Lizzie's Home World

Bed time

2012-01-28T23:24:00.000Z

Last night in my bed alone. Fahed was afraid to go back to visit his family for almost 15 years because of the political situation, so he has only been going there since around 2000. He loves to see his family and to meet up with old friends but he can't settle with the culture and politics after 22 years here (plus years in Greece and Cyprus)he is as English as can me. More so than me & inclined to get homesick if away from here too long. The first few times he went he took 6 weeks or three months for his journey. This is the main reason that his being away for three weeks doesn't bother me too much. I noticed he doesn't come home from these long trips very happy, in fact I think he dips down into depression. Its all too much for him. I told him he can go one more time alone and then we go for shorter times and together. So this is not my last night home alone but it is for a while at least.

Tomorrow I will have a quiet day with a little tidying, Bonnie & Ahdel are also making cleaning and tidying plans which will also be nice. I will pop over to visit my friend for coffee and cake, lunch with my parents, a bit of driving practice. The time to go to the airport will soon be upon us. Pretty sure Fahed will be happy sleeping in his own bed. We love our bed. It's not big (and antisocial sized)and has a lovely tempur topped sprung mattress. Perfect. I suspect I will find it a tight fit to allow him back in but I can't argue that I sleep better when I can hear him sleeping beside me.

How do you not wish your life away?

2012-01-28T10:26:00.002Z

Having a little bloggy catch up this morning I came across this from Heart Shaped. I don't feel this way about January, I love it. I don't wish my life away but what I do is to really look forward to something so much that I dont appreciate the time in between. So if, for example, I have a weekend in France planned for April then I don't properly appreciate the time in between. I focus too much on the things I am looking forward to, especially when it is travel related. Following my own happiness guide I am failing to grasp the 'live in the moment' element as fully as I should be. This shortfall is what brought me to trying to simplify my life, and write my blog, in the first place. I had so much to do that instead of settling into enjoying the gardening, cooking or whatever, I did it as fast as I could, and badly, and just worried about whatever else I should have been doing. I have come a long way since then. I understand that by planning I can concentrate and far more thoroughly enjoy what I am doing at any moment. My List, something I always considered to be the enemy, turned into my friend and I was free of the worry that I had not done something that I should have. I actively ditched a load of activities which I didn't realise were optional until I really starting living deliberately:- shopping for pleasure (the biggest time and money suck ever),ironing, TV ( I watch the programs that I want, about three or four each week, to but don't have the TV on automatically). Another piece of happiness advice was 'Stay Busy'. Well I sure have that sussed. I don't have too many idle moment but maybe I need to take it a stage further and deliberately pleasurable activities in my plan. Maybe some night classes at college, some volunteering, I have been looking at the Open Uni courses too. I need to open my mind as the possibilities are endless. Any advice ?? Since Fahed has been away I have been neglecting my healthy eating pan (and associated blog). This morning I woke up at four with a cracking headache which didn't go until nine. Yesterday I had toast for breakfast and three slices of pizza when I had lunch out with a work mate (£5 for a standard pizza and unlimited salad at Pizza Hut, yummy bargain). I had a pizza headache. I know it will happen but I convince myself that it wont. So silly. Carbs are evil, to those with allergies, and must go!

Weekend Tomorrow & getting my Honey back

2012-01-28T00:04:00.000Z

Very busy at work at the moment but enjoyable work which mean that weeks are passing at a flash. It always seems to be Friday night. Its good that I enjoy my job and good the time doesn't drag but I would like it to slow down a bit as I am also getting old pretty darn quick. So I had a quietly enjoyable Friday night at home with my oldest son and his girlfriend. We watched old box sets of Bones, had some laughs. It was a simple evening but enjoyable. I can still hear them down there now, with Ahdel laughing so much that it makes me laugh too. So I decided this weekend will be active. I joined with with procrastination Thursday last week but I would like to have to try a little harder to find something I am avoiding doing next week. As i came in from work I finished off the painting needed at the bottom of the stairs so that I can rehang all the coats and reclaim one of the sofas. I am going slow because last time I tried to do it all a lot closer together I ended up with ceiling paint on the walls, wall paint on the woodwork and so on. I also touched up the paintwork around the windows in our bedroom. I hung two small oil painting in our room too. I want it to look nice Fahed when he comes home on Sunday. I will mop the floors and sweep, wipe and clean. Finish a cushion for my mum, do a little laundry and find some way to dry it, cook a frugal dinner,go visit a friend for coffee and visit my family in the evening. I might even give the fridge a bit of a sort out and tidy. The contents are mostly veg so things get made into soup instead of thrown away but it still needs a bit of a tidy sometimes.

