"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

greenbee

Ran a cleaning cycle in the WM as I was going to my mum's and the sun was shining. Must remember to clean the filter tomorrow. Also washed the hoover filters.

Stripey cat didn't wake me up until after 6am, and then wanted cuddles for half an hour (this is not restful, but very lovely of her). Had to get up as I was worried about Stinky coping with a lie in and needing a wee… Came back in and went back to bed, and was just dozing off around 7.30 when Stinky barked, rushed out and did a poo 😎. So was up, fed them all, opened curtains and did my Pilates. I then realised I needed over 20k steps today to hit my step target, and was going to be out all day… so had a quick walk - not as quick as it would have been as I bumped into the neighbour who is going to put some posts in for me.

Home, showered, opened all the windows to air the house, emptied the wheelbarrow of wood taken to the log store last weekend (still soggy) and filled the kindling basket, packed up stuff to take to my mum's - and then a neighbour dropped in as I was starting to close windows. Had a quick chat and looked at the newly dug beds.

Then to my mum's - packed up/moved furniture for her ready for some work being done next week, was fed lunch (roasted carrots with halloumi and rocket, followed by fruit salad and yogurt), went for a walk, did more packing up.

Came home, went for another walk - and was caught out by dusk as it was so lovely and light today compared to the past few days. Made it back and finally made the curry planned for yesterday. Prepped the curry, fed the animals, did the tofu, shoved it in the oven, prepped a single yogurt flatbread, closed all the blinds, had a sit down with a drink and then cooked the flatbread. Meal was delicious and filling. I've also cleared up and washed up (I usually struggle with this bit as I'm rushing to cook and eat, then shattered), so the kitchen is relatively tidy. Lots of curry and tofu left. Medjool dates, homegrown (by my mum) walnuts, and 100% dark choc for pudding in front of the fire.

Not-Fatty is out. Cat flap was shut, but she was racing frantically round the all the doors so had obviously seen something outside. I sent Stinky out with her to look for whatever it was - he came back, she insisted on staying out, which I'm not entirely happy about at this time of year. I must get a blind for the one set of doors that isn't covered at night!

I still need just over 5k steps to meet my monthly step goal, and clearly that's not going to happen now as it's dark. But it's been nice to have the energy to cook properly and do the clearing up for once! I think eating better and adding in some pilates is helping.

greenbee

And I set the WM to drain and cleaned the filter… which was grim and stinky. If the sun shines tomorrow it may well get another drum clean! I hadn't done one for ages. Kettle and coffee machine really need descaling too. And I'm still 3k steps off my monthly target (and even further behind redo 🙄).

Oh… and I emptied all the coffee pods so there's lots of coffee in the compost container, and lots of pods to be recycled. Stinky and I might have a little trip to the bin if I can locate not-Fatty and make sure she won't try to get out again.

greenbee

Stinky woke us all up at 5am (no clue why - maybe a nightmare), then Stripey cat wanted cuddles before going out at 6am, and then Stinky barked again at 7.15 so I fed them all and went back to bed again with coffee. Since then I've done PIlates and taken Stinky for a nice long walk - getting home just as the rain started.

Septic tank pump drained the battery again last night. I'm going to have to insist he stops fiddling around with it and gets it replaced as not fit for purpose. It should only run when water has been used, and shouldn't run for more than a few minutes at a time (even a bathful of water doesn't take it long to shift). It seems to be coming on for no reason and then running continually, and it's now been going on for a couple of months.

greenbee

Ended up going to the supermarket at lunchtime as the cats were yelling at me (about the weather, food, and probably lots of other stuff) and I needed a break! Managed to restrict myself to a basket (I needed a couple of things and wanted to use some vouchers before they expired), but also gave in to some chocolate… after a week of eating properly the 'dark' chocolate was far too sweet.

Other than that, I've had coffee and grapefruit at midday; a huge salad with black beans and sauerkraut for lunch; an apple with peanut butter and a couple of prunes after our afternoon walk; sprout kimchi, kombucha and paprika yellow peas before supper; lentil bolognese with added peppers and tomatoes and a bag of steamed kalettes and some parmesan scrapings, followed by yogurt/kefir/seeds/grains/stewed apple. I may have some more of the walnuts and a couple of dates, but I'm going to try to stop eating at 8pm rather than grazing mindlessly all evening. I've done better this week at not eating before midday, so it's just the other end of the fasting window that needs sorting.

KajiKita

Cats can get so grumpy-noisy sometimes can’t they! I think when there is two of them they pass it back and forth between them as well! 🙄😂

Would consciously brushing your teeth at 8pm help with the late night nibbling?

KK

Watty1

Oh the brushing of teeth - I have used that in the past. Thank you for the reminder :)

greenbee

I’ve been thinking about the after supper teeth brushing KK. I suppose I should try it!

Stripey cat was up early again today … and as I was late to bed (Stinky insisting he didn’t need a poo so bath was late and had to go out after my bath) so all animals are unpopular (not-Fatty complaining about food) and I’m shattered. There’s a long to-do list today that needs to start with some WhatsApp messages (dog walker were not currently using to say thanks for her Christmas present left on Thursday, drain man, builder), emails (reply to email from hospital), and phone calls (check what’s happening about my report of pollution), then Pilates, chop a BNS and shove it in the IP while I take Stinky for a walk.

Weather is grey and dull.

Need to get the septic pump issue resolved - I can’t keep switching on and off manually. Can’t leave it off (doesn’t work without the pump) and can’t leave it on (runs even when no water is added, doesn’t cut out so may burn out and has now probably used more electricity than it cost to buy in the first place). I want him to try returning it to the supplier rather than having to go through all the warranty hassle.

ETA - have done the messages. Need laptop for the hospital thing and to wait till later for the EA stuff.

redofromstart

I gave myself the day off yesterday, and my watch is currently on charge, so you should be starting February challenges in front.

greenbee

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81865996#Comment_81865996

You beat me very comprehensively in January! Yesterday ended up at just under 15k but I’m sure you’ll catch up as I have work travel this month!

Drain man has sent me manufacturer’s number to call about the pump. Need him to understand that the retailer is first port of call at under 6 months and I don’t have time to call the manufacturer. And it needs to be fixed before my work travel as I can’t expect my mum to turn the pump on and off manually.

Will set and 8pm reminder for teeth cleaning. Maybe it’ll work!

Pilates is done, so now I need to get dressed, prep the BNS and shove it in the IP and take poor Stinky for a walk.

greenbee

Pump is being replaced (drain man needs to come and pull it out, take a sticker off, cut the sticker in half, take a photo, put the pump back and send me the photo), so that's one thing off the list, although dealing with the customer services team was painful.

Chased up the pollution report - the offending property has been sent a letter telling them to sort their treatment plant out or face fines. Nice man at the environment agency told me to call back in a week if it isn't resolved and he'll open a new report. There's another issue elsewhere in the village so I'll report that. Everyone moans about them and no one does anything.