NST No!vember 2024

weenancyinAmerica

Up to NSD 11 - only because I hurt too much to shop, even online. I have a giant bruise on the back of my knee slowing me down a lot - but I did get the bedding washing done after the cat threw up on it. Also managed to get one roommate to take a box of food to our neighbor. The church another roommate attends usually brings a part of their leftovers to us after the Food Bank on Wednesday - but they brought two loads on two days. So we were able to supply the neighbors on both days. I have been taking a crocheting class and we have been making a mystery item. Found out yesterday it is a giant comfort chicken. May need it here. Thankful I can still get around enough to do my laundry - and get it back to my bedroom - at the opposite end of the house. Also grateful for MSE for being here when I need to feel better. Even just reading what people are doing on an ordinary day is helpful. Thankful also for the homemade blankets (by me) that have helped keep me warmer the last few nights. I think fall finally got here. Now I need to unpack my sweaters and get ready in case winter comes. Can't pack summer away though as we usually have some hot spells in the middle of winter. 

Hugs to everyone for the week. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Hugs @weenancyinAmerica. Love the sound of your crocheted chicken! I make fabric ones 😊

Yesterday I went to work in my spotty PJ's for CiN. Put my hair up in 2 'buns' & DH tied spotty fabric round them, so they almost looked like the yellow teddy's ears. Did buy 3 Xmas decs off a stall & some cake . Think the school raised more than ever this year! Another fire lit for when I arrived home 😊 Spent the evening knitting.

Today I went to a decorators shop & got a big tin of stain for our new front door steps to be. It was half price, due to a closing down sale. Did the food shop with mum, dropped off 2 sewing jobs & another 7 (!!!) we're waiting for me 🤯 went to a frock swap, but didn't see anything I liked, so didn't give them my items. My hairdresser was running late, so had to wait half an hour, but still made it to the big craft fayre to meet a friend, on time. Lots of goodies spotted but only bought a card & a lucky square.

Put the shopping away, updated expenditure sheets, then knitted & watched a film with DH.

Grateful for all the little things DH does, mum giving me some fingerless gloves she'd made, having a relaxing afternoon yesterday with my pupil & them giving me a spontaneous hug for the picture I made them, half price sales

DawnW

No spending yesterday so it was NSD #6 for me. I am more impressed by being able to keep count for once, than by the NSDs themselves

I need milk, or rather OH does (I don't like it in most things / drinks) so today will be a spend day, but only for that.

Sun is out, so washing will be pegged outside.

OH has gifted pheasants to prep, and I must empty the car of logs that he brought back from his trip yesterday. Then I will make game pie filling for the freezer.

I also need to finish packing a parcel and take it to the drop off point. It is a box of books that is leaving the house.

Dinner will be leftover chilli, jacket potatoes and coleslaw.

Grateful that the weather is fine and I won't be moving logs in the rain

Shrewbie

“When you say 'yes' to others, make sure you're not saying 'no' to yourself.”

Paulo Coelho 

How to Use the Power of No (by KJ Hutchings from tinybuddha.com)

"We have obligations to our loved ones and should be there for them when they truly need us, but we also have obligations to ourselves.

When we say no, it shouldn’t intentionally cause another person any real harm; it should always come from a place of consideration and compassion, but it also has to be assertive and come from a source of strength.

I found that it helps to focus on the fact you are not saying no to the person but to their request. This separation makes it feel a lot less personal.

It also helps to start small. Begin by saying no to acquaintances and colleagues and anyone else you feel safer saying no to. Once you have gained some confidence, you can say no to less significant matters in your close relationships—such as what to eat for dinner, which movie to see at the cinema, what to do with your free time, and so on."

We are over halfway through the month. How is the challenge going? are we heading in the right direction or do we need to make adjustments to stay on course?

ditty1234

This weekend I have said no to all and yes to myself. Spent all afternoon yesterday on the couch part miserable and part exhausted after open day for my college in the morning and from having the house to myself all weekend. Still quite unfamiliar. Today I got up early with a soft thud and have done some prep for the week and been for a run, caught up with a close long term friend on a video call and now I'm about to do more marking and prep for the coming week. 
Rest is just so important. DS2 managed a half marathon w the girlfriend this morning I am well impressed. 
Grateful for receiving a financial bail out this week, embarrassed to need it, but grateful all the same.
Grateful that I got myself off the couch and did a shop and went for a run, so am now ready for the week.
Happy November everybody, only an other 2 weeks to go!

f0xh0les

NSD 6.  I am not making big spends, one day was a sub £3.50 spend day, that was annoying, but there is still £ in the budget, so I can't complain 
Won another £12 on the Postal Area Lottery .  They don't mention that on the TV adverts with their massive cheques. You could win 10 teabags! 
I have been bathroom showroom window shopping. Took DH with me this morning.... we agree on nothing 😭 😅😅.  Totally different tastes. Good job I am buying. A grey bathroom is weird ( now I will find out every turtle has a grey bathroom - all 🐢 bathrooms are grey in the dark 🕶️ or something). 

