work Archives - Journeys Are My Diary

Lets Go Paperless

August 23, 2016 by Bel Leave a Comment

With how much more focused we are on the environment these days, being green and going paperless is not a new concept. My HSBC bank account is green by name, something I opted into almost ten years ago, meaning it would be paperless completely. I don’t get bank statements or letters (unless important), everything is done with secure online messages. In fact, the other day I was contacted to say that the account would no longer be called green, since all their accounts these days are green.

While I love getting post, I hate getting bills and I have to admit that these are largely limited these days. Most online accounts and bills I have, message me via email and then I pay online – meaning no need for statements and bills in the post. In fact, even some of the people I buy things from on Ebay, opt to send receipts and invoices via email, rather than print and enclose with the actual item.

Sadly I don’t believe I could go completely paperless in my office, but I do know that I limit it a lot more than I used to. My printer is even set to a 50 page limit each month (I use HP instant ink). Also with things like laptops, tablets and smart phones, being paperless is so much easier these days. In collaboration with IDBS and their electronic laboratory notebook, I wanted to share my top 5 tips for going paperless in the workplace.

Track the amount of pages you print. For me, having my HP instant ink set to 50 pages, is a great way to know how much I’m printing each month. I get a warning when I get close to my usage and any unused pages get carried over to the following month. I always try to stay under 50 pages as this also keeps my monthly cost down.
Request paperless statements from banks, online store, catalogue accounts etc. Every month you are sent something on paper that you can easily see by logging in online and viewing your account. Save both paper and space in your recycle bin, by ticking the button for paperless in as many places as you can find.
Connected to the one above, pay bills online wherever possible – reducing the need for cheque books, paying-in slips and envelopes, etc. Pay friends and family via direct bank payments and use cards in stores. You can even say you don’t need a receipt (if you don’t!) and save a little more there.
Recycle any non-confidential paperwork and envelopes. Need to write a note for the kids, or perhaps a shopping list? Use the back of a used envelope or bill. Kids looking for paper to draw on? Nearly all letters and bills are only printed on one side so be sure to use the other.
Many of us find ourselves having ideas or thoughts outside of the house, outside of work etc. This means that often we carry notepads and pens to jot them down. Consider opening up a note on your phone or tablet and jotting it there. It’s quick and easy to do, often saves searching in the bottom of your bag for a pen and if you sync it up well, often transfers to your computer or email program automatically.

The truth is, I love reading proper paper books, way more than I enjoy reading ebooks on my kindle. I like to write down my orders and cross them out, to keep track on them. I scan and print the cover of each pattern I use, filing it in a poly pocket and then a binder. Although I try my best to be paperless, I don’t think I can go all the way. However with the use of my iPad, iPhone and Laptop, I definitely give it a good go.

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Life Lately (Summer Holidays)

August 5, 2016 by Bel Leave a Comment

I’ve been a little quiet lately and that’s partly because I’m busy with Closet Geek but also because the kids are off on Summer holidays. While we haven’t done much so far, we have been camping (last weekend) and we’re going to a Harry Potter convention this weekend (followed by a Yule Ball).

I have updates to make including my round up of July, our camping trip to Staxton (near Scarborough), of course the Harry Potter convention and maybe even a review of Curlformers. Please understand that it’s not because I don’t want to be here, its just that I want to enjoy my time with the kids and of course, complete my orders!

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Keeping Active at Work

July 24, 2015 by Bel Leave a Comment

Now that I’m working from home, I have to admit I’ve found it a struggle keeping on top of my diet and fitness. Since coming back from Florida in April, my weight has drastically increased and it’s pretty depressing, considering how well I was doing before. However I try to remind myself that up till Christmas I was working a job that required me to be on my feet for the whole of the shift and even after that I was volunteering at the girls school which also meant plenty of hours on my feet. Now though, I sit at my computer and blog, or sit at my dinning table and sew – neither of which can be classed as active jobs unfortunately. On top of that we live a twenty minute car ride away from the girls’ school so it’s not even like I can walk with them to school.

Simplyhealth wrote this great post about fitness at work, the incentives and initiatives. It’s aimed at employers, to try and help their employees and I think if a lot of companies implemented some of these ideas, it would work out really great for people. However, since I work alone and at home, I need to find my own motivation. These are the things I’ve decided work so far.

1. Physical activity. It sounds like an obvious one really but especially for me who sits down to do work, find whatever reason you can to move about. Sometimes I turn the stereo on loud and whenever I have a pattern piece to sketch out or cut, I stand up to do it and dance around to the music while I can.

2. Take a break. This one sounds like the opposite of what we’re talking about, but really it isn’t. Every hour or so I make sure I get up and get a drink, or lunch, or even go for a loo break! Getting up every now and again just makes sure I’m always moving a little. It makes sure my bum doesn’t go numb too!

