My Busy Life

maddiemay

Hi, I have been reading your diary for a little while, sorry to hear about the guy who has been causing you problems, I don't have any advice to offer, but hope that when he sees that you "don't give a dam" he will go away!

The reason for my de-lurking to day is to say "thanks", I really admire the way you get on and have a rewarding and interesting life. I am 3 years retired, have a great life with OH and border collie, nice home, big garden which I love, but I have been struggling with pain in my ankles, had surgery on one which has improved things a little, but I cannot walk for very long without pain. I have always walked good distances, lived in or close to the countryside, walking holidays in Lakes, Yorkshire etc. and hate being house or car bound. During this time I have been getting weaker of course.

Well, to get to the point, you have inspired me to swallow an enormous frog, I already pay for physio, but have now signed up with a private trainer at a small private gym and am going for my first ever gym session tomorrow:eek: I went and looked a the "big" gym, but it was a terrifying place, with no sessions for females or "oldies", so chickened out of that:o Please wish me luck for tomorrow:)

vasseur

Good luck maddiemay - hope the exercise helps your ankle. It will boost your mood anyway so that can only be good.

Sidneysmum - sorry to hear about the nuisance man - just ignore him, he'll get bored eventually - you probably bruised his ego. I wonder how many other lone women he chats up at the swimming pool??

Pity we never get hassled by the ones we like. Although I guess that wouldn't be hassle then......

sidneysmum

maddiemay - Hi and thank you ever so much for posting. By now you will have been to the gym and i hope you are feeling great. I feel at my best after having done some exercise. Let us know how you are getting on. You sound you have a nice life (apart from the pain) and that's great to know. My very first dog i owned as a girl was a Border Collie and she was so so clever !!! Please keep in touch x

polesalot - Thank you for your support. I actually feel great after sharing things. I had got to a point that I was just at the end of my rope and I have made a few decisions. Firstly I wanted to "share" what was going on in my life to let off steam and also I have decided to get in touch with the police if this nonsense continues. Anyway I feel like a huge weight has been lifted by just making a couple of decisions. Anyway thanks for taking the trouble to drop by. I hope all is well in your world x

The last couple of day have been really nice. Yesterday I got up early as usual and took Sid to the park. I then decided to visit my aunt in the nursing home just after her breakfast time. I only stayed a little while but she has a very short concentration span. Next i did a little bit of Christmas shopping before heading off to the gym. I did my usual 60 minutes on the treadmill, had a short break then went to my early afternoon zumba class. The day just flew by, especially as my sons girlfriend turned up with the 2 children to spend the afternoon at my house. Once they had gone home I really only had time for a quick shower and a little read before bed time.

Today has been nice as well. I am really positive now I have made a couple of decisions. I went to the gym quite early for my usual 60 minutes on the treadmill. I had an hours break before my dance class so I whipped round the shops. I have been buying lots of small gifts for my sons and their partners (where appropriate) as I never seem to have stopped doing Christmas stockings. So loads of toblerones, shower gels, socks, diaries etc have been bought !! I also picked up a bit of leftover veg from my greengrocer. Filled the car up with petrol on my way home. After lunch I decided to go the the cinema and watch "Last chance". It was entertaining and a nice feel good film. As I was a bit early for the film I nipped into the Sainsburys next door and bought several little girls outfits for my grandaughter. All were in the sale and were half price. They are just beautiful and I got loads for £22.50.....and then i reduced the bill even further by using my nectar points !! Don't you just love a bargain ?
Anyway I am going to have a nice relaxing night - have a Google and get my feet up to have a read.
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day

maddiemay

:rotfl:sidneysmum and polesalot thank you for your kind comments and encouragement. The session went well, small private gym, one to one attention from the owner, I felt very comfortable with him and he did the induction stuff with me and proceeded to put me through my paces. It was tough going in parts, but he did not overwork me, but certainly got me working (and puffing). I'm not going near the treadmill at this stage, but had a spell on a recumbent type static bike and lots of stretching and strength building work using weights and mysterious looking equipment:rotfl: I really enjoyed it and felt great, though starving hungry!

I am sure that your family love the Christmas stockings, I did them for my late P's-I-L for their last few years they were a bit surprised at first, as they weren't the type of people to spoil themselves, but loved them. You should have seen my OH's face when I told him that he had to do one for me too, it was a picture, but he got into the swing of it in the end.

Apart from my gym fee and a loaf of bread (both planned and necessary) nothing else spent today. Just eaten a filling but fairly healthy supper and a tray of flapjack in the oven.

