museumworker's quest to consign mortgage to history!

tootallulah

That thing about people being slightly put off if you are money savvy is so true I save all the rambling for here. Of course I have never actually saved anything so I have little to say about that myself.

I hate New Years Eve with a passion (forced jollity) but I am looking forward to the challenges so 2011 will be interesting.

CathT

What a lot of reading! I haven't been able to catch up properly for a couple of days.

We all sound ready to spur each other on with our challenges. Ultimately I want to set a financial target but think I will face new challenges at work. I think my ward is set for closure so will involve redeployment. It may be an exciting time as I could be moved to a very challenging environment as a 28 yo newly qualified nurse could be a fantastic move for me!

I should learn a new hobby, was asked by someone who enjoys photography what my hobby is and i realised i don't have one - is that really sad??

I would like a baby in 2011 though so maybe that will be enough!

museumworker

Toots - you've already paid off one mortgage so I think you're being a bit self deprecating here! New Years is almost always an anticlimax, am planning an evening with OH's brother and SIL and their kids. Will be low key, food and chat in their own home, that is enough for me .

CathT - : sorry, I've been rabbiting on a bit the last few days! Does sounds like 2011 could be a very interesting year for you workwise, and great to see such a positive attitude to change. Don't think the hobby thing is sad at all! I hate that bit on a CV where you put your hobbies and interests, always seems so fake. I like to do lots of stuff, but I don't really think I can put down 'rummaging at jumble sales' as a hobby! I like to read fiction, go for a swim, meet up with friends, bake - I wouldn't call any of these hobbies! A baby will keep you busy but wouldn't call it a hobby either :rotfl:!

It is the weekend :j, I had my team Xmas lunch yesterday and whilst I did get a bit drunk, I was much better than last year! It was a fun afternoon, I spent £20 on a round and £5 on a dare (from pocket money), but all the rest of the food and drink was paid for .

I also took up Toots (I hope you don't mind me calling you this btw!) advice, and took a look at the Morley College site. I have now booked myself onto the Crochet 1 day course, £26 which I think is reasonable for a 6 hour session! I'd love to do the hand knitting course but that is on a Thursday (which is OH night out) and the clothes making, but it is currently full in Jan and focusing on trousers in the spring (which I'm not sure I want to start with). I will investigate further.

This weekend was due to be a quiet one. The builders have unexpectedly turned up this morning and are fitting the last few windows. We have gone for double glazed sash wooden ones, and they look amazing! The tiling in the new ensuite has been finished and looks brilliant too, I am very pleased with it . And finally this week the double glazed upvc sash we went for in the loft have been fitted. The house is feeling a lot warmer, and looking very close to completion.

I've not much to report on the MFW front. I have had to take £400 out of savings to see us through the month, so need to reduce my savings figure on my signature to reflect this. With so many payments going in and out at the moment it has been hard to keep a track of what we have spent and what we need. I did receive 2 x £2.70 refunds from tfl for late trains, and the £10 cheque from the organic surge offer. I also got 50 free stamps as a work perk :j, just in time to post out Xmas cards.

The weekend list:
* write and post Xmas cards (about 70) done about 25 and can't for the life of me think how I got to 70 last year
* identify last presents we need to get and order. tonight's job
* [STRIKE]order felt for DD's xmas crafting kit[/STRIKE]
* wrap any outstanding presents (did most last week)
* [STRIKE]take trolley load of stuff to charity shop[/STRIKE]
* exercise x 1 (I'm too hungover to think about it today!) not going to happen I've had a drink and dinner is about to be served
* declutter 3 areas of house done a few carrier bags under the bed
* [STRIKE]put clothes away in bedroom[/STRIKE]
* [STRIKE]crafting session at friend's house tomorrow with DD[/STRIKE] had lovely time, made felt robin ornament for the tree which I am very proud of
*[STRIKE] bake cake?[/STRIKE] bought some instead
* [STRIKE]mop down all surfaces in house (filthy after windows gone in!)[/STRIKE]
* washloads x [STRIKE]3[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]2[/STRIKE] done!
* x factor final! (rebecca to win!)
* [STRIKE]make food plan for week[/STRIKE] we are winging it
* finish knitting scarf for brother left it at work :eek:
* catch up on surveys (am so close to £10 voucher)
* [STRIKE]2 packages to pick up from PO[/STRIKE]
* look into crafting courses further had a look yesterday, some more research needed

tootallulah

However annoying it is now the builders turning up is great, they want to be out and paid up for Christmas, it will be done and dusted for you to move into.

I hope that you enjoy the crochet course I really did, nice people too. I have done dress-making courses there too, also V good. I would power in for the summer courses as trousers are easy and not that interesting to do but simple tailoring and techniques are dead useful and make home-made clothes look truly professional.

Toots (no I don't mind it at all).

[Deleted User]

Hope you enjoy the course mw I am gonna have a look at ones nr me from jan ! maybe one in learning how to use my digital camera better!
whew what a to do list for a weekend - makes me tired just thinking about it! :rotfl:

cha97michelle

Our fitter is here all weekend too. Thankfully 11 tomorrow as it was 9 this morning and felt too rushed for a weekend. I think toots is right that they want paying before christmas. I equally want to pay before christmas as i want to know where we will be starting 2011 from.:D

I am thinking that it is such a shame we don't all really live on a street together as from our posts we all have a variety of skills we could teach each other. This old fashioned lifestyle is very much desired by me, and certainly more in vogue, but i don't know many in actual life who do it.

Your course sounds cheap and a lot of fun.

Courgette

glad the loft is nearing completion :j

I quite agree with Cha, would love it if we all lived near each other!

katsu

Me three, it would be great to sit round a real table and share MSE stories and skills. We have such a good virtual community. I'm even trying to teach myself crochet to fit in better

museumworker

Toots - I will go on the waiting list for the spring course, and take it from there. Am just looking round at other places, there is one on adjusting clothes I saw yesterday I might look into (can't remember where!), and then could start the Morley dressmaking from next September. City Lit had a weekend one on knitting - in October though - but again could do that later in the year. Have you tried any other craft courses you can recommend?

tyo - A photography course sounds great! I did one on black and white photography years ago, where developed and printed own photos. It was brilliant . However, I don't really use film any more . Am thinking as part of my creative challenge I may however get my camera out and shoot a roll of black and white.

chamichelle - gosh, it sounds like theres a lot going on in your house :eek:. It is a good thing the builders were here yesterday, I was just a bit surprised and opened the door in my pjs! I also want it finished before Xmas, not least so I don't have to pay the higher VAT in Jan! But also so I can start 2011 all settled up, mentally it will be a good thing to be able to move on.

As to our own little MSE street - would it be the cheapest street in the UK? I would like Courgette to teach me how to knit her duck baby bootees - I believe Chamichelle can knit very well too - and toots sounds a whizz with the sewing machine. tyo can be our resident photographer! Katsu it sounds like you're ahead of me with the crochet too, I'm planning to not try it until my course .

Yesterday we got our Xmas tree - we did try and get from a local independent shop - but they were shut when we went past, so went to h0mebase instead! £30 later, we have a house smelling of pine, and a beautifully decorated tree . I love getting out the decorations each year, and thinking about where we got them from. Last year we had tickets to the premiere of alvin and the chipmunks 2 - which I had forgotten about until I unpacked the free baubles we were given with the chipettes and the chipmunks on :rotfl:! I laughed very loudly. I couldn't cut a fresh tree out of our budget, it really does make the house for me.

Took a trolley load of stuff to charity shop, and managed to walk away with only 1 book for DD :A. Paid in a few cheques to joint account, went for a walk to the local museum (which was closed due to break in - :mad: to the culprits), picked up parcels from the local PO. Left my knitting at work so I will have to get busy next week to catch up - it has to be finished by next weekend. Have ordered DD some felt to go with a crafting book we got her for Xmas. Spent £5 from pocket money on a greasy spoon lunch for me and DD, it was much needed due to hangover . Mopped down floors in house and tried tester pot of paint in hallway (Cord I think it is called from farrow and ball). It is too light, so will try another one later in the week.

Am feeling pretty tired as not slept too well the last couple of days. Am going to buy a chicken to roast today, some milk and eggs. We are trying to get through the week without a big shop. MUST do Xmas cards!

Have a good day all.

twinklie

Wow...you lot all fighten me. You have so much stuff going on and so much energy. By the time I get home from work and walk the dog, I barely have enough energy to make my tea!! I honestly do not know how you all do it.

Don't think I'm qualified to live on your MSE street...I don't have any talents or useful skills. Maybe I'll try and develop some at some point. For now...I'll just try and keep my head above water...back to the lesson planning for the last week/first week back after the hols for me. Boo.