NST Amazing August

mothernerd

Have you heard the 'Vodka is a vegetable'  f0xh0les.  You will be pleased to know that Leicester has been officially moved to Northern England. The areas affected by the new guidance list starts with Greater Manchester, lists the areas of Lancashire and Yorkshire included and ends with Leicester City. To be honest I never really got out of the lockdown so being re-interned doesn't bother me that much. I could still go to my house and sit in my own back garden even though it would be officially forbidden, because on the evidence of last week DS3 and Beloved haven't been outside the back door for weeks (they'd have tripped over the brambles). 

Yesterday mummy of twins came to visit with all 4 daughters and the daft dog. They all stayed outside and we opened the windows so they could hear us and the blinds so that we could all see each other. Mum said to give them a dozen eggs - I put them through the gate but waited until the eldest girl came to pick them up as daft dog eats anything and everything (she's still in disgrace from the festive season when she stole a whole pack of butter from the table and downed it in one). No jammie dodgers so dropped oats and honey bars (wrapped) out through the window and also gave them 4 of the body scrunchies - managed to find 4 different colours. (can now re-purpose the toiletries bag for spares of first aid bits, some pills and the remaining toiletries) plus the hg tomatoes I had collected as I knew there was another mushroom box worth which have ripened since I picked the first lot. My tomatoes are tiny and beautifully sweet - I'm going to have to be careful not to eat too many.

In the afternoon we watched a film and some old drama series and I did some of the 'new house' sampler (the Chuthlhu one) and today I completed it. I am about half way through repairing my dress with the big hole - it won't be fit to wear in public but will be fine for wearing in the house and yard with no danger of exposing my bum to any passers-by or neighbours with windows that give them a view over the fence.

Food has been portioned, boxed, sliced, cubed as appropriate and mostly frozen and we have eaten odds and ends from the fridge. Have a couple of ideas for things to make (cauli/broc cheese and gammon with pineapple) and other meals will be more using up what needs using and working out what to add to fridge bits. A morning of relentless drizzle so not much done outside apart from putting the bin out and I just pulled my nightie on (long t-shirt) after my shower to save on clothes.

Money spent yesterday and today so going to try and put some food orders together before midnight. Mum has just dictated a list of things she fancies - of course they involve about 6 different suppliers. Will try doing the local veg box and add plate pies to it, then use the deli supplier for individual fruit items and make it up to minimum order with bulk purchases of pulses and spices. Bananas can go on the SM order which is probably going to be a weekend delivery now (think Th, Fri and Sat are most in demand - will have to check if there are still cheaper evening slots or if standard delivery has come in). I would also like to do an 'extras' order - seeds, garden 'claw' gloves and some medical stuff.

Mum has accepted that I'm here for the foreseeable future and has realised that that might be more difficult for me than for her. I freely admit I am 'stockpiling' but in an average winter I have about one week in four when I'm 'under par' (can barely get to the bathroom and back) and have had periods of 4 - 6 weeks when things have been very difficult (keeping myself/ mum clean and fed and doing the bare minimum to keep the dirt and mess under control). Mum has no immune system' picks up everything going, is more severely affected by it and it takes weeks (sometimes months) for her to get over it. 

So any foods that won't go off and any tools I can gather that simplify cleaning or other jobs, being in front with things like seed buying (started way behind this year and then had severe supply problems and many weeks before I could get a food home delivery). I think we are a long way off the 'end' of the current situation (sorry I'm not trying to spread gloom and doom just following the thread ethos of controlling what I can by doing lots of preparation). I need to start building raised beds as crops are harvested and space is cleared (having everything even a foot off the ground rather than at ground level would be so much easier).

Today I am grateful for having food (good, tasty, wholesome food), for having completed some tasks and having time to get some more things done this week (keep telling myself that the more things I finish the better, especially things that use up oddments and sequins), for having my logical head on.

f0xh0les

Eee! I can start saying 'ginnel' again and have people know what I am talking about!! 

