NST: February 2023 Freedom

thriftylass

We had that strange big yellow thing in the sky over the weekend too. Amazing mood boost.

Spendy weekend, did the weekly shop using the L1DL £5 off voucher. Took DD clothes shopping as she finally wanted to wear sth else but leggins. Took her and DS into town for a change rather than just a SM. DS needed school shoes and hiking boots (50% in a sale). Took DD through a few shops (luckily she's decisive and we can move quickly as I hate shopping) and ended up in H+M. Luckily due to the help of the lovely cashier we found a 15% voucher on my account on my phone and another one for 25% off. Funny looking round the shops, everything from my youth is coming back in some variation. DD got what we called lumber jack shirt and baggy jeans and a simpsons top, lol.

Cashed out 5.99 from surveys but spend it on lunch as I couldn't be bothered this morning. As I ruined a NSD anyway, I also bought a years cover of family travel insurance and a couple of second hand books (a lovely gardening book from 1913, a book about hygge and some other). Books make me happy, should read more, WILL read more

ldee2111

thriftylass I saw the big yellow thing too! It's not here today though.

Chained to the laptop for work today so I was really grateful when Mum called to ask if I'd like to go to a cafe for lunch. 

Grateful today for Mum taking me for lunch, for ticking a few tasks off at work, and for my warm home.

lcc86

NSD 18, have hit the target I set for myself this month   

Cycled to my friend's to walk her dog this morning, luckily my toes are feeling much better after yesterday's horse incident although they're turning a fine shade of purple!

Had a meeting with my manager where we discussed my secondment, I can't end it early due to the contract my employer has with the provider, but we came up with a plan of how to try and make it work better for me for the remainder (I'm also going to try and strategically use my annual leave to help!).

Did a bit of yoga at lunchtime but nothing major. Have had heating on a couple of times for 15 minutes to try and help some washing dry as it's been very overcast today. Going to have the last glass of wine from the bottle I bought on Saturday and make dinner shortly. Won't be posting tomorrow as it's a really long work day so this is my last check in for Feb, see you all in March.

grandmanerd

A slow day and quite an expensive one (well I didn't spend 47k + on a house last Thursday). Was doing quite well with my list of tasks yesterday until back pain stopped me.  I sat down and had something to eat but had to admit defeat and come back upstairs to stretch out on the bed.  I was going to try going to little Arseda for a couple of things and a gander at the ys bargains, but ended up staying where I was. I have moved one piece of furniture out from where it was and halfway across the kitchen.

My ankle was swollen last night and it's very painful today - I hurt in multiple places but they take it in turns to be most painful. I washed my mask and hose and showered and got dressed. Went to the other corner shop to get some cash for my brother, then half a block down to the taxi office, booked the taxi for Sunday's appointment, didn't need to give a deposit for the taxi back (don't know if the appointment will be in and out or lengthy) and then had a taxi to the infirmary to collect more blood test papers from the doctor's. Had more toasted teacakes, took a large bottle of water with me and read my book. I was having to stop and sit every 2 minutes. No painkillers in my bag so did lots off deep slow breathing.

Went through the logistics of getting off the bus a  stop early and crossing over to little Arseda, staying on to the end of the route and nipping in Morries or going into the bus station, getting myself as far as Tessimo's and having a taxi back but decided to  get off nearest my house and do a small online order to be delivered this afternoon. Had to stop in the half block from the bus stop to the crossing, sat down again to wait for the lights to change and sat on the first of the town hall benches just round the corner. 

I had taken a library book with me to read, so I went in the library and sat on one of the new comfy chairs to finish reading it then put it through the machine. Made food to bring upstairs with me, took my shoes and trousers off and strapped my ankle up. Spent most of the afternoon resting, ordered food to arrive between 4 pm and 6 pm (it was 1 pm when I got in). I've also made a one off donation and set up a monthly DD for the food bank.and done a little more tidying. I have about 4 sq yards of floor space in the front room, nearly ready to move furniture around.

I'm very relieved about the food order, it means if I'm worse in the next few days I have everything I need. I could have managed without for one or two days (I have 'enough' but am going through the veg rather rapidly - 2 bags for snacks and extra with meals) but now I'm ok for the week and next weekend. I may go back and order some other bits (diy bits and need to check on some toiletries - I stopped looking earlier as I got stuck in veg plants and plugs). I have lots of semi sorted bags of rubbish and recycling (lots already gone over the past few days) and more tasks I can do online or by phone, I have craft projects to do if I have to stay in bed with my leg propped up. The library had the bus timetable I needed so that was another bit done (Trafford Centre bus does now run on Sundays).

