This Week - W/E 24th August 2024

On Sunday, I was due at work again from 1pm to 6pm, so I had a leisurely morning getting ready for work. My manager contacted me to confirm a couple of extra shifts this week which I agreed to. It did mean that I wouldn't be able to go to my usual class, but I decided to forgo that as I've never worked a morning shift before and I was curious as to what it is like to work in the morning.

My shift at work on Sunday was pretty varied again, as I was assigned to both a new section and a familiar one, in addition to helping in a third area. These sections weren't too big, so the workload was manageable and I quite enjoyed the shift. I made a couple of purchases at work today, one was some quite expensive shampoo that LB uses, which was on clearance and a good price. It should keep her going for at least 6 months, as it was a large bottle. I also started my Xmas shopping and bought a small gift for OH. I finally received my staff discount card today, which means I can get a discount in any store, rather than just being able to get it in the store where I work, which might be useful. I need to try to get the conditioner to go with LB's shampoo and they didn't have it in our store. 

When I got home, B, the dog we're looking after for the next 10 days was there. He's very sweet, energetic and playful. It will probably take him a little while to settle, but he seemed okay for his first night here.

On Monday, I didn't need to go to work, which was great, so LB and I planned to go out of town shopping. as it was the last Monday that we would have the chance, before she goes back to Uni. On this occasion, we could stay out as long as we needed to. We eventually headed off late morning and our first stop was another branch of the company I work for. I found the conditioner LB needed, which was very serendipitous. It was on offer too. It's hard for her to afford it now she's a student, so I'm trying to financially help her to get everything she needs. (In case anyone is wondering why LB uses an expensive shampoo whilst a student, the reason is that she colours her hair and it helps to keep it in decent condition.)

Next stop, was our favourite charity shop. I'd not been in for a few weeks and both LB and I love having a good thrifting session together. I ended up buying a new to me cosy gilet for the autumn, a dress that I'm going to cut down to a top for work (it cost £1), a pair of gym leggings, flip flops and a scarf. LB found a top and I bought her a dining room table for her new flat, as the landlord isn't providing one. We decided just to get it when we saw it, as it will save a lot of looking around and I don't think we'll get one cheaper. It only cost £25.  It was probably the coolest day weatherwise that we'd had for a while, which felt refreshing. We had a lovely day out, but were both glad to get home and just chill.

On Tuesday, I was due at work for 9am, which is the earliest I've ever had to get there for. It was a bit of a struggle for me to get ready and get out, I'm just not used to it, but I did get there on time. I was back at my usual role, which was okay. It wasn't super busy and I got to do a few other things at the same time. I was glad to leave by the end of the shift though. 

I spent the afternoon hanging out some washing, doing some other small jobs and then making supper. Later, I also got out my hexi quilt, which I haven't picked up in months and laid it out on the bed, so that I could see my way forward with it. I didn't actually do any sewing though, as OH and I watched a movie instead. 

Life feels a bit out of balance lately. The dental treatment and working so many hours in the last few weeks, has meant that I haven't been doing much exercise or even eating my normal diet. I haven't had a salad in days and I do miss eating them every day, but it's not the easiest food to eat with a hole in my mouth, so I've tended to stick to soups and other foods. My gum does seem to be healing okay, but it's taking a while to fully heal. I will really enjoy getting back to my normal activities and eating habits once it does.

In addition, progress with the garden renovation seems to have ground to a halt and I think I'm also conscious that LB will be moving into her new flat soon and I'll miss her when she's no longer at home. I'm excited for her to have an independent place of her own to live, as opposed to being in halls, but also a little sad. 

I think I possibly need a break, as work and life in general have been a bit relentless lately. OH and I are hopefully going to finally use a ferry crossing we booked two years ago some time in September, for a trip to France and a much needed short holiday. I can't wait.

On Wednesday morning, I got up and headed out to the gym quite early. After missing my usual class the day before due to working, I was keen to get a workout in as soon as possible. I got a message from LB whilst there to say that Student Finance didn't have my supporting documents for LB's loan application. This really upset me as it had been an annoying process to complete them and send them off involving phone calls, downloading forms and submitting them. It put me off my workout, so I didn't stay long in the gym.

