This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

Watty1

LadyWithAPlan said:

I

I can’t date people who are not social as I am such a social person - I don’t want my wings pinned down Some people really do want to constrain their partner, it can border on an kind of control.. 

I think it happened slowly. Almost so I didn't notice.   When we met I had a job that was social so  I went out but as I changed jobs then that changed.  Still he had friends and went out and so did I. I invited him with mine, he became part of the 'gang' but times changed, friends moved away, the friendship group broke up, a friend died and then one day I was just sort of on my own.

I don't know if it was control or just he lacked social skills and I gave up.  Then I took up running, my world got a little bigger, I left him and it got bigger still.    What was interesting was that away from me he too became social so I wonder if it was control or something else.    I will never know. 

What I do know is I am free to enjoy what remains of my life and it can be whatever I make it.

Suffolk_lass

Muck Boots
For me, with sturdy calves, I find the neoprene quite tight round the legs and too hot to wear in summer. I have one foot larger than the other and buy for the bigger foot and wear a second sock in my left boot (the smaller foot) if the shoe or boot feels loose, and that works. My size difference is a good full size - so my smaller foot manages with the extra sock. I also put thermal insoles in when I first got them but that was too much for me. I thought my foot would explode, it was so hot after about four miles. I found the neoprene sort of grips you tighter, the longer you wear it, but it is definitely waterproof and warm.

I'm supposed to wear an insole because of a torn plantar ligament, but as it's my smaller foot I don't think that helps you, except that it was easy to put it in the boot, under the insole.

On their FAQ it recommends men go up half a size if they are a half size, and women go down half a size (unless they are safety boots, always up a full size) or unisex (down a full size for women). 

kelpie67

Muck boots
I am a size 5 and have size 5 muck boots (derwent which is a unisex boot) there is room for thick socks. I think a size smaller would be too tight though.

Watty1

Thanks for the Muck Boots feedback. I will get those ordered.
Have also ordered two boxes to store the Christmas decorations as the random boxes felt stressful.  I'm not really sure what will happen house wise over the next few years but I have a lot of Christmas stuff so am going to store properly until I really need to declutter that.
Absolutely no projects or decluttering or even doing that much has worked really well as I coast into Christmas.  Struggling to keep up with work which is always an issue at this time of year as people struggle to clear their own desks but a few early starts and late nights have kept on top of that.

Final Christmas gifts arrived yesterday two tins of vegan truffles as small "thank you" gifts.  I didn't support the local shops so much this year feeling stressed by life but I'm ok with that as I felt I needed just to be kind to me.   

Today is about clearing desk and cleaning the office, and, most importantly, sorting some papers for tax return to answer queries from accountant.

Watty1

Just invested 34 dollars in a website blocker tool.   I've realised I spend too much time scrolling mindlessly.  Next year I want to be really productive and achieve my goal list so that was a worthwhile investment. It has taken me half an hour to figure out how to use it but what a great idea

LadyWithAPlan

which web blocker ? Let me know if it works as I may well have a look at one next year 

Watty1

LadyWithAPlan said:

which web blocker ? Let me know if it works as I may well have a look at one next year 

I'm using blocksite.  I've totally blocked some sites from my work computer and blocked some apps on my phone.  One purchase and it can be used on more than one machine so that seemed a win.   It offered a free trial for 5 sites and I tried that a few years ago but just stopping 5 site was not really enough so I went for the paid version.  Top tip if you do decide to try it, dither on the website for a while and a pop up appears with a discount 

When I go to a site or app that its blocked the screen changes to different pictures with a message like "nice try, you put xx in your blocked sites. Its probably there for a reason" and i found last night when i clicked on an app that was blocked whilst I know I can unblock it is enough to make me think before mindlessly losing time playing games or whatever.   (It also has a function which allows certain sites and certain times).

Yesterday I found it did help me be more productive and actually do some things that I had been avoiding.

Watty1

Although I'm coasting into the end of the year I'm also starting to look at really getting my "ducks in a row" for 2024.    My goals are to rebuild my savings so I can afford to retire and to find out if planning will allow me to convert the barn.  

So as part of that yesterday I challenged EE over the rise in my mobile bill from £3.75 to £16.  I couldn't get it back down to £3.75 which was really cheap but I did get it down to £8 and I'm happy with that and then this morning I reviewed my credit card.   The reality is I am carrying credit card debt sufficient to put me on the debt free diaries site rather than over here so a priority has to be clearing that debt and also being sure I can pay my January tax liabilities.

I got into this muddle by moving money around to pay all my various closing bills and am just happy that lot is done with by the end of the year.  Now to sort credit card and taxes.  They need to be my priority.    I knew the CC was rising rapidly and it is good to have a real picture of it..

MatyMoo

Watty1 said:

Dear Muck Boot fans
Do Muck Boots run true to size?  My shoe size is a 2

I’m a 3 Watty but prefer my Muck Boots in a size 4. They both fit but my toes feel more comfortable a size up!

debtfreeoneday

I agree with comments about community / social etc. we’ve not long moved and are making a bigger effort than I guess we would usually to integrate ourselves. Not for everyone I know, but it’s just nice to have people to stop and chat with or those who take an interest in your life. I’m a big believer in you get back what you put out. So even though it’s outside my comfort zone at times I’m really trying.