NST January 2026: Shake and Vac

Rowan9

Well done with the safe driving thrifty. 

Keep cosy turtles. 

I’m wfh and have stayed in my pjs and dressing gown with a big scarf on too. Good decision as the heating was broken in campus so there have been some v cold folks there. 

My new thermals will be on again tomorrow for going out. They’re fab. 

Grateful today for the opportunity to work from home, for plenty food in the fridge for easy lunches and teas all week, for booking our trip to Norfolk next month to see two of our little grandchildren 

dizzyblnd

Saturday and Sunday were both nsds so I’m at 3 but today I needed a top up shop of some salad so a spend was required. I’ll sacrifice a spend day for some fresh salad for dinner. It makes me feel better when my plate is mostly salad. Like a warm summer evening. 

However it’s absolutely freezing here ha ha. Trying to keep my positive hat on after day one of work. Let’s see how long I can make that last. 

DawnW

OH and I decided that we would not waste the day, but would wash down the kitchen walls and ceiling. Also cleaned the small appliances and the cooker hood, took down the curtains and washed them and cleaned the window. It looks much better now, and we are pleased with the result. There is more to do out there, but it is already a great improvement.

Also washed bedding that didn't get done yesterday. Put it out on the line (yes we have a bit of snow and it is very cold, but it was sunny and it did dry a bit out there). Now on the airer to finish off overnight.

Ironed a pair of curtains surplus to requirements, which will go in the charity bag.

Made sausage casserole for dinner. We shared a jacket potato with it. There were plenty of veg in the casserole so no need for more 

Grateful for getting some useful jobs done, and for OH helping 

apple_muncher

Today's morning win was a lovely walk to the tram listening to an audiobook.

Today I am grateful for plenty of public transport near me, for a good gym session, for getting a few things planned for Pip's bday next week, for having the choice to eat a warm meal or a cold one, for having a good day.

Beanie, good move on binning yukky chips. When I read the ingredients lists (as I always do, it's surprising what items have added gluten!) I like my shop bought chips to contain potatoes and oil. Nowt else! We just use 'normal' frozen chips in the air fryer.

Thrifty_Taylor

Thanks ladies, my nerves have settled now.

Tempting to go back to sleep this morning, but got up, not as early as a work day, but earlier than I have been. Did some online training, then pottered a bit.

This afternoon I watched a film length episode of a programme with DH & DS3 & knitted. Emptied out a bag of paperwork & sorted through it. Listed 3 things on V1nted & sold one, though will have to wait til I can get to the post office for posting it!

Great news is that school is shut again tomorrow too 🎉

Counting today as NSD#5. Whilst I did place an order with the big river company, I paid for it with a gift card I got for my birthday, so no cost to me.

Grateful for staying cosy inside, watching TV with family, after tea DS2 came down & we all played a game together

DawnW

Got up to no hot water - in fact no water at all coming out of the hot tap. Cold water seems fine, and the heating is working. No error codes on the boiler display. Lovely plumber was scratching his head, no obvious answer without looking. He is busy but will try to get out today. If not tomorrow.

We still have snow and ice on the ground but it is supposed to rain later, which will presumably wash it away. We will see. Decided to postpone shopping as  a) the local roads are bad - only the main ones get gritted, and b) we don't want to miss the plumber if he manages to get here today.

We will probably light the stove early as we put 2 big copper kettles on there when it is alight as a matter of course for 'free' hot water. Better than keep boiling the electric kettle.

Not sure of other plans for today as yet, apart from not spending anything - except for potential large plumber's bill, but even if he does make it out here today, we won't get the bill today.

Well, the hot water suddenly restarted. No idea what had happened and the plumber is also baffled. He didn't come out, we rang to let him know it had come back on. He has in mind a few things to check when the boiler service is due, or before that if need be. Anyway, no bill for now, so that is good news!

OH decided that we would go shopping as he doesn't mind driving on the icy roads, so no NSD for me today after all.

dizzyblnd

Exciting to hear all the stories of snow, glad everyone is keeping safe and warm. No school
closures in our parts unfortunately. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. 

Nsd #4 here. January is a strange month as I have lots of family birthdays so tomorrow I will need to spend to fill the car up and order a birthday present for my niece. I made a big batch of soup for my lunches this week so at least that is taken care of. 

cybertortoise

I’d like to join please. 2026 is my year to take control! I’ll add targets tomorrow. Thank you

Thrifty_Taylor

Glad you've got hot water again @DawnW.

NSD#6
The roads are clearer today, but still lots of snow on the verges. Walked with DH to the cemetery, but we couldn't get in when we got there. It's on top of a hill, & the snow along the wall where DS is was chest height! It looked smiliar over the whole plot.

Made hummus when we got back. Decided not to use the new jar of tahini dated BBE 09/2018 🤣 handsome with sproutmas cheese & crackers. Delicious!

Cleared the drive of snow then watched the next episode of the series & knitted. Repaired a pair of trousers & oh bottoms for DS3, then put a new waistband & elastic on a pair of ok bottoms for me. Unpicked a hat I'd knitted years ago. Knitted more after tea & deleted 150+ emails from over 700 in my account.

Grateful for a lovely message from a friend of DS1, especially after weirdly dreaming about his funeral prep, getting repairs done (+ 1 for a customer wanting a quick turnaround) & the snow is melting ready for returning to work tomorrow

grandmanerd

Yesterday I cleaned up a nasty mess (you don't want to know), still doing tiny bits I missed. I had 3 food deliveries due so of course I was still trying to get to sleep at 4 am. Woke briefly at 6 am and then later, in a bit of a panic because we were into  the delivery windows. Luckily they were both late. One came at the end of the delivery window, the other had a half hour left. Received a text to say he was late and giving a new window (only an extra 10 -20 minutes. He apologised profusely and I told him he was a life saver and I was just grateful that he got here safely. This was the stuff I ordered a week ago (wasn't paying £7 for delivery before Tuesday) and about half is from the 'home sale' - new hankies, some storage boxes (new 3kg bag of oats came in a paper bag) etc.

I tried to move the first delivery to the kitchen before the second one came but got out of breath carrying (trying to rush) and went dizzy when I bent to lift bags from the floor so I got a brush and pushed the bags into the kitchen. Only put the ice creams away then had a rest. I ate breakfast from the newly delivered bags. 

Made a minimal to do list and have managed to have a shower and wash my hair (much needed) - I keep tell myself I'm doing okay because a week ago I was clinging deparately to the hand rails when getting in and out. I have put away some of the food. I sorted the old stuff first - a couple of things from before Christmas were binned (one was a cup full of plain yoghurt with mint and I think the yoghurt was ancient when I used it) and I listed everything as I put it away. The old stuff is mainly in the fridge door so it will get used first. Two baked potatoes eaten at tea time. I brought 4 different tubes of cream back to the bed after my shower and have filed a nail which was ragged and kept catching on sore bits. 

Watched another couple of Frost this afternoon. Emptied the waste bin into the rubbish sack and picked up bits that had missed. DS3 has done the bins - he didn't want to go out but he did it.

Grateful for food, chatting with DS3 (he's working hard on a new game and Beloved stayed an extra day with her friend), delivery drivers (I'm not going anywhere until the nasty weather goes away).