Holding On and Letting Go 🎈

Fortune_Smiles

What's to be in 23?

Our main focus this year will be positioning ourselves for Mr F to become self employed if and when the time is right.  I've given us some stretching financial goals so we'll have to see what else comes up over the year as there's little wriggle room as things stand.  I'm intending to be entirely selfish about my health goals this year - last year was yet another when I put the needs of others ahead of my own.  I think Mr F deserves a bit more time and attention this year too 💘

Health:

• reach goal weight through healthy eating and exercise
• exercise three times a week in addition to walking FDawg (yoga, Tai Chi, dancing, running)
• get tooth repaired (part of a molar fell off over Christmas 😲)
• research and save for laser eye surgery

Wealth:

• move Mr F on to his employer's car allowance scheme to save on tax
• buy car from savings for Mr F to use for work 
• restore savings
• overpay the mortgage by 10% (the maximum allowed by our fixed rate)
• have new log burner installed
• replace broken fencing
• decorate study/spare bedroom
• oil external windows and doors
• complete outstanding electrical work

Happiness:

• complete 4 creative projects I've committed to for others plus one personal project
• continue with Book and Crafting Clubs
• start up a Writing Group for the WI
• have date days with Mr F - at least one a month

It may take me a little more time to get back up to full speed but at least I know what I'm aiming for now.  And, as always, I'll be reviewing things regularly so we can change course if needed.

I can't wait to get started 😁

Fortune x

ruby_eskimo

Love the goals for the year Fortune, wishing you and Mr F the best of luck with them.

Fortune_Smiles

ruby_eskimo said:

Love the goals for the year Fortune, wishing you and Mr F the best of luck with them.

Thank you @ruby_eskimo 😘

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

One step at a time

Before I can make a start on my goals for 2023 I need to get us back to full fitness:

Health:

• took FDawg out for a game with his Christmas football
• cooked proper meals the last couple of days - Breakfast Naans, Broccoli & Stilton Soup, Cheesy Leek & Bacon Pasta, Pizza Crumpets and Halloumi Fajitas.  A bit cheese heavy but we still have some leftover from Christmas which needs using up and I'm going for quick and easy recipes whilst I'm still poorly
• went back to bed for a long nanna nap this afternoon
• cried off a dinner event this evening as I still don't feel I'm up to going out yet.

Wealth:

• did the grocery shop which came in a little under budget
• got the bill from the electrician which was very reasonable.  I'll drop him some cash round when I next go out.

Happiness:

• got a washing load on and hung (just a small thing but feels like progress)
• reason to be cheerful - I have the luxury of taking it easy at home until I'm properly on my feet.

I'm hoping for a more productive day tomorrow but am just listening to my body and giving it what it needs.  Mr F is struggling a bit too so we're just invaliding together 😆

Hope everyone is doing well and giving Blue Monday a stiff ignoring 🙄

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Moving in the right direction

I seemed to have turned the corner today - my energy levels are higher and my mojo is returning.  And Mr F seems a little more cheerful today too.

Meals today were Dutch Baby with berry compote and creme fraiche (the berries were from last summer's frozen harvest), Brie, Apple & Onion Tart with salad (to use up some Christmas leftovers) and Chorizo & Cabbage Stew with garlic bread (but with ordinary green cabbage instead of savoy).

Mr F and I played football with FDawg in the orchard this morning.  We're keeping to the orchard for the moment to stay close to home and avoid the mud everywhere else.

I managed to vacuum and get a little ironing done.  Plus sorted a little paperwork.  I'm exhausted now though so will be going up to bed shortly.

Small steps...

Fortune x

VintageHistorian

Glad to hear you're feeling better Fortune, but remember to ease back into things gently. The chores and other bits can all wait!

savingholmes

Football with the dog sounds fun. Be kind to yourself though and don't overdo it. Wishing you both a speedy recovery.

Fortune_Smiles

VintageHistorian said:

Glad to hear you're feeling better Fortune, but remember to ease back into things gently. The chores and other bits can all wait!

I will take your advice VH - Mr F and I have pretty much written this week off as a 'recovery' week.

savingholmes said:

Football with the dog sounds fun. Be kind to yourself though and don't overdo it. Wishing you both a speedy recovery.

Thanks SH.  I think the only way is up from here it's just taking a while.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Another step forward

I've a little more energy again today although Mr F is no better:

Health

• I'd forgotten to mention that Mr F and I are doing 'Dry January'.  I did it last year but Mr F caved at two weeks.  It's taking no effort to be honest given our current states of health
• there was very little cooking to do today as there were leftovers from every meal yesterday to use up
• I cleaned the downstairs loo, washed and dried sheets and towels and did a little more ironing
• I've had a nice steamy shower this evening following by a home facial.  I've neglected my skin whilst I've been poorly and it's very dry and dehydrated at the moment.. and is looking very old 🤫

Wealth

• I checked when the MOTs were due on my car and the car we bought for the Sunflowers.  Mine is due along with road tax in a few months time.  The MOT on the Sunflower's car has run out but that's not a problem as it's currently SORN'd
• went through the post for the last few weeks and found a new tax code for Mr F which looks suspicious 🤔 so I shall check that out tomorrow.

Happiness

• Mr F's team sent him some get well soon flowers which are brightening up the house and smell fabulous
• I found a tv programme which Mr F was happy to watch with me (How to live to a 100) - that doesn't happen very often and it made a nice change from the westerns box sets I've been suffering for the last week 😆
• there are bulbs peeking out in the flower beds 😁

We had a very small scattering of snow last night which had all disappeared by this afternoon and it looks as though the weather wll be dry now for a little while. Time for the ground to dry out and my strength to return enough to get out in the garden 😁

Happy Hump Day all

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

...and another step back

I've had less energy today so have taken it gently:

• Mr F and I played football with FDawg in the orchard
• breakfast was buttered Mincemeat & Banana Bread from the freezer,  I'd made it in the run up to Christmas to use up some sulky bananas and had intended to serve it with a banana smoothie to make it more breakfast appropriate.  However, we didn't have enough milk so it was unaccompanied 😆  Lunch was Chunky Cheddar & Celeriac Soup with buttered, wholemeal rolls.  And supper was Roasted Gnocchi & Leek Bake.  I'd run out of energy by supper time so opted for something quick and easy
• after holding to speak to someone at HMRC about Mr F's tax code for twenty minutes, I got through to somebody and was immediately cut off 😡  I shall try again tomorrow
• had a long and confusing email conversation with M&$.  Mr F's flowers will not last the day - it turns out they were despatched on Monday, not in any water, and delivered to us on Tuesday - a day late.  To cut a long story short, another bouquet will be arriving on Saturday 👍
• looks like I've picked up another skincare client
• the veg box and grocery shop arrived.  The shop came in a little over budget in the end as we needed to replace a lot of medicines, tissues, etc.  It's an expensive business being ill 😯

and that's it for today.  I was hoping to get the dining room cleaned but that will have to wait until tomorrow.  I can feel an early night coming on too.

Can't believe the end of January is approaching and I haven't left the house this year!

Take care all

Fortune x