Building The Burrow!

misscousinitt

Sending hugs PM (((hugs)))

See you soon.

MCI x

Pearla*Merle

Thank you, my dears! Those were needed

What an altogether strange few weeks! Am currently curled up on the sofa, where (when not in bed asleep avec hot water bottle) I've mostly been resident for the last few days. Have been utterly waylaid by some nasty bug... not really surprising that I caught something after feeling so stressed over the past while.

Work stuff kicked off again, still gritting my teeth and taking it as it comes but actively looking for a nicer part time job elsewhere, have a few things to follow up which I'll get to once I'm a bit more with it. Probably a good thing I've had this time off, having some distance has done wonders and I've managed to get my head back in gear about what's to be done.

Flat/letting agent nonsense has been going on as well, to the point where we went to go and view another place - oh, it was a dream! Quiet location, but walkable to a train station; a garden (a garden!); a cat flap (a cat flap!!); views over wooded countryside and the village church but oh dear heavens, the bedrooms were all too small to fit our bed (it might have got in, somehow, but that's it! WOE!) and really a bit too expensive considering its size. Anyway, we both realise that we really need to find somewhere quiet to live (I really noticed the lack of buzzing and noise and felt so much better) so after much Umming and Ahhing we'll stay put until the right thing comes along.

I'm glad, in a way, we're not suddenly going to have to sort out moving (especially as Mr M is away three times next month!) and where we are right now is quite lovely and cosy, and it makes sense to stay put if I'm now going to change jobs asap. But I do now think that bringing forward the next move might be worth seriously thinking about - if living somewhere quieter/more friendly/with access to outside space can make the difference to our lives that I think it would (we tend to stay home, like to cook etc) then it's probably worth doing sooner rather than later? Madly, money-wise we'd probably be paying roughly the same for larger space. Adding in a little extra commuting time though (Mr Money Mustache would be so cross :rotfl:) but we'd probably cope with that if life proved to be a lot more settled and comfy.

The above is a very condensed version of events, and doesn't include everything else around me that decided to play up (internet not working, buttons inexplicably falling off favourite dresses, chips appearing in all the crockery, the list is endless). Everything has felt very frantic and Must Change Now! but in fact we're still right where we were so I could have dispensed with all that worrying and not caught this nasty bug. Hey ho!

Anyway, in the meantime I shall continue to make this place a lot more easy to live in (i.e. discard and organise, organise, organise!) should we decide to stay put a lot longer. Would be nicer to feel like we were living here, rather than just existing. In happy news in that vein, I've potted up some geraniums, so the balcony is looking lovely. I'm also going to plant the chilli seeds we got from a restaurant the other day.

This is such a disjointed post, so much to report from the last little while, hmm what else?

Don't think I talked about The Trip To The Coast? So glad I did this for my birthday, I grew up by the coast and miss wandering about on beaches so flipping much. It was magical, and we managed to travel about and do a lot more sightseeing than I expected. We've also finally realised that what we like best about travelling is Sampling Lovely Food, so we've decided to make finding interesting little eateries much more prominent in any future travel plans. We had used the Lodge of Travel for our base, but they woke us up on two mornings at the crack of sparrows with the fire alarm going off, plus for reasons totally known the temperature of the rooms were around 30*c (while outside it was 15*c?!), long story short is they've refunded two nights of our stay. :T

I did very well not spending, only bought myself two super cheap books in a charity shop (another Folio Society one! Very chuffed! I've almost finished reading it now, which is some sort of record for me - The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark, great little book. As an aside, the other one I found recently, An Enchanted April has also been done & dusted, and what a charming book that was, am going to have to search out more early 20th century classics methinks) and a zip up fleece-lined knitted hoodie. Forever to be known (and hopefully used) as my Cornwall In Cooler Weather Coat.

Saw some dreamy holiday cottages while we were out there so don't think it'll be long til I orchestrate an (off-season!) trip back. I rather fancy a week lolling about, writing and painting, playing on the beach... Hmmm.

