Getting out of my comfort zone

gilligansyle

Just realised I've got another medal!:j:j

Karmacat

Whoo hoo to medals! And to paying off debt in nice big chunks!

gilligansyle

Been listening to the spending review on the way home. The main thing that affects me is the cuts in public sector spending, but it may affect me in a good way. Organisations may need to cut back on projects, but if they do go ahead, they may just want someone to come in and manage it, rather than taking on permanent staff.

New contract stuff- have bit the bullet and booked a proper hotel for the first 2 days I am there. Have also provisionally booked a few other days. Once there I can look around and see whats available, but don't want to be stressed on the first day looking for somewhere to stay or having a long drive home. As its such a nice town I'm sure I'll find something to do.

Haven't been very good on the spending front this week. I think I'm getting a bit too comfortable again, realising that there *is* money in the bank, so have just shifted some to savings so I can't use my debit card. Not that I've spent loads, just the odd tenner here and there and not really anything to account for the money.

Off to have a bit of a read elsewhere.

savingholmes

You really should visit Attingham park which I think is near Shrewsbury - national trust property with big grounds...

Hope new job goes well

gilligansyle

Thanks sh

once I get there and sort out my actual work plan, as opposed to the one we discussed, I will have a look round the local area more.

I spent an annoying few hours last night and this morning trying to get my top up thingy from British Gas working. I thought it would be easier than going out to buy credit, not so sure now.

First problem, I don't use windows pc's, have a mac and a little linux netbook, so they weren't supported at all
Secondly, having set up the pc that DS gave me didn't realise that although it said you need ie6 or above, it didn't say that was ALL it supported. When I built the PC at the weekend, I just installed from the recovery disks, didn't bother upgrading IE as I never use it, only used it to download firefox. Firefox is not supported so had to download latest IE. What a faff!

Eventually got it working and topped up the meter, so that saved me going to the corner shop at silly o'clock this morning. The other reason for doing it is when I'm working away DS won't remember to keep an eye on the useage, so he needs to be able to top up easily.

So really annoyed at things that basically force people to use Mr Gates' products.

I've also been transferring all my music from my iMac to my mp3 player, it is really odd, but the mp3 player has almost the same amount of useable space as the iMac. Computer has 20gig hard drive and most of that is used by programmes, mp3 player has 8gig,almost all of which is storage space. How things change.

Off to work now, have a good day all.

Karmacat

That storage space thing is weird, isn't it - and I, too, have been bitten by the need to use IE for some things, I never use it by choice, but I have to keep it up to date. Grrrr.

Hope your day goes well anyway.

gilligansyle

Right, OK, focus

Thinking about things on KC's thread about the pensions etc. and my current overpayments, mean that in effect my mortgage payments can be saved for a number of years as I won't be able to get my pension when I expected to. I may still be able to get my work pension and lump sum though.

It's getting to the point when I'll have to pension off my apple mac. (no pun intended) It can't be upgraded any more and is struggling a bit. So have copied all my music onto my mp3 player. In doing so I found a load of spanish language course stuff, so have been listening to those in the car on the way to work.Thought it might be handy for the time I'm stuck on my own in a hotel.

I've made enquiries locally about a singing group, not a choir, they don't have auditions, just people who like to sing. Going along to a meeting next week, just to see if its *me*

And I'm going to book a holiday. My preference would be to go early in the year, but will probably be too busy, so looking to see what I fancy doing. Maybe cookery or language course.

Off to read some diaries.

macgirl

My friend has an imac at home that's well past it's best, I guess they're a bit old now. Plus we work on the latest top spec macs, so are spoilt at work.

The singing group sounds good. I know it's slightly different, but we always go to Chatsworth House at Christmas and I love listening to the choirs of Carole singers, it's really rousing. I can see myself doing something like that when the kids are older.

I know you probably haven't noticed, but there is such a different tone to your diary now you can breathe financially. You are definitely getting there. I reckon there is even room for a Memory Girl type venture to boost your earnings into the stratosphere and really set you up! Then you can treat yourself to a nice shiny new MacBook Pro

gilligansyle

macgirl wrote: »

I know you probably haven't noticed, but there is such a different tone to your diary now you can breathe financially. You are definitely getting there. I reckon there is even room for a Memory Girl type venture to boost your earnings into the stratosphere and really set you up! Then you can treat yourself to a nice shiny new MacBook Pro

thanks, its definitely better bein'g able to 'breathe' and amazing the difference a year makes. I'm just wary that I'll get too comfortable again and stop making the effort.

Watching qualifying for Korea GP, washing machine already on, ironing board out and shopping list done.
I'm going to look for new throws for settee today, the one I've got is looking distinctly shabby. Have got some nice material for cushions, so may do that later.

This week is going to be a 'use everything up' week as I want to defrost the freezer at some point.

Have a good day anyone reading

macgirl

Sounds good - have a good day yourself!