NST April 2021: Diamonds and Daisies

mothernerd

Didn't report last night as I handed over the laptop so mum could watch the latest 'Call of Duty' episode - must get the app on the tv for that working. This morning's assessment is that everything from my foot to my hip is hurting even when lying down so I've obviously been compensating for the foot injury and thrown everything else out as well. Cough is back and I'm whistling when I breathe. So I've had throat sweet, cough medicine and ibuprofen as well as my actual medication (need to find a foil of hayfever tablets as well - will help with the cough and pollen could be aggravating my throat but yay ibuprofen). Would have had honey but too weak to open the jar (pathetic). 

I had an easy day with minimal tasks yesterday but had to give up half way through packing the food delivery into my bags and let the lovely young woman who delivers take over. Watched two episodes of a series I'm following, stopping every now and then when I felt able to bring another bag in. Rounded up rubbish and put the bin out, filled 3 large buckets with loose soil (already dug and I sat in a chair, filled nearly two buckets just picking up spade sized lumps) but came in as it was very cold, made easy meals (wraps and soup) and killed all my tomato triffids (went out to bring them in but was too tired previous night and they didn't survive - poor triffids). Being positive - I can now plant more seeds.

Being Positive am revisiting the challenge, feel that my posts have been verging on whiny so wrote a list. Following on from an ancient essay strategy (statement, evidence, further comment), I have used Challenge, Positive thought, Action and sometimes More Positive thought

Debts first No debt, no mortgage (was too poor to get a mortgage so bought my first house outright), need savings (have emergency fund). Cash point mishap was a set back (A will chase refund) but counted up what was in the savings tin (> £200 after repaying mum and found £13.24 in drips and drabs since) (P).

Income enhancement. Tax return has arrived. This is one thing that mum actually pays me to do (previously done by an accountant and I'm just as good if not better) so will get that done (A) and money will go in savings tin.

Achievements and Aims. Garden plans on hold   set off more seeds (A)  . Be happy, healthy and have fun. Celebrate your achievements - some of these are a bit ancient but I bought and paid for my own house by the age of 25 (bought a shell, rebuilt it at least twice since, my first sink had been used to mix cement in, my bathroom cost £25, £15 for 2nd hand sink and toilet from a friens, £10 for 2nd hand cast iron bath which was so heavy I had to help the plumber and his mate to haul it upstairs). I have worked (mainly unpaid) for many voluntary organisations and campaigning groups, secured funding for many of them including an application which paid for premises, 3 staff and running costs for the first year, contributed and commented on legislation. Brought up 3 sons by myself (feckless ex paid no maintenance) and survived multiple traumas and crises, often several at a time. 

Bits of me are damaged, knackered or don't work very well but I'm alive, mostly still standing (reclining gracefully when it's wiser to do so) and despite living with serious long-term depression, I manage to be happy every day. (PPP)

Organised The food I made has been eaten or frozen - yay, I fed us for 3+ days on past their best veg and freezer finds (P). Today I need quick and easy food (standing up long enough to brush my teeth was painful - being P, not painful enough to fall over). I don't want to make mum ill (shes recovered from yesterday but is going to take things easy P). Told her little wraps, cooked meat, different soups, rice pudding all came in yesterday's order, taken a small wheel of Wensleydale with cranberries out of the freezer so she has 3 types of cheese, fresh and tinned fruit - all things she can get for herself. 

I used the last 3 old wraps (freezer emergency ones) last night but only ate one. I have yoghurts, ice cream, crab spread (bought for Easter but left because it's fine until the end of this month so fine for a day or two (trying to make Friday and Monday batch cooking days and I do a Sunday dinner). Bought extra bread but plan to portion it up and freeze (when my boys were small toast loves were divided into 3 x 6 slices, wholemeal into smaller packs - rarely had any go off as mostly taken out when needed, toasts quicker from frozen), wholemeal buns in twos. (P)

(P) Being stuck in bed is an excellent time for planning. 

NSDs 11 so far, today will be 12. Was thinking tomorrow won't be as mum has her second jab but (P) travel vouchers arrived so no money needed for taxis.  Not as many NSDs as I was trying for but more than in recent months (P) and extra spend day was caused by mum messing up her pills.

Determined All bright eyed and bushy tailed (if only due to eyedrops and lock down lack of shaving - must try to do something with my eyebrows)

Set out your stall Committed (about time says the wag at the back) to being happy healthy and having lots of super fun times (P).

Open to treasures, new ideas and ways of doing things. Can do some jigsaws - want to make sure they are intact before passing on to the charity shop. Lots of bags and bits I can sort from the bed. Have got mum's walking stick back and small rucksack so I can carry things and keep my hands free - already restocked bathroom toilet roll holder thing.

Inner Peace Serenity is my middle name, zen thoughts are my game

Stay safe, stay sassy. Sassy isn't my natural vibe but trying lip gloss and freesia scent. I'm more obstocolous, too stubborn to quit and fiercely independent all laced with copious amounts of sarcasm.

