Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

phoebe1989seb

Hope everyone had a good weekend/past few days!

We had the best champagne moment of all at the weekend - we headed across the border into England at last to visit DS, his partner and our GD who was two on the 8th  They'd just returned from a cottage holiday in the New Forest with friends/their DC, so this was our first opportunity to visit bearing birthday gifts (apart from the one we sent ahead of her birthday/holiday), since travel restrictions between Wales and England were eased.

We were so excited as it had been 6+ months since we'd last seen them. Last time he stayed with us, DS coveted our huge ferns and as he's been designing the garden at their new house we took him one.....as well as a few other goodies including homemade raspberry chocolate brownies, homegrown veg and some perennials I'd grown from seed. 

We had a super time - the weather was warm and sunny, the food was delicious, DG (who has got so tall and is stringing loooong sentences together) loved her presents and seeing them all was the boost we desperately needed! They're making massive progress with their house renovations and we were able to exchange decorating/gardening tips/ideas - we have very similar tastes/decor styles and, imho, it's so much better discussing these things in person.....

We returned refreshed and uplifted, helped by a change for the better in the weather here while we were gone. Since getting back I've been moving some plants about and planting a few others, whilst watching the squirrels high up in the old apple tree munching on the tiny apples before discarding them onto the terrace below...... which equates to *any excuse not to tackle the rampant weeds* lol!

In our absence, more flowers have opened, of which I've added a few pics below. Most excitingly, the first of the David Austin bare root roses (Morning Mist) has its first blossom! Six out of the seven bare root roses we recently purchased have buds - we'll definitely be buying more that way as the saving (approximately £50 across the seven) was undeniably champagne worthy 

This afternoon I've started playing around with the covered seating area in our walled courtyard - which I'm planning to make into a more permanent outdoor dining area. We have a 7'+ dining table I need to somehow squeeze in plus of course those freebie cabinets when I've painted them.....

Rosa Morning Mist.....

Shocking pink veronica.....
Exotic Eucomis (the bulbs were a gift from the ladies at our local nursery as a thank you for our continued support!).....

Bubblesmum

What lovely pictures to end the day with....

carolbee

Seating area sounds lovely Phoebe, glad you were able to see your family. Beautiful photos of lovely flowers too

phoebe1989seb

carolbee said:

Seating area sounds lovely Phoebe, glad you were able to see your family. Beautiful photos of lovely flowers too

Thank you both 

Carol, it was wonderful, yes....and now that we can move freely again we're already planning another trip as it's DS's birthday towards the end of next month 

Will post a pic of the outdoor dining area when its done!

helensbiggestfan

Gorgeous  garden piccies as always Phoebe.  

Hello my lovely friends..

Well champagne moments are a bit few and far between at the moment, 😞.  Never mind you can't have the ups without the downs. Life can't always be sunshine and lollipops, you need the lows to appreciate the highs.  

Not feeling too great today, lack of sleep, got killer backache and it's chucking down with rain. Was awake half the night again and I'm shattered .....so I've gone back to bed. 😂  hopefully have a nap and sleep it off.  

I think my big problem at the moment is it's that time of year again......coming up to the anniversary of my husbands death.  I usually dip a bit but this year the dip is deeper and longer.  I'm blaming lockdown.  (And the weather😉). Usually when I feel like this I have a mooch round the Chazzers And maybe go out for lunch but I really face it.  Shopping And eating out just isn't fun anymore. Still looking at it positively, if I don't shop then I don't spend money.  😂🤣. 

One good thing this week, rejigged my gas and leccy......managed  to save £14 a month.  Just got to tackle The broadband next.  

Started my chiro in earnest......it's going to be a long job. Hey ho......slow but sure.  

Other than that, no real news....Except to say put myself on the scales. 😱.   All I can say is "Oh dear". 

So.....it's back on the WW. 

