NST February 2022: a month of fives

Shrewbie

Esmeralda and Thrifty taylor, glad all is okay. apple thank you so much for running the thread, I also pledge to run a thread at some point this year. Abundant, thanks for the giggle at the bandwagon image. 

I think I'm on NSD 8. Today was spendy as I booked weekend trip to Granada in 3 weeks. Can't wait to see the Alhambra. very excited.

Grateful for having things to look forward to, for being able to move around the country, for blue skies today. 

apple_muncher

Oooh, the Alhambra. In person. Sooo jealous!

Esmeralda2662

Thanks for your best wishes Thrifty, Deni, Beanielou and Shrewbie! Big relief that my sister is home from hospital.

Thrifty - So glad your DS2 was ok after his funny turn. What a worry our kids are (and mine's in his 30's!)

Firsview - Thank goodness for your 9 lives! Your dad is funny laughing at nearly being crashed into! 

DawnW - Your garden sounds lovely, a proper snapshot of spring in flowers.

Apple - Thank you for setting up March for us! Here's to an interesting journey together through next month. 😉

Glad to be finished work for the week as my thumb is very painful. It gradually flares up so 3 days a week is about the maximum I can manage. Think I really need a new thumb! 👍

NSD#7 which is a miracle. Still got a few more days to try and win a few more.

Might have to help OH fix 2 fence panels that blew down in the storms. He's bought new wooden posts so if I can't help with them I'll make the coffee and admire his handiwork!

Need to buy a thick new jumper and long johns as OH has told me he's turning the heating off after the energy company wrote to say the bill is going up £598 per year! Eek! Can see me with a tartan blanket and a Scrooge night cap!

New Liddles opening up the road tomorrow so need to plan alternative driving route if there is chaos on the main road. Hopefully not everyone will try and cram in there on the first day.

Night night Turtles x

mothernerd

Thank you so much for setting up next month's challenge apple. Apologies for everyone for being a bit absent this month, I'm not taking things in and definitely a bit stuck (a lot stuck actually). Hit a snag last week and it's difficult but not impossible - just need to co-ordinate with other people. 

Not done much the past 2 days (did binge watch a whole series over two days and definitely achieving my reading target). I need to move things on but finding it hard to physically leave the bungalow - I'd rather just curl up and stay warm. Finding it hard even to do little things - meant to order food for delivery last weekend and didn't so food choices are a bit narrow and have missed chances to take short cuts - could have done one of the letters for my niece to take to my brother for signing or at least given her the kippers and dog scraps to take home with her so I could have turned off the second fridge freezer.

The CBT notes I transcribed were useful as they were the ones about organising - dividing your day into routine, pleasurable and necessary tasks (necessary ones have serious consequences if they don't get done). If you're doing too many things for other people you can burn out. If you're struggling to do anything you should concentrate on pleasurable activities (so I'm trying to psych myself up to go to film club - classic this afternoon and contemporary this evening).

So I've jotted down things I need to do something about (a few necessaries there - some don't need doing at once but need to make progress) and this morning I've changed my toothbrush head, cleaned the bathroom sink thoroughly (kitchen and bathroom both need doing but let's start with something small and achievable), washed myself and then washed my hair (way overdue and sticking up everywhere) using the last of mum's shampoo (doesn't suit me so don't use it often but think I took my shampoo bar home when I went back before Christmas - no elves were harmed in the writing of this post).

An hour ago I was dazzled by the sunlight, now it's pouring again (and may have been some hail in there too). Really really doesn't help when even the prospect of getting as far as a taxi outside means ending up as a drowned rat.

Going to go and boil some eggs. I could make an omelette with yellow pepper and mushrooms later. Put the washing machine on or I'll have to stay in the house for several days (no clean clothes). Put the bags I'm taking lined up near the door (statement of intent) and jot down some of the easy tasks (a phone call or note to make a start) to make some of the bigger things happen.