Inspiration Just signed up for several debt free diaries. Have watched some 'A slob comes clean' videos.

Exercise  Have been flexing my fingers and feet, wiggling my toes. Am changing my position every 15 minutes or so. Will put some music on and do some hand jive type moves (maybe roll from one side to the other or lift alternate legs.

Share Saw a cartoon last week. Several oldies (like me) sitting suitable distanced around a garden table. The hostess is saying to the newest arrival (a man in his birthday suit) "No Alan, I said we could have six in the garden."

Calling14

Omg Thrifty Taylor are you on an island up past Aberdeen? 400 miles that must be stressful to be that far away.

Today trying to be upbeat and positive. 

NSD reached 7/16

Tomorrow I have a hairdressers appointment, living in Wales had 1 since lockdown but didn't get it coloured big mistake, did mine own since. Hairdresser won't be impressed. Only had reddish brown at home so my roots are red(well sprayed them for now) rest isn't bad. He will earn every penny with me. Looking forward to the results not the telling off I will get!

Lovely sunny day, amazed how many families are on the beach, thought all the kids would be back in school. 

Made some payments off my credit card, hopefully my savings be back  to what's in my signature by the end of the month.

Bathroom looking good for it and repaired chip in my bath last night, not perfect but not as noticeable as it was after tile falling into it.

Grateful for

Using a different coat, fluffy mustard one, bought ages ago in sainsbobs but as it was always raining never wore it.

This thread keeping on track this month.

Living alone and not having to cook some nights. Last nights tea Cheese on toast.

Shrewbie

Hello turtles!

Mothernerd I'm in awe of what you've achieved buying outright and doing up your own house for pennies. It's a dream of mine to do the same.

I have been reading along but haven’t managed to post for ages.

Only on NSD 3.

Nothing much to report but have been getting things in order to start my new job on Monday, needed to buy office type clothes so this month has been pretty spendy.

Not doing too well on the exercise, a bit half arsed so intend to step it up tomorrow. Need to remember how much better it will make me feel. I have been eating pretty well.

Also need to practice waking up early (or at least not snoozing the alarm for an hour!!)

Grateful for bf doing lots of batch cooking, for students saying nice things about my classes.

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 8

It was cold and misty today but we did get out for a short walk in the park.  It brightened up later so I've washed up a jacket and a few other items just to freshen them up as they haven't been worn for a while.

Had a lovely salad for lunch and having homemade celery soup for dinner. So lots of veggies.

ldee2111

Ended up not spending yesterday so hit NSD 7/16. 

I had less than £3 left of this week’s grocery budget to do my top-up shop. I did the top-up today and it cost £8.84.

Decided to do my top up at Ald! Been there once before - strange, I know. It took me only 10 minutes to drive there. I mentally noted a few prices to compare to my Saneberries shop and usual top-up place. Based on what I seen, I need to rethink where I get my groceries from. I could see at a glance that I could save quite a few pounds. 

Also nipped into TezCo to get our vegan burgers which were £1 cheaper to Clubcard holders! I didn’t have my actual card on me, so I downloaded their app and was able to access it. Phew! 

Good day at work. Feeling uplifted from helping new colleagues. 

Grateful for a sunny day, a trip to the shops, discovering more ways to cut our grocery budget.

f0xh0les

Still on NSD6.  Had to send m-i-l birthday cards and present yesterday, scored some ys bargains currently residing in the freezer.  Accidentally bought 3 pots of a new vegan ice cream (mint choc / cookie dough / birthday cake).  The ratbags ate all the lunchbox tat.

Apart from milk, I should not need to buy anything else! I might have to ban myself from going into a shop for a few days.  I simply cannot be trusted.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening
Finally got my a**e in gear and went to the no waste food hub.  Not much of a queue and i got some freebies but they also do a pantry of random items eg tins of beans (baked, kidney) for 20p each.  spent £3.50 including a donation and got some good stuff including a bunch of flowers.  Everyone was very friendly so will definitely go there again.  There were loads of bread items and pastries but i resisted the temptation and took one bread roll and a small loaf that is in the freezer.  Have eaten well today, had a walk and did exercise class on Fb.  Off to Mr T for a few extras as i've been spendy anyway.  
Gratitudes - free food; nice phone call with DD2; boss approved my annual leave for September
Deni x

lcc86

Evening all, NSD 10 here, woop finally in double figures! Bit of an odd day, my motivation was low at work so didn't work as hard as I could've, ended up getting a couple of little jobs done around the house. Been swimming this evening and feel ready for bed already!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for free online resources, for our garden, for a hard sesh at the gym this evening, for dd doing some art while I was gone, for easy food.

facethemusic

Wednesday- NSD 8/16.
Rode my pony this morning, and DD rode a friends pony this afternoon, we fitted a dog walk in the middle and the day has gone! Plenty of exercise and fresh air, but not much ticked off the to-do list. I'm off this weekend so will hopefully get a few things done then. 
Grateful for- DD doing really well riding a "not easy" pony, the sun shining and using up bits in the fridge for tea.