Thank you for making me so welcome and I would like to "drop in" now and then. :T

sidneysmum

maddiemay - Great to hear from you again....and so glad your gym induction went well. Rome wasn't built in a day, and i am sure you will get where you want to be. I just love going to the gym, not just because of the exercise but because the people who i meet there are so nice. We all rub along so well together. I just love the company. Anyway keep in touch x

I have had a nice couple of day. Yesterday saw me up quite early and i went back to Sainsburys and bought some more little girls clothes in the sale for my grandaughter. I then went to the gym for my usual 60 minutes on the treadmill. After taking Sid to the park for her usual run, I called to see my son and to drop off some of the clothes for my grandaughter. My son was taking her to Leeds to visit family overnight so I dropped off 2 new outfits for her to wear, The rest of the clothes are being saved towards her Christmas gifts. In the afternoon I went to the cinema to see "The counsellor" which was very good, but very naughty in parts !!!;) I decided to call at Asda to have a look at toys for my grandchildren. I bought a huge land rover and speedboat for my grandson - 2 items for £20 or £14 each, so i saved a few pounds. I need to get him extra as its his birthday on the 28th December. I managed to go to my usual Friday teatime zumba before collecting my grandson. We didn't do much last night as he was in bed by 7.30, so i just had a read.
Today has been very nice too. This morning we went to the cinema to see "Ice age 4" which my boy loved. After our lunch we went to a large store near my home which has the most wonderful Christmas shop. My grandson was mesmerized by all the lights and decorations. I didn't go there to buy anything, just to show him. He loved it. I have just got home from dropping my him off and I am going to use the rest of today doing a bit of catching up. The washers on and I am hoping to do a bit of cooking and hopefully wrap us some more Christmas presents. I just want them out of the way so I can be very leisurely in December.
Anyway I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

I had a vey pleasant day yesterday. I had a little lie in but was up at the gym for 8am. I had my usual 60 minutes on the treadmill. Once home I took Sid to the park. Did my usual Sunday British Gas payment and meter reading for my gas and electric. At lunch time my friend called for me and we went to the carvery for our lunch – she had carvery and I actually had cheese and onion pie which was lush ! All told I spent £8 for my food and a large diet pepsi. No bad. We then spent the rest of the day at my house drinking coffee and putting the world to rights.
As its half way through the month my thoughts have been straying to pay day. Apart from needing to do a bit of last minute Christmas spending and my usual bills, I am hoping to save quite a bit of money in December – Famous last words, hopefully nothing will crop up. I have decided not to spend much money on anything if I can and do a bit of using up. I still have loads of toiletries. The only thing I will need to buy is baby wipes which I use morning and night to clean my face. Food wise I have got quite a lot of stock, so hopefully I can just get away with the basics – bread, milk, fruit etc. Anyway that’s my plan!
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day:)

sidneysmum

Where did yesterday go to? It was over in a flash. I was up super early to go to work. I am so pleased that my new attitude and thoughts about work are actually working. I just feel so much more positive about the whole thing. Anyway I was done at work by early afternoon and went straight home and collected Sid from my neighbour. I then had to go our again as I had a tea time appointment at my local podiatry clinic. I went to get some replacement insoles for my shoes – I have to wear special insoles. By the time I got back home it was dark and miserable so I decided to get my pjs on and have some food then sit and read. This is what I love about living alone……I can just please myself!
Anyway I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day.

sidneysmum

The last couple of days have raced by and i have hardly had chance to get on the internet ! Tuesday was my second work day this week and it was fine. I know i would just love not to have to go to work but now i am applying the art of positive thinking, things are loads better !! When i got home I did a spot of cleaning and everything looks good again. Just after i had eaten my tea, my older son, girlfriend and little girl turned up and we had a lovely evening together. They didnt leave till quite late.
Yesterday was my first day off. I was up nice and early and took Sid to the park once it was light. I had decided not to visit my aunt in the nursing home in the morning as I have got a bad cold and my germs could wreak havoc in the home. So I went to the town and had a scour of the shops. I needed a birthday present for my sons girlfriend for Sunday so I bought a bottle of FCUK and a primark voucher for her. I am going to try and get her a nice birthday cake as I dont think she has ever had one before (She is from Poland). After my spot of shopping i went to the gym and did my 60 minutes on the treadmill followed by my zumba class. Next stop was breast screening. I have never had it done before so didn't know what to expect. Anyway Its a necessity these days. I just thought it was a little uncomfortable.
At tea time my work friend came to collect me and we went for a little get together with another couple. We had some lovely home cooked food (potato hash) followed by trifle. It was lovely and really nice to see my friends. Also i think I consumed the best part of a bottle of rose, which was very nice too. I didn't get back till late last night but still decided to get up early this morning as I have got a few things planned. I can always have an earlyish night tonight.
Anyway I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving couple of days

