Life Begins at ... 35?

Tete_en_l'Air

ZTD -

The Smart meter - I'd like one because they show you in such clear terms how much you're spending, you'll be able to see exactly how much it costs to boil the kettle or use the hairdryer, etc. Why would you not want one, they sound really good! Anyway I had an email with an installation date so I'll have to give them a call to change it and will check what will happen if I change provider - check there's no retrospective installation fee for moving within a certain timeframe or whatever.

Gas - I've a horrible feeling it was the fire's pilot light, it was giving off some heat when I went to turn it off

Ahead of you on the spending diary

I went along to the info session for the "Lose 20lb in six weeks" challenge and I'm happy to say that common sense prevailed for once. The exercise classes were not at convenient times for me and the diet was soooooo restrictive (no caffeine or alcohol AT ALL for SIX WEEKS, as well as meagre portions of everything else - of course you'll lose 20lbs doing that, you'll also lose the will to live).

I was just sitting there thinking, "What am I doing? I'm already a member of a fitness centre with much more choice and availability of classes as well as a pool, and I know Slimming World works as long as you stick to it, and with that you're allowed coffee and booze and chocolate and don't go hungry!" I'm glad I went because it opened my eyes to the fact that I already have everything I need at my fingertips, and it's motivated me to actually start using my fitness membership. I also kind of want to prove that you don't need to completely beast yourself for weeks on end to see results. Even if I only lose 10lbs in the same timeframe, I'll be doing it in a healthier and more enjoyable and more sustainable way. My friend signed up though so it'll be interesting to see how she gets on.

Tete_en_l'Air

Well I'm still sitting in bed after a busy few days working and painting the kitchen ceiling, and a day spent in York yesterday with friends, which was lovely but exhausting.

It's thoroughly miserable here today but that's OK because I just need to get my bum in gear and paint the kitchen walls ready for the decorator coming on Wednesday. I am off work on Tuesday as well so if I don't quite finish I have a bit of leeway, but I also need to have a big clear up so he has space to work. (I had my bulky waste taken away nice and quickly so that's something ticked off the list, I must get in touch with the furniture charity people as it would be great if they could come on Tuesday to free up some space for the decorator on Wednesday.)

I do need to pop out later between coats of paint to do a little recce of the schools I'm working in tomorrow though as it's an early start and I don't know where I'm going.

Right. Painting.

FacelessNumber

Good luck with the painting! I never mind the painting but the prep is a nightmare!


I think you've gone for the right option weight loss wise. In my opinion it's more about having your head in the game than which plan you use - they all work, it's about finding what works for you in a sustainable way!

Dinah93

Agree with others Tete, you have a wonderful writing style - think of it as practice every time you open a book instead of hoovering/decorating/sorting paperwork etc.

Be interested to hear how your friend gets on with the 20lb in 6weeks thing, I've considered it a few times but I've always backed out as these things usually being a bit of a con (and really need to to work so I don't pay the £200!!!)

Any chance you'd pm me your decorator's details (especially if he's good!)? Really need someone to do our kitchen as mum has offered to pay for us as a Christmas present so we can get on and get the house valued. It's just painting but fiddly.

Our gas and electric is £85 a month - but it's a 4 bed house with the heating on a lot. If you can save £400 a year though that's massive!

ZTD

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

ZTD -

The Smart meter - I'd like one because they show you in such clear terms how much you're spending, you'll be able to see exactly how much it costs to boil the kettle or use the hairdryer, etc.

They're attached at the "root" of your power, so your hairdryer and kettle etc consumption will be mixed in with your washing machine etc consumption. If you want to know *exactly* how much they take, you can get one of those power meter thingies (I got mine out of Aldi many moons ago) to plug the device in question.

Or alternatively, you can just calculate it. A 2KW hairdryer at 15p per unit takes 30p per hour to run, or half a pence per minute.

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

Why would you not want one, they sound really good!

If you don't know, are you sure you want to know?

