NST April 2022: April opportunities

BadBookkeeper

Evening all!

bit of a stressy Monday but tomorrow is a new day!

Ticked off 2 of my declutter challenges as didn’t do one yesterday.  

NSD today so that’s 2/16

Ate healthy ish & stayed within calories, updated weekend spends in note book.  

Grateful for 
working from home
ds finishing all of his homework 
Sausage, mash & gravy 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening

today was spendy - took DD2 to town for a contact lenses check, paid for that plus a 2 month supply of lenses.  Also paid for online exercise classes for the week.  Plumber came round to quote for new radiators - neither me nor my dad could bleed DD2's rad, the valve seemed stuck tight - plumber did it easily so no new radiator needed - plumber said save your money, the radiator works fine I put new batteries in shower controller so now the shower works again ! 

Gratitudes - nice plumber, DD1's boyfriend taking the back off the shower controller so i could try new batteries, great exercise class on Fb

love Deni 

apple_muncher

DrCarrie, new glasses are always good!

mothernerd

Friday and Saturday were a bit of a washout but ended up being NSDs - 2/16, celebrate the small wins.  Sunday was very good. Thought it was going to rain so spent the 10 minutes whilst my lunch cooked chopping the smaller branches off the 'weed' trees in the backs. That was my limit on standing up so sat on the garden table with my feet on the raised bed (cobbles) chopping away and throwing the bits to the side, then later sat by the gate chopping up the pieces to fit as much as possible into the green bin (very full, very heavy).

Spent about an hour sat at the kitchen table chopping and mixing veg, made a glorious prawn coleslaw (ys 28p cabbage, 2 stumpy carrots grated, one red onion) which I ate with the remains of the mini sweetcorn, mangetout, ys red tomatoes and a handful of rocket/ spinach/ watercress for the first half and added chestnut mushrooms, ys yellow tomatoes and half a pepper. Still don't have an actual meal plan but lots of prepared veg (including celery and carrot sticks for snacks) and a few ideas to go with them.

Most of the ivy got chopped back, pyracantha has a way to go (when my hands and arms recover), lots of rubbish including a bin bag of litter pick and a pile of cans and bottles from the backs (using no 2's bin for that), more scraping of 'soil' (made from 20+ years of rotted fallen ivy) with a sprinkle of litter, plastic and stones. One corner of the yard swept thoroughly and another 30l tub of sieved soil reclaimed. Lots of quiet sitting enjoying the weather (sunny but cool), the birds (one or two couples deciding whether to take up residence) and the neighbours and car park wanderers. Several boxes/ bags unpacked, a bit more floor space, 3 bowlfuls of washing up done (DW is tired and emotional).

Hoping it was due to Sunday's efforts that I could barely move yesterday - if I get any worse I'll need the walking stick to get from the bed to the bathroom. However I made it downstairs by the appointed time (mum's lodger coming to pay the rent) but was so slow and obviously in pain that DS3 came to the bottom of the stairs and came to take the bags off me (was lifting them down each step behind me, not carrying them). Used the cauli, broccoli, hg cabbage and ys mushrooms with 2 ys ready meals and persuaded DS3 to move some of his rubbish (he's been warned the rest is going under his desk, I'm not picking it up) and he has also screwed the toilet seat back on. He's also been told that he can't put the heating on unless he's wearing 3 layers of clothing and is still cold.

The Challenge 
What do I need? All of the above plus a stair lift, a new kitchen, lots of fun. But mostly start with me and my health. Healthier eating is going okay (considering it's much more radical than anything I've done for a while) but more to be done. Lots of veg and I've been reading a chronic pain diet book which recommends cutting out/ reducing consumption of meat, dairy and bread (gluten) so I'm hopefully working towards the 12 daily essentials abundant mentioned last month.

Skin is very dry so I'm adding a weekly 'deep moisturise' to my lists of tasks (lots of lists - things to take to/ bring from mum's bungalow but also what I need to bring up or down stairs given my limited carrying capacity). One of Sunday's successes was washing my hair - knew shampoo bar had been taken out of a bag, knew I had seen it, remembered it was on the kitchen windowsill (all on different days) and added it to my list of what I most needed to bring up with me.

Spending.  Unfortunately Sunday's and yesterday's spending was prompted by wants not needs (the remaining things that have to be cut from my diet so not buying, not buying, break and give in), although yesterday's including a good ys haul of fruit and veg and a couple of missing items. Spent a long time trying to talk myself out of Sunday's spends (had a growing list of 'needs' but didn't have the energy to go shopping but managed a potter to the corner shop/ off licence late on). 'Needs' list is still there (and still growing) had to make a decision at the entrance to the car park (right to town - Will Co, HB, pound emporium with treasure hunt list and food compromises or straight on to little Arseda for slightly healthier food choices and supplies for the next few days).

