#BlogLife717 - Evening dance party workout/Not getting summer ready

Song of the day - Calypso Rose/Machel Montano/Manu - Leave Me Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ0otZhMXTk&list=PL_S79tzxwHpPMvQb_ft0dgOQA7kcRZsUA&index=83

I know it's been a while since I did song of the day, I just couldn't be bothered, half of me hasn't even wanted to blog, I've felt so sick but after it's written I feel satisfied.

As it's the weekend, I've just done the face brush, cleanser and have the mask on.

The party music was playing and I thought what about evening and well as morning dance party workouts?

I'm also trying to drink plain water in the evenings. I hope it will help with the bloating and overall unwellness.

I got to give myself a manicure, my nails are shockingly uneven at the moment, I keep forgetting to fix them.

When it comes to summer and my birthday approaching, I've never, well nowadays been in a rush to frantically workout and flash my body.

I think I've gotten to the stage where I can wear fitted, shaped clothes, rather than reveal my legs or cleavage and flaunt it all.

I did all that when I was younger, confident or not, I could pull that off and look good.

These days I feel nicer being covered up. Long sleeves, long skirts or trousers, higher necklines.

But there can still be striking colours or designs. I think even if I ever reach my desired weight/size (whatever that is), I still wouldn't revert back to baring my skin.

I would like to dress appropriately for my age. A middle aged woman, that still looks way younger than I am.

I think I could get away with being in my 30s, my face is youthful and my spirit and humour can attest to that.

But even though I'm not trying to be skin and bone. We can all benefit from taking care of our bodies.

I don't know if I'll do the second hair oil treatment this weekend.

My scalp isn't dry but I might cut my hair and tidy it up. I feel unkempt.

I mean't to epilate a while ago but just got around to it, I did my legs and arms.

I hadn't really been bothered about my arms but I thought why not?!

I moisturise straight afterwards because the itch is unbearable. I just put some nivea lotion on and I still had to scratch like crazy.

Soo satisfying ha! I'm still not showing them off but it will help cool me down as the heatwave hasn't ended, like it promised, grr.

That was the second night in a row, that I had trouble getting my lens out. I doused my eyes in drops but it took ages to get out.

It makes it worse that I can't see or feel the lens to put it back in place and I use the camera phone usually but I just couldn't see properly so that didn't help either.

I managed a couple hours of sleep, maybe a bit more but I couldn't sleep past 9am, even though I desperately wanted too.

The pain is getting increasingly worse, it's spread everywhere now, even typing is excruciating.

I confess yesterday I didn't eat much, just some savoury cheddar biscuits and some sweet chilli chicken and I just drunk water.

I'm not bloated anymore, Oh it's glorious to have a, well not flat, but less of a tum tum.

I was really worried about the boiler, yesterday the second engineer came, same day service and in the evening..

He located the leak and fixed it but stayed to make sure everything was normal with both the heating and hot water, unlike the previous one.

This morning, nothing appeared to be working and I thought, this is too much.

Then I turned it on higher and waited and felt the radiator and it felt hot finally.

I got to test the hot water but it takes ages to come on. I'm just relieved all seems well.

Almost forgot, just changed the phone's wallpaper to a celebration theme as me and Mama's birthday is upcoming.

I feel bad I had to delay the visit to her, she seems so enthusiastic about my trip but I just feel tender and a complete mess, with all that's occurring.

I did the last of the cleaning, the bathroom is all sorted and I'm glad because I'm in a bad way and should rest for a few days with no exertion at all.

No dance party workouts for me! I'm not sure if I will do a grocery shop this weekend.

Probably not, I still have stuff indoors and not that much of an appetite.

J is still ghosting me, it's only been two days, but the fact that he was supposed to call yesterday and didn't and hasn't texted back seems telling.

I can't see him getting in touch, unless something has happened. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions but hmm..

He seems to have been replaced by N, who I spoke to yesterday and was straightforward and polite and intelligent.

