Brightside

So Fahed has an infection in his wound. Which is bad news as its painful and he cant stand on it but good news as at least the pain and discomfort have a reason. Antibiotics are hopefully doing their thing.

Grumble number 2 is that his car failed its MOT and will cost minimum £200 to fix.

I am going to do some positive spin on things here for my own benefit. My poor buddy has gone to sleep to avoid the world!

• The knee! - Well at least we are in the home straight and work is on the horizon, even if set back by a week or two.
• Thank goodness for the NHS (although I do pay a small fortune in National Insurance) so we know we get treatment and we don't go bankrupt with it.
• The operation was a success and overall they are pleased with him
• The car - well at least it will be safe to drive and ready for action for another year. 
• The new year and everyone is looking to get fit and join the gym or various classes. Because Fahed works, generally speaking, at the local leisure centre so i can use the facilities for free. Swimming, classes, off peak gym, no excuses for me
• I discovered Bollywood dancing two years ago and still love it, and feel younger now than i did at 40
• I have a roaming around Spain holiday booked, except for the accommodation, and paid for, in April
• My best mate is coming home from Australia today and pleased to say she still has wanderlust so i see good travel in our future. 

Okay, that's it. I am feeling suitably positive again!

Channelling some positive rays

I think that a line from an old movie with Keifer Sutherlands dad as a zoned out hippy soldier but I could be wrong, anyway its all about the positive today!

Fahed knee much improved over the last few days. Actually its huge and swollen today but only because it felt so good yesterday that he did too much but we have turned a corner, I am sure. We see the consultant on Thursday so hopefully we find then if he is happy. But woohoo, the light at the end of the tunnel comes closer!

We have Storm Eleanor going on here at the moment which might be pretty insignificant by international standards but we don't get a lot of exciting weather here so its enough to keep us awake at night. Pleased to say the house seems to still be in one piece. Ill check the garden shortly.

I am trying to get back in the habit of 10000 steps a day, as recommended by the NHS. Yesterday I managed to almost get to 8000, which is pretty good since the awful weather stopped me going for a walk. Thats pretty much stay off your ass all day steps right there, not actual walking ones.

On top of that I haven't had a holiday at all this year because of Fahed's various problems, which means I have enough annual leave days left to not go back to work until 8th January. My house is getting daily 'sort outs; instead. Its lovely.

Five(ish) Frugal Things

Well with Faheds recovery being a bit slower then anticipated I am very much appreciating all the frugal habits I have picked up from mixing with other frugal bloggers. You lot are the best.

Over the Christmas break we kept to our usual way of living:

• We dont do Christmas cards. Facebook, email or phone calls and facetime. (Like birthdays when we prefer a joke to a card)
• No new decorations and our ancient tree is still looking pretty good.
• I may buy some more wrapping paper in the sales if it gets any cheaper but i have enough for another year anyway.
• We did have some food waste due to not eating as much as we used to and also not wearing glasses whilst shopping! Sell by dates were tight for a bought cake (back to home made as it was horrid and squidgy yuck anyway) and smoked salmon and I missed them. Also 3 courgettes and a half a cucumber. Very bad form!
• We made a plan for next year, when everyone is working different hours and shift patterns, which will ensure variety, avoids waste and should be yum and very healthy. It was all Jamals idea so hopefully the men will stick with it and not just go 'chips again' at the drop of a hat.
• Stuck to budget on food and presents.
• I actually gave Fahed cash. Its what he wanted as he wants to visit his sister in Amman in spring. A bit boring but he was happy.

2018 will be more of the same, and then some!