It's not a lot, but it's enough

SpekySquarehead

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday was a productive day. As you know, I make calls to Asia and the language barrier is really difficult. European countries (fortunately for us Brits) tend to speak excellent English but it - in my experience so far - doesn't seem the be the same in on the East. Anyway, by the time it gets to 9am I can't call anymore because it's 6pm in Japan and everyone is away home. The rest of my day was busy, finished at 4, went to the gym, home for dinner and in bed for 9!!!

Bitterly cold this morning. Had to wait for the car to defrost whilst I sipped my coffee. Been to the gym this morning in an attempt to run the 3.5 miles that my app is suggesting but it was a struggle. Anyway, I got football training tonight so I'll make up for it.

The rebate cheque from the council was cashed yesterday and cleared today. Unfortunately £75 of it is going straight back out as I need to pay £50 to register for the team I am playing for plus a £25 deposit for the kit. The rest I have spread over some of my categories in YNAB. Speaking with my brother, I've come to realise that I will probably be using YNAB for years to come, and so I might as well start making plans/goals/categories for much further down the line; Christmas 2020 and 2021 for example! I've started doing that and it's giving me lots of comfort knowing that it's being taken care of.

Right, I must get on with things. Stay warm and have a nice day everyone.

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone,

Yesterday was busy and full of exercise meaning that I've decided against the gym this morning, so a bit of a longer lie. I've brought my gym stuff with me and I'll see how i feel after work and if I can be bothered going. I've got another game of football tonight so I might not.

Trying another new recipe tonight title BBQ chicken breast. Might not sound the most adventurous but it looked lovely. I bet mine doesn't turn out like that!

My mum loves good food and likes to try new restaurants. I wanted to treat everyone to a nice meal down here in Manchester around Christmas time (to give me time to save up, assuming it would be expensive) Started looking for which has a Michelin Star, and there's none here. So my next best thing was to see who has rosettes and I found a few but it was like £100 pp, not including drinks!! A table for 4 was more than my mortgage and I don't think I can justify it, although I'm sure it would be a lovely experience. My search goes on.

Today will be 16/17 NSD's!!

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone and happy Friday, where has the week gone?

Yesterday was a busy day in work, I didn't get the chance to breathe. Got home at about 8ish as I had some admin tasks to start, which I've still to finish. Made dinner, phoned my gran and my mum and then soon went to bed.

Advice is welcome...
I work in a small team of 3 and every time the boss leaves the room, wither it be to go to the toilet, make a brew or go for lunch, my other colleague takes his foot off the gas, pulls his phone out his drawer and just chills out. As soon as he hears the boss coming back, he puts his phone away and gets back to work. Should I say something? Bear in mind I've only been here 2 months!

Today I'm hoping for another productive one. It will be, I have no choice. I need to go to the post office on my way home as I believe my 2 new pair of prescription glasses arrive. Really interested to see them on and given they cost me £7.50 each, I can't complain if they don't.

I have quite the list of frogs to eat over the weekend which I'm looking forward to completing and feeling organised again. Today is also NSD 17 of the month, which means I've met my personal target, woohoo!!

efes_shareholder

Hi Speky

I wouldn't say anything as yet unless it is impacting your workload

Nothing more frustrating than watching someone doss whilst you work hard for your pay packet however unless it creates additional work for you or has an impact I'd be inclined for now to keep hush

Maybe keep a little record of whats happening for future reference , ie times /dates and durations

joeyjimbles

Have asked both SILs - one lives near Manchester, the other is a travel concierge - for Manchester food recommendations for you. They've both agreed to come up with favourites which I'll wing over to you when they send them.

In the meantime they both mentioned that Adam Reid (you might know him from Great British Menu) is opening soon at The French - Simon Rogan from L'enclume was there until just recently - or there is also El Gato Negro which is very well mentioned in the guidebooks and awards, and Manchester House similarly.

SpekySquarehead

efes_shareholder wrote: »

Hi Speky

I wouldn't say anything as yet unless it is impacting your workload

Nothing more frustrating than watching someone doss whilst you work hard for your pay packet however unless it creates additional work for you or has an impact I'd be inclined for now to keep hush

Maybe keep a little record of whats happening for future reference , ie times /dates and durations

Hey - I think I'm inclined to agree with you. My mum says the exact same thing and mums are almost always right! Thanks.

joeyjimbles wrote: »

Have asked both SILs - one lives near Manchester, the other is a travel concierge - for Manchester food recommendations for you. They've both agreed to come up with favourites which I'll wing over to you when they send them.

