Holding On and Letting Go 🎈

Suffolk_lass

Whew, just caught up (but off away again on Monday so I predict I will fall behind again. I just wanted to suggest to @badmemory that the shop-bought bread thing may well be caused by the preservatives/flour improvers in shop bought "packet" bread. I noticed a long time ago that I was struggling with the bloat but hm was never a problem. Even the basic white loaf with dried yeast, salt and butter or oil that was an old Nigella recipe. I buy a sack of flour (25k) either direct from the mill in UK or from Italy via big river. I think that makes a huge difference too

badmemory

Definitely agree with this, even to the extent that one make of flour also causes me problems - only the one, so won't be buying that again.  I only bought it at the start of covid lockdowns because it was the only one still on the shelves & now I know why.

Fortune_Smiles

Solo

Blimey, time has flown ⏰  Mr F has been away since last Thursday on a business trip but gets back this afternoon 🥳 Although he has picked up a lurgy on his travels so might need some avoiding nursing when he gets here 😊  I have been pootling along in his absence:

Health

• I've now lost 11lbs, dropped 2 points off my BMI and have under a stone left to reach my goal weight 😇 My clothes are fitting better and I can get into some things I haven't been able to wear for a while 🥳
• I'm eating healthily and avoiding added sugar (even when out with the WI 😉)  I'm not finding it difficult to avoid the cakes and chocolate.  It seems if I don't eat any of that stuff I lose the craving for it
• FDawg has been walked twice a day and I've been out in the garden when weather and time allows.  Now I've dropped some weight I seem to have more energy so I want to get back into regular yoga from this week.

Wealth

• I've decided to take the increased pension payment my main pension is offering.  I've crunched the numbers and it makes sense to take the money now whilst we still have a mortgage and to bridge the gap between Mr F semi-retiring and the dates our state pensions kick in.  I've booked an appointment for the free financial advice on offer though so I can check my thinking
• Yesterday, I cashed in one of my three mini pensions.  We've been holding these as part of our emergency fund but it's very likely that Mr F will need to buy a car for work next year and we'll need the extra cash.  The increased pension payment on my main pension will take me over the tax threshold next year so I have saved paying some tax by cashing out the mini pension now.  The value has dropped a little because of the current financial crisis but it's still significantly more than the pre-pandemic figure
• I've chased up Young Decorator and Electrician about the work I've asked them to do
• Also contacted two new fencing contractors (the last two didn't get in touch with a date for a quotation).  I've also got a few other recommendations from our local FB group
• The grocery shop came in under budget.  I haven't had to feed Mr F of course but we're still eating from the veg patch which is helping.

Happiness

• I've been to several WI meetings (and successfully avoided cake 😆)
• Tomorrow I'm going to an art workshop with some friends
• Even though I've missed Mr F, it's been nice to have a quiet calm house and to do things at my own pace
• Several bubble baths have been had and unrestricted GBB0, Strict1y, etc viewing has occurred. Lovely having sole control of the remote 😉

I hope everyone is getting on ok

Fortune x

savingholmes

Lovely update. Congrats on the weight loss. I may need to do something more radical like no added sugar to ditch the cravings - but can't seem to quite make myself do it.

Pension news all sounds exciting. Best of luck with the planning for all of that.

Fortune_Smiles

savingholmes said:

Lovely update. Congrats on the weight loss. I may need to do something more radical like no added sugar to ditch the cravings - but can't seem to quite make myself do it.

Pension news all sounds exciting. Best of luck with the planning for all of that.

Thank you SH.  I found this book really helpful - it helped me to understand the science involved.

Fortune x

savingholmes

Thanks - I downloaded a free sample. I may see how it sounds on aud*** and get it on there... 

Fortune_Smiles

Lazy Day

Mr F returned, not too poorly, but tired and grumpy.  I fed him lentil chilli, sent him up for a hot bath then plomped him down in front of the log burner and left him to it 😆

Yesterday I went to an art workshop with some of my WI chums.  I didn't learn anything new but had great fun 'playing'.  I took a packed lunch and left some home made soup on the stove for Mr F.  I drove this time but I'm hoping that that means I'll get a lift to the next few events.

Supper was Salmon & Potato Al Forno made with the last veg patch fennel.

We've had a very late start this morning as Mr F is still jet-lagged.  Went for a long walk with FDawg and now it's almost lunchtime already 😮  Mr F managed to twinge his back this morning 🙄 so our plans to work in the garden have been postponed.  I'll probably do some work on my painting project and some yoga instead.

Have a fab Sunday guys

Fortune x

savingholmes

Glad you got to play this weekend.

ruby_eskimo

Hope Mr F's feeling a bit better soon with the jet lag and the back pain.  A lazy day is needed sometimes!

savingholmes

I bought the book but just reading rather than following it currently...