NST Amazing August

ditty1234

Hi there just to say thanks for all of your well wishes, and that my mom now has a little growth in her heart, and might need open heart surgery, but it's benign, so good and bad news, but I think that at least if she will need surgery - then it will be scheduled - hopefully and I will be able to go and stay with her. One of her step children stayed with her yesterday - they are good friends and she's a 'granny' to her kids - so that is nice. BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE WIHT HER! Well I'm going i 3 weeks (other country) so am looking forwards to that. 
So all is good for now, I hope everybody on here is staying cool today, eating lots of cucumber and staying in the shade. 

mothernerd

I've not been awake long (mum woke me because thee window cleaner was here - well across the road). Stayed up until 3 am doing the sequins (gathering little pots of semi- sorted from here, there and everywhere, put all the carded embroidery threads back in the proper order - about 35 of them scattered around in various boxes, stacked all the cut out heart, butterfly and other lavender bag shapes, then all the 'embellishments - 3 less than an inch daisy flowers, scraps of lace less than 3 inches long, ribbons and thick wool , buttons, wire with blobs - looks much more attractive than it sounds, felt shapes cut from the edges after the big shapes were cut out - all before I could scrape out the sequins that were mixed in or had fallen to the bottom of the cardboard drawers, plus bits on the floor). 

My room looks an utter mess, so earlier I sat with the wardrobe door open for 5 minutes, admiring the neat stacks I had made, to make me feel better. Also did an hour in the garden last night - new continuation cabbages into individual yoghurt pots and square black plant pots, then the remains of the last lot that just had no where at all to go - the ones I'd put into cardboard boxes to grow on went into the space I finished digging out a couple of weeks ago. So outside but clustered together for now. Had to come in before I could deal with the peas and beans - cut some 2 l bottles up but it was gone 9 pm and threatening to rain.

Sorted the yard for the window cleaner (gate unlocked and pinned back with a bin so he has no need/ no excuse for touching it, money in a jar where he can see it and us both safely back inside with doors closed), had a shower and taken my pills and cough medicine. I also took some 12 hour ibuprofen yesterday (just been buying whatever I can get and DS2 has been gathering for me as well). The ones by my bedside have been used so was getting the next batch out of the drawer and these were stronger (longer lasting) so wanted to keep them separate, so they might have made me sleep so long.

Read the tv guide and there's an interesting old film with Michael Redgrave in, on at 2.30 pm so planning an afternoon of sewing with a more active job (maybe next stage of meal planning/ prep and freezer tetris with an audit, cooked and frozen  a variety of things but now needs sorting - my new to me fridge- freezer starts making a noise when it decides the door has been open too long). Sewing plans for the next few days are:-
1) sewing and stacking embellishments (tiny embroidery or feature on a tiny heart, then added onto a larger heart with further, embroidery, sequins or trimmings - basically putting lots of the small fiddly bits in one neat little package)
2) repairing the crochet lace on my favourite skirt (no rush as it's a bit tight atm but could be put away in the wardrobe when done instead of sulking at me because I've not seen to it yet)
3) continuing with the wedding sampler (very difficult joined up writing, meaning constant references to the chart because it looks so wrong if things aren't placed correctly - lots of phrases with the same starting words) which of course turned up after all the bits were sorted but was invisible when I was hunting for it)
So all ready for the Dr Who fest tomorrow afternoon.

Doing quite well on tackling the big jobs I listed at the beginning of the week - don't need to complete them all this week but wanted to have them all in one place. Could start the cleaning of mum's couch whilst watching tv but may leave it until Scott and Bailey (mum has been going to bed and I get on with other things whilst 'following' - I've seen them before but not to Midsomer Murder level. Or Morse - on Wednesday I'd decided I would turn the tv off if it was 'Last Bus to Woodstock' - I like having something on in the background whilst I'm doing other tasks. Last night the first line was "What time's the last bus to Woodstock" so off it went. Some things are easier to do if mum isn't around. On Wednesday she asked if I could 'help' put the washing out. I said I'd do it and she .should go and sit down. 'No, we'll both do it". So off she went with the walker, a few small items and the peg bag, with me following with larger, heavier items draped over both shoulders (but nothing to peg them with). She reached the middle of the line, moved the walker as I reached for the pegs, moved back along the line wiping it and when I'd pegged out most of the stuff (walked back to the house for a second batch), she shuffled back down the line, redoing all the items I'd done and moving them about 3 inches further along. We will survive, we haven't killed one another yet.

Today I'm grateful for my bed (and for having a bed as the new rules mean I can't go home), for cough medicine which has reduced the coughing fits to a workable level, for good food and plenty of it, for my own hg tomatoes (dwarf beans, bell peppers, chilli peppers and broccoli coming along well considering how late I started), for time to reflect, for pampering. 

Calling14

Ditty at least you can relax for the time being.

Mothernerd - your to do list must be huge, hope your better soon.

Today cancelled my visit to friends for tea tonight, as I have shingles, would hate to pass it on to them in their 80's. The rash has gone down today and I feel brighter, last 2 days felt awful,rash was burning and my bra just resting on it, ate rubbish as too tired to cook anything.

Lazy relaxing weekend planned. Put the munchkins on hold see how I feel tomorrow. Amount of tourists here I don't want to go anywhere, traffic is nuts. Decided September I will take a week off work then.

Spent today, small spend meat for weekend.

Grateful for

Staying in tonight, football on.

