NST AUGUST 2024

grandmanerd

Yesterday I sent off the signed list of fraudulent transactions. I bought stamps at the Post Office counter and will be adding them to my expenses (as I've frequently used a stamp from my own supplies). I'll be buying more pens and putting credit on my phone too (that might be complicated as I still can't use the card - waiting for a new pin) as Land Registry and Solicitor phone calls are coming up.

I went to grandma's house, sorted the pile of mainly junk mail and checked the cleaning. My niece and her bf did 10 hours on it (I've done a lot more than that but my productivity is less). They've mostly made a good job of cleaning the carpets and wiping worktops but have avoided all the problem areas. The oven is still disgusting (the first place people check), inside the cupboards hasn't been touched and the cupboard handles are still coated with a film of grease, ditto the cooker hood. The lino's had a wipe but the bit in the corner, presumably where the fridge freezer was, still has large lumps of fat deposits. Light switches, shelves, backs of doors and tops of doorframes all need attention. The window frames have been wiped but two of them are black at the bottom (mould, ingrained dirt - I said they needed replacing). And the walls they said weren't damp - well the woodchip peeled off easily. So I think I'm justified in deducting the amount for a 'thorough clean' from the house 'valuation' is justified. I'll get that written up properly now.

I spent some time in the garden. I have 2 roses and a large fuschia growing and the cut down tree has sprouted a ring of 3' long shoots (soft branches). I had plans but I'll not do more to the house until I have agreement that it's mine (there will still be time for planting. I can use some of the leftover paint on the garden walls (just to reflect more light back into the garden.

I was hoping to go to a SM or small shop afterwards but just came home and collapsed on the couch. It's frustrating not being able to add any NSD but until my card can be used for online deliveries. 

Plans for today include getting things out of the house (cs run and food that Beloved won't be using to the trolley in the library). It's food and craft market day so I might have a look round, last time I just battled my way into the library through the crash barriers. and I need to read my poo test instructions.

Grateful for sunshine (not oppressive yet), feeling relaxed (getting to check the house has been on my agenda for a couple of weeks), going to have a pottering day and hoping to achieve much.  

f0xh0les

Insomnia is back. Boo! 4 days on the trot I have been awake between 2 - 4.30 am,  but last night I was awake from 2-6.  Stupid hormones, I thought I had them in control, but I suppose it fluctuates dunnit? Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.....   So today is brought to you by knackeredness and the letter Zzzzz. 

 I can still manage to clean a bathroom, and the living room, anything else is a bonus. Might push the hoover about the place for a bit.....might not.  Laundry will be folded at some point, at least it is clean and dry!

Lunch was free (from the No Food Waste, place) and is in the fridge waiting to be baked. A salad will be tossed. 

 I will need to sleep at some point, I am a mess, so am wearing floaty summer clothes. 

Happy Weekend Turtles!

Shrewbie

Hope everyone is well.
@apple your trip sounds amazing so far!!!
@f0xh0les hope the insomnia sods off soon...
@grandmanerd glad you got some advice

No NSD for me today. My friend is visiting and we got up at 6am to do a sunrise hike to a castle. It was lovely. I saw no fewer than TWO shooting stars.
Yesterday was a special day too, we drove to Tavira in Portugal, beautiful white sandy beach, lush.
Feeling very lucky. Have spent a little more on food than is probably necessary, but it will even out.
Grateful for a friend in US texting to say she'd sent us (me and my other friend who is visiting) cash to have dinner on her as it was both of our birthdays recently. She sent 100 quid and "hoped it paid for at least part of our meal". that will definitely get us a meal and more in the town we're staying!

Thrifty_Taylor

Thank you for this month's thread @grandmanerd, plrase count me in (#18 if possible 😊). I wrote a post last night, then lost it & was too tired to redo it!

Congratulations on the PB wins, & sounds like folk are having a great time away. Pleased you've been to CAB @grandmanerd & you've been given a boost by the staff there agreeing with your thoughts. 

NSD#1
Had a lie in today as up late last night being mum's taxi. Headed to town dropped off/collected sewing & took mum shopping. Pleased that I spent less on our shopping this week. 

Put it all away, altered a t-shirt for DS1. Did some strimming in the garden then removed turf for a new trellis style fence. Updated finances & did Norwegian, then did some knitting.

I'm feeling more in control of things again & focussing on some goals too. Think I'm going to start 75 Day Soft again tomorrow - 75 days of activities/self care, which include 20 minutes of movement, drinking 2 litres of water, eating mindfully, getting 7 hours of sleep, 20 mins of reading & less screen time. I did it last year & felt better afterwards, think I've been neglecting myself a bit again.

