NST: November 2023 – Sparkle

wishus

2 more NSDs since last post, only one more achievable. Agh, looks like it will be 13/15, but that's fine. 

This week I get to plan how I see my fam and what we're spending on each other for Christmas. One sis has already said no presents. A trip to a German market is proposed, so that's probably £20 on sausages and hot chocolate. 😂

Office day today. Packed lunch is veggie rice and some fat falafels from a Tom Kerridge recipe, plus tomato and avocado, and hummus and crudités for snacks. 

weenancyinAmerica

Yesterday was another NSD - 17th. Almost spent a lot of money, but opted to wait until beginning of next year to get new glasses, when they should be free. Doctors are a little bit out of touch with reality. He had no idea what the cost would be for glasses bought in his office. 

Had the dog in most of the day yesterday waiting for the pool person to come, but he never showed up. Poor dog was frantic to get out so when I got home from the eye doctor, let her out and cleaned up. Roommates were supposed to be keeping an eye on her while I went to the eye doctor, but they are really bad at it. The person who might give the husky a home called and he is coming by tonight to see if it would work. I keep hoping something will work out for the dog's sake.

Di and I went to work in the FamilySearch Center last night. But our normal co-person was at a meeting, so a friend who often works on Wednesday came in to provide assistance - while really just be there so Di and I aren't there alone. But he wasn't well and needed to leave after an hour, so we closed up two hours early and went home. I can work from home just as well if no one needs in-person help. 

Today had to get Di up early for jury duty as she can't seem to master the alarm clock. At least she can tell time as another roommate we had couldn't even do that. She had an excuse to get off jury duty from her doctor, but she had to take it in herself. She has been excused and is now home to help with solving two of her main frogs today. Later we will be going out to the store and the bank. It will be a spend day today, but not too bad.    

lcc86

Evening turtles

Forgot to post yesterday, I spent on an unnecessary coffee (but at an independent shop if that makes it any less bad lol). Felt poorly last night and again this morning, just want to be rid of this ick!

Walked 4km to and from the opticians first thing, of course I forgot to bring my glasses with me though! No change so just the test to pay for, have already uploaded the receipt to my expenses claim and submitted it. Worked from home today and got a fair bit ticked off the list. Had a bit of a heart to heart with my manager which felt good. I also did the money shuffle ready for next month, topped up savings and cleared a couple of small bits off the credit card that had accrued on holiday. 

grandmanerd

All out of sparkle and today I just want to huddle under  the bedclothes. Yesterday I took the clothes someone had dumped out of my bin and repacked them loosely in 4 bin bags. Walked to the charity clothes bin at little Arseda and they all went into  the hopper nicely.  Some things went out to the bins including the midnight pixie donations and more are gathered downstairs waiting for me.

Someone from sleep clinic phoned me as they had some appointment slots on Friday.  After a brief chat we decided I was too ill to go to the hospital (it's 8 miles away not our local one),  she'll post out a new mask and some of the yellow filters and send me a proper appointment for January..

The kettle I ordered arrived (extended Black Friday offer, I was browsing as several kitchen items are on their last legs and realised I need a smaller lighter kettle). However that made me wonder what was in the larger box that came earlier in the week (had the kettle  manufacturer's name on it. Apparently that is their new slow cooker (because they can't find the lid to the one they have so I 'must have put it somewhere'.

Meals were mostly fro the fridge,  no other money spent and DS3 has returned the money he borrowed on Monday..  New laptop arrived yesterday, I brought it upstairs and charged it yesterday evening but need the code off the modem to set up internet access. Slowly shuffling things around (including 3 bags to go to the cs) and dragged covers back onto the bed after they attempted a mass escape (think it's when I roll in the middle of the night). Good chat with my cousin and managed to write a letter to another cousin to go in her Christmas card. Watching comfort tv as I'm finding it difficult to concentrate.