Challenges, challenges

2012-01-27T21:47:00.000Z

Ho hum, this month Fahed gets very little salary because the pools shut for 2 or 3 weeks over Christmas. No pool, no swimming lessons, no money. We super economize in January and its all good in February. This month Fahed was just a few days back at work before he jetted off to his brother in laws funeral, the hanging on out there as his sister was taken ill. No money for February either, plus our meager emergency fund used up in the flight and other costs. Lots and lots of carb based meals for a while now. A very good time to start the double challenge. I have another bag and box on the go for de-cluttering. I am getting more and more harsh. Also keeping my hand tightly clasped on my wallets. No-one is getting anything from me this month! I know what I have to do. I can't avoid it any longer. I have to meal plan again. It goes against every fibre of my being but I can't argue that it saves us money. I have asked my son to fix the broken leg of my drying rack so that I can leave my laundry to dry in the conservatory. It can be done!

New Month New Challenges

2012-01-24T19:44:00.000Z

To me its a new month now. My payday is 24th so that's when my new month starts.

I am sticking with Carla for this month challenge. A double challenge, no/low spend and de-cluttering. I need both. Fahed has been in Jordan away for two weeks already and is away another week. For those three weeks there is no work so there is no pay. We are going to be seriously short of cash. The only way we can survive is with this challenge,

Learning to be happy

2012-01-23T21:10:00.000Z

I am actually already a happy little soul. In fact sometimes I am so happy that I think I am a bit odd but I am happy being odd, so that's fine too. Today I read a about a new book which acts as a happiness manual. Check it out.

ACCEPT WHAT YOU HAVE Research shows that happy people have modest levels of expectation and aspirations while unhappy people never seem to get what they want. Happy people know how to avoid disappointments and how to generate pleasant surprises. This is because they strive for realistic goals and are happy with their lot. ENJOY WHAT YOU DO Happy people do what they enjoy and enjoy what they do — and don’t do it for the money or glory. There’s no point being stuck in a job you hate, surrounded by unfriendly colleagues just because the money is good — people forget that they are allowed to be happy at work, too. LIVE FOR TODAY Don’t dwell on the past, on things that went wrong or previous failures. Similarly, don’t dream about an idealised future that doesn’t exist or worry about what hasn’t happened yet. Happy people live for the now; they have positive mind sets. If you can’t be happy today, what makes you think tomorrow will be different? CHOOSE HAPPINESS Don’t be afraid to step back and re-evaluate your goals. Imagine your life as a story that you can edit and revise as you go along. This kind of flexible approach requires positive thinking and an open mind — you need to actively choose to be happy. RELATIONSHIPS We get our happiness from other people, and from supporting other people. Remember that just as other people can make us happy, we are all ‘other people’ to someone else. And cherish people who are important to you. Research also shows that married people are happier than single people. STAY BUSY If you want to be happier, develop an outgoing, social personality — accept that invitation, join that club, group or choir. Active, busy, social people are the healthiest and happiest, in society. Get involved. BE YOURSELF & DON'T COMPARE Ambition is healthy and makes people happy but envy makes them unhappy. Focus on your goals and dreams so that you can enjoy your ambition and achievements. Don’t compare your self with others. Don’t worry about what others think about you — truly be yourself. Happy people are spontaneous, natural and real. Being oneself makes one feel free and authentic. STOP WORRYING Don’t take yourself too seriously. Happy people don’t worry and they recognise that 90 per cent of worries never come true. GET ORGANISED We might envy those chilled bohemian types who just do things on the spur of the moment, but happy people plan and organise. They have goals and a purpose. You can only get what you want or desire if you know what it is you want or desire in the first place. So while those chilled-out friends might seem happy, they’re actually just drifting along. THINK POSITIVE Bottling up emotions and bad feelings creates psychological distress and even physical discomfort. Happy people get things off their chest. Similarly, work at developing optimistic thinking; happy people look on the bright side. Optimism is the mind’s natural self-defence mechanism against depression. VALUE HAPPINESS Happiness can be learned, but finding meaning and a purpose in life is what leads to it, not the other way around. The happiest people appreciate and realise that being happy adds years to their life, and life to their years.

