Building towards a complete life overhaul....might take a while but determined to do it

mumblingtaff

Thank you all for your advice. I hate doing nothing so it will keep me out of mischief at least.

Have had a quorn spag bol from the old chest freezer under the stairs for tea - trying to clear it out - I'm sure there's stuff in there that's 5 years old  
It's ancient and the lid is broken so it won't be worth moving it when I do move so I'm running it down now and will just buy what I need from now on, even if it's months and months before I leave.
Cleaned the wooden floors after the last dog walk of the day (thankfully its finally stopped raining), tidied the kitchen and got everything ready for the work week. Only 4 days - just need to grin and bear it ......

enthusiasticsaver

Sorry you won't get to see your family but understandable under the circumstances. I just hope people don't go mad over the holiday period and still remain vigilant. My mum and stepdad in their 80s get their Covid vaccines this week but still we are not making the 250 mile trip to see them until next year now. Even if just you and the dog I think it is nice to have some decorations up so glad you have put up the tree. Hopefully next year will be better for you if you move closer to family. I would not spend masses on doing up the house. It rarely translates to a higher sale price but might sell quicker perhaps. 

mumblingtaff

Hello all!
Well, I've finally finished work - hurrah! The unwanted Thursday finish actually turned out to be quite welcome by most staff at 3pm yesterday! And don't get me started on the last minute news about staggered starts and mass testing in January - give me strength!!

A couple of positive things have happened this week - had my end of year review with the big boss who couldn't sing my praises highly enough - it beggars belief that he's given me such a hard time in the past. I'll take it though and it will be all the more satisfying when I resign to see his face....
I got loads of gifts from staff yesterday (mostly booze and chocolate!) - many from people that I just wouldn't have expected it from, just quietly leaving things in my office saying thank you for just being there for them this year. Made me quite emotional - I just try to do a good job but its nice when you get a bit of recognition A nice end to a really super tough school term. We've all felt it.
And a year 11 boy that I teach, that's a proper naughty and I'm always nagging at because he's quite bright but can't be bothered, bought me a present yesterday (2 bottles of Peroni in a gift bag! I didn't ask where they'd come from..... ) He gave it to me in true teenage boy style - miss, this is for you - I'm going home now, without looking me in the eye!... - sometimes you get a feeling that you're actually making a difference, even if its just a little one.
My parents seem much brighter this week - I think they've come to terms with things a bit now, including the Xmas situation, although I'm sure mum will be wobbly nearer the time.

So, it was pay day this week but I only got around to doing the banking and budgets last night - everything is paid, squirrelled away or in a budget for the next 4 weeks. With not going away and no plans for the holidays I'm hoping to save a bit more from the budgets I've set myself for grocery shopping and spending. I've reached the next thousand pound mark in savings this month - very satisfying to see the amount tick up into the next bracket.
I did have a hair appointment booked for tomorrow but have cancelled it - its not long since it was done and I'm not tripping the light fantastic so it can wait for a few weeks with a home colour for the greys to tide me over in a week or two. That's £75 moved into the savings account

Need to write a shopping list for tomorrow or Sunday - might just try to drag things out a day or two more and then do one on the 23rd or Xmas eve to see me through Xmas - I won't go mad with Xmas food shopping, just a couple of treats on top of the normal stuff - no getting fatter just for the sake of it hopefully. (Although I did succumb to a takeaway after work last night to celebrate the end, to be honest I didn't really enjoy it that much but it was easy and deserved after these last 4 months of slog).

Having a bit of a pottering around day today - have been to the park with the dog, popped to Sainsburys for dog stuff and a thank you present for the dog walker and went to pay my respects at my neighbours funeral (just outside the house, its family only) but other than that have just been faffing about.
Will start the list of household jobs tomorrow and go for a run or to the gym too - today its a take it easy day

mumblingtaff

So, I'm not very good at doing nothing....
Took the dog for a long walk after lunch then decided to tackle a few small jobs from the house spruce up list - nothing too taxing or anything that required spending any money.

So I have...

• Given the bedroom wooden blind a good clean (I'm embarrassed about the dust that came off it)
• Fixed the tie back in the lounge with a screw I found whilst tidying out a drawer (saves buying a packet of them)
• Tried cleaning some scuff marks on a door with the Pink Stuff and its come up like new - was going to paint it so that's a job saved
• Whilst on a roll with the Pink Stuff, had a go at a scuff near the attic door - again another miracle!
• Given the coving in the whole house a good feather dustering

Nice to be able to tick some small jobs off, just stuff that you keep putting off but actually only takes a few mins once you get going

enthusiasticsaver

Enjoy your break even if you do not see your parents. Great job on the savings. 
Lovely you got some gifts and to be appreciated.  Even a simple thank you used to give me a boost when I was working.  

mumblingtaff

Thank you Enthusiastic! Hope you have a good one too.

