Hello everyone

[chloe40]

It's been a very cold week in the UK and there are lots of illnesses around.

Have you managed to stay warm and well?

Please let me know how things are with you, whatever that may be <3

Chloe

[Skyp]

Hi chloe.gosh yes it sure has been cold.dread the bill for heating but hey ho....got to stay warm.i did buy a electric heated throw. So I find that good in the evening while sitting in armchair. Yes lots of virus's about this time of year.just try to avoid crowds of people x

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Skyp]

Hi Skyp

It really has been so cold but hopefully warming up over the weekend.

Wow, I’ve never heard of an electric throw, I must check that out x

I’m definitely keeping my distance from everyone right now but getting stir crazy.

I just can’t wait for the better weather, I want to start pottering in the garden😀

Chloe

[Bingofox007 in reply to chloe40]

After suffering all the ‘merry Christmas and happy new year’ and feeling better that the festivities are over with I booked a weeks holiday from work to deep clean my lounge and tidy around only to test positive for covid and just had to sit here feeling ill. Now testing negative and on reflection sitting doing nothing curled up with my dogs watching telly has done me good. No one could call on me to sort them out, no pressure from work and it’s been a very cold week. I too dread the next energy bill but I used to dread the next day more. Being at home doing nothing has helped me recharge mentally . I felt rotten at the start of the week, still no energy but I’ve had time to myself which I think I needed. I hope you and everyone on this forum are keeping well. Take care 🦊xx

[Skyp in reply to Bingofox007]

Hi. I always find sitting on sofa with our fur babies is comforting.my cat is 20 years old bless her.hope you soon feel 100 %that covid sure knocks you for six x

[Bingofox007 in reply to Skyp]

Thank you. Yes my dogs are a couple of old ladies happy to sit n chill. Animals are the best tonic 🦊xx

[Turnipgirl in reply to Skyp]

Baby our ginger tabby will be 20 in April and will be getting a birthday party!

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Bingofox007]

Hi Bingofox007

Oh no! You couldn’t have planned that, rotten luck but glad you’re picking up now.

You definitely needed the break and you still have a week off to look forward to sometime in the near future x

[Bingofox007 in reply to chloe40]

Thank you. Yes the tidying up can wait until next break 🦊x

[Skyp in reply to chloe40]

Yes definitely get one.i got mine online at argos.£36.make is silent night x

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Skyp]

On it Skyp

Thank you!

[Turnipgirl in reply to chloe40]

One thing I'm really looking forward to is when we can switch the heating off in due course!

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Turnipgirl]

Oh yes, definitely x

[Caza in reply to chloe40]

Highly recommend electric throws. I bought mine many years ago & it’s still going strong.

[Turnipgirl]

Here it has been a great week along with a great overdue day out yesterday up to Swansea where we caught up with our friends and went bowling there and out to an Indian place as well and to the Swansea castle and the market where the turnips on sale looked like grapes!

The pantry challenge is nearly finished and we have been living on pasta and sauce on the days when it's swimming bringing in our own lunch as planned which has helped give the grocery budget a rest.

Swimming is going great and for a couple of days it was just a couple of people in the pool which was a nice surprise!

My friends agreed with me about how bringing my own packed lunches to swimming on those days was a great idea and how the queues are frustrating at the canteens!

They also said how I am looking really well and how getting evicted was the best thing that could have happened to me same as what I say and how I had needed to have got out of the other place for my own sanity and well being due to things like noise!

Just to explain its not like I begrudge the odd party every now and again as yes that is being mean in my view but the noise at the other place got ridiculous though and there was an incident when I was so fed up with them that I got on the stepladder with a Broom and had banged on the ceiling and now looking back I do wish I had put the ceiling in after the way everyone was treated when they sent out those notice letters back in the July of 2022 which were invalid!

With that it's not the move in itself that upset me no it's the appalling way everyone was treated that did!

Here on new years eve they did a street party at midnight with the lang syne song and I didn't mind and joined in as say in my view if I had begrudge them that that would have been mean and petty as it was a one off.

[chloe40 Administrator]

I also think you sound so much better Turnipgirl

You’re having a really nice life, so enjoy and don’t look back x

[Turnipgirl in reply to chloe40]

It has been very rewarding has building up my confidence in going out and about!

Everyone is saying how proud they are of me!

Today it's the usual Sunday carvery where I have made some new friends at the pub!

Next step is to sort out some overnight trips away from home to build up confidence!

More than likely I will sort out days out like trips to Swansea or whatever a couple of times a month in due course when the weather gets better.

I'm glad Christmas and new year is over as I found it an extremely stressful time with worries over money which is why I came up with the pantry challenge thing that started on 2 January and finishes a week this Monday coming which has helped keep expenses down!

Thursday coming it's a job interview at 12noon at a place in South Cardiff which I will try my best at and then go onto swimming at 3pm.

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Turnipgirl]

You’re very resourceful Turnipgirl and I’m very proud of your achievements this past few months.

And I might add, you’ve an excellent social life too, so keep it going and good luck on Thursday x

[Greyone]

HI Chloe - I've kept warm by wearing my winter coat indoors on several says. Beat that !!!

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Greyone]

Really Greyone we’re you that cold indoors?

Maybe a duvet will keep you warmer when you sit down.

You’ve definitely beat me, but please take care x

[Caza in reply to Greyone]

Electric throws apparently only costs you a pound an hr. Could you stretch to that Greystone. Warmer than a coat & cosy when your relaxing

[Greyone in reply to Caza]

Never heard of them. Thank you for the idea.

[Greyone]

Sending you {{{hugs}}}

[Caza]

I’ve not been too bothered by the cold weather this time round. 🤷‍♀️I’ve got a really warm North Face coat that I bought many years ago & I wear thermal underwear & socks when I walk the dog (very glamorous). The boiler has been broken where I do my aqua 🥶 now that’s really cold. I’ve no idea how flu colds sickness bugs have avoided me but they have, thank goodness 😅

My mood seems to fluctuate at the moment so I’m keeping a close eye on myself. Have booked lots of things coming up to keep me busy.

Hope your all well x

[chloe40 Administrator in reply to Caza]

Hi Caza

Love the look! Absolutely necessary too.

Oh dear, you’re not doing aqua in that cold surely?

Really pleased to read you’re well, keep strong and busy x

[Midori]

Here in West Wales it's been mostly Grim, grey and grimy. Dank and dreary, Wild and windy, but in the last 3 days we have had sun, which always perks me up, even if I can only look out the window!

Trying to blitz the bungalow, but it is in very slow motion, as I can't move fast. I need to get the kitchen cleared as I need to have a new one fitted. The sink gives me the heebie jeebies, as it is in a dark corner (no window) and with my back to the door it triggers the CPTSD. Need to get the washing machine moved to the Garage, as I hate washing my clothes in the same room I prepare food in, and then perhaps the defunct dishwasher can be broken out and the kitchen refitted.

Then after that it's on to the bathroom, soon to be Wet room, hopefully. Hope I last the pace; I hate having strange men working around me.

Cheers, Midori

[chloe40 Administrator]

My goodness Midori

So much to do!

Go at your own pace, with the weather brightening, if you're like me you may find you have more energy, but it sounds like you have plenty anyway.

Yesterday I planted some little flowers in tubs and baskets and it really makes me smile looking at them, now the sun has just come out and I'm going to tackle the ironing ugh!

Take care

Chloe