He hasn't played any games. He's funny too.

#BlogLife691 - Reverting back to a foodie?

I've unpacked the groceries and decided to try some new drinks. 

Last time I got a substitution I think it was Don Simon, a still citrus drink which is really sickly sweet and tasted of artificial sweeteners, I didn't like it.

But the same brand has a sparkling lemonade with raspberry and the other was lime, 330ml and was only 50p each!!

Now that is lovely and hydrating. The right blend and tastes more natural, not bitter or too sweet, that I recommend highly, great price also.

The lime one had that same artificial sweetness about it, not keen, will stick to the raspberry one.

The temperature has dropped a lot and it's freezing which I love because me and blankie are reunited.

I finally remembered to get some new Yoga-ish stretch pants as my other one is so baggy that it is practically falling off me.

It's still strange buying clothes in smaller sizes. I saw a nice purple one for a tenner with free postage.

The other is in black and looks thicker, I love the wide leg style. It's £12 with £3 postage ouch but still reasonable.

Originally it was £28 woop, lots of savings there, they both should fit, but sizing is always iffy.

The purple spare slippers are on the way, probably Monday or Tuesday.

I decided to do a cleaning jag today, party music in my ears and changed the sheet and duvet, oof exhausting.

But it's lovely bright colours, a plum sheet which is surprisingly thick and good quality and a red adorable duvet with lil slogans, like do not disturb, don't wake me up ha.

Last thing left is to just mop the floors. I'm going to eat first and then do it so I'm not walking all over them and they have a chance to dry off properly in the sunshine.

The slippers came yesterday and it's now nearly 3pm and no sign of the boiler guy.

I usually like to eat after they come and go and typically they arrive early in the morning but the appointment is 8-6pm grr.

They could be here at anytime so I just went ahead and made the egg rotis and had a delicious nap.

I didn't even hear the Postie either. Could they have forgotten about my appointment?

Three more hours to wait I guess. I don't think I would have missed the buzzer, it's pretty loud.

Next time I will check my phone, they text when you're the next customer to be seen.

I could have slept more, oh well.

#BlogLife369 - Bye bye boiler

I thought slipping into fresh new sheets would have sent me off into an immediate slumber. At 9pmish I was yawning nonstop and my eyes were closing.

However by the time I finally went to bed because the phones were charging really slowly it was midnight and I just could not relax.

My duvet felt really heavy and smothering. I thought I would be cosy but I was stifled and warm.

I was just fretting about having a strange maintenance man coming and going all day, knowing that I have to leave the door on the latch as he would be in and out.

I don't trust the neighbours so everytime he walks back in, I'm thinking is that really him or has another stranger invaded my home?

I got 2 hours sleep. I think at 5am I drifted off and I didn't want to get up at 7am at all but I did and that hour went soo fast.

The frustrating thing was the bathroom floors I thought were practically spotless and dry have streaks, puddles and footprints still.

Plus I forget about the tub that didn't get the mini wipe down it needed. I wanted to go over it but he arrived so I couldn't.

I wasn't even thinking about the cold air. I didn't put the heating to warm up the place as it didn't seem safe to do so.

The first thing he did was open the window/door so it was freezing. That is the first time I left the heating blankie on full for the whole time.

Also the snack pack is still in the kitchen grr. I just didn't get the chance to grab drinks and the snacks I packed.

Maybe if he goes out for lunch I can grab it then and re-lock the door until he returns as I skipped dinner last night.

Although I'm still not peckish, I wouldn't mind a beverage. I'm kinda gutted it's a different person to the one that did the earlier assessment. 

This one seems a lil frosty. I asked him about arranging the thermostat so that I didn't need to touch the boiler and he said it can't be done.

I don't think he understood what I mean't. The boiler is high up with tiny digital readings and I can't see or reach it so I never touch it.

All I do is rotate the thermostat dial and boom, the heat and hot water get going. I don't even switch it from winter to summer, I let them do that on their check up visits.

