Macgirl's "Stop Procrastinating and Get on with it" Diary

hypno06

I did 5 miles :j

There is a half marathon locally at the end of November - in aid of Macmillan, so I thought of Taxi and thought that I really don't have any excuses. So, on payday next week, I will be putting in an early entry.

se999

Just realised the 8 weeks means I've got to do clothes shopping etc in case we go, things tend to be confirmed last minute, and I don't want to buy things that are just OK rather than nice because there's no time as I've been trying to sort out my 'capsule' wardrobe like a lot of others on Hypno & DTs threads.

Also need to get the diet & exercise back on track, been having major wobbles

macgirl

hypno06 wrote: »

I did 5 miles :j

There is a half marathon locally at the end of November - in aid of Macmillan, so I thought of Taxi and thought that I really don't have any excuses. So, on payday next week, I will be putting in an early entry.

:T Yaaayy!! Well done :T Great goal and fantastic cause :A

se999 wrote: »

Just realised the 8 weeks means I've got to do clothes shopping etc in case we go, things tend to be confirmed last minute, and I don't want to buy things that are just OK rather than nice because there's no time as I've been trying to sort out my 'capsule' wardrobe like a lot of others on Hypno & DTs threads.

Also need to get the diet & exercise back on track, been having major wobbles

Diet and exercise is so prone to the wobbles Se. The thing to do is to not be put off and get straight back on the horse again IMHO

My current method seems to be working and allows the odd treat so I feel in control:
Mon-Thurs = V. Strict
Fri-Sat = a bit looser, odd treat/drink allowed
Sun = back to semi strictness in prep for Monday!

As for capsule wardrobes. They rarely come together quickly, more that you pick up pieces gradually to form your perfect wardrobe. If you are near a Selfridges, they have a fantastic sale on at the moment (and now actually sell online :j). They cater for all tastes and budgets, so you might pick up one or 2 things in there. If you hang on - they have a second wave of reductions soon too

macgirl wrote: »

• Ring Barclaycard and transfer the Virgin balance to LOB - depending on the APR on offer
• Make a batch of Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes [STRIKE]and Tomato & Bean Soup[/STRIKE] (already on the go :A)Soup done, fishcake mix is cooked and cooling in fridge
• Finish the ironing and do 2 more loads of washing 1 load in, the rest is sorted into 4 piles
• Cut the hedge in the front garden (it's only tiny) [STRIKE]and cut grass in back garden (ditto) - general tidy and weeding[/STRIKE]Back garden done
• [STRIKE]Water tomato plants and leave outside for the day - we were late sowing this year, so the plants are still in the greenhouse[/STRIKE] Done
• General blitz of the house and hoover everywhere
• [STRIKE]Change kids beds and wash bedding[/STRIKE]Done
• [STRIKE]Take the carseats out of my car, flatten back seat and take the wood panel from the side of the bath to the tip. It's getting re-tiled soon after our leak.[/STRIKE] DH has done - on Father's Day too - Ooops!

se999

I've found part of the thing with the capsule, is actually deciding what style I want it to be as well. Partly the balance between not wanting to look 'old and fuddy duddy', versus 'mutton dressed as lamb'. I think I'm starting to get there, but also getting a look that suits my personality and lifestyle. Not easy when you also want to avoid costly mistakes.

I've found occasional trips to TKMaxx have been good, there's lots of rubbish, but every so often you find some gems Also I raid the discount shopping villages. I've got a weekend trip to Leeds to see eldest DS in August, and there's lots of department stores there, so hopefully will find some things there if not before. Thanks for the info on Selfridges, I think there's one there.

Part of my attack on the wardrobe is also upping the quality, e.g. cheap black trousers are getting replaced with nicer quality ones when they need replacing, so it's a gradual improvement thing too.

I find it easier to stick to diets & exercise in the week too.

taxi73

That's a lot to get done...welldone to doing that lot

macgirl

se999 wrote: »

I've found part of the thing with the capsule, is actually deciding what style I want it to be as well. Partly the balance between not wanting to look 'old and fuddy duddy', versus 'mutton dressed as lamb'. I think I'm starting to get there, but also getting a look that suits my personality and lifestyle. Not easy when you also want to avoid costly mistakes.

I've got a weekend trip to Leeds to see eldest DS in August, and there's lots of department stores there, so hopefully will find some things there if not before. Thanks for the info on Selfridges, I think there's one there.

Part of my attack on the wardrobe is also upping the quality, e.g. cheap black trousers are getting replaced with nicer quality ones when they need replacing, so it's a gradual improvement thing too.

