Living Large, on a Small Income, by the Sea.

jwil

Happy new year!

Tresinia511

Dia I think the marlows needs pyramid is interesting.  If we have a home and income I would say most of us sit comfortably in that middle band most of the time.  But... things can get disrupted.  I felt part of a tribe for most of my working life but it fell away once I finished and went self employed.  We keep in touch but it lacks the day to day uplift  I got from it. During covid I lost a close friend and that has never been replaced.  I mourn that still.  But you are totally correct that joining in with things is the key to rebuilding.  It takes time so you have done exceptionally well considering how recently you settled into a new area.  I think the top layer is a bit like reaching for the stars, and that's a very human thing to want

Sunshine_girl2

Happy New Year to you . 

Seasidegal58

A very Happy New Year to you DIA!😘. I hope 2026 is the year you get that armoire!😉

biggerpickle

Happy New Year by the sea @doingitanyway!

Another pyramid for you is this consumption one, and you're pretty good at this I think as you seem to evaluate well. It's not quite the image I recall but its what I can find now, apologies for the slight Americanism!

doingitanyway

Happy New Year to @jwil and @Sunshine_girl2 @Seasidegal58 and anyone else visiting my diary  

Thanks @Sun_Addict...there are bound to be adventures good and not so good, but I am ending the year in a good place 

Thanks @WelshmansDaughter I am a big fan of repurposed everything really 

Thanks @biggerpickle I love that pyramid. I am mindful but I can definitely do more to save money and tread lightly on the planet 

Thanks @Tresinia511 sorry you lost a good friend during Covid. Old friends cannot be replaced. You are also right in that we come in and out of the levels...they are not static. I find it helpful to see where I am currently and what therefore needs work. 

So I have had a lovely few days with friends staying. A lovely long walk as like me they like to walk. We had fish and chips and drank some of the nice wine I had been saving for their visit

I have a major change! I have a TV after years without. I watched Riot Women as people on diaries were raving about it. Quite proud of myself as I set up my old one, created an account and now I am watching it. I thinned out my living space to accommodate it. Also new bookcase and shoe storage are here. My room is looking much more organised. My tiny lobby has a little bench so people can remove their shoes comfortably

A few friends dropped in unannounced. I was not ready for visitors!!! I found it annoying. They also never remove their shoes...double annoying as you enter my home straight from the street...hmmm

I made soup. I'm clearing out the freezer and eating bits and bobs so no shopping for food for this week if I can help it

I hope you have all had a good start to the week and year!

doingitanyway

Yesterday I had a  GP appointment. I say GP, but when I got there it was an APN...a bit annoying as I wasn't told in advance. She actually sorted out my little list so its worked out. I wanted to cycle but I once skidded on ice on my bike so I walked instead

I am walking every day so far. This morning it was an early walk which I prefer. The skies were pink and the sea looked slate grey, very pretty...I walked when I woke up. 

The new addition to the home is an electric throw. I am keeping the CH on as background low level heat and being cosy wrapped up in the throw. So lovely! It should pay for itself or at least I hope so. 

I am hosting next week for 7 days. They should be out during the day which is just as well as I am a bit worried about heating as it seems to be on constantly as it is so cold!!
The money will go towards savings where as last year that money would have gone to pay off CC or debt...not this year  I am going through the freezer as I want a few of the meals for the 7 days to be cooked in advance and frozen. I have made a meal plan for the week:
Omelette and boiled potatoes
Lasagna and garden peas
Lentil and chicken stew
Pizza and roasted veg
Jacket potatoes
HM burgers, buns, pickles
Roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables

I have some chicken pieces in the slow cooker with lots of spicy seasoning thrown on. 

My house looks like a bomb has hit it and I broke a lovely cup that can't be replaced 

I look terrible, so face pack, hair pack and a salt bath tonight 

I am enjoying the telly  Perhaps too much. My plan is to restrict it to one night a week and look forward to it with a glass of something nice and some HM popcorn 

Tomorrow's walk will be to lidlees when it opens to see if I can get a veg box and some YS protein 

I hope everyone is staying warm!

Skint_yet_Again

What constant background temperature are you setting dia? Mine seems to be on constantly at the moment when I’m home. 

Sorry to hear about your lovely cup but glad the nurse sorted things for you and well done on the walking in this weather 

doingitanyway

Skint_yet_Again said:

What constant background temperature are you setting dia? Mine seems to be on constantly at the moment when I’m home. 

Sorry to hear about your lovely cup but glad the nurse sorted things for you and well done on the walking in this weather 

Thanks @Skint_yet_Again My background heating is set between 15 and 18, quite low but fine with my electric throw  Next week when the guests are here it will be 18-20. I am going to buy hot bottles for the guests

I feel I need to walk to get my body turning over so I am not as cold! 

beanielou

Glad the APN  was able to help. My heating has been on constantly but luckily I’m in credit.