Countdown from £28k...

Naomim

Have to agree with everyone else and get yourself tested.  You should also self isolate until you know one way or another. My friend has just recovered from Covid.  She has lateral flow tests at home as her husband is a key worker. She said she would have thought it was just a cold except she had a headache and was very tired.  Best to be safe than sorry in these times.

Naomim

enthusiasticsaver

I would agree on getting tested given the chest tightening, lack of taste and fatigue.  That plus you are in London which has high rates at the moment. Better safe than sorry. 

ryanm8655

alt80 said:

Your workplace sounds like they couldn’t organise a !!!!!! up in a brewery mate. 😆

Council tax - call them up and ask for it as a 12 month DD for the new bill from April. 

Roasting tin JL is your friend. Had mine longer than I’ve had the wife. 

Haha...tell me about it...but it's not always down to the staff...it's the fact ministers keep changing their mind/don't know what they want and ultimately everyone is at their mercy...it's the public sector...doesn't help that this piece of work is of interest to no.10 and several ministers all with different views...

Good stuff! Will take a look at John Lewis.

JGB1955 said:

De-lurking to say that I think Ikea pans are great - how about IKEA KONCIS - Roasting tin with grill rack, stainless steel - 40x32 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Large Appliances?  Just make sure it will fit in your oven - some ovens can be ridiculously small.

That also looks good...other than the fact it's less than half the price at IKEA, which is painful ha. That's some arbitrage...maybe I should start doing the same ha. There is a big IKEA not that far away as well (Croydon and Greenwich).

Sarahwithlove said:

The water bill is probably a set amount for rest of year and if anything like mine stops payment in March to June so that's why you only have two more DDs to come out for rest of year effectively. Have a look at the bill again it should say on it 

Ahh I see...the bill isn't clear...just says the amount from 2nd Jan - end of March. Will see what happens when the engineer has come.

stymied said:

@ryanm8655 Can you get your bubble to lend the missing kitchen bits for Sunday? You can then pick yours up some time later.

Yeah, that's an option (assuming I get a negative test before then).

lantanna said:

It’s hard to know what to do with ourselves isn’t it. I’ve had a couple of periods of total exhaustion over the last year which I think have been mental rather than physical. The whole situation plus the uncertainty about work has had an effect on us all I’m sure. Moving house takes its toll as well never mind moving during a pandemic! Could you try cheaper alternatives in the beer you like and maybe just buy your preferred as a treat ?

Yeah, it's been a weird old year that's for sure. At least when I had debt I had no FOMO...reckon having the debt to focus on was actually a positive thing...overall I am still one of the luckier ones as far as COVID is concerned...Definitely all sorts of weird stuff going on in the mind...memories of London times (good and bad) plus all sorts of other thoughts ha.

Yeah, I could go for cheaper beer, I'm not really even a big beer head usually...I like my craft beers but usually drink wine, but if I only drank wine then things would've been even worse Just need to get back into drinking less on the whole. But bearing in mind how wasted I was it was fairly pointless drinking expensive craft beers after the first few ha. Think it's partly the boredom/loneliness plus in my head I associate London with partying/drinking so after a few drinks I get into that mindset even though I can't do anything except chat to mates...also the fact I've probably self-medicated for various things using alcohol over the years Have always liked a drink...it's always been my main way of socialising...

Legs21 said:

ryanm8655 said:

Thanks for the replies all.

More burning through money Somehow managed to crack the toilet seat (I'm not that heavy ). Basically fell onto it when I slipped on the bathroom floor...£120 to replace annoyingly, perhaps I do need an emergecny fund after all ha...On the plus side it's a quick release seat so should be easy enough to change when it arrives. Did contemplate getting a cheaper one but didn't want something that didn't quite fit/didn't have the soft close/ended up working loose etc.

Also realised I need more roasting tins/sieve etc. Not going to break the bank but is annoying as I have all that stuff at my Grandma's but can't go and pick them up because of lockdown...though the petrol would probably cost more than it would to replace them to be fair. Also need some kitchen scales.

