Daily Project Round 9

[SpiritOfEdna]

Hello!

New thread for when we are ready.

Happy New Year, Happy New Thread

Whether you want to do one extra thing a day while the kettle boils or a list helps with a kick up the bum to Get Things Done - all welcome.

@Aria999 @autumnangel @WinterFrogs @crivit @FoolShapeHeart @FourSeasonsLobelia @mumofoneAloneandwell @Mumtobabyhavoc @Peridot1 @petalpower @RunningKatie @SingleThreadJoiner2 @SunnyViper @SydneyCarton

Morning! Salad looks delicious.

I sent an email I’ve been putting off only to get an ooo! I did email them a week ago so it’s annoying that they didn’t reply and are now off.

Had my bupa gp appointment. He’s doing me a referral to gynaecologist within two weeks, just waiting for pre authorisation. He was shocked that gp hasn’t even given me an appointment with the details and growth. Fingers crossed it is authorised and then gynae consultant can see me quick. I’m due back to work after long term sick the week after next.

That sounds delicious @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia - thanks.

Where does your "summer" produce come from during winter? Ours is from California and Mexico mostly; some S Am and Asia.

Running off across town to GP appt shortly.

I've just had a bit of a google to see if what i thought was true. Aldi veg comes from Morocco, Africa, Bananas from Ghana etc. I've just looked at the packet of grapes I have in the kitchen and they have come from South Africa.

Good news @FurForksSake, if you can call it that with having to go private. Wishing you all the best with your return to work 💐

@SpringingIntoSummerLobelia my better than it was yesterday meal was my lunchtime left over curry 😋 I've notice that my vat of bolognaise improves across the week too.

We are having a nursery tea of chips, baked beans, ham and cheese with tomatoes and cucumber because I started cooking some chicken fillets but they smelt off so I binned them 😔 So I had to do a quick rummage. And that's what I turned up!

I do really need to sort out my food storage. My mother always had her freezer really well organised and I remember well labelled, well rotated tubs of useful food from when I was a child. And the occasional 'unorthodox' meal when she thought it was time to use things up. I aspire to be like her in the kitchen department but it takes everything I've got to be that organised. She was a very busy woman but still managed it.

Honestly getting through the day in a very simple fashion is enough for me. I have learned not to try add ons like crafting, and meals here are simple and not that varied. I feel very inadequate sometimes.

Ooh, bit sorry for myself there. Didn't mean to sound that way. I just don't know how people manage to get So Much Done!

That sounds like a lovely dish @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia I was watching the latest Jamie series called Food for a Fiver and his guest chef cooked her version of dhal this week. It looked good but a bit soupy if I’m honest.

I’ve made high end dhal once.
Only the once! Too much faffing about.

@WinterFrogs sometimes living simply is the best way to live. This high achieving malarkey takes a lot of effort.

The (post DA) lady I saw today counts it as a Good Day if she gets out of bed and gets dressed. I have to remember that when I beat myself up over procrastinating about redecorating a loo.

However, I did come home and defrost my garage freezer. I’d left the door slightly ajar a few months ago, and the ice build up was bad. I defrosted (hopefully) a few gems in the process and we’ll see tomorrow what the brown lumps turn out to be 🤣

Last time it was lamb gravy. I’m hoping for better results this time.

counts it as a good day when she gets out of bed

Thank you for the reminder @WideOpenBeaches 💐

That's so true about being a good day @WideOpenBeaches .

I am having those sorts of days right now I think. Just feel like I am wading through treacle. Finance issues. DH away. Some private problems that will take ages to sort and most likely through the legal route. Ds1 is slowly unravelling as his GCSE exams loom and I'm trying desperately to ward off another illness flare. So It's hard work just keeping my chin up tbh.

Dinner is going to be ham, eggs and chips for the DCs probably with a bit of salad as a sop to my conscience about nutrients. Defintiely inspired by @WinterFrogs tea last night. Sometimes, honestly, the old favourites are the best.

Good luckk on freezer surprise today @WideOpenBeaches !

Today is a life admin day. Plus our dishwasher has broken (2 months beyond warranty!!) and I need to get that sorted too.

best wishes to all today. Hugs to everyone

Freezer surprise wasn’t too bad.

