Getting out of my comfort zone

gilligansyle

gilligansyle wrote: »

Morning,

I've also cleared myself a space and have bought some cheap (plastic yukk!) beads and metal findings to practice my jewellery making skills as want to do some twisted wire things and not waste my silver findings.

I have spent an absolute fortune in the last week or two, so need to get a rein on that, I know where some of its gone and will help sort out birthdays, Christmas etc. for quite a while. But quite a bit has just *gone* - probably on lunches with friends.

New spending diary starts today!
Money in purse £42.71
Money in bank £403.60
DD's to go out £150

Need to get - petrol - probably just put a tenner worth in.

Starting with money stuff
Money in purse £17
Money in bank £178
DD's to go out zero

Things that went out of the bank extra were petrol and renewal of a professional subscription (but this will be refunded to myself out of business account) and gas and electric.

Spends
£20 - lent to DS
£3 butchers
£1.50 bread and milk

Have also put over a pound into the slummy jar this week, from rounding down my purse and from change found when DS took his *good* decks to a gig.

Still no word about job, and I know that things go slowly in big organisations, but would really like to see something official. It seems ages but its just over a week, so if I've heard nothing by the end of this week, may drop an email.

I also played with my cheap jewellery yesterday, and have perfected a few things - simple things like joining beads together, and making fancy loops. Far easier to do using cheap metal rather than ruin some silver. I've still got the amber beads I bought ages ago, so want to do them justice.

hypno06

Ooh, am liking the idea of a "slummy jar".......

I am sure you will hear re the job soon - holiday period and all that is in full flow, remember

gilligansyle

Still nothing about the job....

But today have had a 'me' day. I was on my way to shops and a friend rang - did I want to go to the cricket as they had a spare ticket!
So I have been sat watching the cricket all afternoon. Ever so English. And yes, I do understand and love cricket. I wish I could go more often.

savingholmes

Hi Gill - really pleased to hear about the job offer that is great news! I think I waited at least 3 weeks to start this job mainly due to the referencing process and the busyness of everyone else even tho I was available on day one....

Glad the stuff I sent you helped with interview 1.....

I am glad you had a nice birthday too and I think sometimes it is right to splash out on things that make you happy its part of living so try not to feel guilty over all spends!! Some luxuries are necessities if they benefit your general well being LOL

gilligansyle

Thanks SH, I think I've got used to contracting where they tend to take telephone references and starts are quick. The stuff you sent me helped me to focus, so was really good.

I am quite happy in some ways with my spends as I've probably saved a fair amount of money on Christmas stuff for the female friends and family. And I love doing my crafty stuff. It's just a pity that I've got 4 nephews, a brother and a BIL to buy for as well as DS. It's not so easy to make presents for them.

I've just spoken to Mum, she has some old necklaces, mainly proper stones, some pearls etc. and some Murano glass beads (absolutely stunning!) which she always intended to have re-strung. So I'm going to make some of them into something for her, so she can at least wear some of them.

I'm off to watch 'The Code' on BBC2 - it makes my head hurt!

gilligansyle

It's a lot cooler now, raining a bit, but it feels so much fresher. Hopefully everyone managed a decent nights kip. I feel so much better for having 6 solid hours rather than tossing and turning all night.

I've got to sort out a load of admin stuff, to finalise accounts etc. and have borrowed a shredder, so will be taking a leaf out of KC's book and scanning things and then shredding.

First task - sort it all out.

Stuff to be scanned - loads of instructions, recipes etc.
Stuff that can just be shredded
Things that need to be kept as they are - certificates, receipts (what else?)
Hopefully I can reduce my 6 filing boxes :eek: Some of it is just me wanting to keep a track of debt payments, and have all the details of what I paid and when. Also some stuff isn't on line for example mortgage statements, and its good to be able to track the overpayments.

And I'm going to make some Christmas cards over the next few days! I have more than enough stuff in my card stash, after buying one really decent punch a while back. So most cards are using recycled cards from last year, and will be a similar style.

Karmacat

Ooh, I'm glad my scanning idea helps! Between that and selling/charitising, I've managed to get 8 full height bookcases down to 4 - my ambition is to get down to 3, but thats much more difficult. But certainly, that kind of past information is good to have on a computer. The only thing I'd say is that backup needs to be external - I've heard of so many people who backup on the computer, and of course if the computer itself blows up or something, they're st*ffed - I used to backup onto CDs, then DVDs, and now I have an external hard drive, which does it all in one go, much more efficient.

And you're still doing your craft work! How lovely to have something so accessible that you enjoy, and thats productive as well. How many will you do?

gilligansyle

Good point KC - the computer that is connected to my printer is my really old iMac, so it won't last much longer, the DVD drive is on its way out certainly. Everything will be also on a memory stick for now. DS has a selection of external hard drives that I can pinch a bit of space on.

I will just keep making cards until I get fed up. I tend to leave family ones until later in the year, as I spend a bit more time on them, but generally I start a sort of production line, so will do all the stamping in one go, all the punching in one go, then make them all up into cards.

I also need some 'stock' birthday cards. But they need to be a bit more individual, so need to be feeling a bit creative for them.

Off for a cuppa and some toast.

gilligansyle

:j:j:j:j:j

A whopping great package just arrived - I've got the official letter!!!
Lots of paper, terms & conditions etc.


Closely followed by a phone call from new line manager checking that I'd got it:D

Start date on letter is MONDAY!!!!

This may need to change, because they may not have induction package in place, but will know more later.

I'm excited again

redsquirrel80

Woohoo - great news!