Grateful for this month's challenge, rethinking my priorities, chatting with mum & time in the garden

apple_muncher

We left Queensland in the rain yesterday and arrived in a chilly but sunny Melbourne. Dsd2 picked us up and we're staying with her until we leave. It'll be good to chill out and spend time with family - including our 16 month granddaughter.

Grandmanerd, the mind boggles at injuries from tea cosies...

We did lots in Melbourne when we first arrived in Australia and were staying very centrally. We're now in the northern suburbs and plan to hang out more locally - park, cafés, bouldering, op shop...

I'm grateful for the sunshine, for a super comfy bed, for time to watch some Olympics, for time with family.

grandmanerd

Sunday 4th August 2024

Forgiveness

Today I decided to forgive you, not because you apologized or because you acknowledged the pain you caused me
But because my soul deserves peace
(Najwa Zabian)

Forgiveness really isn't about the other person
It's about you
It's about your heart and your soul being at peace
It's about you, healing and moving on
It's about you not letting the past hold you hostage anymore
(heightsinheels.com)


Grace - Extending forgiveness when it is not deserved or earned.

Forgive Yourself First
Release the need to replay a negative situation over and over again in your mind
Don't become a hostage to your past by always reviewing and reliving your mistakes
Don't remind yourself of what could have, should have or would have been
Release it and set it free. Move on
(Les Brown)
Tinybuddha.com
 

abundant1972

Morning everyone 🌑

Lovely hearing about everyone's excursions. I haven't been abroad in over 20 years, and I am pretty content at home. I always miss it when I am away. That probably makes me sound dull - but it's where I feel safe, secure and content. Truly happy in my own company. Introverts are us! Haha. That said I did renew my passport a year ago.. 

Being back on MSE definitely helps me. Yesterday I had an urge to impulse buy - just on rubbish. No planned shop - just craving chocolate/crisps/shop-bought coffee - something to treat myself to feel good I guess. Remembered the NSDs and how we try and avoid coffee shops etc - and so I made my own latte and ate an apple. Cravings went. 

Yesterday = NSD number 1

Yesterday I was grateful for:

1) Spending clarity
2) A quiet day at home getting my jobs done
3) My PC and the window on the World the internet gives me 🔮

Today I am grateful for:

1) Meeting up with a long-time friend
2) Time spent in solitude and peace
3) My fan haha! 🧊

Current Moon Phase : New Moon 🌑; new beginnings, getting clarity on what goals you want to work on manifesting over the next few weeks until the full moon, and beyond. A good time for positive affirmations. 

Have a lovely day folks 🌞

ldee2111

Hello turtles, 

Four days into August and I haven't had an NSD yet.

I've planned my budget for the month and popped funds into their respective digital envelopes. 

I was excited to add more to our mortgage overpayment pot this week after receiving a higher-than-normal wage from working an extra day each week, along with a recent bank switch bonus. I'm excited to be on track for our next overpayment opportunity, but I can’t get complacent. To make sure we reach our target, I need to stay full steam ahead every week. Hitting our goal relies on weekly underspends, so there's no room for slacking off now.

I've been in a decluttering mood lately, so over the weekend I tackled my wardrobe and DS’s wardrobe, drawers, and toybox. I now have a large bag of items ready to donate to the charity shop this week.

I've listed some items on Vinted, but so far, I’ve been buying more than selling. I picked up some educational games for DS and clothes to replace outgrown items, including chinos, trainers, a sweater, a fleece, and a rain jacket. I probably got everything for the price of a brand-new pair of trainers alone.

This month, I’m focusing on decluttering and clearing out. It almost feels like a spring clean before the colder, darker months when my motivation and energy tend to wane. I also have a plan for September to do a ‘super save,’ putting all regular monthly savings into the mortgage overpayment pot.

This has been a long post for me, so I’ll wrap up. OH and DS are out this evening, giving me some lovely time to myself. I’m going to make an omelette for dinner, something OH finds hard to fathom since he believes omelettes are strictly for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. 🤣

By the way, I have written this post using dictation on my phone and putting it through AI! I'm interested to know what are turtles' thoughts on using AI. I was thinking maybe one month I could do our Ninja Saving Turtle Challenge all based on AI. Interested to see what it can up with. I’m also exploring AI within my work just now.

Wishing all fellow turtles a good week ahead! X

lcc86

@ldee2111 I've used AI a few times to help with a few work bits and also job interview questions, I found it super helpful!

Today has been a NSD, I am still stuck indoors recovering from my steroid injections. I've no pain at night for the past two nights which is unheard of. I overdid it a bit yesterday so made sure not to do the same today, but I'm so bored!! There's only so much tv you can watch and things you can read! I managed a walk around the block but thats it other than pottering around the house doing very small jobs.

beanielou

@idee2111. How do you dictate using A1. My typing is really slow. Thank you.