WEEK FORTY THREE 22/10 -- 28/10

Having been paid now for this month I have at least survived another month and almost another year. These next few weeks are going to the tricky though, will I at least have some funds to get by each day and will be planning on getting by without needing anything else. Well fat chance of that mate cos in a few days you buggered that all up badly. Now you screwed for next month too and with Xmas closing in I doubt you even going to be able to afford to send cards let alone get presents or anyone. At the moment I have a couple of birthdays coming up and as always I try to send my friends children a nice card, message and a little money even though I have none left for me. It is almost my only redeeming feature that I do this.

The weekend has plenty of sporting events to follow, AFC Wimbledon will be away to Peterborough on Saturday seeking to continue their recent good run of form, which they did although the 1-0 away win was not indicative of the dominance by Wimbledon who now find themselves in the play off places. On Sunday the NFL are back in town only this time it's at Twickenham Stadium where the New York Giants take on the Los Angeles Rams at the home of Rugby.

Still got this cold and cough and its another thing that's pissing me off, a slightly shorter week for me as I am off work Friday, if only I could remember what I booked the day off for but I think it's just going to be a lazy day, a visit to the Crematorium and probably just some food shopping in for the weekend. It would have been (step mum) Christine's birthday on Wednesday and I think Pam would have wanted to do something but I am in no state to do so sadly, I hope she manages something though. 


Anticipate and avoid overload.

Plan ahead to avoid “commitment collision.” As you decide what you can and can’t take on, think ahead to everything that you’ll be responsible for.
• If you’re in charge of the school fundraising event, don’t schedule a visit from your parents at the same time. Plan another time for a visit.
• Revisit your schedule regularly. Think ahead about your long-term schedule to make sure commitments aren’t on a collision course.
• Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode to look for help.
• Learn to say “no” when you can’t honour a request and find realistic solutions that work for everyone.

WEEK FORTY TWO 15/10 -- 21/10

Difficult week this one, as I have to get through with only about £20 till I'm paid end of the month. And it doesn't stop there as next month I will have hardly any more for myself once I pay my bills and send birthday cards out. Maybe that's not a bad thing as I only waste it anyway but the ongoing financial problems are with me for a while yet. 

Despite no money I agreed to a date for next year and now have tickets for a Depeche Mode concert in June 2017, thanks to Nick Beard for that one now I just have to find him some money. Will be good to go though as not been to a decent concert since AC-DC probably four or five years ago. 

Something to look ahead too, and although 2016 still has a few months to go I am trying to plan out some things for next year. Oh and it's Christmas too soon which I really hate. Bah Humbug. That aside got some days off to use up and plan to get out and about if I can, there are still plenty of places to go and see and most of them are free, Science Museum, Crystal Palace park to name but two.











Monday enjoyed a day off work ill, having stinking cold all weekend was no fun and all I can say is that I could do with some sleep. Did manage to watch some of the Olympic / Paralympic parade and interviews which shows what an amazing country we are.

Admire and enjoy something beautiful.

The simple act of pausing in your hectic day and looking at something beautiful can improve your outlook and make you feel good.
• Put a picture of someone you love in your work area.
• Take a moment to watch the sunset.
• Put a vase of flowers in your work area.
• Hang a favourite print or painting where you’ll enjoy it each day.
• If you have a holiday break planned or recently been away place a photo of that to remind you.

WEEK FORTY ONE 08/10 -- 14/10

Such a relief to be able to write about a MUCH better week for me than I've experienced in recent episodes. 

Had an enjoyable evening on Friday night with the lovely Sarah, watching a Jason Statham movie (her choice) with a couple of drinks and a Chinese. Managed to reach a level of peace in myself which was welcome after a difficult week as well as being able to enjoy being very chilled out with her that it reminds me how important I should go out and see my friends more often when I can. We've even put a date in the diary for one of my days off next month and that should help me through the next few weeks. 