Will keep track of spending. Have the receipt from yesterday and change from Sunday in the bottom of a bag (was £2 something, 68 rings a bell but will count the change). Jotting everything in 2 little notebooks - will sort into categories later but putting stuff in it when I think of them is helping - I have clean hair.

The month ahead Two birthdays in April (sorry 3, new d-o-l is also April) but don't usually celebrate. have agreed to go for a meal in Mc probably Tuesday next week, because DS1's m-i-l is visiting. I pulled out of the last meeting so haven't seen her since the wedding (Sept 2018). DS2 and his partner are also going. We should each be paying for our own (did meet DS1 and lovely d-i-l about once a month in a previous existence - pre-COVID - and we took it in turns paying) but still not recovered from DS2's first year at uni when I paid for Chinese meal (we had to go to the one sometimes frequented by David Beckham because DS2's gf was obsessed with him). I have asked for somewhere with plenty of salad options. I should be all right, I am comfortable with these people but it's the furthest I've travelled in over 2 years (DS1's is even further which is why he suggested Mc). Think I will go early and try to visit a couple of shops, might as well make use of an all day bus ticket. It's also a chance to push on with a couple of outstanding embroidered pieces which I can hand over.

The year ahead. In summer (mid-July I think) we should get our little bundle of joy. Not made anything yet (one of the shops I want to visit is Abakhan for elephant fabric, babies seem to wear bandanas rather than bibs these days - will ask d-i-l to measure grandpuppy's one and draw a pattern on paper.
Isaac Newton's birthday will be baby's first so need to get on with a stocking (at my current rate of production she might get it before she starts school) and will start looking in cs for duplo or a fp activity centre. We've already established that baby still get's lego and a brio tool set and dungarees to wear. D-o-l is into elephants, in case anyone was wondering - first thing I asked (I had lots of chibi Dr Who characters as my d-i-l is a fellow Whoovian). Maybe a small ninja turtle for DS2. 
Everybody else gets token presents or may go back to former pact with DS2 - he buys himself something from me and I buy something for myself from him (so he bought himself a coat from A S O Sand paid for it and I bought myself a winter coat from Oxfam for less than a tenner). Not sure where celebration will take place. DS1 has asked me for the past 2 years and I haven't been able to go, so would be happy going there if DS2, partner and baby are elsewhere - 4 separate grandparents to consider and it's easier taking a baby around (yes I know travel cot, safety seat, nappies and all the paraphenalia but that's still easier than taking all the presents and stocking fillers) than when they get a bit older. Perhaps I should offer to fill the stocking or make an advent calendar (it will be mostly cs anyway, wooden where possible but built to last and suitable to her developmental age).

Plan for next winter. When I get the kitchen done I'm hoping to use the same cladding as in the bathroom - white with silver holographic flecks. Should make it warmer and cut down on cleaning (what cleaning you ask?). Will look at door curtains (probably use throws as no need to hem) should add curtain rails to the list of minor things for Mr and Mrs Builder to do as well as the big stuff (old house, 1/2 inch of softish plaster with rock hard brick underneath). Or could use the right sort of coat hooks and just use dowel. Will be looking for terracotta plant pots and saucers (use with tealights underneath the upturned plant pot to heat cold spots). Have already bought some thick socks and have the two merino wool covers from mum's.

Will chuck bucketfuls of kindness everywhere. Have a few things to take to the food bank - things lurking at the back of mum's soupery when she disarranged it all and toothbrushes. Pencils which were too late for the Ukraine truck can go to Pensforkids along with a donation.

What do I do well. Digging myself out of chaos. Sunday was a case in point. Not everything got done but a few more boxes emptied and put away, a little more floor space, another patch cleaned, a bit of food prep, some washing up. Need to get my creative side flowing and do some embroidery whilst I still can. organise all the things that need to be organised and push DS2 and Beloved's carp back into their parts of the house. Work on my garden. Treat myself - favourite brand of organic seeds are on sale now (investing for the future). I went to film club. I will be brave. I finally have an appointment for one to one therapy. Remind myself of all the things I do to keep the depression in it's box'

