Gallygirl's "A journey of 121,226.67 pounds begins with a single penny" diary

gallygirl

Up at stupid o'clock as wide awake and didn't want to disturb Mr GG - what a :A I am .

Dishwasher stopped working yesterday, I diagnosed the fault (thanks Mr Google) and fixed it - go me :T:T:T. It had stopped working due to a blocked outlet - cleared simply by checking hose and pouring boiling water down the machine as a temporary measure before I could get a dishwasher cleaner. However ..................... It appears the outlet had probably filled with gunk as either the heater or thermostat has packed up so machine is washing with cold water only . Relatively easy to fix the heater if you can get hold of one but harder to fix thermostat, I don't know which one is broken and you need one of those amp meter thingies (which I don't have and don't know how to use) to diagnose. It's eight years old and most neighbours have had to replace theirs so I think it's time has come. Trip to nice man we bought one from last month for new house on the cards (shame they didn't do BOGOF :rotfl:). Complicated as I know if we go this morning they can deliver and fit this evening, but that coincides with furniture to go to salesroom being collected from new house. I really want to be there as I have a better idea than Mr GG (i.e. I know and he doesn't ) as to what is to go and what is to stay. Simples - he leaves me at house and comes back here for dishwasher delivery, then comes back for me. Except we're out for lunch with friends and I've been told I'm driving............... bit of negotiation required methinks , though I may concede and drive, then bring them all back here and go back down to house. Not in a very strong bargaining position really as I'll do anything to avoid being dishwasherless :rotfl:.

Finances surprisingly healthy for the month - a bit over on misc. drinks (:xmastree:) but more than made up for by being well under on meals out. Mr GG's friend arriving for a few days tomorrow but that will impact mainly on January . Will be able to pay for dishwasher from normal monthly spends without dipping into annual repairs fund :T.

Sofa just made a creakly noise and I'm afraid I may have Tilly's visitors :eek:.

Feeling a bit sleepy so off for some zzzzzz's.

GG x

apple_muncher

I think Tilly would happily let you have her visitors...permanently!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

apple_muncher wrote: »

I think Tilly would happily let you have her visitors...permanently!

I'd even deliver them personally. I've discovered Mr T is a dab hand at mouse trap positioning :rotfl:

Tilly x x x

greent

What is it with mfW posters and mice at the moment?!


Fab pics
xx

edinburgher

Merry Christmas +5 GG, sounds like it is going swimmingly!

40 circuits? Your electrician is either a showoff, or is growing drugs in his shed :rotfl: We are at 16 and that includes the solar panels + few spares in case we take power outside/extend.

On that topic, does your new casa have panels dos soleros? If not, would you consider fitting a 30W panel to power the TD light?

Final question - fancy sharing your crystallised ginger recipe? It's a brilliant palate cleanser for whisky sipping activities :beer:

gallygirl

edinburgher wrote: »

40 circuits? Your electrician is either a showoff, or is growing drugs in his shed :rotfl: We are at 16 and that includes the solar panels + few spares in case we take power outside/extend.

On that topic, does your new casa have panels dos soleros? If not, would you consider fitting a 30W panel to power the TD light?

Final question - fancy sharing your crystallised ginger recipe? It's a brilliant palate cleanser for whisky sipping activities :beer:

We've basically said to allow for electric heaters in ever room, air con in every room, pellet burner, oven on separate circuit etc. The box is the same price and at €15 per circuit we want to err on the side of not tripping the lights every time we put some heating on.

No solar panels I'm afraid Ed and no plans for them . Spain led the world in solar power technology (so I've read!) but then noticed how much tax revenue they were losing from the electricity companies so taxed solar power out of existence (paraphrasing, but pretty close to reality ). Solar hot water may be feasible in the future though.

Crystallised ginger recipe was very complicated Ed :
Peel & chop ginger into crystallised ginger size pieces
Add to pan, cover with water, bring to boil and simmer for around 40 minutes
Strain, retaining some of the liquid
Weigh ginger & match with golden caster sugar and a few spoons of the cooking liquid
Boil for around 20-30 minutes, making sure the liquid doesn't caramelise, liquid will get gloopy
Reduce heat and watch carefully - will start to crystallise
Tip onto baking rack, allow to cool fully and store in dry tin. Original recipe asked for additional sugar to roll in but I don't think it's necessary.
Copious taste testing over several days
Lovely mixed into good quality vanilla icecream :drool::drool::drool:

Goldiegirl

greent wrote: »

What is it with mfW posters and mice at the moment?!

I'm beginning to think I'm the lucky one, only having mice in the loft, and not in my sofa or in bed with me! :eek:


Loved those pics GG - I think we can both agree that 2015 has been a change for the better


Lets hope it continues for 2016

gallygirl

Happy New Year everyone :T.

Plans for 2016:

• Reduce mortgage. Due to buying new house and using offset money to part fund, as of 31st December we owed 51,440k net. That will reduce by 6.8k over the course of the year, obviously we want to reduce by more than that . Can't really set a specific target as need to see how spending out here settles - we're not going to start scrimping to meet an arbitrary target - but will continue to be sensible and see how it goes.
• Reduce weight. I lost almost 3.5 stone a few years ago, have put most of it back on and now it's going to come back off again :rotfl:.
• Eating healthier, drinking less and exercising more - the usual stuff . Mr GG also on board :T. More specific aims connected with this below.
• A new recipe per week, as per MWC's diary
• Go out with walking group at least once a week if possible. New season started late Sept, first walk was rained off, then I went to UK and came back feeling under the weather for a few months. Now feeling up to it so will look at agenda and pick some out - they do some VERY long, VERY tough walks which I won't be going on ). Both walking days coincide with pilates which I don't want to give up, hence only once a week with walking group.
• Take some bowling lessons - turns out new friend is qualified coach and she is very, very good :T. Decide if I want to continue - if so join club and get clothing and bowls .
• Walk wherever we can rather than use the car. Dolly the Shopping Trolley will be coming out to play :T. Need to be careful though as she may aggravate my back/side .

To be continued . EDIT: Updated on new post with Pretty Colours added

ljaneyr

Excellent goals GG. All sounds very positive and relaxed in the way I hope to be when early retired

edinburgher

Sounds delicious GG, will try my hand at that once I work my way through the current bag. Based on my MFP calories, that will be 4-5 years :rotfl: