Help... It's time for change!!!

YoungBlueEyes

I've just discovered this thread, and it's been a lovely read
Happy birthday to you! :beer:

Hermanthetortoise

Try the Pink Whisk website Chocolate traybake it's easy and only needs a pan, no whisking etc. Yummy !:D

Sorry but not allowed to post a link

Hermanthetortoise

Ooh and try wattpad for books. It's a website for new authors and has some great reads.

nursemaggie

:bdaycake:Belated Happy Birthday Mint.

Mint1955

Wow new readers thank you xxx cake and books duly noted.

Well Christmas Eve was up early ish and tidied the main rooms of birthday clutter and left ready for guests etc then a trip to the gym which was unexpected as arrivals had been delayed until 3 and I did not have too much to do. Zumba was cancelled when we got there so we joined the body attack class. The instructor promised options for those not wishing high impact stuff. I managed well although a little red in the face and out of breath. Friend and I sat and had a coffee and a natter then I dropped her of and we had a glass of fizz with her OH and much improving Mum.

Back to mine and arrivals had again changed so a quick swipe of the bathrooms while OH hoovered through. I made a lasagne for the evening home made coleslaw and garlic bread.

More birthday bits from SD and we had a nice afternoon lazing and watching Skyfall later on. New boyfriend in tow meant we come Down the pecking order for attention though! SD is in entertainment and was just a little excited that a famous peer had contacted her direct on her journey to us and was talking future possible connection projects.

Preparations for Xmas day seemed to go ok and as no one got up I had a few hours to myself which was a bit annoying.

All up at eventually around 10 but then OH had to go and collect SS and then SD and boyfriend decided to go back upstairs and then came down to open their presents before DAd got back.

With turkey and ham cooking, mince pies done and veg sorted it's so frustrating when the first time you see anyone they say happy Christmas is there anything I can do to help? Even more when you ask for help and they say ok then forget. SS was a treasure when he arrived he seems to at least see what's not done and gets stuck in.

Present time when OH and SS came in and a glass of fizz restored my humour.

As mil and partner were not due until one and I planned dinner at 2.30 I thought we had loads of time but they arrived early so more presents and then a rush to get dinner underway.

Dinner was good but with elderly in laws who are eating less, one picky new boyfriend who is as thin as a rake we had loads left over.

Charades a board game and a Buffett tea and an uncle arrival took up the rest of the day.

Everyone still feels the need to question next years move. Suggestions that we are leaving everyone and what will they all do next Christmas wears a bit thin after a while but we didn't bite and told them all to put labels on anything they would like from the house. They didn't actually do it but interesting comments emerged from that conversation. Next Christmas will be no family and to be frank I can't wait as with friends I may get a rest.

Waffling now so to today.....
A walk this morning after chocolate croissants or bacon wraps, some Xmas tv I expect and a Buffett mid afternoon. We will take SS back later and SD and boyfriend leave tomorrow morning.

I hope you all had as good a day as you could and some kindness came your way in the madness of it all.

Mint1955

No walking no one got up until 1 so OH and I had choc croissants and then sat about like spare parts.

Buffet lunch for their breakfast but tough it was 2.30 by then.

Monsters inc for me and the kids are all out flying drones before it gets too dark.

I am now officially on strike and it's bacon wraps or fridge diving for whoever is hungry.

OH is taking SS home shortly so I may go have a lay down and leave young love on their own for a bit!!! It's getting wearing.

Mint1955

We did have a fun evening Boxing Day playing frustration and Jenga and a fun team game called break the safe accompanied by nibbles and drinks.

SD and boyfriend managed to get up earlier 27th packed and were away after bacon sandwiches by lunchtime.

OH and I drive to Bluewater for a mooch and spent some vouchers had a coffee and decided we really have had enough of the madness and commercialism and can't wait to drive on deserted roads, be welcomed with genuine affection when we go for a coffee or a meal, and walk for miles without meeting anyone just us enjoying the beautiful fresh air watching the changing light on the mountains and sea.

Three sleeps to go but before then the Tetris packing has to be done to maximise the luggage allowance we have managed to get as we have two BA business class flights which only cost us £51. So 136 kilo in the hold and two flight cases up to 23 kilo each ( but must be in the size for cabin bags) and two personal bags for use on the plane. We will each take our big walking jackets as loads go in the pockets and no one ever checks them lol.