Sorry if it's all a bit woe is me today......normal service will be resumed ASAP. 

mrs_slapshot

LL - sorry you're feeling down at the moment - maybe as well as approaching the anniversary of your husband passing, the chiro is having a physical effect on your whole body? As well as the weather playing it's part. Lack of sleep is another killer - I hope you wake from your nap feeling refreshed and better. I know when I feel exhausted it affects my whole day. And never mind about the scales - they are only one part of the story. If you want to lose weight you have done it before and you know you can do it again. 'You got this' as the Americans would say 

Quite exciting news from me - had a viewing on Weds which was positive - the lady is concerned about how close I am to the main road, and is viewing another property today, but was really positive about the condition of the house (and her teenage daughter loved it!). Had three other viewings this morning - and an offer! At £240k it's £10k below asking price but I'm hopeful the agent can negotiate that up. They are in a good position, they've relocated here and love the position of the house as it's five mins from the train station which they need for work. And after viewing 8 properties, I saw one today which I loved. It was before I'd had my offer, and I was gutted when the agent said they'd already had offers (it only went on the market on Weds!), but I called them as soon as I had an offer and they are calling me on Monday to go through the financials. Fingers crossed. The market is moving so quickly here!! Feeling emotionally drained, but at least I don't have to do any more housework this weekend! 

Wednesday2000

mrs_slapshot said:

Had three other viewings this morning - and an offer! At £240k it's £10k below asking price but I'm hopeful the agent can negotiate that up. They are in a good position, they've relocated here and love the position of the house as it's five mins from the train station which they need for work. And after viewing 8 properties, I saw one today which I loved. It was before I'd had my offer, and I was gutted when the agent said they'd already had offers (it only went on the market on Weds!), but I called them as soon as I had an offer and they are calling me on Monday to go through the financials. Fingers crossed. The market is moving so quickly here!! Feeling emotionally drained, but at least I don't have to do any more housework this weekend! 

Wow, great news!

phoebe1989seb

Sorry to hear you're feeling low, LL, but it's perfectly understandable what with the anniversary approaching and all the additional issues this year. Hope a good sleep will refresh you somewhat.......

Brilliant news, mrs_s! Well done and fingers crossed it all works out for you!

Bit cheesed off here at the moment - our joiner who had promised to have our accoya windows made by the end of July (having had our £3500 deposit since last September!) had gone AWOL again. He finally contacted me yesterday to say he had a bad fall injuring his back two weeks ago and is having to see a chiropractor for a further 2-3 weeks. Obviously that's unfortunate and can't be helped, but we had specifically asked him to let us know of any further delays, so why he couldn't have told us this when it happened I don't know 

Anyway, am trying not to let it ruin my weekend! Some better news is that the Landy passed its MOT with no advisories this morning  Also, that DH is going to be working on the outside dining area tomorrow.....weather permitting 

helensbiggestfan

Didn't manage to fall asleep so got up and did some gardening...nothing exciting, only weeding.  Pleased to say that claybreaker stuff has worked really well.  Ordered some more to give it another go and do some other areas,  then hopefully I can start planting in September. Actually, I feel much better.  I think the fresh air and activity did me as much good as a sleep.  Hopefully it will also help me to sleep tonight.  

Re the weight gain.....my own stupid fault. 😂.  I've set myself a target of 23.5 lbs by Christmas.  That should be doable....healthy eating, move more.  I know I will feel better, less pressure on my knees for a start.  I have a wardrobe of lovely clothes just waiting. .I am sick of wearing the same three or four outfits but I refuse to buy any "fat" clothes. 😉.  

Mrs S.  Wow .....how exciting.  Keeping everything crossed for you.  

Phoebe.....how annoying about your windows. I'm having similar issues with my builder....he keeps promising me to come and do the outside work....nothing major, just bits and bobs. Luckily I haven't paid him anything. I don't want the hassle of trying to find someone else. He does do a good job.....when he shows up😂. But he's just not reliable,  luckily it's not holding me up as such, but it's a nuisance. It's been dragging on for months now.  

Good news about the MOT......it's nice when you dont need to spend.  

It's chucking down again so no more gardening today.  

Going to have dinner then curl up with a film....without evening munchies.  😱😂🤣.  

  

helensbiggestfan

Champagne moment...,

Just checked the garden......we have had two massive downpours today.  Normally the border that I have been working on would have been flooded.  It seems ok.  Looks like removing all the rubble (filled another bucket full yesterday) and breaking up the clay has helped with the drainage. Hopefully this time the new planting will stand a better chance of making it and it won't be death by drowning. 🤞🙏