NST November 2021: Turtle Strength

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

During the ad breaks for Angela Black i sorted a pile of paperwork - shredded some and recycled other bits so that's a bit more to the decluttering total

mothernerd

Went outside for a while this afternoon. Pegged the polytunnel cover to the washing line, it had a good flap so should be dried out (unless it rains again). ,Hoping to have the energy tomorrow to fold and roll it up small (so it will fit in a bag for life). Harvested my remaining broccoli plants. cut the tops off a while ago and have been waiting for the side shoots to develop. Some shoots, some flowered and some covered in caterpillars. took off what I wanted, pulled the whole plants up and knocked the soil off then broke the stems in two so they would fit in the green bin. think I still have a bag of onion bulbs which will go in the vacated spaces.

Did some shovelling of soil. Small pile on a board in the centre of the yard, leftover when I had filled all the small planters and planted garlic bulbs (ready next June). That fit in a medium planter and have propped the board up to let the remaining soil drop off. Used another couple of medium planters to decant some of the soil from doing the front (currently in 10 l metal buckets so medium planters took several). Some are sifted soil but some are a mixture of soil and stones. Stopped when i was cold and very muddy.

Came in and sat Kondo folding carrier bags and did a few tidy tasks. Rounded up some cans and squashed them. Couldn't find the chicken to cook for dinner and mum was happy to eat one of her fish pies so I just had tuna and vinegar heaped on good bread (needed using up). Have done some puzzling, read a bit and watched 2 episodes of Call the Midwife (think I'm 2 seasons behind). I have been to the paper bin and have started a new bag discarding old lists and an old notebook.

Finances have improved. I messaged DS3 last night and told him I was putting his contribution to the household budget up, starting in January (he had already paid in advance up until the end of March). He didn't quibble and sent through the top up amount, so he's still paid up until the end of March. He also told me to remind him at the end of this month as he's expecting another good chunk of income from his latest game. He's paid two months in arrears so he knows how many copies were sold but the platform choose the day with the exchange rate most favourable to them to pay him (having deducted their commission) so doesn't know the exact amount or the day it will get to his bank account.

Thankful for clearing part of the yard, taking time to rest (didn't sleep much so expected to crash mid-afternoon), getting there slowly.

Calling14

Happy start of a new week turtles. This week I will change my ways stop spending and eat healthier? We shall see;-)

Saturday - spent indoors as kiddies were tired after late night watching play Elf. 4 yr old fell asleep after the interval otherwise it was fun.  Made cakes with kiddies, did jigsaws, cooking, cleaning, tidying toys - had planned to go out in afternoon but with 40mph winds and rain it wasn't happening. Gutted only did 3.5k steps and I hadn't sat down all day. NSD in the bag

Sunday - had a whole day to myself, a lie in, 2 loads of washing dried on line, filled green waste bin full of leaves, set up tvs with fire sticks - took ages logging in to different apps, a wee walk in the sunshine NSD again 10k steps done.

Monday

Supermarket food delivery day so spendy day, also need more moisture control little boxes - very impressed with one I got - trip to £land at lunchtime. Been naughty and bought hand cream, oils off BS site tempted by using birthday voucher. Just me and naughty elf on the step atm?

Grateful for

My football team winning & drying clothes on line.

Swapping cushions to a different colour(already had) on my couch - what a difference. Have ordered another with my nectar points & small spend £1.50 today.

Think my neighbour might have found where my water leak is, fingers crossed.

Calling14

Thanks ldee for Sprout day love it, made me smile.

Hugs to Buffy, foxh0les and Mothernerd and anyone else who needs them.

I was feeling so sorry for myself last night,had a whole day to myself  but then I felt incredibly lonely whether I was overtired but like to get out more than I do with adults.  Have arranged to meet up with a group for coffee on Thursday. Some I know but might make some new friends.

Our office covered in Graffiti this morning, local MP in office below.  My boss joked it might be me being only red in the building. I found it a bit scary to be honest, dreaded opening door in case more surprised awaited me.

Other news my youngest dd in Canada got engaged, why didn't they do it whilst they were here.? Will have to celebrate without them.

Renewed my broadband at a cheaper rate with same company so saves the swapping router drama, and even with cashback still more expensive than one I am on.  Tend to just use 2 of the big name reliable companies.

