A few months and several questions

ZTD

RosaBernicia wrote: »

I want a cat

Have done for ages, but have been telling myself it wasn't really doable.

Why do you want a cat?

RosaBernicia wrote: »

But... this means insurance, boosters, worrying about it getting run over (unlikely in a very quiet cul de sac)...

You obviously don't know how far cats can roam... :eek:

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Have spent another couple of hours playing with spreadsheet to look at realistic progress - that's the kind of realistic that remembers I will have to pay for the car service in August and there won't be enough built up in the account. I've got as far as Dec12 and it looks like the debts would be at £7K at that point which is about 60% paid off in just over a year despite the house move. The interest bill would be down by that point as I will have closed some small accounts by June and two of the outstanding cards would be on low life of balance. I also haven't taken into account the interest reductions as the balance goes down simply because I have no idea how I'd calculate it.

Spreadsheet. Calculate the interest from the balance of the line above. Monthly interest is annual interest ^ 1/12th where the rate is of the form 1.XX

RosaBernicia wrote: »

The animal shelter I emailed yesterday wouldn't let me have a cat as there's no catflap here and I can't see the landlord letting me fit one in the picture windows :rotfl: so that idea will also have to wait.

You could always fit one in the shed and turn it into a cat-kennel...

kerri_gt

Hi Rosa, if you decide you really do want a cat, not having a cat flap shouldn't prevent this, we've had cats (well singular now) for years and never had a cat flap. I'd give it some careful thought as it is a commitment but if you decide it's right for you, try some other shelters or charities.

RosaBernicia

Oops seem to have been MIA for a bit but been busy - in a good way, mostly.

New pole class was good, have forgotten just about everything I had learnt but came out completely knackered and felt I'd done much more than at the other classes. Have paid up subs to do multiple classes for a min of 3 months, so will have no excuse not to go at least once a week and can do 3 months even if I just continue being rubbish and eventually give up.

Have been rediscovering my lovely friend FlyLady, as I noticed that even though I've settled after the move I wasn't as organised as I'd like to be and things like having to stay late at work were causing me hassle that could be avoided. So have now written my cleaning routines etc for the new house and made a start on getting towards them this week.

One of those things was to finally take the dead leylandii to the recycling centre, and when I came back decided to give the poor car a clean - she hasn't been properly sorted since before shifting everything for the move and since then full of garden stuff. Was cross to find that the rear footwells were soaking wet - thanks to stuff standing in there for two days instead of going to the recycling centre on its late night - so have soaked that up with towels and am hoping it won't have affected anything else. Was feeling so enthusiastic I even lifted the floor of the boot to sweep bits that were getting under it into the spare tyre compartment. And found that the spare tyre compartment was full of water. This probably explains why my car steams up constantly and gets ice on the inside in winter. Judging by the mould on the towel that was cushioning the tyre iron and the limescale spots on the jack, it's been that way for quite some time. So water now removed by towels, everything wiped, and all left open to dry a bit - will try and open the doors etc if it is clear tomorrow. Am cross it's taken me so long to realise but also glad I found out now so I can fix it. Will ask the garage if there's anything that can be done when it goes for service - I suspect the piece of rubber seal floating in the lake could be put back for a start. Oh, and since ZTD pointed out that the seatbelt cutter/ hammer thing might be best off somewhere other than the footwell, it's been relocated - thanks Z :A. I will take the car for an outside clean one night next week as that hasn't happened in ages either, and also get round to doing the tyres etc.

I finally found something I really really wanted to spend some of my 'holiday' funds on, even though it isn't quite a holiday... have bought a new daypack for going walking with friends, including a hydration wotsit. I charitised the old one when I moved because I hated it - it fitted badly, was boring black and was intended for taking a laptop to the office not walking. New one fits - straps narrow enough for my shoulders, hip straps actually at my hips instead of halfway down them and the chest strap in a comfortable place. And it's apple green :T Fingers crossed to get some use of it soon... we have a walk planned for Monday if the weather's OK. My mum has said she'll pay the hotel bill for an upcoming trip in June so I don't need to save for that after all. I know I'll get good use out of the rucksack as I'll also use it on weekends etc anyway.