Up fairly early (6am) - I can't lie in bed once I'm awake.
Have pottered around a bit and am waiting for it to get properly light to take the dog out for a run with me. Its not raining (yet) so might as well kill two birds with one stone rather than going to the gym.
I've got a few of the jobs from the list planned for today including getting some gravel for the thinning patch in the front garden, fixing the wonky towel rail, getting a new chain for the bath plug and doing a bit more sorting out of the school stuff in the study. I've made a big dent in it but there's still more to do and the bin man is coming on Tuesday so I might as well get more done before then.
I'll also do a hoover and dust of the whole house once the jobs are done, some  more washing and, of course, at least two more dog walks.
The dog walker popped round (on the doorstep) last night to give me and the dog a present and to collect hers. I got her a lovely Moonpig card from the dog with a really nice photo of him on it as part of her gift and she was really pleased with it. Soppy sods aren't we!
Its almost light now so better go and get changed before I change my mind.....

mumblingtaff

So, with the new announcements I couldn't go home if I wanted to for Xmas - Wales is in lockdown from midnight. At least it might make mum feel better about it - the decision is out of our hands. Its made me feel relieved if anything as I was the one that was reticent to go and spread anything to my vulnerable family. Won't be easy for anyone though - I just hope that people take it seriously......

Anyway, had a very busy day - I've been for a 5k run with the dog and done another big walk this afternoon, got a load of gravel from Wickes and sorted the garden patch, done about 5 small jobs from the list (I'm definitely not a DIY fan), cleaned the whole house from top to bottom, spoken to parents, and even cleaned the extractor fans in the bathrooms with cotton buds and the hoover .

I've tried to use up bits for food today too - out of date carton of soup and yesterday's crusty bread for lunch and made a cheese, onion, tomato and potato pie for tea (fridge is virtually empty now). Will continue to use things up from the cupboard and freezer tomorrow and hopefully not do a shop until Monday at the earliest.

Had a lovely moment in Wickes - two of my ex students rushed up to me and chatted for ages - they both now work there and are both doing well. They even insisted that they gave me their staff discount when paying and the lad took everything to the car for me. Lovely kids - well, probably about 19 now but they'll always be my triple science class!

Going to have a little rest this evening - am pooped!

mumblingtaff

Morning all!
Been up since 6 - I just can't sleep for longer than that. Have taken the dog for a quick walk round the block as he's definitely in the wide awake club this morning We'll go for a run in a while when its properly light to tire him out a bit.
Not sure what to do today yet - I do need to finish the study clear out and want to wash the skirting boards down right throughout down stairs but that won't take too long.
I'll also write a shopping list for tomorrow - need to do a bit of a meal plan - I have plenty of time on my hands so will make a bit more of an effort and actually cook meals rather than just heat up things from the freezer.
Right, better get cracking  - will be back later.

mumblingtaff

Had a busy pottering about type of day - did a 5km run with the dog this morning, pretty rubbish one but felt better for doing it.
Then launched into a deep cleaning frenzy - have bleach cleaned all of the skirting boards in the house - they look so much better for it and definitely don't need painting - cleaned the outside of the windows and sills downstairs and scrubbed the kitchen cupboard doors and kick boards, cleaned the front door and done two loads of washing. Have also taken the dog for another two walks so have got plenty of fresh air and exercise today.
Also phoned mum and did her Xmas online shop for her - another good job done - and managed to book another couple of delivery slots for her - can't believe I've been doing this since March, I can recite her usual shopping list now

Only spend today was some cheese from the local shop for tea - made a yummy tuna pasta bake (with enough for tomorrow and maybe lunch the day after too) and slung in a red onion and a pepper to use up the last of the veg in the fridge - a bit off piste for me, almost cheffy in my house!

Have written a shopping list for Tuesday (going to stretch out what's in tomorrow) and its really quite a big one - been running down all of the cleaning and household stuff and there's virtually nothing to make meals from left in the house now. Only going to do one shop to last until the 30th or so if I can, so there's 2 more shops after that before payday.

Been thinking a bit about the resignation and moving back to Wales - I really hope that the current COVID situation doesn't hamper it - worst case scenario is that I stay until the summer. It wouldn't be such a bad thing I suppose as I'd save more and would get paid until the end of August even if I finish in July. But its in a job that I can't stand - at least I have a stable job, which is more than a lot of people these days, so I should be grateful. Fingers crossed that things improve with the virus but I'm not holding my breath. All I can do for now is get ready and hope for the best but be prepared for a delay if necessary.

Going to have a think about which big job I can tackle tomorrow - am I up for painting yet....????

savingholmes

What would make you delay the move as opposed to pressing ahead. I hope you have to a joyful Xmas despite c19