Some friends I've formed a support bubble with want to popover on Saturday and do a roast, hence the realisation I don't have the stuff to cook a roast with ha. Have a ceramic dish and a crappy baking tray that was left behind, where the non-stick is peeling off...

Fortunately it's pay day on Friday but as my credit card bill is finalised on the 13th and paid on the 27th, it's basically going to be maxed again after buying more bedlinen/kitchen bits/toilet seat etc.

Starting to stress about the money a bit, not because I'm broke, just because I'm not really thinking about what I'm spending in terms of budget. I can just foresee that I'll regret wasting so much on takeaways etc. when life does open back up and I have minimal savings... Takeaway is costing £25+ a pop after all the delivery fees etc. so need to cut that out. I'm spending a lot on booze as well (the beer I like is £8 for 4x330ml cans now and buying in bulk is no cheaper - it used to be £10 for 8 ) and I drank way too much at the weekend. Did a few virtual catch ups and managed to get through 4 bottles of wine plus beers on top from Thursday - Sunday. Staying up until 5am watching the UFC didn't help...I'm struggling with the idea of just doing mundane stuff on the weekends and not really living...somehow just need to accept it and sort it out.

Mood is so up and down, though to be fair everyone I speak to is the same. Just a bit fed up of it. My sleeping pattern has become really messed up. Not helped by the staying up late chatting to people/watching sports on weekends and probably the alcohol consumption too...still haven't established that much needed routine. Sunday I went to bed at 11pm but ended up laying there awake until about 3am...kept waking up all night, felt a bit anxious. Last night I went to bed at 9.30 and eventually resorted to some sleep story thing, which did work in the end...but again didn't get to sleep until probably 12.30. I did at least force myself up at 8.30, made myself an omelette. had a coffee etc. before the 9.30 meeting. So hoping that tonight I will get to sleep at a normal hour and reset myself.

I think there is a lot going on in the subconscious...my work is very unstructured at the moment as I've just inherited line management of several people, who's work areas I don't know and also a project that has zero structure and is a bit of a directionless mess. I basically feel a bit lost and like I'm new to the job again, it also throws off all my plans for my own development as just got to weather the storm to some extent. Need to get a grip and a bit more control.

Am wondering if I am getting ill or something...it's only just lunchtime and I was feeling really lightheaded in a meeting. I had breakfast so don't really understand why. Also feel a bit sick/dizzy. Going to bulk cook something healthy tonight, have also been taking a multivitamin to allow for the lack of sunlight...am wondering if I might have COVID or something...as have been exhausted no matter how much I sleep of late...and my sense of taste/smell does seem off. Have that feeling of cold coming with the mild burning in the nose/throat and have had that for the last week or so. Drink lots of water so not dehydrated...not usually a hypochondriac but know a few people that have had it without the respiratory element, just feeling exhausted and having a really bad headache...but have been struggling to think clearly for a week or so on the work front.

I hope that £120 for a toilet seat is a typo 😱

I honestly wish it was...have replaced like for like and it is a plush bathroom...I think half the problem was the sturdiness of the toilet seat (it can't loosen at all, the bit the hinge attaches to is fixed and then the seat quick releases from there), basically the hinge was stronger then the seat when I fell onto it (I wasn't drunk either ).

ryanm8655

Naomim said:

Have to agree with everyone else and get yourself tested.  You should also self isolate until you know one way or another. My friend has just recovered from Covid.  She has lateral flow tests at home as her husband is a key worker. She said she would have thought it was just a cold except she had a headache and was very tired.  Best to be safe than sorry in these times.

Naomim

Have booked a test for 8.30am at a walk-in centre nearby, forces me out of bed and means I don't miss any meetings as should be back on time...