When I got home, LB called Student Finance and after talking to the gentleman he found my submissions. Apparently, our accounts weren't linked. It's still going to take 2 weeks before she'll hear anything, which is cutting it fine now, but at least I didn't have to re-submit. I'm glad it's her final year this year and I won't have to do this again.

I ended up going to bed for a nap today. I think the extra working is taking it's toll. I then had to get up and go to work. Work was actually okay tonight. I enjoyed the jobs I was given and we got to leave a bit earlier too, so all good. I'm enjoying it a lot more now that it is getting more varied. I hope it continues like this.

On Thursday, I had my first day off in a while, where I didn't need to go anywhere or do anything. It was bliss.  I had a long and leisurely lie in, which I enjoyed. I needed to take some body measurements and photos of myself to record my weight loss journey. There wasn't much change and hasn't been for a few months, but I'd say that is a good thing, as I seem to be maintaining without calorie counting or doing much exercise.

I'm hoping to get a bit more active from September when the weather cools a little and after LB goes back to Uni. It's been nice having a kind of lazy summer, but I do feel better and have more energy when I'm more active. Besides, before long it will be the run into Xmas and I'll probably be working more, so I need to get the exercise in whilst I can.

In the afternoon, as the weather was cooler, I finally tackled the ironing basket of doom that's been haunting me for weeks. This meant that I could finally put everything I wear regularly away in the wardrobe. I then picked up my hexi quilt and did a bit of sewing for the first time in weeks. Both of the above, I did whilst watching movies on Netflix. My favourite kind of afternoon that felt very rejuvenating. Being able to do what I felt like doing, instead of what I was required or felt compelled to do was liberating.

On Friday morning, I booked into the gym and took myself off for a workout session, which went okay. I dropped into a local charity shop on the way home, but didn't find a thing I wanted to buy, which was a win.

I was working in the evening and looking forward to the two days off I had planned afterwards.  The shift was not a good one for several reasons and then I got a message from the store manager asking me to work on one of my coming days off. On this occasion I declined, as I'm feeling very tired lately. Sometimes you just need a break of more than one day off at a time. It's been a busy time at work over the last few weeks and I just needed to recuperate a little.

I had a very long lie in for me on Saturday morning. It was raining here, so I didn't feel like going out anywhere. I spent a very quiet and leisurely day at home resting and spending time with OH and LB. I really needed it.

I hope that you have had a good week and have taken time out to rest and relax.

A Busy Week and the Resolution of a Health Problem

Sunday, marked the start of another busy work week. I was scheduled to work 4 shifts again this week. I think quite a few people were on annual leave, so I'd been given more shifts. The first one was on Sunday afternoon. 

I managed to squeeze the weekly shop in before heading off to work and used the last of my Tesco money off vouchers, another £6 this time. I'll be glad to go back to shopping on Mondays from next week, as it was a bit of a squeeze time wise, when I was due at work for 2pm.

Work was pretty quiet for a Sunday, probably because it was steaming hot outside. There were a few busy periods though. Once home, I spent the evening trying to stay awake whilst watching the Olympic closing ceremony. I thought it was quite well done. LB stayed out overnight after working then visiting a friend in South London.

On Monday, I woke early. Once up and ready, I spent an hour or so doing a few small sewing jobs in the sewing room. I needed to put some elastic in a couple of pairs of trousers, one mine, one LB's. I also finished altering a skirt that was too big for me, to make it fit my current size and I cut down a dress, that I'd bought at the charity shop last week, to make a top to wear for work during this current hot spell of weather.

I spent most of the rest of the day indoors pottering, staying out of the heat, which may seem like a waste, but I don't tolerate hot weather too well these days. LB came home in the early afternoon and then later I got ready and headed out to work.

