Sh*t creek - is now in my rear view mirror...!

MovingForwards

They won't be taking it back, nor will it be a mistake. Back pay can be quite a bit of money.
Is this where I can say "told you so" 😁😁😁

I think it may say on your letter how long it is granted for, or if it's an indefinite award.

Congratulations on reaching your goal, I knew you could do it. Yes you have done it. It doesn't matter how the goal was reached, all that counts is the money is there!
It is normal to feel how you do, but honestly you have earned it, you definitely deserve it and you are entitled to it. 
While you feel crabby about your health, it's paid off (bad pun not intended!) and does give that edge with financial freedom.

Keep saving, be mindful of going over the £6k limit.
Keep to your budgets, but possibly increase your food and entertainment ones.
Keep checking your account as many times as necessary until it registers 🤗

But yes, it's very real and no you are not doing a JR and dreaming!

Congratulations 🎉🎊🎉

Irenadler

Ha! Thanks Babs! You are allowed to have your smug smiley face - just this once! I know, you did say, but still....

It doesn't say on the letter how long for, so, I will try saving that bit extra in case they stop it soon.

I have been duly shorn at the hairdresser's, so, look more human...

I still have doubts, but, it is definitely in there, although I am a long way off the £6k limit. By about 10 years of saving! I am going to stretch the food budget to a massive £30 per week, and still keep checking it...

It does feel like a cheat, like I have suddenly leap-frogged 10 months ahead in savings, but I can't afford to refuse it, quite frankly.

Cheers Babs, and thanks to everyone for their support, we can celebrate unexpected surprises, and at least this was kind of a good one for me! 

MovingForwards

I know, you wouldn't believe it until it happened 😊
It's a minimum of 12 months. Could be 1, 2, 3 years or indefinitely. Base it on being a year for now.
In a few days when you're more settled, have another slow read of the letter and see if anything is mentioned and perhaps have a look at your journal. For now, bask in the relief that you've a breather.

I fully understand how you feel about your goal, I felt the same when I reached mine as it wasn't all my hard work and sacrifice. The 'guilt', 'shock' and all other emotions do turn into a positive 🤗

Irenadler

Yes, I had to check it again. And read the letter again. There is no time limit shown on it. Maybe I should calm down and not look at everything as a panic trigger. And breathe....
I think that means I have a low threshold for stress/shock - I go into auto-panic mode. My poor old brain can't cope....

I finally dragged the Xmas stuff out of the shed, shooing off the spiders, which were huge. The ma-hoosive tree has been taken to the local charity shop at last, along with the too big angel topper, and 2 boxes of baubles. Hope that someone gets there fast to snap them up. They are still open!

You'd think that would make a dent in the stuff. I still have 2 bin bag's full of decorations, a couple of tins, and some boxes! After the (good) shock I have had, I am going to clean the lounge, set up the small tree, and mantlepiece stuff, so, if there's too much left over that will be bagged up for when the charity shop opens again hopefully in December. In the mood now for Xmas....

Amount spent on new decorations = zero 

However, I may be venturing to the shops for Xmas pressies/food, thus turning what would have been a very quiet and little treats Xmas, into a bit more of a boozy, treaty one! Hic!

MovingForwards

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The realisation about how many decorations are owned is when they are all dug out. Donating surplus will allow others to have a magical time too.

Start writing your list 🤗

Irenadler

Hmmm, I don't know if I'm on the naughty or nice list - ha! Yes, I am picturing excited kiddies around my old tree (and thanking my luck that I don't have to keep lugging it out and back), plus new to them baubles this year. A nice, warm feeling....

I don't really want/need anything for Crimbo, only what I can't have: my old self back.... The only other thing is being with family, really, really hope that happens and it isn't still lockdown.

Ok. Maybe a trashy Xmas jumper? And a pink gin....  

MovingForwards

Christmas may be different this year, it will probably be a long celebration over a few months, with little parties instead of everyone together. Your tree and decorations can stay up for longer than normal 😃

Put your wish in an envelope and wait for it to come true. Health takes a while to get back on track. You are getting stronger each day, more confident each week and making some really good decisions compared to when you first appeared.

One day you will look back and not hanker after the old you, preferring the new you who came out the otherside with so much more knowledge and life experience.

Irenadler

That is a good idea, Christmas started today when I cleaned and put up the decors, first time I have ever done this so early! It has really cheered me up, and they aren't coming down until sometime in the New Year..... Longest. Christmas. Celebrations. Ever.

This year is no set colour theme - I have put all of it up, all the colours of the rainbow, seems really appropriate this year (thank you NHS!)

Thanks Babs,... I know you make a lot of sense. 
I have dug out all the Christmas cards to start writing them. Another first to prepare so early! I am going to put up the old cards I have saved from people no longer with me, like they are still here with me, in spirit. So many fond memories, sad & happy too. 

Talking of spirit... I will be venturing out later this week in search of gin bargains! 
This Xmas will be the most money-saving ever - starting with re-using the favourite baubles/wreath, and no buying new ones (unless tempted in a charity shop!).
Hunting out the best value/tasting gin - chin chin!
Trying out some vegan Xmas treats/main meals.
Looking out for bargain/discount pressies.
Using survey money to buy pressies.
Not buying food to huge excess, when everyone eats an huge main meal, and can't squeeze in any thing else.
So, no need to live on Christmas stuff for weeks afterwards!
Looking for a vegan stuffing (making my own to bring to a family get together, if we have one)
Looking to bring good cheer to everyone else, and a more positive attitude!

MovingForwards

It all sounds very nice and cheerful 😃
Have you got a trolley for your gin run and other seasonal goodies, as there's no way you are going to carry it all home this year!

Maybe a cranberry stuffing, pumpkin and seed nut roast, roasted spuds with skin on garlic for warmth rather than strong flavour.
There's so many choices and as it's a 3 month celebration this year, plenty of time for trying new ideas.

Irenadler

Yes, I have my wally trolley on stand-by for the Xmas run! Jotting down ideas for recipes, lists for pressies, as I will have a bit more cash flow than I thought....
Oh, yum, that one sounds good for a stuffing. I can see me doing taste tests, purely for family acceptability as additions to the main event, of course!   

Since it looks like most of us will be at home, I expect there will be some restrictions, I bet most people will cook up a storm so we can all have a good time indoors....