Moved onto Saturday, just a bit of shopping and some drinks to take around to another night out with friends, this time visiting Julia, Paul and young Annie. Strictly Come Dancing night on Saturday and after the opening huge Boo !! for Anastasia the rest of the dancers were a lot of fun especially Judge Rinder (above) who continues to surprise me and is also 'as camp as a row of tents' but it's the politician Ed Balls (who did a passable Jim Carey) who is taking this contest by storm despite getting the lowest score once again. 

His routine while dressed as The Mask was full of fine, and in time, yes he's big and bit clumsy but it's entertainment and so much more enjoyable than the dull, boring, one dimensional X-factor. Well done BBC. 

So really enjoyed my weekend and it just got better and better on Sunday with the live Sky League One game between Oxford United and AFC Wimbledon. Now in our current incarnation we've never beaten Oxford [L10, D2] so beating them on TV 3-1 was a sweat victory. Superb result taking us up to 10th in the league and above the MK Franchise scum. Justice. 

The rest of week was simply work and trying to keep busy, did plenty of weights at home too which was good, I am also sleeping better which was a pleasant surprise given the bad moods I've put myself in of late. Next step was to book up some days off for the rest of this year. Plan something for Friday 28th and also the days off for Nov 7th /8th. I've a routine GP / Nurse appointment on the Monday 7th and will find somewhere to go out for the rest of the day. Then all things being well I have Tuesday off to spend the day with my friend Sarah again. Although there's nothing actually going on between us, she's a really wonderful girl and enjoyable company it's a shame (for me anyway) that we don't see as much of one another. We'll aim to do some Xmas shopping probably though I've no money but we'll see what we can do. 

All in all a really good week.

WEEK FORTY 01/10 -- 07/10

New week, New month, yet same old issues exist. No money, losing it hand over fist and almost resorted to one of those extortionate loans with 1000% APR. Thankfully I saw sense and didn't complete it but I know I was close to it. Lucky I finally saw some sense and light so pulled back as no thanks that would not be a good way ahead at all. 

October, raining, fed up, unhappy, and looking at ways to end it. If only I had £5000 I could at least make enquiries at Dignitas as a trip to Switzerland (one way) wouldn't be so bad, but I can't even manage that can I. 

Planned a lads night out for Friday (7th) but won't be able to go although if possible I will be visiting another friend in Egham who I have avoided for a few weeks over the summer, that is usually a good night even though I feel much more for them than they will ever feel for me and perhaps I am making myself worse where unrequited love is concerned. Been down that path so many times and it's never turned out very well for me. 

Get support if you are a caregiver.

Caring for an older or dependent relative or loved one
is emotionally and physically exhausting. That’s why
it’s important to seek support for yourself.

• Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Ask for
help from family and friends.

• Get help from a support group. Support groups are a
place to share stories, feelings and information with
others who are going through what you’re going
through. Talk to your doctor, or search the net to find a
support group in your local community.

• Talk about how you are feeling with the people you
love. Give yourself permission to feel what you’re
feeling. Let others offer comfort and be there for you.

--------------------------------------

And now as the previous month has again passed we have a chance to look again at the years targets and our statistics. Into the fourth quarter now and progress has slowed, not to be too down heartened as the main achievement was to keep it up through the year and I'm managing to keep the weight off so far. Still aiming to lose a bit more by year end and continue with that progress into 2017;

Opening Weight at 1st Jan -- 23st 6lb 
Measurements (inches)
Neck -- 22
Chest -- 54
Stomach -- 57
Waist -- 48
Thighs -- 27
Biceps -- 14

Revised Weight now as at 7th October -- 21st 0lb
Measurements (inches)
Neck -- 20
Chest -- 52
Stomach -- 53
Waist -- 44.5
Thighs -- 25
Biceps -- 17

Small progress, can still do so much better between now and the end of the year, but what I have lost is staying off and that's a plus at a time when I am probably at my weakest level. If I can make it to the end of the year then I'll consider that a victory.