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

Chrystal

I also remember the early days, and you need to be very, very proud of what you have managed to achieve in very difficult circumstances.  (((hugs))) XXX

Ordinary_Yet_Unique

It has certainly been a learning curve for you. You have worked very hard to make taking in guests a useful source of extra income. However you do need to weigh up the pros and cons for the long term and your personal well being. Keep exploring other avenues too.

jwil

Well done on making it through!  Hope you have an easier time with this guest

Humdinger1

Cue the maniacal laughter @doingitanyway! Alone at last...I think this has been your baptism of fire and it will all go as if on clockwork from this point.   Congratulations on your deft negotiation love Humdinger xx 

doingitanyway

Thank you @in_need_of_direction not patronising at all. I do feel as sense of achievement   

Thanks @Sun_Addict the being paid part is the best thing   

Thanks @Tresinia511 nice of you to remind me that today I had my offer accepted and that it was the Summer Solstice. I had not made that connection. 

Thanks @mark55man I totally agree the growth occurs with challenge, the challenge, growth loop is something I hope to keep repeating until I shuffle off the planet    

Thanks @beanielou I am very pleased about the table and what the table will enable me to do   

Thanks for the praise and hug @Chrystal

Thanks @Ordinary_Yet_Unique this isn't the model for long term. It was what needed doing now to get me out of a tight financial situation. 

Thanks @jwil. I hope the next one is easier too

@Humdinger1 it was indeed a baptism of fire but I learnt so much about myself so it was worth it!

doingitanyway

Yesterday was a good day and not just because the house guests left....
My veggie box arrived and the contents are superb. I am so happy with the produce. 
Yesterday, I had a restful day 

Today was one of those days where from the start things went wrong.

My usual walk to Mr L, but no vegbox as people there were taking two and it seemed a bit frenetic, so I won't go on a Saturday again...weekdays have a different energy. Plus my organic vegbox might be enough...will think about it...anyway I got 2 FR 50% off chickens and some 50% off lamb for the freezer so not a wasted trip...

Got back and couldn't open my bedroom door...turns out the barrel had jammed and I was locked out. This was at 8.00am. Hours passed with tools, paperclips, credit cards, jiggling and pulling. In the end two friends came over with superior tools and got me in at 12.30...

I slipped with socks on the stairs (don't wear socks on carpeted stairs people!) but I managed to 'right' myself without falling somehow

I am in the bath at 12.45 when my phone rang...My new house guest is arriving at 13.00 not 17.00. Luckily it wasn't an hour earlier as I was still unshowered and locked away from my clothes then...Sorted that out with a taxi. Fortunately, I had cleaned the room and washed all linens and sheets. Bed quickly made up..

She seems fine. A quick chat. I explained how to leave the shower and that I was on a water meter so showers should not be too long. She unpacked and had a normal length shower and left the bathroom dry and clean. Hoorah!! I get a good vibe from her so think it will be fine. There isn't anything she doesn't eat (good) I had the foresight to bung a FR chicken season with herbs and lemon wedges. A bag of jerseys went in too (I still have loads of these from various Mr L veg boxes)

I am a bit headachy and tired now and trying not to get a migraine

The gratitude is that I already have nice people I can call on in a difficult situation

jwil

That's great that new visitor has made a better first impression.

Hurrah for helpful friends as well.  Hope the headache doesn't come to anything.

Ordinary_Yet_Unique

Are you able to give an idea about your income versus expenses. Just being curious. Do you work or is your income from pensions?

PennysIntoPounds

Blimey me dear, what a day! You have coped though, and with magnanimity, and that's what counts 🥂 Hope you're having a pleasant Saturday evening 

doingitanyway

Thanks @jwil hurrah for helpful friends indeed. I love living here but I am aware I don't have the networks and family I had before so I am especially thankful when new friends come to my rescue

Thanks @PennysIntoPounds yes, yesterday was one of those days. It ended with breaking a favourite teapot. Luckily I had a lovely spare that needed cleaning, so I bleached it last night and it is now in circulation

Thanks @Ordinary_Yet_Unique I share enough. I don't wish to tally my income and expenditure here

So, my new guest is very considerate...and I like her. The bathroom is left so nicely  She isn't mainlining butter 
She arrived with house presents from her country! 
We talked about her country and it was nice to find out about another part of the world.
We share a pot of coffee in the morning. Once she knew I loved coffee she gave me a packet of coffee from her country!
It is pleasant having her in the house. I feel relaxed! What a contrast with the last lot!
She loves to cook so wants to cook a traditional meal of her region. I am happy for her to do that. We will have a fish dish famous from her region. We have slightly different fish but I will talk to the fishmonger to get a close match. I am going to invite the couple who got me into the bedroom when I was locked out yesterday. This couple have been really helpful since I moved here
We spoke about her country this morning and she showed me pictures

Today I woke with a headache, the same as yesterday. It has eased off now, so I can go to my new yoga class in an hour.

My friend and her dog will visit this afternoon

A simple meal this evening...frittatas and salad. I feel more confident this time and don't feel the need to excessively plan meals. I am just looking in the fridge and seeing what I can produce for a meal. 

I will read diaries this evening. Off to make some breakfast