NST OCTOBER 2022: Autumn Leaves and Sloe Berries

apple_muncher

Today I shall watch the marathon and sew up some bases. I was going to say 'bottoms' but thought that might make f0xh0les spit their Early Grey everywhere...

grandmanerd

Progress on several fronts. I did bring the ood dip upstairs and munched my way through a head of celery, quite a lot of carrots and spring onions which were so bendy the ends were nearly touching but were lovely once I'd peeled off all the papery dry layers. Ate tinned mandarins and have a tinned mixed bean salad with vinaigrette (I'll drain it and add a bit back). Just been downstairs and have hot soup which I transferred to a mug once it was safely transported and a half loaf of good bread to toast. Gathered all the cans (took my glasses off last night and the shiny cans are easy to pick out of the murk) and put the bag by the window to drop down into the yard. Plus a larger empty mushroom box as some things in my bag are too far gone (one of the peppers collapsed in on itself) and I don't want them leaking through the bag and into the bed.

 Found my other green jumper so can abandon the hunt for a fluffy cardi. It's a bit worn but will be wonderful in the house or under a coat if outside (the damage is on the sleeves). I remembered I have a teal zip up sweatshirt (cotton but the fabric has the look of knitting) and a grey batwing hooded wrap around (no buttons but the hood can come down below my nose and the sides wrap all across my body). Haven't worn iit much in the last 2 years because mum didn't like it and would pull a face or make comments every time I put it on. Both were charity shop purchases. So if I see something amazing in the cs, I'll get it but otherwise my winter wardrobe is complete.

When I was rummaging for crockery I found a little plastic box with bits I'd gathered when tidying the kitchen (whilst the workmen were here). 2 of my favourite screwdrivers, assorted diy bits and £7 (£5 note and 4 x 50p coins). I've gathered all the loose notes (DS3 asked why my money kept falling on the floor) but they've escaped a couple of times. All the counted and labelled ones went back in the drawer (forgot to give them to my brother last week so they were still in my handbag - I want to hand over his half of the cash from mum's bank account so everything in my account is mine).

Feeling much brighter (though still aching) so today's plan is 
do a bit extra
get closer to my goals
lots of rest and recreation

I waited a bit longer before having my shower so that I'd have enough energy to wash my hair as well. Found some shower cream of Beloved's to use as I'm not sure if I smell, the bed smells or my nose is still congested (taste buds are a bit off too). The shower cream is about 5 years old and not been used, so that's another use up on the go (was very cautious as some of Beloved's  products are highly scented but this was fine). Will still use soap on alternate days.

Really want to make it downstairs today, even if I only manage to load the WM and DW. I would like to sit in the yard (well wrapped) but have plenty to do up here for now.

Grateful for finding money and screwdrivers, a good lightweight book to read, easy food, using things up, feeling brighter.

Shrewbie

Hi turtles, here is my plan for October. I will be doing the pantry challenge today!!

OUTSIDE-    I definitely want to spend more time outside this month!! I went to the mountains yesterday and it was lovely to be outdoors and breathe clean air. 

INSIDE    Check your wardrobe and make a list of things you are going to need.

I need some shoes and boots for winter and will get some trousers mended. Will be looking in the charity shops and will set a budget for this. 

Fun. Yes! I need to plan. I am going to Mallorca with my mum and two of my sisters coming up in October and we are going to try to keep this holiday fairly cheap, lots of making our own meals.

Food – I need to continue to meal plan and try to add more veg into my diet. Will look up some new soup recipes.

Read I will read before bed. this is really important to me and I hardly ever make time for it. 

Plan for December.  I would only like to get thoughtful gifts, I don’t really want a last minute rush like usual. I also need to buy my plane ticket home before they get too expensive. 

The naughty chaise longue will be designated a Warm Space, and a heated overblanket will be provided to any occupants, and as long as they tell us a story, we will keep you supplied with warm drinks, and buttered toast.

This sounds amazing! 

I will try again for 15 NSDs, I will continue with minimal booze intake,  morning pages, meditation and at least 40 min exercise every day,  will also try to incorporate yoga. I also want to remind myself this month that i am not doing these things just to tick boxes, that I don’t want to stress myself out by adding more and more things to my routine and that it’s ok if not everything gets done.

I am grateful for getting out to the mountains, for a delicious and cheap meal out (el salvador papusas) and for being on budget last month. 

f0xh0les

I love it when the house gives me money for cleaning it.  It is like it is saying Thank You!! Congratulations @grandmanerd on finding your treasure.  

Today will be NSD1 for me.  Made another batch of bread rolls to have with The Return Of The Soups  at lunchtime. 

Also finally got around to making The World Famous Twinks' H0bn0bs! Luckily I halved the amount the recipe states, which still made 24 biscuits and they are dangerously LUSH!!  Easy for little kids to make too. Minimal washing up, make a ball and squash, so no rolling out either.   

All laundry dried on the line and folded and returned to the ungrateful swines.  They have uniform for Monday and Tuesday, after that however.....

Top 2 floors hoovered properly, and all the stairs.  Going to do the hall and living room, and as long as the washing up gets done, I can do the rest during the week.

The Firni turns out to be an Indian rice pudding, but not like we make it, it is almost a ground rice, more like the warm semolina pudding  you got at primary school with jam in the late 70's/ early 80's (but cold with a possibility of a slide into a  diabetic coma).  Most important thing is that it is out of the pantry though!  I do have some pudding rice in there, so might dispose of that this week as well, but I always end up eating it all. Hmm, will have to think on that one.

No heating on last night either!!  Today is DH's birthday, he wanted nothing, does not want to go anywhere, or do anything, just wants to have a nice bath and watch some football and play with his pesky Owl (Du0ling0).  So that is what he is going to do.

