Ding! Ding! All change, please... (now replaced with new diary on MFW)

jwil

Love the three things.  my DH is a wing it person whereas I'm a planner.  It drives me mad!

Glad the bad thing was resolved as well.

Jellytotts

One of the reasons we are moving from what is, on paper, our dream home is because I’m not able to be “me” here.  When we purchased this current house it was going to be the start of lots of new things but then the pandemic hit, priorities changed and health issues have changed how we can use the house and area.  I feel like I’ve been sitting under a very big umbrella waiting for it to stop raining so I can go out to play.  Luckily Mr J and I talk, we talk a lot and we both came to the same conclusion that a move was necessary for my mental health, for my sanity, for me…to start being me again.  I can’t wait! 

Thank you for that thought to ponder on and I hope it sparks some conversations with others who feel a bit lost too.

EssexHebridean

SO much stuff has changed for everyone over the last few years hasn't it - we all did a lot of talking during the lockdowns etc about "when we get back to normal" and then references to "the new normal" but I don't think any of us truly realised how different that new normal would look for a lot of folk. Jellytotts - I'm so glad that you in a position where you can move, and hope that letting go of what you thought the dream was hasn't proved too tough. 

I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed at the moment - I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Still just huge amounts to do on the voluntary role front - it will be a few days before that changes even slightly. Last night was a late one - and so much intensive work on the laptop so late means that even once we get to bed dropping off to sleep isn't always as fast as we might like. This is manageable currently because it does have an end in sight - the next month generally will be extremely busy, but not as busy as we are right now, and we have now reached the point where we are starting to simply say no to things - well within our remit. 

MSE Stuff:
Ticking over. banks OK, CC showing zero.
MrEH fed his Oyster last night - using the CC not the joint account but al good, I've done a transfer and balanced it off. 
Unless any disasters hit in the meantime there will indeed be my hoped for £750 to transfer to the New House Fund in a few days time - I'm delighted with this!
Claim stuck in to the Ferry Company for our farcical journey back from hols - I suspect they will find an excuse to say no to most of it but there should certainly be an element of statutory compensation, we should get the overnight accommodation back and we'll certainly should get the extra we were charged for the change to the ferry tickets. I need to remember that I still need to add the receipts that apply to the claim too. 

General Stuff:
Last night's risotto was tasty - and food is still on track. I will make the bolognese as soon as I get in this evening - that will give us at least 2, and maybe three double portions so will set up a couple of easy meals over the next few weeks too.
I managed to pull several random items from the freezer last night ready to put with couscous this evening - some roast lamb chunks, a single portion of chickpeas, some roasted beetroot chunks. There is also the remaining roast butternut squash from last night, and some veg from the fridge too. 

A Good Thing: MrEH's WFH time enabling various appointments to be easily made - we have booked a removal firm to visit next week to quote us for the move and it was so much easier to be able to simply sort the appointment for his lunch break at home rather than one of us needing to take holiday time! 

A Bad Thing: A friend contacted me earlier to say that he was down this way for a few days and could we meet up - due to the workload in our spare time at the moment I have had to say no which is really annoying, but simply can't be helped. Had he been about a couple of extra days we may have been able to sort something, but as it is it has to be a no. 

A Food For Thought thing: The realisation that thinking through very stressful/busy/overwhelming situations with a mindset of "it will end" is really very helpful. It's far from ideal having late nights during the week, and particularly not at the start of the working week, but sometimes needs must - and for a short period it can be coped with. So in the meantime, it's good, balanced nutritious meals, being kind to myself, making sure I still fit in movement where I can, pay attention to hydration - in effect - all the things that CAN be controlled, to minimise the effects of those that can't. 

Makingabobor2

EssexHebridean said:

Ooh when was your son a Blue MaB? I did a little photo project with them a few years back - as at the time nobody was really photographing the engineers, photogs etc, the pilots just got the entire focus. Now there are always lots of shots shared of the on-the-ground stuff at shows and I know it's generally felt that my little "@CircusAtWork" project helped to drive that interest forwards - I'm quite proud of that!  but yes - promotion equaling desk jobs is always a hazard in the RAF I think - I know a few folk who've felt the effects of that. 

RT - good to see you as always! And Foxgloves - did you guys have the truly horrific downpour on Thursday evening? I'm not sure where it ended up after I went through it but it was just south of Waddington at about 6.30pm - and was awful - I was driving through floods, there were trees down and all sorts! 

