Trying to look for the postive

Hiya.
The last few weeks have been a bit rough and I havent really felt like blogging. I got caught in the negative thinking spiral and ended up doing what my dear old Dad called 'navel gazing', ie; feeling sorry for myself.
Ive not been doing any crafting, boxfit has now been cancelled and its been too cold and wet to get out walking. Ive been a bit fed up, sick of being skint and generally wanting to hibernate.
The decluttering challenge has been slowly moving forward (apart from the odd thing that I was getting rid of finding its way back into the house - thanks to the OH!), but the sealed pot challenge has suffered a bit of a setback. I had to break it open this weekend for next weeks busfare and things like bread, milk etc, - yep things are THAT tight!
However, I did manage to get out for a walk today and have had a serious talk to myself, so am determined to focus on the good things that are happening. Ive done it before and have managed to turn things around and get myself out of a funk and start good things happening again.
OK, the good things...........

- I have finally got my start date for my new job - 24th Feb. Ive had mixed feelings about this as I dont want to leave the place where I am now, but as its a 'temp' assignment which is coming to and end I dont have much choice.
The new job is permanent and I will finally be able to start to move forward again, so I WILL look forward to it, and its still within the same site as my current one so I will still see the colleagues that have become my friends.

- The days are starting to get longer, its no longer dark when I go out to the bus-stop at 7.15 in the morning, and its still light when I get home at 5.

-Ive got some lovely bulbs flowering in my garden already!. My tulips and daffs are coming up, but the snowdrops and dwarf irises are flowering, and they always make me smile.

Not my pics but courtesy of the interweb

So, there you have it. There are some good things happening and will be more to come.
Laters.
Jo
x

January update

Hiya.

One of my goals for 2014 was to blog more ofte, so here's a rundown of what the first few weeks of 2014 have thrown my way.

The sealed pot challenge is still underway, things have been a bit tight but Ive not been tempted to crack it open. The decluttering challenge has got off to a good start, about 40ish items have been chucked or gone to the charity shop, still got a long way to go on both.

Ive bitten the bullet and joined instagram, and Im over on Pinterest as well. Im not on them that often but am quite enjoyng them (I get a bit fed up with Twitter and Facebook sometimes).

Ive started on my Xmas 2014 crafting. Ive decided to make lap quilts for all the ladies on OH's side of the family. There will be 5 or 6 of them and they will be approx 4ft square. Ive made a start on the one for his Mum, which is the fiddliest as its got lots of small bits on it. Ive just got to add the border, and then I can sandwich it together.

Im really quite pleased with it so far.

Ive also decided (as Im not a big housework fan) that for every hour I spend crafting, I will do 30 mins domestics. This can be cleaning, cooking, sorting bills, decluttering etc, Im classing them all as housework, a bit of a stretch I know, but my rules!
 Ive been really good with making my own lunches so far this year (mainly due to being very skint and trying to have more control over what Im eating). Ive been making soups, fritters, fritattas and low cal macaroni cheese, some have been more sucessful than others, but its an ongoing attempt to stop myself getting bored with making the same thing over and over again. Its also a good excuse to take some next door for the Mother in Law to try and make sure she gets some hot food. She's having a few mobility issues at the moment and cant stand at the cooker to make herself any hot meals, so we are keeping a close eye on her. Hopefully she will be a bit more agile for her 80th Birthday party next month!

Lastly, but by now means leastly, Ive bagged myself a new, permanent, full time job! I will be going to work as a Clerical Officer in the Medical Records department at Sheffields Specialist Cancer Hospital. Not sure when yet, I have my pre-employment meeting this week and should get my start date soon (I hope), but Im looking forward to it. Hope to share more on this at a later date.

Well, thats about it at the moment, Ive spent the afternoon making lunches for next week, and letter writing, so think I deserve to read a few chapters of my book now with a nice coffee. Sorry about the shortage of pics, but Ive not really been inspired to snap away, maybe next time. :o)

Catch ya later.

Jo x