NST August 2022: Lights, Camera, Action!

Thrifty_Taylor

Sending get well vibes @greent.

NSD#6
Slept for an hour when I finally got to bed @6.45, then up again. Had a snack, then finished putting the shipping away. DS1 woke up & decided to go to work within half an hour of waking, so I gave him a lift. Cleaned the car & waste paper bin in the house, walked to the village to collect DH's prescription & DS1's car. Shortened a pair of trousers, so could take them into town tonight, as they were needed by next Friday & I'm not in town again until then. Had a visit from a teacher I worked with last year (she's starting at a different school on Monday when we go back), had a lovely catch up. Slept for an hour, as had forgotten until late morning, that I'd booked the cinema for me & DH, so unable to have an early night!
The film was better than the reviews, but not as good as the book. We both enjoyed it though.

Grateful for time away from the house with DH, a lovely catch up, that I've coped on 3 x 1 hour naps since yesterday instead of the needed 8 hours I usually have

DrCarrie

Morning everyone 

Spend day yesterday, the fridge was a bit bare, so went to get some bits for dinner, and some wine.

I got on the scales this morning and lost 1.5kg since my last recorded weight on MyF1tn3sspal. Losing weight is not a current focus, but very happy that the focus on going to work, yoga, being out a bit more, and not buying lunch out has had a very welcome by-product!

Getting my hair cut today and will need to get the food set up for next week. Won't be going into work on Thursday as there is industrial action on the trains. 

Grateful for 
-  my local Asian grocer 
- the feeling of being outside after being inside for too many hours working 
- not drinking all the wine 

grandmanerd

Spent the morning shopping. I was in search of bedding plants but picked up lots of things on various lists. Some weren't immediate essentials but they're on the list for good reasons ie will need to be bought at some point. I'm finding shopping a real chore and might have spent more if I'd resorted to buying online (had already looked at making several orders).

Was en route to Will Co but called in at the £ shop cs - some good kitchen basics that i may go back for (didn't need the extra weight to lug all round town) and called in at the Replenishery (take your own jars/ eco/ no waste shop). Had used the last scrapings of the shampoo bar so found a replacement, stocked up on my favourite washing up brushes and replacement heads (have actually been as far as Southport to get these in the past) and bought the Gruffalo play set I saw months ago + another couple.

As expected (checked without going in earlier in the week) Will Co had sold all the bedding plants but stocked up on OTC meds, a selection of sale seeds (now 70% off), an extra couple of masks and other bits. Long queue for the till but one of the lovely assistants offered to put it through the self serve till so I could have a much needed sit down. 

Next stop was the market (trying for the shortest route between places I wanted/ needed to go) but the plant man must be on holiday (his shop is in the market entrance way and he lines all his plants up along the outside wall). Good news is HB now has screens up all round the site and there were even a couple of men doing clearing out. Obviously they aren't going to be finished any time soon. I walked through the market, considered a detour to pick up pot herbs and bought a couple of sandwiches at the chicken stall (they do hot and cold food). 

Called in at the cheapo crafty shop, bought a small wooden tray (to fit inside the one by my bedside to divide the space up) and it was half price. Didn't go very far inside the shop (wooden bits were the target) but may go back as there were lots of wooden bits that I've been tempted by in the past but found too expensive. All the wooden 'blanks' (trays, crates, bird houses, boxes and drawers) are in the half price art sale so things I don't 'need' but have wanted to try (painting, decorating, decoupage) have been come reasonable or bargainaceous. I'm enjoying the art therapy and it's helping me think about things I can do to replace the embroidery.

Despite several sit downs I was now tired and aching so went home to eat and have a proper lie down. New friend still hadn't phoned so I presumed she had got tied up with other stuff (helping her dad but may have new students as her second one had left). Decided I must go for the bus to mum's. Had just missed it (saw the other one heading to the infirmary) so found a shady spot and read my book (nearly half hour wait - the bus goes to the infirmary and then comes all the way back to the town centre).

I stayed on until Morries and they had lots of reasonable bedding plants (must have restocked because their shelves were empty last week). Went to get a trolley and picked 2 x 20 geraniums (2 for £5), 20 violas in assorted colours £3.49, 5 single fuschia plants £1 each and 3 peony bulbs (for me) and a butterfly mix of bulbs to plant for next year.