I find it easier to stick to diets & exercise in the week too.

Yes, definitely agree for basics in simple cuts, but quality fabrics. I think if you stick to classic you can dress up or down with accessories. As Mary Portas (age 50) shows, a simple white shirt and black trousers are transformed with a bold "statement" necklace or bright scarf, which stops it looking fuddy duddy. I think that is the safest. As we've said before Gok is the absolute maestro at capsule dressing.

As for Leeds - that's in my neck of the woods - no Selfridges there I'm afraid, only Harvey Nicks - though I think one is planned.

Nearest would be across the Pennines to Manchester or Trafford Centre. Good luck with it!

taxi73

hypno06 wrote: »

I did 5 miles :j

There is a half marathon locally at the end of November - in aid of Macmillan, so I thought of Taxi and thought that I really don't have any excuses. So, on payday next week, I will be putting in an early entry.

That is a lovely idea and brought a tear to my eye...they are a very worthwhile charity for the nurses,cancer centres,benefits helpline,telephone services,grants and information that they provide.

macgirl

• [STRIKE]Ring Barclaycard and transfer the Virgin balance to LOB - depending on the APR on offer[/STRIKE] Done - see below
• [STRIKE]Make a batch of Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes and Tomato & Bean Soup (already on the go :A)[/STRIKE] Done
• [STRIKE]Finish the ironing and do 2 more loads of washing[/STRIKE] Done - DH did the ironing - feel so guilty - on Father's Day :o:o
• Cut the hedge in the front garden (it's only tiny) [STRIKE]and cut grass in back garden (ditto) - general tidy and weeding[/STRIKE] Didn't get round to the front garden - a job for next week
• [STRIKE]Water tomato plants and leave outside for the day - we were late sowing this year, so the plants are still in the greenhouse [/STRIKE]:o Done
• [STRIKE]General blitz of the house and[/STRIKE] hoover everywhere Half done
• [STRIKE]Change kids beds and wash bedding[/STRIKE] Done
• [STRIKE]Take the carseats out of my car, flatten back seat and take the wood panel from the side of the bath to the tip. It's getting re-tiled soon after our leak.[/STRIKE] DH kindly did!

Rang Barclaycard. They said they had 2 deals for me: 0% +2.5% fee until March 2011 :j OR 6.9% LOB +2.5% Fee :T

Great, as the outstanding £546.19 is on 6.9% LOB, so I asked if this would be paid off first. The guy said no - that's on the standard purchase rate of 17.9% :eek: I said there must be some mistake, as I have never purchashed on this card - it was a BT. After much to-ing and fro-ing, the upshot was that I WAS late with a payment in Feb'08 and despite my phoning them and them agreeing to let me off, the rate had leapt up - and I had not noticed. I was a bit hoity-toity with him saying I'd take my business elsewhere (like where?????), but really was so annoyed at my own stupidity. *sigh*

So I need to pay off the £546.19 before I can BT. I'm not going to cut my nose, I'll just tackle that first then transfer the Virgin for a LOB.

On a positive money note - an NSD. Had a lovely lunch with parents and family. Talked to my parents about the house. Mum said why not offer the extra £20k :rotfl: Dad said he's never known anything like life today. Everything's bought, then thrown away, house prices are ridiculous and people in debt like it doesn't matter :o:o

DH is now out on his bike enjoying some solitary Dad time. I took the kids to the park, then a light tea, in a minute it will be bath, bed and some "me" time.

Hope you've all had good day

taxi73

Soundslike you've had a busy but good day x

macgirl

Good morning, no NSD yesterday, I had to buy a present for a friend's son - so that was £10.25 down the swanny. I did take back 2 school skirts at a cost of £9, so that kind of balanced it out for this month!

Lunch is ready to go, I did get up to run, but then hung out washing and put more in, so left it too late and I'm not in the mood anyway.
Both girls were in bed early last night for being naughty - as usual, I think it's upset me more than it has them. Parenting is not easy.

So, an NSD planned for today and tomorrow. I am thinking of changing my hours at work so I do the same 32 but over 5 days. This would allow me to take the girls to school, then they would only be in After School Club, so :money: a saving of about £120 per month on Breakfast club.
DH is concerned that I will end up doing full time hours for part time pay, but I think my current hours are starting to take their tolls on the kids, as I hardly see them (then chuck them into bed - mean mommy :o:o)

Right, that's it for today, off to iron something to wear, as DH kindly did al the ironing at the weekend - except mine! (He didn't want to burn anything :cool:)

Have a good day to those reading