The alternative hive - making plan B work

Queen_of_the_Hive

Morning diary, happy hump day!

Gosh I haven't been very good at consistency on my diary entry recently. Unsure why but will try harder.

I'm not in a great headspace to be honest, hormones have been bothering us, most likely peri but have had no tests etc but feel lousy, diet is out of the window etc. In a bit of a viscious circle. But on here and trying to get out of the slump. So if anyone has any peri tips, please do share.

Finances wise - CC'd, having some success and some flops. On the positive maintaining consistency on reducing the worst interest CC but the other card has been on fire but can't see how or why. Its mainly travel and accomodation expenses for trips to the city. Am pumping a big chunk into the debt this week (payday week) to bring it back down to a happier level. Could really do with seeing debt coming down again, it might make me feel a bit happier.

Speaking of trips to the city we were there last weekend and it was a good productive time. We didn't do too much as the kids needed pushing on their homework. So Saturday was mainly spent in our hotel room, which on paper sounds terrible but the room was a decent size with a good view so not all bad. Its important years for both DS1 and DS2. DS1 is start of GCSE year 1 and DS2 its SATS. DS1 is doing well but he's needing to be pushed to do all his homework and not just pick & choose. Science is one of his worst subjects and he has to use an online platform that he hates. Its been a bit of a battle of wills but with two detentions and nagging mum he seems to be getting the message. Alongside homework we also spent part of the day helping DS1 with searching and applying for work experience. I have to be honest and say we were very behind. School sent out the details etc just before end of term in July but hadn't got around to actioning it. Long story short, with DS1 we put together a starter CV and after trawling the net DS sent it off an application to a local charity shop that was openly offering work experience on their website for his age group. To my surprise when I spoke to DS1 on Monday afternoon he flashed his forms down the phone. Turns out they'd made contact on Monday morning and offered him the place! He'd been dligent enough to go to the shop after school, meet the team and get his forms signed!! Absolutely amazing. It was his only second application. The first one was kind enough to email him back to let him know they couldn't offer him anything and just for the email I was very greatful. So I must say I really do think we got lucky but it did make the boring Saturday worth it.

DS2 is just starting his journey with homework, we are awaiting for some homework books to be issued through school which we pay for. But I had him doing some puzzles in the paper and complete a blank times tables square.

This week am finding my motivation for running has faded but have been out for walks instead. Have switched it up and taken a different route to usual and was back at dancing class last night so all positive things.

I'm very behind on diaries so looking forward to catching up on those. Working all week but fancy doing something nice for me on Saturday. Unsure what yet. Maybe go for a swim.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Its a very welcomed sunny but chilly Thursday in the hive.

This morning has gone so quick so far. Woke up at 5.30 which was a bit more normal than the 4am starts of late. Slept longer which is a good thing, so a most needed calmer minded start to the day. Still haven't been out running yet (its been nearly 2 weeks) eeek! But am being a bit kinder to myself and instead put on a Madfit yoga type stretching video. Really enjoyed and will look to do another one at least tomorrow morning. Plan to get back out for an easy run on Saturday. Maybe do an easier jeffing week from C25K to ease back into it. Finished off the morning before logging on to work with a quick read of one of the new to me books from a trip to a charity shop last weekend while in the city. The book is a doorstopper but the first 50+ pages are loose so thats making it a bit tricker to read. Have already looked up how to fix these back in and may give it a go on the weekend. The book was by Kate Mosse. Haven't read any of hers but this one so far has me hooked on chapter 1. Thinking I might take my lunch outside in the yard and read chapter 2.

Nothing to really update money wise - have been back to Prolific after a mini break from the trip to the city last week. This month has gone really well so far. Need to do £7 worth of studies p/d to reach Sept's saving target. Already hit todays target. Also having fun playing a game via Tester Up. Its not a money earner as such but am enjoying it which is what counts. Today and tomorrow should be NSD's. Saturday will be pay bills day. S&S ISA tanked last week but its slowly picking up (always welcome).

Have a good day everyone :)

Queen_of_the_Hive

Happy feel rich for an hour Friday!

Just a very quick update - day 3, continuing with a bit of consistency.

Had another good sleep, awake just before 6am. Had a cuppa in bed before up and showering. Put on a different MadFit strtch video and feel good. Also had a walk on the beach, collected a bit of sea glass before work.

Going out for an easy lunch to our local cafe and maybe go for a walk in the evening, oh and to read chapter 2 of new book. Still feeling not quite myself but trying to not let it win.

Have a good day everyone :)

powerspowers

have a good weekend Q, you’re always so busy and it sounds like you need to recharge

Queen_of_the_Hive

Happy sunny Saturday,

It was a odd evening in the hive last night. After work finished, we had an hour before it was power down for the big fish. We do these quite a bit so all was good. We'd decided we'd use the power down time and go food shopping. OH had to pop in to town to sort a small task first and was to meet me at the shop. He took much longer and was of course having a good natter. He really is good at chatting to anyone. Anyway we did our much needed food shop and it was what can be described as a "boring shop" stocking up on some essentials rather than the nice stuff. Anyway needs must an all that. We got home, put the shopping away as normal and made dinner. We'd only been sat down minutes and the house is plunged into darkness. I freeked - it was incredibly dark. Dazed and confused, we went outside and homes in the street were still lit. A min or so later they too were plunged into darkness. Next minute, doors were opening, people coming to find out what had gone on! Turns out there was a dangerous cable the power teams were working on so the power had to go off! We were going to be in darkness for two hours! We had no notification beforehand which could at least have given everyone a chance to prepare. Its handy living next door to the nosy neighbours on the street…! it was a strange sense of comfort.

