Cherry takes the reins

in_need_of_direction

DH’s favourite aftershave is by creed. Lovely but pricey

Cherryfudge

I can still smell Creed on me! (I have washed, honestly).

Nothing financial to report today apart from I have paid off one item from my CC bill. (Yesterday's spending was all on that which is a bit silly really: I get loyalty points but they are very tiny and it's a faff keeping on top of it. I think I actually made about 15p, maybe a little less, which isn't brilliant.

I have decluttered a book that was my Dad's, in the direction of DFiL: a 1924 guidebook on the driving and maintenance of steam locomotives. We like to keep up with the times.

I walked to church and back this morning but other than that haven't had any exercise: I think yesterday's catching up with me. I've been quite tired and probably have the beginnings of a cold courtesy of DS2 who is recovering from one. The swelling from my flu jab is nearly gone (I seem to react to things like bites and it looked just as though I'd been stung) so at least I know I won't get flu... at least not the predicted strain. I'm tired, though, and my eyes are a bit runny and rheumy.

I've spent the evening catching up on the two courses I'm doing: the one I started last week looked very heavy-going at first but it's improved and the other is work-related so I've done aspects already which makes it easier. I have another to start soon, again work related and I'm hoping those two will be a breeze. And guess what? I've signed up for another towards the end of this month! Madness. But they are all so interesting. (And free).

I've also handed a couple of Christmas gifts over to DH to wrap and take when he visits his auntie later this week, so I hope that counts as decluttering too.

Today I'm thankful for interesting things to study, a computer to study, write/chat and plays games on and a warm house on a dark night.

Cherryfudge

Today was largely work, which went okay, but was after a very broken night's sleep as DH wasn't feeling well and decided to go sick. However, first he had to collect his new medication, by which point he was feeling a lot better and so went back to work. I had thought the plan was to have a period of sick leave to enable his health to recover and then hand his notice in, but now I am confused. He has told me he had a productive day at work and so is less stressed but also that he's told a colleague he is planning to leave. However his boss was off today and he didn't want to send his resignation for the boss to read while away from work. I think the plan is now to hand in his resignation on Wednesday, but the new meds start tomorrow so who knows?

Anyway I have pushed on with the course that finishes in a few days. I don't know if I'll get to the end in time but it's now very interesting.

Spending:
Housekeeping £12.50
MS:
Main ingredients of dinner were from the freezer though it still doesn't look much emptier!
3 x £2 coins into savings
10th coins to savings = 2p
Wombled 6p
Decluttering:
Finished a bottle of moisturiser (how did I come to have several?)

Today I'm thankful for DH having options and for the unseen future and all the blessings in it.

Cherryfudge

The housekeeping money is looking a bit thin this week due to lots of tissues being needed for colds and the 3x£2 coins I got in my change which are now in savings. I'm trying to be good and include lots of fruit and veg in our diet but save the planet from plastic bags at the same time. I discovered that what I thought were bargain carrots in plastic bags are actually the same price as the loose ones, and what's more, I can buy one carrot and just one carrot if I choose too. I'm not sure how many years I bought the ones in bags and ended up with a fridge full of carrots! Anyway the chunky carrot I bought today was grated into a pasta bake along with various vegetables we had anyway, and it was declared a success so that's all right.

I have restarted the search for a new phone. The one I have is desperately short of space and I've deleted lots from it (there's a guide to clearing space on phones and tablets somewhere on here). Anyway a Black Friday sale has started me looking again but I'm not making a decision tonight, I'm far too tired.

And I was smugly not going to get involved in Black Friday.

Spending:
Housekeeping £4.36
MS:
10th coins into savings 22p
J and L popped in and J has brought my winter clothes down from the loft. Suddenly I am inundated with bulky clothes! And it's been frosty most of the day (a beautiful frost: the red leaves of the cotoneaster were all dusted with it when I got up this morning) so it was very timely though it's forecast to get warmer soon. Anyway no excuse now to buy more.
Decluttering:
A jar to the eco shop.

