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

themadvix

Nice try, SC, but it's entirely the ridiculous increase in the share price that means he can do that! They've gone up considerably in the last two months.

I think you can sort it so that you get to the end of the money. You get the pension sorted first and then you just have to ensure you have enough the bridge the gap between retirement (in whatever form that takes) and pension income. I'd agree, you don't want to end up with loads of money in the bank that you can't enjoy!

themadvix

Morning all,

Have just submitted my Mass Observation day diary, thanks to Cheery's suggestion. I'm sure it's not that interesting at the moment, but maybe in twenty years people will be interested! In the shorter version - I went to Costco, cooked cheaper cat chicken and then spent all afternoon faffing with trying to make a mask. Sewing, while it should be a strong point as I did A-level (Art) Textiles, is *not* a strong point, especially from a pattern (that 'Art' means no structure or making useful things!). Needless to say, I did not get into the garden and still have a mask to finish and one to make for DH. I did get the sewing repairs done and we had fish dhal for dinner.

Today, I'm battling with a very slow server in America (work-related) and hopefully getting out in the garden. I may even take *two* walks - because I can!

MS things:
* Sewing repairs
* Successful Costco trip (pleasantly surprised by their organisation, less so by the dozy customers!)
* Mask used old bed sheet and some fabric I've had for years - good to put it to use
* DH got a refund on one of our internal flights (all Avios returned)
* Clicks
* No queue so ventured into Coop for bananas - cheaper than Riverford and no plastic (supermarket)

Gratitudes:
* Nice chat with ex-Brown Owl
* Lovely sound bite of niece explaining that Boris Johnson is 'the man who tells us not to touch things'
* So peaceful on my short evening walk round the block

Have a good day all!

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, pleased you did the Mass Observation thing! I reckon even mundane daily things are interesting (they're often the things I gravitate towards reading about). And the fact that you spent all afternoon making masks is certainly going to be very different to what people were writing about last year! 

I ended up typing most of my diary into the notes section of my phone, so of course I'm going to have to mess about getting it out again. Mine ended up a mix of what I did and what I was feeling gloomy about but I suppose that's a good illustration of the times we're in too! 

It did make me want to start keeping a proper diary again though - although sadly I don't think I've managed a regular one ever in my whole life! 

South_coast

Boris could have done with taking that advice himself over the years 😂! Love it! 

themadvix

Cheery, I think that feeling gloomy is definitely an important part of the diary at the moment - the emotional ups and downs are common to everyone I think! Good luck getting it out of your phone. You may be right about the mundane stuff - I think I'd like to know what everyone gets up to and what they include/exclude/make a point of is indicative of their values too.

SC - a good point!

themadvix

Well I went one better than two walks - I had a socially distant walk with my mum! First time I’ve seen her since the day lockdown began, so it was really nice, except the not being able to hug her or have a cuppa. Maybe next time we’ll take a flask and snacks. Mum gave me our belated Easter Lindt bunnies and a chilli plant.

On the way back I filled my car up at Costco where fuel is 98.7p! If I recall correctly the last time I paid that little for it was about 15 years ago! Definitely counts as money saving!

 Since I got back I’ve planted some flower seeds and some cat nip - that will save us some money 😊 Pizza for dinner tonight - started the dough this morning and have got the pizza sauce out of the freezer. Currently sorting a load of washing to put on overnight.... glamorous money saving! 

South_coast

Wow, that is seriously cheap petrol 😀 I keep pondering whether to buy some at the moment. Had a conversation with a furloughed colleague about it last week and whether it was an investment to buy it cheaply when we didn't need it, or just a cost to shell out on something that we didn't need right now when we could have saved the money instead.... At my current rate of 28 miles per month, I certainly don't need any, but as I normally buy loads then any saving is good. But then spending money is bad! Hmmm....

themadvix

It turns out I only had half a tank, so it was worth the visit for me... I suspect we’ll be driving a bit more more, even if just to go somewhere for a walk.

themadvix

Morning all,

With the all the news stories today it's hard to feel positive. Good job the sun is shining. Another busy day today (if I can be bothered) and another walk with a parent later. 

I can't believe I forgot to include this in my gratitudes yesterday as it was so lovely, but it happened again this morning, so it's even better! We rarely get many birds in the garden - the odd pigeon or magpie is usually the limit, but yesterday morning and today, we were invaded by a family of starlings - complete with fluffy babies with bright yellow gapes! They use the pond's waterfall for drinks and bathing and the parents feed the babies (apparently our lawn is full of leatherjackets). And they seem to bring some sparrows with them too! It's been a raucous but entertaining sight the last two mornings - especially when the starlings fall off the bottom step of the waterfall and into the pond! The cats were less impressed this morning as starling time coincided with their time in the garden, so naturally I didn't let them out!

MS things:
* I can claim my government assistance at midday today
* Continue to do a little bit of LinkedIn every day
* Clicks done
* RM CD survey

Gratitudes:
* Starling visits!
* Veg box has just been delivered
* Walk with mum yesterday

Have a good day all!

Suffolk_lass

We have been living here for fifteen years and have had our first little family of starlings visit this year. Not sure if they have been chased away now by the crows that arrived and have evicted the jackdaws that had been in the churchyard for some years  

How lovely to see your Mum