by giving it away) a large, unused item from the garage, for DS2 fully completing 3 pieces of schoolwork today!!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for the light morning, for my workout, for an easier day with work, for there only being a short queue of 2 at the PO, for z00ming with my sister.

mothernerd

I did a SM delivery order last night then decided I might as well do the veg box order. It has to be in by 3pm today to be delivered on WEdnesday. It arrived this morning in the middle of me writing on here. Struggling to find the keys to open the door and grab some money from mum's bag - ended up sort of throwing it at him as he was much closer than I was comfortable with (poor man was trying to pass me a warm plate meat and potato pie which wouldn't fit between the bars of the gate). After he'd gone I realised I'd underpaid him, only gave him the cash for the veg box, not the pie and hobnobs (they've added a limited number of extra items to their stock, bought hobnobs last time as mum asked for chocolate after telling 3 people she didn't need it and last week she suddenly decided she wanted a pie and I knew I'd seen someone doing them). Left an answerphone message to say I would leave the money with the girl 2 doors down for when the regular Wednesday delivery comes.

Not done a lot, sifted through some paperwork (lists, lists and more lists), 3 lots of washing done and line dried, cobbled meals together using the pie and leftovers, went out in the evening and worked on the garden. I planted a few things - have thankfully reached the stage where I can put a few handfuls of stones in the bottom of a tub, then tip the soil from the next bucket or tub in, stick plants in, water, add more soil to fill any gaps and repeat. I am trying to make a narrow L-shaped bed going round the side and back of the shed (still want access to the back of the shed and stop at the side of the shed before the water butt) using my old link-a-bord panels. Came in for a drink of water and no way could I go back out.

Today I am grateful for prompt service, for making some order out of random pieces of paper, for good food, for it mostly being not too hot to work and getting lots of washing done.