NST November 2021: Turtle Strength

f0xh0les

Happy Thursday Turtle-friends!  That is it, my working (well, volunteering) is over for the week.  2 more school runs and it is the weekend (why do we only have rubbish emoji's now? No dancing heads, no dodgy hugs, no hair raising screams).  

NSD 7 today - step-gran's birthday cards and gifts sent with free stamps, decluttered a calender for next year to her as well 1/60 - I am still driving around with 13 batteries and 19 items of clothing to be recycled - not to mention the 3 carrier bags of books in the boot!  Not sure the justification of ' they are out of the house, and therefore half way to being gone' is working.  I actually have to take them out of the car - my aim for the weekend.  Maybe while I am looking for some smart 'girl shoes' for the temp job next week.

Anyway, all within budget still, collected a load of pine cones and put them in the grate with a string of fairy ( not furry) lights so it is all twinkley and autumnal and it feels warmer, even if it is not really warmer. I keep moving the thermostat down to 18, dh keeps moving it back up to 20, grrr  Himself is still not over the Covid tiredness.

Gratitudes: just realised I do not have to sit through a school carol service/assembly this year.  Finally the torture is over!  Remembered to set the timer controls on the central heating.  Fridge full of lush green things, and the odd orange/red thing.

Esmeralda2662

Thanks for the suggestion of a monthly newspaper budget @apple_muncher! I'll set one up. I don't buy a paper every day but average 4-5 a week. Not essential but mainly for my mum (83) as she likes reading it with her lunch and doing the crossword. Still on 0/15 
NSD.

Thanks for your best wishes about my sister, @Thrifty_Taylor. It will be a worrying few months waiting and then having and having the op. At least she is now in the system and has a lovely specialist.

6K steps today. Had to wait in for the plumber to service the boiler so couldn't go far. Nipped to the SM for food shopping after and cooked lovely roast dinner.

Decluttered a CD to the charity bag and 2 jam jars and lids to a friend for jam making.

Remembered i bought a pack of small glass bottles with cork stoppers from The Worx to put seed beads in a few weeks ago and have no idea where they are. I hope I didn't leave them in the SM afterwards. Misplacing things is an ongoing problem. Grrr!

Gratitudes: a nice dry day, lovely dinner with Yorkshire puds and the plumber turning up as agreed.

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#8
Best day at work this year! Spelled something out to a pupil, who took it all on board & was a perfect angel all day!! It was like being in an alternate universe! Even the teacher was gobsmacked 😂 me & pupil had some in depth discussions & then we stood for the two minutes silence & he didn't make a sound. More assessment supervision this afternoon, but we're getting through them now.
Cut out two memory bears after work. Hubby made a pasta recipe from a book, boy was there enough chilli powder in it!! I kept feeling dizzy & lightheaded, like I was going to fall off my chair! DS2 decided it was too hot for him to eat, so DS1 ate his & his brothers! DS3 doesn't do tomato sauces on pasta & hubby couldn't have it due to the tomato & chorizo. Thankfully a glass of milk sorted me out afterwards! I was determined I wasn't going to waste good food 🤣
Shortened a jacket for someone after tea, whilst supervising DS3 on his first time doing dishes. He decided he was only doing it for an hour, so hubby still had half of it to do after! Decluttered many programmes off the box.

Grateful for a brilliant day, all the soldiers who helped to shape the world we're in now, & sewing pile reducing

DawnW

@lcc86 why not try Open Office. Free download, and compatible with the MS version.

mothernerd

Yesterday I went adventuring again (bit more than I expected). Started with a repeat diabetic review with the Practice Nurse and I decided to go on the bus (some long waits for taxis and I hadn't pre-booked). Was slowly getting ready, then checked the revised timetable online - too much of a rush for the next one but aimed for the one after and allowed lots of time to walk to the stop (it's outside the corner shop, just after the post box). Dressed carefully (black vest top and black cord leggings with my first time of wearing cream cable jumper).

Don't know why but the new timetable is a big shift from the old and the buses frequently end up near to the original times, so I saw the bus on it's way up to the last 3 stops and then waited for it to come back. It was packed with sixth form college kids but one of them got up immediately to give me a seat and the boy on the next seat held it down whilst I sat (it's the bit people in wheelchairs or mum's with pushchairs use, so the seats spring back when not in use, like cinema seats used to).Students all piled off at the bus station so I moved to a proper seat.

Early at the infirmary (next bus would have been cutting it fine) so went to the little cafe for yummy baked potato and a soup to drink (they were sent hot chocolate powder then doesn't work in their machines). Both were excellent but I was terrified of spilling stuff on my new jumper, especially as I had bad hand tremors. Appointment was good but some of my results were borderline so must try harder. Wanted a urine sample if possible so tried, found my quiet corner and drank a litre of water, tried again (until my ankles and knees were creaking with effort), then gave up and went for the bus. Got off at the bus station, bench hopped through the bus station and mall and did a couple of errands (including dropping off accumulated books at a cs). Went back to the bus station for sit down on a dry bench and felt well enough to get on the V1.

