Moving forward and upwards

savingwannabe

Omg it sounds like you have had a mad week with the solicitors, work, study, pain and your teeth. Then the weather is pants which doesn't help.  Holy moly, poor you. Well done on the excellent interest and the savings. I second everyone's comments, if you have the time it might be worth applying for some kind of extension on the examined course using a dr's note and maybe sitting the exam later in the year.  It's worth talking to your tutor first to see if it is possible without losing your place that you have paid for. I am sure that under the stressful circumstances your doctor could help with a note which is usually what the examinations board/dept may accept as you are dealing with so much. I hope you can rest a bit this weekend and your boss is back vvv soon. 

MovingForwards

Thank you SW. 

I can postpone my place, but the idea of returning to this module fills me with dread.

I'm just going to scrape a pass with this whole module and then put it on the back burner until I'm settled. That way I can go over everything again, at my own pace and see if I want to carry on or just leave it and get on with life.

I've one more month of good interest, then my money is spent. That is excitingly unsettling in a way, but I will just have to save as much as realistically possible for the next two years, it will give me about half of what I have now.

My boss is back in just under 2 weeks. So still ages yet. No one actually thinks to say 'are you ok' or 'how are you getting on' or 'is there anything you need help with'.

I've had my roast dinner, burnt one half of my roast spuds. Really despising this electric cooker. Bring on my gas one (I made sure my home had gas as wasn't interested in an all electric flat).

For TV I've been watching Kitchen Nightmares, I know it's old, but the amount of laughs I get is worth it.

Just need to pick some films out to watch and I'm set.

Now I'm getting closer to exchange I have started making plans. It's also a way for me to relax, knowing my retirement is one less thing to worry about as will soon be sitting in my own home.

MovingForwards

Guess it's time to be open today. My pain levels are through the roof. I'm taking meds just for the sake of it, but they don't help when the pain is like this.

It's taken me nearly 6 hours to be able to get out of bed. Lower body just isn't working as it should, or as I want it to.

Spent my time wisely, looked at Amazon for a shower stool, thought I could use my voucher. Nope too expensive! Have watched some on eBay (will buy towards the end of this month). I did look on FB and GT but there's nothing local.

I also completed a PIP test, no surprises to see I'm potentially entitled. I cancelled my DLA years ago but hindsight is a wonderful thing and I should have swapped it to DWA. I guess it's that whole denial of me not accepting I'm disabled.

It gave me food for thought though with the questions, yes I hold down a full-time job, but what do I do to be able to do that, how many changes are implemented etc that's before even thinking about everything at home and when I go out. 

So the things I need to buy, ready for when I move are a shower stool for the big shower (no bath in my flat!) and a folding high stool for the kitchen. It's embarrassing to say I have to keep sitting down in between meal prep and cooking. Chop an onion, sit down for a bit, go back and chop something else, sit down again. Throw it in a pot or the oven and leave it to cook.

I'm not concerned about getting to my flat as there's a handrail and I can use my walking stick to get me up / down the stairs. There isn't the same amount of stairs as there is the one I'm in now, even though both are first floor. (Yup, I compromised on that  )

If you flipped over the floorplan of my rental, that's the layout of my flat, but much better. Not as many cupboards, but the floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobes I've planned will soon change that. I've not yet found any readymade ones I like. I could go with normal wardrobes, plonk things on the top but then it's the dust and needing dust bags. 

To keep costs down I could get a carcass put in, a shelf or two at the top, rail under that put a chest of drawers in the bottom, all hidden behind big doors. 

However, I want built-in drawers at the bottom, wardrobe in the middle and a flip opener hiding two shelves the top.

Technically, I could get my brother up, but would need to pay him his lost wages, plus the materials cost on top. It will work out cheaper to get a local to do it. 

I did my research yesterday into restaurants, take-aways and interesting shops. Found an antique shop up the road, so guess where I will be keeping an eye on (depending on their prices), if too much will just see how much the ones over this side cost to deliver. Will look into the next village / town / area along soon.

Haven't anything planned today aside from more dodgy reality programs, Deep Space etc and somehow a shower, perhaps sitting on the edge of the bath is a possibility. I know it should be nice to be under running water, but when it's more tepid that hot, it's an ordeal!

Skint_yet_Again

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Totally understand you with the prepping & showering. 

I do a bit, sit, do a bit more so it is second nature now. I iron 3 bits, sit down for a bit, then iron 3 more. I try to buy non-iron so it’s mainly work trousers & jeans only. Climbing into the bath at home today to have a shower was a real struggle. DF has a walk-in shower & hand rail. My bathroom is small & I have a large sink that overhangs the bath so I have to hold onto that. 

I don’t think of myself as disabled either but I think I am going to have to let work collect me from my car in the work wheelchair they provided when I go in on Monday. There is no way I can walk from the car park & down the long corridor. 

Love reading about your research into where you are moving. The antique shop sounds worth a visit. Hope the prices are reasonable! 

I am fairly pain free at the moment thanks to codine pills. I have just been sat watching tv & snoozing since I got up. Don’t expect to do much more today. It’s sunny & windy outside so I know I could have got all my washing done but I am not going to attempt to bring it downstairs & hang it out once washed. DS brought my bag in from the car yesterday. 

Hope you feel better after some rest & hope painkillers start working. 

