NST Amazing August

crazy_cat_lady

It really is an Amazing August for you Calling - huge congratulations!!!
Thankfully my mam's COVID test came back negative - whatever she's had has been thoroughly unpleasant but she's definitely on the mend now. Unfortunately my dad still has to have more tests, but I am grateful that neither of them are ignoring ill health and hoping it goes away.
I'm desperately trying to find some motivation now - it's been gone for a few weeks if I'm totally honest, and the farce that was A level results on Thursday has left me really full of dread about GCSEs next week...

apple_muncher

GCSE results will be a farce, ccl (that's a given , really) but the farce is not of your making. So try to relax until Thurs...

Today I am grateful for a good swim, for a neighbour making a delicious gf/df/egg-free cake for dh's bday today, for the kids playing out well together, for finding a rugby match on the telly, for clearing some space downstairs.

f0xh0les

I have been quite productive today,  went for a run, have eaten nearly half a watermelon single-handedly (single mouthedly?) I am determined to lose another lb before Monday but was excessively hungry, so fell face first into the melon.  I mean it is just crunchy water right?

Gratitudes: watermelon, clean house (now), cooler weather,  getting on with a frog-job, that the eldest two kids sat and had a conversation like normal human beings, after having spent that last 3 years permanently sniping and bickering, and for my lists, I would be lost without my lists.

lcc86

Evening all. No NSD here as I bought some vitamins and coasters, also made a charity donation online. Went to see some friends this afternoon, they're old colleagues and I really miss them even though it's been nearly two years. We sat outside, the weather was kind to us thank goodness. Some latecomers and some no shows but it was still lovely.

I need some new dinner plates, I've smashed three while washing up in the last few days! They're vintage ones so I think they're a bit more fragile than newer ones (or maybe I'm too heavy handed!). Not sure whether to buy more of the same or just a new set.

Grateful for good but cool weather and for catching up with friends. 

mothernerd

Ice86 I rarely break things whilst washing up (my ex went through my whole Wedgewood dinner service through washing up accidents and other thoughtlessness like using the milk jug to weight a paper lamp shade until it dropped out of it's folds) but I have found that when I do it's because of underlying tension and stress. The only time I've dropped a full bottle of milk was on the morning of my aunt's funeral (the first of her generation to die). It just went straight through my fingers and smashed on the floor. It's one of many 'warning' signs that I've learnt to pay attention to over the years that mean I need to pay attention to my mental health, take a deep breath, slow down, sit and think what the 'real' problem is. Above all be kind to yourself.

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 9 yesterday.

Nothing of any interest happening here at the moment. Just plodding along.

mothernerd

Yesterday was busy and productive, the red toy box and a black plant pot were painted cornflower blue, most of the remaining pots were refilled and planted up, some tidying was done, lots of embroidery was done during Doctor Who. Lots of 'mess' still in the garden as I had to move some things several times in order to move larger planters into place and make space to manoeuvre the dolly truck. Tried and failed to move the tree in a dustbin on the dolly truck (not enough uumph to get it to balance point and the tree scratched me) so after the paint was dry on the first two items, I pulled the plastic cloth with the lump of concrete on back from the side of the house to near the tree in a bin. Made an attempt to get the bin onto the concrete block (it's so I can paint the bottom edge and it will dry without gluing itself to the plastic) late on but hadn't got the energy left to do it and the plastic kept curling up as I moved the bin. Made so much noise that mum called to ask if I was okay.

So lots left to do but have just failed to get out there and on with it (it has rained a little so it's cooler and more pleasant). Ankles and knees are especially painful. I must remember to put ankle supports and arch supports on (but then wellies might not go on or will refuse to come off again). Don't have knee supports but may be a combination of the work done yesterday and the knees starting to compensate for the ankles - which is why I should remember to put the ankle supports on at the first signs of trouble (and add ankle exercises to sewing whilst tv watching). 

So currently back on the bed (had my shower as I wasn't going to go outside to do heavy stuff) and will work on what I can from here. Need to order food (I hate shopping, I hate shopping, I hate online shopping and stupid blink blink websites) because we need some and will top up with frozen veg and tinned fruit. Have consulted with mum and have a list of random items (hair mousse - what sort - any). Loaded lots of water bottles yesterday so will move them to where they are needed (probably in advert breaks) and add the water dripper spike things where needed.

Today (for yesterday) I am grateful for getting things done (even if there's a price to pay), Doctor Who, David Essex, mum, who spent most of the past two days sweeping, bit by bit, in the house, for having enough, for being warm, reasonably comfortable and well fed, having clean clothes and bedding and some of my plants growing like Topsy (hence needing moving up). I'm getting called again (mum is on the phone to someone). 

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 10

I've been a bit more productive today but I must confess not much. The Boy is coming for dinner so the chicken is about to go in the oven.

My plan for last week didn't quite work out but I did cut down on the fattening drinks and the few gins I did have were with low calorie tonic. No excuse, though. Definitely none at all from now on or that weight will never move. This week in addition to weeks one and two the plan is to stop eating the massive amounts of cheese which I love (unless it is actually in the recipe) and make a point of eating more fruit and vegetables both of which I love but am lazy about doing so. 

I hate shopping too, Mothernerd. Can't understand how people love to wander around browsing. Well. unless it's delis, food shops or food markets but to each his own, I suppose. I will, however, continue to use online shopping so that we can avoid supermarkets and have heavy items delivered.  I know what you mean about websites. With me it's banking. Mine is reasonably straight forward but Himself's is shockingly bad and, of course, he can't use it in the first place. 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Afternoon, I've been doing chores & continuing decluttering. Found some more dvds & books that ziffit will buy, probably will scrape a tenner but all helps both in money & clearing stuff. Have been more successful on Bay of E, sold a lovely lacy dress from new luke for £7! Have taken it to every car boot sale I've ever done with no luck & only listed it starting from £1 so very happy:) Also sold some storage items from the swedish emporium that DD2 didnt want to take back to uni. DDs are making tea & then I'm having an early night & hoping for a decent sleep now less hot & stuffy.
Gratitudes- more stuff will be leaving the house; DDs getting along & making tea; lovely catch up with sis & nieces earlier - not seen them for nearly 6 months 
Deni xx

crazy_cat_lady

How interesting mothernerd, about the broken crockery and goods. For some reason I managed to break 5 mugs during the first couple of months of lockdown. One was a cat pushing it off the table, but the rest were all me dropping them when I was washing up. Thankfully it seems to have stopped (touch wood) but obviously I was more stressed out than I felt.
Found some of my mojo today and have finally finished my wardrobes and made a tentative start on decorating the stairs, as well as a trip to Scr3wf1x for more tools and screws, Mr S and Foods of the Frozen Farm for the weekly groceries. I've a long way to go but masking tape is done, and downstairs doors are primed. Next job is sugar soap washing the paintwork, then woodwork painting. It will be a massive frog out of the way once it's done.
I've also been researching some form of plug in heating for behind the front door - there appears to be some damp and I can't see any explanation for it other than there's no heating out there and after 16 years it's getting a bit yuk. I saw an episode of Homes Under The Hammer Once where they said that sometimes damp was just caused by lack of heating. It's a tiny space though and miles from the nearest radiator so I need something either wall mounted or small and portable. I have no idea what is possible, how easy or how efficient this will be but I need to do something. Measure the space first of all... 
Today I am most grateful for getting my wardrobes finished and starting the stairs decorating.