La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - on a tiny budget.

failingminimalist

Another treacle day here, but I have a cough and a stuffy head, so I actually think I might have caught a germ!!  I am going to take things very easily today, just work where I can, make myself a nice tasty dinner and rest as much as possible. 

I do think these last few days in February are always harder for energy - we have slogged it through the whole winter now, the spring and lighter nights are within sniffing distance, but there is just a bit longer to go... we can do this!!

Glad to hear your blood sugar levels are going down @helensbiggestfan.  it is hard to stay on track! 

@Jellybaby I’m sorry to hear things are so hard with SIL, I think cutting negative people out like that is so beneficial. It can be really hard, but if it makes you feel better, it’s worth it. 

Hope everyone has a good day xx

artistlifestyle

Wellness Wednesday. Thanks so much Helen, I’ll be fine and I have discovered good lozenges from the pharmacist called Strefen, anti inflammatory for the throat. Works quite well, however you do have to ask for them. 

Picked up a couple more organising trays for the shelves and ordered a few more. It rained today after I planted a couple of alpine type plants which will flower from now to July to fill the empty spaces in the troughs outside. Later in spring I will have two more plants to replace, killed by the hard December frosts. I do love being in the garden. 

I’ve also identified a few more things to rehome, I’m chipping away at it slow and sure, not that it’s cluttered, just me being realistic and practical. Downsized twice already both during and after his cancer. Don’t ever want to leave the family a mess. 

Take care jellybaby, that’s challenging for sure. 

Get well failingminimalist, so many bugs around. 

Nargleblast

Starting the second day of retirement, trying to get my head round the idea that everything doesn't have to be done right this minute. This afternoon my little bit of La Dolce Vita involves going out for afternoon tea with friends from choir. We have money off vouchers so it works out at a tenner each for afternoon tea including a cocktail or glass of Prosecco, get in there!

Just think, no more working weekends, nights or bank holidays. I can even plan Christmas months ahead if I want to. Not that I would, I'm not that sad.

helensbiggestfan

Nargleblast.   Congratulations and wishing you every happiness on your retirement, 🥂💐.  Your afternoon tea sounds like the perfect start.......

Jellybean . Sorry to hear about your issues with your SIL but sadly these things can happen in families. Sometimes you just have to maintain a healthy distance from people who are disruptive or difficult.  

Thrifty Thursday.  

Well good news with my old energy supplier.  I hope. Finally managed to get them to agree they owe me £241.  Apparently a cheque is in the post. 😂😁. And today my new energy supplier is fitting smart meters.  It's only taken me 3 months to get it sorted out,  

My next step is to sort out my savings accounts. 

Throw out Thursday. 

I'm a bit behind with my decluttering schedule.  I did sort out the bathroom and a couple of my bedroom drawers but I got sidetracked and ended up blitzing the oven and cooker hood, rather than decluttering  the cupboards.  Not my favourite job but pleased I did it,  today I will crack on with the cupboards as planned, whilst I wait for the meter man.  

Onwards and upwards. A beautiful sunny day, hoping to get out later and have a nice walk.  

Jellybaby

Happy retirement @Nargleblast!  I will be reading along on your journey as I retire next January - I have a weekly countdown on my screen 😁  Enjoy your afternoon tea, sounds delicious and excellent value.

Thanks for the comments re SIL. I'll work through it. 

carolbee

Happy retirement @Nargleblast, hope you enjoy your afternoon tea.

I've been reading along, nodding and agreeing at everything 😀

Coxy11

Hi all,

Happy Thursday. I didn't get to post yesterday as was in the London office. My wellness Wednesday included a nice Epsom salts bath, face mask and body oil last night. I also had some Night time tea from Pu**a which is lovely.

Thrifty Thursday - 2 loads of washing done and put on the airer in the spare room. Not quite nice enough to put on the whirly. I will pop out later for a pint of milk - cancelled the milkman last week due to cost and also throwing milk away. I really don't need anything else so let's see if I can get out of Ts with just the milk!

I'm really wanting to get some baskets/trays to better organise the cupboards and fridge after watching Stacey's programme last night. I'm just a bit too tight to actually buy them! 

Have a good day all
Coxy

Wednesday2000

I was thinking of booking an afternoon tea for the two of us at some point as I know there are a few places locally that do them.

My clothes dyeing turned out badly! I think that is the first time a lot of the material didn't take to the dye. I did manage to dye one skirt black and a dress black and my husband's white thermal top came out greyish, but the other clothing kept their original colour for some reason. Oh well.

I went out today to look for a cross body bag as I want to be able to walk with my hands free. A lot of my hand bags seem to slip off my shoulder which I find very annoying. I used to get regular massages where I used to live and the man said that a lot of his female clients suffer with shoulder pain from hand bags slipping off or just from holding their shoulder at an angle trying to keep the bag in place. I did finally find a maroon bag in a Mind charity shop after looking in quite a few shops. 

It was drizzling and I walked quite far so I feel a bit chilled now. I'm just going to get my blanket and a cup of tea and watch TV. I didn't watch the Stacey Solomon show last night so I will catch up with that.:)

Nargleblast

Back from afternoon tea, and it was fabulous. We were a group of eight, and the others gave me flowers, cards, some small gifts and a massive helium balloon. They also chipped in to pay for my tea. For my cocktail I chose a White Russian, something I have always wanted to try.

I would recommend afternoon tea for anyone wanting to eat out for a special occasion on a budget. Evening meals can be expensive and drag on till late. Lunch tends to be cheaper but lunchtimes can be busy. Afternoon tea seems calmer and more civilised and special. Round here the going rate can be anything from £15 to £30 a head, depending on where you go. Where we went is normally around £25, but they were giving out vouchers for afternoon tea with cocktail or Prosecco for £19.95 for two people. It is because trade is slow at the beginning of the year so they wanted to get more customers in. That's the secret, when wanting to eat out, try and look for deals and vouchers.

As part of my intention to take up a fitness activity, I have discovered a yoga class in our village hall, every Thursday. I shall start next week to give me time to get some exercise clothes and a mat. It's literally two minutes walk from my house, I'd be a fool not to try it.

Debsnewbudget

Afternoon Tea is my favourite meal of the day 😄