The Last Leg; 6 years later, debt free in 2021

Kakiste

Start a pop up nursery! (Cash in hand ) 

greensalad

That's what I'm thinking! When we have a house I'm going to need a huuuuge greenhouse.

greensalad

Spoke to the gardener today (LL pays for him!) and gave him two chilli plants, in exchange he's going to try and rustle me up some strawberry runners. Also gave me some tips on getting the best strawbs that he said someone he works for told him to get lovely big strawberries. So that'll be exciting!

Just been for my second run of C25K. I've been on a bit of a plateau with weightloss after losing a stone this year, can't get past the same stubborn number on the scale I just keep cycling through the same 3lbs. So hopefully starting running will not only help my general fitness but help push me back into weightloss!

greensalad

Wahoo! Managed to get a booking for my Mum's birthday!!

Her birthday is on Easter Sunday and we decided because the laws change a few days before that we would go for a walk somewhere fancy and have an outside picnic. I have always wanted to go to Painshill Park near us as it looks gorgeous and so went online yesterday only to find they were almost completely fully booked for timed entry and only had ONE ticket left on Easter Sunday. Nooooo.

I sent a grovelling email (don't ask don't get) asking if there was any likliehood of a cancellation. I knew they would have capacity above the ticket levels because they allow members in without booking, so thought it was worth asking. Laid it on thick and said I've barely seen my Mum (haven't we all) and it's her birthday on that exact day. They came back and authorised another ticket sale so I was able to get two!

So happy, going to be so nice to do something. Whatever the weather we'll have to deal with. I'm going to bake a cake and put a surprise afternoon tea on I think. Even if it is tea in mugs! I'll get OH to make some egg sandwiches (he makes egg mayo sooooo well) and I'll make a mini victoria sponge (we bought a mini cake tin for my own birthday) so I can load up the picnic basket with all our treats. Need to try and figure out if they have a good bench spot or if I need to take the rug (hopefully not). 

So exciting!

greensalad

Booked to go to our favourite pub for a garden lunch in May. I'm so excited! It's been so long! Last time we ate out was when the November lockdown ended, just before the Christmas remain-in-place started. Before that, it was August for OH's birthday! Eating out is probably one my favourite things (does it count as a hobby? haha) can't believe since all this craziness started we've only been out for dinner TWICE. 

Also might possibly go to a craft festival with my Mum in early May (bank holiday weekend) as hopefully that will be open and I can also maybe do a tomato plant drop for all my family in Kent around then. 

Fingers crossed we stay on track with all these dates.

greensalad

Think things are looking up for everyone, I've just had two August pet sitting bookings for the same week. £300! Going to be quite a shock having to get up and on my bicycle again to do them like the old days! Still good money (will be after our savings are complete so I guess I can consider this all furniture/moving money!)

Won't be surprised if I get a few more bookings soon too. A couple I sit for often have a caravan and usually go away a few times a year (they're retired) and at least once with their grandchildren. Although last time I sat for them I had a nightmare with the neighbour so maybe they're not fans of me anymore!

greensalad

Withdrew from our LISAs last week Well, I have done mine. Still waiting for OH's to come out. Means we're down £2k but I guess it was bonus money and we're going to be able to get a much bigger home so it's not too bad Knocked £1k off my signature number for my withdrawal, will do the other when OH's arrives.

Kakiste

Hi @greensalad. Hope you're OK. X

greensalad

Hey @Kakiste ! I wondered if you might notice me when I commented on your diary haha.

Dunno what happened, I just fell out of diarying. I think with paying off all my debt it didn't feel right posting here quite so much. I'm mainly finding myself in the house-buying board now that we are in the process of buying a house (blimey, can't believe that, after so many years in debt). But I should probably come back here really and keep updating to keep me on track!

Kakiste

It was exactly that something pinged in my brain and I realised I'd not seen you update your diary in ages. X