Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

Merlin's_Beard

Sounds like a productive time!

Blackcats

I'm glad your desk is assembled now. 

Well done on your weight loss.

savingholmes

Thanks @Merlin's_Beard

BIL was shocked at the deterioration in my stairs since he had a go at fixing them last year. He says he's going to try one more thing but if that doesn't work he reckons I need a new set to keep us all safe! Sounds expensive! I may try and get a professional joiner in and see if they can fix it or at least get a quote. They may have more experience in fixing stairs... If I had to replace it sounds like I might need Bldg Ctrl at £200!!! and it could easily cost £2K. Definitely need to explore other options.

I've potted up some of the bedding plants I bought - busy lizzies, pelargoniums, begonias. I ache now though (and did before and during too). May go to bed early.

I think this coming month I need to tame the garden and also start actively trying to declutter again. I had a potential FB sales today if I drop it off which I could. Only £5 but it all helps. Need to list more stuff! BIL says if I manage to declutter the garage he could potentially rig up a better light. He's slightly worried about the position of the current one. I have such a long way to go!! Need to focus on baby steps.

First job - try and clear all the stuff he cut down into garden bin over few weeks. The trunk bit I won't be able to do anything with but the rest hopefully I can  

savingholmes

Been awake for a while. I am delivering the FB sale tonight after SW - so hopefully get a fiver there. I then need to find some other items to list. 

BIL also took the bike rack out of the shed - so there's nothing except effort stopping me getting that shipshape and ready for use. Exciting. He suggested trying to list some of the chemicals I don't want on FB or 0li0 and see if someone will take them away for free. It's raining here today - really fine... 

I spent a lot this weekend. Kind of reluctant to put it on my spreadsheet! Grateful I get backpay in July so should work out okay. If I go to the service this week - then I'll have to cancel my counselling appointment - but I imagine I'll put that straight towards sis's fuel - but at least that would mean I don't blow my budget completely. It's a constant juggle although I am very grateful I have a buffer.

Need to try and read my elec meter today and submit a reading to BG. I may wait to the 30/6 actually as from 1/7 I am on a different fixed tariff which will be worse initially but better come October. I suppose I could do both in case I forget. I'm due another bill soon and I'd like it as accurate as possible.

Have a good day where you are.

savingholmes

I've done one load of washing and got it hung on the line. I did the meter reading. I am only in credit by pence - so elec currently costing £80 a month in summer - despite me using the line for my washing. DD is back though so I think that's increasing my usage especially as she recently said now she's paying towards utilities she intends to get her money's worth by using tumble dryer and oven as much as she wants. Roll eyes. In contrast I hardly every use the oven! From July I'm on a fixed rate for electricity so I need to pay £90+ pcm they reckon. Sad times.

Humdinger1

Is BIL - in the nicest possible way - a mad axe-man? Mind you, I'm a fine one to talk; I won a chainsaw in a raffle and had to climb the stage in full evening dress to accept it.  You are doing so brilliantly and I'm on tenterhooks for your PIP news love Humdinger xx 

MovingForwards

Team work makes huge inroads with DIY.
Double check about the stairs as like for like replacement is fine, swapping to something else is where BC come into it.

If DD thinks she's getting an all she can eat apportionment then charge her. You know how much you've been using, it won't be too hard to split.

Plants sound great and your garden is slowly transforming to how you want it.

Chrystal

I think it's time for a reality check for DD.   Apart from the fundamental cheek of saying that to you (where is her respect)  she needs to realise that the whole world has to cut down on energy use in order to keep the planet from destruction!  

Your worries and concerns seem to be of no interest to her, ie expectation of 100miles return trips for her benefit,  but she's now an adult, and it's time to realise that she's living in YOUR home by YOUR rules... XX

Merlin's_Beard

savingholmes said:

I've done one load of washing and got it hung on the line. I did the meter reading. I am only in credit by pence - so elec currently costing £80 a month in summer - despite me using the line for my washing. DD is back though so I think that's increasing my usage especially as she recently said now she's paying towards utilities she intends to get her money's worth by using tumble dryer and oven as much as she wants. Roll eyes. In contrast I hardly every use the oven! From July I'm on a fixed rate for electricity so I need to pay £90+ pcm they reckon. Sad times.

Then certainly fair for her to pay 100% of the cost increase that causes and I'd tell her that in advance....!

savingholmes

Humdinger1 said:

Is BIL - in the nicest possible way - a mad axe-man? Mind you, I'm a fine one to talk; I won a chainsaw in a raffle and had to climb the stage in full evening dress to accept it.  You are doing so brilliantly and I'm on tenterhooks for your PIP news love Humdinger xx 

Love that image - full evening dress and a chainsaw... horror flick anyone?

I too am on tenterhooks. Up to 6 more weeks - and that's if I don't have to appeal.

MF - I've just calculated my average energy use for the last few months. It is up slightly - but I think that's probably due to the oven now working again. So will need a conversation with her about the relative costs of different cooking methods. Doubt I'll get through though.

Chrystal said:

I think it's time for a reality check for DD.   Apart from the fundamental cheek of saying that to you (where is her respect)  she needs to realise that the whole world has to cut down on energy use in order to keep the planet from destruction!  

Your worries and concerns seem to be of no interest to her, ie expectation of 100miles return trips for her benefit,  but she's now an adult, and it's time to realise that she's living in YOUR home by YOUR rules... XX

@Crystal - I know you don't post often - but I love it when you do. It's lovely having people in my corner.

I mowed the lawn straight after work. It's so dry there was barely any grass / weeds to remove so didn't take long. Off to SW shortly. Will drop off FB sale and hopefully get a fiver. Then need to see what else I can list. I need to pick DD up in a bit from the station. She is coming home by train today which is a result but there were no changes so easier for her.