NST January 2026: Shake and Vac

beanielou

@apple_muncher. I got my staples out today. Feeling pretty yuk at the moment. 

grandmanerd

I was taken to Manchester yesterday for a lovely birthday meal with my 2 eldest sons, their partners, my 2 beautiful grand-daughters and mum's recently widowed cousin. I spent Friday, Saturday and a little bit of yesterday wrapping multiple presents (the baby's had wrap around them and were put in a gift bag so she could 'unwrap' them by herself and the last 2 just had labels stuck on them - I buy them each a present from my ex who was so excited about their imminent arrival but died without seeing them). I have an armchair back and my 2 seater couch can be sat on (still needs a good tidy as there are plastic bags and unused rolls of wrapping paper plus bits of ribbon). 

I was giving the elder grand-daughter Duplo and Brio - mostly 2nd hand bargains with a few small sets to cover any missing items (figures, animals, a board to build on). Looking through it on Saturday I decided the Brio had too many small nuts and bolts etc and substituted threading beads (first step to starting to sew) and was very glad because DS2 had had a break in just before they came back. The neighbour interrupted but did not catch them. The most valuable pieces of daughter out law's jewellery were taken but not much else but lots of mess left behind (targetting all the places money and valuables might be hidden). Some of the jewellery pieces were family heirlooms.

Mrs Builder has just been and we had a mini shift round (not the final layout but getting the next items I want to get rid of out of the corners and using chairs I'm keeping to hold some of the boxes of books at a more accessible level). Making more space for sorting without making things any more untidy.

I feel really good, riding on a tide of good food and good sleep. I managed to walk from the car to the restaurant and back. I had put a card for my cousin in my bag in case we passed the postbox (mum's cousin only lives a couple of blocks from me but the one way system involves looping round) but mum's cousin said tthe box was taped up (going digital apparently). I still have stuff to work on but for now my equilibrium is restored

beanielou

Glad you enjoyed your time @grandmanerd. 

Got my staples out today. Rather nippy. At least it’s done. 

dizzyblnd

Nsd#16 today. 

grandmanerd

I can do February unless someone has a burning desire to do it

beanielou

As I have been nowhere other than the hospital, GP, and the library I am on NSD 27.
With everything going on I have not been out for coffee once far less than for lunch!
Got my staples out yesterday.

f0xh0les

Still on NSD 17

I went out this morning and bought all the flours, and then fed my sourdough-starter that a friend gifted me yesterday.

I have applied for a one day job in Summer, processed some laundry, and finished two books in the last 48 hours. They have gone into the c/s bag ready to be donated back again.

Working in Birmingham again this week, and hoping for another 3 NSDs to get to 20 in January. I will be very impressed with myself if I get that far.

dizzyblnd

yesterday was nsd #17. I think this might be my most successful month for not spending. Mostly down to necessity ha ha. I’ve spent quite a lot of time thinking this month, planning what I want for the future etc. the dark weather isn’t good for me and I believe I get a bit of seasonal affective disorder. I’m telling myself this year though that January is supposed to be slow and thoughtful to reset for the year. I will keep plodding on.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys

I’ve just realised that I haven’t contributed at all this month. January has whizzed past.

Basically all I’ve done is work and plod along, it’s been so cold and rainy all I’ve wanted to do is hibernate. I’ve managed 14/15 NSDs and my freezers are both full now, I’d planned in £150 food spends but so far am on £159 which isn’t bad as this should last me well into next month.

OH had needed a new suit for a funeral as he’s lost loads of weight since he last needed one, but I had a couple of Xmas vouchers which went towards it and now he’s got one it’ll last as he’s now got to the weight he’s happy with.

I’ve started using my little bread maker and baking more now we’ve moved and ive got a decent kitchen so that saves money and I know what I’m eating.

Bubble and squeak for tea from the Xmas leftovers. I’ve still got pate and cheese yet and a box of mince pies left but out of sight out of mind.

Every penny needs to be squeezed at the moment. My spare credit card offered a 0% transfer so the 3% transfer fee is definitely better than the rate of the other one so I’ve moved as much as allowed and I’m determined what’s left will be gone by next month. A payment a day knocks it down immensely as I might otherwise spend the money in the bank.

Anyway time to get on. Keep warm and well everyone.

f0xh0les

Well! I got woken up by a light tapping on my bedroom door at 1.30am. The lights had gone out, and the fridge wasn't working. Cue torch finding, PCB checking, and switching stuff on and off all over the house until the culprit was found. It appears to be the water heating tank thermostat whatnot socket. Thanks for that!

So we have no hot water, no heating, and I am leaving to work in Birmingham this afternoon.

I have rung and emailed the plumber-heater chap who put it in a mere 2 years ago. Radio silence so far. 4 hours and counting….. he might be up a ladder, or in a loft space, I will give him the benefit of the doubt if he gets in touch today.

Hot water bottles and hot tea have been deployed. Luckily the top 2 floors tend to be quite toasty ambiently now I have lagged the life out of everything up there. The ground floor is cold though. Tiny heater will happily keep the living room warm tonight, and DH will just have to keep himself warm under the duvet without me.

Until I was 17 the only heating in our house was the gas fire in the living room, nobody died. Apparently I am heartless.