So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Thanks LaPlan - that is random about L, but I'll return in a few months. The main (BF) exchange obviously got tired of me just doing the free pinball after a while, but then when I returned a couple of months later I won £50! Which given I only do the free spins, is an unheard of big win! C have given me free spins two days in a row and I won £1.29 from them yesterday (small fry compared you, I know) - it's nice to back in their good books!

Have managed a couple of surveys - NV and a small PA one. Have finished the main part of this project for client. Have also been invited to the Cambridge team meeting at 3.30 as others will be dialling in as well (normally not one I attend as they're usually on a Tues and people are in the office then). Will attend I think - I may be able to do a bit of work in the background as not all of it will affect me (or require full concentration, in any case).

I don't agree with the changes, but the cuts to SE NI will make a difference to me.

EssexHebridean

I would have been delighted with the cut to SE NI had I still been SE, that's for sure. it was always a bone of contention that I - percentage wise - paid more than MrEH on his fully employed basis. 

Oh - and in case it encourages MrMV to have an interest next time you are in that direction, Dunham Massey has a brewery...just saying...! (They do a chocolate cherry mild which is delicious!)

themadvix

Ooh, I didn't know that about Dunham Massey - that will definitely pique his interest! Chocolate cherry mild sounds very nice.

Cheery_Daff

Is it Dunham Massey that currently has the lit up myscellium exhibition? That looked beautiful!

themadvix

Morning all,

Just a quick one, but my diary is in danger of slipping onto page 2 of my bookmarks!

No idea about the mycelium exhibition Cheery, sorry!

Friday: Dad's wedding - went well, lovely new step brothers and sisters. All good. Had fun. Mr MV and I closed down the (largely empty all night) dance floor. Niece looked very cute as bridesmaid.

Saturday: Breakfast at wedding venue, Babysitting in evening. Not a lot in between - I didn't sleep at all Friday night.

Sunday: More not a lot! Watched GP and I visited Mum's to see family in pm. Mr MV had done his share of familial time recently, so stayed at home!

Monday: Mr MV's birthday. Both had day off, out for lunch (absolutely bargainous lunch menu at a local Turkish restaurant), popped to tap room and then bought some cake from bakery to have at home.

So not an entirely spend-free long weekend, but not too bad either. Off to Brussels tomorrow, so trying to get a lot of work done today.

MS things:
* Longitudinal PA survey done and a couple of others too
* Clicks and HW - after complaining about L the other day, I seem to be back in their good books?
* Mr MV got a 2-months of free Apple TV with an Apple voucher for his birthday - thank you, we'll take that!
* Opted for the cheaper option for Mr MV's birthday present in the end, because actually I don't think he'll have time to commit to bees next year - he's running the Athens marathon (*the* marathon) next November, so running is going to take up a lot of time.
* Went out for lunch, not dinner

Gratitudes:
* Wonderful time at the wedding - looking forward to getting to know by step-siblings and their partners better
* Lots of Niece time this weekend
* Saw a lot of old family friends (and ex-colleagues, as Dad and I worked at the same place for a while) at the wedding, which was lovely

Have a good day all!

Cheery_Daff

That sounds like a lovely weekend! So glad the wedding went well, even if you didn't get any sleep.

This is the Dunham Massey thing I was on about 

https://www.culturecreative.co.uk/artist/dunham-massey

Not been, just saw an advert, but it looks lovely!

themadvix

It does look lovely Cheery, how interesting - I've not seen anything about that in NT communications. (Several years ago, I'd've found this absolutely horrifying due to my mycophobia - testimony to the power of hypnotherapy!!). It's on at Wimpole too - that's more our area generally, so will have to try to get there!

Forgot to mention, we've also bought ('hospitality' - £25 instead of £10) tickets for Man U Women vs Everton Women in March, so will be arranging another trip up north for then. Think we'll combine with a training run for Mr MV and his friend and hopefully Dunham Massey too!

Karmacat

What an amazing family weekend, madvix, that's beautiful.  Nice idea to have your niece as bridesmaid  

And you're off to Brussels?  Have a great time there too, how lovely to be gadding about like that   And I clicked on Cheery's link to Dunham Massey, those photos are amazing.  I've left it open to see if they've got anything near me!

LadyWithAPlan

The wedding and catchups all sound great. Turkish lunch sounds perfect  

Have fun in Brussels - you a moules and frites lover?

themadvix

I do indeed enjoy moules frites - and as Belgium isn't known for its veggie options, it may well be a fish day. Have confirmed arrangements with my client - it's quite exciting to get to meet him after all this time!

Popped down to the allotment this afternoon as allotment friend had harvested his oca at the weekend. I've pulled a few up, but aware of the words of the Real Seeds folks (who I bought the seed oca from), I'll leave the rest a few more days in the hope that they swell a bit more.

Also went to library to return a non-renewable book and pick up a reservation. Was very frustrated to get all the way down there and realise I'd not got my bike keys. I ummed and aahed for a bit and then chucked bike into library lobby while I dashed to collect reservation (Ultra-Processed People) and return other books. When will I learn?! Was lovely to be out in the fresh air though - there's not been enough of that lately.

I think we're fairly prepared for tomorrow now - need to prep cat breakfasts and re-do litter trays before bed. Have a list of people we buy Christmas presents for in case we see anything in the markets - it's unlikely though.