Building The Burrow!

Pearla*Merle

I've got me worried too. :rotfl: But job satisfaction would be through the roof as it's pretty much a dream role! And considering pay, can't imagine anything too madly high pressurised, think it's just me imagining things(!). And there might be a chance for me to do it part time...! (I totally forgot to mention all this, didn't I? Lol). Pros/cons sheet is being written up forthwith though

Lol, yes on the envelopes: Christmas cards and lots of letters from Nationwidthways letting me know they've finally closed old savings accounts and transferred remaining monies to my main account (Am now 17p richer! So to speak...)

Am up silly early to go into Londinium this morning. Oh gawd, Saturday before Christmas, wish me luck! AM NOT going near any shops though.... But have to brave Leicester Square and possibly breeze past Oxford Street at some point ahhhh.

apple_muncher

Ooph, Lunnon. Good luck...

We are off to a shop in a shopping centre for 9, then to church for dd to practice her Nativity for 10, then elsewhere (about 5 miles away) for 11 for a party. Whereupon dh and I hop to meet up for a coffee in another place...

Pearla*Merle

Crikey - you can tell its holiday season, Apple Hope you managed to complete your whirlwind tour with ease

I survived London... just! Will chatter about it soon I daresay, but had to quickly stop by to say Happy Diary Anniversary to meeee! Two years! :T Despite many odd stints of awolness I've managed to keep it going, quite impressed with myself tbh. :rotfl:

Pearla*Merle

Whoops, bit of a busy few days. Knackered myself out thinking about this blinking job and whether I really want to ever return to doing that kind of work.

Had the interview and long story short - they want waaaaay too much for the money they're offering. A management position that has extra responsibility and requires creativity and innovation yet they're paying what would work out as only a a hundred or so extra for me a month (it basically works out at roughly minimum wage! It's even under a basic living wage). A dream role yes, but now I realise that dream is no longer relevant for me. And with my financial hat on, it really is not worth the sacrifices I'd have to make to do it and I think I'd just end up feeling resentful so ultimately that is that.

The one thing I know for certain now is that I definitely don't want to go back to the kind of work I did before. If things were desperate then I've no problem doing it but things aren't desperate so why put myself through nonsense that my heart isn't really in and stresses me out? I only just got myself back to feeling more like myself again.

I'm going to stick to Plan A - take time out now to really get my health much better and have a proper, calm think about what I really want to pursue (if anything) as an employee/or think about going back into education. Or does a combination of part time work and self employed stuff work much better for me? I'll probably still look for different part time job, but definitely a three days a week one.

In HAPPY news, I did some self-employed bits (had a bit of a 'oh heck, am I even very good at this' moment during job-questioning malarky) and actually, yes - I am and can be, but I need to put adequate time into it. Time to walk the talk etc. Have been reading Women Who Run With Wolves again - it's a recipe for instant courage and reigniting belief in yourself, thank goodness I have it on my bookshelf.

Feeling quite zapped now though, so self-medicating with Christmas films and slowly pottering around the house trying to make it look more presentable (became a bombsight again, oops). Once I've had a few days rest I'm going to blast on with self-employed bits and REALLY get that going next year.

Off out in a bit to meet Mr M and pick up some random foodstuffs for Christmas. Found some wintry/spicy biscuits in a Swedish shop over the weekend which have virtually any fat in them, so pleased to have some yummy treats for me (really having to be careful this year, woe. SO hard not to eat chocolate to cheer myself up, but maybe this will finally break me of the habit?! One can only hope!).

Oh dear, must run, Mr M is going to arrive back sooner than anticipated.... to be continued!

Pearla*Merle

Bits and bobs from M&S bought. Just granny trolly's worth of Christmas cheats, some fancy fruit & veg, and some meat for meals this week (which shall be streeeetched. Since it's only us this year and with me being careful with foodstuffs we've gone for ultra lazy as the cost won't be astronomical (only bought the exact amount of sprouts for me - 22p! :rotfl: Splashed out on some caramelised apple hamhock to mix in with them, already got chestnuts here. That's my super xmas day treat ).

Heck, been interrupted again, back anon...

Pearla*Merle

As I was saying - got some YS sourdough, so that'll be a nice lunch for me over the next couple of days.

