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Tales from The Shire
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themadvix said:Sorry to hear that about Mr F's job Fortune, but you're right, I'm sure. All your efforts to manage the budget/overpay mean you'll be in the best place to weather the storm should it arrive.Cornish_mum said:Hare is my favourite I like muted colours though. I think they are lovely. Have you thought about slate coasters and place-mats?Cornish_mum said:Sorry about MrF job, it’s tough currently - we are worried too; esp about my role. Thank goodness for MSE though.PurpleFairy26 said:Sorry to hear about uncertainty around Mr F job. I think often that is worse than knowing either way.Thanks for think recipe links. I’ve a turnip turning up in my veg box tomorrow so that might just be Saturday nights tea sorted!Would you post the slates? I would definitely be interested in buying the hare and paying postage if you were. Even if you don’t want to go to PO just now with the current situation, that would be fine for me as I’m not in a rush for it. Appreciate it’s an extra layer of hassle so no issue if you only want to sell them through the annex.
Fortune x
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6623005/happy-days-in-our-golden-years/p1?new=1
Working at Living3 -
Hi Fortune, we're in the same boat as you (well almost I'm not as talented as you - love the slate boards) the hubbster's job is looking uncertain and its the uncertain I find difficult to handle. Sending positive thoughts to you both
CRx
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the_cross_rabbit said:Hi Fortune, we're in the same boat as you (well almost I'm not as talented as you - love the slate boards) the hubbster's job is looking uncertain and its the uncertain I find difficult to handle. Sending positive thoughts to you both
CRx
I hope everything works out for you. Sending positive thoughts your way too.
Fortune x
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6623005/happy-days-in-our-golden-years/p1?new=1
Working at Living7 -
It's raining, it's pouring
Rain and gales are forecast in the Shire today so we've been out and battened down the hatches this morning. Mr F put some supports up for the broad beans which had got quite tall without me noticing 😮 I took a tour of the garden and made sure everything that might blow away was pinned down. I'm hoping the windows don't leak too much 😟
We have worked our way through the leftover Fish Curry and Coddle Hotpot, there's just a small portion of Hotpot left which I'll warm up for our lunch today. Also made Fish Finger Wraps with Cheat's Tartare Sauce for lunch yesterday.
I had a surprise visit from a friend on Thursday. So lovely to see her. I managed social distancing well except for one instance where I completely forgot myself and found I was standing much too close 😮 As we were outside and I know we've both been extremely careful for the last 3 months I think there is very little risk but I was shocked at how easy it was to just forget for a moment. So nice to have some female company and it was a good excuse to hunt through the freezer for the last of the cake 😁
The veg garden really needs weeding (again) but there's no chance of that today - indoors activities only. My art supplies arrived yesterday so I'll be able to experiment with stringing the chalk boards. If I get bored there's always the ironing pile 😆
Hope you all have a relaxing weekend.
Fortune x
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6623005/happy-days-in-our-golden-years/p1?new=1
Working at Living9 -
Heaven forbid you get bored!🤣😁4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)New projection - 14 YEARS 8 MONTHS LEFT OF 20 YEARS (reduced by 16 mths)Psst...I may have started a diary!6
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rtandon27 said:Heaven forbid you get bored!🤣😁
Fortune xhttps://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6623005/happy-days-in-our-golden-years/p1?new=1
Working at Living3 -
Fortune_Smiles said:rtandon27 said:Heaven forbid you get bored!🤣😁
Fortune x
(I'm currently avoiding the bed linen & cotton masks - lol - might get done this weekend in front of a good movie!)4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)New projection - 14 YEARS 8 MONTHS LEFT OF 20 YEARS (reduced by 16 mths)Psst...I may have started a diary!3 -
Same old, same old
It's very dull now the weather has turned. I have plenty to be getting on with but little motivation for getting on with it 😆 Although I am sticking to the plan each day and making progress despite myself.
I've been getting out into the garden when I can and getting chores done in the house when I can't. A couple of video calls have been cancelled by the hosts for one reason or another but we did get to speak to the boys at the weekend and I've joined my writing group and girlie group this week.
The meal plan has been completely re-jigged for this week as I've found myself with more veg than I’d planned. The freezer is pretty full still so it's been a matter of using things up. We've had Tomato & Curd Cheese Tart with salad, Blue Cheese Gnocchi, Carrot Ginger & Turmeric Soup, One-pan Salmon with Roast Asparagus, Spicy Mushroom & Broccoli Noodles and Cod & Spinach Yellow Curry. There's some of the curry left over for supper tonight but I'm going to add a green chilli to it as it definitely needed a bit more bite.I’ve been getting my general diet back on track. I’ve not put that much weight on during lockdown but have been feeling below par due to eating more sugar than normal and drinking coffee. I’ve felt so much better as a result of cutting those and have lost a few pounds too.
