Moving on

Cherryfudge

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82074060#Comment_82074060

That sounds familiar! You can feel okay at the time, but suffer later. 2am is real. 😯

In recent years, I've also started to experience anxiety when I've had too much coffee, even decaff. It's a powerful drink that's been normalised in our society.

WelshmansDaughter

I find when I have coffee after say 11 it tastes different. I would say bad different.

Cherryfudge

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82074257#Comment_82074257

I'm definitely cutting back on it today, as my resting heart rate has gone up quite a bit over the past few days. I had a doze yesterday and as I came to, felt it was a bit faster than normal when resting so I checked and it was 85, which is about 20 bpm faster than my norm. Of course, a few days of putting myself under pressure to get some things done won't have helped.

Cherryfudge

Yesterday I woke up feeling under par, perhaps dehydrated but it took a while to get going. I felt tired so I watched church online (the builders are working on one end so there was an unusual backdrop of dust sheets and scaffolding), then started tidying the kitchen and DH arrived back an hour early. Good to see him though: as well as it boing nice having him here, I've been aware that without the regulating influence of someone who keep normal hours, I've been up late and also had to take on all responsibility for the chores.

I decided to push through being tired and prepared the meals I'd chosen to take to the barbecue (foody stuff here), then the weather warmed up from what felt like a slightly chilly 19 degrees, so I changed into summery clothes to go out.

The barbecue was really nice: just family time and the now-obligatory family photos, all piled on and around the sofa. Eight adults and three children: it's interesting to go back sometimes, and see how the group looked on different years.

We got home about seven and I had some of the remaining salad for tea but after DS1's barbecuing and DD's fabulous waffle berry pudding, I didn't need many calories.

rtandon27

Lovely to hear about your family day! BBQ's are my absolute favorite type of meal!

I"m on my second coffee of the day, but I did have to get myself in to the office today so the first one was much needed at 7:45 at the train station! I am going to attempt to have no more than 3 and also stop at 3pm as good sleep is very much needed atm.

Cherryfudge

I think that first cup is the significant one, @rtandon27, especially at 7.45am! What do you like as a hot drink later in the day? I'm about to do myself a hot water, but peppermint and liquorice tea will feature later.

rtandon27

Haha - I love a cup of herbal, but I'm happy to drink water with lemon in it if there is food involved along side!

Cherryfudge

It feels like a quieter week this week, but I don't think that's really the case. We are planning to visit my sister and her family on Saturday and, ridiculously, give them their last year's birthday and Christmas presents. We actually haven't seen them since they came back to the UK last September, though I've tried to arrange something. There was always a reason not to: illness of various people and their planned move to the Hebrides. In the end DH and DBiL managed to arrange this - my sister hasn't been proactive about making it happen and I currently feel as though she feels it's a duty not a pleasure. I feel a bit the same but it feels wrong to lose touch, and even if my sister and I don't choose to spend time together, it would be a big shame not to stay in contact. At least we have now agreed not to 'do' presents in future, or just send vouchers. However, I've still to shop for a few more stocking fillers for my niece so she won't feel left out!

I forgot to add that yesterday I offloaded one of the two ice cream makers to DS2, with permission to give it away if it's too bulky for them. I've kept the one Mum gave me, which I think is slightly smaller.

Sleep last night finished about 3.30 am, and eventually I gave up trying and went downstairs for a snack, then got back to sleep for another three hours. Still a bit woozy, but I will try to keep hydrated and see if that helps.

DH came back from work to search for his locker key but it, along with sun cream and something or other else, has disappeared over the last few days. He may have dropped them at Auntie's. (She is doing well for someone in her eighties with a broken wrist, but everyone will be happier when the pot comes off and she can start to use the arm again).

For the second time in a week, someone has added me to a free trial of Duolingo. Last time was the 'Super' version and I tried the video (AI) conversations for the first time. Rather challenging but I can see how helpful they would be if I were preparing for time abroad. This freebie is three days (now two) of 'Family' and it has a similar facility so I'd like to make some use of it. I always feel I get these freebies when I'm too tired or occupied to use them, but in fact that probably shows that efforts to slow down haven't entirely reached their mark. However, I won my 'league' yesterday thanks largely to lots of access to quick points, so I'm happy with that. Back in Obsidian League once again, so the competition will tougher.

Plans for the week:

Monday: work pm

Tuesday: childcare - check in with friends if we want to meet up but I suspect not, as one had her hip op on Saturday

Wednesday: work pm

Thursday: work pm

Friday: work pm

Saturday: visit to my sister and family

Sunday: help with last children's session of term, meeting afterwards.

Things to go on in the background (including most of the list I made a few days ago):

• send birthday card
• review of job application
• order new iron - this one gave up the ghost yesterday
• Vinted listing(s)
• Water plants
• Email re solar
• email re rotas
• book carpet cleaner
• paint bench
• buy fence paint

ladybird1106

hi cherryfudge, not sure how much liquorice tea you are drinking but it can raise blood pressure levels if you drink a lot of it. Only reason I know is my dad was on blood pressure tablets and said he couldn’t drink it. If you knew this then ignore me.

Love 🐞

Cherryfudge

It's good advice thanks, @ladybird1106 , but don't worry, my BP is okay and I stick to no more than one a day in order to help it stay that way.

I've sent the emails about rotas and (while on a roll), texted for the chap to come to sweep the chimney. I'm not sure we used it often enough last winter to merit this, but I'd rather it was done.

A replacement iron has been ordered via Am*zon Pr*me (temporary membership at 99p is cheaper than postage of £1.99, so long as I remember to cancel it within the week). It's one of their repackaged returns which I think worked out as a discount but by the time I sent the order, all I knew was that it wasn't any more expensive. Anyhoo, it was on a short-term offer, which saved ££ (again, I've lost track but was a goodly amount off).

Being me and currently rather addicted to V1nted, I also looked on there and found quite a few. It would be useful if people could do better photos, as a box I can't read means I have to try to find the item on the Internet and find out details from there. Nevertheless, one that looked vaguely familiar caught my attention. DH is always saying how his Mum had a heavy iron that didn't need steam, and there was something along those lines. Ahem - I've ordered it for DH's use! £12 + P&P. I might just save it up as a joke present for birthday or Christmas, but I think he will like the back-in-time element.

I've also sent my sister some pictures from yesterday and had an acknowledgement, so bridges continue to be constructed.

Well, I'm going to get the travel iron out and find if it's still working, or I'll have a crumpled shirt for work.