MovingForwards

Thank you SYA, that's what I love about the small group that comments on my diary, we all have something in common and can support each other, offer suggestions and just listen.

Glad you are resting and fairly pain free.

My shower was interesting, not as comfy as I hoped, but will do for now.

In my flat I've a double sized shower, with a small lip to contain the water, it will be so much easier and hopefully actually have a decent shower, with hot water.

I haven't ironed anything in years, I don't even own an iron / ironing board. Just very careful with what I buy and how it's hung when drying; I doubt I could cope doing ironing without risking my upper body going on me; when upper and lower flare up together I'm in serious trouble mentally as there's nothing to escape the pain.

I enjoy sharing my online adventures, makes me feel human. I will post a few photos of my exploration when I move.

Must see if I can get a bus from my flat to the ice cream shop, as the view over the water was fab. Will set myself a £5 ice cream budget!

I should also carry on looking to see what other antique shops are over that side. I'm hoping to be very sympathetic to the age of my flat and have a few key items.

I've already picked out the sink and taps I want. Just need to find the right tiles. 

There's no rush to do the bathroom as at some point it was done, but just not fully to my taste as with the kitchen. Hopefully, next year I will do the bathroom as that's only going to need £2k. The kitchen I will do after 5 years.

It's a lovely blue sky here too, a few fluffy clouds, I can hear the seagulls which always makes me think I'm closer to the water than I am.

I'm about 6 weeks I will be living on the opposite side of the water and be able to look out my window to see it.

I moved another £25 to AFs today, just over £740 needed now and hopefully will be able to drop another £100 in before payday, depending on dental costs.

savingholmes

Sorry you've been in such pain MF. It's horrible when it explodes. I hope it settles for you. I am surprised from your description of your difficulties that you are not already claiming PIP or equivalent. I would give it a go - I'm still debating trying to claim for DD and possibly me - despite not having such physical difficulties as you've been experiencing. If you got the money you could use the money to help you get out and about more or as you say for physical adjustments to your flat. If no-one is asking how you are coping at work - perhaps you need to be the one suggesting how others can help share the load while your boss is off so you at least get your breaks. You would be the first to say that to someone else.
 
It will be fab when you move. Remember there are various furniture reuse charities around that often have fantastic items at low cost. The icecream budget sounds like a must to me! Hope this turns into a better week for you.

MovingForwards

Thanks SH, the PIP thing I will look into when I've moved, got too much on to try at the moment. Think it would just too me over the edge of I was to do it now. If I can time it right with the move, I can phone up, get the form then book some time off to unpack and fill the form in. Or it may just be a case of saying start paying my DLA again please, as they write to me each year saying this is how much you are entitled to.

I'm hoping things will be better when I move, knowing I've my own place, knowing it's set up better for someone like me and knowing everything is on my doorstep.

I know a bungalow would have been much better, but I just couldn't afford a 2 bed one and the 1 beds were quite small, they were all ex-council so the 20% deposit issue came into play.

The difficult thing at work is there is no one I can say "can you help me with this, can you do that", it seriously is just me and my boss, which is crazy.

I had to kit out the rental as it was unfurnished, aside from white goods. I was BHFs best customer! I don't realistically need anything aside from a second bed. My plan is to get another new one for me and then move my old one into my spare room. The cooker etc is included in my new flat.

I have my ice cream and swimming budget sorted out! It's £15pm cheaper for swimming where I'm moving to than where I live now.

I've still got half day holiday to use from last year and all my allowance for this year, as long as I don't use more than 7 days from my new allowance for moving / unpacking / settling in, I've got enough to get me through the rest of the year.

savingholmes

Sounds good. Glad BHF had a good stock for you. A new bed sounds good too.

MovingForwards

They had great stock, I picked up a couple of leather sofas, IKEA sideboard / TV stand, new pine bed / mattress etc. Spent a few hours going through the Argos sale curtains and picked three sets out. Ended up doing the whole flat for under £750 including delivery charges.

The charity shop thread was one I hung out on and provided a full breakdown of what I purchased, costs and my budget when I moved into this place.

I swear by BHF and other charity shops for kitting homes out, together with mentioning to people I'm on the look out for stuff; ended up with a display cabinet, sideboard, rug and another sofa for free. Yes, I did have 3 sofas in the living room at one point! (Big lounges in ex-council flats)

I'm sure my new home will be warm and welcoming, some stuff will go to charity because there's built-in units in the lounge, but everything has served its purpose and can go to someone setting up on a budget.

If I had the budget I would be hitting shops and replacing things, only because I want a fresh start and what I have won't suit the age of my home or the colours I'm planning. However, things will get swapped over time, I have the rest of my working life to do everything.

MovingForwards

Nearly the weekend update.

My dentist operates on a conveyor belt basis, I was seen and sorted in no time. I no longer have a pointy bit, but my whole mouth still hurts and I've a healthy mouth. Hopefully it will calm down over the next few weeks.
- Got my purse out to pay and was told it's free. I thought it was cheaper than England not free.

Picked up some noodles, rice pudding pots, nail varnish and some toiletries, while on my way to the dentist. Cost £11.

Took £10 out and stopped off at the chippy, treated myself to a kebab. The best one I've had since moving up here. Cost me £7.

Moved money to AFs and a bit to my car fund.

Just over £710 to get together.