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

Wednesday2000

I read Atomic Habits quite a few years ago. I did see James Clear interviewed in a podcast on YT too. Changing bad habits and creating good habits is very relevant to me at the moment! 

I watched Sort Your Life Out and the new Martin Lewis show last night while I was tidying my underwear drawer. Lol. 

I have been very stressed out about my home situation as we need more (expensive) work done and it can't be carried out while the weather is so cold and wet. The builder came around yesterday, but he had to leave his stuff here and will come back when the weather improves.

I did go out for my birthday at the weekend to see Creed 3, but I found it hard to concentrate on the film as I was thinking about our finances. I had to miss the gig afterwards as I was feeling ill and getting a migraine. The next day I thought about it and I have decided to look at what I can control instead as I am obviously getting some stress related health issues back again.

So... I am trying to cut down on drinking wine at home to save money and sticking to meal planning so we can avoid takeaways and eating out. 

I have a sparkling water obsession that I need to deal with as it is total waste of money and all the plastic is terrible for the environment as well. I was putting out the recycling bag and the amount of bottled water I'm drinking each day is idiotic! I have been drinking even more bottled water since I moved house as this area has hard water and I don't like the taste of it. Saying that, I don't notice it as much as I've nearly been here a year now so my tastebuds must have adapted.

I am trying to stick to one small bottle first thing in the morning as I find it refreshing with lemon and then maybe one small bottle in the afternoon  and the rest of the time just refill my reusuable bottle and chill it so it tastes nicer.

There isn't any snow here. There was a little bit yesterday morning, but it didn't settle. It has been just non-stop rain today. I need to sort out my husband's underwear drawer when he wakes up and make a phonecall and do some cleaning later so nothing very exciting planned for today. I am going out at the weekend to see the new Scream film. I was going to stay in, but I want a day out as I missed the concert last weekend and we need to use up those cinema tickets before the end of April anyway.

Sorry, I wrote an essay! Haha. 

wort

aww Wednesday sorry you missed your gig, hope you are feeling better and happy birthday. Maybe try some relaxation exercises to help with stress, it’s difficult isn’t it.

just been sleet here today but had a lovely walk with friends in nature reserve then onto garden centre  for lunch and catch up. Home to curl up with fur throw and heating on,only 12 degrees when I got back in.

Wednesday2000

Thanks Wort. I do need to get back to doing some guided meditation exercises regularly. I meant to put some on my phone the other day. Thanks for the reminder.:)

I just read that Leigh-on-Sea has been voted the 15th coolest place to live so at least that is good news even with my current house woes! There are a lot of nice bars and restaurants around here.

Oh yes, Helen I meant to say Helen Mirren grew up in Leigh, I read that the other day. She went to school in nearby Westcliff-on-Sea.

I have just had a pyjama day today and I'm binge watching my favourite show and eating food. I plan to go to Aldi at the weekend as well to pick up a few cheaper bits. Tesco was out of bananas (that I buy every week) when I placed my online order so I might see if they have fresh fruit and veg in Aldi instead. 

sheilavw

Thick with snow here so it's a school closure! Always nice to get an unexpected day off. Will maybe watch something on Netflix this morning

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies.  

Fabulous Friday. 

Well I might not look particularly fabulous this morning, no make up, comfortable "at home"clothes etc I feel pretty damn good.  Doing my physio exercises everyday like a good girl.  😉. Definitely starting to take effect, pain levels more manageable and feel a bit more flexible.  So whilst I might not be the epitome of glamour and beauty on the outside, I am feeling pleased with my progress. Getting there, slow but sure.  

Does anyone remember the old Crunchie advert.  "Thank Crunchie it's Friday"   I used to love that, (and crunchies 😂). 

Even though I'm now retired and one day follows seamlessly into the next I still get a lift when Friday comes round.  I don't eat crunchies any more though.  My dentist is quite rich enough.....😂🤣.  

