NST September 2022 Picture yourself on a boat on a canal

hazeldreams

Morning all,

Just read through everyones posts from yesterday/this morning. I've noticed that there's tons of moans and groans at my place of work too and it sounds like its the same for a lot of you too. I guess the slow approach to winter, cost of living crisis, mood of the nation following the Queen's passing, is dragging everyone down. Oh and probably every workplace is stretched to breaking point like ours is, to top it all off! I've been in the office Tuesday and Wednesday. I was supposed to be in today too but I'm not going in. I need to protect my mental health from some of the noise today!

@thriftytaylor glad you enjoyed YWA neck and shoulders! Love that woman, she really is a legend!

Yesterday's update;

Gratitude - Today is day 8 without alcohol. I'm so chuffed with myself and the benefits I'm feeling are immense. Grateful for a heart to heart with my line manager where I had to explain where I am with workload and commitments - even though she can't do anything about it, it was good to offload and explain what isn't going to get done. Grateful for the ability to wfh when office life (even though I couldn't do without it) starts to drag me down!

NSDs/ Pausing before purchasing still on 6/10 NSDs as car needed coolant. It seems to be emergency after emergency this month! Typical when I'm trying to reduce spends! Murphy's law (as Dave Ramsey would say!) Fruit and nuts helped at work but I still bought chocolate. I've analysed why and remembered a thought that said something like "NSD is wrecked today because of OH buying coolant, so you can have that choc bar" Where is the logic in that?! Also sat next to a colleague munching croissants and orange twirls didn't help either! OH made banana loaf with LO bananas that we very ripe, so I can munch on that today without spending. 

Mostly I'm super chuffed with grocery spends this week. We bombed last week with a £200 spend. This week however, we're at £126.41/£150! So blooming happy with that! It's shopping day tomorrow too! I will have to go to shops this morning and get bread, milk and snacks for kids lunches today/tomorrow though, but we will still be way under the £150 for this week! So pleased!

Yoga/Meditation Just meditation done this morning becuase I did an hour yoga at the gym last night and I was a little achy. "Calm" came up as an intention. I found myself getting a little wound up and defeatist at work yesterday. Will be mindful of that today.

Eating and drinking still just focussing on drinking 2L of water a day -  1.5L yesterday. Will get this back up to 2L today.

Hazel x

Toni'sfriend

It's another lovely day and the birds are singing away. The Boy is still with us. He's been working such long hours he just doesn't fancy the three hour drive home afterwards and he seems to be quite liking being here. I'm glad to have him here. I don't think he's had time to cook or eat properly lately so he's enjoying getting some home cooked food and being fussed over. He says he'll stay till Saturday but since his company is closed on Monday he might just stay a bit longer.

So everyone is still in bed apart from me so I'm going to finish this coffee and go for a little stroll around the village. Hope to get to the beach later.

grandmanerd

Thursday 15th September 2022

10 Best Foods for Healthy Skin
Eggs           Oranges           Dark Chocolate           Sardines          Carrots          Chickpeas
Pumpkin     Walnuts            Tomatoes                     Organic Beef
Alternative List
Almonds          Tuna          Strawberries          Spinach          Sweet Potatoes          Coffee
Tofu                   Papaya     Green Tea             carrots            Tomatoes                    Dark Chocolate

Today
We will travel a bit further along the canal and visit two more villages. Monton is lovely - lots of green spaces, one main street of shops (and there's a lovely garden centre close by when you're on the road route). Several streets of 'Villa' type houses - in pairs with bay windows up and down and attics and some basements. Not as grand as the ones we have in Pennington (Rugby Union Club and Cricket Club are both on the estate behind the main road house) but a lot more of them. 

The next village on our route is Patricroft which is totally different, very urban, many 'works' - a mini Trafford Park but in both cases the types of industry have changed. Patricroft once housed Gardiner's engines which were a mainstay for heavy lorries and at one time all our fire engines had Gardiner engines. A couple of friends of mine (one retired, one about 10 years older) worked there and one of them got me a job interview (unsuccessful). All for the best really because it was a difficult journey by public transport (a friend of my dad's took me for the interview).

