Plodding determinedly up a 300k mountain!

Thanks guys - SHS, I used to do that with an old manager who didn't like acknowledging people below a certain grade (that I was at the time). So I used to smile and call him by name as we passed in the corridor. Took more pleasure in that than I probably should have done!

Gallygirl, hmm.... this might work. One person in particular I keep hoping will succumb to the illness going round the department. Just for a few days of peace.

I think that deciding to leave has really helped because I don't worry about the long term anymore. Just hoping that one of the PhD programmes decides I'm worth interviewing.

Not sure if someone said something to my manager but they found me on lunch yesterday (while I was hastily hiding job appliations) and told me how valuable I am to them and how well it's going. Maybe it shouldn't take a year for you to pay someone a compliment? (I've been told by them that it's not that kind of workplace. Well, my department is now! My staff do a good job, I'm going to tell them.)

Good news though, I checked our payroll and 18 of the 25 hours of OT I submitted last month were approved (none of it is guaranteed) so at least it'll be a good payday next week.

So tired after this week that I didn't take on any tutoring and slept in until 9am this morning. Can count the number of times that has happened in my adult life on one hand. But I feel so much better for it. It's freezing here so have put the heating on for an hour and crawled back into bed. Seems a bit daft heating a whole 3 bed house all day for me and the cat. Said cat is napping under the covers at my feet.

My MSE Energy saving club cheque came in the post this morning but will wait til Monday to cash it as I am very happy inside today. Going to test out the home laser hair removal kit an old lodger left because it didn't work on their skin/hair colour. I am super pale with dark brown hair so it should be quite good.

Got Christmas cards to write ready for sending. Only one more gift for OH, my brother and a couple of bits we're going to pick up on holiday and we're done for Christmas. Just need to get a potted tree organised and we're golden.

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend?

Current Balance: £248,000.00
Kitchen Savings: £8,250/£13,000

Thanks CathT, and hail? Eek, most definitely justified. Hopefully it's not so bad this morning?

Me too, greent! We managed only two hours yesterday but I am debating a second hour already today because I am cold. Will probably cave on it soon as the cat has found somewhere else to sleep today.

She's adorable KC. Like all cats. If I could afford it, I would definitely go professional. But this kit was free. Starting with the underarms because apparently you have to shave and not wax between home treatments and so my legs won't be ready for a while. Will report back.