Macgirl's "Stop Procrastinating and Get on with it" Diary

macgirl

Well I've spent that last half an hour searching for Gingham Ribbon's meal planner thread. For anyone interested it's here

I made quite a few of these recipes while on maternity leave and have continued to do so. Then it all went pear-shaped when I returned to work and was averaging 4 hours sleep a night with the Demon child, so meal planning and cooking from scratch went to pot.
I even took delivery of organic fruit and veg from Farmaround for a long while, but in all honesty it worked out too expensive, as I still topped up from the supermarket - which defeats the object.

Come on England - what's going on?! I'm on my second bottle of Peroni :o:o Ooops, must run tomorrow morning or I am on V. slippery slope for GNR training.......

macgirl

Went for my run :j only 3 miles, but I'm back in the saddle and will do 6 miles tomorrow.

All the way round I was thinking / in mourning about the house. DH reckons it will still be on the market in October "after the budget" Lord knows why he has this sudden interest in the Budget.....
Anyway, he thinks we will be able to lower our offer. Doubt it. Even if no one else shows interest, without going into a long one, the guy who owns the house is a winner.

And we all know winners never quit.

I was wondering whether to give the agent a quick ring every week or so just to check the status. It can't harm can it? I don't want to sound desperate - even though I am.
In my defense, we would probably be there for up to 10 years, so had to consider that our children are young, so schools, distance to work, them growing up - is the house right for them when they are older etc etc. As well as if it feels right - and it so does. On that basis it is hard not to get attached....

Anyway I'm waffling, so off to sort myself out and sort kids. One for ballet and one for a party.

Have a good day all x

hypno06

Be patient re the house. You have given your best offer, no one else has offered better. Don't hassle the agent too often, otherwise the vendor will get the impression you are tempted to up your offer.....

But don't take your eye off the ball either. Remind the agent in a few weeks that it is the best offer on the table still.

Well done on the run, too - I am looking at entering a half marathon at the end of November, so need to up my efforts too. Did an hour's very brisk walking on the tread today, and will do another this afternoon, but it is really really windy here which is putting me off going outside and running - I will endeavour to do 5 miles outdoors tomorrow though.....

macgirl

Thanks Hypno/Mr Miyagi

I AM tempted to up the offer!! What if someone else offers slightly more and gets it?! I honestly can't bare/bare it I talked about it to 2 friends today.

DD1 and I were invited out to lunch and unexpectedly, Friend 1 paid the bill :money: as I have her daughter every week for lunch, not that I do it for reward, just to help her out. So that was very nice of her.
She agrees, don't ring them (though admitted while she's great at giving advice, she would want to ring them daily :rotfl:). She thinks they would meet us half way - another £5k.
She then asked me what I wanted for my 40th - answers on a postcard please :cool:

Friend 2 is an artist and very much of the cosmic ordering type. She'd looked at a flat on the same road and said "Oh it's such a special road, I really want you to live there!" Arrggghhhh.
I know I need to get a grip.

Anyway, in money news, I emailed EGG this morning to enquire about balance transfer APR's.

I have made a tasty dinner from the existing store cupboard - veggie sausages, caponata and mixed veg - yum!

This evening I am going to sort through one box of paperwork, file and shred and do at least half of the ironing.

macgirl

EGG responded with an offer of 16.something%, so that's a no. Barclaycard have an offer on but their website is so convoluted I've given up and will ring them tomorrow.

I'd rather shift around the cards I have if I can get LOB's, as opposed to applying for more cards and adversely affecting my credit file at the moment.

I had a speculative phone call from a law firm yesterday asking if they could send me details of their offers on Will writing as I'd enquired previously. Yes please. That is definitely on my list of jobs to do, as is Critical Illness cover, as someone told me last week the premiums hike after 40 - so only a few weeks to sort it out - eeeek!

With that cheery thought, I'm off to bed!

taxi73

re the house ...if you offer the £5k what'sto say they won't hang out for the 10k.You don't want to struggle to afford the repayments especially if the interest rates go up.

Your cupboards sound like mine....I must start to use our stuff up as well

macgirl

Thanks Taxi, you're right. I know despite all the apparent sincerity, it's a cold hard business transaction, along with a game of bluff. I'm going to try and forget about it and concentrate on what I have to do here.

6 miles completed :j I love running early on a Sunday - I really cherish that thinking time out in the fresh air when it's so peaceful - bliss.

Lots to do this morning, then we're going to my parents for lunch (DH is thrilled about that one )

Before we go I intend to:

• Ring Barclaycard and transfer the Virgin balance to LOB - depending on the APR on offer
• Make a batch of Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes and Tomato & Bean Soup (already on the go :A)
• Finish the ironing and do 2 more loads of washing
• Cut the hedge in the front garden (it's only tiny) and cut grass in back garden (ditto) - general tidy and weeding
• Water tomato plants and leave outside for the day - we were late sowing this year, so the plants are still in the greenhouse
• General blitz of the house and hoover everywhere
• Change kids beds and wash bedding
• Take the carseats out of my car, flatten back seat and take the wood panel from the side of the bath to the tip. It's getting re-tiled soon after our leak.

If I manage to get that done I will be very happy. I always have loads of energy on a morning, so can leave the sedate business of bugetting until this evening.

Have a good day if you are reading xx

se999

Hi Macgirl, looks like I've got to do a fridge/freezer/store cupboard challenge too, as there's an outside chance we could be travelling with OH's work again in about 8 weeks, and don't want to leave the fridge/freezer etc full, and stuff going past sellby. Unfortunately it makes it more difficult sticking to a diet at the same time. The major downside is it will put a stop to househunting if we're away as it would be too far to fly back.

Yesterday I stuck to the shopping list and basically just topped up on fresh salad & veg and basic essentials, so will save on groceries for a few months.

Hope your plan for today goes well.

hypno06

My list looks about as long as yours, but I think I will prob only get a fraction done!!

Not yet been for a run, but have walked round 2 paper rounds, so got the early morning benefit there - just having a coffee, then will get my kit on and go round the block before it gets too windy. I don't mind the rain so much, but strong winds make it a no-fun activity!

Hope you have a good day x

macgirl

What an exciting life you lead Se! I have 20 veggie sausages left to make meals for me and the kids (DH is more Mixed Grill :cool:)
I am determined to buy as little as possible until the stores have dwindled significantly. It feels really good to be in control of it and to have a plan.

I have £10 to last me until Friday - which will be difficult as I am in London on Wednesday and I get NO expenses for a day trip :mad: Will have to try and be more resourceful, taking a packed lunch and a couple of bottles of water left over from DD's party - it can be done!

Hypno, hope you enjoy the run. I think we often put too much pressure on ourselves to "exercise" when a brisk walk/paper round / housework really does the trick every bit as well

So far I have read The Observer whilst eating a Pain au Chocolat - so not the best start! Right, MUST crack on - catch you later x