Sunday Update

2012-01-22T18:28:00.000Z

366 challenge - Another good weekend for de-cluttering - I am now into April now but only just. Low spend/no spend - no superfluousness spending. The takeaway curry on my wedding anniversary was not superfluousness, it was my celebratory meal. Yaay. I just need to ensure I take lunches again this week because else I end up on the slippery slope to spending.

Procrastination update - this is a photo of my 'procrastination basket'. A craft basket full of half finished projects. Today I mended the actual basket, disposed of the piece of cross stitch i was half way though that is supposed to go into coaster - i will find something more special to me. I sorted out and trimmed a rug-work cushion cover that my mum gave me once. I am finishing it this week to give it back to her as a birthday present along with some special choccies. There are two cross stitch kits which are not started. I am going to stitch them. Family - tomorrow my eldest son will be 22. Wow. That means that 22 years ago tonight I was only an hour or so from 14 hours of very painful labour. It was worth it. Fahed should have been coming back today but phoned this morning to say that his newly widowed sister had been taken into a hospital. She has had a stroke. I will call him tonight but I don't know what is going to happen. Watching - Tonight a scary film. We are part way through The Disappearance of Alice Creed. Not what you would call enjoyable. Listening to - Nothing, no time this week. Reading Part way through a second horse racing mystery novel by Dick Francis. I haven't read one of his for years but these are excellent. I looked on Amazon to check out the price of a complete works set but it was in the hundreds. Good job I am on the low spend challenge. The week ahead - Ahdel's birthday but Fahed normally cooks the birthday meal so we will wait. Hopefully some good news from Fahed & hopefully we get him back. I will make the most of being alone to get more de-cluttering and re-arranging etc done.

Never quiet for long

2012-01-21T13:40:00.001Z

So Jamal went off to his birthday party in Winchester & Ahdel's mate called for him to go to the pub for a while for someones birthday. I thought I had a quiet evening at home. I went off to bed before 10, having eaten my curry in the bath with a book (it was my anniversary!!). Then my son texted me to say we are on our way home, lets have a glass of wine to celebrate. I heard them come in so popped on my trackies and came down the stairs. I heard Bonnie say 'oh,no, we have woken Mama up'. Then Ahdel saying, no, I already told her to get up again and join us. Bless. So the six of us watch some stand up for a couple of hours and did have a glass of wine. It was actually nicer than being alone on a special day. I hopped back into my bed around midnight and, except for hearing Jamal creeping in at 1.30, snoozed through until 7.30. I do like peace and quiet and time alone but I have to say I do like a few people about the place too. I would so love to live in a big old house where noise wouldn't bother anyone and I never needed to lock the door. My son must be the only one who ever left home to live with mates his own age but came back because it was too quiet! Tonight I think I will actually be alone as Ahdel is away until tomorrow evening at another, more long distance, family event. Jamal always stay at my parents house on a Saturday night. I can watch whatever I wanton TV when I come home from there at 10pm. Of course there wont be anything I want. So anyway, it is Saturday. Day at home. Whoop. I have a huge to do list but I am getting through it. Whilst doing something I got side tracked into disposing of an additional thirteen pieces of clothing. I have some clothes which are a little too small but which I am closer to fitting into than I have been for a while. I just took a really good look at them and decided that they were too out of date, didn't like the fabric or in one case, even the actual colour way. One two piece outfit to the ebay basket and all the rest straight in the charity bag. Just a couple more items and it will be April. I am actually wondering if I have really turned a corner in my hoarding (no, not like the TV program but still a bit of clutter). Everything I look at I just want to be rid. I actually feel that rush of freedom which everyone always talked about. I still have about a million items to get rid of before my kitchen looks like Laura's though.

