NST January 2025: Freedom!

grandmanerd

I've had a lovely day. I was meeting DS1 and darling d-i-l in Manchester for a meal. Despite trying my best to prep, I ended up running around with less than half an hour to get dressed (put old clothes on earlier) and get to the bus stop). Delays/ things that went wrong included but not limited to:
1 trying a bra on -didn't get further than holding it in front of me as my right upper arm refused to move any further
2 found some leggings and half an hour later they rolled down to just above my knees - so no to leggings
3 new gloves and bobble hat which arrived this week - could not be found
4 found insoles to put in the olive coloured shoes I wanted to wear (matching my ls tee) - one shoe in hiding
5 didn't take ibuprofen
6 couldn't find the support bandage although my ankle started the day much stronger than yesterday

I missed the bus I went out for. It left the stop when I was half way towards it. Next one was half an hour wait - bit tight at the other end but you do what you can. I found a glove in the bus station, well one light grey and one dark grey was an improvement on one black and muddy, one dark grey. My back was hurting by the time I got on the bus. I've struggled recently with the trip to Bolton (25 - 35 mins), Manchester is about 50 mins (luckily we never got stuck in traffic). Did what I could to distract myself from the pain, read my book most of the time. Only checked the time thrice, bus making good time. DS1 phoned when I was at Salford uni - he said I would arrive in 9 minutes. I asked if I could get off at the Art Gallery (bus display wasn't working). He said he didn't know what I was talking about but darling d-i-l overheard and said yes. Got off at the side of the Art Gallery (town hall square was much more walking) and darling d-i-l had come to meet me. Short walk to the restaurant. 

The meal was wonderful (Chinese - they'd looked for somewhere that had no steps and booked a downstairs table, loos were also on that level - last restaurant had stairs in the basement and a flight of about 20 stairs). I had thought about having soup for a starter but noticed they had duck with pancakes so asked if it was okay if I had that (it was my birthday treat). They said it was fine. So I had that and beef with ginger and spring onions. The restaurant has fat ducks - the waitress used 2 forks to shred my 1/4 and there was loads. I ate all my pancakes and about 3'4 of the duck was left. DS1 asked if they could wrap it for me to take home and they brought a takeaway container and the cutest little yellow carrier bag, which made the two of them jealous. I ate most of my main course. Darling d-i-l managed about half of hers but wanted a pudding, so she got a takeaway bag too. The waitress told her the pudding she wanted was ginger and she said it was fine (she wasn't sure what she had ordered but has been watching videos and thought it was something she wanted to try). When it came it was ginger jelly moulded into 2 cute little brown rabbit shapes. She liked it but had to eat them from the back, she couldn't look at their faces whilst she ate them.

They walked me to the bus stop. I'd thought about buying some food at one of the mini SM and getting some ibuprofen but decided getting back home was best. Did much better with back pain management on the way home - lots of flexing, arching and bowing my spine and enjoyed the scenery without thinking how far I'd gone/ how much further to home. Had to stop and rest about 4 times between the bus station and home. Desperately wanted to go to the corner shop for chocolate but I was in too much pain. Carried in my bag, duck leftovers and stick, took off my coat and went back for the walker. Collapsed on the couch and DS3 has left a pack of choc hobnobs on my pillow.

I'd left Mr and Mrs Builder working so went to see what had been done. I now have a hob, an air fryer oven and a shower tray. It's beautiful.

Grateful for lovely food, pleasant company, Mr and Mrs Builder and ibuprofen (and choc hobnobs)

They had a very cute robot helping clear up at the end of service (about as high as me)

Thrifty_Taylor

Sounds like a wonderful day @grandmanerd, & to come home to new equipment AND a sweet treat us even better!

NSD, need to count them up.

A beautiful day, very spring-like. Went for a walk after a late breakfast, took my time & listened to the radio. After dinner I started on my first sewing job of the year. The stitches I wanted to use on my machine still weren't working, so going to take it back to the repair man. Managed to do the jobs using a different stitch. Picked DS3 up from the bus stop.