Patricroft is the point where the first inter city passenger railway crosses the world's first commercial canal (that's the one we're travelling on). It was the home of the Royal Ordnance factory (ROF) - they make thinks for the army and services. In 1940 the government took over the Bridgewater foundry  which had originally made steam engines but by 1938 they switched to steam hammers and machine tools. From February 1940 they produced armaments to supplement the work of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich. Later on they were at the forefront of manufacturing rocket motors for missiles such as ALARM, Harpoon, Sea Wolf and Sea Dart. They were privatised in the late eighties, despite protests that it was unsafe from a military standpoint, to do so, became part of British Aerospace and were eventually closed down.

End Quotes
Food should make you feel pretty from the inside.

Each meal is a new beginning. An opportunity to heal your body and change your life.

Whilst lying in bed with my husband last night, he asked me what I'd most like to do with his body. "Identify it" wasn't the right answer, apparently.

grandmanerd

Woke up, had my pills and ate before realising that it wasn't even 5 o'clock. Tried to post after I'd washed but the laptop is very unenthusiastic today so let it have a little rest. Project bedroom is working (very slowly). Set one set of drawers with side of the wardrobe shelf/ work surface and then moved all the things that were on the other set of drawers. Also took screws out of wardrobe bits and small tacky nails that held on the backing boards (think I took some of those from somewhere else as none of them match. I am saving them because the wood look/ white board wood make good flooring on a doll's house (reserve the right to change my mind as we're a  long way off doll's houses yet).

Have slowly been moving the second set of drawers into place - the board is on top but not evenly balanced, just needed to move it from where I needed to put my feet. Moved it part way but the gap was getting narrower, so I've spent the last hour, roughly, filling boxes and listing the contents as they need to go in the corner space where the drawers will meet. I was also frightened that I would be stuck if I pulled the drawers any more (between two sets of drawers, boxes and two boards just above my head - will move them by pushing at the other side next .

Spent money yesterday. I've been looking at various craft items for a couple of months and had several discounts that were running out, in addition to trying to buy sale/ clearance items to get the best value for my money. Was going to buy clothing for the baby but think I may need to consult the parents. They may have already bought winter clothing by the time Isaac Newton's birthday happens. May buy things in several different sizes to use my discount/ free delivery but have clothing gifts for several years.

One of the craft sites froze after I'd perused the catalogue (for about the 12th time in 3 months, made my choices and then whittled them down. tried a discount store for some items, got carried away with the felt colours selection (only 30% wool) and when I looked at the total decided that if I was going to spend that much I'd go back to etsy and buy 100% wool felt. I have a pattern for a doll with lots of different outfits and at my present rate of production I need to start now so they'll be ready when she's  old enough (3- 4 depending on how hard it is to get the clothes on and off). The pattern maker recommended using wool felt (she had her own site but she's based in Canada so postage costs were high) and the clothes in the book were a lovely range of colours. 

I don't want anything too girly and I also want to make a woodland garland for her room (they got the painting and flooring done but hadn't yet bought the decals to go on the wall) - felt owl, deer, fox etc plus leaves, toadstools and acorns (and as little sewing as possible. In the end I went with a Nordic palette (may have sold out as several people had it in their baskets) an autumn palette (rich but muted shades - think autumn leaves and berries) and the skin tones pack. 

My doctor's appointment went well. She agreed to adjust the prescription as per the diabetic review (it's just arrived, I have loads now) and will make a referral to the consultant to see if I need to go on a waiting list for a new knee or hip - I just want to know what I should and shouldn't be doing to keep things working as long as possible.

Grateful for the NHS, beautiful felt colours (love the heathery shades and the sea urchin - turquoise blues and greens and a bit of pink), stopping when I knew I was in danger of spending too much (it will be easier than embroidery but don't know how long I'll  be able to do basic hand sewing either), drawers not being too heavy. One final push and then lunch, I think.

pollyanna_26

You bring back many memories GMN. My 1st husbands brother just over a year younger than him had initially joined the Canadian Pacific Company and sailed with them heading to winter they would do cruises to hot climes. After Army Service in WW2 his father had gone to sea.