Oooh, nearly forgot to warn you!! 10 school days left until half term (schools close on 14th in LeShire).

lcc86

Evening turtles

Today started with lots of rain, I needed to go and see my share horse but had planned to do some groundwork so I stuck to that plan and the rain had more or less stopped by the time we got started at 10.30ish so it worked out well. I stopped by a local coffee shop to get OH a coffee (he loves his coffee but won't ever make it at home). I did cave and get myself one as a treat so it's definitely not a NSD today. I don't need to buy anything next week so I should be able to compensate and save some money. 

Did some more cooking today so we now have lunches to see us through the week as well as dinners. Gave the kitchen a quick clean and put a load of washing on. Hung it inside as it's been cloudy but the sun keeps breaking through so have had all the windows open as it's been nice and warm. We'll have an early dinner I think and then light a candle for the evening. 

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a good session at the gym, for dc letting me do their class civ hwk (!), for sewing up all the bottoms and adding some of the scarves, for not working tomorrow (it makes the weekends just so much nicer), for delaying buying more f+v recently and ensuring I use up what we have already.

BadBookkeeper

Evening turtles, hope you’ve all seen some beautiful autumn sunshine wherever you are.

Spent a good hour outside today took dog we are looking after for a walk and ds to the park to play footy with his mates.  We do need an outside tidy up and a tip run but probably end of month for this.

Did the ironing.  Hate doing this on a Sunday so am going to do it on a Wednesday evening instead.  Spent yesterday cleaning the house but all the occasional jobs need doing, windows, oven, those extra bits that if I do as part of the regular house clean would end up taking up so much time so I’m going to try and do something each week to stay on top of it.  I didn’t have any industrial oven cleaner so just cleaned the glass door with plain old washing up liquid and it worked brilliantly but can now see the racks need doing!  I need a sort out of hats gloves and my wardrobes.

We have a renovation pot for things we’re supposed to be doing to the house but we can’t seem to get anywhere with it.  Need to focus a bit on this and try to get out bedroom done by December. 

For fun today we all went to the park then I watched some footy now watching one of my fave films.  

Made some vegetable soup today for wfh lunches Monday - Wednesday.  I bought a casserole/soup pack from aldee and chucked it all in.  having toasties for tea to use up some bread and ham. DH is on a alcohol free run it’s been 14 days for him.  I’ve also not bothered having any and it’s a 10 day run for me.  

Nothing read today except the news online very depressing!

Few items added to my list for December.  Nearly bought a few things but waiting for a spend day then I’ll get these too. 

NSD 2/15

Drying washing outside and making enough soup for a few meals is my MSE thing for the day.

Grateful for: An easy Sunday 

Esmeralda2662

Took mum to the car boot and got 3 nearly new t-shirts for my toddler nephew, 3 lovely and fairly recent hardback fiction books for me and some new kids pants to go in the shoebox appeal. All for a fiver. Enjoyed walking about in the unexpected sunshine.

Potted up a self-sown thyme plant growing amongst the paving to give to my friend. The smell was fantastic and made me feel quite hungry.

DS and GF turned up to collect some car parts out of the garage. They picked a couple of huge red eating apples off the tree. Made us think of the poisonous apple in the D*sney film. GF also took some empty jam jars to use for craft storage. The rest will be bagged up and left for collection by local lady on village FB. A bit more out of the door!

Went to visit OH who started with a cold and later developed a terrible sore throat. He tested himself for covid and was clear but we shall see what tomorrow brings. Made a big casserole in the slow cooker for tea and although he didn't feel hungry he wolfed it down. Some left for him tomorrow as an easy meal.

Made a list of winter clothes needed. New walking/training shoes, winter boots, coat and jumper. Washed my old waterproof coat on a gentle wash and couldn't understand why it was covered in small grey bits until I realised the lining had disintegrated into millions of pieces. Still, it lasted well.

Still no NSDs but plenty of food in store. Might need a bit of fresh f+v, milk and bread to top up. Will try and prep a meal plan. Still keeping some spare tinned/dried foods and bottled water/UHT milk in case there are any winter shortages (and to keep my German friend who's a serious prepper happy). I thought she was a bit extreme but look at the situation in Germany now. I guess it's like living in remote areas where you could be snowed in for weeks on end, you HAVE to have extra supplies just in case. Some NST Turtles on this site may live on islands and already stock up well.

Gratitudes: warm October sunshine to enjoy, my bonus thyme plant to give as a gift, some nice books to read when I can.

Wishing you all a good week. X

DrCarrie

Hi all, @f0xh0les - lovely challenge. Wishing you all a productive October. I am not joining this month, I wasn't able to keep up with everyone's journey last month. I have another really busy month at work, and I know I won't be able to keep up. 

See you soon DrCarrie x

ldee2111

Sunday update

The weather stayed dry yesterday so we had our walk through the local woods. Collected lots of chestnuts… I now just need to learn how to actually soften and string them for a game of conkers.

Got some jobs done… cleaned the kitchen and the downstairs toilet, vacuumed upstairs and wiped down surfaces in our bedrooms. 

Mum watched DS while OH and I had a night out. 

Went for a meal at an Indian restaurant which was delicious. No alcohol consumed and I ate from the pre-theatre menu so our  bill wasn’t too big. 

Ripped off with one hour’s parking on the street though. £6 for one hour! 

Then we went to see our show. Brian Cox was fantastic… my mind was boggled and blown by explanations of our galaxy, the galaxies beyond our galaxy, time, space, and the end of time. We didn’t buy any drinks or merch, and because I used to work in the area I knew where to find free parking.

Grateful for phenomenal human brains, for science, for free parking, and Mum babysitting.

Have a good Monday, turtles x

A little autumnal picture for you…