Countdown to Freedom

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Afternoon, dry, windy and sunny (off and on) today. Huge amount of garden work completed over the weekend and today has been spent finishing *house* things off. Phone calls, filing, final CS run following emptying the loft. It is great to fully finish these tasks and now forget we have a loft - until we move of course :rotfl: NOTHING ELSE is going in the loft.

Garage is pretty much done. I have a few bits to eB@y still but I'm doing new pics and loading them up tonight.

An MFW chum has given me some things to sell for a charity I do a lot of stuff for. I'm taking pics of those tomorrow and preparing text then they can be uploaded tomorrow evening. Generous offer and the recipient's will benefit hugely.

I also have a 1/2 set of books that mum wants me to have valued. I have really prevaricated here but I'm doing the list as soon as I post this message.

3 of the Tilly clan are off to see mum this weekend and empty a loft. That sounds such a small job but having done another loft for her recently we all know it isn't

Money wise - not sure where it has all gone but holidays and treats account for a chunk of overspend. As DS is off shortly and did well in his AS result we have been a bit more indulgent. We have cut our food spending down though and are back to normal amounts. Menu planning is working well.

House fridge has had another clean and I've thrown or consolidated stuff - resulting in 4 plastic or glass pots leaving the house. I also returned a pot I've kept on the window ledge for a few weeks.

Finally decided on shutters, blinds and windows for Portugal. Again what a quick sentence to type but what a nightmare choosing. We will end up being able to have vented shutters closed but windows open at night for all French doors in our bedrooms plus mosquito blinds for all windows and doors. Bathroom windows will have grilles plus mosquito blind. We are using a local manufacturer and will have them serviced annually. Really good quality product.

Floor tiles are chosen as far as possible. The colour is the sticking point. Either terracota or dark slate - I can see this last decision taking forever and it's only a colour.

All sockets will be at a sensible height for when we're old codgers. The room with the hot water tank (storing solar hot water) will have storage solutions for bedding, towels etc. The washing machine and TD (no :smileyhea bulb went and can't get the new bulb to work) will be in guest loo - fitted with a shelf over both for sorting folding.

No wall cupboards in kitchen - units for ovens and fridge freezer (side by side) will be the tallest items - apart from Mr T.

Right I'd better crack on.

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Failed on the eb@y but did contact two auction houses re books. I am so relieved that's done.

CS run, returned an item to !kea, stuff for DS finished.

All in all a positive day with much finished.

Money news - I won't need to buy anything except milk, fruit and veg at the end of the week - budget is £15 and I'm using cash only.

With our freezer purchases recently, DD now has enough meals frozen for two drawers of hers and HUGE news - the we are keeping has an :smileyhea - who would have thought freezers came with internal lights these days. My old one has worked hard though - November 1991 - I have decided to sell it rather than take to Portugal though.

Lodgers money has arrived and that is in the electrics saving pots now.


Night Tilly xx

brizzledfw

Just spotted you are almost at your MSE anniversary :j

How will you celebrate??!

All sounding good Tilly. Its funny how some things seem real simple..like choosing blinds..but end up being the most procrastination provokers of them all

Lots of love xx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Brizzle, I must admit I hadn't realised it was the anniversary 😕. The year has flown by and we are mainly wrapped up with DS and his plans. We do have a free weekend though and I'm pretty sure gardening will be on the schedule somewhere. Rock & roll xx



Beautiful day and I'm feeling very positive about our plans. Mr T and I, very often, find reaching agreement about significant things difficult. That's not to say we argue or fall out but it takes a lot of to-ing and fro-ing before agreements are finalised. Why am I saying this - because renovating a place that you love means we are trying to make it perfect/future proof, call it what you will. Blinking impossible.

I'm sure all the decisions could be made in a hurry but this phase is part of the whole journey and, I guess, is a bit want vs need and that needs to be turned on its head. Underfloor heating is a need - properties with tiled floors in hot countries are much colder in the winter.

Glad we aren't moving tomorrow

Tilly xxxx

gallygirl

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Glad we aren't moving tomorrow

Nah, you're not really :rotfl:

AlexLK

:rotfl: Re. coming to an agreement when renovating a house. My wife and I have very differing opinions about replacing our bathroom. It's not happening tomorrow but every time we discuss, it is very obvious we want two quite different things.

Karmacat

You're definitely building the future there, Tilly, and it sounds lovely - that process is going to ensure that each of you has contributed

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Ooooh Karmcat, you are so close to finishing work :)



I think having time to think and talk through our reasoning has helped with decisions. We are likely to have animals - cats and dogs - for years so darker tiles will be more practical. Having them throughout the house and outside will hopefully, five us the continuity we are seeking.




Right - what have we done today......

2 portions of mango ice cream made. Bought too many on Friday and I wasn't going to waste them.

4 portions of Punjabi style red kidney bean curry made - link from MWC'S diary - DELICIOUS

3kg shoulder of pork is in the SC ready to.be turned on when we go to bed. Slow pulled pork tomorrow night to start the long weekend off.

Volunteering finished for the week. We can all make a difference if we just stop and think how we can help. It easy to turn our backs on difficult situations but by running towards them (occasionally) good things can happen.


Money news- things are still tight but I appreciate that's due to our self imposed budget.

Next to save up for is wooden porch area.

I like these mini goals - I feel we've hit another milestone 😀


Night Tilly xx

Karmacat

I'm there, I made it

I like your mini-goals, Tilly - I'm going to be rejigging goals soon, and setting new ones, of course.

Have a lovely evening.

apple_muncher

Congratulations, karmacat! Enjoy your new freedom.