Garatfeul for my bed and bedding, easy food and books.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for spending time with some lovely people, for dc's exam going well, for getting a GP appointment, for DH preparing tea, for having snug warm clothes.

f0xh0les

Today I went to an interview for a job I really do not want to get.  Funny how that is working out, interviews are so useful for thinking, 'nope, not even if you paid double and bought me a bun'

Work on the house is continuing and I think it is nearly getting to the end of the 'looking worse' period, and it is all going to start coming together again quite quickly and very soon.  Tonight, however, I have no heating or hot water.

Grateful for having had 2 interviews from my 4 job applications -  I obviously look promising on paper   for hot water bottles for heat,  and kettles for the washing up, for the kids not kicking off at only having hot dogs and chips for tea at 4.45pm and not asking for a takeaway instead,   and for them being fine about not having any heating! 

Esmeralda2662

@grandmanerd I hope your sparkle returns soon. Great news that your new laptop has arrived. Hopefully this will help make things easier. Don't you just love the way that we get the blame for misplaced items! I remember my son ringing me when I was in Germany to ask where the bicycle pump was as it, and the carrier bag it was in, was nolonger in the dining room where it had been for over 6 weeks!

Was 20 mins late for work today as I got stuck in a huge traffic jam. Not sure if it was a vehicle breakdown or accident. I hope no one was badly hurt if it was a crash. I will have to make the time up on Monday.

Felt a bit miserable today as one of the lads at work resigned and went today. Strange as I don't see much of that department but think recent changes to a 4 day week and now him leaving have unsettled me. Hope he's going on to a nice new job.

My parcel arrived safely, thank goodness. If I order anything else I might get it delivered to work instead.

Up to NSD8 so pleased with that. Paid the deposit for mum's new log burner and she gave me a cheque in return. She accidentally dated it October so I hope it clears ok!

Trying to copy a felt Christmas soldier decoration that mum bought from the charity shop. Looked so simple but i have no idea how to do it, lol! My sister wants one for her tree so that should spur me on! Would make a nice present.

Wanted to buy a heated throw from Land of Lakes to reduce heating costs. I have a discount voucher towards it but have decided i can't justify it as I already have a heated pad and a throw. Before NST I would have bought it and worried later so you've taught me something, thank you!

Grateful for: my parcel arriving safely, the motivation to make the soldier decoration (just hope I can keep it up), Apple strudel and cream.  X

Thrifty_Taylor

@Esmeralda2662 I'm sure cheques can be deposited up to 6 months after they're dated, so you should be ok.

Hope the heating, etc isn't off for long @f0xh0les, it's exciting that things are progressing! I've emailed a lady about drawing up plans for us. Think she'll need to visit first, as not sure we'll be able to extend where we'd like due to the septic tank. Sure she'll keep us right!

No exercises this morning, had a case if cant-be-4rs3d-itis! Think it was the dark morning. Felt a bit queasy til breaktime. So many bugs going round school.just now, so pleased I'm wearing a mask all the time. The day went fine anyway. Posted the last 2 cards for abroad on my way home.

Did some of my jigsaw before tea. Watched a programme with DS3 after, then did some sewing.

Grateful for feeling better, jigsaw time, reading whilst eating breakfast

abundant1972

Good Afternoon 🌞

Good day yesterday with a second gym visit, though fell into Arseda and ended up buying some bits and pieces. I have £30 in vouchers left still on the app for December, so that will be handy. 

Today have done laundry and fresh bedding on. Am going to have a chilled day and start working on my planner for 2024. I have a load of old journals with useful bits I want to transfer across, so need to spend some time doing that. 

Today I am grateful for:

1) A bright sunny day outside
2) My air fryer 😋
3) My cosy little apartment

NSD total = 🤔

Have a lovely last day of November and Autumn 🍂

Toni'sfriend

Thank you for running November, Apple.

I'm pleased with how this month has gone. Medically I feel as if there has been some progress. At least, I'm feeling a lot calmer and more positive and Himself has come on by leaps and bounds. I hope that will last when we go on holiday with his oldest friends. 

House and garden are looking much better and I have decluttered so much. Another bag to the charity shop yesterday and Himself donated some items without even being asked.

Completely lost track of NSDs and I know I have spent on things I hadn't planned to but I don't begrudge it

Hairdresser tomorrow and off to the Lake District on Saturday. xxx