Then walked round the SM pushing the walker and pulling the trolley to buy a salad selection, 2 x 2l bottles of decaff drink (planned purchase - took a can out with me but had decided to buy bottles there rather than lug ones from home around with me), 3 bags for the food bank (Morries have a selection you can pick up rather than trawl round for things in aisles you don't go down or get to checkout and realise you forgot to add anything) and a couple of ys treats (including lemon muffins to freeze individually). Not a huge shop as plants were filling most of the trolley.

Had taken as many empty bags as I could find so the plants could nestle individually. Quite a wait for the next bus so sat on my walker in the shade, drank my single can and read my book until I saw the bus coming (it goes past the SM, turns round at the Sports village so plenty of time to walk to the bus stop).  People sat on the benches were also waiting so we made a neat queue of 8 and I knew someone else would stop the bus if I was slow.

Got off at mum's stop and trudged to the bungalow (a woman using a walking stick asked if I needed help). Lots of sit downs all day. One of the lovely neighbours (or possibly the bin man) had brought the bins back inside. Opened the door, changed into my painting clothes, went to the outside tap and let cold water run all over my feet, then sat with them propped up on a stool to dry (< 5 mins) whilst I had a drink and a snack. Did bits of several jobs but couldn't find any energy to complete the painting. Checked the time and decided to try for the bus. Last minute panic finding my mask (I own too many black clothes/ accessories) meant I saw it sail past.

Stayed by the corner shop (deep shade) and read my book then crossed to the stop on the other side 10 minutes before the bus was due - had a ride round, down past the SM and Sports Village then back to the bus station and then onto my stop. walked in front of the Town Hall (brief sit down but my benches are very popular this week, sometimes had to sit on my walker) and across the car park. Came in, put away the fridge stuff and struggled upstairs with my rearranged bags. Had another shower, climbed on the bed. Stayed there until I fell asleep.

Going to sort (start to sort) the domestic chaos today. Mainly bed based (at least until bits of me stop hurting and my legs have some inclination towards moving in a consistent fashion).

Grateful that I found the bedding plants (and for my other necessities/ bargains), that they are at the bungalow, that I can do the remaining tasks bit by bit, that I have easy healthy food (and muffins to freeze), that the weather seems a little cooler today (it may change), for ideas to help my aching legs, that I'm thinking about how/ when to dispose of a cumbersome piece of furniture, for just enjoying lying here, a gentle breeze blowing the curtains. Life is good. Lots of challenges, lots to do, but just now in this moment everything is perfect.

Toni'sfriend

Good luck with sorting out the domestic chaos, Grandmanerd. I, too, have cumbersome furniture that I have to dispose of and not quite sure how to do it.

I got quite a lot done yesterday before it got too hot. I spent an hour in the afternoon lying on the bed, blinds drawn, window open, fan on, thinking about nothing in particular. It was very relaxing.

The two little blonde bombshells brought me a beautiful handbag as a gift from their holidays. It perfectly matches my favourite pair of winter boots. What a lovely surprise.

It is supposed to be very hot again today but at the moment it's dull and overcast. I shall go get started on all my little jobs. Plus side of doing the chores is that it'll get me away from Himself who has been for the past hour telling me about some TV programme about Italian football that he's been watching. I hate football. I think it's going to be one of those days!!!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for spending the day downstairs where it was decidedly cooler, for Poirot stories, for a neighbour taking some food off our hands and offering to do shopping if we need it (dh tested positive this morning), for a surprise call with my friend out in Spain, for getting more marking done and being well ahead of the deadline.

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#7

Had a lie in this morning, but felt so good to have caught up on my sleep! Went for a walk after breakfast with DH, I only have 131 miles left to do this year now (aiming for 500).
Sewed a bear together & made a new lining for my bumbag, which I wear at work. After tea I listed the rest of my coins on eboy, as there's 70% off selling fees this weekend 😃 did a bit of crochet, then stuffed & did the hand sewing on the bear. DS3 has a friend for a sleepover tonight, they went out a wander, but thankfully back before we go to bed & told to stay inside now.