Grateful for getting lots done with as little walking as possible - carried a bag of dry washing up earlier and had to lie down for half an hour. Being able to rest over tthe next few days if I need to (will continue with tidying, cleaning floors one patch at a time and possibly moving furniture - DS3 would help but not sure he'll agree with where I want things to go . Good books to read (and a few trashy ones - I haven't hit my target of 23 books for the month and picked up some large print and easy read ones before the weekend), good films and an old but interesting series.

BadBookkeeper

 F - Freedom - Remembered why I don’t like using bay of e!  Such a faff but 4 items left the house and a full bag of items went to charity. 

E - Exercise - 200 skips

B - Budget- All surplus transferred to ef ready to start again tomorrow. 

R - Rules - Left the heating too low today been a bit too cold. 

U - Unburden tat, using up stuff

A - Advanced planning, Budget made for March 

R - Refuel -Healthy day, lots of water, no alcohol deserve to have lost 10 stone but sadly it’s coming off rather slowly!! 

Y - You - self care - wrapped in a cosy blanket 

2 - 2 trips out - sadly didn’t achieve either due to illness but will make more of an effort in March 

0 - 100 days - on track 

2 - Read 2 books - won’t complete this 

3 - Gratitudes x 3 - Offers on Superdrug’s website for things I would have bought anyway, £2 tcb bonus on shopping I’d do anyway, post office mobile van saving me going into town. 

12/15 nsds

apple_muncher

Wotcha, turtles! Nearly at the end of the month, so do have a gander back at the initial posts and see how much freedom you have gained. Celebrate every success, however small it may seem to you .

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for getting some work done, for dc going to school, for sainz having their gf/df Nuggets in stock so I could use a voucher cos I reached the minimum spend for it, for an enjoyable gym session, for some strawbs + bluebs + plums in my liddle f+v box, for Father Brown, for grandmanerd setting up March.

ditty1234

My main freedom is going forwards is today and since January - I am trying to pay bills yearly. It is a great relief once they are paid - so freedom from money getting sucked out of my account every month. Today I paid my car insurance, I was not too happy about the price, so I got some quotes, called them and got £25 off! Better than nothing. Also grateful for a lovely club run and a very supportive meeting with my creative writing mentor today. He liked one of my doodles! Happy days and happy Monday to all. See you all in March. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks @beanielou, it takes one to know one 😃

We had the big yellow thing too yesterday. I had to stay inside & sew in the morning, to dry & decrease the big pile in my bedroom. Went to a pupil's birthday party in the afternoon, he was pleased I went. Some other 1:1 pupils had been invited, so I kept them entertained with 'balloon bashing'. At one point I had 4 of them attacking me! I was shattered 🤣 Went for a walk afterwards, it was very calm, though quite chilly, but I had a great view from a large hill called Brinkies Brae, which overlooks the harbour. Drove halfway home & met DS3 off the bus, before going home. Filled the car up too, noticed prices are a bit lower, but have a large fuel tank, so still expensive. Did the ironing after tea.

Monday, NSD#15
Didn't sleep well, so felt tired most of the day. Did yoga before breakfast. DS3 not well, so stated home. Told DS1 he was the grown up today as DH had gone on the bus for his hospital appointment. Had a group of pupils this morning, one of which pushed all my buttons! Was glad when I went to my regular pupil afterwards. Chatted with a colleague at the end of the day. Stopped at the shop on my way home to collect unsold newspapers for the fire. Unpicked a zip before tea, then replaced it after tea. Listed another item on 3bay. 2 strike days now, will be nice to catch up on jobs at work with no children, though I've finished all the work in the library for now.

Grateful for my pupil being a lot easier to work with, catching up with colleague after weeks of not managing it, slowly working my way through the sewing pile, a cosy fire, another calm dry day

thriftylass

Good morning,

tired today, kept waking up loads. The schools are on strike today so DH is home with the kids and I was able to leave for work early. Off to the dentist in a minute, I'm sure the drilling will wake me up. 

Paid the CC, after school club and P7 camp installment. Will have to do a top up shop today or tomorrow.

Have a good day