So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

EssexHebridean

Ugh well hopefully your cold has gone the way of vampires at the first sign of the garlic!

themadvix

Thanks ladies.... it's at that coming and going stage - I vary between I've got something and 'what was I thinking, I'm fine'.

Freegle lady has been and job seems fairly straightforward. There's also plenty of support, so that's good. Should be about 5 minutes 3-4 times a day on my day of the week (in reality, on a Weds, I'll just keep on top of it - it'll be a nice distraction from work) and then one weekend in five. No stress though, which is good.

Just letting my phone get some charge and then I'll either head to allotment or to pick up parcel, or both... really I want to curl up with a book, but I should do something. I'll not do too much at the allotment if I go, just plant those leeks I think.

newgirly

My Son in Law worked in Apple HQ (until he who must not it be named took over and sacked most people, he waited a few weeks then left!) and it was a running family joke as there were so many perks there, free bar all day, if it was hot an ice cream stand for them, free massages, sports vouchers, the list goes on, plus as you say it’s was very forward thinking regarding working environment and also mental health, he was gutted when it was sold and everything a changed overnight. 

themadvix

I think you might be confusing Apple and Twitter NG! 😉 Although I imagine the corporate tech culture was similar. Mr MV didn’t see a lot of beanbags or slides, but he was impressed with the food. He does visit a start up sometimes that has a bar and a fancy chef - very tech start-up. Not sure how much these things really improve life though, unless work is your life?

rtandon27

Vix - I can vouch for the perks making an enormous difference when workdays are long! Free gym, cheap to free food and bar at cost make it easy to socialize which distracts from the high pressure environment.  Work is not my life but I love my job and can't even fathom what retirement would look like!

themadvix

Morning all,

Interesting RT - I think I'd just want to do my work and get home though! Glad it helps you though.

A busy few days one way and another. On Friday we had the day off and Mr MV went for a blacksmithing taster course for his wedding anniversary present (yes, it was back in June - we're a bit slow with these things!). He thoroughly enjoyed it and brought home a lovely bottle opener. We had a generally lovely day - while he was doing that I mooched around the charity shops in Mum's town with her. Found a dress suitable for Dad's wedding in November (although I may need shoes), some china plant saucers for the window sill and an unused mason jar - total cost £12. Went back to collect Mr MV and we sat round the corner from the smiths (it's at a farm) at the tap room for the brewery there - outside, glorious sunshine, no one else but us there - while he enjoyed a pint. We then went to a nearby waffle restaurant for lunch and enjoyed a stroll in the park before heading home via BnQ (lucky us). Our local taproom in the evening with BIL and SIL. Not a cheap day (for me), but lovely just to enjoy ourselves and relax.

Saturday I visited the allotment (planted garlic) and then we cracked on with the patio, but realised we hadn't got everything we needed. As we were meeting Mr MV's parents in Town for dinner, we decided against going back to BnQ then, but went up early and wandered around the City for a bit before meeting them. We took them out for dinner at a nice (but overpriced) restaurant for MIL's birthday present (her birthday was in April.... do you see a theme here?!). Mr MV paid and his Dad gave him some towards it. He should get a bit of Amex platinum credit towards it too. Nonetheless it was very expensive.

Sunday, back to BnQ and made good (albeit painful) progress with patio until late afternoon I realised we'd not got enough slabs (I think I'd thought this originally - maybe two years ago - but went with Mr MV's engineer-y calculations). Got as much done as we could and enjoyed a drink on the very-nearly-finished patio in the sunshine.

Lots of work on at the moment as well as trying to make the most of the sunshine - yesterday various projects for clients yesterday plus two loads of washing and dishwasher, bread baked and granola made for Mr MV (first attempt - recipe needs adjustments). More of the same today. It probably won't be a NSD as I'm hoping the hardware store will have Dylon to redye Mr MV's black t-shirts (he wears for work) and maybe some plumbing pipe (if they have it) as I need to make another tunnel at the allotment for my white-sprouting broccoli. Mr MV is taking his Dad's birthday present round tonight (birthday was last month - we're catching up!), so dinner will be relatively quick bean burgers with hg coleslaw, baby corn and potatoes as I have evening class.

