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

mumblingtaff

Thanks MeandO - its a real minefield isn't it. Think I might end up renting for a while - feels a bit strange doing it but I suppose its a means to an end. Hope you have a lovely Christmas given the circumstances.
And thank you to everyone else for the birthday wishes

Just back from dropping off a little gift at the hospital for my neighbour - just left it at the reception desk for him and someone will take it to the ward later on today. He's having chemo and has the injuries from the fall so is in a bit of a sorry state but it might make him smile for a moment at least. All very efficient at the hospital (The Christie in Manchester) - it really is a phenomenal place.

Other than that just been pottering about - walked the dog, had another mini wardrobe sort out resulting in a carrier bag full of tops for the charity. Dropped them off on the way to the hospital so have immediately decluttered it - no mess allowed in this house! I have a few tops as Christmas gifts so have got rid of some that I never wear to make room. Done a quick whizz round with the hoover and a duster but no doubt it will need doing again after the long afternoon dog walk. It's wellie weather again so won't stay tidy for long.

No big plans for the rest of the day - will have to find something to do - I'm a bit bored already.......

mumblingtaff

Been to Pets at Home with the Doggo (its his favourite place) for some food for him (he's on hunger strike again, he goes through phases with food and has decided that he would eat tinned dog food again today from the emergency stash) - spent £9 in total but it did include his Xmas treats so I've decided to take it from the spending budget rather than the grocery budget. Then on to the park for some good mucky running around for the woofer - he's fast asleep on the sofa now.

I watched the last hour of Fred Claus at lunchtime by accident really - got sucked into it while having lunch - and all of a sudden the Xmas thing hit me, the crapness of it all. I've been all chipper and upbeat for my family but for the first time it caught up with me - its been a sh*t year and work has been unbearable at times and now this end to it all with worse to come. Had a little sulk then decided to just get on with it, like I always do. It'll be fine - I think one little tantrum is allowed
Yesterday, whilst doing the Xmas food shop, I had a minor wobble but ignored it - it just seemed so rubbish and a little bit pathetic buying food for one - thinking about everything I picked up "would I be able to get through this by myself, do I really need that bag of sweets just for me, will the date on the cheese be long enough to allow me to get through it?"
But, it's done now and I've just kept myself busy and done some small things for others to put things in perspective. No more wallowing - onwards and upwards. So there!

enthusiasticsaver

Happy Birthday MT and don't feel bad about the tantrum.  It is a strange Christmas this year for sure. We have not bought the usual Christmas food this year either.  Does not seem worth it for just us when DD1 and I don't eat a lot of sugar or high fat stuff these days.  Just a few treats for DH and some healthy snacks for DD1 and me so no junk food hanging round in January for me to stuff my face with as normal. 

Happy_Monday

Happy birthday MT xxx

designingalife

Hi MT Happy Birthday. Regards your move, we have just accepted an offer and will be going into rental. We took the view there is never a right time and attempts to time the market are almost impossible, by going into rental in the area you want to be allows all the other parts of your plan move forward, for us it’s being where we want to be for retirement, closer to grandkids and reducing mortgage, for you I guess it’s closer to family, give up job and start your business, none of that happens until you move, an added benefit of renting is you don’t have to take your pick of what’s around the short window when you move you can take your time and be ready to pounce on the right property as soon as it comes up. It is each to their own but that has been our rationale for doing it this way but may not suit everyone. Good luck and enjoy Xmas as much as you can. Also your rate of decluttering has been impressive 👍

mumblingtaff

designingalife said:

Hi MT Happy Birthday. Regards your move, we have just accepted an offer and will be going into rental. We took the view there is never a right time and attempts to time the market are almost impossible, by going into rental in the area you want to be allows all the other parts of your plan move forward, for us it’s being where we want to be for retirement, closer to grandkids and reducing mortgage, for you I guess it’s closer to family, give up job and start your business, none of that happens until you move, an added benefit of renting is you don’t have to take your pick of what’s around the short window when you move you can take your time and be ready to pounce on the right property as soon as it comes up. It is each to their own but that has been our rationale for doing it this way but may not suit everyone. Good luck and enjoy Xmas as much as you can. Also your rate of decluttering has been impressive 👍

Thank you Designingalife - wise words, you've made me feel a lot better. 
And thank you too to Enthusiastic and HappyMonday - every comment helps

Have been for a long walk with the dog to clear my head and then tidied out that kitchen drawer that everyone has.
Feel much better now - don't think its any coincidence that I didn't run or do a big walk today and feeling a bit rubbish. Normal service has now resumed

mumblingtaff

A much better day today - feeling back on form.
Went for a long run with the woofer this morning and somehow managed to get a couple of PBs for different sections of the run according to Strava. Felt surprisingly ok at the end too - blew away the cobwebs.
Popped to the vets to pick up some bits for the dog - just general routine stuff, nothing to worry about. Also nipped to the local shops for eggs and wine (all the essentials obviously!). Phoned my parents - all ok there, mum a bit wobbly but that's to be expected I suppose.

Then had a lovely surprise - a friend that I haven't see for ages but have kept in touch with via text turned up on my doorstep with a Xmas gift Pity she couldn't come in for a proper catch up but lovely to see her and she'd brought me some homemade Christmas cake and a few little bottles of homemade Xmas flavoured booze - a lovely thought - really made my day. She's written on the card that it was for all of the help that I'd given her during her really long shielding period from the first lock down and beyond. No need for thanks but really thoughtful. She's not well off and so the effort put into it was very much appreciated, much more than a smellies giftset or bottle of wine..  

Have also walked the dog again in the winter sunshine to tire him out (he recharges very quickly after a snooze!) and then gave the conservatory a good clean so its all spick and span again. Nice clean bed to get into tonight too   and fixed a wonky drawer in the bedroom.
Meter readings submitted and spending budgets updated, so all up to date with the money side of things.

Going to cook something nice for tea - probably a thai red curry - do the last dog walk and then maybe watch a film. I want to run again in the morning so no late night for me......rock and roll!

enthusiasticsaver

Merry Christmas MT. what a lovely friend you have. Enjoy your nice chilled day and think of all the exciting things hopefully going to happen at some point next year. 

mumblingtaff

Hello all and Merry Christmas.
It's been a funny old day - nothing like I'd imagined.
Was up early and so went for a long freezing cold run with the dog in winter blue skies (but minus 2C!) - went well and felt really invigorated and pleased with myself afterwards even though I'd had a really rubbish sleep. Having lots of very intense dreams lately -some verging on nightmares - not sure what that's all about.....
Then had a bath, made an effort with hair, make up and clothes and Zoomed my family for an hour. That was a bit weird but generally ok - strange to see them all that way but they settled down into "normal" after about 10 mins. Bless them.
Unwrapped the final presents - I knew what they all were but the biggie was a Garmin running watch that I really need and want - will set it up later.

Went round to my friend's (the dogwalker) for a drink at lunchtime - stayed two hours (all legit as they have no family local either) and had a lovely catch up and a bit of vino. Left them to it for a late lunch though as it felt a bit intrusive to stay even though they asked me to. Really glad I went though - made the day feel a bit like Christmas.
Came home and made a sort of Xmas dinner for me and the dog (care of Aunt Bessie mostly ) - then went for another long walk to stop the bloat setting in....

It's been a strange day but not a bad one - feeling oddly ok about it all - it's all done now, back to normal tomorrow

savingholmes

Belated happy birthday. Glad you have seen two friends this week