Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

Yesterday was busy but not exhausting: I did the hoovering at church as usual and bought a drink and sandwich which I ate on the way home. I think that's a new spending pattern which saves time though not money. I also went to Mr S for a couple more sachets of cappuccino while it's on the lowest price. I have a few boxes stashed now, along with the emergency foodstuffs, because why should I pay full price if I can help it?

I don't think I've told the story of my accidental hair-colouring? On Thursday a colleague asked if I'd coloured my hair and I said I hadn't. She said there was pink at the front of it! When I looked in the mirror, there was a bright pink strip, which looked as though I'd had a rather amateur attempt to colour it. It came off easily enough, and we found a desk that had a patch of the same colour. I'd obviously touched it, then touched my hair. It looked much better than I would have thought, so perhaps one day I will cheer the day with some vivid colour! We never found out what the origin was: I'd wiped down that desk and not seen the mark, so it had arrived during the shift, but what it was, I don't know.

Yesterday was another good shift: I was shift lead, but the team was people who work well together and don't need much input. We got talking about how the unit used to be, pre-pandemic, and I found a few photos which clients and staff seemed to find interesting - the atmosphere was different in those days, when we had a lot of laughs and cooked our own food (two aspects we've lost in the last few years). It was encouraging to see how positive the new staff were, looking at my photos. They immediately picked up on the feel of it, so I'm hopeful I've planted a seed for how things could be in future.

I also got asked to do a couple of jobs by the manager: nothing huge but one took some time (which I'll be sure to claim for) and I'm reminded of my reasoning behind not applying for a team leader position: they seem to get asked for so many extra things and the job just can't be done in the time available (same goes for the manager's job, to be fair). 

Today I bought another e-book for my Kindle though I'm engrossed in my current read (Terry Pratchett's 'Wintersmith'). Other than that, I've been at home and done some deep cleaning in the kitchen, and sorted out the stocking fillers I've bought so far (did I mention seasonal work as 'Mrs Claus'?).

Yesterday's spending:
Housekeeping £6.34
Gifts £4.99
Today's - DH got some groceries and a replacement padlock as the shed key is lost. I spent 99p on the e-book.

Cherryfudge

I did some more cleaning after Strictly, but we also walked down to L!dl for a few bits and pieces (and ended up buying a couple of gifts too). It was good to get out and have some exercise but the wind is icy.

Spending:
Gifts £15.98
Housekeeping £5.97

Things I'm thankful for: all sorts really... nice shifts at work and a nice manager who seems to know what she's doing. Some very clean areas at home! DH being at home just enough - we get our own time, but we also get time together. A start on getting Christmas in some sort of order. Fresh air (cold, but clears my head).

Cherryfudge

And a further development… I’m typing this on my phone because my laptop is unresponsive. It’s not the replacement battery, as it’s not working on mains either. When I press the start button, a little blue light blinks a bit, but nothing else happens. 🙁

Sad, but those with long memories may recall we ‘replaced’ it well over a year ago. DH uses the other one but I’m not computerless as it was bought for both of us.

I will miss this one though. It’s like having a hamster, isn’t it? They really don’t live as long as you’d like them to. (Probably over five years in this case, I remember buying it but goodness knows when).

Cherryfudge

DH thinks it may be the starter switch so the lappie will go for investigation tomorrow. Meanwhile I am going to have to sort out some passwords as everything was remembered by the machine, not me.

There were baptisms at church this morning, which always makes for a festive spirit, then J and L came over for the afternoon (curry, dog walk and wedding photos). Nothing spent, though I think it may be time for another dehumidifier as both ours are lent out and somehow, I don't want to be getting them back from people who might need them more than us. We have just thrown out some table mats that were going mouldy, though!

I've seen the same on offer (small sized one under £30) so I've circulated a link to family, and DH will mention to the friends he lent to. This means, of course, we could end up with three!

Things to be thankful for: a good day, some sunshine and exercise, a puppy to play with, good memories from the wedding.

Cherryfudge

Today we are dog-sitting.

DH has been running errands in the fog. It's cold and damp today. The laptop turned out to need a new charger, (ordered for £13.98) and the man who ran the diagnostics cost £20 (still a lot cheaper than a new laptop, and besides, it saves me having to reset any more passwords. He's charged it up so it's usable for now).

The slow puncture turned out to be a large nail through a tyre, so that was another £30 for repairs.

I noticed the puppy was sniffing at my watch strap and indeed it does smell a bit yucky! Faux leather lining... has its drawbacks. I've ordered another (£8.97).

DH bought a few groceries, but I don't know how much they were.

Not a cheap day so far but I'm not expecting to spend more and, as I said above, a lot cheaper than a new laptop (and a lot better than a dangerous tyre).

Cherryfudge

The charger has arrived so I'm back on my laptop, and the new wrist strap has come too.

I spent a lot of the day procrastinating and knowing I was doing so. I even listened to a podcast on procrastination! I wasn't warm enough so in the end the heating went back on.

One of my procrastination activities was quite productive: I got the glue out and mended an ornament, some cutlery and a lampshade. I think I'm slowly getting better at gluing things, and managed to avoid sticking my fingers to anything.

A job that 'needed done' was ordering my prescription and I'm only running low on one thing. It occurred to me, however, to get one of most items because my next one is due just before Christmas and I always worry I won't have enough to last me over those few days.

I got pizza and salad as my friends were coming round to watch a film, and now I have a surplus. Lunch for a few days! We had a lovely evening, and the heating was turned up in their honour.

Spending:
Household (window cleaner) £5
Housekeeping £13.21
Gifts £4

I've just noticed one of the receipts, which I assumed included a multi-buy discount, was actually an over 60s discount! Just as well I had DH with me as I'm not quite at the magic number yet  

Things to be thankful for: a good evening with my friends, having the heating on a bit higher, having my laptop back.

Cherryfudge

An afterthought to the above: why 60? I mean, most people are still working, aren't they? Is it a residue from an earlier pension age?

badmemory

I wondered if they connected it to free prescription age which is still at 60 even though they say it will be changing.  I suspect it hasn't gone up yet because of all the 60-66 MPs that will lose their free prescriptions, after all we know what dire need they are in financially.  (Touch of sarcasm there sorry, couldn't resist).

Sun_Addict

I think it’s still tied to the original retirement age of 60 for women which seems like a lifetime ago. 

Cherryfudge

Well, I had to try to find out, didn't I? Apparently, it was only introduced in May of this year, so not directly linked either to original pension age or to prescriptions, though they may all stem from the same source: apparently at 60, one becomes an 'older person', and older people are worried about the cost of living.

Personally, I thought I'd been getting older every day, but it seems that doesn't count. Instead, I will fall (kicking and screaming) into the slipstream on my 60th birthday, as I become victim to all sort of things because I am then Older.

I suppose I'd better revise my Bucket List.