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

Gas - I've a horrible feeling it was the fire's pilot light, it was giving off some heat when I went to turn it off

It will be hot - it's a source of ignition, it's how they work. Provided the flame looks OK - blue (not yellow) and not a two foot roaring monster, it'll be fine.

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

Ahead of you on the spending diary

:T

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

I went along to the info session for the "Lose 20lb in six weeks" challenge and I'm happy to say that common sense prevailed for once. The exercise classes were not at convenient times for me and the diet was soooooo restrictive (no caffeine or alcohol AT ALL for SIX WEEKS, as well as meagre portions of everything else - of course you'll lose 20lbs doing that, you'll also lose the will to live).

And once you've finished starving yourself for 6 weeks, you'll go back to your same old diet, and quickly be your same old weight. Or possibly a little bit fatter as you will have lost muscle mass.

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

I was just sitting there thinking, "What am I doing? I'm already a member of a fitness centre with much more choice and availability of classes as well as a pool, and I know Slimming World works as long as you stick to it, and with that you're allowed coffee and booze and chocolate and don't go hungry!"

The three staples in life...

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

My friend signed up though so it'll be interesting to see how she gets on.

And how long it sticks after the event.

Tete_en_l'Air wrote: »

I do need to pop out later between coats of paint to do a little recce of the schools I'm working in tomorrow though as it's an early start and I don't know where I'm going.

Always wise to do that, rush-hour is not the time to be navigating...

Tete_en_l'Air

Goood morning! Busy day yesterday, I was working between two sites and it's the first time the schools have used us so they were a bit anxious and had loads of questions, but lovely schools and gorgeous kids. I had an email offering me one day a week after Christmas in another lovely school where I worked before the summer so I'll accept that. Ideally I want to have secured a nice full time job by then but it's a good back up plan if I haven't.

I went to my yoga class for the first time in six weeks and I felt so good afterwards. A bit achey this morning around the buttocks but it has definitely relieved my gammy hip and achilles.

I got a cheque for £350 from dad's union through the post yesterday, it's some kind of funeral benefit. Very handy to supplement my part time work at the mo, and I kind of feel like he's still looking after me.

I've got a report to send in to work this morning and then I need to get on with my painting and also planning a Spanish lesson for tonight (I know what I'm doing (GRAMMAR!) and have everything I need from teaching in school, just need to put it all together and do some printing).

Tomorrow the decorator comes and I plan on sitting on my bed with Netflix and some crochet in order to keep out of his way

Cinny91

Sounds like you're doing well, Tete! You've always got so much energy to get things done. It's good you're finding odd bits of work too, at least it keeps things interesting not being in the same place every day - but I do hope you find the full time work you're after.

What you said about your Dad still looking after you is so lovely, I think he'd be incredibly proud of how well you're doing

I've started some crochet projects. I love how quickly an actual thing forms in front of your eyes, knitting is so boring and long in comparison! Found a good DIY for Weasley jumpers which made me think of you, be good for cheap but impressive Christmas presents. Bought two jumpers from New Look (30% off if you sign up to the newsletter :money:) to try and make them for a swap box I'm sending to Texas.

Bobarella

That's great news about the school job. And I'm glad you received that money. Well done on the yoga.

Tete_en_l'Air

Good morning! OMG Cinny I love those Hogwarts jumpers, I might have to try to make myself one before I go the the studios in two weeks. We'll see!!

I've lost just over 2lbs this week which is pleasing as I've been surviving on cupasoups and SW ready meals with the kitchen being up in the air. Deffo need to do a shop and start cooking some real food again though.

I've now got one and a half days' work after Christmas as well as a one off day doing support. Hopefully another couple will come through, it's still fairly early days.

The decorator has been and made an ace job of my kitchen and living room, the wallpaper looks magnificent. He needs to pop back this morn and finish off, then it's my job to get on and complete the rooms. I've got lots of bits to do so need to work out what order to do everything - off to brainstorm on paper...

Bobarella

Well done on your weight loss and glad the kitchen is looking fab.