NST January 2022: Janus

DrCarrie

NSD today...am going to make it to 16!

Grateful for:
- getting the washing done
- being nice and warm
- yoga and coffee

x

mothernerd

Funeral went well (everyone I spoke to said it was a lovely service). Was a bit shaky first thing but took my time going through the stages of my morning routine, phoned the printers first thing and the covers for the order of service were ready, so went to collect those. Put the insides in during my CBT session (short final segment as the organisers were trying to phone us to discuss next steps. I'm going onto one to one sessions in about 8 weeks time, need some help negotiating my way through many changes and adding in lots of fun and self-care.

Settled myself with sorting pictures (one and a half boards done but just bundled the rest into the car with us and d-i-l and d-o-l put the rest on when we got to the wake). Put my new dress on after I'd eaten. Was determined to only use a stick not the walker but had a lot of help from DS1 and his wife. I started shaking during parts of the service and had to sit down after the first verse of the second hymn. Brother and my nieces (+bf -love that boy) were in the front pew before the entrance of the coffin, had an empty pew behind them and I'd done 4 orders of service flat in plastic pockets (sprayed and wiped) for my brother and other vulnerable people to use.

At the crematorium I'd approached the undertaker's men as my brother got out of his car and told them he was vulnerable and had to go in and be seated before anyone else. They said of course but then the man by the door who hadn't heard what I'd said was trying to get them to queue by the door. Brother and younger niece got in and when Jackie came out she let my other niece and bf in too, then came to tell me how ill my brother sounded (my baby brother nearly died last May and is extremely vulnerable - a normal cough or cold could kill him, let alone Covid).

Again I left one row of seats empty then at the conclusion I channelled either my grandma or granny from the Giles cartoons and used my stick to give baby brother a prod in the back to make him get up. The bit about donations and the 'wake' were omitted from the order of service (Vicar ran out of space) so none of the church ladies went (will be seeing them on Sunday) but luckily none of the awkward people went (timing things for school coming out time is helpful).

So a smaller than expected number there but all the people I most wanted to see (my cousins and one remaining uncle, some of mum's cousins and families, my immediate family) and because we had so much space, my brother felt safe to stay for several hours. I even consume alcohol - sat at my brother's table and asked niece's bf if that was Toucan beer. It was and I asked if I could have a sip. When I got back to my family table I had a sip of DS1's and shortly after someone had gone to get me another diet coke niece's bf asked if I wanted a drink and I asked for half a Toucan beer. 

I brought 2 large bagfuls home with me - the little pasties will be paired off and frozen tomorrow, have mini pies, quiche, salads, a row of cheese sandwiches on wholemeal bread sandwiches (and left the bread behind and just took the meat out of some) and cakes. Second bag is for DS3 who had to stay behind on poo patrol - he's called out the water company (when he paid to have the camera down, the men said there's a big problem out in the backs and it's their responsibility) and they said they'd be there by the 27th, today or tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be a rest day, gentle pottering if I feel like it. Niece and her bf are coming next week to help sort house stuff. If she's got her car back from my brother there will be cs and tip runs, if not bf is willing to transport stuff in his 100 l rucksack.

Grateful for things going well, lovely socially distanced time with some of my favourite people, being able to walk (venue had lots of 'sections' with wooden bits that were perfect for holding onto).

abundant1972

Good Evening 🌘

Well done Mothernerd for getting through today intact, and for doing an amazing job planning everything. I'm glad the day went well and you could give Mum a nice send off - I bet she would be proud of you. A restful day pottering tomorrow sounds like just the ticket. Don't be surprised if it all catches up with you in the next few days after working so hard to get everything done. Sending you lots of hugs x

DrCarrie - well done on the credit card!... and for not sending the angry email. The number of times I used to do that and get in trouble with my old boss! Many a time I was summoned into her office because she was livid that I had ranted haha! 

Esmerelda / f0xh0les - you might be on to something here. Who needs match-dot-bl**dy-com - I can just go trawl for a hot tall man then pretend I really want said jar of marmalade, and well, law of probability suggests eventually I will meet one who I end up eloping with happily ever after (... mind you my pantry may be full of 100s of jars of marmalade which, I might add, I don't even like!). The price of true love!!!

On the routine front - the last 2 nights I made a conscious effort to be all prepared for the next day, and in bed by 22:00. Read for 30 minutes (a book about the importance of sleep), and even watched my caffeine intake... What happens? Sod's law - both nights I woke at 03:30-04:00 and couldn't get back to sleep so ended up getting up. That literally *never* happens!!! So now I'm more sleep-deprived than ever!!! The irony!!! Haha 🤣 Tonight I thought !!!!!! that and am staying up!

Today I am grateful for: 
1) A more orderly and less stressful day at work
2) A day off tomorrow
3) For making it through to payday tomorrow whoop!