I'm grateful for a nice evening with my friends and a day off tomorrow.

Honeysucklelou2

That's interesting, I hadn't thought to check whether the bagged carrots were cheaper or not, I 'me tended to buy them, assuming that they are. Thank you, that has encouraged me to check my usual fruit and veg purchases.

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

That's interesting, I hadn't thought to check whether the bagged carrots were cheaper or not, I 'me tended to buy them, assuming that they are. Thank you, that has encouraged me to check my usual fruit and veg purchases.

I really miss Treadingonplaymobile's diary, she was so good at things like this.

Cherryfudge

I definitely have a cold so I've been a bit low on energy today but there are worse things and at least it will be gone in a few days. Having today off has definitely helped too.

It's been less cold today and DS2 has been at home so I've got his uniform washed and back to him, but other than that and a bit of shopping and cooking I've mostly been on the computer. Part of that was studying (this course is good!) and part was playing Facebook games. A quiet day but that helps me fight the germs.

There's been a bit of shopping as DH is going to visit his auntie for a couple of days and needed some chocs for her, and I remembered to get a diary as things are happening into the New Year now. I got a jumper exchanged: I bought it for DH a few weeks ago and it's pulling apart. I hope the replacement doesn't do the same!

DH has had further doctor's visits and tests over the last few days. The new medication is all ready for him to take but some of the blood tests have come back showing a wobble so they are trying to find out what's going on. It's possible it's a lifestyle thing as his current medication shouldn't affect this system. He generally has a healthy lifestyle (if you don't count his chronic condition and stress, which admittedly aren't good) but it's these short cuts we make with our well being because we need to cope... anyway we may not know for a little while what's actually going on and it may be that not cutting corners is the way to iron out the wobble.

Don't you love a good mixed metaphor?

We were supposed to be at a meeting tonight but both sent our apologies and it was nice that DH's friend texted to ask after him. I had explained I was full of cold so they were probably relieved not to see me. Dh just needed time to pack stuff for going to auntie's and to call in on his Dad.

The housekeeping fund is getting low this week (can I get through on £3.19? Might see if I can womble a few pence from down the sofa rather than get more out of the till. Also chances are DH will leave a pile of change in the bedroom - that's not really cheating as I've bought most of the food this week). I like a challenge and there's still a lot in the freezer, just not stuff that easily goes together.

DS2 has decided he wants to go out for an Indian meal on his birthday so we won't be doing Sunday lunch and it can come out of the entertaining budget or gifts... he can't decide what he wants and said we could pay for a meal in lieu of a gift but I think I've found something else he'll enjoy as well.

Spending:
Household £5.00 (window cleaner)
Stationery £2.00 (diary)
Housekeeping £3.42
Gift £6.45
MS:
10th coin to savings 50p
No decluttering: I offered the eco shop a big jar as they recycle containers but it was just too big. I think I'll donate it to my sister!

Tonight I'm thankful for a milder day, washing done, errands run and healthy food to help us both fight the lurgies. Oh, and DH's friend texting.

magicgirl

Hope you feel better soon cherry. Ii've been trying to get more creative with meals and surprising what you can put together although I try to keep pasta and potato products in stock. Not always the best choice but better than nothing.
My decluttering is at a standstill atm as is everything else in my home. I really need a few days off work to get some energy back or else I think I will also be coming down with this lurgy doing the rounds.
Hope you find those stray coins...

Cherryfudge

Thank magicgirl. I am tired now but got through my shift okay so I don't think it'g going to be too bad a cold.

DH is over at his auntie's, DS2 has just come in from work via McD's, DS1 WhatsApp'd us to say he is in Seoul! I never realised their holiday even included Korea!

Nothing spent today, I'm off to bed soon. Night night

Cherryfudge

A couple of very small spends today - cough sweets and ibuprofen. 95p I think.

Tonight I really need a good nights sleep, my cold kept me awake into the early hours. DS2 kindly fetched my medicine from the chemist but I can't start it till tomorrow.

I'm thankful for a quiet shift!