After tea I finished the gonk for my SIL, now all packaged up ready to post tomorrow.

DS1 & GF are having a good time in Aberdeen, they're off to Edinburgh tomorrow for nearly a week. The fire alarm had gone off at 2am this morning, so must be a regular occurrence in that Tr@velOdge, as it happened to us last July!

Grateful for messages from DS, & work friend wishing me well at my appointments tomorrow, a beautiful day, going for a walk & seeing the rabbits sunning themselves.

abundant1972

Good morning

Congratulations on your lodger beanielou. Having done a whole load of house shares I know it can be like Russian roulette sometimes. She sounds awesome. 

Had a totally flat day after my great news - I don't know if it was a stress response or what but it floored me.
Picked up over weekend and saw family which was lovely. Managed to get another NSD in. Will try this week to get my habits back on track.  

Today I am grateful for:

1) A chilled morning
2) Time spent with family
3) Technology that makes life easier

NSD total = 9 

Have a lovely day folks x

f0xh0les

NSD 9 today. Should rack up a few more as will be on expenses until Friday. Going away for work.
Massive feeling of Impending Doom currently hovering over my head. Not sure what that is all about and hopefully it will go away soon. 
Off to pack my suitcase and get ready to leave tomorrow morning.

Chrystal

Thinking of you @Thrifty_Taylor, and hoping for positive news at your appointment.  (((hugs))) XX

DawnW

Good luck with your appointment @Thrifty_Taylor

@grandmanerd it sounds as though you had a lovely day and had a pleasant surprise to come back to

@f0xh0les I hope the impending doom soon dissipates

I am still on NSD #7 I think, not doing too well this month, but not a great deal spent overall.

Had a couple of small wins today. A survey company sent me a product to try. Not something I would necessarily buy, as it looks a bit additive heavy. They also paid me for the initial survey and will also do so for a follow up one after I have used the product. Also sold a mirror on FB marketplace

DD2 came round this morning to pick up her phone, which she left here on Sunday morning. I also gave her the gingerbread cookies that DGS had decorated over the weekend. We won't eat them, and he liked them, so will do for lunchbox or after school treats for the week

Did housework after she left - both bathrooms cleaned, hoovered the spare room, down the second floor stairs, our room and the landings. Then cleaned the kitchen floor while I had the mop thingy handy.

Dinner tonight will be naan bread pizzas and salad bits. We had some of the veg and chorizo stew / soup thing I made the other day for lunch.

Supermarket tomorrow, and a visit to another town to look for a coat for OH.

dizzyblnd

Today is nsd #12. All meals from stores, work completed and children bathed. 8,500 steps today. Should have checked that earlier as could have gone for a quick walk to make 10,000. Staff meeting today instead of Wednesday so I feel ahead of the week already. Loaded some bits on V1nted although haven’t had anything sell since before Christmas. 

Grateful today for a lovely salad for lunch. For 10 minutes of headspace after my salad before continuing with work. Lastly for my mum for picking up LO on a different day to usual due to a meeting. 

dizzyblnd

grandmanerd said:

I've had a lovely day. I was meeting DS1 and darling d-i-l in Manchester for a meal. Despite trying my best to prep, I ended up running around with less than half an hour to get dressed (put old clothes on earlier) and get to the bus stop). Delays/ things that went wrong included but not limited to:
1 trying a bra on -didn't get further than holding it in front of me as my right upper arm refused to move any further
2 found some leggings and half an hour later they rolled down to just above my knees - so no to leggings
3 new gloves and bobble hat which arrived this week - could not be found
4 found insoles to put in the olive coloured shoes I wanted to wear (matching my ls tee) - one shoe in hiding
5 didn't take ibuprofen
6 couldn't find the support bandage although my ankle started the day much stronger than yesterday

