A diary about debt, dilemmas and a dog

doingitanyway

You are doing great. I'm sure you will get work soon. I'm jealous about the dog. I want one too!

AnnieG

Thanks both! I'm living being back with my dog, although he does nag me to take him out. I haven't actually seen my son yet as he's busy with RAF basic training but I'll go and visit him when he has a free weekend.
I feel like I haven't stopped today although in reality I haven't done that much. Took the dog out for an hour first thing then cleared a load of junk from my conservatory into the car and went to the top. It looks much better in there already, tomorrow I'll give it a good scrub so I can use it as a dining room.. it's full of cobwebs so needs a proper clean. I've sorted my broadband out for the house so am properly online, and took the dog out for another hour then took him to the vet because he's limping. A 5 minute consultation and £50 later he's diagnosed with some ligament damage and has got anti inflamatories to take. The funny part of the story was when the vet told me only to walk him on the lead for a week. He's a springer spaniel and hated the lead, so this is going to be interesting!

On the way home I caught myself thinking ooh I can pop into the shop and get some frozen chips, and I could get something for pudding and maybe a bottle of wine... then I stopped myself, I have veggie sausages, potatoes I can mash and peas which will make a lovely dinner and if I'm desperate for something sweet I've got bananas, frozen blackberries and half a tub of cream I could make something from. And a chocolate orange that I'm pretending will keep till Christmas!! So, there was no need to go to the shop after all, and I'm supposed to be off the booze so I've aids stepped that nicely.

And that's Wednesday done. I'm going to get my pyjamas on and have a look at Killung Eve on the iplayer.

AnnieG

Evening! What a glorious day it's been. I was super lazy all day, didn't clean the conservatory as planned but sat on the sofa watching tv! I did take the dog out for a couple of short walks.. he's crazy tonight as a result of not getting much exercise today so will have to do better at wearing him out tomorrow.
My new laptop came today but annoyingly doesn't work properly, the buttons on the mouse pad don't work, so I've contacted the people I bought it from and hope they'll be able to sort it. I've got an application I want to do at the weekend so I hope it's sorted soon. I also tried to apply for Universsl Credit but have to make an appointment so will call up for that tomorrow.
I went to my boot camp tonight for the first time since I got back from Vietnam, it was great to see everyone and get moving.
Tomorrow I must clean the conservatory, it's nice to have breakfast out there at the weekend.
Oh, and another agent called me today and I had an email from the company I chased up yesterday telling me I'd know if I've been shortlisted by Monday so it's all going in the right direction.

litepay

Good luck with the job hunting, @AnnieG!

Interesting story, I often think about going to work in Asia, but I hear too many stories similar to your beginnings there. Not everyone is cut for it...

AnnieG

I think it really depends on your circumstances. I think I would have found it much easier if I'd had family with me. Everyone I met said that the first year is the hardest and actually towards the end of my time there I had an absolute ball and loved it, I was devastated to come home. I think you just need to be prepared for the culture shock, which had a bigger impact on me than I'd anticipated.

AnnieG

I had a rejection from the local job I was hoping to get, but I do have an interview lined up for next Monday, for a job which isn't great in terms of location but is perfect in many other ways and pays very well, so I'll go for it and work out the logistics if I'm successful.
I had a lovely weekend in the sunshine, met friends for lunch on Saturday then went shopping for a winter coat. I'd seen one I wanted and was fortunate to get the last one in my size with a surprise £55 off, so was able to pay with vouchers that I'd saved from my birthday.
I did however completely overspend in other areas and am feeling particularly stupid today so am staying in the house apart from walking the dog and a trip to Lidl this week.

Choccygirl123

Hi Annie g

Just thought I'd pop by and say hello after reading your diary. I'm a great believer that everything happens for a reason. Sounds like your adjusting back to life in the U.K. and I'm sure you'll find a job soon x

AnnieG

Thank you Choccygirl.
Today I've been nursing a hangover which has really made me think about the choices I make. I drink far too much and it's not good for me, so have decided to take a break from it.
I've taken the dog for 3 walks today and he got to swim in the river so he's happy and snoring on my legs right now. I had a welcome NSD today and am looking forward to an early night.
No job news today, trying to remain positive though.

AnnieG

Feeling good today, Teddy and I went out for a really long walk in the sunshine earlier, it was a glorious day here and I really enjoyed being out in the fresh air. I had a call about another job, which is very interesting but wouldn't start until after Christmas in all likelihood and I'd hoped to start something before that. I've also received the title of the presentation I need to give at the interview on Monday so will get busy with that tomorrow.
My spends today were a sandwich and a cup of tea whilst out with the dog. I'll make a flask tomorrow and take lunch with me if we go at that time of day.
I just made a huge pan of butternut squash soup, which doesn't really taste of anything! I did put cumin and lots of salt and pepper in but it's disappointingly bland. I'll have to think about what I can do to make it more exciting as it'd be a pity to waste it, especially as the squash was free.
I am deliberating going to Bootcamp tonight, I really fancy being lazy in front of the telly, but I know I should go. I have half an hour to decide... I'll make a cup of tea and think about it!!
I do need to do a meal plan and shopping list...I'm so very good at making excuses!!

AnnieG

I didn't get to Bootcamp last night and am sitting here in my kit ready to go tonight... to get a message saying it's cancelled due to a power cut. Never mind, I'll get my pyjamas on and work on my presentation for the interview on Monday. I'm feeling nervous, not because of the interview but because it's a good job, very well paid and it would kind of bring me full circle and back to a dilemma with the dog. The job is 100 miles away so I'd have to either move (expensive and don't really want to move down there permanently at the moment) or find somewhere to lodge during the week... with the dog!
I'm starting to think that I'm just not meant to have a dog. Let's see what happens on Monday.
In other news, apart from filling up the car, I haven't spent any money today. It's getting close to my 'pay day' (when I move money from my savings to current account to keep me going until I find work) and my account is still in credit. My son is going to pay me back £100 that I lent him, so it's all ok. Must apply for Universal credit and council tax benefit as well as getting this presentation sorted.
Speaking of which, I'll get on with that now!