A whole new world, for now

Cherryfudge

I think a slump can often indicate a need for rest - perhaps talking to myself here! But the advice about treating yourself like a toddler holds good: have healthy food, take naps, speak kindly, live in the moment.

I hope things improve soon.

in_need_of_direction

Thanks for all the good wishes and advice, it’s appreciated.  I think I need to get in touch with my gp as there are unresolved physical health problems that have been ongoing for the past year.  I also need to stir myself to action.
today mr wii advised of a tiny downward trend but no change to my weight. That’s ok with me.  

On other news, Ernie was generous to both of us which is just as well as I experienced my first ever tyre blow out. No one was hurt and only thing needed was a new tyre so a lot better than it could have been.  That said, my hmrc issue is becoming increasingly complicated. On Wednesday they advised that they owed me £4.5k. By Fri my account showed that I owed them more than that and will be liable for fines if it isn’t paid by 14 May.  It’s back with my mp

Bits and pieces are getting done homewise and workwise but lots more to do. I’ve been thinking too much about what someone here describes as stupid tax. For me, it’s meeting people in coffee shops rather than inviting them to my home or getting takeaways rather than cooking.  Both things need to stop - steps to be taken include cleaning the house and inventorying the freezer.
i Also need to track down my builder to be able to put stuff such as Christmas stuff and suitcases back into the roofspace.

today I am grateful for
funds to replace a tyre
clothes drying weather
a friend checking in

jwil

Sorry the HMRC saga is ongoing.  Hope it's resolved soon.  Good news about the PB win.

Seasidegal58

Catching up with you at last inod!  I'm sorry you've been feeling low - I agree with you that you should get in touch with your GP - you shouldn't leave any physical health problems unresolved. 

Good news on your PB win but the HMRC situation sounds appalling!  I do hope they manage to sort out this mess!  As you say, you shouldn't have to resort to contacting your MP on what should be a basic task for the Revenue!
Your Bear sounds gorgeous - as you know my DD has two large Bears too!  I love them to death - they are such wonderful company and so loving. Bear 2 will retrieve her ball and bring it back to you like good girl. Bear 1 is rather different - he likes you to chase him when he has retrieved his so called 'indestructible' hard rubber pineapple (his prized possession) and when he deigns to stop and let you catch up, he insists on a tug of war over it!😂. Both are not great on recall though which I think is a trait of the Newfie breed - they can be rather stubborn at times!🐻

doingitanyway

Hope you are feeling a bit better? 
How is the dog settling in?

milann

I’m not surprised you’re in a slump with everything going on with the tax😳 Hopefully it’ll be resolved sooner than soon.
Be kind to yourself and speak to yourself with the same compassion you’d speak to others 👍

Seasidegal58

Hope all is well inod. X

Busterboo_2

Hope all is ok INOD xx

in_need_of_direction

Hi everyone and thanks for checking in. Little was wrong bar my inability to log in from a tablet compounded by straight forward stupidity. I did keep on top of posts and occasionally commented from my laptop however, given that’s my work machine, I didn’t want to find even more distractions.

things are trundling along.  Our princess has settled in well and has a very laid back personality.  The big issue we have is her consumption of bees.  It kind of mitigates against us having buddliea.  She also picked up a sting from one who fought back.  She likes rummaging in hedges and we have had to remove slugs twice from her coat.  That said, she has enhanced all of our lives.

workwise, things aren’t going well, I’m in a slump with no clear direction.  Yesterday I decided that I am only going to consider directly referred new work or that from existing clients. I’ve actually written that across the top of my desk pad. I still have a list of things to get done some of which are late and no invoices have been issued since last tax year nor have expenses been claimed. 

Hmrc decided that instead of the £5.5k they said they owed me, they owe me £35. They have yet to provide any kind of a breakdown nor an explanation. To be blunt, I’m thinking of jacking the business in and picking up some low paid, low thought work totally disconnected from my usual profession. 

Health wise I went back to my gp who issued another neurology referral. I happen to know that as there are only 2 neurologists in NI who are still dealing with fall out from a major scandal, the chances of being seen in the next four years are slim to nil. Also, the consultation was by phone and it was only after I hung up that I realised no suggestion was made to deal with pain. My mood still isn’t great. I’m continuing to have a weekly counselling session but am wondering how much good it’s doing given where my mood currently is. DH’s view is that things may be a lot worse without it.  I’m not sure as this week brought me to the realisation that, for me, retirement is a scary black hole and not just in a financial way.  Who I am has been defined by what I do, what happens when that goes? But I’m already partially burnt out so I may have to lose that before srp kicks in. To quote mr a mole, it’s in 9 and 3/4 years.
my Personal/ previous work pensions aren’t great.  Dh’s are sound but I never want to be with someone for financial reasons.

on other news, the workman completed stage 2 of the work.  It went £100 over the £2500 budget but the additional was obvious.  We have developed an alternative approach to stage 3 that will need to be planned and costed but hopefully completed before Christmas.  

DD remains in residence with us but starts a 3 month residential contract next month.  I had time with ds a fortnight ago in London.  It was possibly the first full adult day we’ve had with just us.  It was so nice and I think he’s finally accepted that I don’t need to be taken care of and that years of working in London pre google maps count for something.

Weight wise I’ve been plus or minus two pounds but would love to get back into the elevens. Unfortunately not enough to make an effort. Tomorrow is my weekly weigh in but I don’t have a warm glow about it.

right, given that the morning has evaporated, I’d better go.

today I am grateful for
this community, the direct support and the inspirational postings
having enough to allow options
a post on here about using the next ten minutes when you can’t tackle it all.

in_need_of_direction

So we skipped the weigh in last week, I’m not sure why but today showed a slight increase that nudged me up to the next pound.  I can take that while wishing I didn’t have to.  Sig has been updated.  

Collectively we got £325 from Ernie that we are grateful for, particularly since it’s tax free and hmrc still haven’t gotten their finger out.  It continues to wear me down.  That said, dh and I sat down together on Fri evening and talked through some of the work issues and did up a list.  He is working through a stand alone assignment this weekend while I have gotten one report ready to issue.  I borrowed DD’s cube timer and am setting it for 15 minute intervals.  I alternate between work and non work stuff which, one day in, is working well for me. 

On the back of last week’s decision to not apply for new work, I got 2 direct referrals for small jobs along with sight of two invitations to tender that both appeal.  If I can make sufficient headway with current work in advance of submission dates, I may bid.  Collectively these would cover annual pension contributions and then some.  They are also 70% locally based which is good.

i attended a breakfast briefing on Thursday bumping into 2 former clients which was nice.  DD got discharged from physio last Tuesday - I’m grateful this happened before she moves away temporarily.  This week I have two work meetings set up and two meet ups with friends. I am also determined to issue some invoices and pay myself expenses due since 06 April.  

My sugar intake over the past week has been off the scale to the extent that it left me feeling unwell.  It’s disgraceful for both my health and for my wallet.  I’m not going cold turkey but am starting a significant reduction programme.  

So a bit of a mixed report verging on the slight progress made but lots more room for improvement.

today I am grateful for
making a meal from stores/ freezer items rather than buying pre prepared 
feeling able to ask for help and it being provided 
ernie