I missed the bus I went out for. It left the stop when I was half way towards it. Next one was half an hour wait - bit tight at the other end but you do what you can. I found a glove in the bus station, well one light grey and one dark grey was an improvement on one black and muddy, one dark grey. My back was hurting by the time I got on the bus. I've struggled recently with the trip to Bolton (25 - 35 mins), Manchester is about 50 mins (luckily we never got stuck in traffic). Did what I could to distract myself from the pain, read my book most of the time. Only checked the time thrice, bus making good time. DS1 phoned when I was at Salford uni - he said I would arrive in 9 minutes. I asked if I could get off at the Art Gallery (bus display wasn't working). He said he didn't know what I was talking about but darling d-i-l overheard and said yes. Got off at the side of the Art Gallery (town hall square was much more walking) and darling d-i-l had come to meet me. Short walk to the restaurant. 

The meal was wonderful (Chinese - they'd looked for somewhere that had no steps and booked a downstairs table, loos were also on that level - last restaurant had stairs in the basement and a flight of about 20 stairs). I had thought about having soup for a starter but noticed they had duck with pancakes so asked if it was okay if I had that (it was my birthday treat). They said it was fine. So I had that and beef with ginger and spring onions. The restaurant has fat ducks - the waitress used 2 forks to shred my 1/4 and there was loads. I ate all my pancakes and about 3'4 of the duck was left. DS1 asked if they could wrap it for me to take home and they brought a takeaway container and the cutest little yellow carrier bag, which made the two of them jealous. I ate most of my main course. Darling d-i-l managed about half of hers but wanted a pudding, so she got a takeaway bag too. The waitress told her the pudding she wanted was ginger and she said it was fine (she wasn't sure what she had ordered but has been watching videos and thought it was something she wanted to try). When it came it was ginger jelly moulded into 2 cute little brown rabbit shapes. She liked it but had to eat them from the back, she couldn't look at their faces whilst she ate them.

They walked me to the bus stop. I'd thought about buying some food at one of the mini SM and getting some ibuprofen but decided getting back home was best. Did much better with back pain management on the way home - lots of flexing, arching and bowing my spine and enjoyed the scenery without thinking how far I'd gone/ how much further to home. Had to stop and rest about 4 times between the bus station and home. Desperately wanted to go to the corner shop for chocolate but I was in too much pain. Carried in my bag, duck leftovers and stick, took off my coat and went back for the walker. Collapsed on the couch and DS3 has left a pack of choc hobnobs on my pillow.

I'd left Mr and Mrs Builder working so went to see what had been done. I now have a hob, an air fryer oven and a shower tray. It's beautiful.

Grateful for lovely food, pleasant company, Mr and Mrs Builder and ibuprofen (and choc hobnobs)

They had a very cute robot helping clear up at the end of service (about as high as me)

This made me fancy a Chinese take away. Sounds delicious! And did bring a smile to my face about not looking at the jelly rabbits’ faces when eating them. 

Thrifty_Taylor

Thank you @DawnW & @Chrystal. All my appointments went well, & nothing seemed out of the ordinary, though they fitted my blood test in as well, which seeped through the plaster & all down the inside of my coat sleeve! It's never done that before. Dropped my sewing machine off, as the repair man lives just round the corner from the hospital, then headed to work. A beautiful day for a drive, & the kids were all pleased to see me when I arrived.

NSD#12
Just me & DH for tea, so had a programme on in the background. Did some sewing after tea, then started on gonk #4.

Grateful for the NHS, a good afternoon, my spare sewing machine working really well & getting a tricky job finished

DawnW

Supermarket shopping and I spent more than I had intended    However, a trip to a nearby town to get a much needed new coat for OH went well. Only £31 for a really good quality, branded one in a sale. I was expecting it to cost way more than that. He is a really awkward size, and it is an issue finding clothes that fit him, so this really was a bonus. Also got a good £1.50 f&v box from L*dl.

The weather was quite nice this morning. The sun came out for a little while, but back to cold and dark now. So looking forward to longer, warmer days and getting back out into the garden.