Downloaded lidlee app £5 off £25 spend.

Toni'sfriend

Mothernerd - Thank you for the advice. I was going to ask the boy if he had one of those tiny spanners but I think the idea of pliers is an even better idea. And I'm so glad I read your post. I didn't realise that film was on. It's one of my favourites. Just off the watch it now.

Calling - I remember my Mother having shingles and she said it was the most painful thing she had ever experienced and she an incredibly high pain threshold. Luckily here we are now offered a vaccination if over 70. Hope you feel better soon.

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 3

It's been humid here today, not much sun and a bit of rain but we went for a walk around the park first thing. Just a mile and a half but it's something.

The pate was lovely and there is a sweet and sour chicken in the slow cooker using what we already have. I haven't done a food order this week because we have enough for next week. Just need to pop to the shops tomorrow for milk, tomatoes and cucumber. Maybe get some proper chicken nuggets from the butcher for the Boy.

Been a bit lax on the housework front today, Must try to do a bit more tomorrow.

apple_muncher

Ouch calling, shingles hurts! Take care.

Today I am grateful for getting an early workout done, for my dizziness and nausea subsiding, for getting loads of washing dried, for being at home in the heat and not travelling, for dd finally getting to go to waterst0nes and spend her voucher.

crazy_cat_lady

Hope you're feeling better soon Calling - I hear that shingles is very unpleasant.
Mothernerd, I get tired just reading your posts - you get so much done every single day. Sorry that you're back in lockdown (although I know you haven't ever come out of lockdown).
Pleased that your mum's growth is at least benign ditty - hopefully the next few weeks will pass quickly for you.
So - I don't know about anyone else but today has been a blimming hot one here. But not nice hot - really grey and overcast and stuffy and too warm etc. I will request that you all do one extra thing per day on top of any challenges you have taken on from my original post - and that is please to stay hydrated. It's SO easy to forget to drink when you're sitting and slowly cooking in the sun. Especially if you're drinking a cocktail or wine or something. Aim for a minimum of 1 glass of non alcoholic liquid an hour. If you pee and it's dark then you're not drinking enough.
I haven't gotten much done today - annoyed with myself. The list is growing longer, but the kitten is also hot and bothered today so he's slept lots and I should have done more... I was out for almost 3 hours with dd today while she got her nails done, then got home to find that my stepdad had finished cladding the outhouse. Just the sealant and edging to do now and then that's another one done. Still the stairs to decorate though... and my wardrobe doors to finish.
However, I have done 4 annoying jobs and I also submitted the application for the job I really want. We'll see how that goes. Diet not going so well - need to kick my backside and sort that out asap. Plans for the evening are to do another 2 annoying jobs and then read and relax. Don't fancy my chances with a decent sleep in this heat, and I can't open the windows as kitties might escape...

lcc86

It's absolutely boiling here too Ccl I think we've hit 35° today. Did a top up shop of a few fresh bits this morning then did a proper workout. Didn't fancy the gym in the end, my confidence just isn't up to it in the current climate. Ordered a book that will hopefully help me make sense of some of my postural issues, it's meant to be really good so we'll see. Can always sell on ebay if I don't like it! Did sell another book so will post tomorrow. 

Baked some brownies and honeycomb chocolate bites as well today, put in freezer so OH doesn't eat them all at once! Didn't get anywhere near as much done as I'd hoped today considering I had a day off, I'm blaming the heat (and the accidental afternoon nap!). Will crack on tomorrow instead. Stay hydrated everyone.

Toni'sfriend

Goodness, it's been really hot today.

Got up really early and our to the local butcher for a couple of things and then to the other shops for tomatoes and cucumber for the rest of the week. Not a big spend but not a NSD.

Week 1 was pretty good. Apart from the strawberry and ice cream incident I haven't had any sweet snacks or puddings, Next week might be a bit more difficult. Cutting out alcohol, fruit juice and fizzy sweet drinks. Just one cup of coffee in the morning and water and tea thereafter. That's in addition to week 1.

Kept up the skin regime even though there were lazy times but I forced myself to do it because it only takes minutes. Don't know if my skin looks better (have to leave that up to someone else to say) but it certainly feels smoother. Next week, body lotion after a shower and a little spray of per perfume every day whether I go out or nor not. On that subject haven't walked every day (mostly due to weather) but trying. Two and a quarter miles today.

Think I might have been a bit overoptimistic about sorting out the bedroom in a week but it's getting there. Too hot today to attempt anything much though.

Well, we're trying hard to stick to the regulations but the guy upstairs has just come back from the city and says he is shocked at the pubs being jam packed with people inside and out. I see lockdown beckoning. Another neighbour said she heard someone upstairs (who shouldn't actually be there) talking about a party they are having tonight. We''ve put up with some loud music recently but if this does happen I'm on to the Council first thing Monday morning. Honestly, I'm not a grump but apart from the nuisance they are potentially putting people in danger. Sorry, but that's how I feel.

I hope you are all having a lovely and safe time in the sunshine.

f0xh0les

If it does start I would recommend a call to 101,  the non-emergency police number.  They are taking it very seriously, even if some of the public are not.  Let's face it, we cannot be trusted where alcohol and sunshine is involved. Well, obviously  'we ' can be trusted, but everyone else seems to be a dangerous nutter.   Well done on the giving up stuff for a while, the supermarket dirt cheap 17p cola  and lemonade are nearly all sugar free.