NST July 2023: Jurassic July

grandmanerd

Not nosy at all Toni'sfriend, I do feel quite defensive at times but we're all hobbling along. I don't want to make anything worse for them but I get tired of being the cheerleader and 'organising' (DS3'd call it nagging). I've already said it isn't going to change in the short -term so I just need to concentrate on what I can do.  That'll be paperwork today because I've got downstairs (put on my new strong ankle support) but I'm not going to be able to get to the bins (I might manage to get some of the small bags of collected rubbish as far as the back yard (plastic recycling can go outside) but I've told DS3 I can go back upstairs if he carries all my stuff. I told him I was claiming the couch as I knew I'd need to lie down when I got here.

Lovely lodger has just been to pay his rent for the month and once again told me not to worry about him, just give him as much notice as possible to give him time to find somewhere else to live. He works near Manchester so might get somewhere to cut out the long bus journey. He's also getting to the age when stairs are a problem and has been thinking about getting a small flat now his daughter no longer lives at home. He's not keen on change so he said this would give him the impetus he needs to start looking. I also reminded him that anything (furniture and appliances) in the house is his to take with him, if he wants it (mum's orders).

I still don't want to put myself through the torture of selling another house, but will plod on doing what I can (that may be sorting paperwork upstairs), not sure I can get to the library today but my brother's only coming to collect me at 4 pm tomorrow so may be able to toddle by then. I've discarded 2 x A4 files in favour of the big lever arch file so I can stash everything in one place (house deeds in a separate box)

I've been watching a film and may watch another (I have some small trays that crackers came in and can sort through all the bits (last night I settled for scooping up all the remaining floor debris into a large cube box). Most of the rubbish was binned in stages as I found it eg all the things that had fallen behind the bedhead, but I also pushed it to one side at times so I could access the next area. Everything is out from the far side of the bed (moving it across the room 18" means I can almost guarantee to get out even the stuff that's right under the middle of the bed (using grabber stick, a metal pole and assorted coat hangers) - I finally found my missing sundress but not the missing library book (must check next to the couch before I go back upstairs).

May do a small food order and would like to fill a bag from the fridge so I can do chopping and peeling and meal prep on the bed using my lap table. Apart from not being able to walk, life is good.

f0xh0les

 Do something by mid-month, that will show benefits over the next 6 months.

Do something by month-end that will show benefits over the next year.

Set the foundation for doing something this year that will show benefits over the lifespan of your longest debt / savings goal. 

Just contacted 3 builders to quote for the extension -that ticks all 3 of the above boxes. Thank you for the motivational kick up the bum to do it. 

DawnW

No NSD for me again today as I had to buy a new loo seat, of all the boring things to have to spend money on! Managed to get one half price in the sale though.

Did a bit in the garden first thing, and also a bit of hand washing. This mostly dried on the line, but will need to spend the night on the airer I think, to finish off.

Also washed my 'best' trainers so they are respectable for work. Currently drying in the conservatory.

Cleaned up a bit after last night, when we had a friend round for dinner and didn't get to bed till late (or late for us, anyway )

Changed the bed, and hoovered and dusted the bedroom. Not washed the linen yet, as rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

Lunch was a roast pork roll (yum) to use up the couple of slices of cold roast meat left from dinner last night, and I made pasta in cheese sauce with peas and grilled tomatoes for dinner.

I have a rice pudding in the oven to use up the last of last week's cream - shopping day again tomorrow.

Looking forward to an earlier night tonight!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for getting a lot for my money with the 10% discount at liddle, for dh sourcing a free age 3+ car seat for when the kids + grandkids come over form Oz in the summer (they can bring 1 car seat, so are bringing one for the 18 month old), for some extra work this morning, for not treading on any of the blueberries when I dropped the tub of them in the kitchen, for good coffee, for finding the last car parking spot at both liddle and then the gym.

beanielou

Only one to go Toni 

Thrifty~~No wonder you cant believe the latest news.
Hope things improve really soon.

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks @apple_muncher, will ask if I can do that here too.

