Life begins again at 45

Sun_Addict

Thought you had only just got around to Sunday's washing up - then saw the date You do better than you think.

Bubblesmum

Sun_Addict wrote: »

Thought you had only just got around to Sunday's washing up - then saw the date You do better than you think.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:, and thats the stuff that doesn't go in the dishwasher

Thank you, I do appreciate those kind words that remind me that I am doing Ok.

Bubblesmum

Lent:

I am trying to do two things for Lent, firstly I have given up bread, we have a bread maker and so either white bread (my favourite ) and wholemeal bread is often on tap. I also love crusty rolls, pure comfort food.

Secondly doing the opposite #40Acts of generosity. You get an email everyday. Todays is about listening.

It is my cleaners day, and I think I have mentioned before she has had great tragedy in her life at the moment. Well today I was given three opportunities to listen to her, and I hope bring comfort. On the third occasion I suddenly realised I was multitasking with my phone, I put it to onesie and really concentrated on her. So often we multi task don't we and not give our full attention to people.

I did have a busy day:

In the morning:

I made it to the bank with the box office takings :T
I made it to the post office and sent a memory scarf to a friend :T
I made it to the charity shop with bags :T
I made it to the dry cleaners to pick up the duvet :T
I made it to the supermarket bought crusty rolls for OH and did not eat them :T:T:rotfl:
I made it to the local sports shop and bought new pilates trousers - well running trousers and they were selling them off :T:T

In the afternoon

I picked up Mr Borrow My Doggy and had a small walk as still have scooter problems...

In the evening - flopped in front of the TV with the cat on my lap, we had a meat free dinner, very yummy and low cost broccoli/cauliflower bake from a Slimm3rs W@rld. We started watching Broadchurch - back to the form of the first series.

Bubblesmum

After being out and about yesterday, I needed a quiet day at home... it was a mixture of a few chores, lots of admin and reading... I was at that point in the book where I just wanted to finish.

I am fortunate I can grab a few minutes and read a few pages, and then get on with things.

I did to OH's amusement finish my book - The Virgin' Lover by Phillipa Gregory, its gone in the charity bag.

I did get to rehearsals and sorted props out, including going up rummaging in the loft space!

I am still on a run with no personal cash spending :T:T ( PS this is not DD spending see below_

*Robin*

Hi Bubbles, :hello:

Just caught up with the last two pages of your diary.. Want to say thanks for writing; you are an inspiration to all of us warriors! :T

Sun_Addict

Pleased to read you're getting loads done and sounding more upbeat

Bubblesmum

Thank you friends for your kind words ... they are much appreciated.

Bubblesmum

Finally braved the financial spreadsheets

Direct Debit spending in the last few weeks as follows:

Charity

Church ( monthly) £20
JST (100 club) (monthly) £5
Friends of the Church (annual) £10

Mobile - (monthly) - £13.37 - I renegotiate the contract and halved it :money:

Social Media

Hootsuite ( monthly) £11.99
750 Words (monthly) 4,16
Apple Storage (monthly) £0.79
Ancestry (monthly) £13.99

I need to think and pray about this, if I am serious about reducing my debt.

My "pocket money" goes towards:

Clothes and Shoes
Meals out with my friends when I am not with OH
Coffees on my own or not with OH
Books & magazines
Make up & perfume
Craft items or actual craft courses
Presents for OH
Mobile
Charity donations that are specific to me ( i.e. church) as my OH is not a christian
Music i.e. iTunes
Other social outings that I do Chez moi
Stationery

PS - since the new year, I have not bought anything that relates to books, magazines, make up, perfume, craft items and courses, clothes, music or social outings chez moi. unless previously planned.

Previously planned - known before New Year and committed
Sophie's book at book launch
Pilates trousers

Oops spending
Stationery - bought as a prop and not required

PPS

On my monthly trip to London to the Osteopath I try to do one "lovely" thing for me that is something to look forward to after painful treatment. I try to keep it as low cost as possible. Using my National Portrait Gallery Card and now my Picture House card. Often I have freebies on them, but sometimes I will in this year of fasting decide to do something that means £

Bubblesmum

Finally I braved the financial budget spreadsheets, and I have already posted my reflections on my personal spending :(. Food for thought that still has not been resolved.

Weekly sports massage, which was telling about how much tension I am carrying about not working as it was very painful.

I was looking forward to a meeting I had arranged to discuss a different volunteering role. OH had lent me the car so I could take my wheelchair with me.

So I arrive, note I had told them I was a wheelchair user to find their offices completely unaccessible! I had used a lot of energy to get my wheelchair out, to go a couple of hundred yards to then abandon it, and go up steps.

To say I had an interesting hours discussion, was an understatement, instead of walking away excited about the opportunities that were there. I went away feeling that I had to convince one person in particular that I would not be a risk, being in the said environment in my wheelchair. I was sad that instead of my skills and experience being the focus on how I could be an asset to the organisation it was how we managed other peoples expectations and risk assessments related to the fact my legs are my wheels . At the time I wanted to follow this through and show that disability doesn't matter. However, as the days go by I feel I don't want that journey, the battle for acceptance because of my disability. I just want to be me.

Got home shattered, physically as the aftermath from the massage and emotionally from this experience. OH was going out and so couldn't give me a life. I felt unsafe to drive and ducked out of amateur dramatics.

Bubblesmum

I was dreading today, as we had decided to attend the memorial service of the family who died in the house fire a few weeks ago.

It was also my day yo have Mr BMD, new I couldn't drive, asked owner if she could drop off, she couldn't so it was a relief in away that I could have a quiet morning in front of my laptop.

At lunch time we drove to this old English church in the heart of the village, this was a surprise, as the family was catholic we thought it would be an RC church. Then I realised this memorial service was arranged by the families employers, and this was their church. It was perhaps fitting as the village who had got to know this young family in 4 years packed the church out. It was a harrowing service, a with tributes to all three people woven through with traditional english hymns, chosen to reflect the people being remembered. There was a lot to learn about this young family how have come from Portugal and Chile they strove to make a better life for themselves including the value of education. I had so much admiration for the class teacher who eloquently spoke about her young pupil and how much at old aged 6 his footprints had been left behind.

We didn't go on to the pub afterwards but sort solace with a friend on the way home. To talk about normal things, in his local, amongst people and where we could give thanks for our lives.

We didn't feel like going out to eat, with vouchers as planned, so ended up in the supermarket to get shepherds pie and a bottle of vino.