Get a grip woman!

Suffolk_lass

It was discussed, but DH was not comfortable and advice is not to use that compost on your vegetable garden. We don't have a separate compost bin for the flowers currently, but we are going to work through them and rebuild the pallet construction this winter so I am not ruling it out.

In money news, DH's penultimate pay packet arrived this morning (a relief) and I have been shopping (as you do). All the ice-cream freezers had malfunctioned and there was a big rescue mission going on in Morries.

Well, it will stop me cheating on my diet (started again Monday and lost 5lb so far)

beanielou

5 lbs lost is great.

Busy_Mee1

5 lb lost is brilliant. I need to get focussed again on weight and exercise. A random 3 lb has crept on over the last few weeks, which is due to a reduction in the amount of exercise I am getting and a bit of "s@d it" mode with the eating. I need to get a grip and intend starting "couch to 5 k" today to get me back into running. I always find that my weight loss is much better when I run.

Thanks for the composting toilet info. We had a touring caravan when the kids were young and used a portaloo and a cassette loo. Both worked well but I dread to think what chemicals were involved.

Suffolk_lass

The rapid weight loss stopped abruptly with a night out for tapas - sweet sangria on the table and lots of brown food and so many dishes containing things I am not eating until after my allergy clinic appointment in September (in case they were the allergy trigger) - My scales protested yesterday with 2.6lb gain, and no change this morning. Let us see what a day of ultra low calories does today.

Oh yes, and the van is back from the garage - a new cam belt (lots of labour), a mega service with all filters, fluids and brakes changed, and a section of the exhaust replaced. Net result just over a grand.

We went outside and sat in it for a couple of hours and talked over all the things we will do internally (including taking into account the advice from friends about reducing rattling and minimising weight) before using it:

• cleaning,
• replace sealant around washbasin and shower
• removing screws that are too long,
• removing old fittings that are perishing or not to our taste
• taking out and storing the curtains and carpets
• improving the housing of the slats under seats
• testing internal pipework
• listing what we need to kit it out and keep in the van
• listing kit we will take away with us but won't keep in it all the time
• a shopping list

Sadly we gave one of our old work-away apartment kits to a friend's daughter going to uni so we don't have so many duplicates so there was a bit more shopping than we hoped.

We also plan a habitation service and then (informed by that) we plan to get all the seams re-sealed to give it a few more years of being water and weather-proof - expensive but we think it will give us peace of mind and protect our investment.

While on our mega spend week we also went to look at outside buildings that are part of our hobby-room/small business/workshop free-up plans (apparently DH does not want the freezer in his workshop and thinks I should house my great grandfather's workbench in my hobby space) - small compromises.

We hit Sainsbugs and put through five transactions (another three will boost our nectar pot to a useable amount, using an offer). DH has half a dozen £4 T-shirts of reasonable quality and I have some PJs and a jumper that were each half-price, we also had tea in the cafe and hit the household section for light weight dry storage and a couple of pans.

Suffolk_lass

So much produce in the garden! Still got (more) courgettes to pick but I picked and pulled loads of veg and salads yesterday.

Going out to pull some weeds for an hour before dog walking now

beanielou

Enjoy the courgettes

Suffolk_lass

Well today I threw away the soap I received (several years ago!) from a friend (as part of a pack with hand-cream and gauntlet gloves) because IMHO my homemade soap is nicer for my hands.

Lessons learned for next time I make it (and I will) is to add lots more essential oils if I want the perfume to last. I have got lots if anyone wants to try before they make (guest soap size)

Suffolk_lass

I need to potter into town today to see if the Docs have sorted my holiday prescriptions (and leave enough time for a third attempt, if not!). While I am there I need a haircut and I will top up on milk and bowl fruit but we will stick with our homegrown veg and salads for other things. Getting close to hols too.

My back and bum ache after too long weeding yesterday (wretched creeping wood sorrel is everywhere)

beanielou

Enjoy your potter .

Karmacat

Good luck with the prescription and the wood sorrel!