TallGirl's 5 year plan to own a 2nd home in her homeland

TallGirl

How lovely to have posts on my diary thank you FredomGirl, GallyGirl and ATT.

Wow what a long week, but firstly let me answer the above:
I do remember you FreedomGirl I think a pension quests sounds a bit too serious for me maybe in ISA one would be better I don't think I have that much more I can chuck at my pension but its a good idea.

As for the trip to South Africa the tickets are now £114 more per ticket than when I first looked and DH is still not sure FIL can cope but I shall have a go this weekend. Those properties are worth going out there for that is for sure so is the golf.

A Cobb is a South Africa barbecue and its just amazing it doesnt get hot under neat and you can move it while its cooking. It can bake grill and fry pretty much everything and uses very little fuel. Here is the link:
www.cobb-bbq.co.uk

I did get an electronic cigarette for DH and he forgot to take it to Denmark where it would have been most useful. Its now down the side of the sofa and does not get used. Pain really but I keep trying at least he goes outside to smoke now has done for nearly a year before that I smoked in the house.

This week has been long as I have been away two nights. Did 5 horus in the car 350 Wednesday (had to come back to pick up my handbag with phone money etc so that cost me about 1 hour). Stayed in central Birmingham Wednesday night and spent all day there drove to West London to stay there then spent all day in London driving all the day to Brent which was scary but made it home at 17.30. My neighbour and friend is having a girlie night in tonight that I suggested so Im off there in 30 min. Would actually rather veg on the sofa but cannot really do that can I.

Will try not to drink too much dont want tomorrow to be a wash out.

Take care and have a lovely weekend.

TallGirl

Morning everyone, not very happy this morning DH came home last night and said as his mother is showing no signs of getting better there is no way his dad can look after the business while we are in South Africa so guess what its off for now. His mum keeps falling and his Dad then has to go and get the neighbours to help him get her up. She has a cateter which keeps leaking when she in bed (it never did before she broke her hip) so he has to do all the washing etc something which he never used to do as she did everything.

I can understand DH does not want to go as it would be really stressfull if we did book the tickets and she then continues to go backwards. We are going to babysit his mum while his dad is out Saturday night will find out what is going on. Apparently the OT is coming out at the weekend to assess thing. Now I feel like we ought to go somewhere at New Year just for the sake of it as the company will be shut and it would be fine to go then. Will work on DH.

Bought two pairs of shoes on Ebay, lay in the bath bidding on my Ipod Touch. Weird really but should be nice ones and roughly 1/2 price and I do need some smarter shoes for work, 1 pair has an 1 or 1 1/2 inch heel something I never wear but about time I think. Keep putting on weight but not been that good to be honest. After DH told me SA trip was off yesterday I could not be bothered to go to the gym.

Another thing that has annoyed me is that I changed my booking with Premier Inn from a single to a double so my friend could crash in my room and now its not showing on my Premier Inn so guessing it wont count toward my free nights. I think that is rubbish. Will call them and ask as I did book it online and I did not cancel it.

My cleaner just called me her son has been in an accident so she may not come over.

Only going locally today for 2 appointments with a couple of hours gap between them so not sure I will go back home inbetween although I do need to do a lot of work.

At least its Friday and we have a nice weekend ahead of us, would like to get out on the golf course its been so long I have almost forgotten how to play.

TallGirl

Afternoon cannot belive the Saturday has gone this quickly mind you I have been quite productive.

Cleared out food cupboard and threw out a load of old rubbish that I never use and is way past its sell by date (by years I mean). Then we went to Sainsbo and got the weekly shop we had a triple points voucher and £10 off £100. We werent going to spend £100 but DH said I think we are at £90 so if I get some shaver blades they will be free. Got the final bill £99.81 so quick dash out to find something else and got our £10 off.

Back home sorted the shelves in the garage so excess food and stuff from kitchen once again and be found out there or we end up buying 3 of everything. Then I started chicken stock with left over carcass from dinner. While that was on I made some carrot cake could not find my paper cup cake things but the muffin tin was fine (never used it) and made a smaller cake too. Will take some over to MIL when we "babysit" later this evening. While the cakes where cooking I decided to make some ryebread not sure it has risen enough but I am sure it will taste nice and I can give some to MIL.

