NST April 2023: April adventurising

grandmanerd

Yesterday was productive but tiring and spent money. DS3 was in bed so I hobbled downstairs myself to pick  up the list of things I'd just messaged him for. He came down just after me - to collect his laptop - so he gathered them into the bag and carried it upstairs. Definitely enough walking for the time being but the bags  I'd collected meant I could deal with lots of stuff in my room and throw it downstairs safely. I've only been taking the minimum up or down stairs and not been out to the bins so rubbish/ recycling is building up and washing is 'on hold'.

A very restful morning with flurries of useful activity. Washing (2 loads) kicked/ swept  down (lots of stray bits I might need including the best of my 3 remaining bras). Paper sack, small bags of rubbish (black bag I threw down the day before is still in the kitchen). Spent some time wrangling with the journey planning website - it  decided I wanted to go to the Welsh Presbyterian Church in Altrincham not the one in West Didsbury, asked many questions about transport preferences (including walking/ wheelchair bound) then gave me completely the wrong information (didn't want to give it to me at all at first).

I'd already asked if mum's cousin and her husband were going and tried their landline and her mobile (not available so I suspect they may be away on holiday) to ask for a lift (if I'm taken by car I can manage with a stick). Went back to basics and took  my ancient  A-Z off the shelf. Plotted where the service and afternoon tea were to take place and I already knew I was going to take the V1 as far as Manchester  Royal so tried entering much simpler information to get from there to the church. In my favour I'm going in the direction of lots of student accommodation so even on Sundays there are buses every 10 minutes and everyone needs access to the multiplicity of hospitals and the Christie is a little further on.

Having established the buses I wanted and done the return journey too I decided I'd try to get printouts of the full timetables from the bus station. I had done all the morning routine/ getting dressed/ eating stages as I went along (short interval to do today's pills). So just before 2 pm I took 5 books back to the library (they've been stacked and waiting for several days but 'ankle says no') making 2 rest stops on the car park and sitting in one of the new tub chairs before going any further. 

Made my way to the bus station (sitting to rest frequently). They couldn't print  out timetables, only the ones on display were available (belated thought I could have tried getting them printed off at the library - computers are regularly available unless there's a 'class'). However having got that far I decided to go in the mall and get my face threaded (was going to do it Saturday but who knows what I will be able/ not able to  do on Saturday). Looked briefly in a couple of clothes shop (some things to take a second look at when I have time and one item I loved (buy didn't buy), looked at necklaces in a cs or  2 (nothing). Had everything but my eyebrows threaded (I want to look tidy not startled).

Another sit down to ponder. If I pushed a little further I could get to Tessimo's (they have delivery slots available but they also have toilets and could get a taxi back home), Icyland (reliable salad selection and SW ready meals - now no more expensive than regular RM from the online retailers) or the market (chosen). The large jewellery counter has gone (a proliferation of nail bars, make up and threading stalls so went to the only remaining veg stall but not enthused so came out at the front entrance in the side street (no outdoor market and plants either) which is part of the pedestrianised area.  More sitting, some thinking.

Only half a block from Will Co so could get multivitamins. the shelves were very bare - they only had childrens' chewy ones and branded ones (last resort) but I remembered soft bamboo toothbrushes and they had 2 left (I replace them each month and I'm using the last one from the drawer) but no sweets or stationery despite walking past tempting selections (I'd avoided the garden section completely). Back on the main street (all heading homewards) and went in B00ts. Picked up a 50p triple sandwich and a 50p salad and went onto vitamins (sitting in the walker scooting backwards). Again lots missing (except premium brands) but a small selection of own brand ones. The 120s were best value and they were on 3 for 2 so I have a year's  supply of multivitamins  and minerals. 

No more shopping, lots of sitting down to rest, was on the Civic Square  at 5  to 4 pm (too late to pick up  more large print books. Trudged home, tossed my bags across to the couch, joining them as soon as the walker was inside. Ate the cheapo sandwich (excellent) and the feta salad (ditto) and read the book that had been delivered. DS3 came down and together we tackled most of the rubbish/ recycling (I took one paper bag on the walker with several other bags). We filled more takeaway bags with 'litter picking' and I have 2 more bags filled with other paper bags and some folded/ ripped up boxes. Ds3  had washed some things for Beloved by sticking them on top of what was already in the machine (my stuff which probably needed a refresh) and then transferred the lot into the TD so I put all the clean clothes in a big bag for life (the ones with a shoulder strap).

I rummaged through one of the last bags to come from mum's and found a much needed toilet gel (think it had fallen behind something in the shed and was 'discovered'  when I  packed away the final  items. I gathered my 'pots' from  the last week - mainly tubs I've microwaved soup in and I've been using the same plate to take them in the front room. I came upstairs about 7.30 pm, propped my leg up and took off the bandages. Today I'm staying where I am. I will  tidy and make plans for next week and next month and do any tasks I can.

Grateful for the little tabs on the backs of my trainers which help me pull them on over layers of bandages, getting some things done, wonderful books and good series and films, lovely turtles. Hugs to all who need them and anyone who wants them.

thriftylass

Payday today, paid the CC and some bills. Asda pick up today. Was tempted to get a Friday treat lunch but thought better of it and took last nights dinner remains and plenty of snacks.

f0xh0les

Urgh, money will appear on Tuesday, after all. Did get paid £75 today, so that will see me through the weekend. 