Pondering our food purchases and then flicking through Nigella's Christmas cookbook, I've realised I've got lots of bits in the cupboards that I can fashion into something or other so I think the next few days will see me baking tasty things.

Also made some mulled apple juice tonight, yummy! Next year is going to be all about making much better use of what's in the cupboards, methinks.

:www: MFW Wonderment: £1.90 into the Kitty Bank :T Mr M donated all his change. Was very restrained with food shopping, tbh.

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: every time I put on the tree lights, my mini star lights and light the candle... super cosy! Can't wait to properly hibernate here over the next few days.

:heartsmil Burrow Building: I've done lots of plotting over the past few weeks re: finances, budgets, how much time I have to actually do things (aka what should be gotten rid of - in the house, activities, even behaviours - as it's wasting my time etc) and ways to make the house more homely A few epic posts re: plans may pop up over the next week or so

apple_muncher

I love your epic posts - always an inspiration!

Pearla*Merle

:rotfl: Oh apple, I burst out laughing when I read that - I really can't stop myself waffling on, especially if I've not been able to post for a few days. It all builds up. :rotfl:

I was feeling a bit down about putting myself through another 'should I/shouldn't I' crisis re: a job after only doing it to myself a few months ago but actually, I've now managed to eliminate (at least for the foreseeable future) two very different jobs that I know I need a break from.

As nice as a little bit of extra cash is, I need to look at things holistically and I'd rather be more frugal than put my health/sanity and risk again! And I've got to say, if it hadn't been for MSE, I would never have been doing salary calculations (and thinking of additional costs of travel/clothes for work etc) and realised that actually it wasn't a good deal! Thank you :money:!

Pearla*Merle

So, I'm starting to feel a lot more myself again today. Went out for a wander near the river (soul-rejuvenating on such a beautiful day) and realised I absolutely must incorporate more nature/soul time into my days. I'm sure I've said that before, but I must make a more concerted effort next year.

Shall search out my trousers/walking boots etc and put them in an easily accessible place so I can just grab and go, the earlier in the morning the better.

Also want to try and get out on my bike more (shall take flask, munchies and sketchpad with me!). Think I'm going to dedicate a day a week to Adventure and make myself get out and about (as cheaply/for free as possible).

Got Indiana Jones on now, with festive incense burning - so lovely. Just remembered I'd planned to stud an orange (or in this instance, a clementine as that's all I have) with cloves for Yuletide. Will get that on the go and then be back with some listmania!

Pearla*Merle

I wrote the below ages ago, got sidetracked with hospital things so lets see where I'm at before I write a new one...

• Self-employed work - sketch/draft/prep things to be completed by year end.
• Get hair cut (ignore fact it'll take half a day and significant sum of money to do so).
• Plant chilli seeds.
• Buy another plant pot (or two) for spring bulbs.
• Clean up balcony.
• Make most of online course and make time to engage in the conversation!
• Clean innards of washing machine more thoroughly.
• Buy meal worms/seeds for making fat balls for the birdies.
• Plan out some batch cooking sessions.
• Switch house insurance.
• [STRIKE]Use train loyalty points before they expire.[/STRIKE] [too late, oops]
• Post everything what needs posting! [work in progress!]
• Meter readings, must get back into habit.
• Major clear out of inbox and unsubscribe session.
• Get to grips with spreadsheet of pressies/ideas for Mr M's xmas/bday.
• Apply for Wimbledon tickets next year.
• [STRIKE]Try and get to ATP Tour Finals? Possible xmas pressie pour moi idea.[/STRIKE] [would never have made it anyway!]
• Book Cornwallian dreamsome holiday cottage?
• Investigate other off-season trips (currently randomly fancy Bath, Norwich, Canterbury and Hastings - so much to explore down here). [not booked but good idea of prices now]
• Buy art fund pass (birthday gift) - but plan when so can make most of it.
• Give myself a pedicure, it's been on my list for several months lol, oops.
• Ponder what to get for parents next year (both have big birthdays).
• [STRIKE]Handmade xmas pressies - do some knitting and making.[/STRIKE] [too late - at least I've got a year to plan now :rotfl:)
• Actually get out to knitting group which has been on my radar for a year?
• As above, but with writing group.
• Join library, even though I still have loads to read here.
• Autumn boat trips nearby - research and book?
• [STRIKE]Reread Jane Austen's Letters.[/STRIKE] [too many books to get through here first!]