A headache has started to come on. I can taste but it has definitely changed...everything just seems much duller, even my fragrances. I did drink a lot at the weekend but I don't think I've ever had a hangover where I've felt like this...do feel less anxious and did manage a productive day at work but I've got this weird mind fog. It could just be a combination of too much booze, crap food, poor sleep and a bit of general anxiety but better to be safe than sorry...

Spoke to a mate of mine and it sounded like what he experienced, which then turned into a severe headache. Haven't seen him, so not him I could have caught it from...fingers crossed it is just generally being a bit run down.

enthusiasticsaver said:

I would agree on getting tested given the chest tightening, lack of taste and fatigue.  That plus you are in London which has high rates at the moment. Better safe than sorry. 

Agreed, have booked a test in for tomorrow morning. Think the chest tightening is just anxiety but that could be a sympton of the fatigue etc.

Had better get so sleep since I need to be up early

Had a pretty positive day overall...batched cooked a stir fry recipe from the recipe book, so have plenty of healthy food that I just need to reheat now. Also had a whip round with the hoover. Plus a productive day at work... Didn't get everything I planned to done (was going to work late to do it but genuinely don't want to mess up my sleep anymore...not usually one to struggle with sleep that much and hate it ha). It's not urgent, just something I want to get out of the way before things get really busy...but will make time to do it tomorrow. Having dinner already cooked will help on that front...

Thanks,

Ryan

alt80

Batch cooking that stir fry is a step in the right direction mate. Better when you're on your own too rather than wasting a lot of food. Struggling with sleep is awful - sets me in a bad place to begin with tbh, if I can get my 7-8 hours I'm a lot better overall forgot what that is actually like though. 

Interesting re ministers - I've never really considered how the gov is run before now haha. 

Good luck with the covid test, should get results back next day or day after. 

ryanm8655

alt80 said:

Batch cooking that stir fry is a step in the right direction mate. Better when you're on your own too rather than wasting a lot of food. Struggling with sleep is awful - sets me in a bad place to begin with tbh, if I can get my 7-8 hours I'm a lot better overall forgot what that is actually like though. 

Interesting re ministers - I've never really considered how the gov is run before now haha. 

Good luck with the covid test, should get results back next day or day after. 

Thanks dude - yeah, had a phase of bad sleep previously. Would wake at a ridiculous hour but eventually fall back to sleep and crawl out of bed at 9.30/10am feeling not too bad. Then it was just overactive mind, racing thoughts re: work etc.

Seem to be in the same place again, struggled to nod off again last night. At a guess I got to sleep at 12.30. Didn’t check any devices after about 10.40 when I stuck a podcast on and I was awake long after the sleep timer ha. Woke up at about 4.30, usually I’d nod off again but knowing I need to be up has meant I haven’t been able too and instead my mind has been racing about what work stuff I need to get done today, have several meetings I need to prep for in the morning. Though last night I slept for a reasonable 7 hours overall I’d say.

Other common denominator on the sleep is stomach cramps. Even one glass of red would occasionally leave me bloated and in agony all night or if I ate lots of seeds/nuts. Have been bloated and had stomach ache since Sunday basically ha. 

Contemplating getting up now and doing a bit of work before I leave for the appointment. Then hopefully I’ll sleep a lot better tonight.

alt80

That’s not great re sleep and your work. I’ve been there many times and it’s awful doesn’t help the productivity either. Are you still full time wfh? If so, have you a proper office area? I do a lot better with the sleep when I do ‘finish’ work for the day review my diary/ to do and switch off. Doesn’t happen very often for me tbh but trying to make sure it does at the moment. Seems to work for staff too - saw one sending emails at funny hours, spoke to them and they said they couldn’t switch off (corona full time wfh) that’s what I suggested and it worked for them. I’d rather my staff weren’t burnt out and I’m sure the government is similar in that respect.

Re stomach, sounds like you should see your gp mate. It’s not normal to be waking up in agony after a glass of red.

