Prosperous soul in the making

Blackcats

I bet your seascape will be fabulous.  Maybe you could post a pic when you get the finished version.  

I wish I could sing - in my head I think I can, and on my own in the car I love to sing but oh dear me the real sound is dreadful 😱

savingholmes

Thanks MF and Blackcats
I was always told God loves the crows as wells the nightingales - so sing your heart out.

Had a good day today. Counsellor appointment and then went into work and worked my longest day in a while but it felt good. I did however get home too late to walk in the park which is a shame. Thinking I will take doggy out in a little bit though. Having macaroni milk for a late tea. Payday tomorrow - pleased as I still have about £20 in the bank and about £5 in a cash whereas at one point it was looking dodgy.

I'm currently expecting a big bill towards the end of August - so won't plan for what I can put towards my CC until I know the extent of that. Doing well at cutting back on food spend. I am planning to buy some more art supplies though - as I've run out of the pouring liquid I add to the paint to make it flow more easily. Can potentially buy that just after midnight and it might then come tomorrow or Saturday. I still have a little left but wasn't convinced it was enough to be worth the risk of mixing some paint and then running out.

I have enjoyed watching bees buzz around my sea holly. My neighbours always thought it looked too messy - but I love the little purple balls swaying in front of my window - always fall of life. I need to get out in the garden this weekend weather permitting and trim it back and do some weeding and rearranging of things. I always find that therapeutic too. 

SandyShores

I've really enjoyed deadheading the roses this year savingholmes.  Its so satisfying to see things grow and have life around them - we had a dragonfly in the garden today, and when I was sat on the bench a bumble bee buzzed at my head Glad you felt good after your long day at work too.  I've been feeling more satisfied with work - although I'm pretty tired as the week is nearing an end.  I've also been thinking about taking up work's offer of counselling, I'm going to investigate it in a few weeks, when hopefully I've had a few of the health appointments I've booked.  Its definitely good to look after your mental health.

savingholmes

Glad things are looking up for you Sandy. We have to prioritise good MH as everything else flows from that... 

Early pay day today so good. I settled an outstanding bill for £104. Bought some art supplies and stationary from Am**** £41 (in budget).

I took doggy for a 2 mile walk last night and today I took her to a park before work - DS joined me for part of it. I also got to sit on a bench and just journal while watching my dog run round like a loon. 

DD is still away at my sister's so its been quite peaceful in our house. It's amazing the difference just one person less in the house makes. Sis has invited me for Sunday lunch so I get to pick up DD, see 3 little ones and get fed. Bonus.

I batch cooked some brined chicken and a chilli. The meat came from the freezer and I think it was a bit borderline... Will see how it goes tomorrow whether I can make it taste better - improve the texture.

I went out with DS today after work. He wanted me to take him to TK after work - which led to a £10 spend for me there... (wrapping paper but super pretty - white swans on a dark blue background, some tissue paper and nail varnish). Still in budget. I then suggested we went to the pub for a drink so we did that £5.30 (have a guilt free pot for that too) and then did a grocery shop.... (roughly on budget - spent a little more than planned.) I bought a lemon poppy seed cake slice - tasty treat.

They didn't have the milk I wanted so will have to go somewhere and get that. My car is also down to its last 2 or 3 litres of fuel and needs filling up - that can be a job for tomorrow too... Seeing nice seaside pictures on HSL's diary is making me want to go to the beach tomorrow. Not sure what the weather is due to be... Might look into it depending on what time I wake up. Plenty to do in the garden here too - I've neglected it this year...

In very MSE news I complained about my gym membership a while ago - and they've agreed to restart it and given me 12 weeks free... Woohoo. So I can add swimming, weights and machines to my exercise repertoire - especially on bad weather days... Always good to have positives to celebrate and look forward to...

SandyShores

savingholmes said:

It's amazing the difference just one person less in the house makes. 

We were just saying the same thing tonight.

jwil

I agree about one less person in the house making a difference.

All sounding good otherwise though, have a lovely weekend

MovingForwards

It all came together in the end and hopefully that has given you the confidence money can last on the run up to payday.

You've come a long way this year and will continue going strength to strength.

Have a wonderful weekend.

savingholmes

Thanks MF, Jwil and Sandy

Had a good day but was shattered. I bought a rocking chair to upcycle with chalk paint.

 Also went to a vintage type place

This made me think of children's stories where kids get transformed into objects LOL

Grogged

Finally had a morning to catch up on your diary in between a bacon sarnie and a aew cuppas!

Great to hear both DS and DD have started their next phase in life and (belated) congrats to DD on her exam.
Also lovely to see that your taking care of yourself - those photos and the picture looked fab.
You've found some very nice places to be you and soak up the world.
Looking forward to seeing how the seascape and rocking chair turn out!
Take care, G.

savingholmes

Thanks Grogged. Glad you are well enough to catch up. 

Today DS and I went to my sisters to get DD and have a lovely lunch.  Was so nice not to be eating my own cooking - and it was followed up with chocolate fudge cake and ice cream too so fab. We agreed I'd do a commission art piece (in whatever their chosen colours are) for my sis and BIL for xmas rather than spend actual £ so that was a result... This way I get to do art therapy - and the finished piece stays in the family - so when obviously I become a rich and famous artist... they can benefit too...

Spent a significant chunk of yesterday playing with spreadsheets and forecasts.  I'm hoping our CCs will be gone by around October... If possible, I want to try and pay £370 off the CC this month - but it depends how much some other bills are... Trying to get it down to a round £1K. Looking to change our interest only mortgage to a repayment one which feels both scary and the grown up choice all at once. Looking into 5 year deals - so can get a fix while rates are low - and chosen one that is portable too in case the ideal home becomes available. There's lots of stuff I would want to do to this house first though to feel that I'd maximised the value when I come to sell. My pensions are in a good place so now I want to own more of the home. I hope come November to qualify for the MFW board... and pay more than about £3.50 a month off the capital LOL.

I've been slowly increasing my hours at work back to normal and I'm expected to be full time from next week.... (which will be better for the mortgage application too) so considering booking at least a half day off for a few weeks on the run to compensate as I am still feeling wiped out fairly easily. A lot going on in RL. I'm potentially going to cancel the purchase of some extra holidays I bought to give more room in the budget to pay off the mortgage and still have flex for hobbies etc.

DS's job will be London based but they are letting him start remotely so he is thinking of only moving after xmas so that he can clear more of his debt and be in a better financial position before paying city rental prices. His long term client still owes him £850 and is 2 months in arrears so he's struggling. He's also still owed some £ back from Oz that he needs to chase but it's a vicious circle as he can't afford the phone bill currently... 

DD is counting down the days until her apprenticeship starts.