Progress not Perfection

Sun_Addict

doingitanyway said:

Great news about your mortgage
I have paella rice I got on offer at marksies ages ago. And I love the ease of the SC so share the recipe if you can.

@doingitanyway I've just realised it's a Tesc0 recipe not GF. I've improvised with mine as I missed off the prawns and swapped out some of the veg for what I've got in stock. I've also reduced ingredients to make 4 portions rather than 6. I like the fact you just bung everything in the slow cooker and switch it on, no faffing 😆

Slow Cooker Prawn Paella 

amber03

Before me and DH took early retirement back in 2020, I talked to him about having separate hobbies and time alone, this was due to advice I had had from other friends that had already retired. For many years I was used to doing things by myself and wasn’t dependent on him as he worked away a lot.  When we did both finished work I struggled a lot as he wanted to do and go everywhere with me, think he had forgot about our chats about retirement, it  felt like he was chained to me. I had to take a lot of deep breaths as I didn’t want to cause issues for us. Eventually he joined the local golf club and I think he realised we needed our own time. We do make sure we have at least two days where we go out for the day and spend time together. No phones are allowed these days. So think you are doing the right thing in planning ahead. It will soon come around for you as well.

Sun_Addict

amber03 said:

Before me and DH took early retirement back in 2020, I talked to him about having separate hobbies and time alone, this was due to advice I had had from other friends that had already retired. For many years I was used to doing things by myself and wasn’t dependent on him as he worked away a lot.  When we did both finished work I struggled a lot as he wanted to do and go everywhere with me, think he had forgot about our chats about retirement, it  felt like he was chained to me. I had to take a lot of deep breaths as I didn’t want to cause issues for us. Eventually he joined the local golf club and I think he realised we needed our own time. We do make sure we have at least two days where we go out for the day and spend time together. No phones are allowed these days. So think you are doing the right thing in planning ahead. It will soon come around for you as well.

I'm having to rethink the plans I had in my head a few years ago as no one expected Mr SA to survive this long. At one stage it was looking like I'd be facing my retirement years solo and now it looks almost certain I won't be. Unfortunately Mr SA doesn't have any friends or hobbies so I'm expecting a battle on my hands when I'm at home full time. I'm determined he won't hi-jack my days though - I certainly won't be taking deep breaths, he'll get a full blown meltdown from me if he does 🤣

Sun_Addict

Morning all, happy Thursday.

WFH today, got up early so had a nice leisurely start to the day reading and doing some Spanish. 

It looks like I've finally come to the end of my Spanish course and am just getting daily practice sessions. I've also been given 3 days free access to Duolingo Max so am practicing my Spanish conversations which is interesting. 

Money wise it should be NSD1 of October. 

The Lid! app has sent me some useful 15% coupons, including Mr SA's beloved lip balm, so will stock up.

Today's exercise will be dog walking later, a short yoga session, a lunchtime strength training session and Zumba tonight. I'm trying to build short yoga sessions into my WFH days and weekends and aiming for 4-5 sessions a week. I saw a fun challenge on my FB feed which is dance to a different song every day during October so I'm adding that into my day as it's only a few minutes a day.  Last night I hula hooped rather than danced to the day 1 song. 

The slow cooker paella was lovely and I'd definitely make it this way again. I now have 3 portions of leftovers to cram into the freezer. 

Tonight's dinner is miso-glazed salmon with braised leeks which will use up freezer/fridge stocks. I certainly don't need to add to freezer stocks as it's back to being full again. This is the problem with making a batch of something that only I eat. 

Mr M have released the Christmas delivery slots on the app so have booked mine. Not that I really buy much extra for Christmas as no one eats a traditional Christmas dinner and we only have visitors on Christmas Eve. 

I_Love_comps

@Sun_Addict.  I did a dance a few years back for a dementia charity. I posted a dance every day , to different music., on my timeline. It was great fun .

greenbee

Sun_Addict said:

amber03 said:

Before me and DH took early retirement back in 2020, I talked to him about having separate hobbies and time alone, this was due to advice I had had from other friends that had already retired. For many years I was used to doing things by myself and wasn’t dependent on him as he worked away a lot.  When we did both finished work I struggled a lot as he wanted to do and go everywhere with me, think he had forgot about our chats about retirement, it  felt like he was chained to me. I had to take a lot of deep breaths as I didn’t want to cause issues for us. Eventually he joined the local golf club and I think he realised we needed our own time. We do make sure we have at least two days where we go out for the day and spend time together. No phones are allowed these days. So think you are doing the right thing in planning ahead. It will soon come around for you as well.

I'm having to rethink the plans I had in my head a few years ago as no one expected Mr SA to survive this long. At one stage it was looking like I'd be facing my retirement years solo and now it looks almost certain I won't be. Unfortunately Mr SA doesn't have any friends or hobbies so I'm expecting a battle on my hands when I'm at home full time. I'm determined he won't hi-jack my days though - I certainly won't be taking deep breaths, he'll get a full blown meltdown from me if he does 🤣

I don't suppose you can ask them to take him back on the basis that he's outlived his prognosis? 

doingitanyway

Thanks for the slow cooker recipe. I can't wait to try it. It also makes me think that stuffed peppers (rice and tiny bit of minced beef ) will work in the slow cooker using the same method.

Also,  I'm sure you will find a way to make the most of your retirement 

Humdinger1

When do you retire @Sun_Addict? Xx

Sun_Addict

Humdinger1 said:

When do you retire @Sun_Addict? Xx

I can officially go January 2027 but might stay on until the summer.

Sun_Addict

Morning all, happy Friday.

Working in the office today. The first morning for some time I've walked in the dark, not happy about that starting up again. It was raining to start off but stopped after a while so I didn't get too wet. It was really mild though and I had to unzip my jacket. 

I've tasked Mr SA with fetching the older cat's flea/worm treatment from the vets this morning. He was getting really stressed about it because he misunderstood and thought he had to take the cat with him. I have to keep reminding him it's a different vets from the one we take the dog to. It's closer to home but their opening hours are rubbish - 9 until 11 today and they were closed yesterday. I'm going to phone him later to remind him he needs to be there before 11. 

I'm finishing work at 1.30 today and need to pop into MnS for a recce on a potential outfit for Mr SA for DS's wedding. The original plan was for us to go into town tomorrow but having seen the weather forecast that plan has been scrapped. I also need to stop off at Lid! on the way home.

Today's exercise is walking to/from work and a short yoga session when I get home.

Tonight's dinner will involve pasta and roast veg.

Looking forward to putting my feet up with a G&T tonight.