Thrifty_Taylor

We have our first flakes of snow & had lots of hail, way, way, way up north! 

After a longer lie in, I reordered some canvas prints, but used a different company. Then me & DH went for a walk - face wind & hail on the way, but behind us on the way home.

Put a sproutmas film on the TV, then cut the hems & pinned in their new shorter positions, 6 pairs of trousers. DS3 discovered there were no buses from his GF's this afternoon, so I said I'd go & collect him (60 miles round trip!). DS1 wasn't working tonight, so asked if he wanted to come for the ride, & he offered to drive us in his car, collecting his GF on the way. White roads on the way back - not looking forward to the drive to work tomorrow...

Sewed 5 of the pairs of trousers after tea. Then ordered some presents, now I've got part of a list!

Grateful for warm clothes, a nice fire, my hot water bottle & DS driving

Nintud

I’m on NSD 5 now.  The last two have been a consequence of Covid vaccine side effects and my crazy immune system. Too tired and achy to go anywhere, so no temptation to spend. I made a quick dash out to post some Vinted parcels, bought nothing from the shop and went straight back so slothing in my armchair.

Ive said No to everything since Wednesday.

Grateful for building strong immunity and for the vaccine (despite it making me feel awful)
Grateful for the ability to buy groceries online and not having to cart a month of shopping up three flights of stairs.
grateful for all the good advice and budgeting tips I have received from MSErs.

apple_muncher

Shrewbie - at least it wasn't sprout turron!!!

laura_lau

Happy beginning of week to all turtles, big weather change on its way, it's going to happen between today and tomorrow here where I live, and there might be some snow on Thursday, if the forecast doesn't change again!

Had a spendy day Saturday, as expected, with a luxurious afternoon tea in central London with a friend. It was a proper treat, and kind of "our own" end of year celebration, as I don't expect to see her until January, so we both really enjoyed it. I was really good avoiding other expenses, though, I just bought a tin of fancy tea for my mum in Fortnum & Mason, so I can give it to her as part of her Christmas hamper (now complete), and bought some curry spices for a friend who asked if I can bring her some when I go back to Italy later in December. She will pay back, so that doesn't count as expense. Curry spices in Italy are really different, they are toned down a lot to adapt to the Italian palate, and end up really really bland. The shop was absolutely crazy, crowded to the point it felt unsafe: I used to be in there quite often as I used to work nearby, and even in December I've never seen it like this Saturday! We couldn't wait to leave, I felt so sorry for the people who work in there, it must be seriously draining and exhausting on days like that!

When I came back home I took advantage of OH being at a friend's to watch the rugby, so I finished sorting my things, cleaned the kitchen, an did the very last load of laundry, which hopefully I will be able to pack away for the Winter later today!

Yesterday had a relaxed day, I wanted to do more sorting of things, I need to tidy up my book pile and my knitting and crochet patterns and magazines pile, but I felt quite tired, so I did the bare minimum and then sat on the sofa while crocheting and watching a documentary. I also had a long video call with my nephew, his mum and my brother, which was fun. I did manage to break a crochet hook while working on the bubble stitch, which never ever happened to me before, however it was a plastic crochet hook, which was feeling rather pliable in the top part, so I do not think it was really due my herculean strength  luckily I had another one (in metal) the same size, so I could continue, and managed to finish the little bobble stitch tree I was making.

@weenancyinAmerica the giant crochet chicken sounds good and it made me chuckle, because I happen to have a giant knitted one, which I made a few months ago putting together lots of leftover yarn I had. It's properly turkey-sized, and it's so squishy, I definitely recommend it for every household! It's also a great conversation starter, and can also serve as sofa cushion if really needed! Mine is called Hermelinda, the (giant) leftover yarn chicken.

Today is NSD #9. 

Today I am saying NO to a lunch with a friend tomorrow while in the office, as I have lunch from home already prepped in the fridge and I do not want to spend unnecessary money, plus it will be a busy day in the office and also quite cold, so we agreed to postpone it to next week, when I will have a bit more time and it will be more relaxing to see her.

Today I am grateful for a nice warm soup for lunch, being able to sit comfortably with a lap blanket while working, and for my dog napping against my legs, keeping me warm and feeling all cozy.