23 years ago today

2012-01-20T20:34:00.001Z

Some of the guys in my office had a five a side match tonight against guys from the CSC. We got well and truly thrashed but our guys averaged about ten years older than there. It was good fun and surprisingly exciting, but damn cold. I may have briefly thought being a twenty year old bloke would be fun but it was brief. Today is my 23rd wedding anniversary. Unfortunately my husband is 3000 mils away but lets be honest, he wouldn't have remembered anyway. I am having a glass of port and a Chinese curry for my personal indulgence. Kids have both gone out with mates so I can even watch what I want on the TV. Not actually so bad at all. Fahed is back on Sunday night. I am going to have a good old spring clean of the house and maybe the cars tomorrow. I think its really good to come home to a nice clean house. Feels very positive. I need keep the best vibe I can this week as I am hoping Fahed is changing medication and that always needs some support and not just a bit of luck. I have spoken before about Fahed's depression and one of the bits of this is his insomnia. He takes some really strong insomnia meds but they are not good for long term use so his GP has said that he needs to think about whether he can cope without them. Whilst he was in Jordan I asked him not to take this particular mediation & he has done his best. When he gets back I am hoping that we can keep him off it. We need all the positive vibes that we can get. No spend/low spend. Not shopping this weekend. My Chinese curry is the treat for my anniversary. 366 De-clutter - No action this week tomorrow & Sunday I will add to my list. Procrastination Thursday - I tried but I have to be honest and say that I didn't even open the basket of half finished craft stuff. So Lizzie 0 - Procrastination 1. Since sleeping better I have been waking up, refreshed even, at 6ish instead of dragging myself out of bed kicking and screaming at seven. unexpectedly good news.

Motivational Speaker - Deirdre Bounds

2012-01-19T20:20:00.002Z

Today was our the senior manager forum annual conference at my work. Although spending the day in a tent near Basingstoke might not sounds very exciting we had a really good day. All of our manager not just the seniors were invited so I got to introduce some of my team leaders to what we do. We had a couple of workshops and a nice buffet lunch but the highlight was the after lunch presentation by Deidre Bounds. A little bundle of energy with a scouse accent and nice line in teasing. We had some Glasgow v Edinburgh banter going on at some point. Deidre has done all sorts, backpacking & travelling, starting up a really innovative business from nothing and then selling it for big millions, TV presenter, occasional stand up comedian, even author but with no inclination to write again. The exec are hoping to get a deal on as many copies of her book as we need for us to be further inspired. She didn't have long to speak but did have time to get a basic message across to us. Be true to yourself. If you cant buy into the ideas of you organisation then maybe you should be looking elsewhere. But much more than your career, be true to yourself in all things. Be honest, be who you are. Have integrity, not just self integrity, tell the truth, even when it hurts and take the blame. Taking blame is taking control. Learning to take responsibly is the key to freedom. Use your intuition. Intuition plus logic equals success. Stretch yourself. Get out there, yes, right out of your comfort zone. She also said success comes in a niche market which I am pretty sure for me translates to do what you know and what interests you. Excellent and inspired. Cant wait to get my book.

Procrastination Thursday

2012-01-19T19:23:00.001Z

I can hardly miss this opportunity to add some structure to my life. I am always remembering something I should have done.

This week I noticed a basket on the shelf in my bedroom. Inside are all manner of craft projects, obviously unfinished. I am joining with Digging Out & Up to try to finish things off or get rid of them once and for all.