There was a large picture of him on the wall in full ceremonial uniform on his horse and the tv images have brought back memories of him.

He was a lovely man. MIL proved to be difficult when husband and I got engaged. She usually sat in her chair doing her daily crossword as though I wasn't there.

One day she finally spoke. She would teach me to cook, sew , knit , keep a clean house and all the things I learned from childhood.

I thanked her and said I already knew those things. She had been in service when young in Thornton Hough in Chesshire and said my mother could not have been aware of the correct ways to live.

I was biting my lip but determined not to lose my temper. FIL was a lovely man sometimes he'd pull faces behind her back if we were in the kitchen and she was giving me another lecture.

They had moved in to a new build 3 bed council house in the early 50s. My parents 2 younger sisters and I were just a short walk away on a newer council estate lovely modern large red brick houses. We moved there when I was 11 and due to start Grammar School,

Future mother in law when we were due to marry kept up her tirade against my family . people who lived council estates. When I said aren't you living on a council estate too? It seemed hers was superior and more suited to decent people because it had pebbledash rather than common red brick. It was the late 60s just before our wedding . I had to not burst out laughing but once my future husband and I were far from her view as he walked me home we had to stop to calm the laughter I'd watched that peppledash she was so proud of come off the outside walls over the years.

BIL left the sea and trained as a Police Officer part of his training was in Patricroft then the big Police Training school in the NW.

Near the wedding MIL actually asked if there was a particular present we would like a question all my aunts , friends and others were asking.

 

We went to Liverpool to look around the shops we'd already saved hard and bought furniture and most things for the house which was in storage.

We did see some things in George Henry Lee ( Later to become John Lewis and move to Liverpool One) not expensive.

We had a browse in the big Lewis's store found some things within budget for everyone. As we were about to leave I spotted som cutlery very different to any I'd seen before very modern but quite classic. As I wondered future husband lagged behind. Later he presented me with the boxed cake forks and slice and showed his mother.

Other family and guests asked what we would like from the range but MIL was on a mission. The only thing she couldn't track down was the wooden case to hold it all.

I found that online many years later. When our son was born my mum wanted to buy his big pram but MIL took herself to GHL and bought the most expensive Silver Cross coachbuilt pram available big wheels, shopping bag on the handle and tray on the bottom. I actually often didn't feel comfortable  leaving it outside a shop as I normally carried ds in to shops when he was very young and he got to know all the shopkeepers .

You are very wise to ask your grandaughters parents about clothes and other things.

My eldest dd was born a year and a week after her brother. Grandad and everyone loved her but our son was MILs focus.  She rarely invited myself and dd1 to visit  She started sayng to give us a break she would look after son all day at her house.

My temper began to fray when I discovered as soon as I left him there she would change him in to clothes she thought more suitable for him and better class.

DD was pretty well ignored I have video footage her dad shot where she , we and son are in their lovely garden in the sunshine. MIL is only interacting with our son. Then Grandad wanders down the garden and we and son are chatting on laughing . He was a real joker.

When my late husband was in the hospice every shot he'd taken from the days he worked on steam engines to many memories including our honeymoon , the little ones and grandad walking down the garden to talk to us.

He remembered all of those years but not our names   or what we talked about although as we had in the hospital then the brain injury unit and the hospice the walls had photographs of us all with our names in large print.

I hope you have a good day GMN.

One day I'm going to ask how may Wigan Roads there are. You've mentioned one on the barge journey. The first one I knew of was where the much further away 2nd hospital in our Local Trust Ormskirk  is became somewhere DD needed to attend as well as our local one.

It got confusing if we took the bus from our town to the bus station and locals would say which Wigan Rd?

The hospital kindly gave us a map but by car, bus or later taxi . People would misdirect us often. Walking it from the bus station is an uphill journey and often we'd be exhausted when got to the hospital.

All the lovely planting outside the main entrance meant we'd sit there before going home and more recent times our good friend would turn up in his taxi and take us home.

He deserves a medal for all the years he's taken us to appts all over the NW and the usual don't pay I'm a friend . Me take the money or I wont ask you again.