Some bolognaise. Phew!

I MUST remember to label the ‘brown stuff’!

Sending a huge mountain of fortitude to you @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia and anyone else who needs it.

There’s a saying out there along the lines of ‘If you get to the end of the day and everyone is dressed, fed and in one piece, you’re doing ok’

Hi all

@FurForksSake - hope you get your gynae issues sorted. It’s dreadful that you have to go private to do so.

@WinterFrogs - I think everyone is different. Some people just have to keep busy and get on with things and are super efficient because of how their brain is wired. And some of us (most of us!) aren’t. And that’s not a failing. It’s just how we are. I aspire to be busy and organised and efficient but I’m not. I have other talents! (Some might say they are well hidden….)

@SpringingIntoSummerLobelia - it sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I hope you get time to relax and breathe a bit. Hard when DH is away and it’s all on you. We had a hard time with DS at GCSE time. Daily migraines and he missed a lot of school. Ended up doing his GSCEs at home in the dining room with an invigilator. Sixth form started well but was going the same way when DS asked to see a psychiatrist. Ended up with a private psychologist which definitely helped. Would DS open up to someone? Even though school did a lot with them about stress and mental health issues DS just didn’t see it in himself. He thought everyone else was coping and doing well.

Oh and dinner tonight sounds great- add in some baked beans for fibre and they count as one of your five a day!

Thanks so much @WideOpenBeaches and @Peridot1

I appreciate hearing about your DS @Peridot1 . It's interesting about him having exam invigilation at home. I know our school has done that when it has been needed. I spoke with the school yesterday about some of the stuff that is happening with him. They said 'thank you for being so open with us' so now I am worrying i was TOO open! DS has had counselling in the past, didn't really gel. I asked him today if he had at least a trusted teacher he can talk to, but he said he only wants to talk to his dad and me- which is flattering, but I am sure there will be things that he might not want to open up about to us. So I am going to find out opportunities / people and gently encourage.

I am struggling right now, truth be told. But trying to compartmentalise things as much as possible.

Good shout on the baked beans!

This morning I need to wash the dishes and call the dishwasher guy. Then look at e-mails. Then i am picking up the DCs early as their school has an enrichment programme on Thursdays and I have to be taxi driver to various activities. I've put some wine in the fridge so will focus on that reward!

I hope everyone has a great day.

@SpringingIntoSummerLobelia - we were very open with the school and I think it helped. They could see we were doing everything we could. He was missing so much school at one point that they said that they might have to contact social services. But we were open and trying everything. His housemaster came to see him at home a few times too. He did a lot of work at home and I would drop it to school and pick up more.

If Intelligent Matt is around then I could do with him. I bought confetti balloons for dc1's birthday 5 years ago. The instructions are hopeless and the results disappointing. Clearly nothing to do with me repeatedly putting the packet in a safe place and forgetting about them on an annual basis.
I've decided this year is the decluttering year. Yesterday 1 cd went, today 1 book is on the bookshelf for the telephone box book swap near MIL.
Am trying to help dc1 sort work experience, what on the earth does a painfully shy introvert do?! My work is a no, dh mostly wfh, the local library and bookshop have no capacity. It's a nightmare and obviously school are zero help.
Hugs for @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia - we're a year off GCSEs and thankfully are doing well for attendance but I have the fear from years of problems, can't ever quite relax about it.
Your salad looked super yummy @Mumtobabyhavoc - I need to up my game a lot.

Hi again,

Thanks so much for the support. It meant alot.

The ham, egg and chips (cough cough and salad) went down a storm! I confess only I ate the baked beans. Sigh.

The school got back to me today with a list of things they can put in place for DS. I'm reassured and impressed and grateful. Now to think about it all over the weekend and to reply.

I have decided with the other (non-DS-related) stresses I am allowing myself 90 minutes a day to think about it and deal with it. I replied to some e-mails today and started preparing a narrative summary of events that we will need going forward. In between I patted the cat. Both of them.

Bring on Friday and the weekend. I am seeing some good friends tomorrow and am looking forward to that very much. But hope to lock in dishwasher guy before then.

Katie, hospital porter? Do you have that role there? They take patients to their x-rays, rooms etc. Any swimming? Would life guard be an option? Referee or coach at soccer for littles?

