Milanns mutterings on this last milestone.

milann

Had such good intentions today but nothing came of them - a friend came around this morning and i slept all afternoon again !!!!!!

beanielou

No harm in having a wee sleep

milann

I went for a walk to drop sicknote at work, continued into Stockport and took some jeans I'd bought before my holidays back as they were a horrid fit. I got the cash back on my card instead of buying anything else - every little helps. I got the bus back and was horrified at £1.90 fare - it's only a mile or so but I was totally whacked I'd only gone into a couple of shops too!! - sometimes needs must.

DH has been using my car but got his back again today - £350 - but it's the first time it's let us down in 8 years so we can't complain really. Paid on dh's cc but intend to pay it off asap. DH had a bit of a wobble and got cheesed off about it breaking down - but soon realised he needed to keep things in perspective

Really back to basic MSE for me I'm afraid. A storecubpoard challenge but I'll need to buy fresh fruit and veg - I intend to keep to my Slimming World regime as I'm virtually there

Pork in yoghurt, paprika and garlic with hm savoury veg rice for tea.
Beef stew tomorrow - just need a couple of carrots everything else in freezer.

Got a friend coming around tomorrow afternoon - she suggested meeting for cake and coffee somewhere - so I put my mse hat on and suggested here - so I'm providing the coffee and she's baking the cake - think I got the better option there lol

So my plan for tomorrow is to tidy up a bit - it's not bad but I can't remember the last time the floor met the hoover - I'm hoping to stay awake 2 afternoons on the run too.

beanielou

Pork sounds just yum.
Only 1/2 a stone to go for me

milann

Fantastic Beanie - we CAN do this - never thought I'd say it and believe it - but I really do think I can this time.

That Paul McKenna tape really helped too - I do find myself watching for the signs of being full and stopping eating as a matter of course now!!

I have to admit though - being 'nil by mouth' several times in hospital helped me loose a few pounds - not the way to do it - but I'm thankful for small mercies lol

The whole hospital thing has made me think hard about what I eat - apparently I have 'sludge' in my gallbladder - and it is a medical term lol - it can be a pre-cursor of gallstones - chrystals that haven't yet formed a stone. It makes sense to keep to a lowish fat diet I suppose - nobody has told me to but after my own research that's what I'll be doing.

taxi73

good luck to both of you x

milann

I'm making myself 'do' things and get out each day. It's tiring but I am doing a bit more each day. I want to get back to work by Thursday - I need to get back onto full pay if I can manage it. If I don't get back before school breaks up for the summer - it'll be September before I can do it. My wedding fund will be well and truly scuppered if that happens (although dd keeps telling me they don't need a contribution - I want to give one)

I got a payment from HSA for my nights in hospital - it won't make up the shortfall in my pay but it's better than I expected it to be. Every little helps

DS took me out and bought me lunch yesterday and a friend did the same the day before - I am being very spoilt. They were both cheap and cheerful lunchtime specials - but the thought was enough to make me feel 'special and appreciated'

I went to slimming world and stayed the same as the week before - I was pleased with this as I could have easily put it back on - losing it the way I did is not ideal. Anyway - I decided this is my 'target' weight and no longer have to pay - as long as I stay 3lb either side of it and visit every month. Funnily enough I have eaten better since the 'I must lose this week' pressure has gone.

Feeling very fed up this evening - the girls from my old job were going out to a local hotel for a 5 course meal and 'grease lightning' night. I'd paid my £30 bit by bit over tha last couple of months but really didn't feel up to going - so £30 down the drain!!!!! - plus someone I work with now was going too with her group of friends - if I'm on the sick - it doesn't feel right going out wining and dining until the wee small hours.....

I have got well and truly my MSE head on again - I hadn't realised how much I had slipped. Got some mega bargains this evening. Reduced cooked chicken £2 and 4 small ready made curry pots for DH at 10 and 20 p each. SO a cheap and cheerful tea had by all - with enough chicken for tomorrow too.

Dh off on Monday so we are hoping to go out if the weather is ok - looking forward to it as our holidays in Cornwall when I took poorly seem a lifetime ago.

milann

We'd planned on a nice trip out yesterday when dh was off work - but since the weather was so grotty it didn't seem worth spending on petrol for an hours drive to dodge the rain and wind!! So we had a meander around The Trafford Centre (a big nearby shopping mall) but I'm not sure my energy levels are quite there yet and we left after a short time to go and see MIL about a 5 minute drive from there (mse too - had a cuppa there rather than buying one!!!)

I had promised myself a treat of getting my nails a French manicure when I'd reached my target weight - but I can't bring myself to go until I know exactly what I get paid on 15 July.

This recent illness has really shaken me and made me rethink my finances and life in general again - we never know what life can throw to scupper plans. I had slipped into more than a few frivilous and bad habits.

I know now I want to pay the loan off I took out recently as quickly as I can. I don't regret getting it but I want rid asap.

SO my plan is ..........

- Target the wedding spending which will be in December.

- Need to keep cash I've saved to contribute to dd for wedding UNTOUCHED until I give it to dd as a present. (about October when higher interest rate runs out)
- Need to keep saving for the hotel (2 nights in London) and clothes for me and dh (I have my dress but still need accessories) and spends for the weekend - which could mount up!!!!! I'd like a nice hotel and use it as a mini break - can't remember the last time we stayed in a hotel - holidays are a 30 year old caravan!!!!

I'll enjoy the wedding and then really begin to target the loan.

The plan after the wedding is to throw the regular amount I've got set up as direct debit to saving account at present (suspended just whilst I'm off work) as overpayments to the loan. If there is anything left after wedding from my savings this will go straight to the loan - as long as I don't incurr charges (There's a penalty if more than a certain percentage is paid per year)

Now I've said it I'll stick to it.

So to achieve these goals I'll need to

- think money mantra (do I need it/ will I use it / can I afford it)
- reduce waste even more
- weekly food plan ( although I have trouble sticking if it's too rigid - so some flexibility within the week allowed)
- keep my weight in check (3lb from target) and continue to go to slimming world so I won't need to pay
- Budget entertaining myself more carefully - I'd got into the habit of saying YES to every invitation and not thinking about the cost of all my eating out!!!!!! Maybe suggest cheaper options - I still want a life!!

I have made the decision to reduce my availability for my second job to just tea time slots after school with no weekends. This doesn't mean I'll get work 4 evenings - I usually only get 2 - 2 hour slots unless they are short staffed. Plus I'll only be available 3 days a week during holidays. Although I need to pay debts I have realised I need to look after myself too and try and avoid further infections around my tummy.

SORRY if I've lulled you all to sleep - but now I've written it down I have a clear plan in my head

taxi73

sounds like a great plan to me x

beanielou

Looks like great plan.