It was a few years ago now, can't remember exactly, around 8-10 years ago maybe. He was there when they had the 2 tragic accidents, the crash at Bournemouth air show and the one where the ejector seat went off while on the ground as well. He did a lot of fund raising for the Jon Egging trust afterwards.  He joined the RAF in peace time....1996, and yet has lost so many friends, he was in Iraq & Afghanistan with 7 Squadron Chinooks and then the 2 RA accidents. Its all very sad. After the Arrows he went to Waddington and is now at Northolt.....another sad posting as he was there when the Queen died. Remember him messaging me and telling me it was worse than everybody thought as the plane was on the ground with engine running waiting for the HRH's to fly to Balmoral. Can't say he hasn't had a varied career so far. 

savingholmes

I like your 3 things....

I think it can be energising to do more - but there are definitely times when you have to refill your tank. It's about identifying which season you are in...

Elisheba

Oh, you mentioning submitting receipts for a refund on the ferry reminded me to submit mine for my work train yesterday. Thank you! They were delayed both ways, although I don't think either was more than half an hour, so will only get a partial refund. Still it'll be a few pounds which is better than nothing. 

EssexHebridean

It all helps doesn't it Elisheba! 

SH I agree - how you need to tackle "life in general" very much depends on a lot of other factors doesn't it! 

MaB - ahh yes, 2011/12 then - he'll know a few pals of mine no doubt! I know how much of an impact the loss of Jon & Sean had on the team - and of course more recently Jon Bayliss too which in particular was such a complete body-blow to the Blues. Sad times. 


Well we are still stupidly hectic here, however a definite feeling of light at the end of the tunnel too. Lots achieved over the last few days and we will be finalising orders tonight ready to fine tune things ahead of them going out on Sunday. That means that there will still be plenty to do tomorrow evening and Saturday, but we will at least be able to take some downtime which will be most welcome! 

Not a particularly structured post today - there's little going on on the financial front really, we all know what it's like in these days leading up to payday don't we!

Spendiness:
Popped to Matalan last night to look at bras - came out with a reasonably well fitting 3 pack for the grand total of £18, and two polo shirts for MrEH which need to be switched for a different size. He's been told he is paying me back for those (honestly - he desperately needs them but is awful at clothes shopping for himself!) though so just the £18 spent as far as I am concerned. Also yesterday morning I ordered myself a new pair of walking shoes from the Direct Sports shop online. I confess my heart sunk when I saw that Evri were delivering, but apparently they already have so gold stars all round on that one - that was just on the standard delivery (still chargeable, but needs must) so glad I didn't pay the extra for next day! I wanted to ensure I had the new ones ahead of the beer festival  as that will probably see off the current pair - you do need something good and supportive on your feet there though - Olympia's concrete floors are brutal! £49.99 spent there. Those will both come from my Clothing fund so all accounted for.
The payment for my accommodation for the Airtattoo should be charged tomorrow - that is NOT cheap but it is budgeted, and frankly having somewhere lovely to stay for those few days is a real bonus - after fairly long days with lots going on and a lot of noise and bustle, being able to shut the door when I get "home" and have some peace and quiet is worth every penny! 

In "non-spendiness" the earphones I thought I  had lost have shown up - precisely where I thought they were all along, and in spite of having searched that place numerous times over the past few days. Oh well - that's a spend saved! 

Good:
Finally feeling that we are "getting there" - the slight feeling of panic has subsided again which is handy, and we actually feel back in control again!
Bad:
The HRT patches did indeed warn of boob tenderness as a possible side effect - they were NOT kidding! If it doesn't ease then I'll be needing to discuss alternatives with the Doc as this is not carrying on! 
Food for Thought: 
The stress relief that can be gained from managing to accomplish a lot of tasks in a fairly short space of time - even if lots of them were fairly small. Once done, they can be ticked off, and that contributes hugely to the "back in control" feeling. Something to remember for next year then - actively schedule ourselves "small things" days when we can get lots of little niggly jobs done. 

Cheery_Daff

I quite often do that with work - I'll be focused on a big thing, or fire fighting (not literally!) and the little things build up. Feels like quite a treat to have a day seeing how many I can cross off 😂

Sorry about the boob tenderness 🙄 Hope it settles. I didn't get that with patches, but for other reasons switchedto gel and feel great now - hope you can find something to suit!

jwil

I'm also guilty of neglecting the small things.  They build up for ages yet they can be ticked off so quickly and the mental load reduced.

Suffolk_lass

I must be extremely lucky; the HRT I have has never caused any tenderness. I am on a gel and coil combo - only a minor issue when the coil expires and needs re-doing. My pharmacist also prioritises me for the gel (because I react to sticky things) - so despite epic supply chain issues, I have not run out.