Today I sent two - innocuous! - emails i have been.putting off for the best part of a month. I just needed to include enough info, but not too much, and the mental effort was too much.

And now they are done, and one already has a positive response 😊 and things are moving forwards.

Glad the meeting with the school was productive @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia. And dinner! I have to confess we often have a baked ham for a roast on a Sunday purely so we can have ham, egg and chips for dinner the next night….. with beans obviously!

Talking about putting things away in a safe place and forgetting @RunningKatie - I brought some chocolate wafer snacks back from Greece in September for DS. Gave him one tin and put the other one away for Christmas. I found it this morning……. Thankfully still in date. He’ll be pleased I think.

For work experience- any local shops?

Well done on the emails @Baital.

I have finally started washing down the kitchen cupboards this morning. Am two thirds of the way around the lower cupboards which were the most grubby. Just having a coffee and will finish them and then start on the island units.

Have done dishwasher and second load of washing is on. Ordered a rain jacket to take to Australia next week as they are having quite a bit of rain and we are doing a few outdoor things. And some new jeans. All of my jeans are now ridiculously big. I am officially a UK size 14 which I haven’t been since the early 90s.

Yesterday I cleared out my bras and took them to a donation box in town while I was going in to pick up my new glasses. Also took batteries and foil medication packs and a Brita water filter and some toiletries to various recycling spots. Also did some tidying in the utility room.

Have a great Friday all.

Hello! Sorry life is so rubbish at the mo @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia That's a lot you're dealing with 💐

We had similar here re school and everybody has turned out to be fine, well rounded and fully employed individuals. Put like that it really diminishes the effort we put in to make it so. I've only very recently felt able to 'stand down' and let go of the hypervigilant tendencies. So I'm sending solidarity and support for any of you who have or are dealing with this 💕 And I hope that encouragement from the other side, so to speak, gives hope.

@Baital I have a few jobs like your emails that must be done, and I'm feeling anxious because they are somewhere among many emails or paper piles. I've got that horrible feeling that I'm going to be in trouble (with whom, no idea) Or that there's something vital I've lost or forgotten, but I don't know what.

Perhaps the hypervigilance is stuggling with nowhere to go.

I'm torn between the need to hibernate and just Get The Damn Jobs done ( if only I can figure out what they are!)

Familiar to anyone?

Hugs all round 🍰 ☕️

Hello again! I have had a bit of a lie in and now I'm pottering about at home ( love a good potter!) I've shredded a load of unnecessary paperwork and now I have folders with what I need to keep in their various categories. I am feeling more in control and less anxious as a result.

Tomorrow I will take action on the handful of things that need it. Hopefully Monday won't then be too much of a shock to the system.

I've put on a stone in weight over the last six months due to stress eating. I knew I'd put on a bit but as an eight stone weakling for most of my life, this morning's 10st 3lb has come as a bit of a shock. I didn't mind the original weight creep, but all of a sudden most of my clothes are too tight. So now I'm a bit grumpy and headachy due to lack of caffeine, as I think that's not helping the anxiety either. Back to caffeine free and uhp free eating and I know I'll bounce back. It's just rubbish for a few days! Ugh!

What is needed is some smug soup ( or even not smug, just using all the nice veggies from the fridge) Best get on it!

Best wishes to all from house grumpy 💕

10 stone 3 is my dream weight!

(Sorry, i know that doesn't help) I'm 12.7 stone currently. i say currently. [grits teeth in dieting determination]

Lie in sounds great. I was going to turn the electric blanket on and nap but i 'just waited' to the end of the film i was watching (The Red Sea Diving Resort- netflix) and then sort of thought it's too late now for a nap. I've just made mint tea and decanted hobnobs out of their packet for the Dcs.

Smug soup here also- i am committing myself to not spending too much on groceries as I need to save about £250 from this month's budget ideally. So i am making a minestrone with red kidney beans and elbow macaroni and all the vegetables that are going a bit spongy. DCs are having ham egg and chips again as it was such a success last time.

Love to House Grumpy from House Slightly Knackered - and all other Dear Houses too.

