NST April 2024: April appreciation

lcc86

Afternoon turtles and hugs to anyone who needs them at the moment. 

Yesterday was a bit of a wasteful day at work, spent 3 hours travelling to and from a meeting that easily could've been done online, but my colleague insisted we go face to face. Trains were a mess... then they were all cancelled on the way home so I got the bus and then walked, not usually a problem but my sprained ankle was not happy with me when I got home! At last it is recovered enough for me to do a bit of walking. 

I fell asleep incredibly early last night and had a good sleep. Today I've done 2 loads of washing and got them out on the line, and cleaned the carpets again. Last week's efforts got most of the mess up but bunny has had a few more accidents so wanted to go over the old bits and do the few new spots. Have had the slow cooker on the go as well making thai curry.

I've also done a meter reading today, my energy company emailed yesterday to say they're almost doubling our direct debit as we're £60 in debit. I cleared that (even though it all evens out over summer), did the meter reading and will wait for the account to update before contacting them about keeping the direct debit the same. Bit cheeky to try and whack it up so much over a relatively minor debit going into spring...

Toni'sfriend

NSD No 9

Dawn - You're having such a difficult time. Sending lots of hugs.

I had lots of plans today but unfortunately my energy levels disagreed. So I am taking your advice and taking baby steps. It's hard, though. I feel I'll never get back to normal.  xxxx

grandmanerd

Yesterday was a solid plodding day. Brought back the emptied bins and started to refill them, tackled a huge mountain of washing up (some left but the drainer and draining board are piled high). I've done a large grocery order to be delivered tomorrow - I didn't really need  much but I browsed the offers and bought 3 months worth of hayfever tablets at half price (which makes them equivalent in price to the 'bargain' ones and they're much easier to swallow) and a good offer on washing tabs and 2 x 50 packs should last me another year. Added a few of my 'favourites' on offer and I get free delivery (picked a 'green van' slot - the van is already delivering close by so saving fuel and  the planet).

I've started doing bulk orders and repeat orders on things that won't go off (toilet roll of course). Just trying to streamline purchasing - it's my equivalent of those people who go to the cash'n;carry every 3 or 6 months. I've been cutting up a broken branch that was overhanging next door's yard and today I've broken up a bamboo screen that DS2 bought (he doesn't listen to what I'm saying and his ultimate aim is to turn the yard into  a non-garden) and added that to the green bin.

This morning I went to the GPO to pay a bill (estate charge). I realised I haven't been further than the end of our row all week (probably last week too) so I thought I should make the effort. I wanted to take stuff to the cs but I needed  to get back for a zoom meeting so will try to do that tomorrow. Was  glad I hadn't done the  detour as my ankle/ foot was throbbing by the time I turned for home. My shoe lace came undone and I struggled to reach it to tie it up. Didn't do a very good job as when I was nearer home, a lady with a toddler in a pram stopped to tell me it was undone again and could she tie it for me. I accepted gratefully.

DS3 was still awake when I got in so he hauled the walker in before he went upstairs and I nestled into the couch. Some washing has been done or moved on a stage, I have bits of plans in my head (ways forward, particularly ones where other people do the work), the sink is now clean and I've started on the toilet (I need to take a new spray and a toilet cleaner upstairs) and sprayed part of the floor (I had a tiny bit in a bottle that I'd taken into my room)

Grateful for all the delivery drivers and helpful shop assistants, books, films and drama series, my bed, the couch, getting things done, for good days when I can actually do things.

ditty1234

Grateful for a couple of lovely days in Manchester w ds1 and even caught a super wonky Tudor house on the way home, which was a curiosity, and made me slightly reappreciate the national trust, except their scones were severely over baked and over priced. 
The Tudors used to bring their glass from windows with them if they went away, not to get it nicked. That was a bit of a surprise 😄

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for getting 2 loads of washing almost dry on the line- hopefully no more double spins needed, for finding the right shade of green wool in a charity shop, for dh attaching the draught excluder thingy to the downstairs loo door and making a start on the pole supports for when we hang proper thermal curtains on the stairwell next winter, for step dd1 letting us know they're all going to Málaga in October for her DH to take part in a triathlon comp representing his country and did we want to go along too.