Today = NSD number 20

Catch you all in the morning x Did I mention it's payday?!?! 🤑

Thrifty_Taylor

@mothernerd I'm so glad it all went ok & all the special people were there. Sounds like you have some lovely people to help & support you in the times ahead x
Sorry to hear about your family idee, hope your symptoms are mild & the days pass quickly.
Well done @DrCarrie on reducing your credit cards & outstanding balance.
My day has been totally carp. Had a natter with the two office staff before I came home & my friend in the post office, so cheered me up a bit. Hadn't slept well again last night, so had a half hour nap before tea. Unpicked a very long zip, then replaced it with another for a customer. Spent 52p on my TV paper, after getting 25p off, & used my free stamps for my eboy sales. Watched some TV. Early start tomorrow as I have the dentist before work at the other end of the island. 
Grateful for laughter, being cosy inside when there's a storm blowing a hoolie outside, chocolate

Hugs to all who need one x

apple_muncher

Ditty, I'm sure your week consisted of a lot more than you mentioned, but what you did mention sounds lovely.

DrCarrie, I read 'coffee and rose tea' and wondered what concoction you were brewing up!

Mothernerd, the funeral and wake all sound like they went as well as they could. Well done on your organizing and great that your brother felt safe enough to come along and also linger. Take care of yourself now that it's over, you might well just flop for a while.

apple_muncher

Anyone keen to run Feb? I'm more than happy to set it up...😎

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Morning turtles

That's so good to hear about the funeral mothernerd and being able to spend time with some of your favourite people.  Hope you now have a restful few days.
My parents are visiting today; it was my stepmum's mum's funeral yesterday and she also lived in the region governed by Andy, King of the North.  I haven't seen my dad since last Sept and am looking forward to seeing him  

I used to have a tall man but now I think i prefer marmalade Good luck in your quest abundant 

Better do some work before parents arrive

Happy for you to run feb apple x

love Deni 

abundant1972

Good Morning ⛅

Having a lazy morning 😴 with copious cups of tea, a late breakfast, and working out budgets under my snuggy throw. I love payday, and how I always feel recharged once the coffers have been refilled!!! After much contemplation, I have decided to try for another month of hardcore budgeting - so have paid down £350 off my debts today. I've adjusted spending to allow for extra fuel, and have built in a 'financial freedom' pot where I can throw any loose change, and use to pay off a little extra debt.

I'm aiming for an £80 spend/grocery allowance again (just for me) and will be bulk cooking and continuing to use up old stores. I think all I have left now is some healthy (?!) cereal that is like chewing on potpourri, and some edamame spaghetti and soba noodles. No idea what to use the latter for!!! I read today I can freeze cooked pasta - so might make up some bolognaise with free veggie mince I got this month with edamame spaghetti and freeze.  I have a reasonable stash of Huel Savoury bags in which will do me a fair few meals too, plus £11 points on my N*ctar Card.

I have allocated funds for birthday cards (3 this month). I promised myself I would try and go on a date this month too so will put aside a small allowance for this.  

Today I am grateful for: 
1) A secure job and income to allow me live
2) The internet and how easy and accessible life is with it
3) Food in my cupboards, and for never going hungry

On that note I think I will look up where my local food bank is and make a donation there, next time I do a shop. 

Of course we still have a few days left of January, so not planning on a spend day (as have no funds from Jan budget haha). I will use the next 4 days left to reflect on my successes this month, and clear the decks of any physical and emotional debris ready for a brand new month starting next Tuesday ✨

Today = NSD number 21

Wrap up warm folks, it feels cold today (or maybe that's just my flat now I have turned the thermostat off to save some money on bills haha) 🥶🧊

ditty1234

apple_muncher said:

Ditty, I'm sure your week consisted of a lot more than you mentioned, but what you did mention sounds lovely.

DrCarrie, I read 'coffee and rose tea' and wondered what concoction you were brewing up!

Mothernerd, the funeral and wake all sound like they went as well as they could. Well done on your organizing and great that your brother felt safe enough to come along and also linger. Take care of yourself now that it's over, you might well just flop for a while.

Thanks yes, full time work and 'caring' for the young one :-) Which is why it's all a bit tricky. 

f0xh0les

Today is NSD 16, I took out £5 for emergencies/lunches/coffee or whatever when I was working and I spent not a thing, so it has been hanging around in my purse.  The emergency was 50p vegan marshmallows in The Wading Bird Shop.  I am very envious of all you who get paid today, I get paid on the last day of the month, it is lovely to see  you overpaying the mortgage over on the MFW 2022 page, or paying off a bit more debt.  It feels like we are all getting there.

Love and hugs to mothernerd, as always.   

3 days left til payday, BUT I have food in the house, fuel in the car, and a bit of money left in the budget.

Happy Days