I'm nervous it might be tricky to use, the last one was so simple, once you didn't turn it too much and switch it back off, which I didn't tend to do.

Hmm I'm not impressed that he has been on the phone nonstop since he arrived either.

It's a long bloody job, get a move on! The sooner you leave, the faster I can relax and take a breath.

I want to nap but I still feel unnerved about him barging into my room, if he needs something.

(He called out and didn't enter, which I am thankful for, he waited until I came out).

None of my rooms have locks and I didn't mind that, except for these times. At least so far I have wifi so that's handy.

Ooh at 3pm he was all done. Seven hours later! He did somewhat clean up after himself but the floors are also a lil filthy now and need re-doing.

I have to write this down before I forget it. It automatically shuts off after reaching the desired temperature.

the top number has to be higher than the bottom. Oh crap or is it the other way around.

Man it's so complicated having to bend down to squint to read the tiny face.

The flame means the.. Oh ffs. I have no frigging idea. He said it so fast and I was already getting muddled.

I literally wanted to run and get a notepad and take notes but I felt embarrassed.

I really miss my lil dial. All it needed was turning and now I have to figure this monstrosity out.

With a display light that auto switches off after two seconds argh!! He did give me his card in case of emergencies or problems though.

Oh I remembered he said the big number was the room temperature and he said he kept his at 22.

I just have to get used to it. It does look better, more professional, the last one chipped half the wall and didn't bother fixing it.

It's going to be weird not switching it off after a few hours. This morning I was fiddling with it and nothing seemed to be happening and I thought Oh no!

What if I can't use it and then the boiler breaks and I have no hot water or heat and my brain was escalating..

Then I thought calm down, put your lenses on and have another go but I noticed that the radiators were crackling to life and heating up the room so pushing the arrow up, did seem to work.

I just don't know if the automatic switch off is saving money or costing me? Before I knew what the low setting was and now I don't.

I used to leave it on for a while and take it off, knowing it wasn't on for long and that I was spending minimally but enough that I was warm and had enough hot water.

Now that it is all different and it stays on until it's the set up temperature, isn't that going to be on for a longer time?

Plus what if it's a freezing day and just as it gets warm, it switches off? I guess I just set it higher.....

Hmm. It will be a case of trial and error. The nice thing is that the engineer who put it in, called me and asked how everything was.

I explained that I was still unsure about the details and he offered to visit me next week to go through it again.

I thought that was really kind, both the call and taking the time to visit, not many people would do that.

He must have thought I was such a dope because I don't know why I can't get the specifics to stick in my mind.

To his credit, he did go over it a few times but my head was frazzled and overwhelmed and nothing processed at all.

I thought the best thing would be for him to email me the instructions and he agreed. The only thing is, I didn't give him my email address. Ughhhhhh

Oh I just worked it out if the flame wasn't on and the heating is, that means the flame is for the hot water, unless the flame came on but I didn't see it, but I don't think so..

I'll have to run the hot tap to confirm as this morning it was cold. Hmm I am just going around in circles.

The hot water is now on. I am none the wiser! It is sooo tricky to see the tiny monitor.

I guess I'll figure it out when the hot water runs out. At least the only thing I have to adjust is the up arrow button.

I have no idea, what on earth the other buttons for, there are three of them!

I'm just relieved I don't have to bother with the boiler itself, just like the previous version I can regulate it by the thermostat.

He just said if there is a gas leak or any issues switch off the boiler via the switch next to it.

That finally wraps up the boiler saga!

*Update* 

Except that I'm going to have to be careful. The temperature didn't drop during the day and I didn't have to push the arrow button up.

However by the evening I assumed it was off but I felt the radiators and they were still a lil hot and only by manually pushing the down arrow did it finally disconnect.

Why it didn't turn off by itself I have no idea. At least it felt fairly low and wasn't boiling so a few taps either way should be fine.

I really have to look for the flame though, otherwise it will be a low pressure situation and it will become problematic and develop a serious issue.

