Taking control

takingcontrolatlast

Thanks for the tip Parsnip

Health

The sleep pattern has improved dramatically and I do think it is a combination of the yoga and the fact that the cat is kept downstairs (felt really guilty especially when she was was scratching the door to come upstairs) - but it had to be done and she has settled down now. On average I got between 6-8 hours sleep most nights.

My healthy diet is improving which is my aim - I've bought more advocardo Parsnip :rotfl:

I've still not had red meat and for the past week I've also eliminated crisps.

My recent introduction has been almond milk - now I've only used it with porridge (too scared to put it in my tea) - I put a layer of porridge oats in a pot, poured on the almond milk, topped with a layer of fruit (I used cherries from reduced section) then layered the oats again, more almond milk and topped with the cherries) - put it in the fridge overnight - and took to work for breakfast. ..... The first time I ate it - it tasted bland (maybe needed honey) but it did get me through to lunch time. The 2nd time I made it I used strawberries (from the reduced section) and it was sweeter. I'm definately keeping this up!

Finance

The electrician came in significantly cheaper at £50 - phew!

OH has moved his cc to a 0% interest one which makes the guilt of putting on the card easier. The financial present off MIL is still not spent.. she wants us to go for a meal with it.. (we were going to use it for the electrician initially) it is OH birthday next week so whether we use it for then or not .... I've leave it for OH to decide but I prefer to save it for below...

I've had a few NSDs and saved £10 off my shopping bill which I am putting away towards a holiday for the silver wedding anniversary and my 50th! - Its the first time we have holidayed together in 16 years and by that I mean my OH and myself!.... crikey what have I done :rotfl:

I want to save the financial present for the holiday... technically speaking we can have a meal on holiday :rotfl:

The first week of the NY over.... it's going good !

takingcontrolatlast

I can't believe half way nearly through January ... it is going so quick!

Another challenge... DH cleaned the oven and broke the hinges on the doors (snapped - and it cant be repaired... need a new oven now but I think it still works ... not tried it yet without the glass door - there is something that closes which I assume will keep the heat in but looks ugly which is no good for when we put house on market this year! Yet again I wish I had an emergency fund! Oh and the boiler/tank that we have just had installed is leaking.. but hopefully no cost for repair!

Health

Sleep is improving though I still wake up sometimes in the night but at least I'm going back to sleep pretty quick.. dreaming a lot for some reason! I had one really bad night when yes... the cat slept in my room and woke up at 5am for feed/play .... I just cant pick her up off the bed before I go to sleep as she'll bite and scratch and I'm just not brave enough! Plus she is sooooo cute

DH made spag bol with mince.. I didn't have the heart so say I didn't want any as I'm not eating red meat so ate a little bit...I really didn't want it or enjoyed it but these things happen. On the whole this week I've been pretty bad with the nibbles that are still left from xmas and I succumbed to crisps.. I'm annoyed at myself but I do luv them

I can feel the weight creeping up a little and will aim to make more effort next week. I'm still incorporating healthy foods though .. I've not stopped with this goal. I'm still eating advocardo and oats with almond milk and I'm enjoying humous as my new introduction this week - the chilli/jalopeno is my favourite atm.

Not mastered exercise yet still and night time yoga is not every night as I seem to be falling asleep quite easily.

Finance

It's DH birthday so we are using the present of MIL after all to go out on a family meal - this was why she gave us the money and she is insistent that's what we do. I purchased a pc on a benefits scheme in work last year and I've received email about a tax bill that will be deducted fm salary- okay.. but how much?? Plus Pay & Staff have made an error with the deductions and I have to pay back around £90 (they are deducting over 2 months) and I have a query of £45 on another month which I think they owe me ... it just wasnt worth all the hassle and I'm not using the scheme again - it just seemed a good option at the time! :mad:

I'm getting told to go in the bath first (yes hot water for me)!! so i'm off to get ready for family night out ... woo hoo :j

parsniphead

It is hard with the nibbles left from christmas. Have you tried myfitnesspal. I find when I use the food tracker I more in control. Plus there are challenges you can join in. I'm on 'Lose 20lbs by april'. Lost 0 so far though.

