My 5 Year Plan to a better life!

MuffinTops

My lounge is almost complete.  I now have skirting boards and shelving to paint and I'm trying to figure out if I want to paint the shelving a colour or keep them white.  I guess I'll paint them white to start with as that'll be easy to change.

The sofas are due to arrive at the end of the month and then I need to think about how to make it look like a lounge rather than a hospital room (I don't have nicknacks but I love how a little bit of life looks in friends homes).  

Now we've got nicer weather I really need to go out and walk a LOT more.  Before the weather turned windy and cold I was getting up early and going for a walk to the beach and think I'll do that again.  I also need to get out into the sun too as I've been given a high Vitamin D prescription.  Not surprising as I haven't been out much in the bad weather but I need to look after myself better.

Food is also getting important to sort out as I eat and drink way too much sugar and I'm feeling the consequences of that too.  So back to the meal plans.  I may also take Another Casualty's inspiration in baking my own cakes if I feel I want something sweet.  I also like dark chocolate so that could also be an option in the beginning for getting used to not stuffing my face with sweet things.

Caffeine has snuck in again too!  It always does when I have people working here who want a tea or coffee.  I'm just too weak not to make one for myself and it doesn't take long before my brain furs up.

So based on the above, it seems it's my mindset that needs to be stronger and that's what needs some work.  The positive is that caffeine and sugar affect my mindset in a negative way, so if I focus on feeling better and having a stronger mindset rather than the loss of sugar and caffeine it may feel more like I'm gaining than losing.  Let's see.

The weather has really picked up recently too, so a nice brisk walk before work may also be a great benefit.

Anyway, happy new week.  I hope it's a good one for everyone.

MTxx

RosaBernicia

The weather makes a difference, doesn't it, especially when timing options are limited.  I really notice being able to walk the dog in the light after work and must also make more effort to get to the beach. 

Cake sounds an excellent plan

MuffinTops

I've been searching for some sugar free cake recipes.  My Mum has loads based on the diet plan she's on but none feel very inspiring.  I don't want to buy the cake baking packs from supermarkets because I've never liked those.  Who am I kidding?  I don't bake!!!!! 😃 I should try cutting the bad sugar out altogether really, shouldn't I? 

I looked at the proposed 1 April energy prices yesterday and it's worrying.  I can't log onto my energy account as it got befuddled with my move because of the break in between me leaving my last house and owning this one, so I need to give them a call to fix that.  I can't even register again with a different email account as it seems to recognise me and tells me my details are wrong.  Letters they send me are addressed "to the occupier".  
I have now budgeted a huge amount more each month to cover what they say the bills are likely to be, based on the last year usage (I'm hoping I use a lot less than the previous owners as they even had the heating on in the summer) but that money had to be taken from other pots which wasn't easy to find.  I'm being stretched quite thinly financially with all these increases and they're still rising.

I received the bill for all the work done on the lounge and it was really reasonable.  I'll definitely use him again when I get other rooms done.  After getting the heating sorted I think I need to have a break from getting works done, just in case I need that budget for essentials.

No money spent today other than I'll pop to the supermarket after work to pick up some heavy duty painkillers for when I give up caffeine and my head starts feeling like it's caving in on me!  Usually day 2 of not having any caffeine.

I also want to find a face colourant of some sort.  My face goes red a lot, to the point I could be mistaken for an alcoholic.  I often have bright red cheeks like I've just knocked back a bottle of Whiskey (I rarely drink by the way)!  I'm aware enough that to tone down the redness I'd need a green undercoat, but I don't really want to wear foundation as I've never worn it and always feel I look a bit plastic when I've bought some and tried it.  I'm thinking of getting a self tan face oil to apply lightly and see if I can at least even the colour out slightly.  Maybe I need to experiment.

It's my Mum's birthday next week and I haven't a clue what decent gift to get for her!  Anything she wants she buys for herself.  I can think of a couple of token items, but nothing special!!!  

Right, I'm waffling now, so happy Tuesday all.

MT

RosaBernicia

Hi MT

I use a green colour balancing primer on redder areas of my face - it tones down the redness but doesn't necessarily need foundation over the top.  I am also not keen on foundation, either the hassle or the feel of it, so it's my compromise option.  The bigger stores will sometimes give samples of things so that you can try them out in real life so might be worth getting a few options to experiment. 

RB xx

MuffinTops

Thanks Rosa, I've just ordered a colour balancing primer (thank you for the link) so I'll see how I get on with that.  I'll also wander to any make up counters when I'm out to see if they have samples for me to try too.   I appreciate your input on this.

Aimingforthegoodlife

Hey MT! You are making amazing progress with everything, its so lovely to hear how much you love your house after spending so long in a house you didn't love! Love love love the van idea, that is a super exciting project and will be so beneficial. Possible massive overuse of the word love in this post will pop back and check in again soon!

RosaBernicia

Hi MT

You might also like to look into R0salique - I've been dithering about ordering some myself.  Similar concept of green to reduce redness and can be used as a primer, but sounds like it has a little more coverage and some ingredients to help calm inflammation longer term. 

RB xx

MuffinTops

Thank you @Aimingforthegoodlife. Is it possible to overuse the word love?   With the lovely weather we've started to get it's really motivating me to get some things done on the van now too.  So many ideas.

MuffinTops

Thank you Rosa.  I've tried the primer and the foundation.  I didn't think about the shock of going from having a very red face to a normal colour.  I felt like Marcel Marceau for a bit there!  It's going to take some getting used to but I do at least feel like I've chosen a good primer and a good foundation.  They sit nicely on my skin and don't feel cakey.  

MuffinTops

My gas bill arrived today and has cost £120 per month for the last 3 months.  I panicked as I didn't think I've budgeted enough going forward (if it's that much now, after April YIKES) but I have allocated a lot more than that, so feeling a bit happier now.  I'm hoping that the summer will mean I can accumulate at least enough to get me through next winter.  I also need to contact my gas company as they won't let me move the bill into my name so that I can send the readings through.

The bonus I was given has just bought me a new comfortable chair for my personal office.  Then the less comfortable one I've been using will be fine for my "formal" office.  The new one is a gamers chair and gets great reviews.  I was going to buy it at the weekend but didn't and now it's on sale so I only had to pay £6 out of my own pocket for it.  I also rushed out to collect it a little while ago so will set that up this weekend.

My sofas have arrived!  The delivery guys were very happy that I have a double gate at the back and then the double doors into the lounge.  Was a very easy and straightforward delivery.  They were here less than 10 minutes.  I've kept it all in its wrapping as I STILL need to paint the new door and skirting boards <sigh>.  But at least I have an incentive to do so now.  So Friday I'll get started on that to at least put one coat on it all.  Then Saturday I can hopefully finish it.  I'm so worried about getting any paint on my new floor but I'll have a bucket of clean water and a sponge so I can mop anything up immediately.

This weather is very motivating, isn't it?  I'm off for 2 weeks from Monday so I'm hoping that I'll get a lot of things ticked off my to do list.

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather.

MTxx