Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

badmemory said:

I can't believe Mr F is still being a pain!

I don't know how you are coping with all the stuff going on, I mean what can be so difficult?  Bad enough for you but those poor women & their families.  All I can do is wish you all the mental strength to deal with it. 

Have you been able to source some English as a foreign language classes for the lady who doesn't speak it or can that all be done on line now?

I don't think he'll ever stop being a pain BM 😆 It's not that I even expect better of him now, I just wish he'd stop making comments - he said "this country seems to help the wrong people" 😲 Even though he received help and support at his lowest ebb he'd still deny it to others.

I'm determined to stay strong for our guests - they don't need to see me stressed out, it will only add to their load and they've got so, so much to deal with as it is. My burdens are extremely light in comparison.

The mother and child in the party are being sponsored by someone else in the town so, that host, is concentrating on their support  I'm in touch with her and she's got everything in hand. It's been good to have some mutual support.

VintageHistorian said:

I too have noticed the "but what about helping people in the UK!?" lot very rarely help anyone, in the UK or otherwise.

Shame Uncle F is continuing to dig himself into a deeper hole but some people can't see past the end of their own nose, which they will promptly cut off the moment they want to spite someone else.

I think some people just like to make noise VH.

savingholmes said:

I hope the visa and travel arrangements can be sorted soon. I imagine they are quite desperate. It's a horrific situation. Well done for helping.

Fortunately our guests are not in immediate danger and we can keep them fed with a roof over their heads.  It's not the same for everyone though.  Some refugees are being thrown out of camps as they've been there too long leaving them to sleep on the streets or on the floor in some stranger's house 😢

I've never been so grateful for our lives here.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

jennystarpepper said:

VintageHistorian said:

I too have noticed the "but what about helping people in the UK!?" lot very rarely help anyone, in the UK or otherwise.

Shame Uncle F is continuing to dig himself into a deeper hole but some people can't see past the end of their own nose, which they will promptly cut off the moment they want to spite someone else.

Very true, I doubt these people even know what a food kitchen or homeless shelter looks like.

I'm not trying to point fingers at uncle 'F'... but just at the range of people who do not think.

jennystarpepper said:

It's an amazing thing you are doing , thank you for helping them. X

I think many people are avoiding the news which I can completely understand.  It's overwhelming, especially on top of the pandemic, and everyone needs to take care of their own mental health.  You can't pour from an empty pot after all.

Many of my friends thought that the Government was matching refugees with hosts and were appalled when I told them we're all having to connect via social media.  Many were also unaware of the delays in visa applications and the impact of that on refugees.

On the other hand, I am so proud of the British public for stepping up in this situation.  So many people want to help and in any way they can.  My friends and family have all offered to contribute.  It's inspiring.

Fortune x

beanielou

Hope things move on quickly xx

savingholmes

Glad you have the support of other hosts too and family.

beanielou

Hope things are moving on.

greent

Fingers crossed that you stay negative and that your ladies arrive safe and sound soon x

Cheery_Daff

Fortune! I have no idea what happened there - it appears I accidentally blocked you, or unsubscribed from your diary, or something, and no I've somehow found you again and it seems I've not seen anything since February! I do apologise! I thought you'd been keeping quiet 😂😂

You are doing excellent work matching up hosts and refugees. How awful these situations are. We have sent money but I don't feel in a position to host at the minute, so thank you to those of you who can xx

I've subscribed to your diary again now, I have no idea how I unsubscribed!

Fortune_Smiles

Milestone Reached 😁

Thank you all for your good wishes.  We are still waiting for two of the visas for our party, however, our MP is going to Westminster this week to personally talk to the Home Office to find out what the delay is.

In MS news we have reached a milestone 😁 Our mortgage deal ends on 3 August but we received a letter from the mortgage company to say we could take out a new agreement with them now without any penalty.  So, we have agreed a new 3 year fix on a good rate with no early replayment charges on the old mortgage or arrangement fees on the new.  We can also make a capital repayment now without any penalty even though the new mortgage won't come into effect until August.  Just waiting for the agreement letter to come through now so we can sign it and send it back.

Mr F also got his bonus this year and it was 37% more than expected 🥳.

The result of all this good fortune is:

• we will use our mortgage op savings to make a capital repayment.  I've cashed in some premium bonds to do this and it should reduce the outstanding amount to 35% of the original total 🎉🎉🎉
• our mortgage payment each month will be significantly reduced
• we can make overpayments of 10% of the oustanding balance each year starting on 1 January each year which we intend to do
• we will reduce our monthly overpayments by half.  This means we will still be making significant overpayments and will be 100% mortgage neutral at the end of the term.  But it will also free up some money to cover inflation related costs and allow us to enjoy life a bit more
• the emergency fund has been restored to the minimum level we are comfortable with.  I'm intending to increase this though.
• additional money has been ring-fenced for replacing the boiler when this is required, repairing the fences that blew down in the recent storms, restoring the annexe windows, any tax shortfall for this financial year and a couple of other smaller contingencies
• I can get the oil tank filled
• I've also put aside a little money for a couple of treats for Mr F and I and any additional costs we'll need to meet for our Ukrainian guests

Woohoo!!!

Everything has been plodding along on the financial front and now, suddenly, I feel as though huge progress has been made.  It can't have come at a better time either with costs increasing at every turn.  It also means we can host our Ukrainian guests without having to worry too much about funds.  They are really struggling with having to accept help but I've explained to them the concept of paying it forward and to think of it as borrowing help that they can pass on in the future when their circumstances allow.

Can't believe we have got this far in 5 years.

Hope everyone's having a good week.

Fortune x

beanielou

An amazing post on so so many levels.
So pleased for you.  x

themadvix

That's wonderful news Fortune - so many positives in there!