3. Walk to the post office. As I make jewellery, clothes or even sell things on Ebay, I often have a reason to go to the Post box or even the Post Office itself. While it’s super easy to jump in the car (and quicker too), I force myself to walk as it gives much needed exercise, a break from the work and also some fresh air.

4. Do the odd job that requires a few flights of stairs. Okay so I’m supposed to be working – sewing or blogging. But that doesn’t mean the washing doesn’t need doing or the dishwasher needs stacking etc. Use the opportunity to carry a load of washing upstairs, or check your upstairs rooms for dirty cups and glasses, just to use the stairs. Its quick and simply and great way to just give yourself a shake.

5. Park the car a little further away from school. As part of my day job, I’m a mum and that requires the school run twice a day. Though we live too far away to walk to school (and often we’re not up early enough anyway), when I collect the girls from school I sometimes park a little further away, meaning we get in a walk when I pick them up. Both the girls love to walk and on a nice day it can be a good excuse to call in at the park on our way back to the car. Win/win for everyone!

6. Use a pedometer or a steps app on your smartphone. I use an app called MyFitnessPal to count all my daily calories. The iPhone has a build in step counter too, motion sensored and you can tie this into the app. This is a great way of seeing how much I’ve managed to walk or how lazy I’ve been and how much more I need to do. Also if I’ve managed loads of steps, it gives me a great excuse to grab a glass of wine or a little treat after dinner!

There are loads more ways to stay active at work but these are some of the ones that work for me. The important thing to remember is that every little bit counts and once you’ve tried, its always easier to keep trying!

Week 39 – Monday Round-up

September 29, 2014 by Bel Leave a Comment

Just a quickie this week as to be honest, not much has gone on (or what has gone on – with work for example – I don’t want to talk about!). It’s been a fairly regular week, with work and school and whatnot. Monday the girls had Singing Stars after school, so I took a wander around Lincoln for the first time in a long time. After I picked them up, we came home and had dinner before taking a walk/bike down to Aldi for a few bits and pieces (my 52 Project photo this week).

Tuesday the girls when to their Grandad and Grandma’s house for dinner. I was going to head straight home and have some time to myself but that didn’t pan out! Instead I ended up going to Tesco, then heading to see my mum, then going to the Post Office and by the time I’d done that it was almost time that the girls would be setting off to come home so I popped in to see them and offer a lift home! Once the kids were in bed, Nat popped around. We spent the whole night chatting and it was good to see her so early in the week!

Wednesday Megan had another school to see, a prospective one for Secondary School. This was her third and when I asked her which she was preferring so far, she answered me with “it doesn’t matter, I’m waiting for my letter to Hogwarts” which I have to admit amused me. We went out for dinner in North Hykeham with my mum – the girls and I that is, and then Megan went off with mum to view the school while Lily and I came home to Chris.

On Thursday it was the kids’ dad’s turn to have them for dinner but at the last minute we found other there was another open evening for Megan. After a little juggling, the kids’ dad picked them up from school and took them to Grandma and Grandad’s for dinner, before my mum picked up Megan just before 6pm and took her to view the school. The kids’ dad brought Lily home for about 7 and after Lily and I spent a little time together, she went to bed. I waited for Mum and Megan to get home, got a bit of an update on the school and then Megan went to bed. Mum and I had a bit of a chat before she left too.

By Friday I was very glad it was the weekend. I’d had a bad few days at work and I was feeling fed up. Early in the week I’d also started to try planning Florida with Amy but with one thing or another, that all sort of went out the window. Anyway Friday night we all just chilled out. The girls played on their computers, Chris had invited our friend Jon around and due to me having such a bad week, Nat came around again. It was honestly just what I needed though and I went into the weekend feeling much better.

Saturday I got a bit of a lay-in and felt so much better for it. When I did get up though, I felt a little sluggish and lazy. As such, we had a very lazy morning, before heading out for lunch at Subway, then a wander around Gainsborough. I bought some new work trousers, Megan got a dress and Lily got an Anna t-shirt. It was a fairly successful shopping trip haha. When we got home, I did a fair bit of online shopping and spent all my wages before even getting them (they’re not till this Wednesday!). Then when Chris got home, we all had a movie night and watched Hotel Transylvania, ate pizza, popcorn etc and just hung out as family.

Feels like we have barely seen Chris this week and Sunday was no different. He was out at work majority of the day so the morning the girls spent on the computer while I made some jewellery. After lunch we headed out to mum’s house and went swimming with her at Burton Waters. We eventually headed home around 5pm and Chris had got back from work just before us. We all chilled out to watch some TV together, catching up on everything from X Factor to Tomorrow People.

All in all its been an incredibly stressful week, which as I said, I don’t really want to talk about. However its a shame really because there has been some big highlights, including getting plans started for Florida, feeling a bit better organised financially and starting properly on my Christmas shopping. Sadly Chris’ shifts have been rubbish and he’s home most days and out most nights, where I’m the opposite. The girls being out 3-4 nights this week was a lot too. I’m very glad to see the back of this week and move on to the next one!