Sleeping

2012-01-18T07:30:00.001Z

I normally suffer from the usual middle aged complaint of not being able to sleep. I have tried a glass of wine or scotch before bed, I spray my pillow with some pro-sleep thing, warm baths to make me sleepy, no eating after 7pm, even tried Fahed sleeping medication. That made me seep but not in a pleasant way, more like being knocked out & then waking up but not at all refreshed. This week I have slept. A couple of things which are only done annually went horribly wrong last year at work. This year they seem to be going right. Maybe this makes a difference? or it because I have re-arranged the bedroom? Now we can see the window & the furniture is less imposing & crowded than before. The room is definitely a lot emptier. Of course Fahed is also away this week. I really hope I am not sleeping well because he isn't here. That would be seriously bad news. Whatever it is I see a theme of space and designed emptiness, in my head or physical space, and it feels good. I just hope it continues.

It's really gone!

2012-01-17T22:55:00.002Z

Today I can officially count my de-cluttered objects for the 366 challenge. Jamal & I detoured to the Salvation Army drop point on our way JuJitsu lessons tonight. A huge box and two huge bags. There was some really cool stuff in there so I hope they benefit from it. I have a pretty big basket of goodies for ebay next. I haven't included them in my total but there are at least 20 items. I am started to consider two years of de-cluttering in a year challenge. Would it be the 731 in 366 challenge? There is possibility we could end the year naked and homeless if not very careful. Tonight I made a quick and easy supper. Meatballs (Ikea frozen) with pasta. It was about 15 minutes of cooking & was well received. I really need to think of more of these quick and easy meals. Some times I can stand there chopping veg for an eternity before we eat. I need balance, I try to be a housewife and stay at home mum even I don't stay home and the kids are grown up anyways. I could remember that I work all day, without even lunch break today as we had meetings all day, and maybe cut myself a little slack when I get home. Time to read a few pages of my book and then it is bed time for baby bears (was that a kids programme when I was little?)

Blue Monday Rambley Ramble

2012-01-16T20:02:00.000Z

Is today the most depressing day of the year? This Monday is, I think, Blue Monday. Its a Monday, in January, not yet the first pay day after Christmas. It's all gloom, gloom, gloom. All in all not feeling unhappy although I would always prefer to stay home instead of go to work. That is an other mans grass is always greener reaction, not real.

We kept supper really simple today. Cumberland sausages, mash and baked beans. It is very popular, quick and simple. Must do it more often. Sometimes I forget that I dont have to spend ages chopping veg, making dumplings...

i am totally getting into the no spend/low spend. My default is definitely being changed to not spend, even for the grocery and fuel budgets which I have already set aside. Normally I don't worry too much as long as I am within budget but now I am happily coming in under.

I am on a de-clutter break now until the weekend.then its the study, for which I really need to be in the mood, as I keep using it as a dumping ground for everything.

In my continuing attempt to deal with issues, especially those with a financial impact, instead of being a lazy ratbag, I sent a couple of emails this week. One to Optimax because I believe my eyesight is deteriorating after my surgery last spring. I am reasonably sure that they did say that I get additional treatment for no further cost if there was a problem. I hope so. Slightly less financially impressive but nonetheless worth doing, I emailed Hawkins Bazaar about my sons colour changing alarm clock. He had it for Christmas and it lasted about 40 seconds before it died. They are now in receivership but have kindly agreed to send through a new one & I don't need to return the old one. We did take it to the shop but all of the branches locally were locked up.

I spoke to Fahed in Jordan today. He sounded quite well so I think my sister in law must be dealing with the loss of her husband better than he expected. I think he flew out there more because he was worried about her than for the funeral. Be nice to have him home again next week.

Last thing, I am really feeling some resurgence of wanderlust since reminiscing with my family last weekend. I loved to travel. I still try to as much as I can but I miss the long haul stuff. Travel is the thing I am most looking forward to spending more money on once I am debt & mortgage free. In the mean time there is Easyjet.