Grateful for a dry day, finding more wild Geum seeds on our walk, that DS & friend have returned, so I can go to bed

Toni'sfriend

I'm sitting here having a cup of coffee contemplating what to do next. I'm feeing a bit lazy but that's the slippery slope to doing nothing at all. I think I might do a bit of cooking for easy meals the rest of this week and make some extra so the Boy can take them home with him today. He was saying yesterday how much the cost of food had risen. He hadn't needed to go to the supermarket for the last few weeks and probably noticed it more than those who go more regularly. It must be serious if he noticed!

Himself is planning to watch some programmes he's recorded today. Not football thankfully. Well, not much football! So, I think I might see what can be done upstairs without him interfering. And I must have a look at the holiday box to see what needs buying, etc.

Hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday,

ldee2111

Got back from London on Friday. Yesterday I paid off the credit card from the trip. Managed to underspend budget by around £100 so that’ll stay in the holiday fund for future trips.

Woke this morning to £40 in my TCashback account. I’ve cashed it out and as soon as it’s in my bank account it’ll be sent straight to the mortgage. 

I got a bit ahead of myself and did my Sunday sweep on Saturday:

Transport £22

Leisure £0

Food £0

Transport underspend went to a mortgage OP. Leisure was all spent on London. And food was a slight overspend (I’ve been struggling to keep within our food budget the last few weeks but am reluctant to increasing it!)

Yesterday OH’s hairdresser auntie cut DS’s hair for starting school on Wednesday. We stayed over at OH’s parents’ last night - they live in the countryside so I fell asleep to a cacophony of mooing, barking, tweeting, and buzzing. 

We’re all going to the football later today. 

Grateful for our family, for shade in this weather, and for ice cream and iced drinks! 

Have a good Sunday turtles.

grandmanerd

Good day so far (hit a snag but hopefully dealing with it). Went outside before it got really hot, gathered all the branches and ivy I had already cut down, chopped them up and put them in the green bin. Have put my white bedspread in the wash on a 59 minutes cycle. Found the rubble sacks I bought on Friday and transferred medium lumps of stone, render and plaster from a seed tray (I sit in a circle with various receptacles for sorting - terracotta  and slate pieces are being saved and a limited amount of 'fancy' stones from mum's, rubbish goes in a bag, weeds usually in a bag or bucket) and a bucketful of rubble and bits of brick from the bucket I produced in the backs last week. Then hoed all the patch outside my little wall and a bit of my neighbour's (pulled the weeds up last week but the soil and roots that were left needed the hoe. 

Came back to the house and wondered why the bit I'd swept and part sorted was wet. Outside drain was full to the brim (washing machine water) and wasn't going down much. DS3 was non-cooperative (I swear I will swap him for a dog) so I removed the grate bit (glad I hadn't yet cemented it in) and baled out as much water as I could using a deep takeaway tub. So far I've only got a few small twigs and some 'tissue' bits - might be wipes of some kind. I was down to holding the brick at the side of the drain and reaching as far as I could, so went to ask DS3 again.

Then put the caustic soda down and I gathered breakfast, came upstairs and had a shower (scrubbed the backs and front of my hands as well as my nails). Need to attack the paperwork and go to check on the caustic soda but will have a break first.

Deni_debt-free_dreamer

Evening turtles

Have been feeling drained by the weather and DD1's MH struggles.  
Finished work on Friday, on leave from FT job now for a week and 2 days.  Got my other jobs to do but had the weekend off from all my jobs which has been nice.
Did a big shop yesterday and posted some parcels that have been hanging around for weeks.  Went for a walk in the eve, hardly been moving as too hot.  Had tea with both DDs and an early night.
Today i woke up at 6.  Cleaned the bathroom and put all the sofa cushions back (decided to wash them all yesterday).  Then carried on and hoovered behind the sofa, dusted and cleaned the floors downstairs.  Also went for a walk before it got too hot.  
Decided to make a veggie roast dinner for me and DD2.  Will watch some TV with her and go to bed early.

Gratitudes - DDs going for coffee together, supportive text chat with my friend, having a weekend off work and enjoying pottering

love Deni