Spending control then went totally out the window upon our return, as we went on that Harry Potter Studio Tour. Literally could have gone abroad for how much it cost to get there/ get in etc! £50 on transport alone, and that was with railcards. Dear heavens, it made me quite cross. Though it was fun to see everything and I'm sure in time I'll come to appreciate it more but I just found the cost frightfully shocking.

Also suddenly realised that I apparently mostly own rags for clothing - this has come about from doing more exercise (was so close to hitting 100k steps in a week until this blinking bug waaah!), and feeling a bit more slim and trim made me realise that everything was looking a bit too bobbled (oh yes, and my favourite cardigan has got a serious and mysterious hole in it, alas alas!), so, before hitting the shops I suddenly remembered that the Bay of E existed and that I should explore their realms first, so there are now three cardigans winging their way to me. Worth a shot if I end up with a few good ones for mere pennies. Need to do have another look at the state of my wardrobe and work out what other gaps need filled, odd ones keep appearing as the weather worsens and I realise summery things won't do for wintry things.

Oh, also bought some more plastic tubs to replace old broken ones in preparation for Epic Batch Booking Plans currently being hatched for autumn/winter. So many stews, so little time. :rotfl:

Am rereading Marie Kondo to help/reinforce my resolve with some of the issues mentioned above, I've got more space to tackle the project properly now so think I'll get going on that when winter properly sets in and the need to keep busy (and warm!) sets in.

Not sure there's much other money news, must get my spending diary and spreadsheets uptodate as they've been neglected for a week or so (first time in ages, so at least that's something). Obviously haven't quit job in a fit of despair, so that's the most money-saving activity of late. :rotfl:

Gosh, it's been tipping it down consistently here over the past couple of days, am quite glad it's happened while I've been at home and could make full use of the Netflix fire. This is probably why I've got so far through my stack of To Read books. Great British Bake Off AND Grand Designs tonight though! Heaven!

I'm so far behind with everyone's diaries again - just after I'd managed to almost catch up! I never feel quite right when I'm not popping in and out of here all the time, I'm sure the last couple weeks were just an anomaly and normal service can now resume! Hope everyone's doing well and hugs to all who need them xx

Can't leave off with out a...

:heartsmil Simple Pleasure: remembering to switch off the TV and snuggle up with a book; watching the robins and blackbirds dance around on the balcony as they pick up the raisins I'd scattered there (I'm removing them from my muesli each morning, lol); bargainous new wardrobe items (it's like finding treasure!); dreams of a seaside holiday (might even treat myself to a bucket and spade! :rotfl:)

Pearla*Merle

Feeling ever more human again today. Managed to totter about and do some laundry, tidying and even swept the duster about a bit.

:www: MFW Wonderment: £1.82 claimed from TCB (at last! Haven't spent anything for ages so never had anything to claim - good but also annoying?); 15p into the Kitty Bank; had leftover chicken lasagne for lunch today (can finally eat something other than soup and toast, a thousand huzzahs!); vaguely cleaned washing machine and am about to run it on a hot wash with hygiene powder to keep it in top notch condition. Oh, the second breast of chicken (we always use teeny amounts of meat in recipes these days) is going into a curry this evening.

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: the evening has become a little dark here, have lit a candle and cosied up with a blanket and new CS book (The Miniaturist).

:heartsmil Burrow Building: did a little sorting out of my bookcase yestereve - I used to always have a section where I kept my To Read books, so I've rejigged things and have got that going again. I also used to always try and read a chapter or so of a 'theme' book of the day i.e. Monday is spiritual/religion, Tuesday history/factual, Wednesday economics/factual, Thursday poetry/short story, Friday science, Saturday magazine/free relaxed choice, Sunday a coffee table style book/free choice. So I've got that going again, and all my books are waiting for me on my shelf This way I a) actually feel like I'm getting through some of my books b) life doesn't disappear down a rabbit hole and I manage to learn some new things in a methodical way c) it helps to break down reading certain books/subjects into more manageable chunks d) I seem to feel better when I have a 'school' timetable and each day has its own personality. Oh dear, maybe I should have been a teacher! :rotfl:

Pearla*Merle

Quite forgot until now about these replies

katep23 wrote: »

Went to see Wicked in London with some friends and was a bit dubious about the seats as they were designated for those 5'9" and over and I'm, well, not.

