NST March 2022: March movement

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#1
I could do with losing some weight too! Got up early & tried a Zumba routine on yootoob, did 2 songs & realised I should've picked a beginners routine, as I felt like I was moving on fast forward trying to keep up!! 😂
My pupil went outside at breaktime, so I was able to do a few laps round the school, & again later in the day. Lots more illness, so 2 classes are closed for the next couple of days as we can't get the staff. Been asked to accompany a class to the beach tomorrow, so hoping it stays dry!
Completed the census online, didn't realise it was going to take so long!! Pleased it's done though, only came in the post today. Sorted all budgets when I got home. Took money out of my sinking funds to pay for 2/3 of my car bills, wasn't enough to pay the whole lot, but under budget with food last month, & I had my backdated pay rise, plus online sales to add to it. Sold a couple more things today, & another has a bidding war going on, so I'll be visiting the post office lots!
Put a new zip in a coat, then read my book in the bath.
Grateful for a sunny day & seeing a male pheasant on my way to school, kids cheering when they heard I was joining them on tomorrow's trip, achieving lots this afternoon, sorting out my budgets & having money to pay back into my account to cover credit card bill

apple_muncher

firsview, you'll need to do more than buy a coat and a doorstop to get a place on the naughty step! They were both necessary purchases.

Abundant, take it gently, mate!!! I'm happy, for example, if I manage 3 or 4 meditation times each week, or get to the gym X3. One thing I read from Nerd Fitness was 'never two in a row' when the good habit doesn't happen. Now, personally, I often get three in a row, but the thought is there and it is helpful for me. Hope that makes sense!

Calling14

Hi apple. Can I join please? Missed you guys last month.

I started a new job after 19 years in my last one, just say I stuck it out being bullied for 3 weeks so I did well. Left this Monday, workload was immense, person doing the job currently lives and breathes work. Works heaps more than the contracted hours and I just felt I would have no life outside the company. Just say she wasn't a nice and boss hmmm caught him watching some thing he shouldn't have been watching on work premises so felt uneasy.  Not rushing into another job got enough in savings for few weeks to keep me going.  Life is short going to have fun whilst I can. 

Just tightening up on my budgets, shocked at price of food. I seem to have paid an extra £30 last month and I was using items up from my freezer.

NSD - 1/16 so far.

Wet here today so will get out later, plan to increase exercise, lose weight and stop eating sweet stuff. Feeling smug drinking hot lemon - will this make me skinny soon lol ?

f0xh0les

Welcome back onboard @Calling14  sorry the new job did not work out, but the old job was not working out either, and if the boss is watching dodgy-stuff nsfw in the office,  you do  not want to be around that kind of nonsense.... plus it is a great eyebrow raiser for any interviewer that asks why you left your previous post .    You are better than that.

mothernerd

Okay you lot race ahead being Mad March Hares and I'll toddle along at the back in tortoise-turtle mode. Feeling smug because yesterday I completed the work assessment forms and got them in the post box (this morning but it's only collected at 9am so wouldn't have gone any sooner if I'd put it in the box last night).

Monday was mostly sorting tiny bits of paper and putting information that needs to be kept into my diary or new hardback alphabetised notebook (the black softback one is only a few years old but getting tatty around the edges). I can actually see spaces on the drop leaf table (a week ago it was 4" deep and reduced it to a single layer about an inch deep).

DS1 contacted me yesterday, to ask how I was doing - told him I was bothered about the life insurance file (not even looked at it until yesterday) so he said he'd phone me later and go through it with me. I think I needed cheering up mostly. He's also going to visit (probably Friday afternoon or evening) to do some of the physical stuff. He asked if I would like a visit from puppy as well and I said yes please.

Spent more time sorting stuff into piles, putting all my 'domestic' stuff on one side (I had a mixture of mine and mum's stuff in a file because I didn't know what mum's bank and other officials might want off me). I've also got my passport in my handbag at all times (not helping my 'unsettled' status).

Phoned the tax office (good) and had a phone call from an insurance man (not sure if I've already reported these) on Monday. Got to the end of the work assessment forms and realised I'd dated them 2nd February, so went back through, changing them to March everywhere I'd had to sign them. I've only just realised yesterday was the first - I was so stuck in 'I'm late' mode because I'd given myself a deadline of the end of the month with hopes of doing it a week earlier. Anyway all the clearing has been beneficial in the end (insurance was left because I didn't want to take any more stuff out of files/ wallets/ plastic pockets until the rest was cleared up).

