Midlife Musings and Measurable Goals

doingitanyway

It goes without saying that the new changes on MSE are irritating and I dislike the layout so I am jumping in again as it would be easy not to, especially as I am doing badly with spending at the minute.

Let’s start with the good news: I am typing sitting at an actual table. The table is a 1960s/1970s gate leg table. It was £55 if I paid cash and took it away myself. A friend picked it up for me.  I spent an hour getting it clean as it was grubby. I see it folded down in my new home in the hallway. (I know, small detail that I don’t have a new home ) I can take it into the garden when I have guests to eat outside. Dreams eh? Anyway, good bye ironing board! I also have an adjustable office chair. I didn’t know this was so important to me until I had neither. Anyway, wrist rest in place and laptop on the table.  

I now have no excuses not to work.

With work in mind I have adjusted the times I will be with my relative, reduced to sleeping over 3 nights and helping with childcare a few hours 3 mornings with 1 pickup from nursery once a week. I realised I need to look after myself too.

Spends on fares are an issue. I am spending £30 a week (£120 a month) on local trains/buses. On dry days I am going to start walking again, there and back for my health and finances.

I had unexpected cash coming in last month and this, so my overspending hasn’t caused issues but there is noting extra this month so I need to pull it back with careful spending on food and travel as these are major leak areas.

I hope everyone is ok. Off to read some diaries.

jwil

Happy new table and chair.  It's surprising how much of a difference little things can make.

MovingForwards

A chair and desk do make a huge difference, I felt it after moving and setting a little office space up after collecting a chair from work. It provides focus and a clear work time / area.

I'm pleased you're looking after yourself and structuring the help to others. Would a pass or slightly changing the times you travel offer cheaper alternatives? Eg waiting until off peak.

beanielou

Happy new table & chairs 

Seasidegal58

Glad to hear your enjoying your new table and chairs - makes all the difference to be comfortable when sitting and working at a desk. 

Sunshine_girl2

Glad to hear you have now got a table and chair to sit at and work comfortably. Glad to hear relative is home and that you are helping out still but on a parred back way. 

Also pleased to hear you are meeting up with friends again. 

another_casualty

Great news about table and chair DIA 😼. Makes all  the difference . 

Not sure if you used buses 🚌from one particular company . It took me a while to find discounted fares /weekly passes and day tickets . May be worth checking on website . 

There is a day pass which can be used on all routes which helped me . That was all companies . You may get something similar .

Hope the week is going well..

savingholmes

Nice to be able to picture your vintage furniture in your new home... it will come. Keep looking after you and the rest will slot in place... I keep telling myself that anyway... Let me know if you have better luck!!

doingitanyway

jwil said:

Happy new table and chair.  It's surprising how much of a difference little things can make.

Thanks @jwil. It makes such a difference!

MovingForwards said:

A chair and desk do make a huge difference, I felt it after moving and setting a little office space up after collecting a chair from work. It provides focus and a clear work time / area.

I'm pleased you're looking after yourself and structuring the help to others. Would a pass or slightly changing the times you travel offer cheaper alternatives? Eg waiting until off peak.

Thanks @MovingForwards having the table and chair as you say makes a huge difference. I never travel at peak times as it is. I think walking more often should reduce costs.

beanielou said:

Happy new table & chairs 

Thanks @beanielou

Seasidegal58 said:

Glad to hear your enjoying your new table and chairs - makes all the difference to be comfortable when sitting and working at a desk. 

Thanks @Seasidegal58

Sunshine_girl2 said:

Glad to hear you have now got a table and chair to sit at and work comfortably. Glad to hear relative is home and that you are helping out still but on a parred back way. 

Also pleased to hear you are meeting up with friends again. 

Thanks @Sunshine_girl2 it feels great to be meeting up with friends once again

another_casualty said:

Great news about table and chair DIA 😼. Makes all  the difference . 

Not sure if you used buses 🚌from one particular company . It took me a while to find discounted fares /weekly passes and day tickets . May be worth checking on website . 

There is a day pass which can be used on all routes which helped me . That was all companies . You may get something similar .

Hope the week is going well..

Thanks @another_casualty. I'm going to try and organise my week so I can use a day ticket sometimes.

doingitanyway

So, my reduced times for caring has not gone down very well. (Down from sleeping there 7 days a week) I realise I can help 24/7 and no one will stop me even if it is to my detriment. I need to support, but also act in my own best interest. It is difficult.  Tonight will be the first night in my own bed. I am looking forward to a full night's sleep.

MSE wise I am going to ask a friend who drives if we can do a big shop together. This should stop me for popping to the shops as often as I do.

I visited the lovely charity shop again after my night shift. I bought a set of small hand weights (1.5kg) for £3, a book  (looks new) 50p, the NY bestseller Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng and a very pretty new bra with labels and exactly my size for £2.

The charity shop has become part of my routine as in the morning after my caring shift I pop in there and then I go to a little independent cafe for a coffee. Then a walk home through the park. I saw a photographer who appeared to be photographing the ground. I asked him what he was taking a picture of. It was the curve on the paving that mirrored the curve of a metal bench. It was beautiful but I had never noticed. I wonder what else I miss?

Off to read diaries.

I hope everyone id ok.