Bag full for C/S will just count as 1 item and try and fill another one for tomorrow as it is being collected.

Have a good day folks

f0xh0les

NSD 5 done and dusted.  Racking them up early for when I crash and burn later in the month Know thyself!

Volunteered this morning, came home and made a pumpkin and carrot chunky soup and dh made bread rolls, then took DS1 out to the c/shops to buy a costume for a themed party he is off to on Tuesday or Wed or Thurs or something.  Luckily it was 3 items for £5, so he has got a very nice pinstriped suit and trousers and a waistcoat for £4 as he could not find another thing to buy. 

The charity shops are heaving with things at the moment, and a lot of it is C-word related at jumble sale prices

DS1 bought me a coffee!!! I tried to talk him out of it, but he was adamant he needed coffee, so he treated me.  First time ever!  Fourth time in a coffee shop this year, so can't really complain. It is not like a regular occurrence.

Got a £5 voucher payout for The Big River Shop, via a survey site, and £4.50 on p/a so hopefully they are starting up again. P/A has been quiet for a few months now. Up to £25 credit on Big River for C-word now.  Not bad in 2 months ambient income.

Lovely day with DS1, off back to volunteer in an hour, DS1 and DH are cooking together tonight.  

DH has had to go for a nap as he is not over the Covid tiredness yet.

ldee2111

@Thrifty_Taylor love the saying ‘ blowing a hoolie’

@Buffythedebtslayer I’ve made sleeping purchases too. Waking up in the middle of the night with something I ‘need’ in my head and reaching for the phone 🤣

@esmerellda @Calling14 it’s the only day of the year I eat sprouts so it’s literally sprouts day for me

Grateful for getting approved for travel to US, for my warm home, for Mum babysitting tonight so I can go to the cabaret with OH.

November underspends goal

Underspends into holiday £28/£160

60 items challenge 

1. broken printer (to recycling centre)
2. 2x joggers 
3. baby towel 
4. 2x swimming tops 
5. tube of bubbles 
6. rubber duck 
7. kids tent 
8. kids cardboard playhouse 
9. plastic novelty trophy 
10. shirt
11. holey socks
12. kids playing cards
13. candle
14. recipe book
15. CD audiobook 
16. roll of art paper
17. pants x 2
18. Halloween treat bucket
19. bookmarks x 3
20. kids books x2
21. Pyjamas 
22. Joggers 

DawnW

Afternoon all

Still on NSD 1 / 15, as I had to post a parcel and buy a few groceries today.  Overall spends aren't high though.

Decluttering, I am really getting into this! Yesterday 2 more items left:

17. I camping larder, slightly damaged, to freecycler

18. 1 griddle pan, not needed, to freecycler

And today:

19. I book, sold on ebay

20. Final half carrier bagful of quinces, to freecycler. I have used, preserved and gifted loads this year  

DD visited with little GS

Bit of exercise done, dog walk this morning (not far as he decided he wasn't in the mood for a long walk). Later got DD to drop me close to town on her way home, posted my parcel, popped into Iceland and then walked home.

Grateful today for games with little almost 4 y o GS, and washing almost dry outside on the line, now finishing on the airer by the stove.

lcc86

Evening turtles. Forgot to post yesterday but had a NSD. Was meant to volunteer but woke up with a really bad stomach ache that put paid to it as I had to leave by a certain time and couldn't.

When I felt better I went horse riding, went with a friend and we had a really long ride in the sun, it was lovely! 

Didn't do much else yesterday apart from a few jobs at home and reading a new book. 

Today was also a NSD. I drove into work only to find I didn't need to be in after all as my appointment had been cancelled. I did manage to get a lot done though. Had a walk at lunchtime and then did some yoga after work.

ditty1234

Grateful for being graded an outstanding teacher, thanks to lovely students and colleagues. 
Grateful for new neighbour walking dog.
Sad about saying no to a social on Sunday, but will save money and energy and focus on ds1 settling in at home. 
Grateful for a run yesterday and today, and for 4 NSD days.

apple_muncher

Well done, ditty, on being outstanding!

Calling- congrats to dd!

I hope that whoever is on the naughty chaise longue is starting to put up some fairy lights on it...