Mooloo's little tapestry of life, 2016

Savvy_sewing

Told Biggest I have a car. Did cross my mind to let them see it on FB but my friend said I shouldn't lower myself to their level.
Mind you I didn't tell the others.
I'm not very happy with my lot at the moment.

Today, I don't have to walk to work. I can choose to if I like. That option feels so good after a month without a car. Seems longer than that. But it was a month today.
Today one of my grandsons turns 1
Where has the year gone?
At work I noticed staff has started to say we have been there for two years now. ( well not quite. Opened 6 September, but that will be upon us sooner than we know it.)
Talk between us, is about what I will be doing at the end of my lease?
She is retiring again.
Will I continue and renew the lease?
Will I downsize and work from home again.
Will I have moved to far off climates or be planning it.
But now for me, with DGD coming home at the weekend, my thoughts are on trying to get the house refurbishment sorted out.
Get back into a routine with Mum. Hope DGD is happy to come home, and that her Mum does now realise it's not all treats and fun having her.
I have to take control again. Take action in making DGD happy and healthy and educated!
I am often asked if I would let her go and live permanantly with her Mum, and my reply is an emphatic no. I have missed her terribly, and rattling around at home alone is ok for a day or so, but everyday is I hope, not going to be on the agenda for a few years yet.
I was also asked what I would do about her if I did want to retire to warmer climates, and my reply is that I would have to apply to the courts to take her out of the country for more than a holiday.
Alas I think Mum would fight that one.
So unless I win the Post Code Lottery, the dreams will remain dreams.
Can I manifest the money? Erm that may take a little longer than the car did.
Time to crack on, I will be late for work at this rate.
Back to reality and the day.
Have a good one. Keep on keeping on.

ivyleaf

Mooloo wrote: »

I'm sitting in my Mums house ready to surprise her when she gets back. It will be a surprise as I only went and bought myself my shiny red sports car.
Taxed, Insured it, and drove it away today!
So it is a surprise.

Brilliant, Mooloo :T :j Enjoy!

Savvy_sewing

Long day.
Rewrote my letter to the council and delivered it this afternoon.
Seem to be struggling to pick up my pace at the moment. Permanantly tired since I got home. Managed to do 8 trousers and 3 dresses hems. Had a few fittings, and repaired a pair of jeans.
Then had a sewing lesson for the last hour.
After work I went to deliver DGS 4 his birthday card and present, had a quick cup of tea, nipped to my Mum to get her some biscuits and came home, dismantled the top bunk and rebuilt it in the other bedroom. Made it up with the new bedding, and changed the curtains. Been watching the olympics, but time to sleep now.

Savvy_sewing

For some reason I had a terrible night. The bed looks like a war zone now, all that tossing and turning. Fresh sheets etc tonight then!
The plan today is to start on the Roman blinds when staff comes in, and do hems etc before and after. The blinds need the big tables, so I can't hear people coming in the shop if I'm on the top floor.
I don't need to drive anywhere today, so the car is staying at home to save on fuel.
Yesterday I shopped around and found my car Insurance for £210.98
So I just paid it in full.
The road tax is on monthly DD.
So I can relax now, the car has a full tank, it's taxed, the new renewal paid for, (starts 18th). The next thing it will need is the Service and MOT in February. So hopefully I will have time to save for that.
If I have any energy this evening I want to empty the old wardrobe out of the big room, get help to take it away, and then staff can bring the new one from her garage, tomorrow.
Painting and papering will have to be fitted in at another time!
Time for my shower to wake me up, then make lunch to take to work to save me spending any money.

Savvy_sewing

Drove to work in the end! Running late, moaned at a car that blocked me in and made me even later.
Did the 9.30 fitting, plus 3 others before staff arrived. Did two hems, two trousers let out as much as possible. A zip in jeans, and an emergency Wedding related men's trousers that needed shortening ASAP as wedding was at lunchtime.
Cut out, and started the blinds.
The kit need cutting down, and the tapes still need to be seen on, but they are pinned on.
At 4.30 we were out of there, and I got home to Council sending threatening letters to pay up in full, no part payments accepted, or take me to court.
Broke down in tears of frustration this time. Got them on the phone, passed around to answer machines, so rang back and told operator I wanted a person, etc
Did get one finally, who is going to look into it Monday.
But I was so upset I was in tears!
Luckily staff turned up with her hubby, and side tracked me to dismantle old wardrobe, paint the walls, and get the new furniture into DGDs new room.
Just one wall to wallpaper tomorrow. They really are stars. Considering she is 69 and he is 72 I think!!
Time for a glass of wine!

