NST December A - Z

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#7
Woke lots in the night due to my boosted arm aching, it's more my armpit today.
Was going to meet a friend in town & do a CS trawl, but we decided against it due to the rise in numbers. Went for a 5 mile walk with hubby instead, delivered some cards & a present. Wrapped up some presents for the neighbours & friends, then unpicked some coat zips.
Did the ironing after tea, then painted my nails & did some knitting.
Grateful for a dry day, teal nail varnish, having fun wrapping presents

ditty1234

Hi all apologies for missing a few days but I'm feeling a few weeks behind anyways. I am getting used to my new roles and not really excelling at anything.
What I did do put a bedframe half way together on friday after finding out the mattress is not showing up til Monday. This has left ds2 in a spin, sleeping on the floor and not able to move out of what is his fav room. The bed is for ds1 and I think ds2 feels a bit under prioritised and he is a poor student. 
At the same time my it has broken down over the last few weeks. I have freelance work to do and carer things to do. I will go to argos or curries and get something today. Or I could call cex?
This means that instead of focussing on giving and sorting I'm in a tech spin. And my phone is dying as well, but I have now decided to refresh phone, with glass and battery if possible. An old Chinese thingy, but its dainty and I like that. 
So I have also tidied up dining room table.
Counted out medication for the week after a serious fail that happened friday when I was out.
Cleaned house, except bathroom. Got glass barrier down, handy man came by on Friday the middle of the whole whirlwind. 
I now need to sort out 2 rooms full of bits and pieces, nick knacks and kiddy stuff uni stuff left behind stuff and no third place to put things while we get it organised any   ideas? And doing it with 2 edgy frail but yet opinionated and resourceful adults? Who some how wanted the house to be ready and all decorate for Christmas?
The decorations are all still in the attic!

Grate for to healthy young men (one with a few adaptations). Grateful for a whole house to sort out. And for somehow being ok w money if I'm carful.
And you guessed it. No nsd days oops.

mothernerd

ditty1234 said:

Hi all apologies for missing a few days but I'm feeling a few weeks behind anyways. I am getting used to my new roles and not really excelling at anything.
What I did do put a bedframe half way together on friday after finding out the mattress is not showing up til Monday. This has left ds2 in a spin, sleeping on the floor and not able to move out of what is his fav room. The bed is for ds1 and I think ds2 feels a bit under prioritised and he is a poor student. 
At the same time my it has broken down over the last few weeks. I have freelance work to do and carer things to do. I will go to argos or curries and get something today. Or I could call cex?
This means that instead of focussing on giving and sorting I'm in a tech spin. And my phone is dying as well, but I have now decided to refresh phone, with glass and battery if possible. An old Chinese thingy, but its dainty and I like that. 
So I have also tidied up dining room table.
Counted out medication for the week after a serious fail that happened friday when I was out.
Cleaned house, except bathroom. Got glass barrier down, handy man came by on Friday the middle of the whole whirlwind. 
I now need to sort out 2 rooms full of bits and pieces, nick knacks and kiddy stuff uni stuff left behind stuff and no third place to put things while we get it organised any   ideas? And doing it with 2 edgy frail but yet opinionated and resourceful adults? Who some how wanted the house to be ready and all decorate for Christmas?
The decorations are all still in the attic!

Grate for to healthy young men (one with a few adaptations). Grateful for a whole house to sort out. And for somehow being ok w money if I'm carful.
And you guessed it. No nsd days oops.

Lots of hugs and sympathy.
When the boys were all at home (3 boys and me in a 2 bed terrace) and we needed to do a room swap, I would line the bath with plastic bags or a clean tarpaulin and pile stuff up in the the bath  - bedding and clothes in bin bags, toy boxes full of stuff and full drawers of clothing etc. Once you're above tap height it's safe to add papers and more fragile stuff. At times it was piled nearly to the ceiling. Just leave the toilet accessible.

With all the bulk out of the way, it's easy to move empty items of furniture (if needed) and arrange rooms how you want them and then put things back. If it's going to take a while, make sure everyone's bedding is to hand so that you can all get in bed and start again in the morning.

Hope that helps. 

mothernerd

Sunday 19th December 2021
Following on from ditty's post, as many of you will know the 'big brown box' is one of my preferred methods of tidying. Works extremely well with paperwork but can be adapted for many kinds of stuff. This is stuff you mostly need to keep it just never arrived at it's destination or you're in the middle of sorting.

I was once 'inspected' by the mother of a boy DS2 had invited round to play. I was about to do my 2nd year accountancy exams and was studying, sitting in the middle of the couch with open files and textbooks on either side of me (four subjects but the exam questions would overlap so that a small component to a question would require in depth knowledge on several areas) and a stool in front of me with a jigsaw board on top for a a desk. I'd just started a second p-t job so anything apart from working, studying and keeping the boys alive was in abeyance.