Spent the entire time sitting sideways as I couldn't sit with my knees in front of me due to a wall and I'm only 5'3" so how anyone 6" taller was supposed to cope I have no idea!!

Good grief, that's an alarming story! I get the feeling I'm going to have to start taking copious notes on seating in venues (tempting to bring opera glasses so I can scope the entire place out while I'm there :rotfl:). I've tried to research when I can (occasionally there's helpful blogs/sites about the seating by uber theatrical goers), but I've never yet found any source that's got an exhaustive amount of info on there (maybe that's a future project for me )

Forgot about elaborating on those future plans I hinted at, shall do that in a mo (if I can totally remember what Mr M & I discussed :rotfl:)

Pearla*Merle

misscousinitt wrote: »

Glad to see you back PM. Your last few weeks sound crazy.

I've finally got rid of a few carrier bags of clothes into the Marie curie clothes bank at my Mr T (been waiting for it to be emptied - bags had been in the back of the car for 4 weeks at least!)

Love reading your simple pleasures - makes me realise that small things can make you feel a whole lot better ☺

MCI

:wave: MCI, it's definitely the small things that can add up to make a happy life

Crikey on trailing those bags about for that long! The recycling/clothes banks around here are always chocka as well - you'd think they'd take the hint and empty them more often :think:

Pearla*Merle

So, those future ponderings.

They're probably not that different from things I've mentioned before, in fact maybe I've written about all this before but goodness knows I can't remember what I've warbled on about in the past. So, once again, to remind myself and feel a bit more settled on the matter of houseys, I offer up the below. (I find that rewriting lists/breaking things down over and over again helps things to sink in - poor you that has to read it over and over again!).


* Mr Merle is currently on fast-tracked payrises. His income is rising in instalments (roughly every six months until the end of 2016) by a significant proportion (basically about half my annual wage each time! :eek:). This means it is rather foolish for us to even think about house buying right now as obviously we'd be offered a larger mortgage with more money coming in.

* Mr M blocked out a kind of potential career progression map that he's likely to be looking at. Potentially, in another couple of years, he'd be looking at a further promotion, which means another significant salary jump (and again, more mortgage potential). The other factor is that he may change employer around, or shortly after, this time - which, given the nature of his work, would be extremely likely to involve moving to another area (although, it could just mean elsewhere in London, in which case where we are now is still a very affordable base but it makes much more sense to keep our options open).

* There's every chance that somewhere down the line it just makes more sense for Mr M to commute down for a few days a week - which opens up a whole swathe of the country for us to move to (several of his colleagues do this). However, I can't see him getting on with that at all (we're homebodies round here), which means...

* At the moment I'm managing to tuck away around £300-£500 a month. If I can get into this habit longterm, it means if we ever do buy a house in this area (going on average house price, expected mortgage amount, average sort of mortgage interest - obviously all totally ball park and imaginary), then I'd potentially be knocking off around £50k in interest and 7 years off the term. That's just with my money - Mr M would also contribute so no reason we couldn't potentially double that or more :dance:

* So I feel a lot more settled re: how we'd handle a big mortgage if were to take one on. It's just the timing of actually buying that's stretching far into the future, but I don't feel quite so angsty about that (it's hard not to - females tend to want to nest? ) now I know in more detail how Mr M sees his career going. I think I said before that there are plenty of nice houses around here to rent, so if we did end up with Mini Merles in the future we at least wouldn't be stuck in a flat. All money I can tuck away now just means a bigger deposit and I'm essentially "overpaying" in advance.

