NST NIFTY NOVEMBER

grandmanerd

I'm feeling restored - I have been planting fruit trees in the rain. Mr Builder came and I now have a nice shiny new gate - just a pity the walls either side have to come down. 

In between I'm putting away all the washing up I did and then will start on clearing bits of worktop and thoroughly cleaning the fridge and freezer (there's a smell - I think I missed one of the fish). It will be sorted. Taking some library books back.

It wouldn't let me post the above (think it was the laptop - it kept insisting I had no internet although I had a strong signal, was connected and if I'd been any closer to the router, it would have been in my lap). Anyway shortly afterwards I slumped. I did take five books back to the library, using my walking stick (between my tree planting and Mr Builder installing the gate with latch and bolts, I wasn't at all sure about negotiating my way down the yard - I also have deliquescing cardboard and a pile of weeds as I sorted each small tub out before adding it to the tree tub). 

Made it but abandoned plans to go to the cash machine. I was half way along the near side of the Town Hall and almost directly in a line with my house, looked both ways to assess the distance (bank is at the far traffic light corner of that whole block) and headed homewards, in the straightest line possible whilst making full use of street furniture and trees on the car park to stand holding onto.

Absolutely wiped out. DS3 was ordering food before I left so I'd asked him to add a sandwich and a gingerbread man for me. They'd arrived (I had to stand knocking frantically whilst holding myself up on my recently installed safety handles as he'd  locked the door after the delivery) so I packed everything up, DS3 brought up the heavy bag and even followed my into the kitchen and took the 2 l drinks bottle off me and I spent the afternoon and early evening reading and resting. Did a little bit more later (sock/ underwear drawer - 5 binned, 7 to donate + old varifocals to go Vision Aid box at the optician's). Also steadily building a rubbish pile/ clearing my bedroom floor each time I visit the bathroom (paper recycling is on the bed - there are two paper collections but he bags keep creeping to the end of the bed)

Another decision made - my newest ruck sack has been under the kitchen table for a while (since I emptied it of all the kitchen/ cleaning stuff I'd transported from mum's in it). I was thinking it should go to Mc with me for next week's meal and be gifted to darling d-i-l but I used it to take 5 heavy books back to the library + my purse (card for cash machine) and although I got in a tangle trying to get my left arm through the strap for my homeward journey, it's still useful. I won't use it everyday any longer but it's still ideal for carrying extra stuff (particularly heavy items). There's nothing wrong with the ruck sack, it's me that's the problem. So keeping it for now but it can hang up on one of the hooks behind my bedroom door until it's needed (winter coat can go back there for now, as well).

The fairground rides were arriving when I went to the library and there was much clanging later on. There are road signs and cones on street corners. It's the annual 'switching on of the Christmas lights' (totally underwhelming display). They did a big purchase quite a while ago, ten years of New Year Change numbers starting with the not the Millennium and nothing's been replaced so the fancy tree and the light curtain for the front of the Town Hall failed. Proper much smaller old style tree was reinstated sponsored by a local firm, crowdfunded some years, the twinkly lights on the town hall square trees only do one tree now and the street lights that originally did the 3 longest shopping streets now does a couple of blocks from the Turnpike (main traffic lights).

So it's Christmas lights switch on, they've done away with my fireworks (set up on the car park so sitting on my bed to watch from the best seat in town) but the 'show will be bigger and better than ever'. So from 11 am until 5 pm today I'll be suffering someone who once appeared on X factor, several local acts (probably including my former health trainer who's big on the Country music scene) and hours and hours of karoke from pre-pubescent girls who know all the moves, plus the fun fair rides (at least the big wheel isn't in line with my bedroom window).

Getting to the library is a huge trek as the whole square will be surrounded by crash barriers so a short direct walk across the car park is replaced by circumnavigating the whole of the library and Civic Square until you reach the allowed access points and then a zigzag between the rides (and candy floss and hot dog vans) to get to the disabled access ramp. The library has it's own programme of events - Brownies carol singing, official opening by the Mayor, a series of book signings by local authors (two by two). Crafts are mentioned but no details.

