Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 4 - The Aftermath

crazy_cat_lady

Hello
Do you ever have those days where you literally don't stop for hours but then once you do you wonder what on Earth you've been doing for those hours? That is how today is going. I was up early and sorting through stuff in the kitchen so that by half eight I'd had a cuppa and was planning meals for the next few days with the intent of getting straight back onto some sort of diet/healthy eating plan as soon as possible. I have been a disaster the past few weeks in terms of comfort eating and I can feel my weight going up and up again, so I'm taking that in hand again today. So far so good, but one hour at a time.
When 9am ticked round I rang the travel agent to see if they had had any further updates about the upcoming trip - which of course they haven't. I have until Saturday to change the dates to next year. It was a long and drawn out conversation but ultimately there's nothing any of us can do until the government get their act together and make an announcement about quarantine and air bridges etc. If there's no announcement end of tomorrow then I will move the holiday to next year. Rather that than being forced into going on a holiday in a fortnight that none of us want or will enjoy.
Half nine I drove up to ds school to collect his leavers hoodie and put his name down for the leavers assembly in the last week of term. That is a minimum 50 minute round trip - but dd got up early to come with me then started nagging for a DIY shop visit on the way home to complete the purchase of decorating supplies. We came to an agreement that if I help her to decorate her bedroom if she will help me to decorate the living room. She has taken on mother role and tried to encourage me to do something I hate by saying I might enjoy it more if we're both doing it. She's right - we might. After an hour tackling the one way system and social distancing and a spend of £50.03 we have everything we need to decorate. It was 1130 by the time we got home so we got straight on making lunches and I got on with my school work - only to find that the email system seems to have collapsed and I can't access anything. I did the little bit of stuff I downloaded last night and could do, then I went to put the recycling out and tackle the first patch of bindweed at the bottom of the garden. It is very beautiful but trying to pull it out I can definitely see how it can become a problem. I've looked and it's coming into the garden in 2 separate places - one each from the neighbours either side. Ah well. I think that it's pretty so I will do what I can to stop it spreading further back to them, but I'm not fussed if it takes over the derelict 10 foot or so at the bottom of my garden.
Now it's half two and the decorating stuff is sitting looking at me but I'm not starting that today. The rest of this afternoon will be the kids school work, a load of washing and a walk. And some TV with dd and sticking to my diet (inspired by f0xh0les).

f0xh0les

Never start a diy task after 2pm.  That way lies madness.   Maybe DD is so utterly awed by the change in the bathroom in 2 or 3 days, that she can see a few tweaks will make a huge difference in  her room / the rest of the house.  Just take it slowly, and G00gle is your friend.

F0xh0les has not managed to lose any weight this week - I am putting it down to major stress with school / no school / threats of being fined for not sending kids to school/ locking my keys in my car boot / lockdown / and werewolves (probably) - so I am happy to still be the same weight and for not going up.  Sometimes staying the same is a win.  If I keep on doing the right thing, it will go.  I have 2 months off school so I am in charge of my routine.   It is just a matter of thinking what you want to eat, and how you can do that with fewer calories.   I have gone limited carbs and smaller  portions - it is easiest for me when feeding growing lads - i am not cooking 2 different meals for anyone! They don't pay me enough for that kind of service. 

Good luck, just remember that you are in charge.

crazy_cat_lady

Just noticing and loving your mortgage balance there f0xh0les. I did an excellent diet day yesterday and I'm hoping for another one today. Don't worry - I didn't start any decorating yesterday... the bucket and paint pads are still on the floor in the living room and the sponges still wrapped. I did say to dd that we needed to start early - we'll see what time she shows her face I'm happy for it to sit on the floor untouched in the short term
There is news on the holiday front, and it's good for me but not the holiday company. I played holiday chicken and won with 48 hours to spare I should have just held out a little longer than I did yesterday because while there were no answers at half past nine, by 3pm the company had cancelled the rest of their summer season. I do feel for them but I would be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer to have the money back and paid towards my credit card. A couple of thousand pounds will make a massive difference both to my motivation and my interest/balance. Plus none of us were keen on the idea of going on holiday this year - dd made a very good point in that she wasn't 'desperate' for it like she normally is at the end of the school year - a feeling I can understand and completely relate to. I would like to get away for a break, but not in the middle of a global pandemic where nothing runs as normal and you have to wear a face mask everywhere etc. The kids and I have rediscovered the joy of being at home over the past few months.
So, today's plans are dependent on when dd shows her face. I've already done a bit of school work now that email is up and running again, I've fed the cats, washed the dishes, made a lovely cuppa and it's only 8am. I've also written a job list for the day - always find that I'm more productive with a list and love watching things getting crossed off. Bathroom and kitchen both need a good clean today and I need to hoover through but think that is about it for the house at the moment. DS has done precisely zero school work this week, in spite of my best efforts. So he's going to be a busy bunny today - especially when he notices that the lead connecting his eXbox and TV together is 'missing' and will only be returned at the completion of this week's school work. He is going to be doing a very full day I think. I might need to shop as well - the grocery list is getting longer and I don't think I can continue to ignore it.

apple_muncher

Such good news about getting your money back. Phew! By next year, the exams should be up and running and you will be able to use that income for it, no?

