And so it begins....

PixieFace

Having packed my swimming bag last night ready for this morning, I woke up at ungodly 'o' clock (3.30 I think) and really struggled to get back to sleep. Finally dropped off around 5 and was really not impressed when the alarm went off 40 mins later. Snoozed for half an hour, so no swimming for me today.

On a more positive note, did my grocery shopping last night for £48 (budget is £60), so have tucked £10 into my OP column on the spreadsheet of dreams.

JimmyTheWig

PixieFace wrote: »

On a more positive note, did my grocery shopping last night for £48 (budget is £60), so have tucked £10 into my OP column on the spreadsheet of dreams.

Tut tut - that two pounds would have helped too!

PixieFace

Have done my available surveys this morning, although I rarely seem to qualify for Valued Opinions these days. Have also given my meter readings online.

Was planning to do my accounts too, but NW online banking is down - hopefully not for too long, will check again in a while.

So, plan for today is:
- Check on Experian how to file notice of dissassociation from former housemate. Done
- Check Equifax with new code from NW, and similarly file for NofD Can't do, code isn't working and customer service appears to be non-existant
- Light switch in spare room Almost there, back box to fit and the to shorten the cable, but the light works
- Socket in spare room
- Plaster repairs
- Replace light pendant Done
- Repair ceiling paper from old pull cord switch
- Have last nights leftovers for lunch Done
- Make sure grumpy cat is in the house before dark so I can have my firework night cuddle (she's too terrified to complain ) She was in, I got my cuddle when she eventually crept out from down the side of the sofa

PixieFace

Hopefully today should finish off the last few bits from yesterday's list.

My second load of washing is on, first load and a few bits from yesterday hanging on the line.

NW online banking was working this morning so have done my accounts and added an extra £5 to my OP column for the end of the month.

PixieFace

No swimming this morning due to a late night caused by a bit of wood in the eye trip to A&E for OH last night (who is now at home, most likely fast asleep).

Had leftover beef stew and mash for lunch, mmmm tasty, and dinner tonight at OH's parents house .

I'm away with work from tomorrow until Friday. Get a hire car so no using my own fuel, and I'm staying with friends while I am away and can buy the three of us dinner on expenses, which means no grocery shopping for them. :jVery much looking forward to seeing them, and sometimes quite like having to go away with work as it allows me to see friends I haven't seen for a while.

It's grey and miserable here today and the first day I have really felt cold. The heating at work is poor at best (either too hot or too cold) and takes a while to get going on a Monday morning having been off all weekend.

At this rate, I might have to relent and put my heating on at home :eek:.

shala_moo

Our heating is the same at work, we sit in fleeces all summer to keep warm and then have to open the windows in winter because it's like a sauna!!! Air conditioning is useless in big office spaces!

Well done for not having ur heating on at home! It's been on for a while at our house.. I love to be toasty warm.. Dread to think what the bill will be.:eek:

PixieFace

I tend to keep mine off for the sake of the bill, but I gave in last night and put it on for an hour (partly to help finish off the laundry I couldn't get dry at the weekend!) and again for 45 mins this morning.

I'll be away now until Friday, so OH has control all to himself, will see how he does .

Sepa74

It's been such a warm autumn that it really has been touch and go as to whether the heating is required... at least, it has been in my part of the world!

But I got this cold that has been going around and which has been lingering on, so I've got my heating on, and the thermostat set to 20c :eek: when it's normally on 18c.

I figure it's a false economy to skimp on warmth and then have to miss work because I'm ill!

PixieFace

Hi Sepa, hope you feel better soon.

Well, I'm back from my few nights away and there was no sign of the heating being on whilst I wasn't here, although I had to put it on myself for an hour last night. Three days outside even in this lovely mild weather must have taken its toll as I felt cold through to my bones.

Spent very little money whileI was away and returned with a lovely big pot of pickled onions from the friends I stayed with. However, the boy treated himself to a new 'puter game and bought me a book, (although it was half price and came with a free book!) so that's £50 not budgeted for down the pan. I think I can claw it back from the grocery budget for the month, but it's £50 less that we'll be paying off the mortgage :mad:. Still, the game should keep him happily entertained for a while and, apparently, there aren't any more coming out that he wants in the near future.

I'm really struggling with the futility of everything at the moment. Didn't have the best week at work, which I'm not overly keen on at the best of times. Am having rather a 'what's the point?' kind of day, so may spend it watching all the TV I need to catch up on for the week (Grand Designs, Beeny, Hugh and his veg, masterchef) with my crochet and any random cat I can keep on my lap for more than 30 seconds - this is usually a feat in itself, but seems to be quite easy when I'm trying to increase the size of my blanket :rotfl:.

Halfway through my online shop and have lost all motivation and really need to think about what I want for lunches this week. I suspect the old faithful batch of soup may be on its way.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.
Pixie

PixieFace

Feeling much more positive today. Went for a swim this morning and, with the exception of about 20 lengths in the middle I had the entire pool to myself :j.

I eventually got the shopping done under budget and have tucked £10 in the OP column. I have covered the money spent by the boy on the game and book with the 5th week of allocated money in the grocery budget, but it looks so far like I am quite under budget in my personal spends, with £80 to go, a little under two weeks until pay day and (finger's crossed) almost enough fuel to make it to work and back for two weeks - I have a couple of days away next week, which should help.

No decorating done at the weekend, couldn't really be bothered and was worn out from work, so had a relaxing, yet productive time of it, which included lots of cleaning and a bit of cooking, 40% free on the hard drive (I'm making space for Xmas movies ) and a slightly bigger blanket.

Also discovered on popping out to dispose of the compost that the onions and garlic I planted recently are coming through. I don't normally overwinter as my gardening skill is erratic at best and I tend to forget about outdoors when the weather is bad, but this year was so successful (except the sweetcorn, they were pants ), I've decided to try a bit harder from now on.