I'm getting frustrated now. I pushed the arrow up as he didn't mention using any other button and I didn't see a flame so I have no clue how to put it on.

Next week I'll text him my email and ask again for the written instructions so that I can reference them at any time.

It's irritating me that there is no manual for such an important item, with lots of different settings.

I love how they think I should automatically remember everything and it's like they are thinking.... Silly lil woman, don't worry the big man will come rescue you.

There there! That's why I want it written!!!! So that I don't have to ask you again and again, what to do.

Youtube to the rescue. I saw my model and an instructions guide and now I see the flame and the heating/hot water is finally coming on I hope.

There is a manual and automatic setting I had no idea about. The first bottom button is for the settings menu, the second is to switch from automatic to manual.

The third button is an on and off switch. It seemed like once I pressed a few of the bottom buttons and raised and lowered the temperature by the up and down arrows..

I finally saw the flame and I can hear the radiators hissing to life. The taps had a tiny bit of hot water but it was dwindling.

It was freezing also. That is one less thing to worry about.

#BlogLife366 - Boiling over

Oof I was googling worst case scenarios and the installation of a new boiler could take 4-6 hours, yeesh. I mean I know it's a complicated thing but that long in this day and age?

Ugh, that means workmen or a single person coming and going all day without any peace. Now I really hope it is just a simple repair job I would much rather that for an hour or so, than a whole day saga.

I just called them. I mean I was dreading it but it was a nice chap who has squeezed me into a preliminary appointment today which I was hoping wouldn't be the case.

He also confirmed my worst fears. It is definitely a new boiler installation. I suppose because it's so old so he already has the work order.

I guess he needs to see the space and whatever else to see what he's working with.

I should look on the bright side that at least it won't keep going faulty. I have to remember to tell them I control it by the thermostat as I can't see/reach the buttons.

Pfft 20 mins, more like 25. I want to relax but I can't until he gets here and leaves. 

I can't play music as I might not hear the door and I was trying to ask how long.

Alright he just left and gave me an appointment for Thursday at 8am, until about 4pmish. Over 8ish hours yikes, worse than expected.

Wow all day indeed, roughly. Oh good heavens, the mess afterwards. I mean some do tidy after themselves but leave the empty boxes behind...

I hope they do leave it presentable because at that point, I'll be exhausted.

Hmm he just called up asking to change the appointment to tomorrow as he is away for the weekend but I wasn't having it.

I want today and tomorrow to rest up and relax and then Thursday the stress can return.

I hope that it's easy to use like the last one. My goodness I finally went to the bank to exchange the £20 as they are expired now and luckily the teller was unfazed and just replaced it.

I'm so glad my money wasn't wasted, that would have annoyed me so much. I just kept forgetting to do it.

I bought Pret's version of Appletiser and it was really good. I tried putting apple juice and lemonade together but it doesn't taste nice.

I bought supplies for Thursday as the kitchen will be off-limits and probably the wifi.

They always unplug that first even though there are loads of other sockets available, thank goodness I have loads of data to use up. 

6gbs worth. I don't really use it but for these days when I have no access to wifi or during power cuts, it's nice to have excess data.

Nitro Nation racing game has definitely cheered me up. It's useful for when I'm not ready to talk much but I need to switch off and relax.

It is heaps better than CSR2 which was sooo highly recommended all over the place. Pfffft.

It has a ton of freebies and I can progress without spending money!!! There is no steering and there are even teams.

I always search good funny names to use and whatever makes me laugh wins.

For the username I was going with SugarRush for all the games but that was already snagged.... Boo!!

Instead this just made me laugh VictoriousSecret, it's a pun on the lingerie company Victoria Secret.

I don't usually go for sexy names but there was nothing else that appealed.

I like that there are different modes to try out so you're not doing the same race over and over.

On the cons side, with the freebies you have to watch ads, that vary in length, I'm actually not so bothered about that as the rewards are really handy.

