Its days are numbered ...

DawnW

I rang C&G earlier to check if I had set up the online overpayments properly and it had worked :T

I also took the opportunity to check my balance and have now updated my signature

Managed to bunk off work early well, it feels like that if I leave early, but it is really 'flexi-time' - and I am always over my required hours. I always feel a bit guilty sneaking off early though

I am waiting for a freecycler to come and pick up an old microwave, then I am going to make some pastry. I have some mincemeat left over from Xmas to use up (OH loves mince pies and will eat them anytime ), and half a carton of custard I thought I would try to make a custard tart with. Not sure if this will work, but I am guessing if I add a beaten egg it probably should.

OH is at his London job today, and won't be back till late. Since he will have been eating all day (this job is in the high end catering trade) he won't be very hungry, and I have overdosed on buttered crumpets (yum) I don't need to cook dinner tonight.

On another note, I have yet another funeral to go to, as an elderly aunt died on Monday. She had been ill for a long time, so it wasn't really unexpected, but 3 funerals since just before Christmas is beyond a joke

DawnW

Treats duly made / leftovers used up

Old microwave decluttered

Emailed to sort out unpaid work expenses - it appears that I didn't fill in *all* the required forms when I changed bank account. Just the payroll one isn't enough - we have multiple forms for everything at work, there are so many that it is impossible to keep up with all of them :eek: Still, all sorted now.

Must do lunch for work in a minute and get dressed :eek:

Bluerrgh, phone conference with some stroppy people this morning.

Still, at least it is Friday :j

Sepa74

Hi Dawn,

Sorry to hear about your Great Aunt. You're right three funerals in under three months is a lot! Very difficult for you.

Good luck with the custard tart, it sounds very ambitious!!! I also enjoy the challenge of 'making do' with left overs, but the most adventurous I've ever been with custard is to mix in some cocoa to make it chocolate. I hope your idea works!

DawnW

Sepa74 wrote: »

Hi Dawn,

Good luck with the custard tart, it sounds very ambitious!!! I also enjoy the challenge of 'making do' with left overs, but the most adventurous I've ever been with custard is to mix in some cocoa to make it chocolate. I hope your idea works!

It worked fine, and looked lovely with a sliced peach on the side. There is some left for this evening as well

To make it-

Beat an egg into leftover custard, add a couple of drops of vanilla extract, pour into an uncooked pastry case, and grate a little nutmeg over. Bake at gas 5 for about 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the custard is set. Eat cold.

DawnW

Today:

Bit of shopping including birthday present and card for DS

Pottered in the garden - planted some lily of the valley bulbs, and admired the little purple crocuses that have appeared

Went to put some growmore on the spring cabbages to help them along a bit and it had got soaking wet somehow - OH said it takes mositure from the atmosphere. If I had known that, I would have put it in a plastic container :mad: I had to throw it away - a new box too :eek:

Took some stock from the old, big freezer that will be rehomed as soon as it is empty. I reduced one lot (chicken) down and put it in the fridge in a MUCH smaller container, and am waiting for the other lot (bacon) to thaw out so I can make it into soup for lunches next week. Also got some very small pork steaks out for supper. They are really, really small, and I am not a person who likes lots of meat (I can feed about 8 on 1lb of mince ). I think I will cook them and put them in bread rolls with a bit of salad, and have a few potato wedges on the side. That sounds a nice Saturday dinner More custard tart and peaches if still hungry after.

OH went to an auction and spent rather a lot :eek: He did get some lovely old fashioned metal plant pot stands (like a sort of fancy metal shelf unit for in the garden) though, which will help make the most of our little garden (Not sure about all the other stuff though :eek:)

Paid £200 off the mortgage

Pondering the mortgage term insurance thing - the sum assured is about one third more than the balance on the mortgage. I will ring the insurance company on Monday and ask if I can get it a bit cheaper, for the correct amount. If not, I will check elsewhere, as I bet if one of us did pop off, they would only pay out what was actually owed, and not another 10 grand on top (I assume ? Must check small print zzzzzz)

Payday on Tuesday :T so will have to do spreadsheets

Waiting for 2 cheques from Zapper, and £17.20 expenses from work. These nice 'extras' will be paid off the mortgage when I get them :j

Right, better get on with supper - nearly time for a glass of wine, too

DawnW

Bit of a lazy day.

Pegged the washing on the line to take advantage of the lovely weather

Went to see DS as it is his birthday, had a lovely lunch with him and his wife and the grandchildren

Made soup for work lunches when we got back, got the washing in and that was about it

I did also book the ferry for a trip to France in April to see an old friend

Off to bed in a minute, as I am shattered, despite not really doing anything -and lovely Monday again tomorrow

DawnW

Ugh, Monday again

Still, tomorrow is payday!

Things to do today:

Curry in slow cooker for tonight, using up the lurking remains of a jar of curry paste, and some strange Chinese dried mushrooms (now why did I buy those?)

Soup for lunch at work (I find the idea of soup for lunch makes going to work bearable )

Read free newspaper on train - makes the inevitable delays / cancellations bearable.

Couple of items of shopping - creme fraiche for the curry and some butter because I forgot to buy at the weekend - and nothing else.

Get OH to put some more woodchip stuff in the chicken's run (as he will be at home and I won't).

Check car insurance to make sure the car will be covered for driving in France in April, and make time to sort if not.

Ring mortgage term insurance people and see if they will offer me a reduction since I owe about a third less than they think I do - if not, look for other quotes for the correct amount of cover.

DawnW

Off to a conference today, didn't know I had to go till yesterday :mad:
Trouble is, all the work still piles up while you have to go to these things

So, won't be home till about 7pm or later tonight and must head off in a minute.

OH is also out today, but has thankfully taken the dog, so she wouldn't be at home on her own for 12 hours :eek:

Free lunch at least, so no need to take any.
HM soup and rolls for supper as I shan't feel like cooking.

Got paid today though

Must dash :eek:

BIZZYIZZY

Dawn W.
Just want to say I am enjoying your 'diary' I think because I am in my late 50's have grown up sons, no grandkids though. And have just started on the mfw track, your thread for some reason appealed to me, so will be following you. Once again good luck

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

I'm also a big fan of HM soup for work lunches... in fact just had the last of a batch of cream of parsnip today!