NST November 2021: Turtle Strength

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks for December's thread @mothernerd.

A great couple of days. Storm Arwen was very strong on our island yesterday, we had a red weather warning. Pupils all sent home from school at 1pm, but us staff had to stay a bit longer. Drove to my mum's, went shopping together, whilst it was still light, then had a girly night at her house. We put on a facemask (had a backing film on my it, so she used it first, then I put the reverse side on my face), did some knitting, watched TV & chatted. A bit icy this morning & a smattering of snow, so I took her to work. Pleased I could use my T0sco gift card from T0pc4shb4ck, only had to spend £1.89 for a big bag of food for sprout day. Today I used my free £10 at L1dl to get a few more bits. Saw ys big packs of chicken breasts, so bought 3! Spotted a Big Yin book in a CS that I'd not heard of, so treated myself to that.
Went for a breezy walk with hubby when I returned home, then cut out pieces for a memory bear.
Grateful for a girly time with mum, a nice walk with hubby, no damage caused in the storm, 'free' food

Esmeralda2662

What weather! Didn't expect snow this morning.  We were supposed to go to craft fair and miniature railway ride to help raise funds but it was so wet, windy and cold we didn't go. Such a shame. See what tomorrow brings.

This afternoon took mum to fetch her new wall lights as shop rang during the week to say they had arrived. Drove 15 miles and when we got there they were shut despite opening times saying 10-5. Don't know why but maybe their day hasn't been brilliant.

Did some food shopping in T*sco which made a nice change, a look in the charity shops and mum got another present on her list. Got curry selection for dinner, quick and easy.

Very worried when we got home and were unpacking our shopping as mum started to tell me something and it suddenly turned into a jumble of strange words. My blood literally ran cold, a stroke immediately sprang to mind. We sat and had a cup of tea for 5 minutes and she said she thought it was a migraine as she'd had heat haze vision and a headache. She won't go to hospital so will see how she is. She's been knitting tonight - not sure whether that's to convince me or herself that she is ok, but I'm taking it as a good sign so far. Shes got a blood test on Monday and says she may mention it then.

We were going to see the village Christmas lights switched on at 6pm but decided to miss it after the funny turn.

Still on 2/15 NSD and no decluttering.

Gratitudes: That mum seems ok after her funny turn, we had a nice dinner together and we're indoors in the warm.

Night night x

lcc86

Afternoon turtles, hope everyone is managing to stay dry and warm!

Spend day yesterday as OH and I went away overnight as a treat for his birthday. He paid for lunch (without me knowing, he waited till I popped to the bathroom!), I paid for dinner. We didn't manage to do much outdoors because of the weather but we had a cozy time indoors, probably drank a bit too much but hey ho!

Went for a little walk this morning on our way home, sun was out and the wind wasn't as bad but still cold! Went to see my share horse this afternoon but didn't ride, just spent a bit of time with him. Today has been NSD 16, am aiming for 17 this month, I'm sure I can get there.

Looking forward to a cosy night in front of the TV and simple food for dinner.

ditty1234

Hi just to state i am grateful for heating being fixed, before this weekend, for ds1 keeping calm in a 18 day self isolation in care home, and for a lovely christmas fair trip yesterday. 

Kerry_Woman

NSD 22 today.  Friday and Saturday were low spends days. Brought tv mags, weekly bus pass and put money into a collection in work for someone who is leaving. Went to an event yesterday, did not spend any money there, just looked around stalls, manor house and herb garden I brought my own refreshments from home to the event. Finally used up some herbal teabags today that I had in cupboard for ages.
Grateful for:
Coping alright when I attended my Mum's grave.
Speaking to my brother and sister on the phone.
Putting up the Christmas tree, crib and a couple of decorations. Also two Advent calendars.
Writing out the Christmas cards.  Have enough left over for next year. 

mothernerd

Hugs Kerry Woman.

Claiming 50 declutter points for today. Was going to try walking to my house again but it was trying to snow so called for a taxi. Sorted mum's lunch out before I went. Put a small chicken joint in to cook and told her to take the foil off after an hour and put her chips in then as well. DS3 and Beloved were both awake and sitting downstairs on the couch (Beloved just had time to wrap a cover around herself because she'd washed all her nighties and was waiting for them to dry. Asked DS3 if he had bicarbed his mattress - No. Said I was going to throw out all the old pillows and the quilt so he needed to help if he wanted to have somewhere to sleep. 