Finally cooked some burgers for lunch and the house now smells of cooking but its all done and kitchen is tidy again. Sadly my cleaner did not come yesterday she called her son had been in an accident.

We won some money on a free casino offer last weekend in DH names so have been battling to get them to accept ID etc but we should get it soon. $500 nice amount but wont count until I see it in our account.

Final update on the South Africa trip BIL and girlfriend are now coming over here for Christmas and New Year. That is such good new and although are they are popping over to Germany to visit her family its still great and means we wont have to be stuck with the inlaws all the time. Never met the girlfriend never even seen a picture of her. (actually just looked on this facebook page and there she is) looks nice.

BIL has also told me he gets the property on the game reserve every 10 weeks so next time is 1st week of April and the other one he can have whenever her wants. So we could still go in April which is nice, or June or August etc etc.

TallGirl

Nice weekend but spent quite a bit. Got some new pillow and actually I prefer the old ones so that was a waste of £25 really DH likes his so only £12.50 I guess. Got MIL a new Duvet and cover (she's paying) hope she likes them.

MIL seems in good spirits but I dont think she is really trying, they are having people come out and access things but seems they are more worried about her getting into the shower which is upstairs and she cannot even walk up or down 1 step. She is thinking about us all going out for Christmas Day DH said we don't mind not doing anything (happy to celebrate on the 24th at ours with all of them). She seems to think she can get BIL to cook (made me laugh) as he always eat out.

Went out for lunch Sunday which was a W'spoon so not that expensive at least. Got the lawn done hopefully for the last time this year and made a big pot of pork stew for tonight, the freezer and some for Inlaws. Also got to Zumba but still no golf.

Money from American casino not in Netteller yet but it did say 72 hours and its not morning in the US yet.

Anyway hope to get to the gym tonight, and seriously not drink too much this week. Weight keeps going up but I have been bad that carrot cake was awsome my favorite.

Got a 4 hour round trip for my meeting this morning, hopefully the M25 will behave itself.

TallGirl

Phone call this morning at 6.45am MIL has fallen again they are on their way to A&E. Great today was the day the OT and the doctor was coming out to asses things typical maybe they will be their finger out and start doing something and that includes FIL. Actualy glad we did not book those SA tickets there is no way we could have gone.

In other news went to the gym 45 min really good can still do the press ups like I did with the personal training although not as easily so need to practice more and get fitter. Ate the last piece of home made carrot cake yesterday so aiming to be good today. Already had 6 of my allocated drinks until Thurs evening so that is going to be hard however I do need to shift this belly weight its horrid.

$500 turned into £302 after charges and is now on its way from Neteller to DH account. Should make a nice change to the holiday account had £240 in it now, £240 goes in on the 1st so £782 is 1 ticket to SA really. Nice.

Spoke to Premier Inn as one of my stays had not credited but that is back now however any deal offers I have booked does not count so that is a blow as I have 3 but once I stay this week I have earned 2 free nights. I am not sure I can do that many more as they used to be about £65 to £75 per night but now they are closer to £100 unless you book the deals. I would rather stay in a Lateroom hotel and earn the 5% cashback and they are often cheaper and nicer. Still I have had 4 nights out of them then which is not bad.

Still working on what to do about DH birthday he is really bad at receiving presents. I have got 1 small present for him which I dont think he will like but its Stelton (he likes that brand) its bought in Denmark and it was cheap so it doesnt really matter.

Got another MS wanted 1 more but it would not let me pick it up so gave up. Have two booked now for the next 2 weeks that's after having nothing for the whole of October.

Rigth need to get on with things, got new flee bites 2 1/2 weeks since the house and cats where sprayed so done bedroom again need to do lounge and lock the boys out. Might have to put Frontline on them again cannot belive it only lasts 2 1/2 weeks rubbish really.