Thanks @beanielou. Crossing my fingers, toes & eyes! Must admit I've felt a bit flat & overwhelmed with everything this afternoon. Messaged a friend to see if she was free for a walk after tea. We met up (she had her daughters with her). We sent the girls off into the playpark & we stood just outside, where she told me about some medical results she was waiting on. We both had a little cry & a hug. Hoping things turn out ok, but said I'd help out in any way I can. Wish I had a magic wand to end all this suffering!

Sending hugs to all the poorly & sore people. Hoping you have fun camping @ldee2111.

Sorry I'm not more positive today folks, things will be better tomorrow I'm sure!

Grateful for the rain finally stopping mid afternoon, friendship, time to talk

Starlight_at_Sea

I'm glad you and your friend have each other @Thrifty_Taylor. It is amazing how much strain a network can take, far more than the sum of its parts. Yet it seems we are only ever one or two connections away from people facing really daunting situations at the moment. 

Here is something which made me smile. It's by an amazing artist called Sam Canon who has beautiful landscape and wildlife inspired painting with words. Beautiful cards and prints and calendars. https://samcannonart.co.uk/



Each day holds the possibilities for great discovery and joy

Starlight_at_Sea

Today was not a NSD. It was a VVSD (very very spendy day). Today I spent more than I have ever done. We completed on the flat purchase. The numbers are so big and abstract they feel like monopoly money, but I know now (unlike when I first purchased a home) that it does all represent money that is costing me money, so I am very keen to pay it back. This property has to help me do that, which means turning some form of rental (part time self catering, part time lodger, etc) asap. But for now, it's done. Quite dusty, and with decorators coming in to finish a few bits off tomorrow, so no point cleaning it, and no real time to either. I am not able to sleep there at the moment anyway, but hopefully at the weekend! 

Today I took a car load up there twice  when I was passing, tried and failed to read the water (couldn't be found) and  electricity (just flashed, change of tenancy) meters. Will try again with those tomorrow. Picked up 5 really funky dining chairs for £50 from FB marketplace and briefly met a nice man doing so. Have booked for a quote tomorrow with a local blind company as that's something that needs sorting promptly. There are some things I just don't have bandwidth to DIY at the moment.

Also today, in spirit of future me saying thanks, I had my first PT session at the gym. I need to learn how to use more equipment but also struggle with motivation and remembering what I am supposed to be doing. There was a special offer bulk booking of 10 with a instructor I know from the classes. It went well. I did things I wouldn't have pushed myself to do otherwise. 

And in more micro (or are they?) benefits despite the uncertainty over the day and what would happen when, I made it up out of bed, made bed, teeth brushed, medicine  swallowed, breakfast smoothie consumed, washing out on line all before work.

pollyanna_26

grandmanerd said:

Not nosy at all Toni'sfriend, I do feel quite defensive at times but we're all hobbling along. I don't want to make anything worse for them but I get tired of being the cheerleader and 'organising' (DS3'd call it nagging). I've already said it isn't going to change in the short -term so I just need to concentrate on what I can do.  That'll be paperwork today because I've got downstairs (put on my new strong ankle support) but I'm not going to be able to get to the bins (I might manage to get some of the small bags of collected rubbish as far as the back yard (plastic recycling can go outside) but I've told DS3 I can go back upstairs if he carries all my stuff. I told him I was claiming the couch as I knew I'd need to lie down when I got here.

Lovely lodger has just been to pay his rent for the month and once again told me not to worry about him, just give him as much notice as possible to give him time to find somewhere else to live. He works near Manchester so might get somewhere to cut out the long bus journey. He's also getting to the age when stairs are a problem and has been thinking about getting a small flat now his daughter no longer lives at home. He's not keen on change so he said this would give him the impetus he needs to start looking. I also reminded him that anything (furniture and appliances) in the house is his to take with him, if he wants it (mum's orders).

