My new SOA - need motivation

Horace

I dont want to sound sarcastic but hurrah to your silly sister she has seen the light and done one:rotfl::j

Well done on the carboot purchases too - it sounds as though you have picked up a few bargains.

I wouldnt worry about the festival or Pontins either - I am sure if you are going with a group then you won't be persona non grata with them, your sister will show herself up as the silly one. I would go anyway and have a fantastic time:D

Now Ames - you are rich - at least richer than you were yesterday:cool: Glad you are looking a bit tidier too - I wish I could say the same about my place, I seem to accumulate paper:rolleyes:

Ames

I've spoken to dad, and he agrees with me! A far cry from my sister's 'he's about to cut you off if you don't change your lifestyle'. My eyes have really been opened in the last few days.

A bit of tidying means that the flat still looks like a nuclear bomb's hit it!

I've been thinking about what to do with the extra money (assuming she doesn't come back with her tail between her legs asking for it back). There's a list of things I need for the flat - warm winter bedding for a start. So I'll get that and then start saving it once I've got the things I need (note to self: need does not include a nice rug, and lamps and things!).

As for accumulating paper, I've finally built the filing cabinet I got last September, and pulled together all the piles that were laying about the place... they filled my big laundry basket, and that's without two magazine boxes full, or the stuff in drawers and boxes lurking at the back of cupboards.

Floxxie

If she does come back, just say 'no'. You need warm winter bedding; you do not need to be feeding someone else who is too lazy to get a job of her own.

Well done on the filing cabinet and good luck with sorting through the paperwork.

tigzem

Hi Ames...

Just wanted to say well done ... I know that it must have been tough for you but I bet you feel a huge relief too.

Hugs to you honey.... and make sure you get the things you need and that are important to you xxx

Ames

It is a relief, in a lot of ways. I've been unhappy ever since my sister moved up north to 'sort out' my life, she was telling me how many books I could have, what I should eat, where I should go out... trying to get me to fit her idea of what a 'normal' life is. I know she had my best interests at heart, but we're different people. I'm finally taking control of my life and living it how I want to, which is feeling great. In fact, I've asked for this to be moved to the diary board and when it is I'll change the title to my 'taking control of my life diary'.

The only problem is ex, who says I'm pushing all the 'real' people in my life away and relying too much on this forum. I can see where he's coming from, but there's a lot of people who have been pushed out of my life over the last year because they weren't what my sister wanted for me - my community groups etc. I want to get back to being involved in that, and resurrect my old plans for setting up a writers group and things.

Horace

Well done you Ames. Sometimes it is good to talk to people in the virtual world as often they are not as judgemental as those you see every day.

Warm winter bedding is a must, food for scrounger is not. Plus you will be able to get yourself a nice rug, some lamps and cushions, these will make you a bit more comfortable and although you may say they are not needs, I think that they are. Live your life for you and for nobody else:D If you have a British Heart Foundation furniture shop near you, go and have a look in there as they sometimes have lamps that have been PAT tested so they should be safe.

I too am sorting out my papers - some will be shredded but I now have some galvanised shelving (one set made up the other still to be done) and now my business stuff looks a bit more organised. My flat is also like yours - it looks like a tornado has whizzed through it but I know where everything is and it will be tidied a bit at a time when I have the inclination to do it:D You have given me some motivation :T

I look forward to reading your diary Ames.

Ames

That's the key isn't it, knowing where everything is! I've done a bit more housework, I think I've been doing it to stop myself worrying.

I saw a duvet in the window of Debenhams a few weeks ago, it was two in one so it was a thin one for summer then you added another in for winter, hopefully it's still on offer.

The lamps I'll ask for as a Christmas present, and I can't get a rug until I get my new sofa and know what colour to get. So that gives me some time to save up.

I don't think there's a BHF furniture shop near me, but there are lots of other charity shops so I'll have a look around for the smaller things I want.

Thanks for the support!

Jesthar

:TWell done Ames! :T

About time that sister of yours got her head together - and you CAN eat perfectly healthily on £10 a week if you need to. I did it myself a few years ago when things were very tight and I couldn't get a job. Might take a bit more now, but I still get annoyed if I spend more than £80 in the supermarket in a month without good reason, including non food items! And I've still got room for improvements there if I need to...

Regarding winter bedding, I know it's more expensive but if you can stretch to it I suggest you investigate trying to get a down filled duvet (providing you're not allergic, off course!). They are more expensive, but they are a lot lighter too, and with your ME that will be a big bonus. Have a look around online and at discount warehouse places - you may be able to find yourself a bargain. I have one, and they are SO toasty warm!

Do you know what kind of sofa you want? I bought a sofabed from a UK online company who make all their own stuff to order, and it was a lot less expensive than the things I'd seen in the shops, and nicer too! Even better, they do a range of styles and sizes, and you can choose any combination of style and fabric you want within their range, and they'll send you free fabric samples too. Only downside for you is that they come disassembled (so you can get them into awkward buildings/spaces), but I put the sofabed together (supposedly a 2 person job!) in under 2 hours whilst simultaneously packing for a camping holiday, so if you can arrange someone to give you a hand... I can give you the company name if you want.

Oh, and if you don't have a regular size slow cooker, I can thoroughly recommend the Morphy Richards oval 3.5 litre range, and you can pick those up for about £20. Fabulous gadgets, coock perfectly, and easy to wash up too.

~Jes

Ames

Oh, I only use down/feather duvets and pillows! I love them, so much snugglyer! I got my current one from ebay and it's been fine for 5 years, but it's started getting thin and lumpy. I'm going to use that one in the living room and get a new one for the bedroom.

It'd be good if you could give me the name of the sofa company, I've seen one at tesco direct that I only need to put £100 towards, the grant was only for £200 so I'm going to have to add a bit to it whatever I get.

I've seen a bigger slow cooker than mine in asda for a tenner, I lifted it up and it was nice and light so should be easy for me to use. I'm going to get into the habit of using my little one first, so I know I'll stick with it. I've got a habit of buying gadgets and leaving them to gather dust, so I'm trying not to do that this time.

Jesthar

One thing to watch fopr with a slow coocker is that you can remove the dish to clean, the ones where it's all in one are a blooming pain! The Morphy is removeable ceramic, bit heavy, but cooks beautifully - has a 'medium' setting too, which makes it a bit more flexible. But go with what you can handle, you know your limits!

The sofa company is http://www.intosofa.com/ - I've had mine for nearly exactly two years (Medium Espirit sofabed in raspberry), and it's great - really sturdy and comfy in both uses. It's my only sofa and therefore in constant use as such, and I have slept on it a few times too.

It's worth paying extra for the scotchguard stain protection IMO. They take a covering throw pretty well, too, and all the cushions are reversible. Mine was very easy to assemble, and much more sturdy that a couple of Argos sofas a freind of mine has.