From debt to freedom...

Cherryfudge

What a wonderful skyscape! I had a long walk yesterday - the cold was 'bracing' but the sun was lovely, and even a little bit warm, and I could see the Dales all dusted with snow under a clear blue sky. Lovely.

Honeysucklelou2

Snowdrops seen on our walk today.

Sun_Addict

Beautiful 😍

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge and SA.

Posted the picture and had intended to sit down and add a post but somehow got taken up with things here!  We had a lovely afternoon today. DD3 suggested a walk so off we went! About a mile away there are some small woods which we often do a circular walk around but I’ve never been convinced that DS3 would be able to do the full distance from home. DD3 thought it was worth a try so we walked to the woods, completed the circular route we usually do and walked back home. DS3 had no trouble and ran for much of the way. As readers will know, I love to use the public footpaths, so very little of the walk touched the lanes, but was mostly across fields. It was lovely to get to the entrance to the woods and for DS3 to suddenly realise where he was!  The high levels of rain were evident in the fast flow of a waterfall and on the path where the excess water had forged a route through the decaying leaves and left the slate path a gleaming grey. The temperature was dropping as we did the last part of the walk so we rewarded ourselves with a hot chocolate. The older DSs and DD2 had done a different walk with their dogs which has worn them out nicely!

Its been a productive day. I found a tester pot that I’d bought a couple of years ago. Happily it matched the colour in my bedroom and having washed the walls yesterday, I got busy painting the worst section. I was pleasantly surprised by how far the tester pot went but will need to get some more to do a second coat and to complete the room. I got the walls washed in the utility room, found the tiles that had been earmarked for the wall ( for the last 12 years!) and watched quite an informative video online about how to tackle tiling. I’ve never done it before but it’s only a splash back area around a sink so a maximum of 3 tiles high. I bought the tile spacers and adhesive last year but just haven’t had time to get to it. I realise I need to get a grout float to be able to do the job but will be worth getting it as I have the bathroom to tile, if I’m successful in the utility room!

savingholmes

Lovely snowdrops. Love your walk descriptions. Very vivid. Tiling sounds a challenge. If you don't have to cut any of the tiles for the utility that will make things easier

enthusiasticsaver

I love the snowdrops picture and as always the descriptions of your walks. I got given a walkers book on things to look out for and it talks about shapes of trees and different types of clouds etc. All the fields around here though are so muddy I am sticking to the pavements. I really miss my coastal walks but they are not really that local so can't do them at the moment. 

That window loan is almost gone so that is great. Am in awe of you home schooling 5. I help my DD home school her 5 year old while watching the toddler and that is hard enough. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH & ES.

Today has been more of a lazy day...in fact I must confess that I had a nap in the middle of the day. I think erratic sleep patterns over the last  few weeks had taken their toll.

Its been cold with heavy hail showers but no snow, much to DS3’s disappointment. DS3, the elderly lurcher and I managed a walk but it was half our usual distance. Still some fresh air and exercise is better than none.

On our return home, I made chicken cobbler for tea with chocolate upside down pudding to follow -  both ideal dishes for cold, wintery days.

I’ve done more wall prep this evening. This time it was the turn of the bathroom and chipping off old tile adhesive. A laborious task but necessary as I can’t see how I can tile on top unless it’s flat to start with. 

lucielle

Tea sounds delicious
L

savingholmes

Glad you took time for a nap. Well deserved

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Lucielle and SH.

Yesterday DD1 has an interview and starts a job tomorrow. After the huge disappointment she had over her study plans, it’s been good for her to have some encouraging and uplifting news and gives her the chance to earn a little bit while she’s figuring out what to do longer term.

I got home from work today to find some scary looking post. It turned out to be a letter from the A* telling me that I’d been charged for a car part, on their last visit, that should have been replaced free of charge, as it was under warranty. Consequently I can look forward to a cheque arriving in the next 3 weeks.🙂.