A Year in the Life of...

girlatplay

beanielou said:

Glad that you had a nice walk.

I really did, thank you.

astrocytic_kitten said:

That is all excellent news! A tidy garden will make a big difference, and well done on getting out into the lovely weather and ordering the mattress topper. It’s great that you’re starting to want to do more self care.

I’ve fallen out of the habit, but I used to find that a few minutes daily of yoga / pilates type stretching was really helpful for aches and pains. Getting out into the sun is good for the soul though. And if you’re on the second floor then you’re also getting a couple of flights of stairs into that too.

Didn't think about the stairs.  Of course!

savingholmes

Well done on getting out in the sun ☀️ and in getting the mattress topper

EssexHebridean

Well done for getting out and getting some movement in! Remember that it's really important for women generally to get some movement involving impact - so walking for example - and some involving resistance (which can be all sorts of things from carrying heavy shopping bags, a weights workout, even if just gentle, gardening etc every week, so future bone health and also, as we approach menopause age. I suspect even allowing for the weight aspect the benefits would very much outweigh the negatives. Do you see a dietician or similar who might be able to advise?  Something like pilates or yoga would work really well for a strengthening exercise without being particularly likely to make you lose weight I'd suggest. 

girlatplay

I did great Thursday to Sunday, I did feel a bit better in myself, but now the sun is hiding again and I'm cold again.  I wonder if part of feeling better was feeling and seeing the sun too. I'm hoping to get a garden with the next house as I quite like pottering.  The dietician signed me off (was around August 2020) as I was doing really great. They did say to get go and get referred again if I had any issues and I've had a few more flares and covid since then.  I had my yearly bloods done last week so they might flag something.  I just don't like to be a pest.  Please don't shout at me, I know.

girlatplay

No further forward with marketing the flat yet.  Still waiting for bf to finish the tiles.  Got a bit of painting to finish then just a good clean before pictures.  Should be ready in around three weeks.

All budgets are blown. Not awfully but have definitely gone over in each area.  I stopped counting.  Payday on Thursday.

Nothing else to report, just keeping a low profile.

EssexHebridean

Absolutely  no shouting BUT a gentle reminder that if things need investigating/keeping an eye on then reminding people that they need investigating or keeping an eye on is very much NOT being a pest...

I think we all felt better for the sun last week too - I'm missing it now it's gone all chilly and grey again! 

astrocytic_kitten

There was a study done a while back (called Cloudy with a Chance of Pain, best title ever), which showed that weather like today where pressure is dropping really does have a bad effect on chronic conditions. I never remember to plan ahead for these times but when there’s a day like today and I’m cold and sore and feeling much worse than a day ago I have an aha! moment.

beanielou

Don't beat yourself up.
Instead be kind to yourself.
Get that referral to the dietician when you feel more like yourself  xx

girlatplay

Thank you all.  There will come a time that I will go and ask for help again but I'm just not ready for that at the moment.


I gave up writing down everything I spend.  I had a bit of a MH dip towards the end of last month and it wasn't helping when I knew I was going over budget in most areas.  So, onwards.

Payday was 31st.  All accounts refilled, although grocery has taken a hit already. We decided to try another food subscription box.  G0ust0.  Was £13 for the first box which is not too bad.  The 2 x veg boxes for the month are charged on 1st of month.  Also, LMG picked up some groceries at the end of last month so I reimbursed her.  I really need to keep a very close eye on this budget this month.  I need to keep better control of it.

Mortgage overpayment made so the balance is £85,320.  I'm planning to pay the £320 off from April's wage to take it to under £85k.  I'm going to see how it goes after that.  My plan is op of £300 per month but it leaves little in the way of savings.  I know my EF is decent but I do want to keep building on that.  I am also saving for bestie's hen and the Big Holiday.  I know I'm in a good position financially but I still need to be careful.

There is something wrong with the windscreen washers on the car.  They are not hitting the windscreen properly.  I have tried the the usual safety pin and blowing with compressed air so I don't think they are blocked.  It seems that the pressure is low as I can hear the pump when I try to use them and a tiny bit of fluid hits the bottom of the screen.  It's maybe a corroded join or something.  I'll ask my BIL (ex-mechanic) and if he can't help I'll speak to the garage on Monday.  Hopefully it's nothing too expensive.  It's just annoying as I've never had this before.  All my cars have been old when I got them and lasted for years with no washer problems. This car is not 5 years old yet.

My mattress topper has arrived.  I'm going to put it on when I wash my sheets (tomorrow).  I'm looking forward to being more comfortable as my body aches when I wake up at the moment.

One side of the kitchen is tiled.  Waiting for bf to come back and do the other side.  Little bit of painting still to do and I have remembered about a corner with split paper that I need to glue back into place.  After that, a good clean of the flat and we should be ready to market.  Another couple of weeks hopefully.

That's about all to report for now I think.  Have a lovely weekend everyone.

boxofpaws

Our cars - causing us stress and ebbing our money away. I feel your pain.

Sounds like great progress with the kitchen, it will be so satisfying when it’s done.

I found a memory foam mattress topper quite a life changer. Hopefully it will make a big difference. How is it? 

Blown budgets are a bit of a theme on this board at the minute. These are tough times, I think we need to be less hard on ourselves and appreciate we are surviving in a strange world.