Sometimes you need to get many things at once, and sometimes you need to prioritise. We've been in a state of flux for a few weeks, but now we've made our choice. This is what we got!
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Why does everything need to be changed at the same time?
Right now it feels like everything needs to be replaced at the same time. The things that need to be purchased are lining up, and one thing is more expensive than the other.
Our mobile phones have long been too old to be used for the blog, because the photos become just too bad. Then I (Helena) started to see less well, so I thought I might need new glasses. And then it was the air heating pump that broke down. And then we dropped the screwdriver in the lake …
Setting priorities
We can't possibly buy all these things at once, so we have to prioritise. At first we thought we'd prioritise my glasses, but after finding out what progressive glasses cost, I've decided that I'll prioritise it some other year, haha.
What about an air source heat pump? Well, it is a mild winter (so far), so it will have to wait. We have also realised that we can camp on the sofa bed upstairs, where it is warm. The air heat pump will also have to wait. Like the screwdriver ...
New mobile phones
There are new mobile phones! We now each have a new iPhone 11, with a much better camera and a much longer battery life. Better charging will make it much easier to travel and a good camera means that we can use the mobiles to take photos when we don't have the system camera with us. We are really happy with our prioritisation!!!
Happy Friday?
When we lost the screwdriver in the water, it really felt like no, not one more thing. But then we thought that it could be so much worse. For example, we thought about the terrible plane crash in Iran, and suddenly a lost screwdriver seemed like the most insignificant thing in the world.
Best this week?
The best thing about this week is that we are healthy and happy together. We have also started walking and exercising after some slacking off over Christmas. Peter's goal is to get his shirts back on (after weight gain due to cortisone treatment) in April. We are working towards that goal! What has been the best part of your week? Are you perhaps working on some New Year's resolutions?
The week ahead
Our calendar includes parties and meetings with tourist offices. You can also expect some tips on the eternal city of Rome.
Did you miss the last Happy Friday? Read the Quiet days at home in Sweden
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Elisabeth says:
A tip about progressives, bought mine at Specsavers. They run offers often. Before Christmas they gave 50% discount. Got mine including designer frames for SEK 3600!
10 January 2020 - 7:50
Helena says:
Thank you very much for the tips! Sounds like a very good price compared to the suggestions I got!
10 January 2020 - 18:07
Emma, sun like sun? says:
Understand that you have to prioritise, most of us don't have to, but that doesn't mean you have money for everything.
Another tip about glasses is to do them abroad while travelling, hope you are in the same place for that long. Here in Spain it usually goes super fast, the son's took a day (if even that), single cut though. Specsavers, despite all their promotions and loose offers, are not the cheapest and often take some time, we bought there last time. I also need to get new progressives, my glasses have started to curve!
The best glasses (regular and prescription sunglasses) I've ever had I actually bought at Lensway years ago. I can still use them because the myopia hasn't changed, that's the thing about reading books ...
10 January 2020 - 9:22
Helena says:
That's exactly how it is. You do not suffer any distress, but you still have to tinker a little to make it go together. Good tip about going abroad! Maybe at some point if we have a little more time during a trip!
10 January 2020 - 18:09
Emma, sun like sun? says:
In fact, it's a bit "# nice" to hear that you also get to tinker a bit. It's so very easy to think that just because you do this and that and that, you can afford to do everything and buy new things, just ...
The truth is not normally like that. Like us, we rent a great little house with a world view, our own little pool and garden. But we also pay for it and we have no assets to fall back on, no fixed income. So you have to prioritise. For us, this is also an extremely important lesson for our son. "Just because 'everyone else' gets a computer for €300 and/or a mobile phone for €120 and gets to sit with them all the time, it doesn't actually mean that you do. School first, computer second." And we're there to help and we also want our daily dose of family time, where we sit together even if it's in front of the TV. Right now, we're sitting under the blanket together, laughing as we watch Friends for the third time.
10 January 2020 - 19:06
bmlarstravellingblog says:
You have to prioritise, but we also got new phones this summer. What a boost it was with a good camera. Then we didn't buy worst phones but Huawei p20 mate.
Then there are those boring expenses such as a new tooth. They can't be prioritised. ....
The funniest thing this week is that I am currently on a train to Uppsala to meet five of my old high school friends. This year it is 50 years since we started high school, how old are we?