Bicarbed the mattress and covered the bed with a tarpaulin, told DS3 he needed to spray anti mould on a ll the black bits (only near the top of the ceiling), so he did that. I did a bit in the bathroom (wet the floor and used DS3's old underpants to get stuff off the lino - he has recently bought himself all new ones, so the 5 - 6 year old ones could be used to mop up before bagging for the bin). he did the spraying and we left the bicarb for about 3 hours. 

I bagged rubbish from the landing and under the chairs (3 small bags worth) and then asked Beloved if it was okay to get some of the stuff in her room. Well I must have thrown out 10 15 bin bags worth of stuff (not just Beloved's - the old bedding took about 4), 4 -5 sacks of mainly plastic bottles. Pulled the bedding off DS3's bed (mostly mine - it should be white/ off white but currently pale yellow. Emptied washer and put the bedding in. have told DS3 he can try to get his special pillow clean and there is one regular one that might be redeemable but if he can't get them clean they are also going. Probably ripped up 10 - 20 cardboard boxes and filled several with odd bits of paper. Put a board and a large cobble on top of the pile in the bin and managed to det several more loads in. Board and cobble had been in the green bin overnight so filled the space I'd made.

Have found a few plates, cups and quite a bit of cutlery - I took 3 piles downstairs and DS3 took the first one - getting upstairs is such a chore that I wanted to as much as possible when I was up there. Beloved asked DS3 to bring me drinks up so I didn't need to go down. Picked up clothes and towels as I found them and put them on the end of the bed - some just needs a good shake, some will need washing (one load in Ds3's room). Went downstairs and DS3 ordered and paid for hot food for me. Ate and sat telling myself I had to get up again. Was muttering that I would not cry and would not feel sorry for myself. Ds3 said something and I nearly broke - he was trying to make me laugh.

We both went back upstairs, I set him to brushing off all the bicarb and then to flip the mattress for good measure. Sent him back downstairs for the new bedding and he only brought half of it. told him to bring me the set that was at the top of the stairs and then go for the rest. I had put one pillowcase on when he got back with the box. He did most of it, but I helped with the corners and pulling the duvet cover all the way down whilst he held the duvet and cover up. I swept as much as I could from under his bed (my bed) and swept it onto the landing as he was ready for going to bed. Told him he had to have a bath before lying on the new bedding. 

He did that and I went back to Beloved's room. DS3 had been given the job of taking bags downstairs or out of the bedroom window, every time he came upstairs. Beloved helped with the bottles and took a pile of pickle jars and poured the vinegar down the toilet (she'd screwed the lids on tight so there  were no accidents and I knew I wouldn't be able to unscrew them. The were a lot of bottles with some liquid in the bottom and beloved said she wouldn't trust the contents, so we poured those down the toilet - some coke in the mix so the toilet is looking a lot better with very little effort. Bathroom floor is quite clean (very much improved but a few stubborn spots to tackle.

I've wiped the bars on the heated towel rail, the near side edge of the bath and part of the sink., beloved will tackle a bit every time she goes in there. Took nearly all the paper to the bin and tossed out 4 large and  5 small bags out on to the pile. It was getting icy again so phoned for a taxi (was intending to call at the little shop on the walk to the taxi office). They said it would be half an hour so put my things ready by the door and started to unload the dishwasher. Taxi was only a few minutes so didn't have time to load it up. Glad to be back here (and that the pavements were okay) although the handrail is icing up.

Had a shower and crawled onto the bed. Washed my hair as well and have wrapped a large cotton bedspread round my shoulders (was over my head as well but slipped down now but hair is already dry). I probably look like I have a baby duck on my head but never mind. Going to read my book and maybe watch more 'Call the Midwife' (chocolate or a chocolate muffin may be involved.

Grateful for DS3 making me laugh (after nearly making me cry), being warm and comfy now, clean hair.
 

ldee2111

Staying on NSD 12 after a spendy weekend. 

Friday OH and I took DS to Edinburgh for the Xmas market. The winds were wild and so it was closed by the time we got there 😂. We went to the museum and had lunch. 

Saturday DS and I drove each other mad in the house while OH was at the football. The only way to calm the madness was by taking a trip to the ice cream shop… obviously. 

