NST NIFTY NOVEMBER

grandmanerd

F0xh0les I had this picture of you standing in a quiet corner of the car park and a man hissing from the bushes "You wanna score some jabs".  I know about them needing to use up the remainder of vaccine at the end of the day as when Beloved had her first dose, they asked DS3 if he wanted his (he was a bit further down the list than her and I was lower down than both of them - think I must have fallen into a black hole at some point).

Well I'm back from being jabbed, missed the stop and had to walk back - Council van obscuring my view. Pharmacy is actually in a former pub and was a bit nearer than expected. Lovely building, no steps and lovely toilets. They offered to do my flu jab too so I accepted (why is it easier for me to get to a site that's half way to Bolton rather than one that's at the top end of my home town). I'd confirmed I was 64 but would be 65 in January. Good job I mentioned it because the flu season officially goes through February and there's a different vaccine for anyone who reaches 65 before then.  

Popped in the little Arseda next door to get a sandwich as I was going dizzy and shaky. Spent under £10 but had a sandwich, red and green grapes (I've missed getting them at Art therapy and forgot to add them to the shopping list) and some little chocolate truffles with nuts plus giant hot cross buns. I avoided the magazine aisle but took the SM free one. The bus stop I should have got off at is directly in front of Arseda but it was temporarily closed (workmen and lorry had gone but all their signs and cones were still in place). I sat down to eat my sandwich - I'd brought drinks from home but decided to wait until I got to Bolton. A thoughtful young man asked if I was waiting for the bus, I thanked him but said I knew the stop was closed, I just needed to eat. Then I toddled back to the stop I'd got off at and my bus came nearly straight away. 

Got off in the bus station and started walking across town (aiming for the fair trade shop). Walked close to the shops to keep as dry as possible (put my parka hood on but went dizzy without my peripheral vision). Looked in a few cs windows (was planning to pick up a long and a neck hot water bottle for beloved on my way back), asked the mobility shop if they sold radar keys - none in stock but hoping for a delivery later on then moved towards the indoor market (dry and places to sit).

Sad to see so many shops closed down (the former Arndale is still awaiting redevelopment), mostly replaced with banks and phone shops. Called in at a branch of my bank (my branch closed in September) to sit on one of their couches but then asked about the correct procedure for transferring my brother's share of the bungalow sale when it's concluded (without triggering the money laundering regulations). I can either go to the branch and they will do it by BACS transfer or I can do it online in two transactions.

Sat down on a chair (the only other woman sitting down had a chain coffee but the shop didn't seem to be nearby). Several other people copied my example and sat at the other tables. Had a little wander in a mini market - one double unit was divided into 5 - 6 small stands, all local traders. Sat down further up to have a drink and try the delicious truffles (had forgotten Deb'nums was gone - another empty site but apparently there's a cinema upstairs now - not been one in the town centre since the boys were small). Went out to the side street via B00ts - they still had the weighing machine and it didn't have anything good to tell me (very thin person trapped in here surrounded by blubber).

I'd decided earlier that I would buy a hot meal and for preference from the fish and chip restaurant by the bus station. I don't think I've ever eaten there but it's a huge building, I can't remember it ever being anything else (it may have been built on the site of the bingo hall where we used to catch the bus to my auntie's when I was about 10 yo) and it's still thriving so must be good. I planned to work my way back to the bus station checking out the cs on the other side of the road. pop in for a late lunch then get on the bus home. However the fair trade shop now has restricted hours and only opens for 4 days (closed today) and I had a sudden slump. Crossed the road and asked the driver of the first bus that came if he was going back to the bus station. He was, but he had to traverse the one way system so I saw more parts of Bolton that I haven't seen in a while (two cranes were picking over the rubble of the old bus station). The driver pulled in a few stands away from our bus stop and the Leigh bus came in just as I reached that stand (another hot meal idea thwarted as I wouldn't risk going to the G r e g g s in the bus station). 

My parka and boots have been discarded and I'm back under the covers getting warm (sipping hot chocolate). If the jabs affect me I have paracetemol, drinks, grapes and truffles. I elected to have both jabs in one arm (in case of sore arms) and chose the one with the arthritic shoulder as that's pretty useless anyway. I gathered a number of extra items for the food bank - larger lady tights (what was I thinking, it takes me all my time to get my socks and shoes on) and some stationery items for stocking fillers and dropped them off on my way out this morning.  All very welcome. I asked about books (specifically children's) and she thought that was a wonderful idea - I know they're busy so I didn't want to add to their work but they can be left on the 'extras' table and people that need them can take them - all children should have books and many don't.

Grateful for having had both jabs (got Thursday back for now), finding the place easily (the booking website had a photo, the walk in website I looked at last week didn't), for being warm and happy (and not spent much money), having fun window shopping but not buying (very Georgy Girl).

apple_muncher

Did you have to walk home again this evening, thriftylass?

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to earn some extra pennies, for wearing quick-drying clothes, for discovering free-for-an-hour-if-you-press-the-green-button parking near the gym, for successful hm choc chip cookies, for having a car, for DH cooking tea, for dc talking to me.

thriftylass

@apple_muncher Luckily I had my bike in work, and the weather brightened up. 

Productive evening. Having lists again definitely helps. Did day 1 of my 30 day cleaning challenge. 

Undersink cupboard - Done

Tupperware - Done

Even did some bonus items: Fixed the fancy cork screw, sorted the utensils drawer and decluttered it, also fixed the runner of that drawer that had broken off. The kitchen is the original from 1980 and the drawers are Bakelite or sth and the runner broke off. Super glue to the rescue. And sorted the drawer underneath that contains lightbulbs, batteries, Rubberbands and such things. 

