Here I go....

numptyknownothing

Hello Hello & welcome Greent - I'm back from a place time and people forgot. Can't claim NSD but was a cheap couple of days. That all ends as Wandering Clouds are landing in a couple of hours. Added to that I managed to get Paralympic tickets for tomorrow :j and said Wandering Clouds are moving to the seaside. So dutiful sister/auntie (me!) will be pinging hither and thither. I expect to be driving up and down the M3 several times this week. So the budget is well and truely shot. I have a bit left from last month that I haven't included as savings hoping it would see me through but at this rate I might be dipping into reserves that I really didn't want to this early in my diary. Hey-ho life is for living and its not every month so am trying to see the bright side. Apart from the printer is now not working. That is a joint expense and at least that's our problem not my problem.

Mystery shopping is definately not for the faint hearted or those looking to make any money. I have to say that I had, naively, not thought the SA tax thing through fully. My job is a tax nightmare already and I really shouldn't have meddled. I wanted to do something that made me use my noggin' but I didn't use it to effect or I would have not started the MS thing in the first place:o!!!! So to that end I will not continue after April. The tax man will probably dog me for several years after but that is the price I will pay. I will have a chat with someone at HMRC (which I should have done in the first place). I really wasn't expecting to earn much but didn't think it would be more of a burden. Thing is I'm enjoying doing it. The next step might me some sort of distance learning. But there is a small issue of swimming still outstanding yet so lets not bite off more than we can chew. So much for one step at a time

I have also decided to update my signature at the end of the month rather than at the beginning.

Right I'm off for a kip before I drive to LGW. Oh the joys of shift work

numptyknownothing

:jWow - went to the Paralympics last night and had the most amazing night. Shared with my Sister and Nephew. Shame DH couldn't come or my night would have been complete.

Well month only 4 days old and I have written it off already. So I will only be posting other things! Finances are off limits. Yes I know I am missing the point of this forum but I will only be letting you all down with 1 confession after the other. Or will I? Well there is always a chance for retribution so we live in hope.

2 MShops for today and 2 other appointments - physio & dentist. Oh what fun - it has been a pleasure/pain week and its only Tuesday:D:o

newgirly

Hello :wave: I have just been catching up with your new diary, congratulations joining the mfw's and I look forward to keeping up with your journey.:D

numptyknownothing

I have posted an advert for a swimming teacher in my area - one step forward towards swimming goal and it didn't cost me anything:)

Just back from seaside and happy to say Wandering Clouds are very cosy in their new nest Moral dilema for the weekend to party or not to party that is the question? It will be a night out that will take up all weekend, getting there, staying with relations and then can't get up and run so will be Sunday Lunch out as well. Outside of the house still only half done and worried we are running out of time before the weather breaks. I am actually leaning towards paint but its DH's long term friends. Oh what to do?:o?

Next job: quotes for new porch. Removal van dinked this one and we were looking to replace it anyway. Just the nudge we needed :rotfl:

numptyknownothing

DH is a marvel. He has now given the front of the house its first coat of paint and we should have the whole job finished by Wednesday. He even thinks that he is more comfortable going up the ladder now so a triumph all round. Most importantly the money we have saved by him doing it. Well done Mr NKN:beer:
No response to the swimming advert yet. The party won in the end but driving home so no over-night stay and more painting tomorrow

Weather glorious have a good evening 1 and all:j

numptyknownothing

Bit frustrated that finances are a bit of a mess this month. Had quite a considerable difference between this months salary and last month. Hence budgets being quite difficult. So this month will be a store cupboard month both living and decorating.

I have several jobs that are half finished. The worst one is a roman blind I started and it has found its way to the loft. Its over 2m wide and I lost confidence in my sewing straight lines for the rod pockets. So that may get an airing. There is a tin of paint in the shed for the Beach Hut - DH calls my shed that as he thinks I've pimped it. The glossing in the hall is half finished. So plenty to be getting on with. I'll shut my eyes when I go up to the loft as I am saving the clearing of the loft for the winter months.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

numptyknownothing wrote: »

I have several jobs that are half finished. The worst one is a roman blind I started and it has found its way to the loft. Its over 2m wide and I lost confidence in my sewing straight lines for the rod pockets.

Press them first it makes it easier to use the guidelines on your sewing machine and therefore keeps them straight.

I've recently made 60cm and 150cm blinds so I feel your pain. I don't mind the rod pockets it's the velcro sewing I hate.

numptyknownothing

Thanks for that - I've over-done the blind a bit, its lined and a middle layer of black-out lining. So its heavy & thick. The ironing should really help.

Bitter/sweet, pleasure/pain month continues - a very good friend has given me her daughters old iphone to see if I get on with it. On the way home got flashed by speeding camera. All my own fault but just a bit naffed off with myself. Hey-ho.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

numptyknownothing wrote: »

Thanks for that - I've over-done the blind a bit, its lined and a middle layer of black-out lining. So its heavy & thick. The ironing should really help.

Are you making the rod pockets through all three layers? I usually sew the rod pockets into just the rear outer lining (cut it longer to account for this). Then assemble the three layers - slip stitch down the sides of the rear lining to attach to front fabric and stab stitch through all three layers just below the rod pockets (maybe 5 equally spaced for your 2m blind). It sounds faffy but keeps the pockets straight and means that from the front the blind looks seamless!

numptyknownothing

Thanks MRN, I have somehow managed to sew all the pieces of material together and now realised that I should really have done the rod pockets first - cutting longer to allow as you say and having a seamless finish. I was following some hand written instructions from someone that knows - but they obviously can do it in their sleep now and had the rod pockets last. Probably not how they do it but doing it yourself and telling someone else is always difficult. This has contributed to my loss of confidence as I am toying with the idea of unpicking the lot just to make a good job of it. Further more - its my first one! - fancy making such a big blind on your first go!! My ghast is flabbered at my own stupidity sometimes:eek::mad::o It is also why I have left it so long as I have been trying to think smart now. I don't think my old sewing machine would cope with the thickness of the material now so I think I will have to bite the bullet and unpick it. Oh pleasure/pain again.

On the upside - there is a beautiful pink blue and white sky out there right now. Simple things put a smile on my face :)