We reached a compromise on that one.

ETA I  was the last person to visit MIL in the nursing home. She was badly arthritic when I first met  her and was constantly in pain. Along with the medication for that unknown until near her death by me was the capsules she swallowed like sweets had been withdrawn years earlier judged not safe and really addictive.

I had no idea where she had got all those capsules but it was the subject of an episode of Call the Midwife. As was the original contraceptive pill and other new medication.

dd1 was born a year after our son. My then DR gave me a prescription for the pill. I was wary took one but decided not to take any more. Some of my friends developed blood clots and other problems others were ok  I only took that one pill maybe my resistance to medication dates back to then. Youngest has only argued against one med she'd had years earlier which didn't go well;

She's used to Superdoc doing a steroid injection rather than prescribed steroids in tablet form. I hope for tablets rather than needles. That goes back to the 50s when there were polio. diptheria and something else I can't remember outbreaks we children had to line up with a parent outside the school clinic. slowly move forward like the crowds in London until we were inside.

No syrup on a sugar lump for the Polio one just a huge needle for each injected by the really horrible school nurse. Years later reading Miranda to both my children and the school pupils I realised Miss Trunchbull was like that school nurse there were other nurses but  she seemed to enjoy jabbing people.

MIL was in a lovely large lounge in a lovely nursing home. Much further away from where she'd lived. Her youngest son was my age but was an armed officer trainer . his wife a former police officer was retired in ill health. They live just around the corner from youngest in the same village.

MIL had her daily paper with crossword nearby there were some magazines  neither she or I would read on tables. I cant remember what the programme  on TV was except it was something neither she or I would watch. She asked if I could lower the sound  with no other patients in the room I went to the nurses station and asked about the tv one came and turned it low. Then I asked if I could bring a book rest and some other aids as she was pretty well sitting alone wasting away.

The following day bil phoned me to tell me his mother had passed away shortly after I headed home. We'd had our ups and downs over the years  but I was glad I'd waved to her as I left the lounge and she smiled back.

BIL and his wife similar age to me are now retired.

They moved to this area a long time ago . Sometimes if I was driving along the coast road there'd be the load blast of a horn behind me then he'd pass and pull up further ahead in his landrover.

They had a number of homes but when youngest took refuge with her BF and the cats. he and his wife had just moved to a side road in the village minutes away from her.

pollyx

grandmanerd

Well polly there are 13 in my local street atlas - Wigan Roads in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Aspull, Atherton, Billinge, Bolton, Golborne, Hindley, Leigh, Shevington, Skelmersdale, Standish, Westhead and Westhoughton. To be fair, most of those places have roads that do lead to Wigan.

pollyanna_26

grandmanerd said:

Well polly there are 13 in my local street atlas - Wigan Roads in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Aspull, Atherton, Billinge, Bolton, Golborne, Hindley, Leigh, Shevington, Skelmersdale, Standish, Westhead and Westhoughton. To be fair, most of those places have roads that do lead to Wigan.

I did think we were being pointed in many different directions, clear as mud until your reply.

You mentioned Brunel and Bridgewater in a recent post. Mr Toad and his parents access to the canal was across the road down past a large pub with good food and the canal was there no lift or swing bridge just into the water.The long road they lived on was turn off from a shopping area with a coop. barber wool shop and many others.

When really young we were told off for picking some stray daffodills outside the very majestic property once a stately home  then the conservative club and other things.a very shouty man had appeared and said he was taking us  to the police station we believed him and ran up the drive and round the side of the town hall to the road Mr Toad lived on with his parents.

As you often mention The Beatles they performed there early in their careers. We stones and other bands fans didn't go.

The strange thing is all the things happening in different ways in the past few years  have not only anchored the vivid memory of watching Queen and Freddies final goodbye.

Those were the days of our lives and in the last few days I've travelled in my head through places I grew to love over the years.

The Town Hall was housing, health and many things, It was with the help of my doctor then  my husband and I went from a grotty large rented flat  ground floor big rooms but damp and cold and the only time I saw silverfish up close and packed away my books.

