NST February 2022: a month of fives

ldee2111

Hello turtles 

We finally made it to Florida! It’s early morning here and OH / DS are sound asleep so I thought I’d jump on and see how everyone is doing.

@Esmerelda2662 and @firstview As I walk around the house turning off lights left on by OH and to a lesser extent DS, I hear my Mum’s voice in my head ‘it’s like Blackpool illuminations in here!’

NSD this month stands for Non-stop Spend Days but so far I’ve miraculously kept in budget. Spending has mainly been on food because most activities (theme park tickets, experiences, etc) were prepaid. Mum paid for a couple of experiences too as a  ‘Sprouts Day’ gift. We did one the other day - an airboat ride of the Everglades on which we saw alligators, snakes (!), turtles, and American bald eagles. It was fantastic and something that was on my bucket list. 

Grateful for new experiences, for hopefully making great memories for DS, and for sun, sun, sun. 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

ldee2111
lovely to hear how you are getting on and hope your holiday continues to be as amazing as it sounds!
love Deni

weenancyinAmerica

Idee2111 - hope you enjoy your trip to Florida. If you are thinking of getting souvenirs from Disney World, you might want to see if there is a Walmart nearby. We recommend going there for Disney shirts and other souvenirs to save money. At Disneyland, any one can order the children's menu - it should work there also. Have fun!

firsview

Idee2111 I am very jealous! I have been but it was in the 90’s so I expect things are very different now. I don’t envy you the flights though, I hate flying with a vengeance hence having holidayed in the uk since then!
Small spend today, <£5 in HB. However I admit to having purchased some new trainers at the weekend (£77) but I am prone to foot injuries and I need something decent and supportive.
Today I am grateful for the kitten making me laugh running off with everyone’s socks, the roadworks causing me a huge detour looking like they are coming to an end and DS1 messaging me and sounding like he is still enjoying himself.

lcc86

Evening turtles.

Feeling really tired today. Had to get up early as the plasterer came to finish the hallway. All done now, money was set aside already. 

Also had a spend on some new hair straighteners, mine don't heat up properly any more so I think they're on their way out. Shopped around for a mid-range set, and then shopped around even more to see how cheap I could get them. Initially was looking at £80 but managed to find them for £30 so was pretty pleased. 

Tried a new app today called Too Good To Go, it's basically where cafes/some restaurants/takeaways give massive discounts on food that would otherwise be thrown away. A bit like YS stuff but it's a mystery as to what you'll get. I got a sandwich, three croissants, a savoury pastry and a little cake for £3. Popped the croissants in the freezer for another day. Not necessarily needed but thought I'd try it to see what it was like. And I didnt waste any petrol getting the stuff as I was passing through my local town anyway as had to take my rabbit to the vet for her final checkup. Not something I'll do every day but worth checking out from time to time as I live close to two little town centres.

Submitted my insurance claim now that rabbit has the all clear. They're usually really quick at sorting it all out so hopefully won't take long to get the money back.

Kerry_Woman

orry that I have posted, my mh has not been that great.
10 NSD today. Recently I had to call out the locksmith again.  Had to get a new lock installed for the front door. Thought that I would buy a book of 100 stamps for future use to save money, then a couple of days later I heard through MSE that they will not be of any use as from next year.  Just hoping that I can swap them all for the new stamps. Have book a couple of extra 4 hour shifts at work, already did one recently.  Unfortunately, 2 of my shifts in March were cancelled, as there have been changes in the work place.  Just waiting to hear further news regarding work in the next few weeks.  Have finished reading 3 books.  Did go to a local library on Saturday to take out some books, which included some romance books. Went to my Mum's grave yesterday as it would have been her birthday.  Went to my favourite shop on Friday as had money off offers for cakes and flowers. Made a start on the felt craft kit.
Grateful for:
Having a fixed term contract at work.
Reading a library book on bus and at work.
Had a laugh in work.  

Esmeralda2662

@idee2111 - Your mum's saying about the illuminations rang a bell! That and 'shut that door! Were you born in a barn?'. Also 'eat your crusts it makes your hair curly' which was a total fib.  Hope you all have a fantastic holiday, it sounds like you are sharing some fabulous experiences together!

Lcc - my mum needed a new set of curling tongs so we looked in Arg*s (cheapest about £18). Went into a charity shop and they had a selection of fully PATS tested ones for £4 each. They hardly looked used so she was very pleased with a bargain and helped charity funds.

Feeling much better since I started my tablets so back to work today. Very busy as short staffed so the day flew by. Just how I like it!

NSD#4 so pleased with that. 4k steps a bit low but mostly at my desk today.

@apple_muncher - you were right about needle felting, all that stabbing is very therapeutic! Only stabbed my finger once during the day so that wasn't bad for me. Really pleased with my poseable mouse. He looks cheeky holding a flower and wearing little wire glasses! Nice to spend time with mum and my best friend too.

Trying to eat more healthily to feel better but did make some cheese straws last night for work lunchbox using ready made puff pastry. Big hit and very quick and easy so will make them again.

Have a nice evening turtles! X

apple_muncher

ldee, you sound like you're having a cracking holiday!

Kerry_Woman, have some hugs, and curl up on thechaise longue whenever you want to.

Today I am grateful for dc getting up and having a good day, for finding books for dc in 0xfam, for dropping off a bag to the Sally Army and a box of books to 0xfam, for for dh having some extra work, for getting some school prep done.

Thrifty_Taylor

Have a great holiday @ldee2111

NSD#8
Advertised some of DS3's books on a local selling page, sold 4 already. Went for a walk with a friend along a different route this morning. Great catch up & we both learnt some new words 😂 made a new soup recipe from the C00p booklet, very tasty & enough to last me a few lunches at work. Did some cleaning, then the ironing. Packaged up an eboy sale. Messaged colleagues who are off sick long term. Finished knitting the front of my jumper & decluttered programmes off the box. In service day tomorrow.
Grateful for laughing really hard, new walking routes, waterproof trousers, a clean bathroom, enjoying my days off

beanielou

Have had an amazing weekend with family & friends celebrating my mums 80th. 
Making memories.