Invest in myself, my home, my family. So much to do, very little money (need to check that) but need to make plans and some things have needed doing for so long. Plans for the month - get the printer working (need to print elephant patterns and stockings), buy trellis and a gate (+ gateposts, fixings) to repair the gap at the back. Will be using trellis as the 'wall' space is about 5 foot but can get a heavy duty diamond trellis with a framed surround and am going to put my 3 holly bushes in the cobble bed which supports it (rebuilt part of it to make the previous post unmoveable). Got 25 years out of the old one which was hand made from other people's scraps so just have to work out the easiest way for me to do it. Need a new kitchen but need a 'working' kitchen for now. Facing a daily lack of essentials (unless there's a stash of cutlery and plates on and around Beloved's desk). Mum's electric can opener only works for some cans, my lovely manual one has disappeared and the rest are useless. Need a limited spend on some bowls (bought myself 2 last month), a couple of oven dishes and a few other items. Need to set up work lights in my bedroom and the front room (have the lights just need to move stuff around) and would like a workspace in my bedroom, the front room and the kitchen (possibly with a notebook, a few pens and a decent pair of scissors in each place). On Sunday I put up one flap of the drop leaf table and moved it back towards the wall. Yesterday when I got up it was covered with the cartons from their takeaway (and the cooker).

Incomings and outgoings. Quite frankly I haven't a clue. I'm poor now but will be okay-ish soon. There's money in my bank but it's not my money until probate goes through. My last attempt to log into online banking was a failure (couldn't find the pinsentry machine though I'd seen it earlier, found the old one but it didn't like that, found the new one by which time the computer had decided I was a suspicious character and is refusing to let me order anything from the SM). Will try again, find my accounts book (massive 12" square red book) again, work out which money is mine and which is mum's estate, find out if UC have started paying the full amount now that Carer's Allowance has ended.

Lose one bad habit. Several food ones to work on. Need a change of attitude - things are tough atm but I can't let them defeat me. I've been through worse, I will get through this. I will be okay in the end and I have the quiet joy of baby anticipation. Must look through the starred files - sure I found kitchen units which have worktops incorporated - maybe get one to use for now (they can be moved around. Sorry gone off topic.

Live the life you want to have. Simple, frugal (not mean), have fun, find joy every day, whittle away at the chaos. Calm, serene, mobile as much as possible, work within my limits.

Gratitudes The baby, still having both legs even if they don't always co-operate, a calm centre, books and beds, films and music, leaves, the ever changing tableau outside my window, beds and libraries, my garden (proto garden) taking shape slowly, ys bargains, simple food, solitude (they're both asleep, hooray). That's 3 a day for days 1 - 5 inclusive. 
 

DrCarrie

This too shall pass @mothernerd hang on in there. Small steps. x

For me it was NSD no. 2 

Gratitudes
- making and eating wild greens soup, something very wholesome about it.
- getting up and going for meditation 
- work was pretty good - induction of new staff week, it's hectic. 

32b3in2013

Evening

NSD 2/16 for me today.  Tomorrow should be a NSD too.

Gratitudes
good enough Wi-Fi connection,
lemon doughnuts
A wireless printer 

firsview

Evening Turtles. NSD 4 today probably as Tuesday is my busy work day. Went to visit Dad and had to explain why his new car has no spare tyre and show him the tyre foam and inflation system. Luckily it was all brand new as the car was ex motability and I suppose the disabled person wasn’t able to use it or maybe never had a puncture! I am hoping he won’t drive it though (my sister drives him in his car when they go out as hers is too low for him) as I do feel at 88 most people shouldn’t be driving anymore.
Today I am grateful for a visit to Dad, a good long walk to meet OH from the station and keeping within calories for a change!
 

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a morning walk, for some finds at the local charity shop, for a good revision session at work, for dc being spontaneous, for my bed.

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#2
A dry but cool day. Did exercises before breakfast, then walked 4.8 miles with hubby. Took an armchair apart, removed wood for the fire, the remainder put in the car ready for a trip to the dump when I next go to town. Moved the settee & had a good hoover round. Can hopefully start on the new porch after hubby's dialysis tomorrow. Did some sewing, unpicked 2 coat zips, then cleaned & sorted through 2 large baskets of CDs. Haven't listened to them for so long! A third are to go to CS or my mum, so made room to put the pile next to my stereo away ☺️ Washed up after tea, did a bit of knitting, then had a bath.

Grateful for a nice walk, good books, getting little bits done

BadBookkeeper

Evening everyone,

Completely forgot to do something off the declutter challenge so will do 2 tomorrow.  Been to the dentist so that counts as looking after myself.  Also need to book an eye test, it’s something I never seem to get around to doing.  Stayed within calories and walked over 5000 steps with is my ‘something better than nothing target’ 

Could have done with going to supermarket for some bread but I know it would lead to other things so will see if we can manage until shopping gets delivered on Thursday.

Sold an item for 99p on the bay!  Money goes towards ds birthday party in December have £56 in that pot so far.

Not doing well on the lose the habit part of this month’s challenge.  It’s shocking how much time I waste on my phone.

nsd 3/16

grateful for:
free parking at supermarket even though I didn’t go In
our footy team winning
clean teeth