Today (Sunday) the three of us went for a walk in local woods and then ate out for lunch. 

This evening I roasted a chicken, potatoes, and made Yorkshire puddings. And now I’m about to strip the remaining meat to use in a couple of dinners this week. 

Today’s Sunday sweep was £21 from the transport and £2 from the food budgets. We well and truly emptied the leisure account (and some) so zilch to save there. But underspending by £23 this week was just enough to help me hit my monthly goal £161 / £160! 

I very much doubt I’m going to reach decluttering 60 items this month, but I’m pretty pleased with the 33 I have managed. 

Grateful for quality family time, for the outdoors, and for winter treats.

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
28. recipe book
29. Broken flip flops
30. t-shirt 
31. Toddler case
32. Kids joggers x 2
33. Kids boots

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening turtles
Had a busy few days since last posting.  DD2 had a hospital appointment on Thursday for an ongoing issue but all ok for now so we were very relieved. 
On Friday i went to my self employment job, actually in person, was nice to see people after 21 months! Did some other work in the PM then went to my book group. 
Yesterday me and DDs went to the SW to a theatre show - birthday present for DD1, really enjoyed the time with my DDs.  Lovely meal then theatre then wander through town looking at the lights.  Today we went for brunch then dropped DD2 at her boyfriend's then drove home.  Lots of traffic, hold ups and snowy conditions. Not enjoyable but glad to be warm and dry at home with my cats for the eve.  Going to get to bed early ready for a busy 5 day working week
Been spendy everyday.  
Have decluttered a few more things - put out one bag of shredded paper on Friday and decluttered some gifts to DD2's boyfriends family as a thank you for all the kindness they show her and for taking care of her (she's at uni close to them and far from us   Also dropped off some soft plastics at the c00p.  

Gratitudes - enjoying time together with my DDs; having a warm and safe home; not doing any work over the weekend

love Deni x

cuddlymarm

Hi guys
I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of the month already.
A slight spendy day, because DS2 treated us to tickets to the cinema ( Ghostbusters, very good) OH bought sweets and I bought the drinks.
Apart from that I’ve not done much, we had snow this morning but luckily it melted cos the car was frozen solid while we were in the cinema. It could have been really slippery.
Today I’m grateful for heat on in the cinema ( if anything it was a bit warm), the snow not sticking (if I fall down I don’t bounce as well as I used to) and getting round to sorting out the living room ready for the crimbo decs to go up. 

Because we’ve done that I discovered that a had a big pile of books and a few bits to take to the CS, 20 items in all.
The food shop is still stretching out ( I’ve managed 2 weeks in a row that has meant extra off the debt)

Keep well and warm guys

Esmeralda2662

Spent most of today indoors as my niece, toddler and dog came over for the day at short notice. Think she finds it lonely  on her own as she's quite young. Love seeing them but left them to have a nap and bail out for an hour after lunch for a breather. Went on the pretense of buying crumpets and custard and fresh cream to go with the homemade crumble.

Called at the tip shop in passing and bought several items. Got a boxed alphabetical punch set, 2 church window shaped mirrored candle sconces, a boxed set of chalk pastels and various craft bits and bobs for £6.

Luckily I didn't buy the large and beautiful Italian nativity set they had for £20 so a small victory although i wish i'd  bought it now! (I already have 3 so enough is enough). I'm sure this spending is my way of coping with stress and stopping mental emotional  overload. At least that's how it feels in my head. Candy floss for the brain! 😂

Went home and we all had a lovely dinner and pudding and cleared everything up once they left at 6pm. Thank goodness for the dishwasher.

Still on 2/15 NSD and even that is a miracle!

Decluttering: All my decluttering efforts undone this week by buying bits and bobs, but gave my niece a pastry brush that she wanted as I had 2 and a packet of crumpets for her supper.

Gave my son £10 to buy some work boots he found locally on FB marketplace as his had disintegrated at work today. His gran had already said she'd buy him new ones for Christmas so these will do till then.

Topped up oil and windscreen washer bottle on my mum's car and checked antifreeze level. Helped her do a covid test before she has her blood test tomorrow. Retuned her bedroom tv as she had gone to sleep and laid on the remote.

Gratitudes: Seeing my mum, niece and great nephew; getting my items from the tip; the village looking pretty in the snow but it not settling too much.

Hope you all have a good week. X