I think the 'Christmas Market' is on today - basically gazebo type structures along both sides of the pedestrianised area (much to the annoyance of all the regular shops with cries of dismay that people might purchase 'street food' rather than pies and pasties). It's had some interesting stalls in the past but rather pricey. However last time I only happened upon it as they were packing up and there had been several charity stalls including a display from a rare bird sanctuary. I generally disapprove of Christmas cards with photos (we had one of someone's rather ugly baby for many years - someone my parents had known before they married) but I'd pay for a photo of me holding an owl, to send to my grand-daughter (also solves the problem of more people sending me cards than the single pack of cards I already have. So I might potter that way when I think it might be quiet but before the stalls pack up.

However for now I'd better plant my orchard/ do outside stuff before my ears are assaulted by screeching karoke or the direst of Christmas songs. 

Crazycatlady2

Yes 🙂 It’s a company called Pre Loved Tech. It’s my first time using them but they appear to have good reviews. https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/prelovedtech.co.uk

They offered £6 for my ancient iPad so we will see if they payout the amount quoted. Compared to a lot of the other tech recycle offers, £6 was extremely good. Fingers crossed. 

Thankyou I’ll look into it 

grandmanerd

Saturday 19th November 2022
Your health is important - look after yourself.

Read, Relax, Restore, Recharge

Worth repeating as we all get busier and busier. Also after my last rather grumpy post, I need to give thanks and BE KIND. I've selected several unused items from my sock drawer (mainly tights, what was I thinking?) I think I'll take them to the food bank on Monday rather than giving them to one of the charity shops. Grown ups need treats too and mums always put everyone else first (I remember looking round the playground once and all the little girls had intricate plaits and other hair arrangements, all the children looked neat and tidy and the mothers mostly looked like they'd climbed out of a skip - all the effort had gone into their children.

I will do another pass of the toiletries drawer - there are still several pots of mum's favourite face and hand cream. I will use them but it might take another year, I'll round up the unopened ones (they'll still have a foil cover) and keep the remaining use ups (I have a full unused family pack of sun creams for summer, the odds and sods of toiletries should see me through until then). I've not set up the food bank DD yet, must add that onto my list. I also have a small fancy soap (bought in a sale and it was the turquoise whale soap dish I wanted). I'll add pretty exercise books and pencils to the pile (I get one a month on the front of my puzzle book and had a bunch rounded up to send to Ukraine last year) for stocking fillers.

It will be a spendy day - I'm going to do the next batch of 'needs' (will measure out how many weed proof squares for the tree tubs are left on the weed proof fabric roll to see if I need more of that) - a roll of garden mesh, drain cover etc and do a little food order (with the £15 discount). I think I'm going to cheat on that one (necessary short cut) and buy some healthy plant based salads (we're talking quinoa, grains etc) and meals. This week's pretty full on. I booked my flu jab yesterday (was going to do it, asked DS3 to access the voicemail that popped up and it was the surgery) and corrected the prescription shortage (and suggested they remove the old metformin item from the prescription). They gave me an appointment this Thursday, unfortunately at the difficult to get to surgery (but may get a taxi there and possibly take the opportunity to call in at Leedle and Icy land on the way back as I'm struggling to get to that end of town.

I'm supposed to meet my brother and niece this week (they've not got back with a specific day). It's film club on Friday (but could miss the afternoon film) and Art therapy on Tuesday (really don't want to miss it but if that's the only time I can see my brother - who's terrified and really doesn't want to leave the safety of his house). I need to get to mum's and clear the shed (would help if I cleared the stuff here first as it's mostly garden/ diy and there are still some garden things out in the backs) and put the bins out (I hope the sale goes through before Christmas (it should) and I need to have all the bins emptied - have worked out I have a full rotation of three weeks to get it done and probably need to harvest/ weed/ prune the garden.