In the meantime they both mentioned that Adam Reid (you might know him from Great British Menu) is opening soon at The French - Simon Rogan from L'enclume was there until just recently - or there is also El Gato Negro which is very well mentioned in the guidebooks and awards, and Manchester House similarly.

Joey - That's very kind of you, thank you. I've heard The French and Manchester House being mentioned before, actually. That must be a positive sign. Thanks again for your advice.


Morning everyone,

Hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend.

Friday - My NSD went out the window when everyone from work decided to go to the markets nearby for lunch. A really nice quiche for a fiver. Worked late that night, didn't leave till closer to 8 but I got lots done and the boss noticed it too. That wasn't why I done it but it's nice to get the recognition.

Saturday - A day for eating frogs. Went to yoga, got a hair cut, went to the post office to collect my 2 x pair of specks for £15, went to John Lewis to use a voucher I had, got my weekly shopping in, ran for 4 miles, put 2 sets of washing on, phoned Vodafone to sort my bill, phoned E-on to arrange a smart meter, phoned an old colleague, all before chilling in front of the TV.

Sunday - Early start I was playing football. Facetimed my brother in South Korea before going. We got gubbed 7-2 but it was a good run around. Went for a drink with some of the boys after the game (which ruined my NSD). Home to make my soup for the week and dinner that night, before joining my mates on the Xbox for an hour.

And breathe.

No gym this morning, but I'll go after work and I've got a yoga class booked for 7.30 again. Omelette with bacon for dinner when I get in.

SpekySquarehead

Morning everyone,

Well - this weather!! I thought I'd left nasty weather behind in Scotland. My journey this morning took me 3 hours, when it usually takes 10. But I got here in one piece and I seen some cars who didn't so I'll be thankful.

I'm parked in Tesco, which has a 3 hour max stay, so I'm not sure wither to risk it or nip out again at lunch and move it. Or go home and work from there.

Busy day ahead regardless. Hope everyone says safe and warm!

SpekySquarehead

Good morning everyone,

Sorry I didn't get the chance to come on yesterday. I was in London all day seeing a client of my colleagues. The meeting went ok, I suppose, we done as well as we could but we're no further forward it seems. Anyway, a decent trip which wasn't affected by the weather. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I do love London. Although it does cost a fair whack!

Today signals the first of the month and I won't be starting it with a NSD as I have a work night out tonight. Nothing mad I hope, a few beers and some food. I've taken a taxi into work so my cars still at home and I can go to the gym and/or yoga tomorrow (depending on how late tonight is).

Hope everyone stays safe and warm over the weekend.

SpekySquarehead

I might be a month late, but I've created some personal goals for the year head. They focus around 3 main topics; career, relationships and self.

At lot has changed for me in the last 3 months, most notably my move 300 miles away from all my friends and family, so my goals might not necessarily sound like much, but still mean a lot to me. Similarly, some of these might make no sense to anyone other than me, so do forgive me.

I've actually drawn up a table, breaking down my goals and how to achieve them in smaller and more realistic bursts, but the headlines goes as follows;

Career
• Make a sale
• Maintain performance journal
• Go above and beyond

Relationships
• Keep in touch with family and friends
• Meet new people

Self
• Cut down phone time
• Less sugar
• Read more
• Meditate
• Attend yoga frequently
• Continue to learn Spanish

I'll review these on a monthly basis, probably the start of every month, and I can then adjust if needed.

Anyway, now that they're written down and out there, I'm now held accountable. Watch this space.

SpekySquarehead

Good morning Chums,

Happy Monday!

It was a messy weekend for me. Dinner and a few beers with work on Friday turned into a late one, which meant I spent Saturday feeling sorry for myself and done very little. Yesterday I kind of came back to the land of the living and today I'm back to full fitness. A good night was had but I'm concerned about what my bank will be saying when it catches up tomorrow as I came back with the same amount of cash I left with, meaning my rounds went on the card!

So anyway, back to it. Work today followed by the gym tonight and yoga. Fridge is fully stocked so dinners this week are all taken care of. Omelette tonight I think.