Honeysucklelou2

Very impressed by getting your getting some school work done before 8am. I like your idea of missing wires, might have to pinch that idea to use with DS2, who is extremely hard to motivate re schoolwork. 

Have a good day!

f0xh0les

How about enlisting the help of 'him with the circular saw' ?  Make the GrandP's feel included, while teaching dd  essential household maintenance.

Is it just painting dd has on her mind and has she got a colour scheme planned?  I have found a new carpet /curtains / duvet cover and a bit of painting sorts all bedroom problems immediately.  Anything else can be solved with storage, and that can be done as and when.   Plus you get a little mate to go into charity shops with as 'you might find something for your room'.

DS will be next you know, and it will be so much cheaper as you will have all the kit already. The more you do it the easier it gets.

It is the stuff of memories - actually getting to customize your own space.  You are doing a good job there CCL. 

btw - I am certain they put something in paint that attracts cats.  Our ex-evil cat Parsley walked through every tray of paint I ever poured.  It was like a kid paddling at the seaside.  Thankfully emulsion is waterbased, so as long as it doesn't dry, lots of water and blotting works wonders.   Don't be afraid of chalk based furniture paint either.  The stuff is amazing and I did my skirting boards in it (they don't get knocked in the living room as we have sofas near every wall) no drips, no mess, low odour, dries in 20 minutes - I used it on my ceiling coving as well (I had it left over and I was feeling skint). The stuff is amazing and often on offer at Herr Aldee for about £4.  Tarts up all wood. 

crazy_cat_lady

11am and no sign of life from my children so I confidently predict a massive row with ds and no decorating. It is pittling with rain mind you so perhaps not the best day to be painting.
The cats are shook this morning. NT1 spotted me posting pictures of her on the internet and disappeared upstairs in a huff. I got under one of my blankets at 9am and closed my eyes for 10 minutes and woke up to the sound of growling followed by a massive cat fight. Turns out one of the cats from further up the street took advantage of the open living room window to sneak in the house while I was 'dozing' and then my cats decided it wasn't getting out again. So one on the windowsill, blocking the exit - two joining forces to pen it into the house and one sitting next to me on the sofa looking very shocked indeed. I've never seen so many fluffed out Christmas tree tails in one go.
I have dusted, avoided eating and gotten the hoover out ready to go when there is any sign of life from upstairs. 

foxgloves

Oooh, ridiculous as it sounds, I feel a little bit excited about your daughter's room makeover! This is because we are also doing room makeovers.... or at least planning them. I get so excited by paint charts & colour wheels! My new bedroom curtain fabric arrived this week so that's another refurb job sourced, even if it won't get done quite yet.
F x
P. S - Weight-loss has gone completely t*ts up here too. I'm not a comfort eater, I'm a habitual picker & have allowed bad habits to slide back in during lockdown. I infuriate myself!! 

crazy_cat_lady

Hello
Well I'm almost 3 days into my diet without blipping, which is the most that I've managed for the entirety of lockdown. I am not tempted to celebrate with a takeaway or restaurant visits or a large G&T so I will celebrate with a large cup of tea and a walk. I heard ds up and about and on his exbox at sodding quarter past three this morning, which didn't go down well with anyone. So I am forcing him out for a long walk to try and tire him out as well as dragging him away from a screen for a bit and hopefully improve his mood.
Haven't gotten lots done today - weather is grey and miserable and it has rained for most of the day so not great for motivation (as well as being at the crucial tip point of the diet). Blimming painting equipment is still untouched, but it isn't me deciding to stay in bed until midday every day. I feel like the day is pretty much done and it's too late to start a big job after lunch. I do need to tidy up in the sitting room though - there's lots lying about, not just painting kit, and now my sitting room is becoming as much of a dumping ground as my kitchen. So the usual - one episode followed by something else... it will take less than 10 minutes - I only dusted Thursday afternoon and hoovered this morning so it's just a case of moving things upstairs and putting them away.
Spent time talking with dd about her plans after school - she still wants to be a paramedic in the future so we've started being a bit proactive and investigating it. She doesn't want to go to college at all though, and I know very little about apprenticeships so we're trying to find out a bit more.
Other than that, my blanket for my mam is ongoing and where I've spent most of my day. I have no desire to be out in the world today with pubs opening etc. My hairdresser appointment is still a fortnight away as well so hopefully things will be calmer then.

f0xh0les

Oooh, have you thought about her volunteering with St Johns? Good way to get into sports events and festivals on the cheap as well. Plus if she decides she wants to do D 0f E it will all count.  There is a paramedic degree apprenticeship.  The National Careers Service website is quite good. 

Congratulations on the diet.  Keep drinking water.

I pull the wi-fi out of the socket when I go to bed and plug it in again when I get up.  If mine are that desperate 11pm - 6am they can use their mobile data.