Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

Well.
The morning was quite productive, but not what I expected. One of my friends texted to say she had a flare-up of a chronic condition and couldn't come out, then when I saw the other friend in town, she was with her grandkids and clearly had forgotten all about coffee! She might remember later but I'm not so sure . She asked me what I was doing so, as I was planning to call at the optician's, I told her about. Later I sent her a photo of me trying on sunglasses, so she'll know, if she remembers, that I wasn't making it up!

Trying on glasses under Covid restrictions turns out to have an aura of exclusivity about it. I had to knock on the shop door and wait to be admitted, do the whole hand sanitising thing and have one-to-one assistance from a very helpful lady. Then it turned out I could get the glasses I liked for half price because that's in my contact lens agreement - even though I took the opportunity to put the actual lens delivery on hold (I've not worn them since lockdown).

Various other bits of shopping have also been done, so I'm over 7,000 steps already, in contrast to recent slackness - I mean work commitments.

DH has been for a run - first solo run in months but the problem with his ankle seems nearly gone. I aslo noticed yesterday that the sciatica that hung around for the last few weeks seems to have wandered off. I'm glad of that: I think it ages me about 30 years.

Shopping
Medical (sunglasses) £44.50 + toothpaste £1
Pets (bird food) £5.44
Household £9.07
Toiletries (almost the entire range of my favourite shampoo at less than half price!) £12.86
Housekeeping £12.47

So I'm thankful for another sunny day, seeing my friend even if briefly (:D), new sunglasses and the fact that nowadays we get built in UV protection (I lost a friend to eye cancer so I'm extra aware of the need for this).

Cherryfudge

'Early' update for my day off.

Dh and A have installed the new kitchen sink and worktop: lovely wooden surface and a big sink with modern taps - very promising though there's a lot still to be done, not least old plaster to be removed and replaced where the old sink came out. Oh, the joys of DIY! DH managed to put his back out, too, but he's still mobile.

He went out for a flexible tap connector (£3.43) before I even got in from work.

There seems to be a great deal to do today, but not a lot of get up and go on my part. Tidying, cleaning, gardening, etc. I also want to press on with the course I was doing as I only have a few days left before it times out.

Seasidegal58

You've reminded me that I must make an optician's appointment. I should have had my yearly test by now. Also rebook the hygienist/dentist appointment that was cancelled earlier on this year. 

Kitchen sink sounds very nice - hope OH's back isn't too bad!

Cherryfudge

Thanks SSG, he's not too bad especially when I consider how he used to be really stuck if his back 'went'. I've helped him today when the hoover had to be lifted over something, but that's about it.

I haven't managed any exercise: its been far too hot. J and L borrowed our garden for a big chunk of the day then L went off on a training run. How he runs in this heat I don't know but he likes a challenge and knows what he's doing. As for me, I've made a bit of study progress and done almost no housework. DH has applied the first two lots of oil to the new worksurface and the colour is richer, if randomly adorned with tiny insects that ignored the 'keep off' signs. Managed to get rid of them and have turned the light off to stop more being lured in.

Nothing else bought: Dh got us southern fried chicken for tea along with yesterday's shopping. 

ETA: Spending - DH produced a receipt for oil for the new worktop. £6.50.

Today I'm grateful for an unexpectedly chatty study with my friends this evening (especially when you consider the temperature), and the baskets of flowers that needed watering twice but are beautiful.

Cherryfudge

A hot summer's day for the start of another recession. I know we've been there before and, in our case, were in a worse financial position than now, but I do feel for those who don't have enough income. DH has just got a rejection letter from a job application that he thought he would get an interview for, but we've decided they might have an internal candidate who can tailor their application exactly to the needs of the post.

J and L have borrowed our lawn and mown it for us! 

I went shopping for new bedding as DS2 took most of the covers off his bed when he moved out, but we're borrowing the room for a guest next week. I forgot that the shop of choice now closes early for cleaning, so all I've got is a summer weight duvet. I can go again another day but will have to be earlier.

Spending
Household (duvet) £9.99
Housekeeping £20.99
Clothes £1 (spotted a nice top on a £1 rail at a charity shop and gave in... it doesn't count towards the 'coupons' in Fashion on the Ration as it's second hand).

This evening I'm thankful for DH cooking dinner (liver and bacon - yay!), J and L doing the lawn and beautiful weather but not as hot as down south.

Sun_Addict

Sad to hear of yet another recession but not surprised. The last one hit Mr SA’s profession in the building trade badly then he got ill 😩 Feel your pain with DH, it seems so unfair 😩

It’s been hotter than ever here today I’m still sweating at almost 10pm and it’s not often I’m hot.

£1 top is a bargain 🎉

Seasidegal58

Sorry to hear of DH's news. The recession news is depressing. I was not long married when we went through all the hoo-ha in the 70s with the three day week and power cuts, but this feels different somehow and not in a good way. 

Glad to hear you have a lovely lawn!😀

Cherryfudge

Thank you SA and SSG. I think DH has cheered up now, but of course not getting an interview for a job that he (as a former interviewer) thought he should be shortlisted for, is down-heartening. I can only assume they raised the benchmark very high because they had a lot of good candidates.

My work was rather wearisome today. Without giving away details, we have someone staying who is generally okay but whose circumstances can make things difficult. Also, a colleague pointed out to me that we are actually four staff down, for various reasons, which means it's harder to book leave. On the positive side, that means our lovely relief staff are starting to get shifts again, which is A Very Good Thing.

I still haven't had a recent run or even tried the exercise app, but yesterday evening I went for a cool-of-the-day walk on one of my running routes as dusk was falling, which was so good we both went for a town walk this evening. At least I'm getting my step count up.

I also tried another super-healthy recipe (Persian chicken). The ingredients cost £££ but it was super and there are plenty of the spices and nuts left so it won't be as costly next time. Poor DH got a lot of unexpected exercise when he offered to buy the ingredients: three trips to Mr T and two to other shops.

Shopping
Housekeeping £17.92 however, only £2.08 of that is totally used up and I think that actual cost of the meal was about £4.42. Makes me feel better put that way.

So tonight I'm thankful for really enjoying the new tastes, DH to go for walks with and managing to keep my steps up (mostly) and my calories down (more often than not).

Cherryfudge

I had a cycling lesson today, courtesy of L who is a sports coach and a great teacher. I know I'm going to suffer for it tomorrow as my muscles are already telling me so, and I managed to bash my knee against the unforgiving bike on one occasion. Still, I feel more confident and riding a bike without wobbling is a really nice feeling. I'm promised another lesson tomorrow.

I bumped into a  friend on the way back and she'd just had some good news, so all in all a positive day so far. I was supposed to be picking up my sunglasses too but I've decided to invest a bit of time in my course before work instead. I can't feel sunglasses are urgent when it's damp and grey outside!

ETA:
Spending
ebook 49p

Thankfulnesses: being a better cyclist than this time yesterday, and L's help in getting there.

Seasidegal58

Good luck with the bike lessons!

It's humid and dark here where I am this morning. Feels like a storm coming on. Need something to clear the air.