Grateful for 2 brilliant series (Marchella and The Bodyguard - both of which I started ages ago but didn't get much beyond the first episode), books, helper elves (did get lots done that day), the bed, food (I have some food, just need to work out how to use it and not get obsessed with food labels - I have to eat something, just need to try for the least worst options).

abundant1972

Good Evening 🌖

I really liked this Mothernerd: "The CBT notes I transcribed were useful as they were the ones about organising - dividing your day into routine, pleasurable and necessary tasks". I am really bad at permitting myself to have pleasurable stuff - don't get me wrong I do it - but I feel guilty for it. Think it comes from my Mum bless her - she never stopped, always had to be on the go, and 'busy'. I think setting out your day like you have suggested gives more weight to it being ok to have those things, as well as the routine and necessary. Also liked that you too aim for the small wins... I find on days when I am really stuck and lacking motivation to even get up or dressed, even something as small as making my bed might be enough to get the ball rolling... that and lots of self-talk/encouragement. You do amazing! Give yourself a big mental pat on the back and a hug.

Had a busy few days and been reflecting on why my last few weeks on my days off have been such a struggle. Weather yes for sure doesn't help (think my SAD kicks in)... but realised I'd moved my gym days to work days - leaving nothing to drive me to get out there. As much as it saves me some cash on petrol - I think I am better having days off as gym days. Work obviously gets me motivated on work days - I think I need the gym do give me something to base my days off around. Back to Plan A. 

Had my new increased Electric Bill through and it's gone up another £20 a month! Had to juggle the budget and shave £5 a week off my food or spends allowance. It's really going to hit people hard - especially if you have a family and/or on low income or paying off debts etc. 

Today I am grateful for:
1) Surviving a busy day at work and a free lunch!
2) For the ongoing support of everyone on the forum. Even if we don't comment on each others posts - just reading what everyone is up sometimes puts my life into some perspective. I don't get out much or have masses of friends because of all the family commitments I've had the last 4 years - and so a space like this is important to me - just knowing you lot are all here. Thanks all!
3) For being safe, warm, fed - when so many are going through huge upheavals. Sending love and support to those in Ukraine affected by the war that all kicked off today. 

Yesterday was a spend day
Today = NSD number 13

Have a good evening folks x  

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for all you turtles who join in with these challenges or cheerlead, for a good day at work + when teaching remotely, for dc eating plenty, for my working week being finished for the week, for the leaves starting to sprout all over the place.

beanielou

Always in your corner @abundant1972

f0xh0les

Today I am grateful for tea, lots and lots of lovely tea.  I have not achieved much, every time I went to get something done, the  house phone rang, I think it ended up being 8 phone calls from various hospital people, and not one of them was necessary. Not one of them  was helpful, and they have released step-gran back to her bungalow, where she rang me to tell me she was miserable.  So all in all a rubbish day. Never mind, another one will be along tomorrow. I shall just have to strap on my bonnet and  channel my inner  Scarlett O'Hara (I think, because I have never actually seen the film). 

Ho tiddley hum (that was my inner Pooh Bear).

Grateful for tomorrow being just around the corner, tomorrow being Friday, and for payday being Monday - 3p left in the budget (eek!!)

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#12
What a day it's been! A very early start, up at 5.45am to take hubby to the airport for his trip to the hospital in Aberdeen, had to be there by 6.30. Blizzards en route. Did a small skid on the way home. Dustbin day, so was wheeling it into position, when a big furry rodent appeared from underneath it & was running round the wheels, trying to get out of the way. I swore at it very loudly, then I ran back to the house! I do not like rats!! Fed the cats & cleaned out both litter trays, put some washing on, woke DS3 for school, did our LFTs, cooked my packed lunch & packed my swimming stuff, as going out first thing with a pupil. Work went well, but I was tired by the end of the day. Hubby messaged to say he won't be home til Saturday, he has a narrowed part of his vein, which he has dialysis through, so needs a small procedure tomorrow afternoon. Fetched coal in, chopped sticks for s fire, then cooked tea. Have just washed the dishes & now waiting for my turn in the bath - phew!!
Grateful for the skid being small, getting the chores done before work, swimming (first time in a couple of years at least), managing to light the stove & the bath

Kerry_Woman

NSD 17 today.
Grateful for:
Contact with brother and sister.
Support within some work colleagues group.
Finishing another library book.
Good bus connections.
Aromatherapy burner this evening