TallGirl

MIL = dislocated hips = in hospital poss new operation.

Just great really.

eBay update 1 pair fab 2nd pair is a UK size 7 which is 40.5 and I need 41 so may have to flog them back.

abouttimetoo

Hi TG

Blimey, it's all happening isn't it. Your MIL is really going through it isn't she poor thing. I know it's early days yet but how will your FIL manage to cope re looking after her while she is recuperating etc?

Great news about SA, I'm glad there is another way round it for you and having seen the links you posted I can totally understand you not wanting to miss that

Lol re your pillows; I buy new pillows mostly every year (not very MSE I know ) I last got new ones last Christmas and spent for ever trying them and chose two totally different ones but when I got them home there is really only one that I like. I've never entertained the thought of a memory foam pillow as have used them in hotels and hated them but during my mammoth testing session the resident pillow expert (yes, really) chose a selection for me without telling me the content which I'm usually particular about and the one I really liked turned out to be memory foam so I bought it! The memory foam one is the one I really like, not quite sure how I made a mistake with the other one as I don't normally do that

Sepa74

There's memory foam and then there's memory foam, especially when it comes to pillows. I bought a very expensive brand years ago which lasted me about 5 years, and then when it needed replacing I bought a cheaper brand and it was horrible!!

Never again! A top brand memory foam pillow is one of the few premium priced things in this life that is well worth the money imho!

TallGirl

Thanks Abouttimetoo and Sepa74 that is really interesting as I have always thought I would hate the memoryfoam ones. At the moment the old ones are ok and DH is using two which is fine so they get some use. I think the main problem is we have a thick matress topper and it slides down leaving a gap at the top for the pillow to get lost in. We dont have a headboard so I think that may be the problem however the room is not big enough for anymore stuff so will have to leave it as it is.

MIL is still waiting for the op should be tomorrow or Friday but then I think its at least 2 weeks in hospital as she will take ages to recover. As for FIL being ok to look after her I really dont know.

I have booked an appointment at the doctors tomorrow I am convienced my thyroid is underactive. I cannot loose weight, feel so tired about 3pm eventhough I have slept over 8 hours. The more I read about the symptoms the more I think I have a problem. Still cannot hurt to have it looked at I hardly ever go to the doctors.

Just have 1 meeting now then off home. Its about 2 1/2 hours then my friend is coming over (the one with the breakdown) its her first day back at work today.

On the MSE front good and bad got vouchers for free pint at local pub, got a MS tomorrow but jsut spent £45 on a pair of black jeans in Long Tall Sally. They are lovely but I had to have a size 16. Had to get them sent from another shop so not actually got them yet.

Take care all and thanks for reading.

TallGirl

OK so the spending continues but I did need new bras my newest ones are 5 years old (OK I have loads). £55 in House of Fraser no discount vouchers or cash back but I did get free delivery.

I think I shall try to write down everything I spend each day that might get me thinking of what I do spend each week.

Week starting 31st Oct
99p bottle of water (did not get receipt so cannot claim it back)
£45 Black skinny jeans (have wanted some for ages and ages)
£55 on 6 bras (really really needed some the others have holes in them and lost shape)
£1.20 on twix bar and paper.

Other really bad news I got my train tickets for London and somehow managed to book a day return so had to call them to get it canceled and reissue it. Same price but I loose £10 in admin fees. Expensive mistake indeed.

Good news I can send my broken Epilator (ony lasted 6 months) to Braun freepost and get it repaired. Relief as I cannot find the receipt only the credit card one.

Got my parcels from Ebay for DH present lovely lovely things.

Looked into switching our joint account as DH finally agreed of course Coop nolonger offer the £200. May wait a bit and see what else comes along.

Nice evening with friend she is so much better now and settling into work again. Sounds like boss is realising he has treated her unfairly.

Had too much to drink though as I had 2 beers and at least 2 glasses of wine. Had been good up to that point. MS changed to Saturday so will go to the gym tonight.

Off to the doctors at 10.40 so best get dressed and on with some work.