Work was relatively quiet thankfully and I was working in my favourite section, so I quite enjoyed it. We were able to leave early too, which was a bonus. I was super glad of the air conditioning in store today. It made the heat bearable.

On Tuesday, I managed to get into my usual class at the gym and headed off there in the morning. I was working again in the evening, so didn't get much else done today. I did, however, contact my dentist, as I had finally made the decision to get my tooth extracted, after much deliberation. In the end, I was unable to secure an appointment for a month, so had to try to find another dentist willing to do the procedure.

Work on Tuesday night was a big surprise. The store management decided to train me on a new to me job in the store.  I say new to me, but I've done it before elsewhere, but everything is different everywhere you go. It was a bit intense, as it was a customer facing role, but I quite enjoyed it. I don't know how often I'll be asked to do it, but it will add another string to my bow at work which is all good.

I had a couple of days off on Wednesday and Thursday, which I was thankful for. I managed to secure an appointment with my own dentist after there was a cancellation, which was a relief. I can't wait to get the treatment done now and get on with my life. The decision making process has been difficult. I had to cancel a shift next week in order to go, but luckily my manager was very understanding.

Anyway, aside from this on Wednesday, we all, that is OH, LB and myself drove over to the other side of London for some identity paperwork to be completed with regard to LB's flat rental. It was a long journey there and back, which took up most of the day, but it had to be done. 

On Thursday, I was all set to go to the gym, but I got a call from my dentist's office offering me another cancellation slot. I agreed to go later that day, as I figured the sooner the better. I then went to the allotment with OH to water and harvest and then later had an early lunch, got ready and headed to the dentist.

I haven't had a tooth extracted for many years, so I wasn't relishing the experience, and I don't take the loss of a tooth lightly, but to me, for a number of reasons, it felt like the best way forward. I know dentists always want to preserve a tooth and do a root canal, but I wasn't 100% confident it would be successful and I just didn't feel like I could face having it done. I was also quite worried about the extent of the infection and how it could spread further if the root canal wasn't successful, so I reluctantly came to the conclusion that the extraction was the preferred option for me.

The procedure itself wasn't too bad. It's always the injection of the anaesthetic that I find the most uncomfortable. Afterwards, the dentist was confident he'd removed both the tooth and the infection, which he did say was quite extensive. This did reassure me that I'd done the right thing. I saw the tooth and the extent of the infection, which surprised me as it didn't look like I thought it would. 

This whole experience has been a big learning curve for me, despite having had lots of dental treatment over the course of my life so far. It's made me completely rethink my oral hygiene, which I thought was quite good and I'm intending to make changes to my routine to try to take even more control of my oral health. I really don't want to lose any more teeth if I can possibly help it.

Anyway, I'm now just hoping it all heals well and trying to be very careful when I eat and brush my teeth for the next few days. I've got to use salt water rinsing for a few days, which is something completely new to me, so we'll see how that goes, but I'm glad that the treatment has been done and I will soon be able to get on with the rest of my life. The decision has hung over me for the past 3 weeks, which has felt quite overwhelming at times and I haven't really been able to focus on thinking about anything else.

I took it easy for the rest of the day and rested, took pain killers, etc. In the evening, we started watching the new series of Celebrity Race Across the World which was good.

Friday, I was back at work in the evening, so I decided to take it easy. I was advised not to do any exercise for a couple of days in case it started the gum bleeding, so that ruled out going to the gym. I had a lie in, as rest is good when you're healing and then had soft boiled eggs for breakfast. We don't have a lot of soft food in the house to eat, so I'm having to think of things that will be easy to eat on one side of my mouth.

Work was okay on the evening. I've continued to do the new job I was trained on, which has been okay. It was pretty busy all night so the time passed super quick.

On Saturday, I was given an extra shift to work 1pm to 10pm, so I had a relaxing morning, not really doing too much before getting ready to go to work. I had to make some food to take with me for my break and I sorted some laundry. 

OH went out for a walk with the dog we're going to be looking after for the next 10 days. His owner is both a neighbour and a cycling friend of OH's. I got to meet him the dog when they all got back. He's a lot younger and more energetic than our dog had been in recent years, but it will be nice to have a dog in the house again.