The method also works when your m-i-l comes to stay the night for the first time, you've just moved back into the house (squeezing in the contents of 2 houses) and you are pregnant. Of course your partner leaves soon after the tidy/ clean up commences to go and meet his mother, take her for a meal and to a concert and come back several hours later. 

You go round the house with a big brown box (toybox/ bin bag/ laundry basket - whatever you have to hand) and pick stuff up - from the floor, surfaces, back of chairs. Put it on or under your bed (for now - it shouldn't still be there in 6 months) and then do the sweep/ wipe/ mop/ plump cushions through the house. Pause for a break (you deserve it), put something in the oven if you offered to do food. You may have time to find homes for some of the stuff (and your partner will spend what's left of the evening alternately looking at you and then going off to find where on earth you put everything because he left a completely different house 6+ hours ago).

There's a thread on old style (think it's Slob lady) for failed fly ladies (closed thread). An absolutely wonderful read, very funny and 'inspirational' in a 'you never did anything this bad' kind of way - one of my favourites was the woman who hid her laundry mountain in the boot of her car when unexpected visitors announced they were on their way.

If you don't have a garage or a shed there are lots of places which can be used as 'stuff refuges'. Tables covered with floor length cloths (I've been using the garden table with a covering tarpaulin as a makeshift garden shed for several years - just for things that will be used in the garden but are stacked neatly out of sight rather than all over the yard), baskets (I had 3 wonderful oval ones that held a lot and could do duty as toy boxes, bedding storage - had to use the space on top of wardrobes but wanted something that would blend in more than plastic storage boxes) and made excellent side tables (the lids also made trays/ platters - used them at my mother's surprise 80th birthday).

At Christmas you may even be able to get away with candlelight, throws and stray bits of tinsel.

mothernerd

Wide awake at 2.30 am so have ordered food both here and at home to be delivered on the 29th. have included lots of cheats (prepared veg) and a few treats (not too many as neither mum nor myself is properly well). I want mum to have plenty of options (particularly healthy ones). Did try to do a small order for this week from Icyland but mum has no room for the things she asked me to get (chips, wedges, frozen mash potato nuggets and frozen baked potatoes - she has baking potatoes which can be done 4 at a time on her spike thing) because of all the 'meals' she has made (chicken and rice, fish pie - a layer of fish with a topping of mash, cauliflower cheese (made with packet sauce) and it's all white and bland.

Hopefully can be ordered later in the week - at least one or two and can get basic salad ingredients and things like pasta salad and dips. Lamb and brisket were cooked last night and the last of the chicken is in the fridge so will slice and divide those in a bit (should be enough of each for two good dinners). Pigs in blankets, mini eclairs and a few frozen party bits are in the bottom freezer drawer along with extra bacon and sausage, battered fish, at least a third of the last bag of chips and the fridge has a wide variety of fruit (melon, grapes) to tempt her into getting more vitamins and colour into her diet. 

So should be okay for basic and festive food with back ups of tinned soup, rice pudding and fruit - lots of easy options. Not asked yet about whether she wats me to spend Christmas and New Year with her (most likely answer 'not bothered' or 'please yourself' so I have to decide and she's free to blame me whichever I say). Might just opt for DS3 and takeaway curry (as a fall back then add my own bits). She keeps saying she wants me to move back to my house and she can look after herself (but adds daily to the list of jobs I will still be allowed to do for her). I'm not abandoning her but a couple of days apart would be bliss (no fuss food with lots of flavour, a pile of books and Ds3's undemanding company sounds like bliss).

I think I should be able to sleep at home after Tuesday (when the additional bed is delivered) but will still be stuff at both ends. Think I'm going to try for 6 bags a day in the taxi with me. Have already packed a bag for life with flour (mum can't use wholemeal and no idea what she'd think about gram flour) and another with sugar (dark muscovado, light muscovado, demerara) all in storage jars - spent most of last years present money on storage jars (all reduced to half price, of course). May do the next cupboard and have got the spice jars out but not yet wiped and packed (will at least take one of each so I can space the shelves correctly). Just found a clean dress, leggings and a tunic, hidden between the pile of bedcovers I washed - thought I might have to wear something I suspect is mum's old pj bottoms (another one for the discard pile). 

I've half written a flow chart - if I finish emptying the freezer at my house, I can clean it out and then switch it back on. The food in the small freezer can move across after a few hours and tomorrow I can move all the things from the fridge/ freezer here that are mine. This one can then be turned off in preparation for the move (that bit's variable - the man and van and large bulky bits could happen between Christmas and New Year or even later. Will see how much lugging heavy bags about takes out of me. 

