The Simple Bare Necessities feat. Gratitude & Recipes

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:


Sorry for the prolonged absence.


RL just got in the way, and ms ways just fell by the wayside of unimportantness.


I won't go into specifics, but something occured that was so left-field, so unwarranted, entirely un-provoked and so very, very unfare to a member of the Greying clan, that we just found ourselves stymied in disbelief. We lost faith in human nature in one split second. A split second that could have resulted in a fatality had the dice fallen in a different pattern. We've not forgotten and we certainly haven't forgiven, but we are entirely grateful that a guardian angel must have been watching over our family unit that day.


I know that some people would have been strong enough to laugh it off. Some would have retaliated, some would take the course of legal action. Rightly or wrongly, we internalised it, sat on it and brooded.



Money has been tight for the first quarter of the year. But I've been entirely derelict of my duty and budgetting has gone to heck in a hand-cart But mostly we've done without, or just not done owt, and therefore spent no money.



The chinese New Year of the Pig, which I believe started on...... February 5th???? Appeared to promise all good stuff, progress, riches, ambitions realised, and monumental leaps of faith forward.


It's early days, but we've seen a little upturn in our circumstances. A long-running issue in RL finally appears to be charting a new course, which may ultimately enable us to exercise choices, take up opportunities denied us for time immemorial, and to regain joy in day-to-day living. Again, I won't go into specifics, but those that know us in real-life will know the magnitude of the situation that we were faced with for so long. There is a parallel with dieting though. Anyone who has perhaps found themselves putting on a considerable amount of weight - over a time period, say a decade or so; will know how difficult the mindshift into dieting and exercise is. And also that you are unlikely to shift 3 additional stones accumulated over years, through only one week of eating nought but lettuce leaves and walking 10,000 steps....... it's going to take longer to get the mindset going, and to achieve the milestones. That is currently how I feel. I am not yet anywhere near being in the right 'headspace' to just forget the 'accumulation' years, in order to embark on the 'elimination' phase - even though it is entirely healthy, necessary and to be positively embraced.


That's all I'm going to say on the 'why'.


There have been many positives, t'ain't all doom & gloom. Baby Greying continues to develop and to delight. Being a 'good enough' parent remains hard work (as any parent.....) and is tiring, but maybe that's just because of our age. But it's rewarding, even if we don't always get things right, or if BG has a meltdown, or if plans have to change because of....... 'green stuff'........_pale_


I changed insurance providers earlier this year. I ended up ditching the 'online' insurance co, who had renaged on the 'cashback' element of their offer (I know you don't count on it, and base your choice on the cover/price etc etc) and all but made me out to be a liar to TeeCeeBee. Looking around for a different provider, I ended up plumping for M&$, who were marginally cheaper (think pence) than my renewal quote, but who I recalled Cheery Daff speaking of highly when she was looking around for a provider to cover her house move. in addition, they were 'notionally' offering £30 of vouchers for taking out cover with them. I took the cover, and thought no more of the vouchers, so was very pleased to unexpectedly receive the vouchers through the post a couple of weeks ago.



In addition, I had taken out NT membership going through a cashback site - NOT TeeCeeBee, as they don't seem to work for me. kwidko did track my purchase, but the NT didn't acknowledge the purchase....... I raised a ticket, and quite frankly, forgot about it. Anyway, the claim has subsequently been upheld, and the money should be payable shortly. I won't get it all, as a 'membership' fee will be removed (grrr), but it's the principle of the thing. If companies are going to enter into agreements with the cashback sites, then they should jolly well pay up, not enjoy the patronage, but refuse to pay up.



People have been incredibly kind to BG, and we've also dropped very lucky with chazzer shop finds, some of which have been all but brand-new stuff for very little money. I can't think of anything that BG currently wants or needs. They are a very lucky, very special, little person.



Good friends have stuck by me, and been tolerant of having a mardy mare in their midst. I've tried very hard to conceal things, but I know I've not always been the best company So for their support and loyalty I remain very grateful.


I think things are turning a corner. We're not out of the woods, on many, many fronts yet. But it is much easier to see and feel the joy of life at the moment. We're very blessed, and in comparison to many, our woes are miniscule or nought. But to us they have been overwhelming at times, and we've had nowhere to hide, nowhere to turn and no energy to fight, nor run.


I'm hopeful that with a new month just around the corner, I can get my budgetting mojo back, and I certainly want to clean up our eating. I've just not had the incentive to make inventive (frugal) fare, and there has been far too little 'fresh' stuff on our plates. I have been buying avocados from MrAl though, and (touch wood) have enjoyed them all - with no wastage. I have found the Israel produce to be the most consistent, i used all the Mexican avos that I bought, but there was.......virus? browning in several of them - didn't appear to affect the taste (which was very good), but presentationally not as good (although no matter if mashed up on toast ).


I'm not promising to be back to the diary with any regularity. But it just seemed like something has 'lifted' and there was no reason to not pop in..........


Thanks for reading. I appreciate it. Greatly.


Greying X

Suffolksue

De-lurking to say welcome back ,you've been greatly missed .

gemini12

Another one delurking to say welcome back and you have been missed.

greenbee

Welcome back! As you can see, due to the fact that we're all here within minutes, you've been missed

I'm sorry things have been so tough - but it does also sound as though there are positive changes afoot. I hope you can start to adjust your mindset to take advantage of the new opportunities. You are always so positive in your posts, and you and your family deserve to enjoy life.

mary_hinge

Sending much love to Greying Towers, be kind to yourself GP.

apple_muncher

So lovely to hear from you, GP. And that in the midst of trials and tribulations, you are telling us about avocados...!

UncannyScot

You have been greatly missed
Take care of you and your wee tribe
(((((HUGS)))))

savetosave

So pleased you are back. I have missed your posts. Hope things get better really quickly x

Busy_Mee1

Lovely to see you back Greying. You have been missed xxxx

maddiemay

So lovely to see you back, I am sorry that life has been dealing out difficult time to your dear family.