Work on Saturday was pretty varied. I worked in a couple of places and then got to recover a new to me area at the end of the day. It feels good to be learning more tasks in the store, it makes work more interesting. It's been quite a varied and busy week this week in lots of respects, which is a good thing.

Continuing to Make Slow Progress - W/E 10th August 2024

The week started with my having a free day on Sunday. I decided to do the weekly shop again, to use another voucher that was expiring.  This time £6 off a £60 spend at Tesco. I ended up spending way more than £60, as I bought a few expensive items that I needed. I then did a much smaller shop at Lidl to get a few other bits we like from there. 

Later, in the afternoon, I got OH to help me hang the tab top curtains in the shed, that I'd bought from IKEA for £10. That was pretty simple, just a case of hanging them over the curtain pole, but I then needed to attempt to hem them which was not straightforward as there is a roof slope. I ended up pinning the hem in situ, and I'll probably handstitch the hems in situ too.

I had to cut off quite a bit from the length of the curtains, as they were way too long and I then decided to use the off cuts to make roll up blinds for the shed doors. These were a really simple construction using the curtain tie backs as a tie, so I ended up using every bit of the curtains I bought. I handstitched the blinds while sat in the shed and then later whilst watching the Olympics again, save for the tops, which I intend to do by machine to make them more secure. I was pleased with how they turned out. I enjoyed doing some sewing again too. I've missed it.

On Monday, I didn't need to go anywhere again, so I decided to spend the morning sewing in the shed. I hand stitched the hem of the partition curtains. It was nice and relaxing. The end result wasn't perfect, but it doesn't need to be, it just needed to be practical and inexpensive, which it was. Here's a photo of them hanging:

I made them longer than necessary and the excess is tucked underneath in this photo. I'm happy enough with the results.

After lunch, I decided to finish the window blinds for the doors. I just needed to machine stitch the tops and add on some small loops to hang them from some screws in the door. It didn't take long and then I was able to hang them. Here's a picture of what they look like in situ, rolled up and down:

Once again, not perfect, but good enough. I'll only be using them when I am working out and need privacy.

It felt good to get these two jobs completed and it has got me in the mood to restart work on making a cover for the sofa in there.

I was given an extra shift to work on Monday evening. I wasn't thrilled about it, but it will mean a bit more money, which is useful at the moment. After I'd finished sewing and installing the blinds, it was time to have a shower and get ready for work.

I've worked quite a lot this week, four consequetive nights, including two shifts which were a bit longer than usual, so it's been a busy week. In between, I did manage a class at the gym and a gym session and also a shopping trip with LB out of town to Home Bargains and our favourite large charity shop. It was on this day that I realised that I'd got my work hours wrong. I thought I was working at 5pm, but I was on the rota for 1pm. It was at 12.15pm, when I got a message from my manager asking me to work later, that I realised.  Anyway, we managed a compromise that I get in for 3pm and work until late, which was good, so we got to finish our shopping trip and then I had time to get home and ready for work.

I was glad to get to Thursday night, my last working night this week and get home, knowing I had a couple of days off. I was quite tired and just needed some down time.

OH went away on Thursday morning. He cycled up to Yorkshire to see his parents, so it was just myself and LB at home towards the end of the week. LB got some good news this week though, that her and her friend have definitely been approved for the flat they applied for, they now just need to sign contracts. That was a big relief, as she would have had to start looking again if it hadn't gone through and it was quite a drag for her to travel over to south west London all the time, not to mention expensive.  She can now relax a little, knowing that she's got somewhere to live organised and enjoy the rest of the summer holidays.

On Friday morning, it was great to lie in and then get up and ready knowing that I had the day free to do as I pleased. I had a cup of tea out in the garden and did a bit of pottering in the sunshine. It was so therapeutic. Just what I needed. I've done a bit of cutting back and pruning this week around the decking area. There's still a lot more to do, but I'm hoping it will look a lot better once I've got around to doing it all, as it's all got a bit out of hand lately.