Best Ever Banofffee Pie

2012-01-15T21:14:00.000Z

As made by my eldest son, the non cook, and perfect every time.

i packet of chocolate hobnob biscuit
1/2 packet of unsalted butter
One tine of Nestle Condensed Milk - already caramelised
3 bananans
Large tub of whipping cream

Blitz the biscuits and butter together in the food processor until you have crumbs.
Press into a large flan dish and refridgerate for an hour or so.
Spread the caramelized mil across the base nicely.
Top with slices of banana.
Decorate with a nice thick coating of whipped cream.

If you are going to eat it straight away then the banana can go on top of the cream but it will discolour quite quickly.

Serve & munch!

it's 11th March

2012-01-15T20:28:00.000Z

That's how good the 366 challenge is going. I have disposed of one item a day until 11th March. I am eyeing up things I had for Christmas a few weeks back and wondering how soon I can reasonably let them go. Ha ha. Maybe I can actually get on the road to minimalism.

My no spend/low spend session is going well. On Friday I made HM'Lush Curry' instead of a takeaway
for a treat. Saturday was leftovers for lunch and Deli rolls at dinner. Today we ate up vearius leftovers. I might have to give in and cook properly tomorrow though as I am abouit out of leftovers, except a ton of frozen lunches for work. My grocery shopping was £84 this week but it was enough food for two weeks. This coming week will be just pitta bread and top up on tins (tomatoes,kidney bins, baked beans etc). No more than £25 in total.

As far as being organised, laundry is all done (no hauling water though, its easy for me) and the last few things still drying. Rubbish is out and kitchen wiped. Floors all swept. A couple of dishes to go in the dishwasher & all is well in the household. I have been freezing some open wine into ice cubes to add to stews rather than waste it. When I was thirty I would never have believed that I left a bottle unfinished but I appear to have lost my appetite for wine. I wish I could feel the same about food.

Tonight there are Poirot re-runs on TV. I am content.
.

Side Income and Sunday stuff.

2012-01-15T09:54:00.001Z

As you can tell from the style of my blog (um, personalised ramble might be the best description) I write it because I like to write, and the way it makes me feel more accountable, rather than to make money. Extra money would be useful of course & one day I may understand how to do that side of things. I am happy with the idea that most days about a hundred (sometimes 200 - to me that's incredible) people read my nonsense. Despite this I finally got around to following the instructions on blogger to 'monetorize my blog' in November. I am guessing that the blog would be easier to read if I remember to tag posts and do link backs too. I will try. I really will.

So guess how much income I have made from your clicks? £1.54!! Ok,I am not getting too excited as that seems to be about 2.5 months worth but nonetheless borderlne exciting for me. I am a paid writer. And at the end of 12 months I could maybe buy a loaf of bread & some milk.

Getting back to my 366 challenge. I cant believe how much is hiding in my, already tidy, bedroom. I have now been through everything except for the drawers below the wardrobe and the under bed storage. After the re-arrange and since it is getting emptier I notice that the paint work needs touching up. Great, now I am creating work for myself. I am intending to finish those areas today and then count up the items. Next on my list are a side board and dresser in the big room which we always call the conservatory. Will Fahed notice? Not likely, and that is fine with me.

Finished my coffee and leftover Banoffee pie, back to de-cluttering.

Ah, more bliss

2012-01-14T22:38:00.000Z

I am missing the old fella. I really am but having a thoroughly nice time anyway. He normally goes for between 6 weeks and 3 months so 10 days is nothing much really. Work is hard and stressful still but everything else is good.

Today I turned a load more stuff out in our bedroom, as planned. We ate as planned except that we ate tomorrows dinner as well (whoops). I had my hair cut and I like the result. I coloured it myself (too mean to have it done at shop)and I think it looks nice. I am half way towards sorted out with my bedroom coffee tray. Jamal re-arranged my pictures & re-hung my jewellery boards to fit in with the the new furniture arrangements. I keep my earrings and necklaces on notice boards covered in velvet. I really like to be able to see everything and choose what I want and not have it all bundled up in a box. One of my earliest getting organised projects & it still works well.