Part of the re-FlyLady-ing thing is also that I've been going to bed early. Which is really really odd. But I figured it was silly to keep going in circles and staying tired, and have eventually had to admit to myself that staying up for another hour to read a textbook just means I wind up grumpy and don't remember anything anyhow. I was in bed at half ten yesterday and I think the whole room was surprised to see me :rotfl: but it does seem to be working, especially as I'm getting more stuff organised and there is less need to stay up late. Am hoping I'll manage to shift my sleep cycle properly and coincide a bit better with the rest of the world that for some reason insists on doing stuff in daylight hours.

Blew £56 in Sainsbugs earlier today, but that did include stocking up on some things including bits for work lunches and buying flour etc for scones - suddenly remembered I chucked all the baking stuff when I moved as so much was out of date.

Work is a PITA but I am just fed up with it now and have point blank refused to alter the leave I booked around the bank hol, so they'll just have to live with it. Still haven't got to allotment due to rain, and am having to confess to myself that I have some residual anxiety issues about the MSc project, which is what triggered going back to FlyLady. Hopefully this will both remind me to do things in little steps and also mean that everything else is under control so I can't claim distraction activity - and so I can be healthy. I am in so much better a place now than in October and I don't want to end up in that kind of mess again.

Saying that, had better go and do some ironing lol.

Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

kerri_gt wrote: »

Hi Rosa, if you decide you really do want a cat, not having a cat flap shouldn't prevent this, we've had cats (well singular now) for years and never had a cat flap. I'd give it some careful thought as it is a commitment but if you decide it's right for you, try some other shelters or charities.

Thanks Kerri

I emailed another shelter who don't seem to have that requirement and they've suggested visiting them for a chat, so will do that in a couple of weeks. That way I can get a better idea about the whole thing.

The first one I tried was a in a really posh town and it was the 'well we sometimes let people who live in flats adopt our cats' together with 'oh you live a whole 10 miles out of our catchment area' that made think stuff them then... they can naff off and see if any of the ex-bankers in their catchment area can still afford cat food together with their mortgage :mad::p:D

Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

And MSing update before I forget.

Phoned Mr Branson (well one of his minions) today and explained that I do not wish to double the rate of interest I pay him. That account will now be frozen while I pay it off. It has about £3K on it and 1/3 of that is at 0% til January, which was the reason I didn't want to shift it.

N0ddle want proof that I am on the electoral roll - er, shouldn't you be updating your systems? - so will have to chase the council to get this next week and send it on. I should be rid of the small CC and the two overdrafts in the next couple of months, but want to move at least some of the scariest CC to lower interest and since it appears moving has completely fkd my credit rating, want to do anything that will help. Am becoming worryingly fixated with N0ddle though as it's so easy to log on and check if my rating has changed yet or if there are any good deals. Must stop.

Funds for the rest of the month are looking rather low but I don't have anything major to spend on or needed - well apart from waterproofing the car boot lol *wonders if bathroom sealant works on metal*. Taking lunches to work really helps, even if it's just quiches and chocolate bought at Sainsbugs in one big shop, as it means I don't get exposed to temptation for extras.

I do need a couple of extra bits for the bathroom to enable full FlyLady-ness and one thing from Lu5h, but am thinking if I went to the allotment tomorrow and then did a pole class in the week it would mean I could stay out of town til Tuesday... or even next weekend...

Rosa xx

ZTD

RosaBernicia wrote: »

New pole class was good, have forgotten just about everything I had learnt but came out completely knackered and felt I'd done much more than at the other classes. Have paid up subs to do multiple classes for a min of 3 months, so will have no excuse not to go at least once a week and can do 3 months even if I just continue being rubbish and eventually give up.

Stop being so competative, and learn to enjoy it because you're enjoying it!

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Was feeling so enthusiastic I even lifted the floor of the boot to sweep bits that were getting under it into the spare tyre compartment. And found that the spare tyre compartment was full of water. This probably explains why my car steams up constantly and gets ice on the inside in winter. Judging by the mould on the towel that was cushioning the tyre iron and the limescale spots on the jack,

You only get limescale from water that has been in contact with the ground. Are you sure it's limescale?