The inventory gets full fast and it's not the easiest thing to earn the special gold currency so that's not ideal because you open crates and can't keep the goods, which is sad.

It's not hugely scenic, the races I've done I haven't noticed anything beautiful as such.

It crashes once or twice but usually it's pretty stable. (Just as I say that the game starts automatically closing. Normally I can leave and it stays open, now it's booting..

The cars are expensive but every so often you get offered to drive a top notch car and that sometimes help you progress to the next level which is fun.

There are times when the car stalls and you lose the race and that's frustrating, you have to over rev the car in tight races but they punish you for it, which makes it a catch 22!

I do like that they give you a wad of cash after you complete the career letter races so at least you can buy the cheapest car for the next level and still pass it, so far anyway.

I'm on B1 at the moment. I always create my own team (NewSugarRushers) instead of joining others as it's not always the friendliest people with a million different rules.

My group always specifies it's for newbies and there's no real requirements as I'm learning myself.

It's kinda busy when you first begin, I'm still getting used to it but they made it so that lil by lil opportunities are available and it's exciting to best yourself.

#BlogLife365 - Boiler timeout!

Good heavens first last winter the boiler breaks down after getting the all clear on the biannual check up and now it's busted again.

I suppose I should be grateful at least this dude did a thorough going over and spotted..... Don't ask me, I'm not technical as soon as he said it, it vanished from my head.

It almost made me laugh when he asked to borrow a pen and the only one I could find was green and I said will that do and he grumbled, it'll have too.

Then he asked an even dumber question, what do you decide? I can switch it off and you'll have no heat or hot water or I can leave it on.

I asked the question we would all enquire..... Is it safe to leave it on?? He replied Oh yea definitely.

Then healthy or not because he mumbled, you'll need it on for your conditions..... Who on earth would vote to switch the bloody thing off???

He made this whole song and dance about, I have to say the words I refuse and gave me this written warning attachment as though the thing would explode.

Didn't he just admit, it was safe to leave it on???

I just got a text saying it should be completed by the 7th but that seems ambitious.

I need the assessment appointment to determine if it can be fixed or needs a replacement boiler, then they'll have to order it.

There's probably still a backlog and they don't work weekends I don't think..

But again at least he reported it. In the passed people have forgotten and I've had to schedule manual fixes myself.

I'm going to try and not stress about it and enjoy the heated weekend ha.

For now it works, let me just savour heat while I can.... Oh I just got a text mentioning something vague about calling them and regarding the new boiler.

I wonder if they have decided it's easier to install a new one, rather than tinker with it. It is ancient. I think it's the same one they put in when I moved in.

I can't be certain though, it was ages ago. I'll just wait for my phone to charge and then I can arrange a date.

#BlogLife362 - Body rebellion

I've been getting about 5ish hours of broken sleep lately and today my body was protesting.

If it's not the noisy inconsiderate neighbours rowsing me it's traffic but this morning as I reluctantly opened my eyes at 8am after drifting off at maybe 2/3amish..

I thought No I'm not going to get up and walk around sleepily. I'll see if I can get a few hours in and I did thankfully.

My eyes still continue to irritate me. My lenses have been deep cleaned but my eyes keep watering, maybe it's the lack of sleep?

I have a maintenance appointment tomorrow and I'm dreading it. I just got used to the last regular guy visiting and now there is a new company full of strangers.

I don't know if it will be a bunch of males coming or just one but some of them have creeped me out in the past and there's nowhere to hide in my own home so I just hope it will be quick.

Although I am still miffed about last year. He did the check gave me the all clear and then a few days later it broke down.

What is it even the point? If you can't do your job properly and assume everything is working efficiently because it has in the past??

Maybe that's why they got replaced..... Too damn complacent when it's a big deal. A working boiler providing heat and hot water...

That was definitely a depressing time for me, well for anyone. Going to bed shivering and then waking up and washing your hands with freezing water...

