In the words of Yazz...

*Robin*

All sounds pretty good, Fudgie, and I reckon a dehumidifier is a worth-while purchase; makes a real difference to the atmosphere (and great for drying clothes indoors ).

Well done on your xmas preparations.

Fudgefund

Thanks Robin.

The dehumidifier is here and I've put it on a couple times, seems to be pulling water out of the air. I'm not really sure where to put it or how long for, so I'm just vaguely pointing it in the direction of the bedrooms.

I haven't made any great strides in the Christmas stakes, apart from eating a lot of Chocolate Oranges and Quality Street. I have no money so all my presents will have to be bought on the weekend of the 13th, which is making me feel a little worried. I'm sure it'll be fine, but I wish I had more stowed away. I also wish I had more money to make my little home more Christmassy but I need to be sensible and not blow a lot of money I don't have on :xmastree:

I had DB's parents staying with me last weekend so with cooking and other bits I spent an extra £20 on food. I also bought 6 bottles of wine in Tesco to get 25% off, but this has given me 6 bottles to take with me to other people's houses (minus one I drank last weekend ). I'm off to my Mum's this weekend so I'm taking two there, which oddly feels like I'm saving money. This weekend I have a budget of £60 and I'm really hoping I don't go over. That'll leave me with £70, and I get paid two weeks on Friday. Fingers crossed everyone.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Merry Christmas Fudgie! Hope you will come back to your diary soon Xx

*Robin*

Happy New Year, Fudgie! :hello:

..Hope your absence signifies good but busy times in RL.

Fudgefund

I have returned! Thank you both for the messages in my absence, I did see them and they made me smile.

As you may have surmised, my absence is largely due me falling off pretty much every wagon going but I have decided to stop the rot now and get back to leaning heavily on my diary, I've missed it.

So, the finances:

You are unlikely to believe this but I still owe Barclaycard £300. I'm hugely embarassed this still isn't paid off, but it will be on the 14/02/14 and I'm putting all my energy into seeing off the next four weeks.

I'm finally getting out of my strangle hold mobile phone contract in March which I'm hoping will save me £35 a month.

I've told DB that on no account will our food shop be going over £40 a week this year, and I've stuck to that the first two weeks.

I will get a small payrise in April, probably about £25, so I should have a bit more to throw at debts.

I'm hoping I can pull it together and be debt free by May 2014, which will be a challenge but hopefully one which will be met. I am focussed.

Alcohol:

My relationship with alcohol has reached a terrible tipping point once again and it's time to be honest and start addressing it. I was blind drunk on Christmas day at DB's parent's house and I was mortified the next day. I decided to stop drinking, and had succeeded until last night when I went out for a family occasion and once again got totally hammered and ended up having a stupid argument with my brother. The fact is once I start drinking I never know when to stop and I really dislike myself the next day. It is so destructive. I've decided to give up totally again, and tell everyone around me so they won't try and encourage me to 'just have one'.

Weight:
I am currently 15.10, which means I am 7lbs heavier than I was this time last year. I am trying to lose a pound a week with the help of My Fitness Pal and I am trying to walk to work three times a week to ease myself back into exercise.

Finally, one of the reasons for my absence is that I haven't felt well for the past couple of months. I've had heart palpitations, chest pain and arm pain and it's been very worrying for me. I have had blood tests and an ecg which didn't come up with anything, and I am gradually coming round to the idea (which I initially fiercely opposed) that the pain is caused by anxiety and stress. My job has become ludicrously stressful over the past few months and I hadn't realised how bad it had become. I am hoping to find a new job over the next few months, likely by being redeployed elsewhere in the same organisation, so that's a commitment I need to make.

Now I've said all the heavy stuff I'm going to get on with catching up with all the other diaries. I imagine I'll be at the stage when I can comment again sometime in February.

I promise not all my posts will be this doom and gloom from now on! The positive things I am thankful for are that my mental health remains good, and I am very happy with where I live and DB. I just need to tweak some other life areas! xx

beanielou

Good to see you :wave:

Fudgefund

Thanks Beanie, I really appreciate the friendly wave.

*Robin*

Welcome back Fudgie :hello:

Have missed your wonderful humour..

please-let-me-be-lucky

Yay you are back!!

Tackle one thing at a time, bite sized chunks Xx

debtfreewannabe321

I missed your update! Glad to see you back

Definitely bite sized chunks as lucky says but I would tackle work first especially if it is causing your health to deteriorate. We're all here to cheer you on