This evening I went to my parents house & spent a lovely evening with my family talking about travelling we did in the past. Weird that we can remember what we ate in the 70's & 80's in the US or Malaysia, but we cant remember what we ate yesterday.

And now the TV channel Dave has an evening of QIXL. Ah, Bliss.

Love Saturdays - even the chores are fun

2012-01-14T09:35:00.000Z

Turns out I do need to leave the house this morning. I seriously need a hair cut.(remember the TV Ad where the gorilla mops the floor with the guy who is asleep? Modelled on me)Also toilet roll got missed in the shopping yesterday. Some picture hooks as I finish the re-arrangement of the bedroom and get my walls in order.

I thought I might also set up a coffee tray where TV used to be. I have a spare kettle in the attic, a couple of small storage jars needed for coffee and sugar, which I am certain that I have around. We must have a little tray which would be suitable. Then I can just bring up clean mugs and a small flask of fresh milk last thing at night. Just right for the winter to warm up before I have to go downstairs in the freezing cold.

I don't have to cook as we have a deli Saturday thing going on. There is French Bread, bought last night so still yum. Cold meat, hummus and some water cress. Leftover Banoffee pie if we need pudding. Tomorrow we can finish up the curry form last evening. All the more time to de-clutter. Also my bank account is sorted. Money has been refunded to me and new card has arrived. I just have to go sort the PIN and we are all good. Or we would be all good if my son would finihs his shower and turn off that dreadful music!

Tomorrow the 366 challenge gets serious

2012-01-13T23:54:00.000Z

I don't have anywhere that I need to be until 7.30pm tomorrow. Fahed is away and kids will be occupied and.or working. I don't really need to go out. So tomorrow the 366 challenge is properly coming to Allbrook.

I have set a spreadsheet to go everything as it goes. The speed has date down the left side so that I appear to dispose of one thing everyday although usually it all happens at the weekend.

Tomorrow I am trying to get to the end of February. I really can do it. I am getting totally ruthless since I realism that so far I don't regret one loss and actually I have a lot of trouble noticing any losses.

Tomorrow I am going to strip the place like a Ninja Locust!

On the up?

2012-01-13T22:59:00.001Z

First time since 2008, I am having a pay rise. 2.75%. I wasn't expecting anything since last year & the year before my take home pay actually went down. Costs for pension and NI went up and income didn't. This year I have heard nothing awful and this piece of actual good news so maybe things are improving? Maybe?

I also read two articles yesterday that energy prices were decreasing. I wont move to a new supplier yet. Nice to know it is not always, up, up, up.

We are celebrating Friday night tonight by cooking a curry which is just know as that lush curry. Its a recipe that I got from an army catering demonstration when I was about 15. Lean chicken massaged with a curry paste. Stir fry in a little butter. Add plenty off chopped onion, green pepper and celery. Stir fried some more and finish off with a carton of double cream. Cook a little longer over a low heat to thicken it up. Serve with rice. Yuuuuuuum.

Ahdel is now making us a pudding (late night pudding apparently) of bannoffee pie. Its worth waiting for though.

So, yes, i did forget my other house.

2012-01-12T21:53:00.000Z

View from my (not imaginary) balcony

Its working. If not quite still ahead of the game, we are at least not as far behind as we would expect with Fahed rushing off to a funeral overseas & needing cash for the ten days he is away.
So we have been living out of the larder and freezer, which is still looking pretty good still. Debt in the month has decreased not increased.

De-cluttering (and I need a better word for this - maybe shedding?) is going even better. Since Fahed has been away each night I have turned out a drawer in the bedroom. It does feel very much like I am being released from my baggage. It has the disadvantage of making me want to pack a few possession in a small ( but perfect) cabin bag and travel the world, but hopefully that will pass. Or more hopefully it will just wait until I can retire.

