"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

Cheery_Daff

So sorry Redo, I hadn't realised. What a shock. Big hugs xxx

RosaBernicia

Ooh, do you mean you are cutting the lawn with a scythe?  I was just considering a training course here as mine is a mess and using the strimmer sends me into a huge asthma attack (to the point where I can't manage more than about 5 minutes).  There's a scything course nearby and I did wonder if it would be better as at least it wouldn't be sending the bits into a cloud.  Any pointers welcome. 

greenbee

It's a 'wildflower meadow' at the moment rather than a lawn! But it's possible to do the lawn - although I do mine with a battery mower. @Cheery_Daff knows more about it than me, and recommended a course - it was well worth it from my perspective as I've gone from it not being effective to cutting the small front bit of grass in a few hours. It takes longer than using a mower, but seems to be the best way to deal with messy long grass. And it's quite relaxing too. 

greenbee

Back at work today, so of course the sun is shining. 

I've cleared down my mailbox so now need to start responding to what's left. I've also filled up the bin with bits of loft board (still lots to go) and the last of the really manky carpet (still rolls of offcuts of not-manky stuff to go, but I might put them on FB) and put it out. And washed the new cat blankets (which the cats love, but they smell new which I hate) and put them on the line. 

Battery is full, water is heating. The battery did top up a bit last night (I probably should reduce the threshold now we have nice weather coming up again), so I'm now exporting. It would be nice to minimise import this week, even if there isn't enough sun after the peak period to mean I can export much at peak rate. Given that the sun is still shining I should probably set the DW off before I get back to work. 

greenbee

Have also paid my tax bill. Bank account is now empty so I need to chase the chimney sweep (or maybe not) as I haven't had a bill. And look at the quotes from the tree surgeon that have come through. But might save that till later. Trees will definitely need to be done by them, hedge planting I might do myself, although realistically I don't have the time. 

greenbee

Dental claim made and most of the costs being refunded which is nice, despite the hassle of getting the invoice in the format I needed!

Haven't dealt with the tree surgery quotes, which I must do this weekend.

Not yet caught up on work from a week off, but had a day working in London which was great but tiring.

Car has been serviced (must pay for that) while I was in London. 

Free electricity sessions have paid off - the 4th one was particularly good at £2.75 but I'm not sure I'll achieve that again! (It was a low day for solar generation and I was very organised!). 

My gardener/handyman is here today, so we've started the day checking the drains and septic tank. All the waste pipes were cleaned out just before I moved in but we didn't do the drains. Today we found that some were looking as if they've been blocked at some point and were running slow, and the drain from the kitchen under the patio was completely clogged with fat, bits of cement (from building work) and rubbish. So that has been cleared by hand (not mine!), and the handyman is now pressure-washing all the drains to make sure they are running clear. The septic tank seems to be operating OK, although it has a second chamber and a pump so we know the drainage field is probably clogged - at some point it will need replacing with a treatment plant, but there's a chance that the next tranche of house building in the area will result in the community development funds being used to get those of us still on septic tanks onto treatment plants - so while it works, I'm hanging on. Plus I have other things to spend money on!

Once the drains are cleared, we'll put some bleach into the inspection chambers, and I'll put bicarb and boiling water down the plug holes internally. I've already removed all the shower traps, fished out the hair, cleaned the holes and scrubbed the bits, which are now soaking in the utility room sink before going back in.

WIndows are open for some fresh air. It's dull and overcast, but not cold. Weekend weather isn't looking great, but I'm hoping I'll get a bit done in the garden. 

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, you are on a drainage mission, well done!

LadyWithAPlan

I continue to be both impressed and exhausted by all your to-do lists you getting through 

greenbee

There is so much still to do, and I've been sitting on the sofa with a cat procrastinating, so will have to get back to work shortly.

I do, however, need to make a list for this weekend, which will include making a decision on which lot of savings to release next, whether to pay a chunk off the mortgage or keep them all for work on the house, and committing to a new mortgage deal from November. 

I also realise that I am incredibly lucky to have help. My mum's cleaner and gardener/handyman agreed to come to me when I moved. Three hours a week from the first keeps the house under control (when I first moved she was coming in all her spare hours to help remove the vendors' dirt before I moved my stuff in) and on top of dirt created by trades/DIY. One day 3 weeks out of four from the latter has reduced the number of trades/contractors I need to get in and manage, and helped keep the garden vaguely under control - without him I'd have struggled to deal with all the blinds, curtain poles etc - and probably have kept putting the drain clearing off for at least another year or two!

greenbee

I've had a horrible sore throat for the last few days which has been progressively getting worse. Last night I was struggling to swallow/breathe, so slept badly until cat getting-up time, then dozed afterwards (until cat second-breakfast time) and finally managed to get up and have a shower around 11ish.

I also had a bath last night in the HUGE bath in the spare bathroom - I need to get on and sort the room out as it's still a bit empty and echoey, although nicer now decorated. When I was in there I discovered that the mirror demister was on. I have no clue how long it has been on for or how it was switched on. I think I'll have to ask my cleaner to check it when she's in there, and also label the switch more clearly.

When I did finally get up I got some stuff done in the garden - a section of grass scythed by the shed (which I didn't get round to painting), and some of the horrible apples picked up and shoved in the compost. Scythed grass is being stored in the gap between two hedges while we use up the compost that's ready and clear some space for making more. 

DW ran overnight on cheap rate (and I set the towel rail to dry the towels from my bath at 2am!), and I also topped up the battery overnight. I need to do some maths, as while on the current rate it's a no-brainer to charge overnight, export the day's generation, and discharge during peak rate (making sure to keep enough/use very little electricity to avoid actually importing during peak rate), I think it will be harder to work out when the rates change. 

I've got some washing ready to go in the WM on cheap rate so I can put it on the line in the morning when it shouldn't be raining. I need to get up at a sensible time so I can get either some weeding or shed painting done before the thunderstorms turn up. If it's reasonably dry and the storms are predicted for fairly late I should get the painting done and can then do the weeding (or clearing of the veg plot). I also need to do some cooking as I have unearthed some courgettes that are currently identifying as marrows, and there are aubergines, beans, and peppers in the fridge that need eating. There are also lots of tomatoes. And I need to sort out food for the week.

But for now the sofa calls - and GW on catch-up, and my book, and then a tidy-up and earlyish night (I hope!).