NST January 2022: Janus

lcc86

Had a couple of spends yesterday after I posted. Got a voucher for a free simplycook box (usually a tenner), only had to pay postage. I like getting them when they're on special offer so I did. Then they sent a voucher for a free shampoo bar, again just to pay postage. I do actually use shampoo bars and it worked out a similar price to the one I usually get so I ordered that too. Less than a tenner spent on both.

Today has been a NSD though. Up early to help out at RDA, then went to see my pony, then went for a swim, home for lunch and a quick doze and am now at work. Doing some overtime and it's super quiet so not complaining. Have done loads of steps throughout the day and general exercise with pony and the swimming, and now cleaning at work, so feeling pretty knackered. 

OH is still testing positive for Covid and I'm still testing negative, we'll see how long that lasts.

cybertortoise

Evening all.

Delicious beef and veg soup for dinner today, made form the leftover dodgy veg and the beef i'd saved. I liked it, kids not so much. I made a sourdough loaf to go with it, that didn't rise as well as I'd have wanted but tasted good especially with the soup. I saved the leftover soup for myself for tomorrow. The kids can have random stuff out of the freezer while I enjoy my soup.

NSD 2/16 today, again an easy one as I have no money except about 38p in the change pot

I did manage to get some washing out but then it started raining so it's on the airer now. Sorted through the food cupboards and wrote everything down we have, emptied the fridge of the non-edible stuff and now that's a Mother Hubbard type situation except all we have in the fridge is condiments and some cheese singles

I've done a bit of my essay that's due on the 10th, my bed was made and the dishwasher has been on. The xmas decs are down but I need to find somewhere to shove them as I've commandeered their space under the stairs and no ladder to get into the loft. I've felt quite productive despite not getting my steps in. I was hoping to go to the library tomorrow as DD and I have finished reading The Twits and need a new bedtime story book but I forgot it was a bank holiday, I may walk the dog instead or go for a wander. We still don't really know the area despite living in this house for 14 months but we moved in between lockdowns so couldn't go out much.

Good night all xx

greent

2 big Xmas trees undecorated and taken down today - DH and DS1 can put everything back in the loft tomorrow. Robovac went around a few times but should really also go around with the proper vac tomorrow to get in all the corners properly.

Tomorrow I need to get my bag ready for work on Tues and make sure the kids get theirs ready for school. I've also got some ironing to do and Xmas cards to cut up for tags And probably 2 loads of laundry.

Thankful for Xmas food being eaten.up - I can see normality returning, DH stripping and remaking our bed, heated airer - too mild for heating but too wet for washing outside (on/ off drizzle all day - ground never dried out)

Esmeralda2662

Went to town to get CD mailing box to send a slim present abroad but couldn't find one, even in WHSniffs. Saw small jiffy bag for 99p but thought i have one I can reuse at home so put it back.

OH bought YS leg of lamb from SM so split it into 3 joints. I think he used his Dr*mel multitool to cut it up but i didn't ask! Cooked one in slowcooker and it tasted great. Gave one as a present and froze the other.

Bought a craft wire set from The W*rks reduced to £1 and 2 sweet potatoes to go with dinner. At least it's a start in cutting back.

Lovely walk by river, early drink in pub then out before they started lunches. It's nice and warm in there but equally no ventilation.

Fed stray cat on industrial site in middle of nowhere as I drove to friends house. Luckily other people feed him too so hopefully he gets a couple of meals a day till the workers go back.

My sister, BIL, niece and toddler all have covid which is a worry. Her lovely  neighbour got som shopping in for her and left it outside yesterday and we took cooked meal today and left it on doormat.

Back to work Tuesday so I've made frozen Thai sweet potato and squash soup to take as lunch. Need to sort out clothes, earphones, flasks and safety shoes to avoid mad rush.

Gratitudes today: nice sunny weather after so many grey drizzly days, the Robin coming down for food, a pint in the pub and a nice walk. Happy days!

Wishing you all a good first week X

ditty1234

Morning all. Braving the scales this morning made me realise I have a new challenge which is relosing weight! So targets are set for that. 
I also reviewed debt and re added the debt I thought was inactive, but Intrum has told me otherwise, so htat was a bit of a blow. But I got their payment info and have made first payment.
I need to pay for my swimming, but I prefer to do that up front, as I hated the change last term. WHo has £3 on a Tuesday?

I had family social arranged and cancelled since yesterday, which I'm pretty happy with, as 'I've got stuff to do'.

