In the Meantime

jwil

Glad you've found a retreat. Your food sounds lovely too

another_casualty

Great news about the retreat DIA !😼
It does sound like things are beginning to go your way, however slow it may be .
You are very aware / careful about your financial planning , but stuff happens . That's where credit card can be handy ( obviously short term / emergency / not too long to pay back ) . 

Hoping you have a better new year ahead !

Blackcats

Good news about the 2 week retreat.  It will do you the world of good.  Loving, caring for and losing someone takes it toll physically and emotionally so having time to refresh, renew and re-invigorate yourself is much needed and well deserved.  I find myself looking forward to that 2 weeks on your behalf 😁.  I had a week away about 8 weeks after my mum died and I hadn't realised how much I needed it.  I took books, notebooks, crochet, pampering stuff etc and the reality was the week flew by but I was kind to myself and didn't set too many expectations for myself.  

Brie

as an aside.....I saw the Tom Hanks  movie the other evening "A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood" based on the US children's TV presenter Mr Rogers.  It was a bit cloying at first - but likely because I never watched/liked Mr Rogers as a child.  But the movie was excellent.

I was struck in particular by one scene where he talks about death and have copied this as a reminder to myself as I'm dealing with mom (92) & MiL (95).

“To die is to be human and anything human is mentionable. Anything mentionable is manageable.”

I think that's a wonderful reassuring and something to hold close.

MovingForwards

The retreat sounds good and I'm looking forward to hearing about it.
You're doing well under the circumstances, the frogs won't stand a chance next year.

jwil

Happy New Year

savingholmes

Glad you are looking after you. The retreat sounds positive. In caring for your relative you have been running a series of marathons. I wish you a year of happiness, wholeness and healing of your own. Hopefully, you will soon find your new place.

maggiem

Happy New Year DIA. Hope the retreat goes ahead as it sounds as if it would be so good for you - a chance to breathe and reflect. 

Seasidegal58

Happy New Year DIA!🥳🍾
Another looking forward to hearing about your retreat. 😃

doingitanyway

Thank you @jwil, @another_casualty, @Blackcats, @savingholmes, @Brie, @maggem, @Seasidegal58, @MovingForwards,

Wishing you all a Happy New Year

@Blackcats, I hope to have a similar type of retreat to the one you had. Thanks for sharing.

@Brie, that quote is so good. Thanks for sharing it.

MSE
I was not doing Christmas this year, but I felt bad so gave cash in cards to younger relatives. It felt like the right thing to do, but funds are already short so I will need to walk more and pack food and drink as these are the areas I end up overspending.

Washed a backpack that said do not wash. It was wash it or throw it and it was expensive so I washed it. it washed very well.

Had hm soup today. Hm soup is always MSE

HOME AND MSE
It isn't that I am not thankful, but the more I think about it the less I want to stay with friends on a semi permanent basis. I really value these friendships and would hate to jeopardise them. 

I have had a repeated offer of a flat. It would be minimal cost and I could stay for up to a year. The offer is from a family member, but I am hesitant as I don't want to drive them out of a space they might want to come back to, despite it being empty. I do have reservations, but this might be the best option. I explained my fears, but they said if they needed to stay for a week here or there they would let me know and I could stay with friends. I would be happy to stay with friends for odd nights just not every night

I will do some sums to see if this is even feasible. I would be paying bills + a nominal amount, but I need to add on storage fees. 

The financial frog I need to eat is becoming ever more important. 

I hope you all had a positive start to 2022 x