Okay I'm now actively avoiding work but I think I genuinely need to rest a while longer (was packing stuff shortly after 2 am). Still lots of the day left, I can read for a bit, have lunch with mum and if I can sort more things for the food bank (thinking packets of microwave rice etc - not too heavy) and will buy mum some baskets to go on a shelf so all her packet sauces/ custard can be arranged and easily seen rather than all jammed in together (with the back ups in her room in one of my bags I believe - no wonder I'm struggling for bags.

I have a plan, here I go.
  

Buffythedebtslayer

mothernerd said:

Wide awake at 2.30 am so have ordered food both here and at home to be delivered on the 29th. have included lots of cheats (prepared veg) and a few treats (not too many as neither mum nor myself is properly well). I want mum to have plenty of options (particularly healthy ones). Did try to do a small order for this week from Icyland but mum has no room for the things she asked me to get (chips, wedges, frozen mash potato nuggets and frozen baked potatoes - she has baking potatoes which can be done 4 at a time on her spike thing) because of all the 'meals' she has made (chicken and rice, fish pie - a layer of fish with a topping of mash, cauliflower cheese (made with packet sauce) and it's all white and bland.

Hopefully can be ordered later in the week - at least one or two and can get basic salad ingredients and things like pasta salad and dips. Lamb and brisket were cooked last night and the last of the chicken is in the fridge so will slice and divide those in a bit (should be enough of each for two good dinners). Pigs in blankets, mini eclairs and a few frozen party bits are in the bottom freezer drawer along with extra bacon and sausage, battered fish, at least a third of the last bag of chips and the fridge has a wide variety of fruit (melon, grapes) to tempt her into getting more vitamins and colour into her diet. 

So should be okay for basic and festive food with back ups of tinned soup, rice pudding and fruit - lots of easy options. Not asked yet about whether she wats me to spend Christmas and New Year with her (most likely answer 'not bothered' or 'please yourself' so I have to decide and she's free to blame me whichever I say). Might just opt for DS3 and takeaway curry (as a fall back then add my own bits). She keeps saying she wants me to move back to my house and she can look after herself (but adds daily to the list of jobs I will still be allowed to do for her). I'm not abandoning her but a couple of days apart would be bliss (no fuss food with lots of flavour, a pile of books and Ds3's undemanding company sounds like bliss).

I think I should be able to sleep at home after Tuesday (when the additional bed is delivered) but will still be stuff at both ends. Think I'm going to try for 6 bags a day in the taxi with me. Have already packed a bag for life with flour (mum can't use wholemeal and no idea what she'd think about gram flour) and another with sugar (dark muscovado, light muscovado, demerara) all in storage jars - spent most of last years present money on storage jars (all reduced to half price, of course). May do the next cupboard and have got the spice jars out but not yet wiped and packed (will at least take one of each so I can space the shelves correctly). Just found a clean dress, leggings and a tunic, hidden between the pile of bedcovers I washed - thought I might have to wear something I suspect is mum's old pj bottoms (another one for the discard pile). 

I've half written a flow chart - if I finish emptying the freezer at my house, I can clean it out and then switch it back on. The food in the small freezer can move across after a few hours and tomorrow I can move all the things from the fridge/ freezer here that are mine. This one can then be turned off in preparation for the move (that bit's variable - the man and van and large bulky bits could happen between Christmas and New Year or even later. Will see how much lugging heavy bags about takes out of me. 

Okay I'm now actively avoiding work but I think I genuinely need to rest a while longer (was packing stuff shortly after 2 am). Still lots of the day left, I can read for a bit, have lunch with mum and if I can sort more things for the food bank (thinking packets of microwave rice etc - not too heavy) and will buy mum some baskets to go on a shelf so all her packet sauces/ custard can be arranged and easily seen rather than all jammed in together (with the back ups in her room in one of my bags I believe - no wonder I'm struggling for bags.

I have a plan, here I go.
  

I think you are amazing XXX And you should rest! XX 

ldee2111

I’m filled with should I / shouldn’t I questions every day at the moment. And I’m finding it brain exhausting. Every day I’m asking myself ’am I making the right decision?’

I questioned going to the football yesterday with OH, MIL & FIL, and decided not to. Instead I took DS to a park. He had fun whizzing about on his scooter but did ask a few times ’Mum, why are we not at the football?’

However, OH and I are going with friends to a restaurant for dinner tonight and I’m also going to have lunch with my best friend tomorrow. I’ve asked myself many times ‘am I making the right decision?’

Maybe there is no right decision. 

Back to being an NST! 

As well as exhausting myself with questions about going places, I’ve also expended a lot of energy resisting thoughts of buying ‘stuff’. No rhyme or reason - just an urge to buy. It must be a seasonal disorder. 