Currently on 17 NSDs according to my bank account.  Have another £6 on p/a to cash out.

ldee2111

Paired reading at school this morning then came home and hung up the washing, vacuumed upstairs, cleaned up DS’s wooden high chair and now listed on the gummytree. I’ve started a new spreadsheet to track spending after unnecessary spends in April due to taking my eye off the ball. I’ve also put on a few pounds this month from overindulging. Need to get back on the wagon in May! 

Grateful today for eating healthier, for having the energy to think clearly and start getting some things in order, and for OH making me a lovely coffee and dinner. 

beanielou

@grandmanerd.  No sign of your DS3 & beloved moving on?
You are a saint.
I would loose the plot.
Sorry.

apple_muncher

ThriftyT, I hope you are ok. That sounds rather worrying.

Today I am grateful for a full but fine day at work, for all the greenery, for dc continuing to improve, for Scooby Doo, for a sofa to lounge on.

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks @apple_muncher. I felt absolutely exhausted this morning, a couple of members of staff were quite concerned about how pale I looked. Felt better @10.30 thankfully. 

Work went ok. Headed to bed for an hour when I got home. Read some of my book, then after tea I walked a mile each way to get milk. Finished the rest of my book, then watched TV with DH & hooked more of my rug.

Grateful for my teacher checking up on me this evening, a male pheasant not going under my car's tyres on my way to work, birdcalls on my walk

Starlight_at_Sea

I hope everything's ok TT, that sounds scary, no wonder you were weary afterwards. I hope the night passes smoothly for you. 

What a lot of challenges our turtles are facing at the moment, this is replicated in my real world circle of friends and colleagues - everyone I know seems to be dealing with really big stuff at the moment. 

Went to view the new flat today, took my mum and godmother - was the first time they could see inside. Was interesting to have a group in the house too, and see how that felt in terms of crowded-ness. Need a ramp to get over the lip of the doorway but otherwise could get the wheelchair into communal areas, and just about (was v tight) into the bedrooms.

Everyone marvelled at the ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms but that will make a very pleasant change for me! 

Have made a tentative selection of the carpet for the bedrooms and the flooring for the communal areas. Will mull it over until Tuesday.

Shrewbie

Good morning turtles

Hugs @thrifty_taylor that sounds scary. Hope you’re feeling better now.  

Had a great time at the mutua Madrid open tennis last night, bf had quite a few drinks and I only had one and a packet of crisps so he bought them, so it was an NSD for me (10!).  The tennis was great, we saw the woman world no 1 and the stadium looked great in the evening with all the lights. We were hungry when we got back home so went to a bar for a very late dinner, for us that is - the bar was still full of people eating at 11:30pm before their night out got going.

Will be going for breakfast shortly and then get packing ready to go to Seville this evening.

Grateful for seeing live sport, for being up early without a hangover, for seeing my sister later on today.

Here’s my round up for April, thank you so much for @apple for guiding us through our adventurising!! 

A is for Adventurising. Find your adventurous spirit this April and get out and enjoy yourself. Avoid unnecessary spends whilst still having fun.

In April I wanted to find new places to explore and things to do in Madrid and I honestly don’t think I’ve achieved this, apart from going to the tennis last night!  I will try harder in May. 

P is for Pack your bag. You can’t go adventurising if you haven’t planned ahead. You know the sort of thing: dates in the diary, spending, saving, socialising.

I wanted to have a frugal few weeks in April and I have certainly managed this. I think this is down to not needing or wanting any new clothes and not boozing much. Will try to carry on in this vein in May although I have a friend coming to stay in a couple of weeks and peer pressure is always strong.

R is for Rejoice! Get outside and enjoy nature, be grateful for what you have and tell us three gratitudes every day.

I have mostly been going outside to eat my lunch in April. Not managing to have outside breaks from work in the mornings though - why can’t I seem to do this?

I have felt super grateful this month for all I have, my home, my health, my job, my relationships. 

 And Reduce – your wants, your needs, your stuff. 

I did a spring clean in April and cleared out a few bits which I’ve successfully sold on an app, cleaned out all the kitchen cupboards and did an inventory. Will continue the clear out in May, the balcony is next to tackle.  I mended  some clothes that needed easy alterations. I have a list of clothes that I need for winter and will save up for them in order to buy good quality (and keep hunting around the charity shops)

 Also, Remember those who are struggling, who are worse off than you. You might be too stretched to give time, money or donations. But kindness is free to spread around liberally.

I made a donation to a sarcoma charity in memory of a friend of a friend who died of it this month. She was only 31 and had a 2 year old :-(

I is for Ice Cream. You can’t have an adventure without ice cream, at least in the apple household. Plan your treats and savour them.

I think I wanted to treat myself less often in April but with good quality treats, haha. Apart from the odd snaccident on easter choc,  think I have managed this and getting in to the habit of preparing healthy snacks. 

L is for Live your life. What do you want your life to look like? Have a ponder and commit to taking some steps towards it this month. Invest your time, money and energy in the things that really matter to you.

Save money for travel and future house.

I did well with this in April. I have paid to savings first and been realistic about what I can afford. I am much clearer on what I want out of life. 

Avoid unnecessary spends - I honestly think I’ve managed to do this in April. The challenge will be keeping it up in May with lots going on. I only managed 10 NSDs which is not great but looking at my budget i’ve done really well on personal spends. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Thank you @Starlight_at_Sea & @Shrewbie. I slept well last night & will take things easy over the long weekend. Have a great time in Seville!