Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

themadvix

Hi New Girly! We did a *lot* of research on the holiday yesterday and *think* we've got it (at least the first half) sorted. DH needs to check how much leave he has and if it's okay to go on revised dates (we're looking at end of June/beginning July now). As it's moved later, we've got more time to 'save' (we'll book most of it as soon as we can, so it'll be replenishing savings rather than actual saving. I'm actually excited about all of it now (which I definitely wasn't previously). We still need to pin down details for CA, but we have a rough plan in mind. It won't be a cheap holiday but it'll be one to remember.

Crumpets - we are Airbnbing it (assuming we book what we've found) in Nashville, but it's a complicated legal situation in New Orleans (the authorities have basically banned Airbnbs), so we've found a hotel. It turns out there was quite a difference in price depending on the dates!

Karma - I'm terrible for keeping bits about the living or newly born updated! It seems rude to ask sometimes. I've not done any proper research in a long time though, but it may be one of the things I get back to a bit more once I'm no longer doing Brownies.

I've done a little bit of work this morning - keeping on top of it before jury service tomorrow. Will need to reread the stuff about js and make sure I'm ready for it. Otherwise, I think we'll head out for a walk in a bit - it's a lovely day here!

themadvix

Morning all,

So I've got a case, but we only did half an hour yesterday and then were dismissed. Got to be back in court by 2pm today :T Same tomorrow :T Fortunately we don't have to be in normally until 10 - yesterday it was 9 and the traffic was not good. Parking, mileage and lunch is covered as well as allowance for being there. And it's fine to take my lappy and work there (although this case is likely to go on for 7 days so I won't be doing any work there during that time). The case has reminded me that I don't really come into contact with the rather unpleasant world of crime and criminals - for which I am *very* grateful.

So I'm all caught up on a couple of bits of work this morning, done my clicks and flying, so feeling very organised. DH is working on the holiday - going to ring Virgin later. I'm going to pop up to the zero-waste shop shortly for the monthly top-up. Then back here for lunch before heading to court. Evening class tonight and amazingly I did all my homework (there was a lot as I missed the last class and then we had two weeks off as teacher was away) at the weekend.

MS things:
* Clicks done (still keeping my streak going on Bing)
* Lunches made for the week :T
* Meter readings done and somehow we're increasing the credit we're in
* Out during the day means I'll save on heating costs

Gratitudes:
* Met some friendly fellow jurors
* Parking costs will be reimbursed (I think because I rang up and checked about it before we started) - this isn't the case for everyone!
* Managed to sneak in a visit to mum and niece yesterday as I finished early Cuddles with niece and giggles with mum (about the things niece says!)
* Parakeets on mum's bird feeder - amazing! (It was like a bird super-highway there yesterday though - I saw the level of the peanuts in the feeder go down in the couple of hours I was there!)

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Sadly the energy company hadn't entirely updated - not in so much credit now - £23 though, which might just keep us going till the warmer weather.

* YG survey done... far too long for 50p though.

Karmacat

That's a lot of positives! Though the reminder that there's real criminals and criminal activity out there is pretty sobering, isn't it ... keep thinking of the giggles around your niece's words, though

Cheery_Daff

My jury service was very sobering too. First case was awful, a family abuse thing, and the accused threw himself off a bridge before the end of the trial Second was dismissed because someone in court said something the jury shouldn't have heard (goodness knows what, we never noticed). Third one was a pub fight - the judge made it quite clear what we should say and so we reached a verdict within about 10 minutes.

First one still haunts me though.

I don't know whether it's still the same, but we got a set payment for lunch, which we didn't have to actually spend on our lunch, so I took butties every day and pocketed it :money:

themadvix

Oh that sounds pretty awful Cheery I can't say anything, but I don't think this one will be too harrowing - and it's likely to be the only one as it'll take 7 days.

Yes, it's still the same - a voucher you can use for lunch or you can just have the amount in cash You know what I'll be doing! I may have to spend some on tea though (you have to pay for tea!!)

Off now... only a couple of hours though

Busy_Mee1

Glad to hear you are sounding more upbeat Mad Vix and just going to say the word flask :money:

themadvix

Thanks Busy Mee... I'm not sure about the flask to be honest as storage space is limited and faffy (there are lockers). For the odd £1.30, I might just suck it up.

I'm back already as after we'd all got there judge decided we wouldn't get onto our case today, so we're to reconvene tomorrow and he has promised we will make a proper start then! Actual work has arrived in the meantime

Crumpets

I hope jury service continues to go well, I've done it twice now and really enjoyed the whole experience. I didn't have cases that were too distressing, I found it all fascinating though. Probably because my everyday life is so far removed from getting up and going to court everyday...I felt like a proper grown up

How interesting about airbnb's in New Orleans, I wonder if it's to stop people from buying up properties for the sole purpose of renting them out to tourists. Glad you've found a hotel though :T

How lovely to see parakeets on your mum's bird feeder!! we had a woodpecker on ours yesterday which was very exciting :T

themadvix

Hey Crumpets, glad you enjoyed jury service. It's interesting, but I caught the lurgy from another juror and have been shockingly miserable for the last couple of days (and as you know, you have to go in once you're sworn in - unless you get a drs note). Yesterday was the worst - thought I was going to throw up at times (not case related!), but did begin to feel a bit better towards the end (we only did a couple of hours - so far since Monday we've managed 3 hours of court time in total!). Got sent home today as aforementioned juror cried off sick... if she's not back tomorrow she'll be chucked off the jury and we'll get on with it regardless. Afraid I kind of feel she should have made the effort today as I'd made it the day before and she must be feeling better. Oh well, it gave me a day of recovery (and catch up with work). Sorry, I'll stop whinging!

We may have found a hotel, but the availability of reward flights is non-existent, so we're beginning to think we need to do next year now. Too ill to think about it coherently at the moment....

Survival is the aim of the day, so all moneysaving has gone out of the window - just work, rest and court!

Mum gets all sorts in her garden - it's lovely