NST April 2023: April adventurising

Starlight_at_Sea

Such a lot of loss and pain amongst our bale of Turtles at the moment.

 Thinking of Ditty and Toni'sfriend tonight, without really the right words to say as I am somewhat strung out myself at the moment. I hope the next few days pass as easily as they can for you both - be gentle on yourselves as you process things. No one way to grieve, it comes in all sorts of forms. 

It feels a little superficial to move onto money saving matters, but I found it a great comfort to hear yours on my difficult days recently, so here goes! 

Arranged to take a couple of days off work, as we have had a very tough few days, there was quite a bit or urgent post hospital admin to do with prescriptions etc and I am physically and emotionally a bit worn down. Wasn't then quite sure what to do with it as being just at home at my folks isnt very recuperative atmosphere!

Had as much of a lie in as was practicable, conquered the laundry mountain, undertook the multiple visits to dr, pharmacy, dr, pharmacy until correct drugs were achieved. I wish they had a way of checking what was in stock prior to prescribing! Negotiated a pathway through conflict between parents, both are doing things the other finds totally unreasonable. I suspect everyone's frightened and anxious, I know I am, but it's horrible to be around when they are not nice to each other! 

Spent the afternoon over at my house, channelling sadness and frustration into some long-needed DIY jobs that I felt ill-equipped to do by myself, but was inspired to by fellow turtles and a few other forumites. I have totally resealed a large shower unit and followed all online advice closely, spending forever digging out the old mouldy silicone, cleaning and drying surfaces prior to new stuff gliding on! Very proud of myself! it cost about £26 for all the equipment that I didn't have (Stanley knife, sealant gun, sealant, white spirit, gloves) but do now - and know how to use it! I felt better while I was doing it, it was quite absorbing, a bit like crafting, but was tearful as I left my place. I spoke to a friend on the way home and that helped a lot. 

I think plans tomorrow will be a bit less physical as I have an aching shoulder, and arm now! A hit water bottle, nurofen and heat lotion are not yet easing it. Think it's much more stress than sealing to be honest! 

grandmanerd

Very gentle hugs to all struggling turtles (and any lurkers). I don't have any words of wisdom just do what you need to do especially looking after yourself. There is no right or wrong way (even feeling angry at the person who's died or is ill), we all just muddle through as best we can.

I'm slightly more mobile and can put weight on my foot (I brushed my teeth standing up  - well with one elbow on the edge of the sink and one hand on the tap). Not sure what to do,  as most things mean moving stuff around and I think that will set me back again. Back to basics - will get myself downstairs and rummage in the freezer for lunch and then concentrate (my brain is a little more together) on any jobs that mean less - rubbish out, food into meals, not giving myself too much to do (so no taking a huge bag of things to do down and then bringing it back up with no progress).

Grateful for my bed, lots of pillows and cushions and doing something (took coat hangers back to the bed, put clean clothes on the hangers and then hung a couple of things up when I needed the bathroom). 

thriftylass

Re-emerging from my lurker den. 

Sorry to hear about all the heart break and sad stories recently.

I was absent as planned for the first half of the month as I was off with the kids. We had a lovely time and didn't break the bank/stuck to budgets so far this month.

Today,, however I spent a few bob, £1100 to be precise, booking our ferry for the summer visit to Germany. We had originally planned to go in the winter for Chistmas, but with FIL's dementia worsening we decided to stay here for Christmas, plus the kids loved it there last summer. The original quote was £1400 (double from last year !!!) but with tweaking the dates and 10% off I got it down. The difference will be used for the cattery. Flying and a rental car would've been way more expensive and I hate driving the hassle that comes with a rental. 

DawnW

Continuing with my cleaning / tidying / decluttering / garden projects. I do a bit, then rest a bit, as I am not as young as I was, and a medical condition often brings about low energy. It is surprising how much I can get done though!

Today I have:

Walked the dog

Picked up the litter along the verge in front of our terrace (all of it, not just my house)

Cleaned the kitchen and conservatory, including washing the kitchen floor - I still need to wipe down the cupboards and clean the bin though

Emptied the airing cupboard and sorted the clean laundry

Listed another item on freecycle - nothing collected yet though

Braved the cold wind and tidied another section of garden, swept the path, moved some pots, pulled out weeds, emptied some containers I have been using as planters but no longer want to, and washed them out. I will use them for storage in the garage until I discover another use / home for them.

And I have been so busy that I haven't spent anything NSD 9 for me today.

Grateful for it not raining, for getting lots done, and my garden.

Toni'sfriend

I've kind of lost track on my NSDs. I think it's 9.

Haven't done a lot today but I did have a wee bit of a spa so I'm feeling quite a bit better. All soft, clean skin and nice nails. Depending on Thursday's hospital appointment I might get my hair done next week but that's all a bit up in the air at the moment.

Himself has been continuing to make lovely salads for my lunch. I'm sure I could get him a wee job somewhere.   But he has started to let me make dinner again (with his help if I need to lift something heavy). Tonight  is baked salmon, Lyonaise potatoes and steamed green beans. Very healthy not to mention delicious (and the salmon was YS)

It seems like just about everyone is having a tough time one way or another at the moment so I'm sending you all hugs and my very best wishes. xxx

lcc86

Sending hugs to all those who need them today. Hang in there turtles and look after yourselves xxx

beanielou

So very sorry ditty.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a good start to the day, for finding a huge plastic pot + saucer so I can transfer the wilting cmas tree and encourage it to be a tad healthier, for buzzing and dying dc's hair and getting a good result, for good books.

(f0xh0les, please note my judicious choice of words to describe the tree. No need to call in grandmanerd to put me on the naughty step 🤣)

Starlight_at_Sea

Grateful today for friends checking in on me, Macmillan nurse adjusting meds and that instantly calming everything down (steroids can cause quite erratic behaviour), for putting myself first and getting to a yoga class this morning, and for being much less achy for a while (it's all come back now!). Also grateful that the hospital listened to my frustration about the weekends events and that I feel like it's a bit less likely to happen again. And that mum felt well enough to share a curry tonight and directed some of her excess, almost manic, energy first thing to getting a lot of research done for me on white goods ahead of my move.  That hyper-focussed period was put to good use, but I'd quite like my real mum back now! 

Going to nip over to my own neglected diary as have a long MS to-do list for tomorrow to declare somewhere, as I've not moved much of it forward today at all.  I had a NS day today though, and also progressed conversations with potential short term lodger #3. 

Hugs to all. Glad to hear of your spa time Toni'sfriend. I hope you do get your hair done - it's been lovely for me just to get it washed by someone else occasionally while recovering from surgery! 

Thrifty_Taylor

Hugs to all that need them & well done on all the little wins! I'm very impressed with the shower sealing @Starlight_at_Sea.

Finally reached NSD#4.
Felt tired & achy this morning, so didn't do any yoga. Instead I made a tuna pasta meal for the next 3 days lunches. Had a tricky morning at school, but went on a drive for an hour & had an ice cream in the afternoon. The new teacher also said I was a great help to her & she wouldn't manage without me, so that was nice.

Brought DS3 & GF home. I went for a nap, but no sleep forthcoming. Unpicked a coat zip, then replaced it. Took GF to her house, now I'm waiting for my turn in the bath.

Grateful for being appreciated, a beautiful sunset, lunch with my work bestie (C)