Put away your purse & become debt-averse

foxgloves

Kantankrus - Yes, the gig is part of their current 30-year anniversary tour. If they are playing anywhere near you, it's well worth seeing them.
Re Christmas prep. You've got plenty of time. It's the thinking time that really pays off, as it cuts out the aimless wandering around the shops trying to find gift inspiration for everyone on your list. I find that if I've got a good list of ideas, then it's possible to pick most of it up in not that many shopping trips.
F x

foxgloves

Well, I am popping in to say I haven't been washed away by the rain yet, despite the fact that it hasn't stopped raining for even a minute yet, since I got up at 6.15 this morning. I need to go down to the greenhouse to see how everything's doing in there, but that will be the only garden endeavour today, for sure.
I heard the postman squelch his way up our drive, followed by such a resounding 'dumpf' though our letter box of this morning's post, that I thought, surely it must at last be the billet doux I've been expecting from the solicitor for the past 11 weeks. But do you know what? It wasn't! Just like it wasn't on all the other days I've thought today might actually be the day.
So as planned, I've escalated things this morning with a letter in which I set out all the relevant dates/responses, etc, & why we no longer feel like valued clients. I know I do a good formal letter. They have produced results in the past & I'm hoping this one will too. I think the trick of getting the tone right is to set everything out succinctly so that it is difficult for the recipient to disagree with what you are saying, as well as a clear proposal regarding what you would like to happen as a resolution. Ah well, it's sent, I can only wait to see what transpires following its receipt.
I've booked my flu jab for tomorrow, mr F has one booked too from a different pharmacy (arranged via work, whereas I have to pay for mine) & as he has a day off, we are hoping to get the grocery shopping, cleaning & various other essentials out of the way just in case there is a sufficiently big break in the rain at the weekend for us at least to visit an NT or similar place for an autumn walk.
My letter has taken most of the morning, as I like to have my dates & facts absolutely correct & also needed to check something in the contract, but no matter, as apart from doing next week's meal plans & our grocery shopping list, I don't have any other jobs I need to do today. My meal plan for tonight was just one word - 'Salmon', which wasn't very helpful. Have decided to serve it with normandy potatoes which I haven't made for ages, but are nice on a chilly day with butter dotted on top & a sprinkle of nutmeg before they go in the oven.
Honestly, I do hope at least some of you are having a drier brighter day than here. It really doesn't feel as though it's even got properly light, & I shall be drawing the curtains again in about 4 hours! I love a bright cold winter day, but am less than impressed with day after day of dark grey sog.
Off to make some toast now. All situations are improved by the appearance of toast, aren't they?
Cheers all,
F xx

Humdinger1

Foxgloves,

I've read your diary from soup to nuts and am addicted to your philosophy, wit and writing style! Thanks so much.

May I add one small story about school cookery experiments? Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth (40+ years ago), I did domestic science once a week. It was always fraught, partly because life skills wasn't a term in use back then; many of the staff considered practical subjects as inferior to academic ones and I think that possibly rubbed off on the staff teaching them. Anyhow, one week I took in ingredients to make a shepherd's pie together with a lovely enamel pie dish. It was difficult to carry home as I couldn't keep it flat. Guess how long I left it it an unlocked cubby hole for? 6 weeks! It only came home when my mother threatened to call a public health inspector! It didn't smell off though, or look mummified though it did go straight in the bin.

Have subscribed and am cheering you on. Humdinger

foxgloves

Hello Humdinger & welcome,
Glad you have been enjoying my diary posts. Do feel welcome to chip in with comments. I enjoyed reading your tale of the ancient cottage pie being left to its own devices for weeks. You'd think it could have walked to the bin on its own by then, lol!
I remember all sorts of funny little things from cookery lessons, but at least we learned to cook properly back in the day. Much more of a lifeskill to be able to make a cottage pie than to design a sandwich wrapper.
There was a girl who joined our school half way through the 1st term of our first year. She hadn't done any cookery at her previous school so of course we all thought we were vastly superior during the practicals because by then, we'd cooked all of about three things! I can remember her having no idea how to crack an egg & I said you hit it as hard as you can on your wrist. I don't know why I said this, it just came into my head. But she did it & got in trouble from our very old fashioned teacher as she stood there with raw egg running up the sleeves of her uniform. She said "Foxgloves told me to do it" & the teacher said "Well if Foxgloves told you to go & stick your head in the fire, would you do it?"
It's funny how I can remember little school episodes in such detail.
Anyway, I'm glad your cottage pie didn't cause a public health emergency.
F

Blackcats

Kantankrus - Squeeze were fab and Heaven 17 were equally good. Their rendition of Temptation was brilliant. Lots of folk of a similar age to me dancing and singing all evening, then driving off in our sensible cars to our suburban homes. Where on earth has the last 40 years gone since Cool for Cats etc.
Back in the day we did learn some useful skills at school. I was never great in needlework but I can do running stitch, chain, blanket stitch, hemming etc which are all I need for repairs. We learned to make an apron, a pincushion and a "bag for girl's delicate things" (as described by the Nun who taught us).
Foxgloves I'm sure that you will have written a very, very good letter to the solicitors. I hope it gets a very prompt response.

foxgloves

Blackcats - It is looking as though my letter has already done the trick. Well, we shall soon see, won't we?
F x

foxgloves

Ring out the bells! Solicitor's letter finally arrived! Amazing what an assertive articulate letter to department heads can do isn't it?
I'm celebrating with a coffee & peanut butter rice cake. I know how to push the boat out, don't I?
F x

PurpleFairy26

foxgloves wrote: »

Ring out the bells! Solicitor's letter finally arrived! Amazing what an assertive articulate letter to department heads can do isn't it?
I'm celebrating with a coffee & peanut butter rice cake. I know how to push the boat out, don't I?
F x

Yeah :j:j:j:j

Glad you have some progress

Blackcats

Very happy for you. I shall pour a glass of New Zealand Sav Blanc as it's a special occasion. Cheers!

Kantankrus_Mare

Whoo Hooo!!:j:T_party_ At last! Well done you and your letter writing!!