Help... It's time for change!!!

Mint1955 · 29 November 2014 at 2:10PM

Hmmmm she has tried harder with better words this morning OH just keeps saying I don't know what's best to please everyone and so I have just given in. Everyone will be here or be visited like a jigsaw puzzle so the waring factions don't meet. So I now need a master plan shed loads of food and drink as I will have to repeat Christmas dinner so no one can accuse me of favouritism. My duty will be done with a smile and largess and then clear up and ship out lol

Onwards and upwards and I will do it old style with lots of prep and no last minute buying binges. Presents will be given with love but I will take charge of the conversations that this will be the last year so that when we visit it will be to enjoy their company and everyone can relax.

My conscience will be clear and if any of them wants to try and make me feel guilty after that then that's their problem I have said many times in the last three days you can always visit and we can be back in a day so nothing is that much of a problem. No one is actually dependent on us it's just the severing of old ties and traditions they are all rallying against.

Mint1955 · 30 November 2014 at 9:23AM

After bacon wraps and more chatting we went to Bluewater to peruse the shops to have a change of scenery. Coffee and cake was the choice and then the drive to London to drop SD at hers.
Onto wembley arena and a quick bite to set before taking our seats for John Bishop who was fantastic. 2 hours of laughs was a brilliant tonic and just what we needed. Driving home in thick fog was another matter 2 hours plus and the driving standards were appalling once we had to pull onto the side of the road as we were pushed out of the traffic by a really manic driver who decided that as the slip road was getting narrower he didn't want to slow down and stay behind us so he accelerated at the last minute and just came up the drivers side forcing us of the road and another couple of times without DH quick reactions we would have been crashed into.

A cup of tea and straight to bed as we have a lunch today with friends but I need to start getting the Xmas plan together and I have three estate agents coming tomorrow for valuations. I also need to get the dec/jan cards today and get those written and stamped with notes on for posting etc so while we are away my friend ensures they go in the post box at the right time. I guess I need to rethink this one when we go for good.

Mint1955 · 1 December 2014 at 10:45AM

Yesterday was lovely to have a Sunday lunch at a gorgeous pub with friends but that did mean a lazy late afternoon and evening watching Christmas 24.

Today we have 3 valuers coming so I need to tidy up everywhere plus I need to still get those cards, a carton of milk and some cash.

Money monthly shuffle underway and OH has to drop business paperwork off that he has sorted.

Menu this week is sorted and I shouldn't need to shop until the weekend or even Monday next week if I am clever except for more milk and maybe a couple of veg.

The big eBay or Facebook local sale is to start today !! I will attempt to post something everyday for sale.

I will also start a charity box for anything not worth the hassle.

We have had a good few days catching up but now we must get going if we want this move to happen smoothly and swiftly. And all this socialising is not doing the budget any good so it's all got to be reined in as we also have the big Christmas to sort as well.

Mint1955 · 2 December 2014 at 2:26AM

We are now on the market to sell!!!!

Mint1955 · 2 December 2014 at 10:24AM

Photos will be done Thursday so today and tomorrow we need to sweep and weed the back garden and attack the third bedroom which is a dumping ground which needs sorting and tidying.
It's been ten years since we last sold so paperwork is more intense and I fear for at least two trees by the time we get through this exercise!

The stepchild that started all the Christmas malarkey about being with us and being the last Xmas in this house etc etc now informs us that he may have to work Christmas Day and Boxing Day grrrrr so even more running around to get him to and fro.

Money shuffle completed last night ( I must remember not to do it when tired as I managed to mess up a few bits so the bank will think I have gone mad putting it into accounts and then moving it back out again)

It feels weird knowing that the system I have now which works well is all about to change but at least we have our super spreadsheet for the budgets etc in cyprus so now can start to get realistic figures input for moving and costs etc

Not sure how I will do my pots as they don't have bank accounts like nationwide where I have loads of savings accounts all named how I want them.

Although we are selling up and clearing the mortgages etc we will be living of savings and interest so we will be on fairly strict but easily doable budgets as there will be no regular wages coming in. Pensions don't start until 2020. DH may pick up some work but we will not figure that in to the spreadsheet.

joedenise · 2 December 2014 at 11:33AM

Mint - I just use one savings account for all the savings but have a spreadsheet showing how much is in each "pot". I find it easier to do that than to have loads of different savings accounts. Maybe that could work for you?

Denise

Mint1955 · 2 December 2014 at 11:47AM

Oooo thanks Denise that will probably work easily I am also going to do an envelope system as the bank or cash machines are not very local where we are in Cyprus so a monthly withdrawal I think and then split it up weekly.

Thank you so much for adding a comment I was beginning to think this was not a brilliant idea lol

Mint1955 · 3 December 2014 at 9:02AM

Back to the gym today for the first time in three months eeek

I suspended my contract and I have to find out when the end date is.

Just a Zumba and then a Stix class which will wipe me out lol.

We decided yesterday that spending on a real tree for the enforced Xmas jollities was a waste so we bought a fake one on offer plus new led lights. The box will be ok to pack loads of extra stuff in so will come with us when we go.

New dinner suit dress shirt and bow tie purchased for OH and I now need a red carpet frock for New Years Eve.

It rained all day so no weeding or sweeping done but we did clear out and re pack all SS boxes and tidied spare room.

Today after gym we will start pulling stuff out of garage to sell. Plus sorting through all books DVDs and CDs which ones we want to keep then the rest can start to be listed for sale.

Neighbours have been told we are selling so board will go up shortly.

Onwards and upwards .... Well I need to get out of bed first lol

Mint1955 · 4 December 2014 at 9:07AM

One hour Zumba followed by one hour Elastix Pilates was tough and this morning it's debatable that walking once I manage to crawl out of bed could be fun!

Garden done and a look at every room and a quick titivate yesterday for photographs at 9.

Didn't really get much else done except make a few lists for Christmas and thoughts for gifts.

Two piles identified of "stuff" to be tackled today which I am hoping will mostly be thrown out or free cycled.

NSD which is good. Dinner from menu. Ironing is todays domestic need to do.

Mint1955 · 4 December 2014 at 7:40PM

Photos done so hopefully we will be selling live tomorrow !!

Ironing done and dinner in the oven. NSD completed.

Tackled the two identified areas of "stuff " and took three boxes to the charity shop and four to the tip.

Boy is it hard when you pull out something that was my mums (deceased now) for instance and deciding to donate (easier) or chuck as no one would want it (harder)

Then it gets harder with gifts that living people have given me step kids or in laws etc I do not use now I will definitely not use in Cyprus. Mementos of people and places etc etc etc.

With the Christmas festivities now taking place here I also need to keep hold of things just a bit longer so loads of stuff that only gets used once a year so I have to factor that in the clearing out as well.

Wish we could just lock up and leave it all but the house has got to be cleared and sold so onward and tomorrow we will do a good go in the garage as that's sure to have loads of tip and chuck stuff then we can move everything around and start to work out what else can be passed on etc.

It's going to get harder when we have done the rubbish stuff and real decisions have to be made!

Tonight I am going to just relax with dinner and the TV.

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Help... It's time for change!!!

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