Still have the longing to be under/ amongst trees so my plan was to get off at the back of the local woods (It's further up from the infirmary, then through the park and the woods start at the back of the park). The guided busway runs along the old railway and they built a flat walkway alongside for walkers, bicycles and horse riders with all the old rights of way/ old paths acting as access points. My plan was to get off, go just inside the back gateway to the woods, commune with the trees and then cross to the other side for the bus ride back.

Thought I'd missed my stop and there's a long stretch without any stops, so ended up at Cooling Lane (Tyldesley, about 5 miles by road, though shorter along the busway). However all the trees they planted along either side of the busway and the walkway have had a few years to mature, so I had my trees (the ones between the busway and walkway are being kept to hedge height but lots of colour, copper beech and others) so I thought I would walk a little way (had noticed some benches as well). I think some of the original bus stops have been removed (one at least, definitely). Where the rights of way joined I had the choice of leaving down unmade up country paths with potholes and other hazards or staying on the walkway. So I carried on walking. sitting down on each bench and eating from my rucksack. For about 3 miles. In 2 hours (mostly plodding or trudging). It was nearly dark by the time I reached my original planned destination and far too much chance of falling over tree roots, slipping on leaves or down a slope, being injured and stuck there all night.

Finally came to bus stop about 3 stages from he bus station. The 4.30 bus was expected at 5 pm (rush hour traffic) but that was only a 6 minute wait. Road for 2 stops and got off at Tessimo. Grabbed a small trolley, went to use their toilet facilities (made no attempt whatsoever to collect any product, there's enough space for me and the rucksack but no contortions) then bought a few of the things that did not come in my last delivery (11 days ago), then phoned for a taxi home. Got in, took my mountain trainers off (oh the relief) decamped in to my bedroom and fell asleep.

I expected to feel a lot worse than I do this morning, so it can be done. I've arranged for the redelivery of a parcel today (possibly 2) so no need to go beyond the gate (postponing acquiring and delivering samples until Monday). Another grey, wet, chilly day. 

Grateful for finding out the chicken I've been hunting for was not available for delivery, my walk and being among the trees (and the picnic that kept me going), finally getting the cs books out of the house (already counted in my yearly target). 

Calling14

Great news Esmeralda about your sister.

Didn't get around to posting yesterday so

Weds - went for another chat with new employer handed my acceptance letter in. Job duties there seem to be increasing by the minute somehow I now have dog walking the owners office dog, and heaps of admin stuff as well. Don't start  until February so plenty of time to prepare. Sort of included myself in their Xmas party hehe.

Water board came out and found the leak however turns out not to be my leak but my neighbours. My pipes travel along my neighbours drive.  My meter is still going so fast not recording.  Reading I got off it meant used £6,500 of water this year not sure dd of £26 is covering it ;-)  Got to laugh Inspector hopefully meeting me again today to discuss options - he was bouncing with the guys that whilst had neighbours drive up didn't carry on looking for my leak.  Suggested laying new pipe to mine, which means my new shiny block paved drive will be dug up ! They have to make it good however. Just worrying where all the water is going?

Yesterday went to a gig was fun 80's cheesy rock band, think I just needed a drink and to chill out. Late night Miss Grumpy in office today.

NSD's only Weds so up to 5/15.

Bought an air fryer off Big river site, half price Black Friday deal used some vouchers but still had to pay £20. My oven is too small and bottom shelf doesn't get that hot - gas one. So hoping this will help with cooking roasties, chips etc.

Paid a chunk off my cc today, as it's large this month but couch was on it. Might steal from savings for a week to clear it.

De cluttering haven't had chance to do much last few days. Grandkids tonight then most weekend to me. Can't wait so tired.

Need some groceries today.

Grateful for

Meeting some lovely people on train last night.

My heartburn seems to be settling down, only had 2 drinks but was up most night with it.

Its FRIDAY

f0xh0les

Hooray for Fridays!

lcc86

Thanks all for the Office related suggestions, I will definitely be looking into them for my own sanity!

@Calling14 I have an air fryer and it's the best! Hardly ever use my oven these days since I got it.

NSD today. Honestly not much to report. Hardly any work so read a book. Went for a swim at lunchtime. Did some yoga this evening. My motivation is really low because I'm bored so I have to push myself to do things or I'll just sit and vegetate all day. But it's the weekend now so hooray!

CEW

NSD # 8 today.

Forgot to say yesterday that I added a £5 donation to FareShare on my Mr S order so have completed that part of the challenge. I will also be donating a batch of items to charity when I have my clear out. I quite like having this option when I place my order online as I don’t often go to a supermarket and invariably forget to pick up the items to donate.

Today I am grateful for mild and sunny weather for much of the day with some showers, a productive day at work with an early finish the weekend

Thrifty_Taylor

Feeling really tired tonight, not long til I go to bed.
Good day at work, then had check up at the dentist. He took an x-ray to see if they could find what caused my 'lockjaw', but didn't see anything. Have to see a specialist coming up from Aberdeen next month. Went shopping, vexed that my gift card didn't work in T0sco, will have to print it off & try that way. Put shopping away, then a bit of knitting & a film.
Grateful that it's Friday, stollen, negative test results
Have a good weekend!