Today I had lunch with a friend of mine. Our salary and our mortgages are approximately the same. His wife is a little too keen on spending but he reigns her in quite well. It was interesting to see how similar we are (not liking waste, enjoying a bargain, keeping our money hand closed)but also how very different. He is not at all materialistic, although he does spend a fortune on books, but his wife loves everything new and just so, so none of the second hand stuff that I prefer to buy for him. He were talking about being careful and he said he hadn;t had to yet dip into his £35k savings (gulp) and he never touches the £20k that they have in their off set account (sigh). And this is a man who draws out an allowance for food and fuel. I was wondering what I did wrong and why I don't have £55,000 in saving & then I remembered. I have another house. Doh! Pretty big thing to forget but somehow I managed. I was feeling like I hadn't managed my income and assets well until that point (and lets be honest with investments in Syria & Greece, Its a fair suggestion)but now I feel a lot better. The recession and exchange rates have strippped me of a good bit of net worth but I can look at whats left and know I did the best for my fmaily by my efforts I think.

What is a debit card? & good things about Easyjet

2012-01-11T19:37:00.000Z

I have just rad this article. Andrea really doesn't like Suze Orman. I dont have an opinion as I have never heard of her. Is she the US Money Saving Martin? or more like that lady from Countdown who is always tying to get you to take out a loan. Anyway, I digress. I really wondered what a debit card was in this context. In the UK I know my debit card is how I spend the money in my bank. Cheques are not even taken in the vets anymore (the last place that took cheques around here) so its debit card or cash unless you want to use someone elses money. And even if you want to use cash you need to get it out of the hole in the wall with your debit card. The debit card that Andrea is describing doesn't sound anything like this, just like a credit card where you pre-pay?

Fahed phoned up from Palestine today to say that, following the funeral, his sister wants to go back to her home in Jordan so that the rest of the family can visit from Syria. They cant come to the actual funeral (politics, yeuh!)and if they did then they couldn't go home again. So Fahed obviously wants to go back with her as not much point in staying in Palestine on his own. I logged on to Easyjet to look at our booking and see if there was another flight available for him back from Jordan, as crossing borders out there is just a total nightmare even with a British Passport. I clicked an option to change flight and found a good flight. No additional charge and just a £30 admin fee. Easyjet get a bad press sometimes but I think they are great. I cant fault them, particularly on price. We love Stelios, even if he doesnt own them anymore.

Um, (blogger) help please

2012-01-10T18:41:00.000Z

Okay, I have been writing on here for some years but apparently I still have a lot of unknown unknowns! Any idea how I can stop being a 'no reply blogger'? I would like any correspondence from anyone, I love chat in all its forms.

My no/low spend is going well, thanks to being robbed, but the de-cluttering is going like an express train. I am totally getting into it now. I thought the place was already de-cluttered but I was so wrong. It's full! and more important it is full of the potential to all be gone.

Fahed has gone off to the funeral today. I am being taken care of by my two little boys, who are strapping great men these days so I am safe in their hands. I was hoping for an early night as no sleep last night and then a 6am start for the airport, however I forgot about Jamal's JuJitsu lesson which finishes at 9.45. Darn.

Sunday night chit chat (even though it is Monday)

2012-01-09T20:16:00.000Z

Thank you for Carla for making me think about what is going on in my life & what I need to be grateful for.

Reading?
Extra Virgin - a re-read that always makes me smile.

Watching?
Bones - waiting patiently for Brennan to have her baby so that we can have some new episodes

Listening to?
Shakira - hips don't lie. Never gets old.

Cooking/Baking?
Low carb fake spag bol.

Happy you accomplished this week?
Going back to work and facing all the issues that they called me about last week. And finding that I was right and it wasn't so bad after all.

Looking forward to next week?
Actually not that much as Fahed will be away for the funeral for 10days so I will focus on the fact that I will have chance for more de-cluttering and more house work and decoerating.

Thankful for today?
That I know my boys will take care of me whilst their Baba is away. They are sneakily clever about ensuring one of them is always home at night if I am home alone. I didn't know this was planned and thought it was just a happy con-incidence until I overheard them planning it one day. Bless their little cotton socks.