MS things:
* Resisted takeaway on Sunday (we were shattered) and had a delicious homegrown stir fry instead
* Dinner last night used hg 'chunky' French beans - I wasn't sure if they might be a bit stringy, but they were fine
* MM surveys
* 1P surveys
* Bargainous dress and bits from CS
* Booked a Travelodge for our trip to Manchester in November. Mr MV wanted to stay somewhere nicer (this one in particular really needs doing up), but we've had an expensive month so far and at least this one is in a good location for the tram and has reasonable parking on-site. Still not cheap though - what happened to hotels for £40 a night?!
* Will cancel veg delivery this week - I don't think we need anything
* Lots of work

Gratitudes:
* Lovely time with in-laws on Friday and Saturday
* Patio is nearly finished - hooray!
* Went for a run this morning - left before sunrise and it was beautiful
* Have seen the grey wagtail again

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Work has become madly busy - random, occasional clients who I've not heard from in ages popping their heads up. Definitely not complaining, but it does make scheduling trickier when the work is not all coming from one or two main places. Also, I have to go to Cambridge tomorrow to get my Cambridge laptop sorted out. Not best pleased about this as it will effectively take up the whole day. I will get the train though and go after peak hours, so that will be cheaper than going for the whole day.

Had an exhausting but productive day yesterday - went for a run first thing (6.30am), did two loads of washing and in and away, mowed front and back lawns before the weather turns and popped to the allotment. More French beans and raspberries picked and there had been a delivery of woodchip, so shovelled some of that over the cardboard I'd put down around my fruit bushes. Also the garden waste bins had been emptied so I was able to fill one of those with stuff I'd already pulled out. All this on top of various bits of work for three clients. I was a bit of a zombie by evening class time! Dinner was bean burgers, with hg baby corn and hg coleslaw (of which there is plenty left).

Today, lots of work happening and I have a Cambridge meeting at 11. Have already got yoghurt fermenting in the airing cupboard though and want to make some lasagne sheets for dinner. My first proper day Freegle moderating, but expecting that this will not take up much time. Friend has taken over Olio slot, so it's my first pressure/guilt-free Wednesday night in two years! If I have time, I'll start bringing in the plants that we want to overwinter - forecast is for overnight temps to drop to about 1 degree on Saturday night and I'm not sure how warm my tiny greenhouse will stay.

MS things:
* Claimed £10 WR/JL giftcard from Smarty switch - and Mr MV got one too
* YG survey - 150 points
* 1P surveys (inspired by Cheery)
* Still eating lots from the allotment

Gratitudes:
* Lots of work
* Beautiful sunrise during run yesterday
* Woodchip - the council deliver it but it goes very quickly and I thought I'd missed my chance for the year! I'd like to get some more down too if possible on my paths, but I'll have to see about time/weather.

Have a good day all!

Suffolk_lass

Just to add to the vitamin thing that nuts and seeds are good sources of Pantothenic acid (B5) which lowers cortisol and that helps with relaxation and sleep. As a vegetarian, avocados and mushrooms, especially shiitakes are good sources too, along with eggs and dairy, if you eat these.

There are different combinations of magnesium but the Citrate is basically a salt form (of magnesium and citric acid). I have always made sure we have lemons in summer and citrus bowl fruit and I add a pinch of salt to cooking water for anything starchy (rice, pasta, bread, potatoes) as it is better in than on food. This works for us without anything except a winter multi-vit with vitamin D. Lack of salt in diet can wake you up at night, and cause leg cramps sometimes. In young active people, a moderate amount is needed, especially if you perspire (gardening, cycling?) more than you once did.

themadvix

Thanks SL. Apart from the mushrooms (I don't eat them at all), I'd say I'm on board with everything you mention - and we add a bit of salt when cooking too. We eat plenty of eggs and dairy and I have chia seeds on my breakfast and nuts most days. Lemon/lime juice are frequent ingredients in our dinners, although I could probably increase this - good idea to make the availability better through natural diet. I'll use the nuts and seeds argument with Mr MV as he's not that keen but also sleeps poorly. No leg cramps here, except very occasionally. I think sometimes the problem is not enough physical activity/fresh air in a day. I slept well last night - probably due to the daylight first thing and a good amount of exercise, although that is not always the case even when I'm shattered.

newgirly

themadvix said:

I think you might be confusing Apple and Twitter NG! 😉 

I was 😆 I meant Twitter, son in law worked at Apple before Twitter, menopause brain strikes again!