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

rtandon27

So glad you found that missing invoice Vix!

QueenJess

Glad things are looking a bit better with that extra invoice!

themadvix

Thanks ladies. Also managed to do a decent platform job this morning, so that’ll help. Just need to have a few more of those this week and all will be much better.

SC, a good idea and one I’ll think about. Not sure I fancy it at this time of year (really I should be getting out there before Christmas, shouldn’t I?!) but it would give me flexibility and I could see what it’s like in afternoons/early evening. I think I’ll wait until after Christmas now to make any decisions - and live in hope that with a new year and new budgets the Americans decide to start some new projects.

 Have collected some free food from Olio this morning and made some Lebkuchen. DH has installed a security camera to watch the drive and road so in future we’ll catch the culprit if my car is hit outside our house (unfortunately that’s it’s parked there is not guaranteed).

themadvix

Morning all,

Had a lovely day yesterday bowling and lunching with friends and their little one. Then we curled up indoors given the vile weather - DH played some playstation and then we watched the eventful grand prix. 

Still undecided about work situation. Another job which I am highly qualified for and already have contacts with has come up, which would be 12 hours a week. Details unknown yet, but I tried to call and there was no answer. Would be ideal, but it's the sort of job I wouldn't want to commit to and then feel I've let them down if work picks up and I can't continue long term. (I've had this problem in the past and really struggle with the letting people down thing.) Will make enquiries though - it's potentially too good an opportunity to miss. 

Have looked at Uber and KK's earnings, but not entirely convinced about it - there's quite a bit of outgoings in terms of set up, insurance and petrol (and my car is elderly, to say the least), and the rate of pay isn't great. That said, the flexibility is good. I think I'll see what the situation with this other job is first.

Heading out to pick up a couple of Olio bits shortly (I should be there now actually, but she'll have left it on the step and I'm finishing my cuppa first!). RM survey items to post at PO this afternoon and then I'm heading to Mum's town - will try to use my M&S and JL vouchers to buy a couple of presents and some freezer food for Boxing Day (suspect I'm expecting to stretch the vouchers further than they will go!).

Had great feedback from the platform job I did at the weekend and the client would like to recommend my services to others - go ahead, please! All quiet on the platform this morning though. Have done a couple of small bits of work and finished something else up for another client.

MS things:
* Clicks done
* YG surveys
* MM surveys
* Waiting for call back from insurance company re crash. I need to talk to them to see what my options are - they will be able to initiate a claim with the idiot's insurance company but I don't want them writing my car off and then not being able to buy it back.

Gratitudes:
* Lovely day yesterday with friends
* I have options re jobs
* Feeling better now I've sat down with spreadsheet and have a plan for Christmas presents

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Did eventually get through about the job yesterday and it sounds promising. Flexible about hours, possibility of some remote working further down the line and I feel I'm eminently qualified (also, pay is based on experience, so not even a minimum wage role). I've got to send a CV and covering letter.... trying to remember when I did the various roles that give me the experience is going to be tricky! I'm not sure the last time I applied for a job - at least the last two actual employment roles (rather than temping at Cambridge, which I invoiced for) didn't involve applications or interviews... The last successful job interview I had was to work at the pub when I was 18! 

So in the absence of much work (have done some and hoping for some platform jobs), I'll be getting my CV ready today. Still have slight concerns that it might be too many hours alongside my freelance work, but at the moment all I need to do is apply. The office is open until 7pm, so I could do one whole day (8 hrs) and then just 3-7 (when I'm less productive generally for my own work).

Also spoke to the insurance company about my car, and think I'll be making a claim against the other driver's insurance. Had a bit of a fail on the Christmas shopping front as the M&S in Mum's town is rubbish. Need to order a couple of bits online today and pop out into town here at some point. I did spend my WR/JL vouchers on some party food bits for Boxing Day - all in the freezer now. Will go to big M&S near my friend when I visit her on Friday.

My win of recipe books arrived too and have picked a couple that my sister would like/use as part of her Christmas present. They look really nice and have also inspired a dish for Boxing Day too.

Hoping to have a go at making honeycomb today, as the intention is to make some for Christmas presents. 