Now this situation tbh was an interesting one for us as we realised we were totally unprepared for it. So lesson learned, will be spending a bit of time getting an emergency box together of torches, batteries, usb stuff etc. Power did come back on and it was probably about 2 hours as they said it would be and no real harm done. Friday night dining in the dark with prosecco was a first!

This morning has been a slow one, i've churned through surveys on Prolific and back up to where we need to be for this months target. I may do some more later. Completed the money shuffle. Still not quite finished as need to top up current acc with a bit of money as was a bit short. I'm using the 'pay yourself first' concept and put extra from salary into my cash isa. Knew it would be a bit of a robbing Peter to pay Paul kind of month. CC's are paid, DS2's school trip is paid and the kids isas are topped up. So happy days.

Having lunch at home and then having an afternoon in a town close to us via a train ride. They have some stuff going on for Heritage month.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Woo hoo day 5 of being consistent on the diary - hello slow sunday!

Yesterday was an amazing afternoon. As I'd said in yesterdays post, we had planned to take the train to another close to us coastal town for an afternoon's adventure. First stop was the small exhibition for heritage month. This particular one was part of the train station and was all about how ladies fashions at the seaside has changed over time. There were some beautiful vintage clothes and some brought back fond memories of my nan and her sisters. The clothes were tiny though - some by todays standards child sized. Just shows how diets and lifestyles have changed. Am "big boned" and wouldn't have fitted into any of them!

Next OH took us to see the vegetable market which is now a multipurpose market. He knows I love that kind of thing. We had a spot of lunch in there and a nosy around the building. Really cute but most of the little shops were closed so will go another time when more is going on. We had good chats with two different sets of people. They thought we were holiday makers. We had a giggle when we said no we only live in X town! Joys of living by the sea.

We then carried on our walk to the beach front area, where we enjoyed doughnuts and then another belly laughing chat with a couple who joined us on the bench we were sat at. Turned out they were on a coach day trip and had a little bit of time to burn before setting for the coach. We said our goodbyes, walked further on the coastal path and low and behold we find a beautiful building playing big band / jazz music. It was beautiful. We stopped for a little bit to listen, take some photos, but also needed to make tracks for the train home. It was though a fabulous day. OH kindly paid for the train and lunch. I'd bought doughnuts for £4 so a pretty cheap but wholesome day. We already have vowed we are going back to explore further the coastal path.

Today is a slower paced day at home. Catch up with cleaning. We bought a gammon on Friday to cook for sunday lunch plus I have some rhubarb and apples to stew to make down for a crumble. We have banked a few hours now with the big fish for free power hour. We have booked to use 1 hour today and hope to use the others to put on the heating when temps drop. They have to be used by 1st Nov so we will at least know we can treat ourselves to a bit of heating without it costing us. Thats the plan anyway!

Have a good day everyone.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Monday evening!

Its been a pretty normal workday monday in the hive. It was a NSD and we powered down for the big fish for an hour at 6pm. Dinner was leftovers from yesterday's roast. All we had to do was heat up in the microwave. Really easy. Both myself and OH we are making a conscious effort to be a bit more productive in the evenings and it is being mood boosting.

Am in bed really early - its 8:20pm and looking forward to doing a bit of reading rather than watching tv.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Tuesday,

Queenie was in bed very early last night and was asleep by 9.15 according to OH. Slept through to 4am and was awake till 5.30am before dozing off for another hour. Amazing. Hopefully get an early night tonight too.

Today is another normal working day tuesday. Feeling a bit aprehensive as 1 of my bosses is back from annual leave. She can be grumpy so hopefully she's in a good spirit.

Today is not an NSD, its dance class this evening. Its paid for in cash and will cost less than £10 for two of us which is a real bargain.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Monday,

Well cannot believe how fast the week has gone. Last diary update was tuesday and have been trying and failing to update the diary since. During the week was quite a normal working week. Work is pretty busy and a bit stressful. The weekend was fabulous though. Saturday was anticipated to be a quiet day as OH was off away with his friends and I was going to have a solo day. The morning started with something totally new. There was a morning disco going on in town, a new concept. It started at 7.30 am to 9.30am! The room was all darkened out, dj playing 70s and 80s tunes. It was a lot of fun. I'd braved it and went alone. But the other people were lovely and soon got talking. Some were from a dance group - they were trying to get us to join them but btw they were located too far away and at times I couldn't do. But was lovely. Next popped to our local library to collect an ordered library book. This is one of my current reads but my copy of the book is missing some pages so using the library book as back up!

Saturday afternoon a relative of mine who visits the town regularily (he has a caravan in the town) invited us along for a long walk. Must say the walk was beautiful and was fab to catch up and hear about some family members that I don't normally see. We walked all along the cliffs and headed to the pub at the end for a couple of cold shandy's.

Yesterday was another fab day - met up with some friends from our dance group for a bit of practice before going for sunday lunch. Again it was just myself and OH was home but resting.

Money and finances - nothing really too different to report. The CC I use is too high and i'm planning to use some savings to bring is down a bit. I don't have a lot of cash at the moment to use so more everyday things are going on the card which is less than ideal. Like in Fool's & Horses - next year my son…! Just hope this time next year I can report this is in a better place.

As i've said before on here more than once. I've been struggling with eating and my weight for a long time and keep trying to "change". Don't want to jinx it, but on the night into the 1st Oct I had a bit of a nightmare with my sister in it. It was her wedding and something about that dream spooked us. Now in real life she is getting married in the summer of 2028 and my weight and body has been bugging me for a while. Anyway I seem to be in another phase of trying to eat better and cut out the crap. Its only 5 days but have been getting in exercise, stretching and eating wisely. Really hoping to keep it up. Even been watching some videos online of ways to block out the food noise. Wish us luck!

jwil

Morning disco sounds great!

Good luck with the healthy eating and fitness 😊