Prosperous soul in the making

MovingForwards

It's up there with 'previously loved' (used), I'm giving The Big Lebowski a run for his money with living in my dressing gown and slipper socks 😂

It's only England who have really opened up lockdown. We are way behind and I don't think Wales have even thought about it. Hopefully the EA will get back to you soon. I think it is a good idea to view, that way you know if that is the type of place you want and could retire into or whether you want something more, slightly different, bigger, smaller etc. A good benchmark to go from.
Some of these properties are on the market for a while, not because there is anything wrong with them, or they are overpriced, but because they are just that little bit too far for some people.

Random thoughts are good, it allows you to have input into them and potentially mention something you haven't considered yet.

hugglemonster

Ooh all this talk of dream houses and my perfect would be a little wooden house in a big field with a river running at the bottom so we can paddle! Would be a nightmare to access schools though so not on the radar.

As always busy, busy, busy sounds like you're cracking on a pace in the garden.

H x

savingholmes

Thanks INOD, CMD, MF and Hugglemonster
Yes my ideal house is white, double fronted, with a wood burning stove, lots of rooms, some outbuildings a really big garden / acres and preferably up a hill and near the coast. I've found one that isn't next to the coast but ticks most of the other boxes. I think it would be affordable too and think lockdown has proved more can be done from a distance than people think. I therefore think I could keep my job and just travel 1 or 2 days per week for work and do the rest from home. Possibly gradually reducing my hours to do other things I want to do.

That said, I am really missing not going into the office at all and have been struggling to motivate myself recently for anything. I was doing great ironically in the good weather but not that good since the weather turned. I think I am less productive now I am trying to work full hours than I was earlier on. I don't know how to fix it. Nothing I am being given to do feels urgent which makes it harder to complete. I need to find a way through. I did talk to 4 colleagues today to move things along and get info but didn't 'produce' anything myself. 

In better news some new clothes were delivered today and I was really pleased with all but one of them which was faulty. I don't understand the queues to go in shops at all - why couldn't people wait or get it delivered? Weird! I got paid today which was also very nice and DH gets paid at the end of the week. My potatoes are starting to flower which is promising and one tomato plants flowers have turned to 'fruits'. I'm debating whether to plant another lot of potatoes for harvest later in the year. I have enough compost to start some off - and by the time they are ready to plant on I am likely to have more space. My lettuce tastes nice again - but I was put off yesterday slightly when I realised I had a snail on my plate as well as the leaves LOL. My original cucumber plant died - but two others seem to be doing okay. My cherries are nearly ready to pick. It's that debate of how long I risk the birds getting them before me and when do I just go for it. I also have some strawberries doing well in my hanging basket and am planning to eat one or two of those tonight. The exciting stuff of lockdown!

MovingForwards

You had me with wood burning stove! Sounds absolutely lovely and would allow you to do everything you want because of having the extra space.

Could you do compressed hours, that way you get a day off in the week or a long weekend, in a way freeing up time for you and your other interests. I understand the motivation side, especially when you're used to working to deadlines.

I'm pleased your clothes have arrived and hopefully the faulty one will get replaced or a refund. Perhaps those queuing want things to feel normal, either that or they really were that desperate to go shopping physically.

Do you have any spare net curtain to put over your fruit, it will stop the birds getting them; I've joined a few veg gardening groups and have picked up loads of tips.

It is exciting stuff, we are all learning new things, new skills and have the opportunity to think about what we want. While there are ups and downs, we never would have found the time to plan for the future if it was was like any other year. That's the one positive side to this.

Honeysucklelou2

It’s exciting to see the first fruits isn’t it? I was so enthusiastic in the greenhouse earlier on when I realised that the cucumber plant has 2 tiny tiny cucumbers on it. DS2 couldn’t quite grasp my  joy!!