I still don't want to put myself through the torture of selling another house, but will plod on doing what I can (that may be sorting paperwork upstairs), not sure I can get to the library today but my brother's only coming to collect me at 4 pm tomorrow so may be able to toddle by then. I've discarded 2 x A4 files in favour of the big lever arch file so I can stash everything in one place (house deeds in a separate box)

I've been watching a film and may watch another (I have some small trays that crackers came in and can sort through all the bits (last night I settled for scooping up all the remaining floor debris into a large cube box). Most of the rubbish was binned in stages as I found it eg all the things that had fallen behind the bedhead, but I also pushed it to one side at times so I could access the next area. Everything is out from the far side of the bed (moving it across the room 18" means I can almost guarantee to get out even the stuff that's right under the middle of the bed (using grabber stick, a metal pole and assorted coat hangers) - I finally found my missing sundress but not the missing library book (must check next to the couch before I go back upstairs).

May do a small food order and would like to fill a bag from the fridge so I can do chopping and peeling and meal prep on the bed using my lap table. Apart from not being able to walk, life is good.

Bit late in the day but I've been busy filling packing crates. To be honest I've been pointing at various items to go in either a packing case, crate or large pot for shrubs etc. I have stuck the labels on though.

I finally have a real appt at the hospital although it's the further one from the near one in the trust. Wigan Road oh joy.

I've just read your post about your brother and the tenant in your grandmas house. I always thought he sounded a lovely man and was impressed how he would bring the rent to you at your home.

I'm not sure how far away your Grandma's house is from yours but I do know you have many lovely memories of her from your childhood.

It is kind of her and later your mothers lodger to mention he may need to  move nearer work.

Is it possible that there could be a way of DS3, Beloved and  the Chinchillas moving in  there?

You had planned to help them financially with getting a property. You've said your son has a good income from the games and you were going to help as much as you could.

If you could encourage DS3 to concentrate again on cataloging the rest of the vinyl while waiting for your two older sons to sort out the cameras when they can he should be a good way to applying for a mortgage or repaying any money you may lend him as you originally planned in the form of rent if there is a shortall after the auction.

Your  brother woudn't be happy but he inherited the same as you it makes one wonder how you manage on your income but he's always saying he needs more.

It may not be easy for DS3 to get  a mortgage but  your alternative ideas should help him find a home.

When your little Grandaughter arrived in the worldyou had so many plans ; Making her a dolls house , a cabin bed with playspace underneath and a reading nook.

You're going to need space for that. Years ago I picked up a book on Ikea Hacks quick, simple and thrifty it had those things and others.

It was still available on the big river site and to download a while ago and they had some copies of the actual book.

Something I picked up in a charity shop years ago was The Upcycled Garden by Steven Wooster and Susan  Berry full of all the quirky ideas for gardens and eco friendly..

If you ever see that in your library or a charity shop it's well worth a look. There was a retro greenhouse, a woodland den..I seem to remember you plannning something like that when you were about to become a grandma.

Positive vibes to all those with health problems I am amazed how you all work your way  through such difficult times.

Pollyx

Toni'sfriend

Thanks, Beanielou. Unfortunately, after avoiding all the side effects so far I have now developed burning at the collar bone. Fairly common apparently. Lovely lady gave me some gel and dressings but warned me that I would probably get more symptoms in the next few weeks and that they would get worse before they got better. Oh joy! Still, could be worse.

Thrifty Taylor - You've had so much to cope with and you just get on with it without complaint. It's no wonder that you're feeling a bit flat and emotional. I hope Mr TT's health starts to improve soon and that your friend gets good news.

Yesterday was NSD no 3. I didn't really achieve much because we were so long at the hospital. The appointments got way behind and then after mine I was sent to another clinic to sort out the burns. However, with the aid of some hooks I have solved the handbag storage problem. All hanging neatly inside a cupboard. Al little bit more organisation done.

Salad for lunch (I do like salad) and HM lentil soup and bread rolls for dinner. Fairly healthy dinner and it's taken a couple of things out of the freezer which is bursting at the seams.

Have a productive day and take care of yourselves. xxx