With OH being away, nothing got done on the decking this week, as he still needs to order the materials before he can lay the new decking. There's no hurry though. Hopefully, it will get done in the next couple of weeks or so.

On Saturday morning, I got up early and drove LB to work, as she'd been out late the night before celebrating a friend's birthday. On the way home, I stopped off at the allotment to water, harvest, weed and dig over part of the plot, as I might sow more lettuce into it. I harvested my first crop of beetroot today which was good, as I can now pickle it.

I enjoyed having another day off, pottering around at home and catching up on jobs in the house and garden. OH came back from Yorkshire in the afternoon, which was nice. He'd enjoyed his stay at his parents. We spent the evening watching the last day of Olympic athletics. I'll miss the Olympics when they finish this weekend. I've really enjoyed watching some of the events. I find it really inspiring.

This Week - W/E 3rd August 2024

This week, I decided to do things a little differently. I was due at work on Sunday afternoon, from 2pm, so I decided to do the weekly shop on Sunday morning, instead of doing it on Monday. This was in part due to the fact that we'd run out of much of the food we regularly eat, and also in part because I had a voucher to use at Tesco that was expiring on Sunday. It was for £9 off a spend of £60 or more.  I made sure to do most of the weekly shop there to take advantage and then the rest of the shop was done at Lidl. I was home in time to have lunch and then get ready for work.

Work was crazy busy. There were a lot of people shopping despite it being super hot and sunny outside or maybe even because of it.  The shift passed really quickly and I was home by 6.30pm, which was great as I could relax and eat at a reasonable time. I even treated myself to a glass of wine, which is a rare thing for me these days.

On Monday, it felt strange not to need to go out shopping for once. I had a lie in and then when I did get up, I decided to tackle the next task on my to do list, which was to do a major overhaul/declutter of my wardrobe. It is currently way too full and I find it difficult to pull things out and put things into it. There were many things in it that I never wear and it was also clogged up with lots of work clothes that I only wear during colder weather.

I started at one end and worked my way through every item, trying most things on and assessing whether I was really likely to wear them again or ever. I was actually super ruthless this time and after a couple of hours I had a large pile of clothing to be donated or sold on Vinted and another large pile (mainly work clothes) to be put in out of season storage. It felt super satisfying, as I emptied almost half of the wardrobe. There are, however, quite a lot of items in the ironing basket that will be going back in there.

Here's an after picture:

You can tell how ruthless I was from the photo and how many empty hangers there are and also how much black I wear, although the items to the right are work clothes. I actually surprised myself, by letting go of lots of things that used to be old favourites. In reality though, they were just taking up precious space and really have had their time. I've changed a lot since I used to wear them and I couldn't see myself wearing them again. Besides, some of them weren't even flattering and life is too short to wear things that don't look nice. I think that once I get all of my clothes ironed and put away, it will be much easier to choose what I want to wear each day. The next task on my list, will be to go through all of my shoes and my drawers too and see if I can part with more items.

Later, I got ready and went to work, which was pretty busy, although I did get to leave a bit earlier again, which I was happy to do. 

On Tuesday morning, I got up and sorted some laundry, put away some clothes and bagged up donations from the day before. The donation pile has grown significantly in the last week. Here's a picture of how it stands currently and it's growing weekly:

I went to my usual class at the gym and then I was free to do as I pleased for the rest of the day, which felt great after working for five consequetive days. LB was heading out to view another flat, so on the spur of the moment, I decided to accompany her to South West London again. We set off around 3pm and got to the flat just in time for her appointment. It was a nice flat, very close indeed to the railway station. I'm not sure if she's going to make an offer, that will be up to her and her friend, but it was a nice space. We met the landlord and his wife too, which we didn't expect and they seemed very nice, although it's hard to tell from such a short interaction.