Sounds good to take time to consider what you would want from a move.

savingholmes

Hi MF - I bought some insect netting but afterwards realised I have voile that would have done just as well. I just draped mine over and weighed it down with stones - just over the brassicas and lettuce.
HSL - first fruits are fab.I ate two gorgeous strawberries earlier from my hanging basket - they were ultra sweet. 
The storms are persisting here - quite an interesting light show and thunder right overhead. DH and I managed to take pooch for a walk earlier which was good. I also gave myself a treat of a Br1tv1c 55. I've booked Friday off to make it a short week. Just today was hard - I'm not getting in trouble or anything like that - it's just I've been working from home now for almost 5 months and I seem to have run out of steam.

I will let the company know about the faulty ite - it was via Am**** so sure it will work out. I've had 3 items from the same person 2 were fine - 1 wasn't. Still glad of the other 2 though and worst case I would sew up the gap. Can't complain too much at £10-12 per dress including postage. I got a sumptuously soft bra today - and the difference is amazing that was from Marks.

MovingForwards

You would have had a mini break by now, which isn't helping with how you feel. It's one thing having time off or working shorter hours, but without an escape there is no real relax or unwind. Plus your leg has taken months to get to how it is now.

Nothing beats a freshly picked strawberry for taste.

A will sort you out as the sellers are usually on the ball with resolving issues. 

savingholmes

Some lavender plants came yesterday - literally 24 finger width plants in the tiniest plugs going! Oh well it was only £6. I've potted some more  on today and potted on some celery, tomatoes and perpetual spinach. I am hoping when I pull up the potatoes that I can then plant some of the plants there. Wondering what else to plant. My leeks are still really thin but some are 10cm or more tall. My broccoli and cauliflowers are about 20-30cm tall now so pleased with them. The strawberry runners I got through the post a few weeks ago still haven't sprouted above ground which is disappointing. I don't think I would buy them like that again. My marigolds are about to flower thought that I've grown from seed.

We've had thunder and lightning here again today. It's a good job DH was working from home today as the roof fell in on the office where he would normally work due to the weather! DD is doing an amazing job with the decorating but is exceptionally slow. She seems to have given up on her college work for now which is a shame. She has earned back the imxport tax we had to pay on her clothes - so from here on out she is earning real money which I think is giving her some hope and structure as there are things she wants to buy.... clothes... makeup,,, the usual. She interrupts me repeatedly throughout the day but then when I am free in the evening is more likely to leave me alone.... I don't get it....

DS has a critical deadline at the end of the week. Really hoping he hits it as if he doesn't he is waving goodbye to about £4K. He seems to be behind on it though so am doing my best not to worry but can't quite help it. I managed to submit a piece of work today that had been hanging over me so I felt a bit better afterwards. I am hoping it will help me get other things done that are on my list. I took more official breaks today but worked later to finish the task so that worked in the end. I used to do that before when I was in the office - work until say 7pm so I finished it and so there was less pressure on the following day.

My parasol has come which was great but still waiting for the base. I've picked a few more cherries off my tree although they are still red as I've seen the birds eating them and I am determined to get some more myself this year. Quite a few apples are dropping off my tree. Hope that I keep enough on the tree to mature fully. I may try planting some more carrots. Need to find them first LOL.

DancingInTheRain

Eek to your DH's office roof, thank goodness he was working from home!
Well done on getting the work task done.
Hope your DS managed to hit his deadline & that DD gets her college mojo back, great that she's doing a good job on the decorating however slow 🙂
Your garden just sounds fabulous at the moment!

MovingForwards

Have you got runner beans, root veg and herbs on the go? I'm sure you mentioned in your diary where you had found seeds or put them (garage springs to mind).
Put the net over your cherry's to protect them. The fallen apples add to compost, maybe core them if a few test ones have seeds to avoid an orchard!

My goodness that's some whether you are having, I'm glad everyone is ok. 
Maybe DD isn't inspired with the college work, especially as she isn't getting face-to-face lessons, at least she has transferred her time to helping paint. My OH yaks all day while I'm trying to work, mouths conversations when I'm in meetings and quietens down when I've finished too!
DD will pull it out the bag, didn't he do the same with the last one?
It is recommended to have more breaks when working from home, don't feel bad about it.

I hope you have a better day tomorrow.