When DS1 phoned I worked through the insurance file (22 documents/ letters and leaflets) and sorted them into 3. Mum said there were 3 policies but I think she was including the one on dad, which she claimed when he died (I think she gave us the money later). Basically there's one on mum which is the last part of dad's estate - mum and dad took out policies on each other when they were married. I can do that straight away (well wherever it comes in my list of priorities) because dad's estate is settled. The other is a policy taken out by my grandma when mum was small (called penny policies, many people took them out so that they had burial money if the child died).

Thanked DS1 for his help (he said he hadn't done anything really) and I asked me to tell me something nice. He said he had a snoring puppy beside him and would send me a photo. He went to take a work call, I got my lunch out of the oven then started on the work assessment until my niece arrived. 

She agreed with me on the fire labels - tiny bits of yellow remaining where mum has torn/ cut them out so will need to find someone who can accommodate them (I'd like them but have no idea where I could put them). The couch is broken anyway (springs coming through) so can revert to being on the tip/ waste wizards pile. Niece and I looked at the 'hospital' bed - the one her other grandma has is a borrowed one so they might take that (and any remaining packs of incontinence pads). We reviewed the rest of the remaining furniture and charity shop donations (only one trip really, either in a car or on multiple rucksacks or via taxi to my house then on the trolley to the charity shops).

Niece has room for both wardrobes and will see if she can fit in the two small chests of drawers (possibly stacked one on top of the other). I will take the drop leaf table and store both of my tables (hoping the large farmhouse on can be used for worktops or shelving in my planned new kitchen). Only the little circular table is a problem (I'm going to have to take the double divan but hoping it will store under the king size frame Beloved is using and simultaneously solve the problem of the moving slats - since she and Beloved still haven't done anything about it).

Wrote a progress report for my brother and told him to stop worrying (about his benefits being stopped). He'd asked about insurance so I offered him the file with the 22 pieces of paper and said they will not be worth thousands (est > £2,000) and listed a few of the things I've done. Told niece I'm keeping accounts for the rented house (my grandma's house) separately - again, atm it doesn't 'belong' to us (that messes up the insurance for both properties). So am noting money in and out (rent for March is due - bewildered by a text this morning as couldn't work out who had money for me - but the gas safety checks also need doing this month) until more is settled.

Ex s-i-l will come Friday morning and priority is moving the rest of the pots (ones that will fit in her car). Lots of my books to move but niece suggested she and her friend can move lots of books in the rucksack/ shopping trolley whereas plant pots would be problematical. Also did exercise as I mentioned I was trying to do outside stuff on sunny days so niece offered to continue digging out a temporary raised bed (half filling the large pots so me can manage the weight) and I emptied half an old dustbin of stones in the space between the raised beds and the containers at the back which I stapled onto the fence. Niece helped me put it on it's side across the front raised bed. Couldn't tilt it but managed to shuffled along the in-between space and use a child's long handled spade to pull it out and move it along the trench in both directions. After that I moved some of the pots my niece had filled to the side of the house - will move them down along the edge of the path on Friday morning or Thursday evening or a bit of both. Also started to gather 'fairy' and other garden ornaments as s-i-l has a fondness for them (and hedgehogs - still have 3 hedgehogs to find homes for).

Had a message from DS3 asking when I can get the back of the house pipework sorted. Messaged back asking how far he had got with the list of jobs he was supposed to do? (if anyone criticises what you've done or not done, press them into service - my mother's uncle once criticised the state of out yard and she just handed him the broom and told him to get on with it). Other than keeping on top of the bins, not very far. I said that he and Beloved are going to have to put on clothes and do some house sorting. What? Listed a few tasks - not yet told him I need both of them to help with heavy lifting/ moving in preparation for new to us stuff coming in - telling them to start with their room (using stuff they already have - he's finally put together the underbed drawers but they're still in  corner of the front room) and doing things like cleaning all the pots and putting them away and clearing surfaces. He agreed to this - was relieved he didn't have to come her (tip no 2 - offer a worse job than the one they're reluctant to do). Also told him DS1 is coming (I don't approve of physical violence but if the threat gets him to move).

Grateful for getting the work assessment done (should have been done sooner but getting all the oddments tidied away was a good strategy), for encouragement (niece helped me see how much I've done), for help coming on Friday (niece and friend will also be on hand - friend has worked 7 days on the run so he should be free), for meeting a nervous young puppy and being able to help reassure him. He was with a woman with a pushchair and was trying to hide behind her legs, so I told him I wouldn't hurt him and suggested he come and sniff the walker so he'd know what one was next time, for non-demanding tv (watching Rebellion for the second time) and taking time to relax.

greent

Mothernerd - you should be able to get executors landlord insurance for the houses - it's a bit more expensive but is a cost to the estate, so is deductible. Can also get some short term policies.