00) Write up my turtle commitments. Mainly - look after my family and do my job, in style. 1/a few.
1) summarise 3 interviews: One started will need editing 0.5/3
2) Do draft feedback for 3 presentations from before Christmas - 0/3
3) Clean and put glass back in ancestor portrait frame that broke last week. Frame is glued, but pastel drawing and backing needs resetting into frame. 
4) Empty a cabinet in ds2's room, still full of ds1's stuff. 
5) Vacuum house
6) Apply for carers grant, possibly a carers stipend started
7) Get all beds changed and washed.
8) Not get stressed over clashing priorities.
9) Get bike work ready for tomorrow

Well I was trying to highlight the things I will try to do today! And I guess it's just all of it as it's all gettin gready to start my new job tomorrow which I am stressed about and it wakes me up at 5 - so might just as well get as ready as I can.
The other job is meal plan and detailed food and general scheduling for the week, as I have already gotten a couple of things wrong.
Also need to catch up on reading. Happy Monday everybody.
 

DawnW

Good luck with your new job @ditty1234

Esmeralda2662

Good luck for your new job tomorrow @ditty1234!

abundant1972

Good morning 🌞 everyone!

Am very impressed with everyone's drive and activity - feeling inspired to go on a de-clutter rampage. Can definitely empathise with people who have cleared their fridges/taken a cupboard inventory and found things to be slightly lacking haha!!! My bag of out-dated limp looking spinach may have to be condemned - but not to worry - I have 1 yoghurt, 1/2 loaf of bread and a WHOLE pack of Quorn slices!!! Freezer just has about 8 ready meals in to use up, then I am due a defrost. Got a shed load of pasta, rice and a jar of tomato pasta sauce so I think I can get to mid month easy. Also bought a stash of HUEL last month so can migrate to that when needed. 

01-01-22: NSD number 1
02-01-22: Spend Day (planned purchase). 

Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind; trying to get into good habits so went for a lovely walk just after sunrise, went to Dad's and we went to see Mum in her new Nursing Home. Last year was very trying with Mum (Alzheimer's) trying to manage her at home - and in the end it just got too much, even with carers 4/day. She went into respite and then we moved her into a local home. I admit I am struggling - miss her loads - and getting 1 hour a week from days at a time with her is really hard. I feel guilty every time I leave - but am trying to reframe it positively. She is safe, she has round the clock care and input with activities that we just couldn't give whilst trying to work. Dad was no company for her as he would just watch TV. She doesn't recognise me now, and didn't know where she was - so we took the decision to take her into care. It is a huge weight off my mind, and I feel I have my life back again - and trying not to feel guilty for feeling that too!

Goals for this year are to finally get in shape mentally, physically and emotionally - and so am building on the habits I had started last year like walking (have reduced the step count from 7.5K to 5K until I can achieve that daily), mindfulness (reduced from 20 minutes to just 10 until I've nailed that) and gym 3/week (was mostly doing that). My comfort eating remains the main issue - but hopefully now life is less stressful I won't feel the need so much - plus - am not buying in junk food that I know I will demolish at the first sign of trouble lol. 

Thoughts go out to you Mothernerd - I hope your Mum is ok and gets home soon - and use this break as a chance to focus on yourself and have a bit of a recharge x Good look Ditty with the job interviews as/when they happen. CrazyCatLady - right there with you with the whole debt scenario... Was debt free then slumped back into bad habits and here I am again. We can keep each other company on the ride back to freedom haha!!! So lovely to see so many familiar faces on here again.

Keep up the great work everyone!!! 

f0xh0les

Turtle 'good vibes' coming your way for tomorrow Ditty. You can does this, remember you have a turtle army at your back.

I still have 3 kids needing haircuts, one kid needing school shoes, one kid needing a clothes shopping spree, and 48 hours to do it in.    I think I am going to have to cut off the internet until they submit to my demands.  Or start screaming. Either or.

I have 2 kids in school/college on Wednesday (possibly only in for an hour for one of them), 2 on Thursday, and 3 on Friday.  So One lunchbox on Wednesday, Two on Thursday, and Three on Friday.  

Going otter hunting again after lunch. Trying to keep away from a shop until tomorrow.

mothernerd

f0xh0les said:

Turtle 'good vibes' coming your way for tomorrow Ditty. You can does this, remember you have a turtle army at your back.

I still have 3 kids needing haircuts, one kid needing school shoes, one kid needing a clothes shopping spree, and 48 hours to do it in.    I think I am going to have to cut off the internet until they submit to my demands.  Or start screaming. Either or.

I have 2 kids in school/college on Wednesday (possibly only in for an hour for one of them), 2 on Thursday, and 3 on Friday.  So One lunchbox on Wednesday, Two on Thursday, and Three on Friday.  

Going otter hunting again after lunch. Trying to keep away from a shop until tomorrow.

My brain really isn't working. You were talking about lunchboxes and then said you were going otter hunting and my brain went "Otter sandwiches in the lunchboxes?" Sorry f0xh0les.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts - finally got through to the hospital and mum is sleeping a lot, still on IV fluids and ate some ice cream yesterday.