Dancing in the Rain

in_need_of_direction

So,you will have a down payment on a new pair of boots when the refund comes through. What joy. I bought a pair recently in the sale and still have only managed to try one on cos of the need for my other leg to be fully recovered post surgery. I don't care though. They are staying as I am totally in love with them. It must be the first time in at least 20 years that I got boots that fit my calf. And they are purple suede. I'm in love. Well done you though for being sensible.

MuffinTops

Hello DIA,
I'm sorry I've been a bit irregular on here but WOW. You're mortgage free now with just the secured debt to sort. I'm sorry the bank's incompetence took the shine off initially but hopefully you're now feeling the euphoria of your achievement?

Well done for booking the plumber too. I realise that's a bit of a big deal for you so another great achievement.

You've really got this. Your diary is an inspiration for so many. Congratulations.

MTxx

doingitanyway

INOD. Your boots sound ab fab. I can just see you admiring one leg with the other out of action.:)

MT. Thank you for the positive comments.

As regards the plumber you are so right. Feeling scared and overwhelmed with the desire to cancel him. The house is so shabby I keep telling myself, but that’s illogical. He doesn’t know me. Who cares what he thinks? All that should matter is the job getting done. The house isn’t going to get less shabby unless I allow workmen to do the work. I finally have the money to do it, so I should. This is such a silly, limiting fear. I MUST GET OVER THIS.

You seem to have success with workmen lately. I hope to follow your lead. Thanks for understanding.

TODAY I got my annual leave day back and rebooked a day in a fortnight’s time to work on my creative project. Thanks to Rosa for alerting me to this.:)

I returned my B0den boots. They have a Hermez collection point in Sainsbury’s so I took the parcel there before work and dropped it off at 7.20, then straight on to work.

I took a salad in to work made with quinoa, peppers, olives, walnuts, lettuce, seeds, boiled egg, feta, avocado and red beans. Cue lots of admiring comments from complete strangers.

Someone left today and there was lots of chocolate on our treats table. I took in fruit today in a bid to not buy chocolate and I didn’t but I ate a ton of the stuff

Tomorrow I will be speaking to my manager and asking for an extra day WFH. It will take time to get an answer so the sooner I ask the sooner I’ll know

Today went well. I was up at 5.30 and left at 7.00 so I’m tired now

Have a lovely evening
DIA x

MuffinTops

Happy free chocolate day!!!! So envious!

Also, well done in your lunch idea and comments and also for sorting out the boots return.

I still stress having workmen here but I can honestly say neither of these 2 workmen have looked like they even remotely judged my shabby place. It gives them work so I guess they'd be silly to judge? Also, I think the fact you're getting things done means that people see the more positive side if things?

We'll get there! My fear is definitely easing through these better experiences.

MTxx

milasavesmoney

Half the time I'm still in my gown and house coat when the plumber arrives. I don't give a flying flip what he thinks and he has never acted like he gave one either. I think most workmen notice a filthy house but don't care about the actual condition of it as long as it's not dirty. That's what they tell me anyway.

doingitanyway

Thanks MT but I’m aiming for chocolate free days and not free chocolate days. Re, the tradesmen your comments really helped keep me strong this time. Thank you.:)

Milasaves I hope to get your not ‘giving a flying flip’ stage one day…:)

I can’t report a success but I feel proud of myself today.

I called a plumber to quote for a job. I didn’t cancel him at the last minute. I stayed with the uncomfortable feeling and in the end it went away. The plumber came early this morning. Early is good for me. I have less time to get worked up. He quoted for the job at 7am and then I went off to work. (I’m starting to like early mornings for getting things done.)

I need to get another few quotes as this quote seemed expensive. I was tempted to let him do it anyway but I need someone who quotes fairly as it might be the same plumber who fits my bathroom and overpricing on that will cost so much more. Also, I’ve waited this long so a another week won’t matter.

I have decided to set up a spreadsheet for tradesmen so I have a record of the ones I’ve phoned, rejected, used, etc…

I phoned and left messages with a few other plumbers so I am taking all the right steps for success in this area.

I have decided to combine my weekly shopping and weekly spending money. I was keeping them separate in separate purses but I looked and felt like a crazy woman with all the dividing up.

A little more space in the budget and my spending is reverting to former patterns as today I found myself in the supermarket whilst tired after work purchasing wine and crisps. NOT AGAIN. :eek: I have caught myself. I need planned purchase not ad hoc spending. July is nearly over and I have totalled 11 NSDs for July. My target for August will be 12.

The talks have begun for me to WFH an extra day a week. HR has been asked to look into this.

I’ve been up early (5.30am) 2 days in a row, but tomorrow I have a later start so looking forward to that.

The week is ending way better than it started
I hope the same is true for you too.
DIA x

milasavesmoney

Whoop Whoop!! Excellent!!

doingitanyway

I was so looking forward to this later start but guess what? I still woke at 5.30am, although it feels very different when I don’t have to get up and run out of the door to catch the train.

This morning I have turtle and kidney beans bubbling away and I have made a chilli to which I will add the beans. I’ve been reminded this week that if my main meal isn’t already prepped and waiting I’ll eat something else as when I get in from work I want ‘quick’ food

Washing humming away in the machine

Lunch made and packed for work. I filled the grooves of some lovely celery with almond butter and cut in half, I have cucumber sticks and some (reduced from £2.50 to £1.20) organic blueberries and a handful of raw cashews and an apple for lunch. Really healthy, so I don’t want to blow it by buying crisps again today.;)

The house is a tip again but my days off are imminent, so I will get that sorted. I’ve definitely slowed down since decluttering frenzy of the week before. I’m going to look up flylady again this weekend. Rosa swears by her, so I’ll give her another go as I think my frame of mind is right for getting the house in order...

Since starting this diary entry the beans are cooked and the chilli has finished. I added brown miso and the chilli tastes yum.:(

Have a good day reader
DIA x

doingitanyway

A good day. Work not too busy so I stopped off at the shops on the way home.

Sometimes it says more about my journey so far to note what I did not buy. So, things I picked up almost on auto pilot and then put back because the purchases I was about to make were not in line with my true intentions:

Lamb chops in Waitr0se reduced from £13 odd to £4 odd. A really good bargain but I don’t want to eat meat, there are always bargains and I said I would not buy anymore red meat this month

Black sesame crackers £1.99 in health food store. They are lovely but I would eat the 30gs of crackers in 10 minutes. They were not what I went in the store for. I went for tea. So, I bought tea and left.

A newspaper. It was ‘free’ in Waitr0se but I needed to spend £10 and I didn’t want to and I can look up TV guide online.

Salted pistachios. Nope, don’t need them. I have nuts at home

A melon. A super 6 so a bargain. Wow a melon for 59p. In the trolley. But I don’t like melon so it isn’t a bargain so back out.

Things go in and out of my basket all the time. Perhaps one day I will just pick up purchases in line with what I say I want

I arrived home late and starving. So pleased I could heat my ready made chilli

A good catch up with a friend

My friend says just get the guy who quoted for the job to do the work. I usually like to get a few quotes but maybe she is right. I might lose my nerve again. He may be more expensive but if I feel comfortable with him, maybe that is more important…

I will go and get my make-up tomorrow. I’ve wanted this all year and now I can spend the treat money from my bank compensation on it. I also need a track suit top for my new free exercise class on Monday. Really I want a ‘at home and NSD’ but my travel pass for the week is only valid until tomorrow so I’ll make Monday a ‘stay home and NSD’ instead.

I’m having a quiet night in tonight

I hope you enjoy your Saturday

DIA x

milasavesmoney

That shopping trip is really incredible. Look have far you have come.