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

GlendaSugarbean

My tip on drying outside: freezing is good! If clothes get properly frozen they will essentially freeze dry - just bring them in and stick them on the airer to defrost and you'll find they are only slightly damp.

themadvix

Morning all,

Thanks for the tip Glenda - I'm still not sure though - it takes SO long for my fingers to defrost when putting it out there when it's that cold! *However* I have been line drying this weekend and long may it continue!

Well, we've worked like troopers this weekend, if I say so myself. We got the majority of the painting finished on Saturday (but decided some bits needed another coat), and DH did some car bits too. We intended to go to Wagamamas with my vouchers but when we got there the queue was out the door, so we went to the ever-classy Pizza Hut instead (used Leisure Vouchers). The service was pretty dire and one of the waitresses had long hair, not tied up, so I sent them a complaint yesterday. We'll see what they come back with. I wasn't impressed. The food, however, was good and there was enough to bring home leftovers for lunch on Sunday.

Sunday started unexpectedly with the electric shower making an unpleasant smell when DH used it. I declined to use it until he'd looked at it, when he found a lovely black melted bit that should have been some plastic and a neutral wire. I think he had a lucky escape! :eek: Being the clever soul he is though, we now have a new shower installed And I finished the painting, took the carpet up etc.... but it was a longer, more stressful day than anticipated (multiple trips to Wickes)... so we went to Wagamamas! I'm so looking forward to something home-cooked tonight! The food at Wagas was really lovely though (and at least it was healthy after curry and pizza) - I had a ramen, which I've never tried before and it was excellent. We splashed out on dessert too, so the bill was £26 after the vouchers. Back on the wagon from today though.

MS things:
* Have just saved us £150 on underlay - when we took the carpet up the underlay was fine, so I've been over to the carpet shop this morning and he's given me a full refund (considering they are turning up to fit about 10 am this morning, I thought that was excellent service - they really are an excellent local business). :T :T
* Despite eating out twice we did use vouchers and not too much cash (£5 on Saturday - and I'm hoping to get some sort of compensation for the poor service/hygiene) and £26.50 yesterday. DH paid for takeaway, so I'm not counting that (and he got cashback)
* I need to ring the car insurer today to get an accurate quote without the old car on the renewal. No interest still in old car and DH didn't get round to taking new photos yesterday because of the shower.
* Ordered new curtain rails with cashback - need to collect today

Gratitudes:
* To the excellent local carpet company
* Blue skies here today
* Teamwork this weekend

Have a good day all!

Karmacat

You really are working like troopers! And well done on backing slowly away from an electric shower that melts things - thats very not good, yikes. The eating out and the local carpet company sound v cool too :cool:

themadvix

Thanks Karma and yes, backing away (quickly, actually) was a good move...

Carpet was fitted this morning and looks lovely!

Have taken the living room curtains to the dry cleaners for a freshen up. However, they wanted £55 for the long pair and £26 (?) for the smaller pair. As the smaller ones are OK (just furry), I've brought them home with me for a good hoover. The others needed a clean though as they had water marks on the lining. I did get 15% off as the guy was about to put a sign up to that effect and said I could have the discount So money saving (?!) on two fronts!

Have also rung the car insurance company - the jury is still out on that one though - need to check with other quotes and compare the excesses.

Now it's invoicing and money shuffles time!

Jessy103

Nice work TMV and glad DH didn't get zapped!!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Thanks Jessy!

So I've finished the money shuffles and have paid myself. Only a small OP this month (£15.03) as payment for the carpet/replenishment of savings from the plastering took precedence. I have also been circumspect with my pay - there's a healthy float in there for Feb's pay (which should be OK) and that can roll over into March's pay, which might be on the lower side as January was so quiet (and all Americans have pay terms of 45 days!! :eek: :mad: ). So another stingy month is on the cards (same for DH I think).

Feeling pretty rough this morning and have been to Drs for some antibiotics for an infection. Hoping they'll kick in soon. I need to go to the zero-waste shop for my monthly top up (as things are getting desperate now as I haven't been since before Christmas). However, it's not going to happen today.

We had Roast Broccoli Cous Cous with Miso for dinner last night, which was really lovely - will be adding it to the repertoire. Jamie's mac and cheese tonight for a warming, easy comfort meal.

MS things:
* Some clicks (I'm slacking on SBs at the moment - I'm sure my motivation will return at some point)
* Completed the application for an EV charging point
* Received my final set of stamps from RM survey for this stint
* Completed the CD RM survey

Gratitudes:
* Alexander Fleming and the mouldy bread... where would we be without antibiotics?
* Central heating
* Cat cuddles
* Work

Have a good afternoon all!

Karmacat

Poor you! Here's to Alexander Fleming and The Cuddlesome Cats. Hope you feel better soon.

themadvix

Morning all,

Antibiotics have kicked in and I'm feeling much more like myself. Have blitzed some housework this morning and some small work projects and am now finishing off another, larger assignment. Then I'll be off to the zero-waste shop, the supermarket and then Costco (for cat chicken).

We are having the in-laws (parents and BIL and GF) for a murder mystery dinner evening on Saturday. As it will require concentration I'm going to buy puds in. I have a fairly simple main course (complicated by the fact BIL's GF doesn't eat fish and I don't eat meat, so I'll still be making something separate for me) but I still need a simple starter.... hmm.... suggestions welcome. Something cold might be good (the recommendation from the murder mystery kit is quail's egg salad.... yeah, like I want to cook and peel 48 quails' eggs!! :eek: )

Have made some pastry for dinner tonight - a Quorn and BNS with ricotta flan. Not had it before, so it'll be interesting to see what it's like. Had to buy the ricotta, but have all the other ingredients. DH is away tomorrow, but Mum is coming for dinner - have two pieces of salmon in the freezer, so will do something with them.

Need to ring the car insurer *again*, to see if they can improve on the renewal price. Otherwise, we'll be switching.

MS things:
* PA survey completed
* £2 RM survey credit - takes me over £10, so need to decide what sort of voucher to get
* Washing on line (and more in machine) - hopefully drying!
* Clicks

Gratitudes:
* An early night last night - didn't go to evening class - and it was very much needed
* Despite being sicky yesterday morning, B&W cat seems to be okay now (vet's bill saved!)
* Feeling much better

Have a good day all!

Jessy103

Glad the antibiotics are helping and hope you're back to full health asap x

Cheery_Daff

Glad you're feeling a bit better. Don't blame you for buying in the puds - I think I'd be buying the starter too! :rotfl: :rotfl: