greent's mfw journey

Karmacat

Portugal; a successful challenge to a management company; and a healthy baby delivered early in spite of complications

Wonderful! Especially the baby

greent

Didn't realise I'd not checked in since return!

Holiday was good and we spent very little. Spent £375 of euros in duty free on stuff for bestie - she has since paid me back - meant we have less euro cash hanging around. I shan't bother changing what we've got left - just use it next time someone is away in a Euro country Weather was the coolest we've had in Portugal in Oct half term (around 23-24 degrees - we've had in the 30s, but usually 27-29ish) but still much warmer (and drier!) than it was back home! We have had the heating on on a timer since being back, but I have turned it off a few times too

DD came home this weekend - OH has not long left to drive her back (just over an hour) She's gone back with over a week's worth of food and drink As this coming week is reading week it means she can hibernate indoors and not have to worry about getting out to the shops. Lots of comfort and easy food in there, too. I also ended up buying her a new pair of boots! - so it's been quite an expensive weekend. Worthwhile, though - it's been lovely having her here. Also wrapped up her advent calendar for her to take with 'Do not open until Dec 1st' written on it!

Haven't seen baby yet. My relationship with my sister can be a bit weird. I have asked about seeing him (and her) and she said she'd come back to me.... I *do* have a chesty cough (which she is unaware of) so she'd probably prefer me to keep away anyway....

Other than that... not much is happening here. OH's contract is due to end 15/12 and he now thinks another extension is unlikely due to the latest restructuring announced. But that does mean that he is likely to be home for the kitchen refurb (yeay!) Not much Xmas prep has happened yet - I really need to up my ante - am usually a bit more ahead than this! I also need to get my b*m into gear and finish listing DS3's outgrown toys on fleabay - as some are boxed they'd make good buys for someone for Xmas presents Plus I need to clear some room for when we have to clear out the kitchen......

Ooof - DS3's bedtime - must dash!
x

Karmacat

Sounds lovely to have DD home - hope you get to see the new baby soon, though

xx

greent

Ah, it was a lovely weekend, Kc

So.... the base rate rise - our mtge rate will rise by .25 to 2.5% (we're on 'old' SVR rate of Ll0yds - newer mtges will have SVR of around 3.99, I believe) Means our monthly int payment will increase by c. £13.50 - which is approx. what we've dropped the interest payment by in the last 12 months.... ! Ah well - at least we *have* made progress!

Have a fleabay sale being returned to me - sadly I accepted the return without realising (opened message late at night without glasses on ) - although buyer is paying return postage, so I'm only ultimately down the postage cost of £2.39 and I can re-list it again. I really must organise myself and list some more things on there this month, though! Sometimes I'm definitely in the fleabay zone - sadly, now is not one of those times!!:rotfl:

Right - am determined to email electrician before collecting DS3 from Cubs - posting here for accountability....

michelle09

Least you've cancelled out the rise? Hope the email managed to get sorted!

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Glad you had a lovely holiday. X

greent

michelle09 wrote: »

Least you've cancelled out the rise? Hope the email managed to get sorted!

Oh yes - am glad that, in effect, we are no worse off than a year ago - and have less debt

Emailed electrician - coming to quote next week. Also, between us, OH and I have organised people to come out and quote for some plumbing work & tiling I have also ordered some free samples of the flooring I think I want in the kitchen and someone should be contacting me to quote for supply and fit by the end of the week (quote by then, not the work! ) So - some steps forward! :j:j (assuming they all turn up, etc...)

michelle09

That's a lot of progress, and yes, hopefully they'll all turn up.

greent

So - we've had 2 plumbing people so far (although no quotes as yet), with another due tomorrow, along with a flooring person. Tues sees the electrician (friend's husband, so I'm not going to bother getting lots of different ones - I know he can do it and I can trust him with a key) I will get another flooring quote after and then still need a plasterer/ builder type...

More importantly, I've finally met my nephew! Sister is struggling with feeding and lack of sleep. Bubs also has (had - was snipped on Fri) tongue tie, which doesn't help. He is cute She will get there - she needs some confidence. I have already started Xmas shopping for him :smileyhea :smileyhea

Talking of Xmas shopping, I've hit Amaz0n today - am getting somewhere Will drag everything out this week and see just what is left to do.

Rent is in (late, again) - so have OP'ed BTL mtge. Tenant did not reply to my message about the late rent, but did pay straight after reading it. Ho hum.... They signed up for a 2yr tenancy (ends Sept 2018) - I'm really not sure we want to extend it - run it on on a month-to-month basis, maybe. Something for us to think about closer to the time (who knows - they might start paying on time)

Anyway - time for ironing in front of American tv now!
x

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

New babies are gorgeous. Congratulations on becoming auntie.