NST No!vember 2024

dizzyblnd

I bought some Christmas bits today but used nectar points to pay, does that mean I still keep my nsd?

beanielou

dizzyblnd said:

I bought some Christmas bits today but used nectar points to pay, does that mean I still keep my nsd?

I would say so. 

grandmanerd

No f0xh0les, I'm not on a mattress on the floor. I've been sleeping on the large sofa which is under the  front room window and also probably a bit too low (it takes a lot of effort to get upright). I have new bedding (including a new duvet) but I didn't want to put it on the makeshift bed. But now I really want my nice new (sofa) bed made up but if that's too much effort (I will be shuffling furniture) I have a temporary solution - use the large 6'6" x3' bookcase as a base, put the 8'x 4' table top on top, then the mattress and surround it with kallax units. The new bed can be taken out of it's boxes (more box than furniture as they've padded it well) and because of the decluttering it won't matter if some of the cubes are hidden by the mattress (and I should have some storage space for the kitchen stuff to move in here whilst it's being done).

Just need to get a bit of energy and start shuffling. A sack of empty cans has gone outside and I have a nearly full bin bag  which will have to stay inside the  back door for now (The furniture shop man has had expanding foam sprayed into all the gaps in his metal storage shed so I suspect he's had rats in there).

I've done all my festive shopping (whilst not feeling the least bit festive myself). It's only 3 presents as DS1 always wants donations to a men's mental health charity and I already have lots for my grand-daughter (I just decide what's age appropriate out of my stash). I have Bluey figures and jigsaws and a wooden toy computer from her granddad in heaven (he bought a wooden camera last year). I've spent less than half what I spent on them last year (DS2 promised me a list but it never materialised.

I've eaten half a jar of pickled onions to help my throat and am going to drag myself upstairs to dose myself with Covonia (should help me sleep). Good night turtles and have a good weekend.

f0xh0les

dizzyblnd said:

I bought some Christmas bits today but used nectar points to pay, does that mean I still keep my nsd?

Yep! You certainly do.

f0xh0les

NSD 9 today. All food from stores and menus planned for the weekend. Yay! 

ditty1234

Hi probably won't make a bad day today but have made a 3 hour train journey so far without spends. Brought breakfast, coffee and water. I have also brought lunch for me and ds 1 to eat at his uni halls. He was a bit perturbed as he wanted to go out for lunch, but I want to spare him the expense. 
It is a lovely curry and lentil chicken from last night so should cheer him up.
Managed to write a reflection on train and get an URL for my upcoming website. I am slowly catching up on my admin projects, but it is kind of dragging on.
I am now looking for a new accountant.
Am also hoping for help with writing up documentation for HMRC tribunal, to see if it is worth it.
Still awaiting final decision on grant pay out.
Universal credit is done on my part ds1 stuff.
Pip is all sent off ds1 stuff.
I sent off prints for a Christmas fair.
I am still behind at work, but it just seems to be never ending.
The job I interviewed for in September is now relisted, so will reapply, but without much hope.

So much stuff happening, but I am so ready to start new jobs and projects soon.  The website is an important platform in that direction. 

Happy stormy day 😊

Shrewbie

laura_lau said:

@Shrewbie you are almost there! I always found the speaking parts of the exams the most difficult and daunting for how I am, so I would say the worst part has gone, it will be smooth sailing from here! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Thank you @laura_lau, you were right, the written parts were much easier. I'm so glad it's over now, and I can get back to doing whatever it was I used to do with my life!!!

I had a lovely time yesterday walking about the city after the exam was over. I treated myself to a coffee and a cinnamon roll, then visited a  scrapbook store I've been meaning to go to. As I'm aiming to do a budget sproutmas this year, I'll be creating a photo album for my Mum, documenting our holiday this year in the Lake District. I'm using a notebook that I made at a Japanese book binding workshop earlier this year. This is the only present I'm attempting to "craft" for sproutmas as it's pretty much done already. I know my limits!! 

I bought some stickers with wildflowers and butterflies on them from the scrapbook store. I had also been eyeing up this beautiful wrapping paper with botanical drawings on it for about a year (one with  mushrooms - my mum is obsessed with mushrooms, not the magic kind ) but at 6 euros a sheet I had always resisted. The shop assistant actually suggested I buy a smaller sheet at half the price - I hadn't realised that was an option. It had a slightly different design but still beautiful, so I got it. They were also selling notebooks with the same design on (10 euros) but I figured I should have some of the paper left over to cover a notebook for Mum for one of her next year's presents!!

I got back to "the sticks" and housemates had decorated. It all looked very festive. We toasted to my exam success (hopefully) with a glass of B@1leys. Did some crochet.

