A whole new world, for now

parsniphead

Regarding the massage, she wouldn't have offered if she didn't want to. As others have said perhaps you can pay her back later somehow. She obviously cares.

doingitanyway

I know what you mean about the massage but maybe find another way to treat her to say thank you?

in_need_of_direction

Thanks for all the comments. However, last time she gave me a freebie, I offered my services to her husband's business in an area that I know he struggles with but there's been no take up. I've texted her back and asked when she would be free to take a call. I will take it from there. Yesterday was fairly productive as I rationed the work / laptop time, got house things done inc swiping shirts drying on the line to iron just so I'd get all the ironing cleared up. I then met a friend and we did a 5k walk and have arranged another for Sunday. Today, I'm meeting my friend who is going through treatment at lunchtime. I then have a meeting at 4.45 re March project. I need to pick up a prescription so I will drive as far as the gp surgery, use free on street parking and walk into town from there. It means OH will come home with me and will save on his bus fare by doing so.
I have a work meeting booked in for 7.30 mon evening. I've given myself a costly lesson with this latest job as I hadn't fully factored in travel costs. I need to see eight different people and the closest to me is 25 miles away. So far, the best I can do with combining is 2 on the one dublin trip. Also, as they aren't centrally based, a cheap day return train ticket isn't an option! Still, you live and learn and I will know for next time.
Yesterday I also to ok the advice of someone on here. I had two recently laundered pillows that were misshapen. I unpicked seams, stuck my hand in, manoeuvred the filling and stitched up. A productive 20mins in front of the telly.
Today I am grateful for
Friends and advice
A well stocked freezer
A dry day

Pippilongstocking

Just popped in to say hi and well envious of your pillow maneovering might give that a go!

And loving that gratitude list.

Happy weekend INOD

in_need_of_direction

Thanks for visiting Pippi.
Well yesterday was a do nothing day which was incredibly frugal. We did a £7 top up shop on our way home on Friday. DD face timed and that was for around an hour and a half. While that was ongoing, DS happened to email her and, upon hearing we were chatting, very kindly asked her to relay that he was still breathing. Glad to see he's making an effort.

Friday went well and our budget for March is starting to emerge. One area is a fair bit less than we had expected which is all to the good. options in other areas are being winnowed away. It looks like our savings will be sadly depleted but we should pull the whole thing off without incurring debt. However, mortgage overpayments are unlikely and the offset fund may end with a nil balance. It is such a big thing though, I really want it done as well as it can be.
Today, the skies are emptying. It's so so wet and miserable. I'm gonna put some laundry to soak,do a wash and then call the clothes horse into use. I hate it but really, needs must. It's a late breakfast so probably just a snack for lunch then whoopsied m&s premium range lasagne for dinner to free up some freezer space. I've never had their upmarket range, most things are too tarted up for my liking, so I'm interested in how this will taste. OH doesn't currently do lasagne so I'm disinclined to make from scratch for me and I do miss it.
Today I am grateful for
My two chicks being well, even if they are too busy to stay in touch!
Small steps to where we are aiming to be
The inspiration that I get on here.

beanielou

:rotfl: at your DS.
Good of him to let you know!

in_need_of_direction

Yes beanie, clearly the use of free minutes and texts to communicate directly from London is beyond him. Since their teens, my two have been as thick as thieves, covering for each other, etc. in some ways, it's great. I know that if one is ever really struggling the other will either sort it out or will spill the beans. In other ways, not so great when they combine forces to cover for each other, tag team, etc.

Did my weigh in yesterday. A slight upward creep but staying on the same pound. I'm a month into my challenge and panic is starting. Need a more structured approach though there were no soup days last week as there were a few days when there were things to be used up and one lunch with a friend.

This evening I have a work meeting approx 50 miles away and then 2 more in dublin tomorrow. It's good to get back in the saddle. Have also suggested to another client that we grab a coffee tomorrow. It'd be good if that comes off.

Today's plan is to strip the bed and get the laundry underway. General kitchen tidy up, clear work emails, tidy paperwork and scope out a series of questions for this evening and tomorrow. I will also have another meeting on Friday this week in dublin so I'm gonna see if I can get something else in place to dovetail. I also need to pay myself last month's expenses from my dwindling business account. It bothers me that I have yet to have any money coming in since starting this venture.

Yesterday I made headway re sorting out handbags and have identified a beauty to go on the bay. Am going with a £60 starting price but would love to get more. There are another few bits and bobs already photographed by OH and ready to be listed. This should have happened last night but we got side tracked by watching the last three episodes of a series we'd recorded ages ago. Still, no money was spent and the treat was the last of the four cookies I got for 35p on Friday.

Right, better get going or I'll be struggling to get presentable for my 7.30 meeting this evening. PJs as daywear work so well for me!

doingitanyway

You are going great guns INOD

Happierdays

Hi
Just popped over to say hello! Not read all your diary yet but sounds like you are doing well!
Have a great week

AspiringButAnxious

Just popping by to catch up and say hi, inod sounds like you're doing great.

Re accepting massages and any other favours: why not pay it forward, instead of paying it back?

I decided to adopt this mindset because whenever someone used to do something nice for me, I felt guilty that I had nothing to offer in return. Even with close friends, it felt like I was keeping a balance sheet and scared of being indebted to them. Eventually, I realised that when (most) people do kind things, they aren't expecting anything back — they are thrilled with your gratitude and the warm fuzzy feeling we get from feeling useful. I also realised that by paying it forward by doing somethin nice for another person, it creates a ripple effect as they are more likely to do nice things.

Of course, you may end up doing something for the person who originally did you a favour in future, but when that happens, it will feel better for both of you because it will be, first and foremost, a kind gesture — not a settling of accounts. Accept kindnesses and spread the love