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

Makingabobor2

Sending positive vibes your way @Paspatur. 

Sun_Addict

Just caught up with this thread again after quite some time and have been reminded what a lovely thread it is 😊

I can officially retire 31 January 2027 so it’s interesting to read about how people are managing. I will have state pension plus work pension that will be around the same amount as the state pension plus a very tiny pension from a previous employer. I’m determined I can manage on that. 

Good luck for 4 Jan @Paspatur, went through that with my OH 10 years ago and it’s such a worrying time. 

artistlifestyle

Happy New Year Everyone and Best Wishes for 2024. Thanks to Helen for this thread and to everyone for sharing their stories and tips. I do read them all, often on catch up. Thinking of everyone facing challenges. 

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light:

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more;

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace."

―Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I’ve had a very busy December, and luckily managed to get away for a bit of a break from work, then was unwell, not quite what was planned, but meant I could read a lot of books. Hey Ho! 

Family came before Christmas for a few nights and that was wonderful, early turkey and all that noisy fun with grandchildren. 

Since Christmas mostly working including Boxing Day, and all this weekend and working today too, then three days off this week to sort out the house which as you can imagine has descended into chaos. 

Trying to have a really slow spend first quarter to this new year, although have bought some half price wool for knitting for grandchildren, and for making a blanket. I usually make about two blankets a year. I love the mindfulness of knitting and crochet. It keeps me in a good place, especially working with bright colours.

I am now wondering about reconditioned phones as my six yr old iPhone SE is going to need replacing before too long. I want another SE, 3rd generation as I like small phones. It does everything I want. I have posted in the wider MSE forum about it to see what people say. About £100 saving against new. I’ve had a second phone which was reconditioned but didn’t use it all the time, and that was Ok, but for regular use I’m not so sure. I’m aiming to save over next 3 months towards this phone by eating up the cupboards and freezer and listing surplus items. 

The family visit used my usual months’s housekeeping in a week, and it was fabulous. Next year they’ll plan to come here for Xmas itself. I do make most of my Christmas presents throughout the year and I love to give. This year’s artistlifestyle gift collection 😂😂😂 included knitted cloths, hot water bottle covers, sweaters, a lot of ceramic Christmas decorations, soap, fudge and cakes. It keeps me occupied in the evenings and brings me both purpose and joy. Widowhood as @helensbiggestfan says can be challenging and came much too soon. He was under 60 and we fought his cancer for many years. As you can imagine it took over our lives for a long, long time and then ended so in time I started over in a new place, there was nothing to keep me where we were. I had to build a life for me.  I’ve been here 5 y now and it’s time for me to put more effort into making new connections for when I am older and see my grandchildren more, especially before school starts. Not always easy when working full time so I’m cutting down my work a bit and trying to budget accordingly. Will help when I get my state pension, but will still have to work. Plus work gives me purpose and connection and keeps me active. 

I’m wanting to build up a bit more physical strength and take more exercise although I am fairly active and my job is on my feet all day. I have also diarised the overdue admin and house tasks for January on non work days to ensure they’re done. I’m winding up some previous self employment and want to get it all over with so I can move on to starting a new art scheme for which I have everything ready for except the time and the space. The studio needs a big sort out too. 

I was unexpectedly gifted a month of Apple TV yesterday and I’m loving Ted Lasso. A perfect accompaniment to my current crochet project, a baby blanket from all the loose wool ends, it’s like a rainbow and I’m joining the many colours mid row as I can’t be bothered running all the ends in.  Ted Lasso is not really about football, it’s just about people and one’s  attitude to life, I absolutely love it. 

Have a great day. I’m off to work now and will be hopefully home by 3 for tea and telly. 

helensbiggestfan

Hope all goes well Paspatur.  🤞💕

Lovely to hear from you Artists.  You have been busy.  Thanks for the poem.  Sums it all up so well.  

Happy New Year to One and All.  

I'm going to start a new thread for 2024.  

helensbiggestfan

😂🤣.   I seem to have forgotten how to start a new thread......can anyone help me please.  

wort

Hi Helen , I think it’s the big red plus button at the bottom of the page.
happy new year to you all xx

helensbiggestfan

thanks Wort.  You're right.  I had completely forgotten.   I'll start one now. 

Makingabobor2

Will look out for your new diary

fabdivine

Thank you for sharing these helpful home decor ideas! They are exactly what I needed to transform my space. The tips are simple yet impactful, and I can't wait to try them out. I’m sure they will make my home feel more cozy, stylish, and inviting. Much appreciated!