NST November 2021: Turtle Strength

mothernerd

Can I set the December challenge, please. I think I need it to keep me on track (and I can amuse you all with the countless mishaps, freak accidents, unexpected guests that have happened in my life) with skimping tips, crafty how-tos, and bending not breaking that come with life lived mostly on the breadline, plus a few quotes or humorous interludes.

Had a quiet day, after some problems sleeping (finding a comfortable position). Usual multi trips to the bins, had an unexpected visitor this afternoon and found out mum's double-booked herself for Wednesday (will need to cancel her appointment). Culinary delights included cheese spread on crackers, a tin of onion soup and , after failing 3 times to open a tin of peaches (wanted rice pudding but mum has eaten all the ones in the cupboard) settling for broccoli and a whole celery with a dip (will still need something else later and think things through for the rest of the week.

Grateful for tinned onion soup (my homemade is better but finely slicing onions might end with finely sliced fingers), lovely broccoli, visitor.

ldee2111

NSD 8 today.

Hello turtles,

I am still cough, cough, coughing. I’ve had it for about 3 weeks now. I’ve taken Covid tests and it’s not that. I’d love an uninterrupted night’s sleep, as would OH. 

I was not feeling like working today at all but I did all the things on my to-do list. *Pats self on the back* I made mushroom soup for lunch. I’ve got some very brown bananas so I’ll make banana bread when I can muster the energy.

My Sunday sweeps yesterday were lower than I’d hoped. Only underspent by £10 in food because I bought more in the grocery shop for COP26 guest (who ended up staying elsewhere). And there was only £2 left in leisure after our outings to the cabaret and the disappointing pizza at the hut. On the bright side, transport underspend was bit more than usual because OH was working closer to home last week. 

Sunday sweeps

Food £10

Transport £42

Leisure £2

Total underspend this week: £54

November underspend goal £82/£160

Grateful today for Mum looking after DS whose nursery was closed due to a public holiday, for an easy pasta dinner using a batch-cooked sauce from the freezer, and for the freezer 😂

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
23. kids bathroom step
24. kids bowls x3 
25. kids sweatshirt 
26. Vests x 3
27. Pyjamas x 2

f0xh0les

4 books left my boot today to go to a book shed someone has set up outside their house. 

My budgets are all over the place, as I am re-entering the world of work tomorrow, I have had to shell out £50 in bus fares for the kids, £6 in food tech items at 'normal people prices', and buy in the whole lunch box food nonsense x3 for the whole week in one go - so hopefully will still have a few bits and bobs for next week, but it does mean the first 7 or 8 hours I work will be cost neutral  (boo!) but the rest will be  very nice to have and much appreciated.  Plus the clothes will do for future gigs.

I have also filled up my car with petrol but put it on the cc to deal with out of my future wages(£33)

I do not like dealing with money like this,  and the budget for the rest of the month is now £80 (eek!)

Keep your  flippers crossed for me tomorrow Turtles, last time I did a week of work my hourly rate was £4.50 through a temp agency.  Now it is double that and a bit more.

apple_muncher

Mothernerd, yes please! to you running December. I confess to having very little brain space to add much on a day-to-day basis for the last couple of moths, beyond setting up the challenges. Looking forward to it already!

f0xh0les

I love your tales of  December Woah!!! and sometimes Woe! @mothernerd .  It shows that whatever is going on, no matter how crazy it seems at the time, we are more resilient than we think, and that eventually it will become the stuff of family legend and will laugh about it.

Count me in if I can have a really big number so I can build another army of turtles.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

An NSD at last!  Worked from home, went for a walk after work and did exercise class on Fb.  Had nice chat to friend at lunch.  Made tea from hiya fresh ingredients, have now cancelled subscription as too expensive for one person but got some nice recipes.  
Good luck tomorrow f0xh0les !
Gratitudes - Monday is nearly over; plenty of food so can last to payday (Friday) without buying any food; clean sheets 
Deni x

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#10
For the first time in over a month, I got up & did a yoga routine before breakfast. My posture has been better today as a result. Work went fine, meeting afterwards was postponed. Chatted to a colleague before heading home, she was glad to have someone to confide in, who could keep an ear to the ground on her behalf. Listed 9 things on the bay of E, one of which has a bid on it already! Washed up after tea & did some sewing.
Grateful for a good day at work, yoga, oven baked chicken enchiladas for tea 😋

Calling14

Hi turtles, me starting the week on a Tuesday had a day off yesterday.

Saturday  Fed kids they left for a party so had me time all weekend. Lovely walk in country by river, had an ice cream as it was so mild.

Sunday - cushions and new table runner bought. So nice going out shopping at weekend, had a coffee out oops and then met up with brother ( up visiting staying with a friend). Treated me to a lovely Sunday lunch.

Monday - had planned a long walk but weather stopped that. Walk to a waterfall and then bit of shopping and new sheets for spare bedroom.

Back to no spending today and getting my act together.

2 Couches being collected tomorrow so decluttering still happening. Will count 5 items when its done.

10 k Steps averaged 9250 each day last week, Trying harder this week.

 NSD 6/15 counting today in that.

Out for a lunchtime walk as hate walking after work in the dark. Plus need to get couches somehow out of my garage tonight.

Grateful for

Seeing my brother and his wife

House looking cosy

having cleared out kitchen cupboards and decluttering several pans - I can fit air fryer in now. Need to try it out tonight.

lcc86

Afternoon turtles

Forgot to post yesterday but bagged another NSD. Did yoga before work yesterday, quick walk at lunchtime and then a swim with my friend in the evening. Always feel good after being active. Had a mentoring session with my social work student, always nice to speak to someone so enthusiastic!

Work was dreadful yesterday, more concerning areas of practice which really bothers me. Had a meeting where they effectively told me to lie to the inspectors next week and tell them how great they are... I'm not about to burn any bridges but I will be honest if I am asked a question! 

Anyway, started this morning with a nice walk, was chilly but sunny. Have had to spend on a new aquarium filter as mine has completely packed up, so thought I'd buy a couple of festive gifts while it's a spend day. Also put my festive food order in, slots opened at 6am this morning, I logged in at 7.30 when I woke up and was number 20000 and something in the queue! Did make me laugh. I only ordered a veggie starter, main and dessert so that my mum doesn't have to worry about providing for me as she gets in a bit of a faff about vegetarian food bless her.

DawnW

Afternoon all

NSD 4 / 15, slow start, but improving!

Decluttering has slowed down though, still on 22 / 60 (I think). Must try harder.