Sun shining here, think we're done with snow for now.  We didn't actually get very much, just a one day wonder.  

Thrifty Thursday went well, had a very productive day. Rattled through some admin, money sort out and opened a new savings account.  

Am I right in thinking it's the budget next week.  Will be interesting to see what happens, whether the government will try to prop up the housing market, whether they will do much to help with energy prices and cost of living crisis.  

Right, time to get  cracking with some housework.  

Have a FABULOUS day. Y'All ❤️

Nelliegrace

DH has got us tickets for an amateur production of A Taste Of Honey.
There seem to be fewer plays and musicals and more entertainers as theatres struggle with costs. 
A friend at the local city theatre got us budget price and even some free theatre tickets for less popular productions, for the whole year DH went through cancer treatment. We would go to anything, sit anywhere, and enjoy it, even the schools performances where the audience was as much fun to watch as the play. It was such a blessing. 

Nelliegrace

@Wednesday2000 It might be worth investing in a Soda Stream. Tap water doesn’t taste so bad if you fill a jug and let it stand overnight for the chemicals to disperse.
Our local restaurant fills glass clip-top bottles with tap water and stacks then in a fridge for customers who ask for (free) tap water with their meals. Little things make a difference, and they are a business we like to support when we can. We have the main course, within our budget just occasionally, a birthday treat for the two of us.  We don’t need starters or pudding or alcohol or coffee to enjoy the meal. 

I am waiting for the refurbishment at the local community leisure centre to be completed this month, then I am going to sign up for the Council, “Forward to Health,” scheme again. I have saved the £60 for three months membership, it is a bit cheaper than paying monthly. The trainer does regular health and progress checks- they run the heart attack recovery courses, and I can use the gym and the pool, and join any of the off-peak sessions, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates helped last time.
I have lost so much fitness in the last three years since we were members there and went regularly. We used to check the prices for each session and add up how much we “saved” each month by using our membership as often as possible. Parking is free, it is just too far and up hill or I would walk. I take a reusable bottle of water and a beaker, and a flask of nice filter coffee. Thankfully my comfortable sports clothes fit again, I am not one for skimpy lycra gym clothes, so I won’t need to use clothes ration points.
With the council leisure centre there was no problem stopping our membership when we had to go into Covid isolation. The lovely staff phoned regularly to check that we were well. 

Wednesday2000

I did think about a Soda Stream. I have been sticking to only 2 little bottles of fizzy water a day the past three days. Someone on another forum said about flavouring the tap water in the fridge first. I have some orange and lemon slices in there at the moment. She suggested a sprig of fresh mint which sounds nice.

My feet have been freezing walking about on my downstairs floors in this weather, even with thick socks and slipper boots on. I bought some black snow boots from Amazon this winter and they are so warm and comfortable even when it has been very cold outside. I thought to buy a pink pair to wear inside the house instead of slippers.

I just put them on and they feel lovely. Such a difference.🤩🥰

newlywed

I use fruit teabags to flavour water, some of the summer fruit ones are lovely. Look up cold brew tea for ideas?  Sometimes I add fizzy water in summer. Maybe try half fizz half normal water so you get a lightly sparkling water?

@Nelliegrace if we leave a glass of water out overnight (eg by the bed) then next day it tastes like germaline antiseptic cream!  In summer I do keep a bottle of tap water in the fridge as it tastes nicer then.

No snow here. Just freezing cold rain today… and I would prefer snow!

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

Love the pink bootees, they look nice and cosy.  I bought myself some new slippers this week, two pairs.  One fluffy faux fur lined, nice and warm. And a pair of mules when it's warmer.  

Well here we are, time for another Wonderful Weekend.  

How shall I make mine wonderful .......havent a clue.  Still in my pjs. 🤣.   

I am currently washing everything that goes next to my skin.  My skin is so dry and sensitive I thought I would switch my detergent, see if that helps.  

Other than that, no fresh news, all is good.  

Have a great weekend y'all.