sidneysmum

I have had another very busy couple of days.............but i am now making the rest of the day as time for a rest and getting my feet up !
Thursday was spent pretty much doing as I normally do. Up early and to the town. I called in at Sainsburys and bought a huge quantity of my favourite coffee as it was on sale half price. Its the only coffee I really love so its a no brainer to stock up. I might even go and get some more this week if its still on offer. Went to the gym and did my usual 60 minutes on the treadmill. I had about an hours break to bomb round the shops. I went to my nice greengrocer and came away with a huge bag of cauliflower leaves for the piggies. Next was my dance class which was really good. I then went to my local discount bakery and bought a lovely birthday cake for my sons girlfriend (£2), 5 x M&S Swiss rolls at £1, 2 large lemon mousse £1 and a large bag of chocolate £1.50. I will keep some of them for myself and give the rest away. After my lunch etc I went to the cinema to see Dom Hemingway which starred Jude Law. It was so so. When I returned home a man was stood on my doorstep. He was from the TV licensing. He wanted to check I hadn't got a TV. I didn't really want to show him the house but decided it was probably be the best idea. He said he would be calling back in 12 months to check again. I told him not to bother !! I said i would notify the authorities myself if I get another TV and i dont need someone checking up on me.
Yesterday was another nice day. I took Sid to the park quite early then got ready for going out with my friend for coffee (my grandsons other grandma). We are starting to become really nice friend which pleases me so much. At tea time i went to my usual Friday zumba class which was great fun. On the way home I called and collected my grandchildren so they could stay for the night. We had the extra company of my older son, his girlfriend and little girl. The birthday cake was produce, candles were lit and we all sang. It was nice, especially for the children.
I didn't get my usual quota of sleep last night as I had to feed Sienna twice in the night and Sid thinks she is a great help at bottle feeding.....Not ! We were all up pretty early this morning and i dropped my grandaughter off at her home so i could take my grandson to the swimming baths. We had some great fun. This afternoon we have just played with his toys and with the guinea pigs. We both felt a bit tired so didn't bother going out again. I have just dropped the little fella off at home now so the rest of the day is mine. I decided to submit my gas and electric readings today instead of tomorrow so that's a job done.
Now we are approaching the end of the year, I have started to think of a couple of New Years resolutions. Last year I was determined to get rid of 2/3 stone which I have done and have managed to keep the weight off (despite the discount bakery!!). My weight is around the 9 stone mark and as I am about 5ft 5 ins, I am happy now with myself. So, next year I have thought of a couple of things.....I would like to become a better cook at making savoury things, pies, casseroles etc. Also I want to get cracking with overpaying my mortgage again. I have not been wasting my money this last few months. I have put my extra cash in savings, but what I plan to do is to start to overpay my mortgage by £10 per day. By making a payment every day I will keep myself focused. I also intend to save maybe a couple of hundred pounds a month as well towards my big bills and an emergency fund if i can. Regarding the over payments, I am not intending to wait till the New Year - I have decided to start as soon as some wages go in my account which will hopefully be on Monday. Anyway that's enough of my ramblings. I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day.

sidneysmum

Had a bit of a change yesterday and gave the gym a miss. I decided to get on with doing some work in my garden as the weather was dry and fine. I have several trees and many shrubs in my garden.......so out came my garden vac and i got rid of tons of leaves. I also did loads of cutting back of the shrubs. Let just say I filled 3 wheelie bins. Luckily they will be emptied on Thursday. Took Sid a quick run round the park then did a few little jobs in the house. I actually repaired my extension lead which had a burnt out plug on the end of it. I felt really pleased that i had tackled something new. Last night was spent with family tree work which i really enjoyed. I have been reading a book by Jack Canfield called "The success principles". How to get from where you are to where you want to be. Its all about setting goals and attaining them. Reading this book has reinforced to me that i have a really good life and that since becoming single i have filled my life with things that make me happy and fullfilled. I have now set myself several goals - pay off my mortgage and retire from work as soon as i can afford to do so. Obviously these things are not going to happen overnight, but i have decided to get on with overpaying my mortgage again. I have had a few months break for a couple of reasons - Firstly I wanted to help my son repay a career development loan which he had to take out as a mature student. We have now paid this off in full between the pair of us. Secondly I wanted to get a bit of an emergency fund going and i have now got savings in the bank. The plan now is to decide what money i can save each month. Half of this amount will go into my savings for future bills and God knows whatever else. The rest is to be paid off my mortgage. I am hoping to pay £10 a day extra off my mortgage to start with. By making a daily payment I am hoping to keep my eye on the ball and to make a proper commitment to paying it off asap. So this morning I paid my first £10 towards operation mortgage reduction. I know its only £10, but my son and myself managed to get rid of his career development loan of 8k by operating this principle.
Today has been a bit of a strange one. I checked my bank first thing and made my extra mortgage payment. I also logged into my Ebay Paypal account and requested £150 from sales i have made. As soon as this hits my current account i intend to pay it off the mortgage as well. I went to the gym quite early and went to the post office to post a parcel from yesterdays ebay sale. Sid got a quick run round the park then my friend took me to the hospital for my scheduled lunchtime day surgery on my shoulder. I didn't have to wait long and was allowed to go home not long after the surgery. I am feeling OK but intend to spend the rest of the day resting on the sofa. I am used to having this procedure on my shoulder as i have it done about 4 times a year. I pretty much know what to expect.
Anyway I am back to the sofa now to read some more of my goal setting book ! I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day :)