Earthgirl gets back on track!

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Sounds like an achievable list for this weekend earthy.

Going great guns with your allotment as usual. I got garlic and red & white onions planted last weekend so looking forward to them next year.

That's a really good deal at the gym. I've got a basic membership at my local but that just gets you money off classes and swimming for an annual £30 (I made my money back within three months so not bad). I've done a few gym membership myster shops recently and the lowest I found was £30 per month with a slight supplement for some classes. The highest was £69 per month which included everything (towel, hair straightners, shower gel & moisturiser!) I enjoyed the free day there for the mystery shop though but parked my car round the corner as it stuck out like a sore thumb in the primarily BMW filled gym car park!

StuartGMC

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

. The highest was £69 per month which included everything (towel, hair straightners, shower gel & moisturiser!) I enjoyed the free day there for the mystery shop though but parked my car round the corner as it stuck out like a sore thumb in the primarily BMW filled gym car park!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
MRN do remember how many of those may well be company cars.... in the recession in the early 1990s streets which had been full of BMWs and Mercedes were suddenly left with the "second" car family hatchback.

That said, I feel self-conscious when using OH's 10yr old Focus estate rather than the Jaguar

Regarding exercise and making time.... this is a major failing on my part. We have family gym membership at local Marriott hotel and OH/DD do use it - but I've not been for a year:o:o:o It's not open early enough for me in the morning as I leave for work at 0600 and whilst there's a small gym there, I'm in the office for timezones to the east and some time to concentrate before my staff arrive. Usually leave about 1700 sometimes later, and spend time together with family in the evening (they are asleep when I get up and leave). I need to get some motivation for weekends I think and will put on my list of things to sort out.

earthgirl

StuartGMC wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
MRN do remember how many of those may well be company cars.... in the recession in the early 1990s streets which had been full of BMWs and Mercedes were suddenly left with the "second" car family hatchback.

That said, I feel self-conscious when using OH's 10yr old Focus estate rather than the Jaguar

Regarding exercise and making time.... this is a major failing on my part. We have family gym membership at local Marriott hotel and OH/DD do use it - but I've not been for a year:o:o:o It's not open early enough for me in the morning as I leave for work at 0600 and whilst there's a small gym there, I'm in the office for timezones to the east and some time to concentrate before my staff arrive. Usually leave about 1700 sometimes later, and spend time together with family in the evening (they are asleep when I get up and leave). I need to get some motivation for weekends I think and will put on my list of things to sort out.

:)Thanks Stuart for posting this - Its so nice to know that other people have problems finding the time to exercise - its something I know I should do, and I feel its a priority, so I feel bad when I haven't got a system running.

A little update on my progress -

Finally got around to changing the insurance that OH sorted out. Lets just say I am frightened to think about how much we have wasted on it over the last 5 years:eek: We had decreasing term mortage and critical illness cover, but the cover was rubbish and we are paying off the mortgage anyway. We used to pay £30/month for that.

I have got the forms ready and with OHs signature on Tuesday I will swap it for a level term £150,000 death benefit for both of us. We decided not to go for the critical illness cover - it seems really hit and miss wether or not you'd get a pay out, really only relevant in the 'end of life' stage and we have some savings and would cope. Then obviously if one of us dies we'd get the bigger death payout than previously- if one of us dies we wouldn't cope at the moment, so we do need the insurance.

Very morbid, but easy to talk about when we are both fairly young and healthy!

That is 15/month cheaper so another saving for the OP pot.

Its kinda informing my decision about joining a gym, instead of spending all that money on cover incase we get ill, better to spend the money being healthier and not getting ill!

Anyway, joined the gym on a trial basis of 6 weeks for £35 - 83p a day, which as long as I go every other day is a lot cheaper that going to the council pool, and a lot nicer and more convenient.

I went yesterday and it was good - not the nicest gym in the area, but ok, and a good price.

Went to P Express last night for tea with some freinds,used a £10 menu voucher with a glass of wine, and thats all I spent all night - what a great deal!!

Today I'm feeling a little lonley I guess, hence the long post! OH has been away since Thursday - Tuesday, working and visiting his family. I normally love time to myself, but kind of missing all my family and friends back home.

Time to snap out of my mood and get things done!!!

1. get dvd for 6th form lesson
2. get a few groceries - milk, fruit, yeast
3. spend 2 hours at allotment - tidy and cut grass
4. make bread and cookies for the week
5.hoover
6. do small business tasks

earthgirl

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice wrote: »

Sounds like an achievable list for this weekend earthy.

Going great guns with your allotment as usual. I got garlic and red & white onions planted last weekend so looking forward to them next year.

That's a really good deal at the gym. I've got a basic membership at my local but that just gets you money off classes and swimming for an annual £30 (I made my money back within three months so not bad). I've done a few gym membership myster shops recently and the lowest I found was £30 per month with a slight supplement for some classes. The highest was £69 per month which included everything (towel, hair straightners, shower gel & moisturiser!) I enjoyed the free day there for the mystery shop though but parked my car round the corner as it stuck out like a sore thumb in the primarily BMW filled gym car park!

Hmm, might look into planting some onions and garlic if I get chance!

Had a nice hour or so at the allotment, but couldn't cut the grass paths as it was raining! Feel so much better, my BF sent me a lovely text, and my dad is going to call later, so feeling a bit more involved with the world!