This morning I read through my morning pages that I wrote while in the Lake District to jog my memory of what we did (for Mum's present) it's amazing how much our brains forget (or am I just getting old?!) and this only happened in July. Was very grateful to have the record there. 

Today should be NSD 12 and then hopefully a little run of them next week.

Have a great Sunday turtles!!

f0xh0les

Yesterday was NSD 10 and today will be NSD 11. 

I have retrieved C-word from the loft.  I spent last Twixtmas laying thick insulation rolls in the loft  and boarding it out with loft legs and boards.  I loved it! took me 3 days in all, but it was immaculate up there.  There is so much dust  up  there now!! Bare brick walls and an adjoining house with no roof and "builders" in it probably does not help.  Anyway, my roof is a year old now so Happy Birthday Roof. It is also empty, but I fear DH has sneaky plans for storing large quantities of his carp up there.  I am resisting. If he can't see it, he will buy it again. I know him. I am the resistance.

Plans for today -

Going to put a pizza dough on to rise, we have leftover stew from last night, and the advent calendars will be hung on the wall with care and some hoovering.

DawnW

Still on NSD #7. I have been rubbish at saying NO! this month. OH's phone has broken and I had to order him a new one. At least I got a good price due to Black Friday, when / what ever that is!  Paid for from savings, so NO at least to credit cards and their ilk!

The weather is awful here, high winds and heavy rain. We are lucky to be warmish and dry. I feel desperately sorry for those whose homes have flooded

We had planned to visit a friend this morning, but the local police are asking that people travel only when absolutely necessary due to trees fallen on roads etc. It wasn't necessary so we stayed home. Instead I redid the inventory of the freezer which goes out of date so quickly (due to my being rubbish at updating it). Very little food is needed till at least Christmas, just things to go with the things we already have, if that makes sense. I have taken out beef to make a stew for later in the week, leeks for soup and fruit for a crumble. 

Lunch was the rest of a batch of tomato and red pepper soup that I made a few days ago, and tonight's dinner will be cauliflower cheese pasta bake with mushrooms to use up various fridge gravel. I might make some lemon drizzle cakes as well, as I noticed languishing lemons.

Grateful today for a dry home!

grandmanerd

It rained all yesterday and during Friday night so it's warmed up (to just above freezing). Put 2 of their bin bags and one of mine in the bins and a sack of cans and bottles that I'd put outside. I'm trying to make every minute count so with 8 minutes until my lunch was ready I cut the smaller bed package (the sides) open, took out the pieces (thankfully only 2 - was dreading having to insert all the individual 'spindles') flattened the boxes and put the polystyrene to one side. Then I retrieved my lunch sat on the couch and stayed there for a very long time.

In the afternoon I made 2 very slow trips to the end of the backs with the kitchen stuff I've given up on scrubbing. Laid it all out on the concrete block by the car park entrance and left a note saying it was free and to take it if they could use it. Very glad to see it had gone this morning. I clearly wasn't going to make it as far as the cs (knowing my limits) I also cut up the cardboard from the bed box (I may put that in the blue bin for the empty house, as I'm hoping there will be lots to go out). Having cleared a bit of space I emptied the washing up bowl and did all the pots before bedtime (there are more elsewhere but I did enough).

I've noticed my hands were very dry so used body butter on them (using up, looking after myself) after I'd put my mask on and did my feet before tucking them firmly under the covers. Will repeat as needed.

Lots of parcels have arrived (and finally the grand-daughter's wish list) so I've messaged DS2 - I already had a set of Bluey figures but was waiting to check that she was past the age of swallowing/ choking on them. I've picked a small thing from the list to add to the figures and jigsaws (3 parcels make a nice tower). Will try to get cards done and wrap presents (had forgotten the grand-puppy and grand-chinchillas so rectified that). All presents except the dog toys are consumables (the dog toys are also consumable but over a longer time span - last year's tough toy made it through to the afternoon of Christmas Day). We're in November now f0xh0les, so no elves will be shot.

I've found another police drama to watch so will try to do something at the end of each episode. Lots of veg to prep so that and the cards can be done on the couch whilst 'watching'. Washing machine was ordered and will arrive on Thursday. Hoping to get all the big items out this week (and lots of small appliances). Failed on not spending - I think I've spent more this month than in the previous 3 combined but it's partly due to limping on with things that are way past their best (like a WM that rips clothes and I think is responsible for the smell). It's had countless doses of white vinegar so I hope it's the machine, otherwise I'll have to hunt for a new laundry cleaner that doesn't bring me out in a rash.

Grateful for a tiny bit of energy but being very carful, communication with DS2 (must get in touch with DS1). Should I open the parcels now? or clear more space first. Will unpack but put all the contents into one box so 4 boxes and inner packing can go out.