NST April 2021: Diamonds and Daisies

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Long day at work.  Gave away a wardrobe via Fb, dropped off 2 bags at charity shop.  Had a quick walk and watched TV this eve.

Gratitudes - washing dry on the line; friendly meeting at work; sat out in the sun at lunchtime
Deni x

Thrifty_Taylor

Nsd#11

Hubby didn't get his op today as he blood levels weren't right. He had a transfusion instead. Getting another tomorrow, then hoping to have op Wed. He received the phone I'd posted to him, so he was able to video call me & speak to his friend. Pleased I'd posted his reading glasses too!
Man came to give us a quote for replacing the garage roof. (Hubby had done some labouring work for him in the past) he took away the broken spade & fork, & the new handles to replace them. Another friend brought back my repaired hoover, so all good to go!
Spent the morning sewing for someone, the last job for now, then digging a trench & trying to move a massive plant in the afternoon. Will have to go back to it tomorrow, it didn't want to move!!
Grateful for - seeing hubby on screen, helpful friends, yummy home made lemon chicken 

Toni'sfriend

I'm beginning to lose track of my NSDs. Yesterday was no 10 I think.  I had all sorts of plans for yesterday but my back was very painful so I ended up not doing too much at all. I'm trying to keep moving, though, as I think that helps. 

I was planning on going for a long walk today but it's very dull at the moment and looking like it might rain so we'll see.

ditty1234

Diamonds and Daisies

Even though were well past the middle of the month it is time for me to step up and actually face Aprils challenge - I have taken today off work to sort my head out. I am not exactly sure why, but it's a combination of supporting students at home and in college, not getting the student loan for the Masters I wanted to do so slightly feeling I have been sent back to square one, but that is far from the truth, I am at least at square two. My home boys seem to be passing their exams. Most of my students likewise. Finance is good, I think we'll be going on a holiday. 

So whats the stress then - its me back to the drawing board in terms of work-life (10-12 years left) so I want something I can keep doing full time and ideally part time after I retire/part time retire. 

The other big one is sorting out garden furniture on a shoe string, I think were back to pallets. And my ornamental bananas should be arriving this week, so should be quite nice in time. I will spend my money on a sander and pillows, and see if I can get pallets from the builders yard, I don't mind paying a bit!

So basically today is the first day in the rest of my life kind of day.

Diamonds 

Debts first: I pay a small amount on my debt every month and focus on saving up. Eventually I will do F and F on them. So far I have saved up £2000 since November when I did my Citizenship, so major goal posts reached. 

Income enhancement: I have worked a lot of extra hours this year, and I am seeing the benefits, getting my cam belt, sorting my dog at the vet without a panic. Next is dentist and seeing if I can just to really spend any money in the rest of the summer, as my in come drops massively in August and September.

Achievements and Aims: Targets this month was my Cam belt - I will be driving my car hopefully for the next decade so maintenance is imperative. 

My E fund have reached £1000 for the first time, so that is the best feeling ever. 

My other target is to decorate my hall way before the end of the bank holiday weekend. I have all of the stuff I need, but keep postponing as it's a small house when were 3 people. 

Morning motivation: I write my creative journal every morning, except even that has been patchy in the last month or so. I also try to walk the dog every morning before work. And eat a good round of porridge. 

Organised: I try to do meal plans, but usually entails making the best of whats in the fridge. Will try to plan more new recipes.

NSDs: Not doing well this month thing I have managed about 5 so far. 

Determined: I tend to let projects hang about - I want to either do them or not commit to them. So for the rest of April I am clearing my project list: A book review, a creative text for a friends project, a creative portfolio of digital pics - planned out by end of month, to do in May, apply for 5 more jobs before end of month. 

Set out your stall: I will keep you all posted.

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Daisies 

Delight: In sorting out my garden, have a few more bits to plant, and waiting for my fig tree to recover from harsh pruning and after taht is's all martinis on the pallet couch ( dreaming) And runs with Saturday running group - have done 2 so far, and outdoor swims - keep postponing - dont know why (cold).

April:  I will make prints in garden to celebrate sunshine and the delicate growth of spring. 

Inner-peace: I am struggling massively with this - I keep hounding myself - and yet not rally getting things done. 

I am sassy w friends and am even considering that I might explore dating options later in summer!

Inspiration: I must increase my reading. Would love to read and drink tea in garden every evening.

Exercise: Doing that. And enjoying it. Walking, swimming running and soon it's time to get the kayak out. Previous summers investments - kayak, wetsuit, and this year running shoes. 

Share: My old country is horrendous towards Syrian refugees and I am thinking about charities there who fight racism in that gnarly little  country. 

So here it is. Very late to the table, but kindness it is, first and foremost, kindness and constructive critical criticism on me and my 'fellow' students in life. I took today off to sort out my head, and it is already a little better. 

Calling14

Think I will have a day off to re group and re organise my head as well this week.

Yesterday gardening, decided to pull up another bush but it backfired on me. Fell into some bushes,nettles, one arm covered in bubbly rash, bruised and sore everywhere, plus got like puncture wounds at top of my legs. So shaky today, in work but not working at full potential sore sitting down. Tonight need to get bath into next doors skip I might be calling on friends to help as dont feel up to lifting anything.

Today I ended up buying new sunglasses looked everywhere for mine, I wear them every day of the week usually but  couldn't  find them this morning and I get migraine if I dont have them. Needed new ones anyway oh well... NSD 8/16

Got a flooring quote last night for my bathroom, fitter turned up when all my arm was looking as if I had an infectious disease. Look of horror on his face.  Anyway hopefully be done next week and bathroom finished. No other house project being started!

Grateful for

No rocks where I fell.

Not bursting into tears, feel like it but staying strong.

Scones bought some off local market, need a treat tonight.

Toni'sfriend

Oh dear! I'm going to have to go on the naughty step. I bought two new pairs of jeggings because I'm fed up wearing baggy, granny trousers. And as if that wasn't bad enough new cushions for the sofa. They are lovely and "plumpy". The old ones were getting really flat. My excuse. They'll look really nice when the booster cushions arrive and they'll help my back. Poor excuse, I know.

ldee2111

@Toni'sfriend I’ll join you on the naughty step.

I almost got another NSD, but then I got an email under an hour ago: ‘SALE! Up to 50% off..’. I’m not one for jumping on these emails, but I could do with a couple of tops and I really like the look and quality of FatFaze clothes. So I’m still on NSD 10/16.

Checked my bank account this morning. Seen Saneberries had charged £43.14 not £40.06 as it said in the app. Queried it and apparently they had to readjust cost because chicken weighed more. Fair enough. Means I’ve spent a bit more of my grocery budget. £50.72 / £80.

Don’t know why, but I was sluggish at work today. Couldn’t focus. Didn’t feel like a productive day. Tomorrow’s a new day.

Grateful for a walk today, grateful that OH told me to step away from the laptop and go for a walk, a dry day.

apple_muncher

Well those of you lining up for the naughty chaise longue will have a comfy time of it, thanks to Toni's friend!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a spiffing day, for bumping in to friends, for a really hard but excellent sesh at the gym, for my counsellor, for working with some lovely level-headed people.

Kerry_Woman

Was a small spend day. Got weekly bus pass for next week and and next week's tv mag.  Have used up a few toiletries and a couple of other items this week which I am happy about.  On Saturday was a big spend day, used some shops that had reopened.  Stocked up on items that were running low, but they should last me for quite a while.  Also had my hair cut.
Today I am grateful for:
Shifts added to my rota until 21 May, they can only put on a certain amount at a time.
Someone bringing in a home baked apple cake.
For having a book to read.