Mr F and I received a gift of some bluetooth headphones each - a present from DS2 and DiL who works for the company that supplies them and gets a hefty discount 😁 Just what I needed as the microphone in my laptop is pants and people find it hard to hear me.DS2 has been advised that his role is likely to be made redundant. He has a meeting with his employer this week to start the process. I’m pleased that social distancing has been lifted a little for those living alone. DS1 has been struggling recently and I’m hoping will bubble with his brother so they can support each other. I've invited them both down for Father's Day to surprise Mr F (dependent on weather though).
The ironing has been procrastinated about long enough so I'm intending to get on with that this afternoon. Definately can't use gardening as an excuse - it's raining cats and dogs out there.
Take care all
Fortune x
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6623005/happy-days-in-our-golden-years/p1?new=1
Working at Living11 -
All Gravy
We've had largely good news since my last post:- Mr F has been told that the payment of his delayed bonus is being brought forward to June pay day 😁 His employer is also reviewing the payment date for his delayed pay rise 😁
- DS2 has had a meeting with his employer and it looks as though there will be a restructure and his job title may change but not his pay. I think this is likely to translate into a demotion and more work for the same money but at least he will have a job
- Mr F has also had discussions about a possible restructure affecting his role. It's being implied that this could be a positive step for him but we definitely won't be counting any chickens as things can change very rapidly in the current climate.
I feel confident that we can go ahead with the window replacements now though. We have talked about restarting mortage OPs but I think I'll leave that a little longer. We can always make a lump sum payment later to catch up and I'd rather have the cash in the bank at the moment until the risk of a second (or even third) wave of the virus has passed.
Operation 'Eat All The Food' continues. I've cancelled my veg box for this week as we still have plenty of fresh produce in the fridge. I can hear some of the veg in the garden shouting "I'm ready!" so will include those in the meal plan for the week. Lettuce, chard, spinach and cavolo nero may be featuring heavily on the menu plan 😁 I'm running down some of the fridge contents too as I'm not having any trouble getting a supermarket delivery now. Anyone with a glut of chard or similar might want to consider Chard, Onion and Goat's Cheese Tart - although next time I make it I'm going to use a puff pastry sheet. Also Breakfast Burrito.
This heavy rain is just what the garden needs right now but, boy, the weeds are taking advantage. I'm struggling to keep on top of weeding and Mr F has been called in to help. We paid a quick visit to the garden centre and bought some woodchip to put down around the raspberries which should help. We needed some canes to put up netting over the blackcurrants but there were none to be had. When we asked we were told that "Canes are the new toilet roll".... 😮😳😆 We did manage to get compost and fertilizer though. This was the first time we had been inside somewhere other than our own home since mid-March. There was hand santiser by the trolleys and at the Centre entrance. A guy on the door was checking customers had used it and letting us know it was card payment only. It was quiet inside and people were respecting the 2m rule (except from the guy on the door who was trying to help us keep all our bags on the trolley but coming too close in the process). Plastic screens were up at the checkouts. I wore a mask but found it very difficult as my glasses kept steaming up. However, all in all, it was a stress free experience and I would be happy to pop along there on a week day to have a browse. Garden centre shopping does add up though and we spent quite a bit in the end. The only items I would consider weren't essential were two lavender plants I'd been planning to plug some spaces in the large flower bed.
I've also had to buy things for FDawg - a new crate bed (waterproofing on the old one has perished and is shedding all over the place), a travel mat for the car boot (we have a longish journey to do this weeked and he currently only has a towel which slips about in the back), a new chew (the old one is now too small and a choking hazard), a car restraint (required now due to legislation) and a new water bottle as the old one has started leaking.
Plus my washing up bowl developed a hole and a small (and very useful) spatula has disappeared. It's been an expensive week so far and it's only Tuesday 😆
Our invite to the boys to come down for Father's Day was returned with an invite to DS1's new house. We have accepted and are looking forward to a day out and a bbq. We have been instructed not to bring anything and I've been asked for vegetarian bbq ideas so it looks like DS1 is thinking of everything. We'll have to stay outside of course but it will be so lovely to have a social. Even FDawg is invited as DS1 has a large, enclosed garden. I'm so excited!
Hope your week is off to a good start too.
Fortune x
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6623005/happy-days-in-our-golden-years/p1?new=1
Working at Living12 -
What a lovely post Fortune - good to hear you so upbeat! xx4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)New projection - 14 YEARS 8 MONTHS LEFT OF 20 YEARS (reduced by 16 mths)Psst...I may have started a diary!7
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