Climbing the Mortgage Mountain step by step

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

We had a good productive weekend.  Started work on the conservatory, removed the old plasterboard, which was absolutely shot, just crumbled as we removed it and black mould on the backing paper which I suspected as there was a smell in there.  The wall beneath wasn't in as good condition as we had hoped, not too bad it's solid and no signs of damp but needs a bit of remedial work before we can decorate.  So we've put a plan together and took a trip to Big Town DIY yesterday, managed to get everything we wanted for £100.  The good thing is that once done if we should get another leak we will see it, it won't be hidden behind plasterboard.

I made a lovely chicken pesto pasta dish last night using some of the homemade wild garlic and lemon pesto from the honesty stall, it was really nice.

DS and his family had a big day yesterday, 7 hour round trip to get their dream dog, they were all very excited, especially the 2 girls.  Pup is 14 weeks old and very cute, they are all smitten.

Busy but short week ahead of me so I'd better crack on, have a great day all

MvTMM

savingholmes

Good solution on replacing the plaster work. Hope it all goes to plan.

DS and the puppy!! Sounds full on. I remember that stage!!

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Sorry I haven't checked in for a while.  Had a short week last week, went to see Kaiser Chiefs with my best friend, they were fab.

Had family round on Saturday for my dad's birthday, was actually quite fun, I had been dreading it due to family dynamics!

DD went back to Uni on Sunday so DH and I have the house to ourselves again now

No MSE updates, just need to make a mileage claim for about £70.

Have a good evening

MvTMM

savingholmes

Concert sounds fun.

Enjoy your peace now DD has returned to her other home...

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi all

Well after a couple of acceptable days we are back to the rain here, are we ever going to get a spring?  Normally by now we would have had at least 1 or 2 bbqs or used the pizza oven but we haven't even finished prepping the garden, we still want to reseal the patio and pathways before putting the furniture back.

Payday next week and I've been looking at my budget for the next couple of months, May is looking fairly cheap, especially as I have a week on call, however June is looking fabulous but mega expensive, 2 concerts involving overnight stays, our anniversary at the place we got engaged and a long awaited trip on a paddlesteamer!  I have worked out what I can put aside from May to help cover June.

Now that DD has returned to Uni I am trying to use up some of the food we have in the cupboards and freezers, so much easier when it is just the 2 of us as we are not fussy eaters.  Saturday we had JPs with Tuna and sweetcorn before going out with friends to see a band, Sunday was pork loin wrapped in pate and puff pastry with dauphinoise potatoes and veg, last night nduja and spinach pasta and tonight chicken wraps with a chipotle mayonnaise.

We did splurge on some fruit trees yesterday to add to our mini orchard, we already have a very established plum in the garden and two potted cherry trees and a pomegranate bush as well as strawberries, gold and pink raspberries and blackberries.  Morrisons have fruit trees for £15 at the moment, there were various varieties of cherries, peach, pear and apricot to chose from.  Our garden is our little haven and there is nothing better than eating a ripe piece of fruit straight off of the tree.

We still haven't put the conservatory back together, next weekend is hopefully earmarked for that as the weather doesn't look too great.  We also need to get a couple of jobs done on my old car in order to sell it and free up that money, I'll pop it in the savings account as we want to redo some flooring etc.

Have a good day everyone

MvTMM

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Rain here again today! 

We had a nice treat last night, our friend that goes fishing had dropped off a lovely big trout so I cooked it en papillote with butter, blood orange and fresh tarragon, it was yummy!  Shopping night tonight, not a very long list, just topping up as we are still working our way through stocks.

I picked up DGD from school yesterday and, as the weather was nice, we each got a McF1urry and headed to a local play area, then took her home and spent some time with DS and the puppy   such a lovely respite after a manic day at work.

No other news here, have a good day

MvTMM

savingholmes

Good luck with all the DIY tasks - sounds like a lot.

Glad seeing DGD, DS and the puppy was positive and nurturing.

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Thank goodness it's Friday!!

@savingholmes, DIY never seems to end does it?  DH also said about the spare room, we were going to redecorate it about 18 months ago and then DS moved in!  I think we have some wallpaper for the headboard wall (left over from old house) and we have some paint in the garage so will just need our time and effort, plus we are going to look at a lovely wooden bed and mattress tomorrow, saw it on a buy and sell site.  The room is so small It won't need much else.  I've also asked our regular roofer to come and take a look at the flashing on the conservatory as DH is understandably reluctant to sort out the wall if we stand the chance of another leak.

Dad saw his cardiologist yesterday, they have decided that he needs a pacemaker, waiting list is only about 6 weeks, hopefully that will ease some of the issues he has been experiencing, I will try and get time off to take him to the Hospital.

Didn't go shopping last night, will do it tonight.

Have a good weekend all

MvTMM

savingholmes

Your redecoration plans sounds lovely. 

It's a relief that the waiting list for your Dad isn't longer. Hope it all goes well.

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

Hi All

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend, it was nice to see some sunshine!

We did some work in the garden, potted up the fruit trees we bought recently and bought some cheap plants from Lidl to brighten up the planters on the driveway.  We also bit the bullet and used some of our savings to order a composite shed (plastic but has a really good woodgrain effect) to replace the dilapidated greenhouse, can't wait to see the back of that!  That is the last major thing to do in the garden and I think it will make such a difference.

We haven't started on the spare room yet but have checked and we have some nice floral wallpaper, enough for the headboard wall and I have a bedspread that will go well so any duvet set can be hidden under that.  We have ordered a new white wood bed frame to replace the old faux leather one, only £100 and will match the white built in wardrobe and overbed unit, I think it will give a much fresher look.

Our roofer is hopefully coming out next weekend, so we will also be able to get the conservatory sorted then.

We did the shopping on Friday and had frozen pizzas when we got home. Saturday night we had a cheese and port night using some cheese we already had, including a lovely brie with a pecan mousse type filling.  Yesterday we had a lovely chicken roast and purposely did plenty so we can have the same tonight to make a nice easy dinner, there should be enough meat left for a curry later in the week.

Payday tomorrow, payrise has gone through so extra £100 but that will be eaten up by increases in Council Tax, Water and Gas/Electricity.  I've adjusted savings totals, there is an increase of £250 on last month, despite my concert etc, however I do need to pay for the shed and bed so that will mean savings total is down by £220 on last month.  We want to put laminate flooring in the lounge diner and the hallways through the house and replace the vinyl in the kitchen and both bathrooms so I'm trying to save as much as possible, I want to be able to do it without the savings pot dropping below £5000.  I would like to make an extra £195 payment to the mortgage this month, bring it below £109k but I think that might be stretching things a bit too much, will have a play around with the figures before I decide.

Have a good day

MvTMM