We were given a large ground floor modern 2 bed flat round the corner from my mum and loved it . My husbands Grandad and Grandma were in bungalow opposite us . They were very interesting talkng of the old days and each year ther front garden was a sea of white my favourite snowdrops then then lots of other flowers also white.

Years later I discovered snowdrops and violas white different  ones would grow in different seasons I added other bulbs and flowers some white some blue and I have no idea how many people  stopped to ask me how so many things were flowering in pots, window boxes  hanging baskets  and the ground the few times we had deep snow which lasted a long time.

The canal access there was quite easy. Just down the road the was Brunel Drive a short cut through then into another road Bridgewater Close. I relised why they were named thus later, I;d always been very interested in Isambard Kingdom Brunel from  the range in the terrace house in the 50s  built in Ironbridge and with a bread oven.

Later it was the railway connection also my interest in local history and Brunel was involved in so much progress in so many ways.

There was a slope up the bridge and down the other side. near the town hall there was a big lift bridge our section had partly begun to be used as a rubbish tip on either side. Pushing a babiy or later a toddler and a baby over the where my grammar school had been  and towards  where my younger sisters went to school and years later lived until middle Sis went to Bolton then Devon.

I'd be holding a hanky to my nose drenched in Yardley's Lavender, Rose or Freesia.

When my dad was persuaded to join a pilgramage to Lourdes by mum nagging we were very surprised  as he wasn't religious. He brought me a tiny bottle of Worth Je Reviens form his time in France. I was in my early teens and treasured that gift . Sometimes a quick sniff others a tiny dab.

One other thing in my head lately is "In My Life " can;t remenber if that was just John Lennon or Paul too,

It struck me in the last few days a lot of my life while not Royal involved progress, positive changes dark times  we got through eventually and all the beautiful parts of the UK visited, many often and never forgotten.

We intend to go to those places again.

pollyx

f0xh0les

Today everything I bought had a ys on it.  So up to the heady heights of  NSD 5 (I think) for me. Must try harder.

This whole week  it has still been dark when I got up, and the air smells like Autumn.

Tomorrow I have 3 months until the schools break up for C-word.  I need to get my Autumnal head on and start prepping. Summer clothes need putting away and jumpers need to be looked at and evaluated.

I was in a cs this afternoon and they were putting up their Hallowe'en and C-word display on the same shelf. Boo! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Esmeralda2662

Thanks for your best wishes, Thrifty!😉

Loaded car yesterday with rotten wood for 2nd tip run then remembered a huge rotten wood garden chair to go. It would only fit in my little Fiat 500 if I took all the wood out again, put the chair in and then restacked round it. Drat! All done and gone.

Opticians rang at lunchtime to cancel my afternoon appointment so that was really annoying. Need to book in again asap.

Drove to my son's, borrowed his mower and cut mum's lawn for when she comes back from holiday tomorrow. Looks a bit scalped in places so hope it grows back quickly! Returned mower. DS would have mown it but he works long hours and I was off work anyway.

Bought extra dried/tinned foods as my German friend is a prepper and worrying me a bit about possible power/food shortages. I've also bought some bottled water, matches and sorted a torch and candles out. They suggest enough for a month - i think i've got 2 days worth! Doing a bit just in case but really hope we won't get to that point.

Glad to have today off and go for a riverside walk with OH. A pint of shandy and OH cooking dinner was a bonus. Had a cricked neck for 3-4 days so hoping it will go off now the tip runs are done.

NSD#2 but will try for more.

Gratitudes: lawn cut, dried foods just in case, lovely walk with OH, tip runs done for mum so garden and yard look nice when she gets back. X

lcc86

Feeling slightly better today after a rough night, ended up on the sofa so I didn't disturb OH's sleep with my blocked nose snoring! WFH today, had to pop to the shops at lunchtime as I made a salad but had no dressing, so a small spend.

Got paid from my old job, as I left mid-month I've only got half my normal pay, am praying I get paid from my new job at the end of this month or October is going to be very painful indeed!

No exercise today as still felt rough this morning. Had swimming booked this evening but cancelled as didn't think it was the best idea. Maybe tomorrow if I'm feeling better.