NST September 2020: the turtles do the Hokey Cokey

ditty1234

Grateful for keeping up with my creative journal, even in this very busy week. For putting income, prep and creativity slightly over exercise. I think I was getting a bit to focussed on that! Still should be nice to do a cool run this evening. 

mothernerd

Not much of me was working yesterday (left shoulder still hurts despite shoulder shrugs and gentle movements) so I installed myself in a comfy chair, watched old films (not a lot of choice early in the morning) and sorted through my embroidery threads. Used all the cards that have been used over the past 18 months (114 but lots of tatty ones were thrown away) and rewound them with nearly full skeins (things that have been returned to the box(es) when a project has been completed, then all filed neatly by colour. Found a few more cards and another pile of threads later on and retired to my room shortly after 8 p.m. as i have a strong light in there.

Some bits of general tidying were done in between and I fed us both. We had a visitor in the afternoon and sat in the yard chatting (whilst it's still allowed). Have given her the job of telling her sister mum cannot go out for breakfast at the end of the month but would like fish and chips from a local award-winning chippy. Even if visitor isn't allowed inside the gate by then, I can put the little table and a chair outside the gate and we can eat 'together'. 

I have showered but not up to doing anything strenuous so I may bring my sequins in here (and the large lipped wooden tray - I will cry if they fall off and get mixed up again). Most of them are sorted but there are small amounts with fairly subtle variations (some opaque ones, some iridescent and some in-between - I have purple and a bright pinky-purple/ more than shocking pink but there are some in both categories that are actually a 3rd colour somewhere in between. Another task that needs a strong light or full daylight and if I sit on the chair they will be on my lap and any sneeze or sudden involuntary movement could be disastrous. A very first world problem, mixed up sequins all over the floor but it might be the straw that breaks this camel's back.

I read Martin's "Is it time to ban C*r!stm@s presents?" this morning and it's well worth a read. With so many already struggling and more job losses expected, wasting money on meaningless tat is tasteless and the pressure on 'less well off' parents is obscene. In the past I have bought second hand, from charity shops, discount stores, used vouchers and 3 for 2 offers, made what I could and pooled cash from mum, my brother (always willing to hand over cash as long as someone else did the actual buying, wrapping etc) and mum's cousin. Mum was always willing to buy big lego sets half price at the end of summer and hide them away (the boys didn't care that they were 'older season models'). Children need and want very little (but are subject to peer pressure and a constant barrage of advertising).  

Some RAOK suggestions. If you have been gifted 'joke' presents in the past, please pass them on to your local charity shop, so that they may profit rather than commercial enterprises. Look around your house for random items (jokey presents, stationery, craft supplies, old jewellery and unused make-up) and offer them to people you know who may need them or to any organisations that help families in need (I mentioned make-up because these groups don't get enough donations for teenagers - everyone wants to give to the wee ones). Can any of your 'craft stash' (taking about you SABLES here - stash accumulated beyond life expectancy) be used to make 'child sized' gifts. Commercial sets are usually priced quite high compared to the cost of the contents - A pair of child sized knitting needles, wool from your stash and some basic instructions in a pretty box. I once sharpened some part used (but good quality) drawing pencils down to half sized, found a small box which I decorated and cut clean half sheets from part used pieces of paper. My friend said her small son loved it because everything was scaled down to his size and the little box meant he could carry it about with him. 

Today I am grateful for the chance to take things gently for a few hours (need to move the polytunnel before weekend , which means moving large pots, random pieces of old furniture that was housed in it and the broken pieces of edging stones used to weight the frame down - and put it all in a sensible order and where mum won't try to fall over it), for having had a little extra money in the past few years so that I could acquire some craft supplies, for restoring order, one baby step at a time. 

Calling14

Morning turtles.

Lovely day outside, work keeping me on my toes so busy.

Failed yesterday with my 10k steps, was feeling dizzy after power washing old part of the drive so had a chill out evening. 6.5k done.

Today will be a NSD, will walk during my lunchbreak down the beach.

Haven't brought lunch into work today but I have some crumpets in the fridge here with fruit mountain on my desk will do.

Grateful for

Washing drying in the sun.

Nearby beach

Not having to wear masks at work in the office.

Toni'sfriend

Still on NSD No 10

Had my hair done. I feel like a totally different person and more confident about going out now. Hairdresser was fantastic. She's limiting the number of customers to two at a time and since she knew I was a bit nervous there was nobody else booked in whilst I was there. She and her assistant never stopped cleaning and disinfecting things all the time I was there. Felt very safe unlike the very famous pub chain next door whose employees still were't  wearing masks. It looked pretty crowded as well. Definitely won't be going there.

