NST July 2022: A Turtle Triathlon

grandmanerd

The last 2 days have been quite good but overall, I'm struggling a bit. I was anxious about mindfulness after failing to join the meeting last week - I think that made me unsettled and affected the rest of the week. I also felt guilty because I hadn't done the 'homework' most of the days. I'd decided that I would ask to withdraw (and maybe resume in September) if I couldn't get on. I  wasn't terribly happy with this because I know it's important and it is helping (although the starting point for some of the exercises focuses on all my worst (non-functioning/ painful) bits so I feel like an old crock before I get fully into it.

Anyway I joined my meeting without a hitch, several people didn't manage to log on last week (so it's not just me being a technophobe and a disaster magnet for computers) and even more had failed to do their homework regularly - one participant said she struggled to find the time but recognised how much she needed it so I think we're all having similar issues. It's also the midpoint and we're dealing with some difficult themes - one session is actually about 'difficult' issues. So it went very well and then I swung into my art therapy in the afternoon which was a blast - we were using oil crayons and smudging and blending the colours with our fingers so mucky but therapeutic. I went next door and added a few more green squares to the football field and they tried to kidnap me (different artists in residence each week to do stuff with anyone who comes in) so I've promised I'll go back another day - 2 people from our group went on a different day last week after I'd mentioned it and really enjoyed it.

It's just 2 hours when I forget about the outside world and all the 'to-do's and go along with that week's chosen activity. I did try to do a bit more sweeping when I got home but was exhausted and took myself to bed at 5 pm. Someone had said it was going to thunder at tea-time and I wanted to finish the parts of the yard that are 'done'. I've been using the stiff yard brush and I wanted to finish off with the soft brush to get the remaining fine dust off the paving slabs

Yesterday started off cool so I did get out in the yard, swept up, moved all the remaining tubs onto the clean patch (it's most of the yard but the bit still to be done has most problems - need to start by harvesting the potatoes that were the first think I planted). Set out all the buckets in the centre to catch the rain when it comes (also moved some soil into tubs with holes, so I could use the ones without holes - the last batch of 42 l ones I bought, to catch even more rain).

I then went to the front and worked on the last 6' of 'guttering' so the rain will run along to the drain. had done most of it but it was the bit at the base where the ivy had re-planted itself and grown from the bottom up and collected 'soil' had filled up the channel. Very hard work and my expected hour turned into nearly 4 and I was sick and dizzy. The last lot I just put everything into a bucket - the soil, stones, rubbish, weeds and roots separation happened later. 

I came in, had a shower and sat on the bed with food (realised I hadn't done morning pills as I only intended working until it rained) until I felt 'stabilised'. Reordered my pills and put credit on the phone and set it to charge. It decided not to rain but had another warm day - although there was a very welcome breeze.

I'm going to attack paperwork in a bit but I don't want to. I don't want to do anything - I want to run away. I've been the sensible one for over 60 years and I'm tired and fed up. May make up some games and do small tasks that move me on a bit. I'm dressed so will take books back to the library, check if any others need renewing and maybe get some more (it's the quarter final tomorrow so the library will be inaccessible). 

I am still noticing all the small 'moments' in each day - part of last week's homework was to note the 'unpleasant' moments so maybe that's affecting me as well as the weather, I really do not thrive in the heat. Sprint ahead turtles - could somebody attach a team of huskies/ malamouts to the chaise longue for me?

Toni'sfriend

Sorry I didn't check in yesterday. I've done something to my back. A pulled muscle or something like that. Anyway, I couldn't bend or stretch and every time I tried to move my left arm I was greeted by a sharp pain. Strong painkillers and a rub seem to be sorting it out now but said painkillers and heat are making me very tired. I've just woken up from an afternoon nap which lasted three hours.

