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18 in 2018

De-Cluttering 2018

Thursday 20 January 2011

Silence is Golden

Tonight I did something I haven't done in a long time. I didn't put the tv, radio or ipod on while pottering about. Normally there is some sort of back ground noise, which is more out of habbit rather than really listening to it. My OH is a musican so we have lots of music or rather did until I tried to sync a ipod with my new lap top and managed to lose it all (not a happy OH!) However today I was late in after a driving lesson and OH is away during the week, so while cooking dinner and tidying up there was just the sounds of the house creaks and groans, the cat talking to me and nothing else. After spending the day in an open plan office with phones going and people talking it made a nice change.

Monday 17 January 2011

Quick Update:

* Booked driving theory test – Done just need to study for it
* Changed dates of direct debit payments – Pending
* Withdraw money from Credit Union – Still to do
* Check Halifax ISA balance – Done and pleasantly surprised 
* Check HSBC ISA balance (sort out tax allowance) - Done
* Loose 5lbs – 3lbs off
* Clear all ironing – Not even looked at it 

Friday 14 January 2011

Not a good Week

Apologies this blog is a bit of a rant.

I’ve had a horrible week.

Firstly work isn’t good at the moment. I think it is down to the pending redundancies and people already fighting for their jobs (before any redundancies are announced). I also work with someone who when she is that way inclined an absolute b***h and has been this week. I try to not let it bother me and in a way it doesn’t but it makes a bad atmosphere. Until I know for sure if I’m going to lose my job I’m not worried. I do my job as well as I can and work hard, so if I go I know that I couldn’t have done anything more.

That said, I had an awful afternoon on Wednesday, I had made the big work mistake, and for the few minutes while I was sat with my head in my hand thinking what the hell to do my phone went and it was my mums doctors.
To give a bit of back ground I have been worried about mum for a while as she gets a bit confused and struggles with her words but it has got worse and one of her friends rang me before Christmas to say she was worried too (she is 80). I spoke to mums doctors (felt bad as I had gone behind her back) and he organised for a nurse to visit her and do an assessment. The call was from the nurse, explaining that there is some damage to the brain and mum needs to go for a CT scan so we know what we are dealing with. He was very nice and answered my questions but I am so worried. She seems happy and that is all I want but hope that as/if the dementia worsens she doesn’t get distressed and upset. I am sad as it doesn’t seem like my mum when I talk to her and I miss that, we lost my dad over 10 years ago and I’m an only child and feel so alone. I know I’m not as I have my OH and friends but it my mum.

All this does put work into perspective and even though I’m probably not in the right place “mentally” I have a lot of ideas of how I want to make changes in my life.

Thank you for letting me moan.

Saturday 8 January 2011

To Russia with Love

Sent my first Postcrossing postcard of the year to a lady in Russia. She likes black and white cards so sent a card with a old photo of Marlene Dietrich.

Tuesday 4 January 2011

January Aims

By the end of January I hope to have done:

* Booked driving theory test
* Changed dates of direct debit payments
* Withdraw money from Credit Union
* Check Halifax ISA balance
* Check HSBC ISA balance (sort out tax allowance)
* Loose 5lbs
* Clear all ironing

Menu Plan

This weeks menu plan is as follows:

Wednesday
Lunch: Homemade Vegetable Soup
Dinner: Jacket potato, gammon, pea, sweetcorn, carrots and pineapple

Thursday
Lunch: Cous-cous, salad and tuna
Dinner: Poached egg on toast

Friday
Lunch: Homemade vegetable soup
Dinner: Pork chops, mash potato, cauilflour, brocckli and carrots

Saturday
Lunch: TBA as not sure what plans are
Dinner: Hot dogs, baked beans, potato wedges

Sunday
Brunch: Bacon & egg butties
Dinner: Lamb chops, roast potatoes and vegetables

Breakfasts are grapefruit, orange, or toast.
Snacks are fruit and yoghurt

Sunday 2 January 2011

I starting blogging as part of the 101 Things in 1001 Days project, however over the last year and reading other blogs I'm leaning towards leading a more frugal way of life. I still want to continue with the 101 project but due to change in personal circumstances the list has been amended.

There are several things I would like to achive this year. First and most important is to learn to drive. Once I pass my test (thinking postive here) it will lead to other things. Like many people I face the chance of redundancy and being able to drive will open up the job market if needed. Something I am thinking about is moving. Nothing has been decided and I have alot of work to do on the house to be in a postion to move but it is a thought at the moment. Also my mother, sadly, has health problems and it means I will be able to visit and look after her more.

I have joined a Frugal Challenge and made a budget for the whole year. This is definatley a work in progress but will give me an idea of where my money goes. There are a few things I want to build on my savings, save to see a friend in Singapore and overpay the mortage.

All that along with de-cluttering the house, decorating, loosing weight, gardening and cooking etc, the list goes on, 2011 will be an interesting year.