RosaBernicia wrote: »

it's been that way for quite some time. So water now removed by towels, everything wiped, and all left open to dry a bit - will try and open the doors etc if it is clear tomorrow. Am cross it's taken me so long to realise

I'm surprised you didn't see it when you checked the pressure of your spare tyre.

Of course everyone checks the pressure of their spare tyre don't they? :whistle:

RosaBernicia wrote: »

but also glad I found out now so I can fix it. Will ask the garage if there's anything that can be done when it goes for service - I suspect the piece of rubber seal floating in the lake could be put back for a start.

Depends on how quickly it fills up again, Usually its caused by the boot leaking. XOH's car had this problem and I drilled a hole at the lowest point to let it out. Caution is advised before doing that though.

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Oh, and since ZTD pointed out that the seatbelt cutter/ hammer thing might be best off somewhere other than the footwell, it's been relocated - thanks Z :A.

:T

Only a few days since I said it too...

RosaBernicia wrote: »

I finally found something I really really wanted to spend some of my 'holiday' funds on, even though it isn't quite a holiday... have bought a new daypack for going walking with friends, including a hydration wotsit. I charitised the old one when I moved because I hated it - it fitted badly, was boring black and was intended for taking a laptop to the office not walking.

Never keep something like that, that doesn't fit. It's literally worse than useless. You only need to abrade a hole in your flesh once to realise that. I've got a really good one very adjustable one - though it is just a daypack.

I've been coveting an ALICE pack, but I know I'll just fill it up with unneccessary crap...

RosaBernicia wrote: »

New one fits - straps narrow enough for my shoulders, hip straps actually at my hips instead of halfway down them and the chest strap in a comfortable place. And it's apple green :T

The colour makes all the difference - after all, you can see it all the time when you're walking - right?

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Work is a PITA but I am just fed up with it now and have point blank refused to alter the leave I booked around the bank hol, so they'll just have to live with it.

"Lack of organization on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part..."

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Still haven't got to allotment due to rain, and am having to confess to myself that I have some residual anxiety issues about the MSc project, which is what triggered going back to FlyLady.

Relax. Or I'll send you a motivational poster...

RosaBernicia wrote: »

Hopefully this will both remind me to do things in little steps and also mean that everything else is under control so I can't claim distraction activity - and so I can be healthy. I am in so much better a place now than in October and I don't want to end up in that kind of mess again.

Good! :T

RosaBernicia wrote: »

The first one I tried was a in a really posh town and it was the 'well we sometimes let people who live in flats adopt our cats' together with 'oh you live a whole 10 miles out of our catchment area' that made think stuff them then... they can naff off and see if any of the ex-bankers in their catchment area can still afford cat food together with their mortgage :mad::p:D

I've noted for some time, that far too many charities seem to think that they're doing people a favour rather than the other way round.

RosaBernicia

ZTD wrote: »

Stop being so competative, and learn to enjoy it because you're enjoying it!

:rotfl::rotfl:

Competitive isn't a word I like to use, Z. More the principle of 'there is nothing noble in being superior to someone else, only in being superior to your former self'. I don't so much mind being carp in comparison to other people, but I do get frustrated if I stay just as carp as I was before... 'cause I get bored and decide I'll go try something else instead.

'Tis still a great poster for a control freak though - have saved it :rotfl:

ZTD wrote: »

You only get limescale from water that has been in contact with the ground. Are you sure it's limescale?

No not sure, will investigate more tomorrow when it's dried off a bit - I'd run out of dry towels by then and was congratulating myself for daring to unwrap the mouldy towel. Just as well I did though, 'cause it had the jack in it.

Everything around here gets ruddy limescale, I think some of the water may have been splashing up into the car from the road. There doesn't seem to be any damage to the seal around the boot but will check it next time it rains (shouldn't be long).

ZTD wrote: »

I'm surprised you didn't see it when you checked the pressure of your spare tyre.