Sunday sweep into savings for holiday (hopefully)

Food £2

Transport £45

Leisure £0

Grateful today for a good whack of house cleaning, a relaxing bath, and for dinner later with friends.

mothernerd

ldee2111 said:

I’m filled with should I / shouldn’t I questions every day at the moment. And I’m finding it brain exhausting. Every day I’m asking myself ’am I making the right decision?’

I questioned going to the football yesterday with OH, MIL & FIL, and decided not to. Instead I took DS to a park. He had fun whizzing about on his scooter but did ask a few times ’Mum, why are we not at the football?’

However, OH and I are going with friends to a restaurant for dinner tonight and I’m also going to have lunch with my best friend tomorrow. I’ve asked myself many times ‘am I making the right decision?’

Maybe there is no right decision. 

Back to being an NST! 

As well as exhausting myself with questions about going places, I’ve also expended a lot of energy resisting thoughts of buying ‘stuff’. No rhyme or reason - just an urge to buy. It must be a seasonal disorder. 

Sunday sweep into savings for holiday (hopefully)

Food £2

Transport £45

Leisure £0

Grateful today for a good whack of house cleaning, a relaxing bath, and for dinner later with friends.

It's difficult - I originally agreed to go to DS1's for Christmas even though I thought it was risky. But the 2 most at risk my mother and my ex (who has permanent life expectancy of 2 weeks) weren't bothered so I thought well if either / both dies afterwards at least everyone will have seen them recently rather than months ago. Mum suggested we cancel last week as I am ill and struggling to recover. DS1 did not take it well - I am a blue meanie and disinvited/ banned from Christmas. 

I've just had a lecture from DS3 because I said I was bringing presents and he still wants to know where his is (it was a happy new bathroom present so two bathmats and two towels and Beloved got an advent calendar (36 variety pack of her favourite brand tea bags). Anyway I've disappointed him 3 times and I shouldn't use the word present if it's not something he'll enjoy. I did offer to take him to the zoo but he said I wouldn't be able to walk round and the new bedding is nice (I was daft enough to ask what his other disappointments were) - he got the bedding when he cleaned the mattress and sprayed all the black mould in the corners of the ceiling

I'm so ill (bug taking over, really run down and everything hurts today) and so tired and fed up of pushing myself to do anything especially the mammoth workload of the last week (a couple of 12 hour days although I do take lots of rest breaks and do as much as possible sitting down) and so tired of doing stuff for other people and coping with their drama. Just for a moment it crossed my mind that maybe everyone was right and I'm a rubbish mum and perhaps I should go in a corner and ( I wouldn't ever, it's just the longing to lie down quietly and not have to get up, ever again - and I have crisis line numbers to phone if logical brain doesn't get back on top, so don't worry). I've just had a little cry and the pills seem to be kicking in and the semi permanent headache has receded a bit.

I keep wanting to spend money too. It's not huge amounts but I've really spent all I can afford for now and there are lots of jobs to be done next year - new back gate and fence (seeing as my hand went through it), carpet on the stairs, get someone to board and skim the hole in the kitchen ceiling, lots of paintwork that needs to be touched up and the missing roof slates (which is causing the black mould). Not vast sums but more than I have to spare right now and I'm sad that small things that could make life so much easier, feel so out of reach right now.

I'm grateful for my sons (even when I want to pick them up and shake them - ow that would hurt my back), for lovely simple dinner, for finding a chocolate bar when I needed it.

lcc86

Evening turtles 

NSD 10 today. Did a sleep in at work last night, woke up feeling absolutely shattered despite sleeping OK, then worked until midday. Spent a bit of time with my share pony, he was grumpy today so it wasn't the best time! Fell asleep on the sofa for about 30 minutes, got in the bath and have just eaten. All in all a pretty dull day but I'm not complaining. 

Got a plasterer coming tomorrow to skim the hallway so need to make sure it's cleared out tonight ready for him to get started, he's coming at 8am! OH is usually still in bed then so he'll be in for a shock lol.

Thrifty_Taylor

Sending hugs to all that need one or two x
Was woken early by one of the cats chasing something he'd brought into the bathroom. Hubby went to check, dead mouse, he said he'd sort it later. I got up before him, so bravely (don't like mice or rats) disposed of it, went into the kitchen. It was light enough to see, but as I didn't look at my feet I stepped in some 😺🤮!!! Great start to the day...
Replaced two coat zips, then gave the bathroom a deep clean. Dropped both neighbours presents off, chatted with one for an hour, then came home & wrapped presents.
Watched most of a sprout day film with DS1, after he & DS3 had driven me crackers tormenting each other. You'd think at nearly 20 years old, he'd know what stop meant!!! Went for a soak in the bath, cut short cos there was a tap on the door to say the toilet was needed.
Phonecall from a colleague having to isolate, giving me her lesson plan for the next couple of days. Roll on the holidays...
Grateful for getting jobs done, a clean bathroom, good books