@haz@hazeldreams how did you get on?

ditty1234

Hi just stopping by to say thanks to the world for a lovely day - I just have a few things to tie up, and then off to bed. Not mentioning that I skipped my club run tonight, even more embarrassed when I realised it had stopped raining. But I guess that at some levels I am a fair weather runner. 
And a lot of stuff to sort out. I downloaded the 30 day tidy challenge somebody posted a link to! I might have a go at that! 
Although it is quite comprehensive - if I can get through a book shelf in a week, I am quite happy. 

DrCarrie

apple_muncher said:

Not sure how much brandy you're consuming, DrCarrie, but do take care of yourself x

Not much Brandy,  apple, most of it went in the Christmas cakes. 

Only worked my contract hours...literally cannot remember the last time I did that. I Made some pack up for going to work tomorrow in the office. 

Grateful for just closing the laptop, soup from the freezer and getting a bot of work that has been on my mind over the line. 

NSD too. 

lcc86

Evening turtles 

Busy day here, started by cycling to my friend's house and walking her dog, it's becoming my Monday morning routine. It was dry at that point here so I got lucky, the rain started not long after I got home. Worked from home for a few hours and indulged in a few coffees to keep warm. I planned to cycle partway to work but it was lashing it down when I went to work at midday. Still brought the bike with me and cycled partway home instead. Was dry but very windy, Definitely noticed the change in weather! I wasn't hanging about on the way home that's for sure.

Went for a massage this evening, helps keep my back loose so it's one extravagance I definitely allow myself. I've spent on that but it comes from my fitness/wellness budget so not from monthly spends.

Not much done around the house other than putting washing away and tidying up a little.

ldee2111

Today was NSD 10. 

I had an email from Mr Lloyd in my inbox this morning... it contained 6 free cinema tickets. This was the 'reward' I picked as part of my recent bank transfer to them. 

I also got an email today from tech recycling company saying they were pleased to confirm very old iPad passed their checks and money will be in my account soon. It didn't mention the £6 figure so will see if that's what appears in the account. 

And I received another email... this one from DS's school confirming receipt of my Disclosure certificate and that I can now volunteer with them. I've to give them a call to discuss... mentioned here before that it's supporting kids' reading that I'd like to help with. 

I've done a couple of SB surveys this evening while OH watched the football. I'd planned to delete my SwagB account after I'd got the sign up bonus but the lure of another voucher has kept my attention. 

Grateful today for emails containing good news, for learning how to do something techy for work, for UTube tutorials.

Thrifty_Taylor

Great news @ldee2111, enjoy the reading groups 😊

Exercises done before breakfast. Got DS2 up for college, DS3 not well, so stayed home. Made a pack lunch whilst eating my breakfast, then managed to read a chapter of my book too. Had to scrape the car, 3°C, felt very cold. First day back at work. My pupil was very pleased to see me, lots of hugs & nice comments from staff & other pupils too. All went well, my pupil slipped back into our routine very easily, after changing his luck the last 3 weeks with the lady covering for me. Hope it continues! Chatted with a couple of colleague's after work, then got diesel on the way home. Caught up on emails, etc when I got home. Washed the dishes after tea, ordered some more sproutmas presents, as it was a spend day, then I've had some me time, reading my book for an hour & a half. Will head to bed shortly 

Grateful for DH getting on ok at his appointment & in town, DS3 finishing winding all my embroidery threads (kept him busy during a 4 hour scheduled power cut!), reading for a while with a cosy fire inside & heavy rain showers outside

BadBookkeeper

Evening turtles,

Glad your 1st day back went well @Thrifty_Taylor

Today as been an ‘out of routine day’.  DS was representing his school at a footy tournament.  Had to drop him off so was 1 hour late starting work!  Luckily was working from home so did some washing and made soup throughout the day.  Sorted a bedding drawer out and an old duvet set and sheet have gone to the garage to make room for a lovely new set.  Had to then take ds for haircut.  He was so cold & tired after playing footy all day in the rain felt bad dragging him out.  Good job he hasn’t realised I used his cash to pay for it as didn’t want to go to hole in the wall in this weather (I’ve transferred it from my haircuts pot to his account but he prefers the cash). Made a roast dinner as it was that kind of day with plenty of chicken left for tomorrow.  Got through my to do list of sorting bedding, cleaning 3 pairs of footy boots, did 3 loads of washing and used the drier (sorry not sorry).  All of this as well as my proper job for 5 hours.  Feels like I’ve done well.  Made another list for tomorrow. 

Not an NSD as paid for parking to save walking in the rain & ds haircut 

Quite healthy food choices today and no alcohol although could have done with a drink watching tonight’s footy match! 

It was a really dull, cold, rainy day today.  Glad it looks dry & sunny for tomorrow.

Have a big box of items to eB@y or donate will probably leave that until Wednesday. 

Grateful for DS having the opportunity to represent his school & doing really well, a warm home and a draw for our team in the World Cup. 

hazeldreams

@thriftylass, thanks for the link, I've saved it down this time! I'll start at the weekend though. I'm good for nothing in the week as I work really long hours!

Achievements for yesterday;
- AFD 11/21
- NSD 5/10
- no choc day (that's a total of 8 days this month - a miracle for me!)
- healthy food day
- combat class last night
- grateful to be able to wfh which enabled me to help my sister, who is going through some really tough times.

Grateful for the heating. Although not grateful at the numbers the smart metre was shouting at me after turning on said heating.  We really need a new boiler. It's so inefficient. Hardly surprising when it's nearly 20 years old. Have set up a row in my budget to start saving for one. We have to replace it before next winter.

Have a good Tuesday all!