I love your ideas for gifts, Mothernerd, especially the pencil one for the little boy. I once bought a dictionary for the little boy who lived next door because he was fascinated by the one that Himself always has beside him when he's reading. It cost all of £2.99. He was over the moon because he had his very own dictionary rather than having to share the class one at school. You are right little children are happy with the simplest of things.  

I haven't been lazing and pampering my self all day. Ironing all done and dinner in the slow cooker. Just about to go change the bedding, etc. and I might just have a little gin and tonic later.

greent

Quick check in from me
Health - am anaemic yet again so couldn't donate blood and have been suspended for a year again (and I'd been taking iron supplements in the run up to the appointment....sigh....) Zumba'd this morning

Wealth - chased MnS for a refund of some items which I'd sent back - 4 had been refunded but these 2 hadn't been - fair play to them they refunded me within a couple of hours Also queried with OhTwo about DS3's sim card which hadn't been transferred over and got 50% of a month's bill back as a credit

Life well lived
Dh had an unexpected grade rise/ pay rise yesterday (effective from Oct) so we had icecreams at the local farm shop after school and then went out to Nand0s last night (staff were fab)  The evening was slightly blighted by an email received from DS2's school saying all of his year need to self isolate for 14 days as 1 of the year has a positive C0vid test. Affected student is apparently now feeling ok - which is good. PHE and school have been in discussions and they are hoping to get non close contacts back into school end of this week/ start of next (am guessing that's ones who don't share lessons with them) DS2 very frustrated about being off school again
As well as the life admin of MnS and OhTwo I sorted out Xmas things under my bed and wrote a list of individual cards that I have and any present things I have hiding there - so have made a start on prep (of sorts!)

Gratitudes
DH's (well deserved) grade/ pay rise, the bouquet of flowers he bought me yesterday, fab service at Nand0s yesterday, gorgeous weather

Fmess

Hi all,
SFD number 7 yesterday but not today as ran out of cat food, not sure how as I always buy a spare bag but must have not registered when I used the spare. 

Today I am grateful for the good weather and drying the washing outside, for getting some money in earlier than expected and clearing my credit card, just the kitchen, roof and car funds to clear now, and for half an hour on here to read.

Kerry_Woman

Nannyg - Wishing you a Happy Birthday.
NSD - now on 12.
Sorry for not posting as much.  There is not a lot going on.  The course I was meant to start on Thursday has been cancelled as very low take up.  Have been put on the next course in November which is online.  I did hand in my CV at the college to be given to the contact I made there. Awaiting a response.  Got my id badge for the other voluntary work, still waiting to hear about a start date for work I put my name down for.
For the last few days I have been grateful for:
Speaking to niece and nephew on the phone for their birthdays.
Speaking to my brother and sister on the phone.
Seeing a robin on way to tend to my Mum's grave.
Still managing to go for walks most days.
Cross stitch kit.
Book to read.
Made a fruit cake and scones.

f0xh0les

Today I got masses done.  Started hoovering on the top floor and made it all the way through the house to the back door, tidying as I went...  I have smashed two glass bowls, so even more hoovering after that! 

I have stolen all the mattress toppers and put them through the washer on a 'hygiene' setting (who even knew???) and they have dried on the line and no longer smell of 'Boy'.

Did masses and masses of washing up and the house looks good tonight .

Emptied the bucket in the loft space under the gap in the roof.  It is doing its job.

Got a tip off from the lady at the hospice shop, so should soon reap the rewards of haunting the place three times a week. 

Gratitudes: None of the kids have a temperature.  DH not having a temperature.  Everyone liking the apple crumble. Charity shop tip-offs.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for the beautifully murky misty/foggy start to the day -properly autumnal!, for a good return to my counselling, for the lovely staff at the gym, for good chats with dd, for still having a lot of rasps ripening.

lcc86

Evening all, have returned from visiting my parents, was a nice few days away despite their negativity! Won't see them again until Christmas (assuming it's allowed). 

Visited the place where I'll be volunteering, seems like a lovely place and the staff are nice. I should be starting next week. 

Got a letter from the royal mail saying they won't be compensating me for an item they lost because it was a return so it's up to the company to contact them to claim... I need to get on the case with that tomorrow but have a feeling I'll be going round in circles. Lots of jobs to do tomorrow but no rush as I want to enjoy my time off.