MS things:
* Clicks done and small win on HW
* Gfk TV survey win (£15) vouchers claimed for WR/JL - whether for Boxing Day or general food shopping, they'll get spent
* Have swapped to a smaller veg box this week - we've got plenty left (the giant cauliflower has now contributed to stir fry, laksa, cauliflower mac and cheese and will finish up with korma tomorrow) but didn't want to cancel this week's as the next would be 22nd December (as we're not here next Thursday for delivery)

Gratitudes:
* Picked Niece up from school yesterday (with Mum)
* Cauli mac and cheese was delicious, if I say so myself
* Pudding was some more of the choc orange ice cream from our takeaway friends

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Very small Olio collection this morning - just kept a pastry for me and a cheese straw for DH. Not much work, but have nabbed a couple of small platform jobs, so that's better than nothing. Have also nabbed a MS for my lunch tomorrow - am seeing people morning and afternoon in another town, but no invite for lunch, so going to pub near DH's office - if he's free he'll join me. If not, I'll take a book! 

Honeycomb came out well yesterday - this was a trial run, but I'm going to pack some of it up for various people I'm seeing in the next couple of days. Will make the proper batch next week and get it chocolate dipped and packed up - I'm assuming it should last fairly well.

Meeting my ex-Brownie friends for lunch - if it stops chucking it down, I'll walk down to town and they can give me a lift back. Otherwise I'll have to drive. Need to get fuel before tomorrow which will be painful. Just found a voucher for 241 mains, so that's a couple of pounds saved (there's 3 of us 🙄).

DH was out for dinner with friends last night, so I had leftover cauliflower laksa. Tonight I'm doing a cauli and paneer korma - I'll just have a supper-sized portion.

CV and covering letter have come on well - I've sent them to Mum to look at and I'll submit them later today.

MS things:
* 1P surveys
* YG survey
* Clicks done (9p on HW, every little helps)
* MS set up for tomorrow (earnings will be low, but free lunch!)
* Cashback on a Christmas present ordered yesterday

Gratitudes:
* Lovely end of term evening class last night
* Evening class remains virtual - going out last night in that weather would have been vile!
* Nice text chat with friend, although things are pretty hard for her at the moment.

Have a good day all!

QueenJess

I’d love to make honeycomb. Was it easy? Do you need a thermometer (I don’t have one)?

Watty1

in awe of anyone who makes homemade gifts at this time of year 

themadvix

Morning all,

Had a lovely lunch with brownie friends and did get my walk in, which was good. Busy day yesterday - grabbed a few platform jobs first thing before heading out to see in-laws, MS lunch with DH and catch up with good friend in the afternoon. Also dropped some bits off to other friends and called in for a cuppa with Dad and fiancee on the way home (I drove through various villages, so it was lovely to see the Christmas lights ). Honeycomb is apparently lovely, so that's good!

QueenJess - it's very easy if you have a cooking thermometer, although there are ways to check the temp if you don't have one. I used this recipe. The key things are to line the tray with paper otherwise it will stick and be a nightmare and to ensure it hits 150 degrees - otherwise it will soften over time and turn into a sticky mess. Not something to do with a baby strapped to you though! DS will love the bicarb effect if he can watch from a safe distance.

Watty - this is much easier than baking biscuits which is something I often do. Making simple presents for people really cuts down on cost, the difficulty of thinking of things and packaging - I trawled charity shops several years ago for some large glass jars to put gifts in and miraculously, most reappear ready to be refilled each year!

Just doing another quick platform job this morning before visiting friend with long Covid. Will do various other jobs while I'm up there - there's a big M&S nearby. Hoping the post arrives today - we've not had any since last week and there's gifts due to be turning up in it! (Not to mention RM survey items and posting pack too, I expect).

MS things:
* Caught up with all surveys last night when I got home
* Lunch out will only cost a couple of quid
* MS report submitted
* Downloaded Greggs app for freebies
* Cancelled today's milk (and will need to cancel some for Monday too)
* Submitted my application for that job

Gratitudes:
* Lovely day yesterday - all the various bits
* Sunshine today
* Seeing friend
* *Some* work

Have a good day all!

rtandon27

Echo your gratitude about the sunshine today Vix!  What a difference it makes