Thrifty_Taylor

Thursday was a day of mishaps - turned up for my massage 5hrs early! Then fell in my garden, slipped in the garden half an hour later, tidied in the kitchen, went for my massage at the right time, rushed home for tea, dashed to town to buy a 2nd hand mattress, then proceeded to wait at the wrong riding school for my friend! 🤣 Realised after 20mins that I was in the wrong place, so drove to the right one, walked alongside her on the horse, then back to hers for a cuppa.

Friday was a NSD. Finished my book, took DS3 & GF to town. I went for a walk with a friend, then we had Wool Club. Picked a Chinese takeaway up that mum was treating us to. Dropped a birthday card & good luck with your op cards off on the way to mum's. Put facemasks on & did more knitting. Lots of news - none good- about my cousin's, including a divorce & cancer of the tongue diagnosis. Once we went to bed, I couldn't sleep for ages, trying to process it all. My auntie's post mortem has now been done. We decided not to travel down for the cremation, but see if there'll be a link, so we can attend online, then go down in the summer when we're not restricted by work leave allowances.

Went food shopping, collected sewing & a bit for DS1's car, met work besties & went to a cafe as it was raining. Proud of myself that I only had a cheap.drink, when they had hot drinks & 2 courses each. Had the other half of my Chinese when I got home, put the shopping away & sorted through the stacks of books by my bedroom door. Sorted a pile for selling, a few to donate & the ones I've read & want to keep, were put in a box & in the shed. Sold 2 books already 😊 Did some knitting & watched TV, then did another chunk of my jigsaw. Not long til it'll be finished now.

Grateful for time with friends, having my close family in good health, not spending much, no more potential book avalanche, still having one more day off before returning to work

Shrewbie

Good morning turtles, I am on day 14/30 of no booze. Feel good for it. I am also within budget, if I spend nothing today except for a 10 euro donation for a meditiation workshop i'm doing.

Yesterday was a good day. I went to meet a girl who I'm doing a house/pet sit for next week then spent the rest of the day in the park with a couple of friends.I also checked out a neighbourhood that seems to have affordable flats to buy (relatively). Friends told me about an agent that seems to be able to get people 90%/100% mortgages so I'll look into that. I am grateful for a beautiful sunny day, for seeing bunnies and a woodpecker in the park, for seeing new parts of the city.

I am starting the Artist's Way (book/course by Julia Cameron) with my sister next week, so that will be interesting.

Enjoy your sunday turtles. Hugs to those who are struggling xx

lcc86

Morning turtles.

Made it to the gym after posting yesterday, then got a bit of food going in the slow cooker before relaxing for the evening. 

At the gym again this morning, have managed to walk here so my ankle is getting much better but must be mindful not to overdo it. Avoiding anything that stresses it in the gym for the foreseeable future!

Will get OH to drive me up to see my share pony later, need to pick up some carrots on the way for him  (the horse not OH!), I offered to buy him a coffee as a thank you so it won't be a NSD. Got some more washing and cooking to do as well later today.

f0xh0les

Today I have been brave, and made a mung bean and coconut dahl.  It was good.  I am a mung bean novice, the little green blighters have been a little intimidating, but now I am cured of my fear.  1/8 of the total mung population have been evicted from the pantry.  Only two weeks left of having DH around the place, so am trying to think of all the things he usually cooks, and  making sure I can do it myself.  

The sun is shining, the laundry is on the line, and the heating is off.  Hurrah!

Thrifty_Taylor

Another NSD here.

Today is the last day of the holidays, so wanted to make the most of it! Did yoga, then Norwegian, hung the washing out & ate breakfast. Washed the dishes, hoovered the inside of the car & went for a 2.5 mile walk with DH.

Started a new book whilst eating my dinner. A lady messaged to buy some books I'd listed on FB yesterday 😊 Cut up a curtain to add on to the bottom of 2 others, for a customer, then collected DS3 off the bus.

After tea I got things ready for work, polished shoes, etc, then finished a 1000 piece Moomin jigsaw.

Think I'm all set for tomorrow now.

Grateful for messages from 2 teachers, doing yoga & some stretches, the washing nearly drying on the line, a clean car