10 January 2020 - 10:08
Helena says:
Huawei is known for its good cameras! We considered one, but then it's easier for several reasons not to change the model ... Have fun with your high school friends!!! 50 years ago, Waow, how exciting to meet again! You must tell us about this!!!
10 January 2020 - 18:11
Ama de casa says:
Congratulations to the new fools! 🙂
There's something to be said for the fact that an accident rarely comes alone... When we came home from our long trip in November, just about everything we touched broke. But as you say, it could (usually) always have been worse. Material things can always be replaced, at least in the long run.
The best thing this week was the very nice day trip we made to Calpe with a couple of friends. Then the rest of the week has not been bad either 😀.
Have a happy Friday!
10 January 2020 - 10:10
Helena says:
That's right, even if you can't always replace the material directly ... it's still just material. And in the long run it will work out one way or another. Glad you had a successful trip to Calpe!
10 January 2020 - 18:18
Eva/Living like Eva says:
Yes, that's it! My New Year's ambition was to prioritise some home improvements this year, and travel a little less/cheaper. Have gone out hard with a new fridge / freezer and washing machine. But also a trip 😀
Keep up the good work!
10 January 2020 - 11:18
Helena says:
Nice to get the house in order! ?? Where is the journey going?
10 January 2020 - 18:19
Eva says:
It was an impulse trip to Dublin during the 13th weekend 🙂 .
11 January 2020 - 10:15
Helena says:
Oh what fun! Ireland is nice! 🙂 Good trip?
11 January 2020 - 20:30
Eva says:
Yes, it was a real winner!
13 January 2020 - 7:26
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
We have bought from Direkt Optik https://www.direktoptik.se/ very satisfied But as you say expensive it is. But more expensive at Synsam where we shopped.
Most people can prioritise if they don't get into debt.
Now Christmas is packed away waiting for the next one!
10 January 2020 - 11:20
Helena says:
Well, it's true, most people have to make priorities! And getting into debt is something you want to do as little as possible! Nice weekend!
10 January 2020 - 18:20
Goatfish says:
Congratulations on new efficient mobiles! It is important.
However, vision should not be downplayed. Those days are over for me, when a new pair of glasses helped. I have glaucoma and that means damaged optic nerve.
My best this week, it has been neutral. The week before, I got to meet my youngest grandchildren, 2 and 6 years old, that was a highlight.
Nice evening! 😀 Love, Gerd
10 January 2020 - 20:24
Helena says:
Thank you very much! And absolutely true about the vision, I'll get around to it at some point!
11 January 2020 - 20:30
BP says:
As Ama says, an accident rarely comes alone. Material things can always be replaced, even if it hurts your wallet.
I was also going to recommend Specsavers or why not buy glasses in Poland. My Polish friend and his wife do that. There, glasses cost a fraction of what they cost here.
Congratulations to your new mates! I hope they live up to expectations. I thought you always took pictures with your system camera. Now you don't have to carry it around. You are used to the iPhone. I wouldn't switch to an Android either. The handling is completely different.
10 January 2020 - 20:43
Helena says:
Thanks for the tip, buying glasses abroad might not be a bad idea if we have the time! And you are absolutely right, we always take photos with the system camera. We will continue to do so, but I want to be able to take photos with my mobile phone on all those occasions when I don't have the camera with me ...
11 January 2020 - 20:33
Lena - good for the soul says:
Sometimes all the hard stuff comes at once. So sad.
My favourite part of the week is probably that yesterday I finished the first of a number of big annual reports at work. And this morning I slept until nine! Unbelievable.
Hug Lena
11 January 2020 - 9:44
Helena says:
Nice to be done with work! And to be able to sleep in! ?? Have fun!
11 January 2020 - 20:34
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:
I also need to get progressive glasses. But I also postpone it to the future a bit so have temporarily solved the most acute vision problems by buying a 27 inch screen today to have for my laptop so I can edit pictures and blog without my eyes getting completely exhausted. It already feels better! But an iPhone 11 will be here too eventually, I've had my iPhone 6 for four years now so it feels like it's time.
11 January 2020 - 22:11
Elisabeth says:
We do have to prioritise often. I last bought glasses at GC. Half the price compared to Specsavers at home. Had with the previous lgonreceotet without showing and they found the right hear too.
12 January 2020 - 13:59
Across the board says:
I bought my latest progressives at Glasögonfabriken in Ullared - so take a trip there this spring, with the camper van of course. But sometimes you have to prioritise and I agree - everything comes at the same time!
13 January 2020 - 19:54