Good morning. 🌧️
Awaiting replacement fridge delivery here. New one is defective and was damaged a bit.
Got in trouble from mnhq for a couple of my posts calling someone out for derailing a thread. Must keep my mouth shut. 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Was up and got breakfast made for dc pretty quickly earlier. Laundry is on. Vacuumed last night. Need to do a grocery shop to Costco, but will put it off until tomorrow as will give new fridge a good chance to settle. Olympics on tv. Watched a couple of locals compete. 😊

My back is a bit sore. So, will try and be mindful of what I'm doing. I did manage a set of squats, over-head press and bent over rows, though, with my baby barbell. 😁

Need to think about dinner tonight.
Need to get kids out.
Need to go to bank.
Need to get niggling tasks done.
Just want to 🙈

It's just past 12:30 here. We had a late dinner and by the time baths etc were done it was about 10pm when we all got into bed. I then figured it was a good time to put another load of laundry in, wash floors and clean the bathroom. 🙄
Was about to go hang up the laundry as wash had finished when I heard little one stirring, then crying. Became inconsolable, shouting,
kicking, difficult to understand. Took temp, checked over body and all okay (except for the fall earlier today and trip to Urgent Care).
I am pretty sure it was a night terror. 😢
Poor thing is now asleep on me 😇 and I'm a bit afraid to move. 😧I may have to stay her til morning. 😂

Oh poor baby @Mumtobabyhavoc - hope you both get some sleep.
DC2 is still a bit of a sleepwalker, but we've avoided terrors thankfully.
Planning a quiet Sunday here, need to tidy up the spare room/my office/ddogs bedroom. It's a mess and trying to be too many things clearly! Also need to confirm DC1s work experience, think we've sorted it - local stately home with cafe, museum and gardens. Phew.
Gentle Sunday hugs to you all, I've got as far as the sofa with a mug of tea. Bliss!

Hope everyone got some sleep in the end!

Big project yesterday, we moved the kitchen sofa / tv / unit into the dining room and the dining table into the kitchen and the Welsh dresser. So now I’ve got two dining tables in my kitchen for a while, luckily it’s not a problem space wise. We are having family over in a few weeks so having a massive table made of two tables will be helpful and then the kitchen table will go into the garage for me to use.

We did some sorting of the Welsh dresser, it’s got things in it that don’t have any other home, which is annoying.

I am only 5' tall @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia so the extra lbs make a big difference. I'm looking a bit like a weeble at the moment. Love to your house too 💕 Your soup sounds good. Mine was literally 'all the vegetables plus some spices with a few lentils thrown in'. But it did me the power of good and I had more for my breakfast.

Poor Baby and poor you @Mumtobabyhavoc I hope you both got some sleep in the end! I felt a bit salty on a couple of threads yesterday but mostly kept it to myself. It's so tempting though, isn't it?

Local stately home sounds ideal for a quiet kid @RunningKatie I hope it goes well. My previously painfully shy introvert is now a managing director of a medium sized company and it really suits her.

I read article about walking in Spain yesterday in my mum's Saga mag, @SpiritOfEdna and the Camino walk was mentioned. The scenery does look lovely.

I can't even get one table in my kitchen @FurForksSake 😒 Many of my neighbours have knocked through to make a kitchen/diner but we never did as the dining room has been variously used as a bedroom and an office ( bit like @RunningKatie's spare room - it houses the cats overnight) Feels a bit late now. I'd like to move but DH needs a bit of persuasion ( house is on a hill, unsuitable for getting old in) It sounds like you are really on a roll!

When are you off to Oz @Peridot1? We do have some intrepid travellers here. It is very cool. Mr Winter and I are homebodies, but we occasionally travel to visit DS and his wife, but that's just in Europe.

I have this week off, more or less, and what I really want to do with it is curl up in a ball and listen to Nicola Walker reading stories to me ( We Solve Murders by Richard Osman) I still can't quite relax enough though, so I'm doing a decluttering spree as well, then I would love to tackle a bit of painting in the style of @petalpower ( ie appropriate planning) Nicola and Richard can accompany me in my efforts.

It feels all springy now the rain has finally stopped. The birds are in full song around here, and the foxes woke us by getting jiggy in the early hours. Just heard a flock of geese fly by. The sap seems to be rising!

Wishing you all a lovely day 💐