* It's just soooo hard not to want our own little place that we're actually marching on to fully owning (oh, and that I can decorate how I'd like!). But it's just a waiting game right now, and in the long run it will be really worth it. If worst comes to worse I'll just have to go and become an interior designer or buy a holiday beach hut/caravan that I can then rent out. :rotfl:


Basically - the biggest thing has been getting a clearer picture of how Mr M sees his job going. I think he had to be there a while to work out how much he liked the job/understand the lay of the land etc, and we're feeling more settled about all of that now, ergo happy days

I might have to write this up somewhere so I'll see it every day so it Actually Sinks In - in fact I might add it to my Life Folder - in fact, I might do that now.

apple_muncher

Cor! So exciting! And as MMM would say, your future self/selves will thank you for doing this.

Good luck PM and Mr PM xx

Pearla*Merle

Done.

In the spirit of getting one's Life In Order (and to do something to fight the nerves of watching the important tennis match which is currently playing in the background) I think a list of Things What Need Done is long overdue.

These are all the not-so-important-and-I'll-always-distract-myself-out-of-them bits and bobs that nonetheless I'd like to get done at some point over the next several weeks as they'd help life tick over a little more nicely.

• Self-employed work - sketch/draft/prep things to be completed by year end.
• Get hair cut (ignore fact it'll take half a day and significant sum of money to do so).
• Plant chilli seeds.
• Buy another plant pot (or two) for spring bulbs.
• Clean up balcony.
• Make most of online course and make time to engage in the conversation!
• Clean innards of washing machine more thoroughly.
• Buy meal worms/seeds for making fat balls for the birdies.
• Plan out some batch cooking sessions.
• Switch house insurance.
• Use train loyalty points before they expire.
• Post everything what needs posting!
• Meter readings, must get back into habit.
• Major clear out of inbox and unsubscribe session.
• Get to grips with spreadsheet of pressies/ideas for Mr M's xmas/bday.
• Apply for Wimbledon tickets next year.
• Try and get to ATP Tour Finals? Possible xmas pressie pour moi idea.
• Book Cornwallian dreamsome holiday cottage?
• Investigate other off-season trips (currently randomly fancy Bath, Norwich, Canterbury and Hastings* - so much to explore down here).
• Buy art fund pass (birthday gift) - but plan when so can make most of it.
• Give myself a pedicure, it's been on my list for several months lol, oops.
• Ponder what to get for parents next year (both have big birthdays).
• Handmade xmas pressies - do some knitting and making.
• Actually get out to knitting group which has been on my radar for a year?
• As above, but with writing group.
• Join library, even though I still have loads to read here.
• Autumn boat trips nearby - research and book?
• Reread Jane Austen's Letters.

*have been watching too much Foyle's War. :rotfl:

apple_muncher

Love the lists!

How many bookmarks do you have...? I don't imagine you are a page-corner-turner-downer!

Pearla*Merle

apple_muncher wrote: »

Love the lists!

How many bookmarks do you have...? I don't imagine you are a page-corner-turner-downer!

I'm certainly not. :rotfl: One of my charity finds had pages turned down, I didn't know whether to be enchanted that I knew how much the last owner manged to read at a time or furious that my book was besmirched!

So funny you should ask though, as I've declutter I've found bookmark after bookmark (and they weren't all train tickets, receipts or torn corners of junk mail!).

Though now I've put my pretty ones into action I've realised I could do with some more. I might start treating myself to the odd one on special days out (I have one from the Jane Austen House Museum - a reproduced book spine of a Victorian version of Pride & Prejudice, sounds weird but looks lovely!*). I do like a good useable souvenir, and at least these won't take up too much space.

*ETA: It's this one: http://pictures.abebooks.com/ARMCHAIRBOOKS/13956023728.jpg

PS. And thank you for your previous post! Missed that in amongst all my waffling