NST: November 2023 – Sparkle

Toni'sfriend

Might download that for my holidays, Beanie. Ian Rankin is so good and just started reading Val McDermid when we were in Northumberland on my kindle. Have you read the Lewis trilogy by Peter May. That was truly marvellous. xxx 

lcc86

Didn't post yesterday, was OH's birthday so took him out for lunch and a cream tea at one of our favourite places. Then we went for a walk for about 90 minutes to try and walk off the huge scone we both ate! And then out for dinner. Unfortunately he got a bit poorly after his dinner which wasn't how he would've wanted the day to end but he's okay again now.

This morning I was up early to go horse riding, temperature was -1 when we went out! I hate riding at this time of year, it definitely feels like a chore but that's a very first world problem to have! Got the bedsheets changed and washed, then my sister popped over with my nieces for a quick visit. 

Tomorrow is my non-working day, am determined to get to the gym but keep debating whether or not to go for a nice long wintry walk or to a museum (free but would spend on the train). My motivation is still pretty low so I'm not going to take the plunge and buy the train ticket in advance as I can't seem to convince myself to commit! 

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for a lie in, for DH buying a new paddle for the bread maker, for making a scrummy gf loaf in the bread maker, for dc's friend popping over, for custard powder that is BB 2012 still making good custard 🤣🤣🤣, for finding a couple more presents on v1nted.

ldee2111

Stayed on NSD 4 yesterday (Saturday). It was grocery delivery day and I bought a few extras (selection boxes and curry sauces) for the foodbank. I also bought two Monsooooon dresses from V!ntD for seasonal events - £16! A skirt of the same brand that I ordered from the website arrived a couple of days ago, fits nicely and looks like new. Delighted that it cost only £6! I’m sorted for festive outfits for another decade! 👍🏻 

Took DS to a school friend’s birthday party at a soft play. Bought a cappuccino and sat chatting to some of the parents whilst the kids ran about daft, high on life. 

NSD 5 today! The only spending, was spending time at home doing a little bit of tidying but also creating DS’s reply letter from Santa (will have it printed at the library), and OH’s gift in the form of a video.

One of my bank accounts offers annual benefits. I can choose from a streaming subscription, cinema tickets or a restaurant discount card. This time around I chose the streaming subscription because it’s one we already have and taking this as our benefit saves us £109. I activated it today and transfered the amount from our house expenses account to our mortgage OP account. 

Grateful for a quiet day, for getting Sprouts Day stuff done, for bank bonuses, and for OH making dinner.

Here are the fruits of my labour…

ditty1234

KajiKita said:

@ditty1234, I think you are having a tough time with both significant losses and ongoing work worries and support needed for your son. I suspect that you are not getting time to grieve properly with everything you have on your plate, which won’t be helping. 

FWIW, I am sending you huge hugs and light sparkles ✨✨✨✨Ditty✨✨✨✨

KK

Thank you I managed to shift it and feel better, but there is a lot of work I have to do in the next couple of weeks to keep going and get even a hair ahead x

KajiKita

That is so cute @ldee2111 😊

KK

beanielou

So cute Idee 😊

Thrifty_Taylor

Hope you feel better soon @ditty1234, you've got a lot on your plate. Concentrate on a day/morning/afternoon at a time. You'll get there!

We're all proud of you @abundant1972, the truth hurts & your brother will see the error of his ways. Hope you feel lighter now you've got it off your chest.

Glad you're feeling better @grandmanerd.

What a lovely letter, @ldee2111!

Walked 1.75 miles each way to a talk about menopause. Not as many people as the last talk. Some useful information discussed. Rad a chapter of my book whilst eating dinner, then had a power nap for 20mins.

Put some food & drink bought for the festive season in a strong crate in the shed. Made sure it was sealed correctly, in case there are any furry friends in there!

Have lots of sewing to do for customers, but thought I've had a new zip for my warmer coat for at least 2 months, so put myself first for a change! Cleaned the bathroom afterwards & packaged up an eboy sale.

Had a long bath after tea with a facemask & my book. Read a VERY long chapter before I got out 😃

Grateful for making myself a priority, a nice walk, lots of pages read

beanielou

Glad you put yourself first Thrifty. Xx

Esmeralda2662

Went with my friend to a free recycling craft class making Christmas tree decorations from old cotton reels. The old wooden ones are hard to find so we had one of those each and some new plastic ones. They all turned out very pretty. They are going on the recycling tree at the church Christmas tree festival.

Went to go to bed tonight and forgot I had tipped loads of craft bits and pieces on my bed when I was searching for something  this morning. It's taken an hour to clear it all away and I'm sneezing well from the tinsel and glitter! What a twit, I do this every time.

I cooked us some lunch and my friend did the driving. Happy days.

Got some part-baked rolls and a can of soup  for work lunch tomorrow. Down to 3 tea bags but managed to find some hidden in a cupboard (bbe 2021) but I'm sure they'll be ok. Managed NSD6!

Must go back to some sort of meal planning, even if its only for work lunches.

Have ordered some special baubles for my German penfriend and myself (2 each). Now I'm worried they will arrive while I'm at work and they will disappear. Nothing seems to be safe any more. Fingers crossed.

Grateful for 2 hours of crafting with my friend, seeing my sister and her toddler grandson, a lovely roast dinner with my mum.

Best wishes to you all. X