Savvy_sewing

I Was on my own in the shop all day yesterday. I banked £80. Not much money coming on yet.
I did silly jobs. The little minimum charge, sewing that accumulated during the week. Doing lots of little things helps me to clear the back log faster.
It does mean that I'm not seeing the things in order that they come in, but it helps with the flow going out. Lots of little jobs then reduce the feeling of getting nowhere fast etc.
I did my white board, some 40 jobs to do. So I also did a daily planner for the week ahead.
I will already have to juggle it as some urgent curtains have been added to the mix.
So DGD will have to go to the holiday club for the full day when she's booked in.
I went to help Mum, but can't get her scooter to work.so a call out is needed.
My nephew arrived to fix her computer issues while I took her to Aldi shopping. She was amazed at the low prices.
Left her with my Nephew and came home to do my own things.
My potato plants are dying, so I dug up those that were not so good.
The first lot were riddled with insects, slugs and worms!!!
But the second plants were OK. Had them as potato wedges, cooked in olive oil, alongside some chicken, bacon and cheese. And the daily salad.
Today my friend is papering that wall, and I'm doing housework before DGD arrived back soon.
Just stopped for a cup of tea.

Savvy_sewing

DGD was home about 10 minutes after we had finished the bedroom!
We were invited to a BBQ at Biggests so we went there. My Ex Husband was there, my son, his gf and the baby. Well toddler now. Lots of the youngsters that used to play at ours when the kids were small. All with their own little children. Makes me feel old!
I'm home now, left them to it, as it was getting very noisy.
DGD and I are going to watch her DVD she brought home.
I hope I get an early night, I'm going to be busy tomorrow, and now need to factor getting DGD ready for holiday club as well.

Savvy_sewing

Right, I'm going to stop saying I'm planning an early night! My friend that we normally go out with on a Friday came by, and stopped quite a while so it was nearly 11pm before she left!
We are up, and getting ready for the day ahead.
Wonder if it goes anywhere near my plans.?
The credit card swap hasn't happened yet so the DD has taken £100 out for one card, which I had hoped would have been cleared. Not so sure whether that will mean I will be in credit, or that only the exact amount will transfer.
Time will tell.
Better get on.

Savvy_sewing

Bonus! DGD was up and ready without any arguements dispite a late night last night.
Got to work early, so was able to update my planner and white board.
First fitting arrived on time. 2nd fitting didn't turn up. 3rd on time.
Sewed all of the jobs on my planner, £174 worth done. Sold some ribbon, thread and a metre of fabric.
It was5.15 when I stopped.
A quick walk to Co-Op for fruit, yoghurt and ham etc. So I have things for the lunches etc.
Came home with the roof down. So thrilling.
Time for a cold lager, and my feet up while my meatballs are simmering.
DGD has been collected and gone to tea with the little boy who was here yesterday.
The council rang me back, the council tax and the housing team are now communicating. Yeah.
The council tax person said that she believed they( Housing benefit team) were looking at my claim again, and that she believes they are admitting there are errors.
So fingers crossed that the calculations cut my bills a bit further.
I should think they are not thrilled that they decided to mess me about. I think my facts and figures etc are giving them a headache.

Savvy_sewing

Not such a great day, but also not a bad one.
The first job was alterations on a man's Versace Suit. For his wedding. In Coral!!! Although I didn't have any problems with it, it just took me an hour longer than I had expected. Then it was up stairs to the workshop to finish the two Roman blinds.
No problems there either, but they also took me an extra hour. So this put me behind my planner. So I had to change the rest of the day around. I did have a nightmare with one jacket that needed the sleeves shortening, and gave up after one sleeve and did a few simple jobs. Re-elasticated a sheet.
Patched a pair of jeans and took in the lining on a dress that a lady needs for tomorrow.
Also a few unscheduled fittings. But I didn't stay late. We were out as soon as the last fitting was done.
I've spent the evening diary bashing, money focussing, and trying to see how on earth I can get my dreams back on track. Not that I have found the solution yet. But if anything, I have to remember that I have achieved quite a bit this week.
I have bought a car, taxed and insured it. ( insurance paid in full for the year). I have paid off one credit card with my savings for the car, and I have 0% transferred my car and the other cards balance. Although this does mean my debt has gone up by £541 it is now all on 0% so potentially saving myself 18% Apr on all my debt.
And until the council come back to me about my bills, I am still trying to build my savings pots for the future ( or to have to pay them).
Emergency Funds pot is now on £1,110
So the council tax can hopefully be met.
Then I will need to think about how I can rebuild the savings when the budget is now completely all accounted for?
Bitof MSE Magic.
£1 a day in my piggy bank.
EBay our surplus clutter.
Start planning Christmas and try to make it cash neutral.
I would like to say I would reserect my make a day, but after a day at work I'm not in the right frame of mind to start all over again.
Perhaps pick up on the Surveys in the evenings.

So I feel more positive now.