My movement today and yesterday has been doing ironing sitting down - that's pretty much all I'm capable of! Oh - and today I've made a loaf and 10 large rolls (currently in the oven and making the house smell gorgeous)

Stuck things - my weight is stuck - actually it might even be moving in the wrong direction this week due to inactivity and too many treats (lots of goodies delivered by lovely people). Lots of projects on the house are stuck - mainly due to finding a tradesperson (the last couple we found have then dropped out - the latest one with 3 weeks to go after booking them back in October). Life admin has taken a back seat since getting this job - although last week I sorted some filing and got rid of lots of recycling and shredding. Next cheap listing day on flebay I'm going to list some things - there should be a weekend offer whilst I'm still off (normally too tired)

Foodbank - collection at dS3's school tomorrow - will send some applicable things in. There's also a collection at work for Ukraine - I'll send some things in for that (it closes next week and I thought I'd pop in briefly one day to drop my original copy of my  sick note in - can try out driving too, as work is only 10 mins drive away)

Thankful for flowers being delivered (loads of them - all beautiful), flowers in the garden (tete a tete, muscari, cyclamens), pancakes yesterday (with lemon and golden syrup 😋), easy food yesterday and leftovers for lunch today, being able to take it easy, PB win. 

@Calling14 - welcome back! Sorry the job didn't work out x

lcc86

@Calling14 sorry the job hasn't worked out but at least you found out sooner rather than later. 

Today I had to pay a bit extra for my train as the one I booked was late so jumped on one that goes to a different station as needed to get in for a meeting. 

Bit of a quiet day, but more work is coming my way so that's good. Git some paperwork together for a complaint to the insurance ombudsman about my car insurance claim from last year. They don't even respond any more so I think it's time to escalate. 

Received a pet insurance payout today so paid that straight off the cc, it's looking much better now! Just the rest of my car service to clear now.

Grateful for my Too Good To Go lunch today, receiving my pet insurance payout, and getting up early to do some cooking. 

Shrewbie

Hi turtles, Here is my plan for March movement! 

Sticking points -

 1.don’t be a carrot. This means = speak up, whether it is to ask for help or make my voice heard. Speak to people more. And something which is kind of related to being braver - find the courage to drive alone.

2.Family and friends - check in with them more, send one nice text per day.

3.social life - find an exercise class that I like that could turn into more of an actual hobby

4.happiness - along with continuing with regular (ideally daily) morning pages, meditation and exercise and reduced alcohol and sugar, I want to try to read before bed. Want to try the capsule wardrobe plan too.

5.savings - set up account and pay to savings FIRST

plan the month - outings will be to Granada and we have tickets for a piano concert.

Grateful today for my bright yellow coffee pot, for colleagues making me laugh, for not having to cart around a million things on the metro all around the city like when I was a freelancer. 

good luck  turtles xx

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Hi Turtle gang

My thoughts on March

We all have areas in our lives where we feel a bit stuck.  Which areas?

house - too much clutter but this month i want to focus on my bedroom.  I took photos last month of various bits of furniture so i need to list it all on Fb

physical health- weight has crept back on and now i am in the office more often, i won't always be able to do exercise classes.  But i can do 10k steps a day and get my bike out at the weekend.  

Life admin - i need to make a decision on my pension and also need to call HMRC

And here are some non-moving things:

-Foodbank/ charity donation. Already have DDs to a number of charities; donated money yesterday to Red Cross Ukraine appeal

-Pay to your savings FIRST and live off the rest.  Have put money into savings

Note down all spends - have been doing this for a few months

16 NSDs  - will try

Plan the month.-Have some fun - not more than 4. -Have 2 theatre trips booked for March, first one was yesterday, was brilliant and got a lift off my friend and her OH.  Next one is at the end of the month, both paid for a while ago.  It is DD2's birthday so will do something to celebrate

Come here daily and tell 3 things you are grateful for. yes

I've been in work today, has been a NSD and I've eaten healthily.  

Gratitudes - nice chat to boss; DD2 getting a date for her graduation; rain stopping so could have a walk after work

love Deni

beanielou

Oh & I am decluttering at least 40 items for lent.