I need lists again. I have moved across more info from the old diary - it's this years A5 hardback but totally worn out (and it spent 3 months hiding under the drawers so it's only really had six months of use). Positive head on. 1 drinks and a large yoghurt, 2 medicinal creams and then moisturise (gardening, grubbing in the soil, wearing wellies and mountains of washing up are not kind to my hands and feet), 3 write a to do list for today/ everything else ***sort into a logical order, put some music on, breathe***

Grateful for DS3 being helpful, cooperative and even volunteering to do some tasks, having enough (probably short on time but logical thinking and stacking tasks will help (ie after the Thursday appointment will be my only visit to Leedle and Icy land, no going back, if I see items I want in Icy land, I could just jot them down and order online). I'm going to be at DS1's for several days so priority here is to use up what we have - could always splash out by ys shopping for New Year - up to my birthday if the shelves/ fridge and freezer are empty (25p cheeses and pigs in blankets). We have sunshine, very welcome after yesterday's downpour.
 

ldee2111

Today was grocery delivery day so staying on NSD 9. 

Met grandparents at a nature park for a walk this afternoon and then went for lunch. We paid for lunch this time. 

I got an email from tech recycler to say that very old iPad had been received… now the wait begins… will it get the stamp of approval for a whopping £6 payout? Watch this space… *cue suspenseful music*

I’m almost organised for Sprouts Day. We just need a new cycling helmet for DS and foodstuffs for Christmas morning (we have my small family round for a breakfast buffet and go to OH’s family for dinner). I’ve got my Saneberries grocery order in for Christmas Eve to deliver the breakfast goods! 

Grateful today for dry weather, a beautiful walk, for time with family, and for a tasty lunch. 

lcc86

Beautiful scenery @ldee2111

I did some overtime on call today but luckily wasn't needed to go in, so I was able to stay home and get on with loads of my to do list. Which was mainly cleaning and tidying but got a decent chunk done.

Had a look round to compare pet insurance as got my renewal through but no one else will insure my rabbit as she's too old... apparently they have to be 5 or less for a new policy! Am not cancelling as it's always been worth it financially, just annoyed I can't shop around at all.

Work are doing a Christmas hamper for a child in care so I bought a gift online for £10, will come out of the overall Christmas budget. I also bought some pretty paper 3d trees so spent another £8, again that'll come out of the Christmas budget. Close to being done with the gift shopping, I'd set myself a target to complete by the end of the month and I may hit it, with the exception of OH, who always waits until after his birthday at the end of this month to decide what he wants, which is fine.

I went through my food cupboards and gave them a good clean and a clear out. Had some very out of date stuff in there hiding in the back!

DrCarrie

Evening all

I am on NSD#11 - really very pleased with that. I have been very down in the dumps about some thgs at work, and have been in a tizz since Thursday really. 

Anyway, I am grateful for my bed, chocolate and brandy 

f0xh0les

On NSD #9. 

Food bought for next week. 

DH has just gone out to pick up Swi$$  Auntie house-guest for the next 4 days, so I had better put the heating on I have not cancelled my work for the time she is here. Is that bad of me? Probably.  They will cope. 

DawnW

Hope you are ok @DrCarrie

thriftylass

@hazeldreams It was me, I got a 30 day cleaning challenge/routine off the net. I put it in my calendar as I hate it too and always find better things to do. That takes me up to the week before Christmas. 

It's this one https://temeculablogs.com/clean-house-checklist/. Why don't I do a wee one up here and we can keep each other in check and motivate each other. I think mine starts next week.

Spend day today, top up shop and the boy needed clothes as all his joggies etc are on half mast. Can't get him into jeans or anything decent atm, nightmare.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for my liddle f+v box, for dc's friend being at dance thus making it better for dc, for getting a bag of stuff to the ch shop and finding some notebooks, pretty metal measuring spoons and awesome boots for dc for cmas, for making a yummy tea, for getting to the gym.