Still got a few tasks to do at the allotment next weekend:

-cut paths
-finish digging over last little strip of earth
- spread manure on 2 beds
- thin winter veg
- plant winter lettuce

To eat up this week (already picked):
-butternut squash - butternut squash gratin (prepare before work)
-courgettes - 1 x veg pasta, 1 x omlette
-cucumber with omlette
-strawberries - make strawberry syrop

Meal Plans
Monday - veg pasta
Tuesday - layered butternut squash gratin
Wed - omlette
Thur - sausage and mash
Friday - duck in orange sauce, allotment veg
Sat -Saag Aloo

To pick next weekend:
- rubarb
- strawberries
-salad

Oooh I feel all organised now!

earthgirl

Hi All,

Have had a rubbish eating day (ate about 4 cakes!!!) but have had a nsd and have been to the gym and did a proper work out. Feel so much better as I am starting to do something active!

I didn't overpay as I was late leaving work - I'm expecting a few more cheques this week, so I'll go next Monday instead.

Work is bothering me I'm planning a school trip to Paris for a few days, and was going to go two nights three days but I am really worried about one of the pupils I am going to take - she is severly disabled and I am concerned about the logistics of travelling around Paris and the availability of disabled toilets with hoists. I think planning three days of logistics might be a complete nightmare and I might be better just sticking to two, or even two days two nights and get them back early on the third day.
The easiest thing is her not going, but that also the hardest thing as all the rest of the class are going. hmmm... will have to see.

ska1982

hi!

RE the schooltrip, is there a TA/care assistant available who knows the girl and who would be willing to come on the trip to support? If a lovely TA volunteers than make sure he or she gets a little break too (I was in France with a girl I mentor and had to watch her like a hawk 24hrs a day for 5 days, bless the couple of people who took over from me for an hour so I could go and have a drink nevermind loo!! The SENco should help you a little trying to sort this out, how much support she needs etc. + they ought to have a conversation with the parents/carers about the trip and preparation for it.

If not, could one of her parents/carers come on the trip to support?

Also, it might be worth having some alternative activities for her to do whilst out there if she can't access the main ones - again this depends if you've got a member of staff to spare...

Whilst you're out there have a wonder for disabled loos /hoists - they ought to be there at the main attractions - but can't remember as it wasn't an issue on our trip. Information desks might be able to help.. Hotel - again they ought to have some! What about access to the coach?

Good luck with the trip! I don't envy you having to organise it all but it will be fab in the end!

earthgirl

Thanks for your advice Ska, I've done all that (no coaches- flying, and done all the facilities and toilet checks) and have funding and agreement for two LSWs to go with me for the pupil, as you she needs 24 hour care and can't do anything for herself, so its unfair for just one person to be responsible!

I will find out prices and numbers and finalise in the next few days.

ska1982

Hi - lol super organised ! Good job on the two support people coming along!

Good luck with it - when are you going?

earthgirl

All sorted on the school trip front- planning to go at the end of Jan, for 2 days one night, as the price was cheaper and it will be open to all pupils regardless of disability. I am pleased with myself for pushing the school to let me design a trip open to everybody, and getting the funding, as it has never been considered before in the school an the very least it might encourage others to do it in the future. January is a funny moth so parents might still find it too difficult to afford, so maybe it won't go ahead - I don't really mind either way.

Anyway on a general update, I've been to the gym every other day, and I've been eating healthily mostly, so another few weeks of this and it will hopefully be habit. Today is my work day and planning to get lots done so that I can have a proper session in the gym and relax tomorrow.

On the money front:
Income:
I've been doing plenty of tutoring and have done some work on small business (got more to do today). I'm managing to keep organised at work which allows me to have a few hours in the week for small business work.

Halifax reward account is now working but their acvount switch over service was shocking, all muddled up and ended up with a £75 charge from my other bank - will be claiming this back from Halifax they have already agreed.

Savings:
I think our neigbours have switched on the heating as our house is lovely and warm!(only benefit of living in a terraced cottage!) Draught excluders are out, and trying to close the fleeced curtains fairly early to keep in heat. Blankets everywhere as well - it must be autumn! No need to turn the heating on here, we haven't even got our winter jumpers out yet!

OH doesn't want to reclaim on PPI, he doesn't like the blame culture. arghhh! Trying to explain why he should reclaim but have given up!

I've just about got the decreasing term insurance cancelled to be replaced with a term insurance (cheaper insurance that pays out more). I'm finally taking over everything money wise that OH has (not) dealt with previously. Love him very much but he's a little bit hopeless with money.

Just made my OP of £1,450 for October (£450 'owed' from Sept)

Money challeges for Oct/ Nov:
- finish off life insurance swap
- finish off final xmas present shopping(making a hamper for OH of things he likes, but need a 'big' present)
- keep heating off aslong as poss without feeling uncomfortable, then gradually phase in when we need it.
- finish off joining gym at corporate rate (on a cheaper trial at the moment)

evab_2

Well done earthgirl you've achieved so much! I hope you enjoy the gym. you're probably getting a good workout at the allotment too

Well done for sorting out the student holiday too, I've got a girl who uses a wheelchair in my group and need to sort out her workplacement - it will be difficult to tell her that she won't be able to do some of the choices just due to her mobility.