Of course everyone checks the pressure of their spare tyre don't they? :whistle:

Of course, it's on the list for the FlyLady Car Boogie now

ZTD wrote: »

Depends on how quickly it fills up again, Usually its caused by the boot leaking. XOH's car had this problem and I drilled a hole at the lowest point to let it out. Caution is advised before doing that though.

We've already had a discussion about me and power tools

ZTD wrote: »

:T

Only a few days since I said it too...

Mhmf. I do usually look after the car better than I have recently . Am not using it for long trips at the moment (touch wood) so have got a bit lazy. Something going wrong on the ringroad when a max of 1 mile walk from civilisation is rather less scary than things going wrong in the snow at the top of the A1.

ZTD wrote: »

Never keep something like that, that doesn't fit. It's literally worse than useless. You only need to abrade a hole in your flesh once to realise that. I've got a really good one very adjustable one - though it is just a daypack.

I've been coveting an ALICE pack, but I know I'll just fill it up with unneccessary crap...

Hm. Have now googled that to ensure that an ALICE pack doesn't bear any relation to an Alice band and it seems I was right :rotfl:

You could fit an awful lot of carp into one of those. Doesn't the fact of having to carry it around help control the urge though?

ZTD wrote: »

The colour makes all the difference - after all, you can see it all the time when you're walking - right?

Yes.

It makes all the difference about whether I like looking at it and it makes me happy every time I see it, instead of vaguely annoyed that it isn't quite what I wanted.


BTW I think I should probably keep this one too



Rosa xx

vasseur

You sound so much brighter and confident in your recent posts Rosa.

I do think being organised is key to mental wellbeing (at least it is for me), so I have set days for doing various jobs around the house otherwise the whole dam thing goes to pot but it also has a knock-on effect with everything else hence you now being able to go to bed earlier.

Glad the new pole classes are going well and :T for signing up for 3 months.

RosaBernicia

Well being organised has taken a bit of a knockback after losing today to a migraine . Woke up on time, felt fine, went back to sleep for a bit and woke up 5 hours later unable to see straight and with a major headache.

Have managed to chuck a load of washing in and bring in the jack etc from the car but that's about it. The limescale looking stuff on the jack seems to be a rust-type reaction with the brass-ish coating and the main thing is that it still works. Will be putting all that in the plastic crate with all the other gear now, so that even if water does build up in the tyre compartment there will only be the tyre in there and that shouldn't take any harm.

Forecast for tomorrow isn't great so looks like it will be a short local walk instead of a proper one... am a bit but on the other hand am still feeling a bit wobbly from the migraine and could use the extra time at home, so maybe it's better that way.

They moved Once Upon A Time again :mad:, so it's just as well I already discovered 5 on demand - and this time I figured out how to link up the laptop to the telly :T. Now I just need to work out 1) how I get the screen sizing to work, and 2) how I turn off the laptop screen once it's connected.

Oh and NSD and I remembered to press the trip meter when I got petrol the other day, so now know that a tankful lasts me about a month or 300 miles. That will help with budgeting.


Rosa xx

RosaBernicia

polesalot wrote: »

You sound so much brighter and confident in your recent posts Rosa.

I do think being organised is key to mental wellbeing (at least it is for me), so I have set days for doing various jobs around the house otherwise the whole dam thing goes to pot but it also has a knock-on effect with everything else hence you now being able to go to bed earlier.

Glad the new pole classes are going well and :T for signing up for 3 months.

Thanks Poles :A - I am feeling much better recently, think it's partly due to less drama as now the move etc is over, but also because I'm learning to say no (gradually!) so I'm not being pulled all over the place as much.

I first used FlyLady about four years ago when for once I was only doing a full-time job and therefore needed entertainment . It was a bit of a revelation that it's OK to do things a bit at a time and that they don't have to be perfect first go so I found it really useful. Especially as a while after I got myself set up with that, things did get dramatic through no choice of mine, and it helped me keep on track.

It's beginning to dawn on me that in four month's time I will only have a full-time job again, and that in about 18 months I will be DF. It's quite exciting - what kind of me will be I be? What does a relaxed and happy Rosa look like and do?


Rosa xx