December 2022: The Turtles do the Cha Cha Cha

grandmanerd

I took the bin but the men had already been. Have fished out 3 bags of cans during the day and brought them inside for DS3 to squash, then I can go and put them in the town centre recycling. Plastic bottles are back in the bin.

I've planted another tree, moved lots of soil, set washing off (mainly clothes) and put my duvet cover and pillowcases in the TD. Planted a raspberry bush sideways in the space left by the ivy roots, so next year it should sprout lots of new canes. Used three part bricks to block off the space where the fence post used to be (had to try a few as one side is cobbles so needed ones I could fit in the space but which blocked it off. One of my holly bushes has gone in there. 

The bins for the two remaining trees are set up (one was still in the kitchen) but I was too tired to start them. Several more pots from the back end of the side bed have been shuffled forward and I've moved the bay tree and a pile of stacked empty pots so the last 3 x 50 l pots can be tipped on their sides and 'rolled' along the length of the bed and then the soil poured into smaller pots for moving (the space they stop is where I moved the bay tree from). My pills came and some of my books (I've read two of my Christmas ones, so need more to take away.

On the weekend I did a food order to arrive on the 31st (coming back from DS1's on Thursday). The kitchen is very nearly clear - I want to be able to move things across the floor using one of my little trolleys (having removed the washing up, the uncollected bedding and the paint cans) as it'll be much easier than carrying stuff across.I'm back in my room now and will either rest or do more paperwork. I have some new bags for life so may start putting things that are going away with me in those and then decant into the suitcase etc on Saturday (I have to carry the suitcase down empty and then fill it). I've acquired a rash (mum's washing gel tabs deliquescing) and 3 or more mossie bites or nettle stings.


Very grateful for hydrocortisone cream (persuaded the doctor to let me have a new one for emergencies as all my bits were ancient, 10 years past expiry date), getting things done and nearly having space to trundle back and forth across the kitchen.

lcc86

Happy hump day! Absolutely shattered from work, I thought this week would give me a chance to catch up on my work but it's not worked out that way at all.

I was working in court today and forgot my breakfast, by the time I got out I was famished! I bought something at coop, although when I saw the time it was midday so it was more of a brunch. Although it broke my NSD I'm glad I did as I didn't get to have lunch until 4. Last day physically in work this week so I'm hoping I can catch up on work while I WFH before the weekend.

I was pleasantly surprised when I checked my bank account today, got paid and this included some back pay too. I had forgotten we had a backdated pay rise (sadly as I only rejoined in September I didn't get as much as others but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth!).

I decided to do a bank switch after reading Martin's email to get £200. I just need to wait for confirmation if they set it up and then move a couple of direct debits.

I also went back to an older MSE weekly email where if you invest £50 you get £50 back after 12 months so decided to use some of my extra money for that.

Shopping delivery is due shortly, including Christmas Dinner!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for finding some fab walking shoes in the ch shop along with bright pink fluffy wool that's perfect for needle felting, for picking up a freebie from gumt (if it's no good after a wash, I'll send it to the ch shop, as it's good enough for that), for a nearby magnolia tree starting to bud (is it stoopidly early for it? I think I usually notice them in Jan...?), for buttercup syrup easing dc's throat, for my needle felted hanging snowman body looking fine 🤣, for how much better a good hair wash made me feel.

DrCarrie

You have been a busy bee @grandmanerd, hope you are ok. I think magnolias are usually in January too @apple_muncher

I feel happy, I have 'broken up' for the year. Tired, and content.  

NSD #11 not sure I will make the 15, but I hope so.  

Off to see DD tomorrow. Iced Christmas cakes. Washed up. Now in bed with a hot water bottle.

Grateful for some wonderful colleagues, 11 days off in a row, for squirreling away unspent commute money and getting it in the saving account (£290). It is fabulous being debt-free and saving. 

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD today, first for a while. I never spent yesterday, but hubby went to town on the bus, so needed bus fare & he likely bought a few things whilst there too! His hospital appointment went well with the consultant up from Aberdeen 😃

Did my exercises before breakfast. Had a great day at work, my pupil was out all morning, so I changed things on a display board, then accompanied the rest of the school to the old folks home to sing them some carol's. We stood outside & they opened the doors to hear us. Read over 100 pages of a book with my pupil in the afternoon, so we could finish it. My voice/throat felt quite strained afterwards, had a spoonful of honey when I got home to try to ease it a bit!

Today was the changeover day of our new bank account. Managed to log on to the new app, to set things up before I need to use my card. Then I've done 2 sewing jobs. Think I've got 3 left to try & do tomorrow, then I can relax properly.

Happy holidays 🎉🎉

Grateful for a lovely day, compliments from the headteacher, singing to the old folk, that the holidays are here 😃

Shrewbie

Afternoon turtles,
I’m currently on the train to the airport.
was a bit of a rush this morning as I decided to exercise and although I’d packed last night was still running around like a headless chicken making a mess of everything. Meditation and exercise done today but no writing. 

yesterday was not an NSD. Bought lunch at work (not something I usually do but have been running down cupboards and needed something green) developed a headache halfway through the day and a bit of a sore throat but it seems to have gone away today! Did my packing with a glass of fake b@1leys from herr Liddl and some stollen. Lovely. 

Grateful for a lie in, for not being ill, for managing to muster the motivation to exercise, for seeing my mum later on today xx 

lcc86

@Shrewbie wishing you a safe journey!

Today has been a NSD, I worked from home and managed to catch up on this week's work. Still have other stuff outstanding but I spoke to my head of service and she told me not to worry and to log off early tomorrow! Well if you insist!! Got some reassurance from her around the expectations of my role as we have a few people on long-term sick leave and I'm covering their work.

I put the small dishwasher in the car ready to go to the dump, it's not salvageable unfortunately... got the dish rack back out of the cupboard, kitchen looks weird now without this big white cube on top of the draining board!

Managed to get a couple of small jobs done today like laundry, nothing major though. Need to do a bit of batch cooking, the fridge is absolutely full to bursting, so I might try and do that tonight so that it can be frozen and free up a bit of space.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for finding a couple of really useful bits in the ch shops, for meeting a colleague for coffee and a lovely chat, for dc being well enough to meet up with a friend this afternoon, for DH not having dc's bugs, for more fairy lights.

BadBookkeeper

NSD 11/15.  Trying to ignore toothache, everything wrapped and ready to go, last day in work tomorrow, need to take cash out for money gift wallets and visit my Nan, clean & iron so I can have a chore free day on Saturday. DH will do the food shop although the list keeps growing!! 

f0xh0les

Tomorrow is DS4s first teenage birthday.  Wonder how much longer he will tolerate being called Mr Small ? Taking them all out to lunch  and then going in to work for 7  and a half hours - then I am off until Boxing Day.

Still have 3 out of 6 coughing, I do have a sniffle,  but it can do what it likes after 10pm on Friday.

Volunteered at the Foodbank, some tears,  one horrible untreatable illness, but I did get a hug from one lady.  All in all we did good work today.  Gave cards this year to my fave's with personal messages,  and small gifts from the chocolate hotel for my 80yr olds and my most fave fellow volunteer.

Did the food shop, just waiting on my delivery of (not) meats now, and I am sorted. 

I  baked Nigella's gingerbread cake tonight and it smells lush, but it is supposed to be better after 24 hours, so I am leaving it to try tomorrow.  Grr!