Enjoy your night out.

takingcontrolatlast

Haha you do make me laugh - "lose 20lbs by April - none lost so far" - i'm sure you will

No I've not tried it Parsnip... I dont want to take on too many challenges as I dont stick to them :rotfl:

My head is just not "in it" for exercise atm - I should finish my Level 3 course end of January so that will free up some time for me to be more focused on exercise - that's my aim anyway :rotfl:

Thanks Parsnip - I'm really looking forward to the night out - DD1 is driving so I'll need a drink before I go to get in the car with her

takingcontrolatlast

Well the family/birthday meal out didnt start off too well.... due to DD1's driving! I promise I wasnt back seat driving but she did need a few reminders! Obviously she didn't take the critic well (nor that off her sister) and bickered for over 1 hour even in the restaurant!

After that though,the evening went well - the restaurant gave DH a cake and we all sang "happy birthday" and he was chuffed! He normally doesnt like fuss but maybe the drinks relaxed him!

I've got the food shop to do today which I need motivation for and the general housework etc.

I sorted out my wardrobe at the beginning of the year and i'm ironing all my clothes straight away after washing which is great as they are ready for me through the week. It does actually feel like one less job to do through the week after work. I dont have many clothes to be fair so the ironing isnt too long. The rest of the family do their own - I have offered but they prefer to do their own :j... does that mean I'm rubbish at ironing?? the plan worked :rotfl:

I'm looking for a new project for knitting to use up some left over wool and I'm thinking of a fluffy bolero for a toddler -not made one before but I have a collection of really old knitting patters from back in the day when they cost 3 shillings or something like that ! and there is a pattern there I fancy. Oh and there was also a pattern of a toddler's jumper that tells the story of cinderella... too much of a project atm but its so cute and the pattern is so old. but one day I would like to tackle it.

I need to move myself x

boxofpaws

Subscribed! Sounds like we have similar goals. Good luck.


Boxofpaws

takingcontrolatlast

Hello Boxofpaws :hello:

I've returned the compliment and subscribed to your new diary - hope we can inspire each other

It's been a funny day today - I managed to save £9 off the shopping bill but I put the extra pound to it and put £10 away towards the summer celebrations. I think with a bit of savvy shopping I would like to make this a weekly thing - obviously I wouldn't achieve £10 every week but every penny saved helps. Basically I've been buying yellow sticker things like fruit/veg/pizza that I can freeze and other bits and pieces. Plus I'm buying items on offer and I used a voucher I had. I'm sure I can do better but its just having the time to "properly" plan.

I didn't get as much housework done as I wanted - felt quite tired tbh.

I tried to use the oven - I was popping in baked potatoes but after DH cleaning it on Friday - I could smell fumes - he said he had burned them off - but I wasn't happy. He'd cleaned the oven that well the numbers have disappeared !

We are going to bite the bullet and get a new oven. So when payday arrives I'll be contributing to the boiler/electrician/oven - that's 3 !! No-more emergencies ... PLEASE :eek: February is going to be a tough month!

I'll have to ask about overtime tomorrow in work

Signing off x

parsniphead

Bad news on the oven Takingcontrol. fingers crossed it's the last thing.

I saw on boxofpaws thread that you had applied for a 0% card but was offered one with your current card provider. I had the same thing happen but when I tried other comparison sites and the card checker on this site I got different offers. It may be worth a try if you have five minutes.

Yesterday was a funny day. I didn't do any housework at all apart from cooking. I blame the weather and wanting to hibernate.

Have a good day.

takingcontrolatlast

Hi Parsnip,

I cant cope with any more emergencies so I'm crossing toes as well there's no more :rotfl:

Yes I did take your advice from an earlier chat about 0% cards and like I said it was with a creditor Ive already defaulted with and owe too

I will keep having a look - DH had more success than me ... good job with the emergencies we have just had!

Well you have been busy so a day off is allowed

I've been offered overtime which yes I'm made up about but on the other hand I'm dreading going in on a Saturday - but its only temporary - it's just a busy month with finishing off my coursework etc etc... still I'm grateful for the opportunity as it well help financially.

I believe today is blue monday - it was for me - I just couldnt get going my mind was everywhere ..but where it should have been it wasnt! Does that even make sense ... I was up since 6.15am must have needed more sleep!

Tomorrow is another day ... thank goodness but tonight I'm watching telly and hopefully early night x

boxofpaws

Hi takingcontrol,

Have you tried the mse credit club? It does a soft credit search on you and tells you the likelihood of being accepted for certain cards before applying.

Boxofpaws