Consequently I've done very little for the past couple of days. Hope to make up for it tomorrow.

beanielou

Take care @Toni'sfriend & @grandmanerd xx

firsview

Evening Turtles. Hope you are feeling better soon @Tonisfriend. @grandmanerd I don’t have any huskies but I can lend you 3 cats to pull the chaise longue.
Went to Mr T earlier specifically to use a £7 off voucher so obviously I forgot. The air was blue in the car on the way home when I realised!
Today I am grateful for a cooler day, a slightly better sleep last night although our bedroom fan is still showing 30C and lots of things I needed being on offer this week.

apple_muncher

I'm joining the bad back group, having strained it yesterday but not really realizing it until this morning when I stretched! I'll get some wheels attached to the chaises longues (yep, plural now!) along with a motor and steering wheel.

Today I am grateful for next door's cat finding a quiet haven in our garden and loving tummy rubs from dc and me, for my extra marking being available earlier than expected, for the Tour, for two-tone raspberries (anyone know why they suddenly have white segments in the berry?), for dh taking a carload to the tip.

BadBookkeeper

Arghhh just did my update & lost it before it posted!

- No unintentional spends today

- No fuel or time wasted but food keeps going off before using.

- Not alcohol free only one shandy so 7/31 alcohol free days.  Joining Slimming globe tomorrow so todays been a bit unhealthy.

- Productive day at work made me smile today.

- Budgets ok and pots used to cover grocery & fuel.  Groceries £10.10 under this week.

- Used cash back cc for above spends.

- NSDs still 8/16 as did food shop & needed fuel. 

ldee2111

Spendy day today with going to a fun park and having lunch there. Later in the afternoon we did a top up shop. It was a good day though. 

Grateful for seeing the moorhens and their chick on the caravan loch, for eating relatively healthy, and for DS making friends at the park. 

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening

On leave today and tomorrow from FT job but did a virtual meeting for self employment job this morning and got a fair bit to do for that role over the next few days.  Did some work for my PT job this afternoon and went to Mr T, mainly bought cat food and a few things for the fridge.  DD1 came for tea, she is having therapy but still struggling.  I think we both need to rest on one of the (many?) chaise longues please apple 
Went to pilates tonight, enjoyed it but hip flexors are tight from so much sitting.  Eating far too much carp at the mo.  

Gratitudes - cooler evenings, bis- coff ice cream lollies in the freezer, nice text chat with a friend

Love Deni x

Thrifty_Taylor

Hugs @apple_muncher, @Toni'sfriend & @grandmanerd.
Can't believe I've been AWOL a couple of days again! Wed was a busy day, walked to the post office, then did some baking, which I've not done for months! Rather than buy eggs, I decided to go down the eggless cake route. Made double the quantity so I could make buns & a cake. Extremely funny mixture so didn't add lemon zest & juice to the buns as originally planned. While it was all in the oven (took a LOT longer than recipe stated) I washed & dried the dishes, then scrubbed the inside of the fridge. Hasn't had a lightbulb in it for at least 3 years, but remembered that we had 2 bulbs bought as spares for DS3's nightlight & never used. Voila, it worked! It's quite a novelty being able to see what you're looking for! Friend came to cut the 2 eldest's hair, so I crocheted. Shortened 3 pairs of trousers for a customer, then nodded off on the settee at 8.30!!!
Yesterday I woke early, did a 5 mile walk with DH posting more eboy sales en route. Did 2 sewing jobs, then worked in the garden moving soil & trimming the bush running down the drive. Washed up after tea, did a bit of crochet then had a soak in the bath with my book.

Grateful for lightbulbs, lots more sales (= money towards house extension), frolicking butterflies, days of no drama from DS3, 1 more NSD

f0xh0les

Freya had cats pulling her chariot, so why not a turtle on a chaise longue?

In-laws behaving very well - no dramas yet, but there are another 5 days for them to lob a handgrenade or two.

It has finally rained! Much cooler this morning, sadly the top floor muppets left the skylights open all night, so there is soggy carpet.  Grrrr!

No spend yesterday, there is so much food in this house it is not funny - in-laws brought a lot of home grown things with them. I need a bigger fridge.  There is just too much..