Some of them are pretty rude also, It's a people job, you're required to interact with others, it's not difficult to exchange some pleasantries. Yeesh!

They want me to text a confirmation or reschedule but don't mention how much that will cost. 

Pfft I'm not doing that again. I think one time I was charged £1.50.

Some companies are so crafty about hidden costs. I never assume it is free to reply anymore.

#BlogLife195 - The misery conspiracy

I just feel like blah at the moment but only on the surface. The temporary fix that had my boiler producing heat and hot water has now stopped.

I am back to being a frozen bunny and it's just really hard to function. I don't have any issues getting up but once there I feel like what is the point?

I am super grateful for my life saving heated fake furry blankie, which is keeping me sane.

I can't shake this cough and hoarseness without proper heat and have caught a chill where I'm sniffling.

I've lost my appetite again but am munching to warm myself up. My hair is even shorter now, above my shoulders. 

I have to see what it looks like in curlers but I have no interest in doing that yet.

Maybe I should book a eyebrow wax and pedicure or even a facial beautician appointment but I don't feel in the mood to go traipsing about.

I don't even feel like retail therapy which is my normal pick-me-up method.

I wasn't even going to write anything today but I'm hoping by admitting all of this negativity I'll feel unburdened?!

I think I'm getting slightly better at picking my titles. I'm trying at least..

I am easing back into the volunteering not daily but a few times a week.

I feel calmer doing it but at the same time, just empty. I really don't think I'll be my true self until the boiler is fixed.

I fully intended to change the theme/template, whatever you want to call it but I think it's growing on me.

A cute night time appearance. I guess I'll see if I can find anything that I like better that doesn't need tweaking to display correctly.

Forgive me if my posts aren't daily. I'm really struggling to get my thoughts in order.

Take care :)

#BlogLife188 - Boggled boiler breakdown behaviour

Morning all. 

Strangely enough I have been sleeping wonderfully since being back. I've probably mentioned this before that I have an archaic combi boiler at home.

While I am away I have learned that the best to do is keep it on low and running, otherwise it tends to breakdown.

On trying to be foolishly frugal when I went away I kept it low, but possibly too low. I'm supposed to have it above the minimum setting.

What happens is, the pressure gets too low and it stops working. I came back Sunday and it was fine, Monday, there was also no problems so I figured, it was okay.

Now yesterday I put it on as usual and assumed as I always do, yea yea yea. It's functioning normally.

I just thought, wow it is exceptionally cold today. It was late in the evening that I thought, ummmm check the radiator, just in case..

Ugh and what happens? No heat coming out, so I ran the hot water and nope cold cold cold.

There have been times where I switch the thermostat off and on and it fixes itself.

However not in this case sadly. I have arranged it so that I can control it solely via the dial. As the boiler is high up, with the tiniest display that I've never been able to read.

You know my eyes are bad anyway. I didn't set the alarm but woke up just before 9am and called and managed to get an appointment for Friday first thing, well 8-1am as he usually comes prematurely.

I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing. The whole of yesterday, today, Thursday if I survive and then Friday, I am hoping it is a simple low pressure repair.

They normally just reset it and in 5 minutes, it's normal again. I just hope it's the same guy because some of these workers, unnerve me.

Either they talk down to me, as a woman or they act too flirty and it creeps me out and I feel like I hold my breath, until they leave.

My life is a saga! You know the strange thing? I was having phantom heat surges last night. One minute I was shivering and the next boiling.

I left the thermostat on high overnight, just in case it suddenly said..... Hmm we are punishing her too much, let's sort ourselves out and party and make her sweat in a good way.

But no, it was just my crazy mind playing tricks and an exceptionally thick duvet, which I always purchase because I always feel chilly.

I'll keep you updated. I still haven't spoken to mama yet. The anger is fading but each time, coming home depressed is not right at all.

I will soon but not about this. How do you converse with someone, that doesn't listen?

Story of my life.........Toodles for now and stay well :)