Happier Nat's debt free diary

natlie

Morning

Saturday at last!

This week was a whirlwind, so busy. I was out and about walking a lot and I did have a few small spends. I also did have an OLIO collection (bread rolls, Focaccia, Pain au chocolates and Ciabatta)

I had a few Vint*d sales so i have a couple of parcels to post today - will walk to the inpost locker to get my steps in. 

Yesterday I had a follow up from my return to work meeting on Dec 7th - I had to send a reminder to HR about this which is frustrating as they had recommended it as the outcome. The wellbeing assessment was horrible just reliving things that happened last year again, i couldn't answer the questions around self harm and suicidal thoughts my body wouldn't let me. The lady on the phone recommended counselling and they has been arranged for Monday. 

In the afternoon I had the first catch up with my case worker since the 16th October, basically the person I raised the grievance against went off the week I went on sick leave and has been sick/non-contactable since then and so they can't progress my grievance, they can close it with some other bits that can be closed out but I said no. Apparently there has been one communication that suggests he may be open to a conversation. Formally he has not been made aware of my grievance but informally I think he is. I was told that it is unlikely he will be back anytime soon. 

So for now i have to put that to one side and carry on. 

Today

I have to redo my food audit/meal plan and I definitely need to get baked beans because the kids keep complaining that there are no beans here. 

I have a load of laundry to do. 

Change the beds

Hoover everywhere

Water all my plants

post my parcels

Its payday on Friday, it's been so long since the last pay day. I have 16/25 no spend days

Have a lovely weekend 

Nat 

natlie

Sunday!

Today the focus is still on the never ending pile of laundry, particularly bed sheets as I can tumble dry them - its raining today, yesterday I managed to dry a load on the line outside. 

I went for a walk yesterday and I have already been out for a walk today managed 3,300 steps today but the rain and wind beat me. 

I did a bit of a meal plan yesterday but the kids are no help, they tell me there's no food here all the time but I came up with about 15 meals I could make from stuff in the house. I ask them what they want and the only thing they said was jacket potatoes so it will be another week of them saying they don't fancy things. 

goals today

Finish doing laundry
Do the food shop 
Drink 2 litres of water
Clean the bathrooms 

Nat

Baileys_Babe

It is so demotivating when the children are unsupportive about meals. I'm not sure of the ages of your children but could you tell them they have to choose from the list, even given them a shorter list than the 15 meals you know you have ingredients for. 

in_need_of_direction

After a few days of unfilled jacket potatoes, minds may be changed

natlie

@in_need_of_direction

natlie

Morning, 

Really busy week again! we only had jacket potatoes twice 

It was payday yesterday so i have been doing my budget bit more moving about to do, I feel like my planned budget and actual budget aren't quite right this month. A few of my bills have also gone up this month like the dentist, it's only small amounts but it does make a difference. 

I paid my last payment to HMRC for an overpayment of child benefit yesterday after 12 months so that's a relief.

Ended the month on 14 no spend days 

Today my tasks are similar to always

Laundry
Cleaning
Grocery shopping
Find the bathroom scales in the garage
Go for a walk

I got a book from the library yesterday called food for life by Tim Spector which is really good. I watched a programme on Netflix called Hack you Health the secrets of your gut (or something similar) it was really good! 

Have a good weekend everyone who reads this

Nat

natlie

Morning

Saturday again, another busy week!

I had a bargain meal out this week I had a £20 restaurant voucher for xmas and I found a 241 mains code for Las Iguanas, plus it was BOGOF on cocktails so we had a meal for 2 with 2 cocktails each for £14 each. 

Today is a similar day of cleaning and posting parcels.

Nat

natlie

Morning, 

Im going to start with positives this week, my husband took me out for a lovely tapas meal of Wednesday to my fave restaurant and it was just excellent, I have a lovely new pair of trousers and a bunch of roses. 

Our cat has decided he loves cuddles this week so for the first time in 2.5 years he is sitting on laps for hours. Ive been watching some films as a result. 

I found some great new recipes that I have been enjoying and currently attempting a focaccia so I can make a tasty sandwich for lunch.

I interviewed for a job that has been vacant in my team and that I have been covering since July and we are going to make an offer hooray! Hopefully less people to report to me and less work soon as it's been tough. Part of the bullying I experienced last year was not signing off on resources and support and so I wasn't able to recruit, he kept changing his mind about the tile of the role or who would report to it, or where it sat and when I challenged him on it he would deny what he had said. Fortunately I had some of it in writing for my grievance. 

I've been asked to manage a disciplinary for the first time and Im sure I hadn't been asked before as he would block opportunities for me to learn and develop in my management role. 

Tomorrow i have to take my daughters car to get her brakes done as she is going to Morocco, lucky her! so getting all my jobs done today

Have a good weekend everyone

Nat 

Sarahwithlove

That's good news about your job opportunities being open to you again. 

natlie

Morning

I really feel like I've turned a corner with my mental health this week, I feel lighter, more organised and I've been making more effort to go out, had a lovely day out with the kids yesterday and the weather was so good. 

It was payday yesterday so I have done my banking and I had enough spare this month to get the laptop riser that I wanted so I can stand at my desk when working from home, I was told the key to my wellness is: diet, sleep, activity and mindfulness so I am working hard on these.

I have booked Fridays off until the end of March with my leave which I have to use up, working shorter weeks will be good for me. 

I also had the car serviced this week, we have a lease car so no costs, only needed a new tyre and they washed and cleaned it so its all shiny now. 

Today I am not going to spend the morning doing laundry, I am going to cycle to the bakery for a focaccia and we are having falafel sandwiches for dinner with hummus and salad. 

I have to pop to Tesco to pick up a returned in post parcel and to pick up a cheap box of hair dye as I have 6 months of roots to sort out

I did start deep cleaning the kitchen earlier but stopped so need to finish that later and I will eventually get around to the laundry, its nice to be able to line dry things again. 

Have a lovely weekend and try to get outside in the sun if you can

Nat