Back Alley sounds so 'Carry On' film-ish  now.

crazy_cat_lady

Evening everyone.
I have to confess that I'm struggling to follow my own advice at the moment - I just can't seem to get going in August, and I'm annoyed with myself whilst trying to be kind to myself and not stress it too much. I suspect that I'm a bit hormonal but I've also had a bit of a shock to the system with how much of my time it takes having a kitten about the house. I really had no idea that it would be so much like having a toddler round the place. He needs entertainment, attention or food 24/7 and as soon as I start doing something he gets into it - walking on my laptop, crawling onto my bedding, climbing up my leg etc. 
I have made a start on the outhouse - my stepdad is helping me but his health isn't great so it's an ongoing thing. More at my pace - it's about half done, but the weather put a stop to anything else involving outdoor use of a jigsaw today.
Instead I made a start on covering my wardrobes, which I thought was going to be straightforward and it almost is, but it's a big job. I reckon I'm about 20% of the way through. It's a massive improvement but there's still some way to go and it's very far from finished. 
I think I'll feel better if I focus on the frog list because those are little jobs that I can still sometimes get done with little claws climbing all over me and yowling in the background (or right in my face). Anyway, I've had a good look through and I'm determined that tonight I am going to have a bath, early night and good night's sleep and do a few jobs tomorrow. However, I do have a girls night in planned with copious amounts of gin on the menu so I'm looking forward to that.
Toni'sfriend - your strawberries sound amazing. I would love to have those with expensive pralines and cream ice cream for a real treat. And they're still one of your 5 a day as well

misstara

NSD 2/15 yesterday.  Today was a spend day as I gave my neighbour money to pay for the brown bin collection and bought 2 plant pots (my dad gave me some free plants ).

Think I will do a bit of a stock up of food, where I live has had a cluster of covid cases linked to a pub and I'd like to be prepared in case it continues to spread and we have to have a local lockdown.  

Today I'm grateful for seeing family and a super yummy Thai green curry for tea.

Toni'sfriend

They are amazing, CCL, and a great way of using cheap strawberries or a glut of them if you're lucky enough to have them in your garden. Generous measure of brandy, lots of sugar and they keep for ages in the fridge. Not that they last that long in our house. Lovely with vanilla ice cream because the brandy and sugar turn into a gorgeous alcoholic syrup. I've just talked myself into buying more when I'm out.

f0xh0les

Toni'sfriend's Xmas present sorted. A jar of alcoholic strawberries and a bottle of fizz to use up the juice.  What more could you want in December?    Well in 2020 December,  I think all bets might be off as to what we will want/need.

Toni'sfriend

Would definitely recommend them, F0xh0les. Works well with white wine as well and I've often worried how rasberries would go with whisky. You know, kind of like crannachan.

Got for a walk today before the rain came pouring down again. Just a couple of miles but better than nothing. Not doing well with the NSDs though. Passed the butcher and Himself was tempted by their homemade burgers for tea. Still he's doing well at clearing the indescribables from the bottom of the freezer for his lunch. And I'm still sneaking bits and bobs into the bin. 

Started on the bedroom. New bedding looks lovely but I just don't know how to get this door handle off. Think I might have to enlist the help of the young man next door.

Are you near Aberdeen. misstara?  Can see it heading towards us in Glasgow and to Edinburgh as well given that some many venues have been involved.

lcc86

tonisfriend If the screws have layers of paint that are making it difficult, try putting the screwdriver in as if you're going to attempt to unscrew, but then use a hammer and give it a couple of good whacks. That should loosen the paintwork (has worked for me in the past - I don't know why people paint over screws, it's so lazy and annoying!). 

Today I had a virtual job interview for a sessional/zero hour job, got accepted so am grateful for that. Even if I only did one shift a month I'd earn about £130 after tax so it's worth it (they are blooming long shifts though - 16 hours!). I plan to use the extra money to save towards new kitchen cabinet doors and new carpets.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for another Stand up Paddleboarding + canoeing session, for the best of the day while we were at the beach, for seeing my cousin to chill out with, for being able to have a holiday, for that clean feeling after a shower to wash away the sea and sand..

greent

Ooof, lcc - 16 hour shifts...!!

Today I am grateful that I managed to persuade all 4 children to help with jobs around the house/ in the garden; for a walk in no more than drizzle, so we only got a bit damp; for an unexpected find in the freezer which made a good lunch.

Spends in Smkt.

Dd decluttered several items from her room - mainly to the bin, sadly. Another flebay parcel posted. Cleaned ds2's worn half a dozen times rugby boots ready for ds3 at some point ( planning future shopping from home!)

No exercise except for canal path walk - 10k steps achieved:) Food all ok.