On the way home, we stopped off at a garden bar in East London for a drink. It was a steaming hot day and the bar was very busy. Basically, it is a bar/cafe in a garden, which has been created on what was originally derelict land, but has now been made into a lovely place to meet or hang out. It was nice to do something enjoyable together in the summer holidays. The last time I'd been there, a good 5-10 years ago, it was very small, but has since been extended into quite a sizeable trendy venue.

Wednesday, I was due back at work in the evening, so I decided to have a chill day at home. I didn't need to go anywhere and that was fine by me. LB headed out to look at another flat and meet a friend.  She got good news about the flat we saw the day before in that they had accepted an offer from her and her friend, so things seem to be moving forward on that, which is good.

I did a bit of financial reckoning today, as it was month end. I feel like I'm treading water at the moment. I just seem like I'm getting ahead a little and then something else comes along to upend all my efforts, i.e. the dental treatment. I still haven't made a decision, but I'm probably just going to have to get it done. At least it was payday today, so that was a positive.  I really am going to try for a very low spend month in August. No unplanned for purchases and minimal spending only on absolute necessities. Sometimes I guess it takes a bit of adversity to make you really knuckle down and stick to it.

Work was a bit more interesting tonight, as I got to work on my favourite section. It kept me very busy all night, but made a nice change from where I usually work.

On Thursday, I was tired after work the night before, so I had a lie in and then a very chill morning at home.  In the afternoon, I decided to take myself off to our local mall which is about 3 miles away, but I decided to walk there to get some steps in. It was a pretty hot day, so it was a bit uncomfortable weather for walking, but I got there okay and the air conditioning once there cooled me down.  The main reason to go was to get my favourite soap from the Waitrose there, as I'd run out. It's their basic essential cammomile soap and I really like it. I got a few other groceries whilst there, to tide us over until I shop again and then I came home, on the bus, as I didn't want to carry the groceries for 3 miles.

Later, when I got back, I had to go out to post a birthday card and I accompanied OH to the allotment to harvest, water and do a bit of weeding. I now have a few days off work and I'm going to enjoy having some free time to potter at home and do jobs about the house and garden. I may even feel inclined to do some sewing too.

Friday, I got up and went to the gym. I'm getting by on just two sessions of exercise per week lately. It's just too hot to train in the shed. I'll wait until the weather cools to train in there. Anything is better than nothing though. I've stopped tracking my calorie intake, as it just got too tedious and depressing as I kept overeating. I'm finding I'm eating less when I don't track.

I had a very chill day on Friday. I didn't do whole lot in the afternoon. It was very muggy outside, so I pottered about indoors, watered my plants, caught up on a bit of YouTube/Blogger. I also went to bed for a nap, as I didn't sleep hardly at all the night before. There's a lot going on behind the scenes right now, that I won't mention on here for now and sometimes when I go to bed at night my mind is racing and it prevents me from getting a good night's sleep.

The last couple of evenings, I've got into watching the Olympics and I'm really enjoying it. I missed the first week due to working quite a bit.

On Saturday morning, I had a really leisurely morning. I didn't need to go anywhere, so I had a shower and spent a couple of hours pampering myself. I say pampering, but it was really just getting up to scratch on the basics, such as removing my nail varnish and cutting my toenails, plucking my eyebrows, etc. It's easy to just not prioritise these things and I enjoy when I actually spend time doing them. It feels like I'm taking more care of myself.

After lunch, I decided to embark on another decluttering task that needs doing, namely decluttering a lot of financial paperwork from years ago. I decided it was time and it would be good to free up some space. I decided to let go of 5 ringbinders full of paperwork. I now need to shred most of it, which will take a while. I made a start on the shredding, but there's lots more to do.

When I finished that task, OH was ready to load the car and take all the decking debris to the tip, so I helped him and we managed to get it all there and disposed of with only 10 minutes left before the tip closed. It felt good to get it all out of the garden. OH has now removed all the old and rotten joists and cleared up the space where the decking had been in readiness for building the new deck.

We then spent the evening watching the Olympics again. I do love it when I get into watching it and it was a nice way to end the week. Have you been enjoying the Olympics?