Amongst the odd things going out are a set of wipers for the car and a new light fitting again for the car as ours has a small crack and it mists up. Spares are expensive out there. Our electric heated duvet which is going to be fab for the winter nights. Various tools for car and DIY that OH deems necessary. Posh dress and OH dinner suit etc for New Year's Eve 'red carpet themed party'. We only arrive at our place around 8/9 pm New Year's Eve so it's a quick check on the place, get changed and out to suprise our friends. We have told them we will pop in very late but will be in jeans and hoodies from travelling etc. Coffee refills for our mechanic as a present as he is always doing odd things for us and it's his treat. I will give you a laugh when more odd stuff gets packed as it always does but oddly it's isn't odd when we get it there. It must amazed the security at airports though the things we take with us on holiday.

So today we will comb each room and pick out things that we definately want to take and also the needs to take and put them in the spare room where the cases and boxes we have are ready for packing. Hopefully we will also start a freecycle and charity box again and get rid as we fill them.

As some stuff will potentially be breakable we have invested in some of the tough really easy crates which when ordered direct from staples and delivered to home each one comes in it's own cardboard outer and we have worked out two boxes taped and tied together is the size of one luggage allowance so it will be two large suitcases and four really easy 64litre crates going in the hold. This is going to be a fun few days as we both have different ideas about what is needed to go with us this time lol

We also have only just woken up as we went to local friends for a quiet few drinks but there is a picture of me with a turkey hat on drinking a lime green shot!!!!! Very late to bed as well.

We also before we go need to take down tree and decs tidy the whole place to leave agent ready for hopeful viewings while we are away. We need to sell quickly so we can invest the money to live of otherwise things could get tricky if we have to keep using the available savings as living money. Doable but easier if this works out as planned.

Budgets held up ok over Xmas no spending except milk since 23rd and will live out cupboards and fridge before we go and if time I will cook a few meals for our return etc.

We will take some of the sweets and goodies with us.

I do need to download some free books onto my kindle and iplayer some things to watch on the plane etc. Although I think BA have tv and we will also get fed and watered on business class which normally we go budget so this will be a luxury as will apparently we can go inthe special lounge at Heathrow. All a bit new to us so I will let you know if it was worth it lol
Ok tea first as I hear OH has put the kettle on.

Mint1955

Lost a post but not sure anyone's reading lol

Two crates are packed. Tree and decs down house cleaned and tidied so we are well on track for flying Wednesday morning.

We had a call early today with a viewer wanting to come at 2.30 today so that spurred us on to get straight.

Went to town after that for specific things and came back with just those and nothing else.

Sorting leftovers now and I have carrots corgettes white cabbage red cabbage onion potato and carrots can I make soup? If so how and I don't have a blender so not sure what to mash it down with etc.

Mint1955

Decided that some of the veg could be prepped and frozen to use in stews when we get back. We still have a fruit bowl full of fruit though and only today to eat it! Lunch out with friends so cheese and fruit for supper I guess.

While packing and having to say yes or no to every item in the house it really brings home how much money has been spent in the past. Whether ours or things gifted to us. Every DVD probably around a tenner all watched and only a handful chosen as keepers or in my case ones I asked for and are still in wrappers and not from this Christmas !!! Same with books I have many autobiographies chosen and not read but still want to read so I really need to knuckle down and get through some before sending them on their way.

Cds in their hundreds all the music is now on the cloud somewhere apparently lol

Kitchen cupboards full of special bowls and serving bits just in case but not seen the light of day from one century to another. Kept just in case. Now it's hard to let go but once done it's quite freeing.

We have managed to go through clothes and really clear out stuff just not worn and next it's bedding. All sizes of quilts with covers etc.

A puzzle yesterday how can we have lost 2 forks 1 spoon and 2teaspoons from a best set of cutlery that doesn't come out except at Christmas ?

Latest odd things to go in packing are a saw, some Christmas decorations, my good carving knife and fork and OH collection of shot glasses!

We still have one large suitcase and two flight bags to fill but that will be clothes and shoes and normal things.

Fingers crossed we get viewers who want to proceed while we are away and we can then really get ruthless and clear even more.

I use an app called money tracker which accounts for every penny in and out of this house and sat and looked at the yearly totals and breakdowns yesterday for 2014 against 2013 very interesting reading. It's all going to change in 2015 with the house sale and the move to Cyprus but I have already got a spreadsheet for living costs out there full time and know how my pots will work differently. We will have to be strict as not working we have to stick to budgets to maximise our money.

Freezing and white outside but time to start the day xx

nursemaggie

Hi Mint. Sorry have not read for a few days. I hope you soon get a buyer. I think you have already mentally moved.

Feeling very envious of your move now. You must wish you could just keep nipping from one to the other for sorting things.

Happy New Year to you both. I hope next year is all you want it to be.