Naomim

Good luck for the test today.

enthusiasticsaver

Hope the test goes ok and you get a negative result but I think maybe easing off on the alcohol, eating well, stopping work at a reasonable hour and good sleep routine will make you feel better. Same advice we gave @alt80. Alcohol can mess up your system. 

ryanm8655

Thanks for the replies all. Was so tired when I got back I had a quick powernap before meetings ha. But feeling a lot better now actually...so reckoning it was probably just the disrupted sleep over the weekend and the general impact of too much booze...I haven't drank that much booze in a very longtime and it was the fact it was 3 days running so the sleep I had was drunk sleep, which doesn't recharge the batteries... I'm struggling to get to grips with the fact I'm living to work at the moment with no prospect of proper life on the horizon ha...just need to accept it rather than drinking lots to try and get some enjoyment from the weekend. It all started on Thursday when I was in a good place and then had a couple of beers before eating and suddenly wasn't in a position to be sensible with the drinking and then Friday and Saturday were basically rinse and repeat. A bit like how my Thursday through Sunday used to be except speaking to people through a screen rather than being out at bars and pubs...

Going to get a grip now though...

Work is busy and stressful, lots to do and too little time, for the most part enjoying being busy but when my sleep is messed up I don't like the idea of working until midnight...that said it might be a short-term solution as can justify waking a little later then... Managed to tick a few bigger things off but still have lots to do...a lot of it is general planning and thinking so can't really delegate either...

On the stomach issues, agony is perhaps a stretch, but certainly in discomfort. I don't think it was the wine tbh, think it was food related. Realised the Lidl granola I bought (which was just plain nuts and seeds) really didn't agree with me but took a while to click. Happens if I eat lots of seedy bread as well. Some kind of intolerance I guess... A weekend of crap food and drinking lots definitely exacerbates it. Getting older sucks

Yeah, I was reading about the effects of alcohol on the brain and like any drug it makes you feel good because of the seretonin and dopamine release but if you drink too much over a few days it can leave your dopamine and seretonin levels depleted for longer than the typical one day. So was probably that. Never had that feeling from alcohol before...didn't feel hungover...just anxious...have had the odd bout of hangxiety like anyone that drinks but didn't realise it could last a couple of days! It's put me off

I've now order new bed linens, figured it might help sleep having comfy new beddings (currently still using the double duvet as couldn't decide on the bed linen). Have gone with a pale grey duvet set from John Lewis, egyptian cotton and on offer so was a pretty good price at £40 for King Size. Also ordered a "clementine" throw (a sort of ribbed one) with a matching rectangular cushion (the cushion was half price @ £15 and the throw was £50). Gone for a standard John Lewis large non-stick roasting tin for now (was the same price as anywhere else @ £6). Family cook and bake a lot and said just get a cheaper one and replace it every few years, I tend to do more hob cooking anyway. Need kitchen scales but they only had expensive ones in stock. Amazon have the ones I have at my Grandma's for £15 but it annoys me buying the same as I already have ha.

Hoping for a much better night's sleep tonight! Need to finish drafting an Impact Assessment ideally but still waiting on policy steer on what the final policy looks like...but they're ignoring my emails and calls ha...ideal...so going to eat, then I'll do a bit on it and then watch the football and finish it tomorrow.

Was hoping to get out for a stroll tonight but nope...ha.

Planning a no booze Friday as (test results pending) will likely drink a bit of wine with the roast on Saturday afternoon and then got a virtual quiz where I'll likely have a few drinks too. Thinking Friday evening I'll batch cook another dish, probably a bolognese as have all the ingredients. Also saw a chicken and mushroom risotto recipe I like the look of (just need mushrooms and chicken breast), love mushrooms in a risotto. Also want to do a toad in the hole with a proper onion gravy (hence need the scales for weghing the flour), a tray of that with 8 sausages will do about 4 meals and it's one of my feel good winter foods. Not the healthiest but meh...

Fingers crossed I haven't got corona as otherwise can't get to the shops! Have plenty to tide me over though...just having to eat omelettes for breakfast as have no bread! So things might get weird when the eggs run out...