Up Early...

I've had enough sleep. To be honest at present I am better off trying to keep busy and do anything to stop overly thinking about things that will/may not happen. I don't know exactly what I have been dreaming but I do know that Mum was in their somewhere. She has been quite a lot these past weeks. Last night I can see the tie in to my worries over finally sorting out her estate and how it will affect me and also clearing out Mum's clothes. One thing I do remember was that Mum was actually alive and not happy that I had taken some items to the charity shop because they were favourites that she still would like to wear and also she now had few if any clothes remaining to wear. I say that it ties in with recent events because...

I took the last of Mum's clothes to a charity shop on the town. They will or will not be used/benefit others and help the charity with its aims. Some items may be thrown away but I'll never know and they can't benefit Mum in any way.

I shall get shaved and dressed. Dry some clothes in the tumble drier soon. Put away what I can. I'm well on with my tidying up and all that is untidy is the room that I am working in whilst I go through my items. I would like to get stuck in today but time is against me because I have to be out by 10.45am and even if I manage to come home again by 2pm I have to think about having a meal and again catch a bus no later than 6.30pm.

All my clothes are now in the wardrobe unit. Out of sight. Though it means they are on the floor(I have room to put my bed sheets and towels in the space that once was an airing cupboard and now contains the combi boiler. So I haven't lost all the space I once was able to use before the boiler was installed.

I have almost a full chicken to cut into pieces/slices for meals and sandwiches. I have some home made vegetable and chicken soup in the slow cooker which I will eat later(I may eat both portions yet)one as a late breakfast and one for tea before I go out to a comedy show in Durham that starts around 8pm. I need cheering up even just for a couple of hours...

All being well I hope to be signed into the local British Legion on this St. Patrick's Day around lunchtime and that there is space for me to get into the venue and see a show that is being staged because its this special day. Its a free event(I will be expected to buy a drink or two)but I'll try and make what I buy last as long as possible.

I'm trying to avoid the news because its all doom or gloom but as I usually say I still have to try and remain clued up in case things happen that can affect me. And I keep finding out things that are scary and worrying that are not being reported by mainstream media. I see nothing really improving whoever wins the UK election and ditto regarding what will be announced in the UK budget tomorrow. Even if I thought my situation could improve it takes years to come into force and if the country's economy improves on the whole, many do not see or feel the benefits within their own households. I'd tell a lie if I said I feel connected to the politicians who run and make decisions supposedly on my behalf. A friend who reaches 80 in October has been told that her state pension will increase by the grand sum of 5p. Wow!

I hear the minimum wage is to increase in the same month by 20p an hour. No doubt because everything else tends to rise...food, utility bills, rent and more that rise will not make any real difference.

On the other hand I could say that last statement can be challenged because of something that happened yesterday. I phoned my utility company to ask if I was paying enough at present to cover the monthly gas/electric bill. The advisor tended to think that I was(I'm still unsure)but they said wait until the next bill which is perhaps six months away. I don't know why but I asked if I was on the best tariff for my situation(I pay by direct debit for both gas/electric)and I had the price frozen until June 2017 but I was told though I lose a year by switching, they had another deal that runs until June 2016 and I could pay less that I am at present.

So now my annual electric has reduced by £122(I now pay £507 instead of £629)and my gas has reduced by £114(I now pay £85 instead of £199)still think that is too high for the little that I actually use. But any saving is welcome. It also means that perhaps I could use more than I do at present and bring it back up to the amount that I was paying.

I am quite sparse with what I use, to be honest its mainly quick meals reheated in the microwave or cooked in a slow cooker. Many in the Summer are cold(salads and the like)I tend to use one computer, one radio and one ceiling light)and still it was costing me £828 and now £592. To think that I had to ask and was not told that such a tariff existed. I am better off for now but I have a feeling by the end of the year as I may not be entitled to a grant I have been receiving because of my low income, I will see the amount I pay rise and the direct debit payment increase. I have managed because I have been in credit and have been given approx £200 towards my bills so that has cushioned me a little.