So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

Ooh, yes Cheery, have a go - it's quite fun, although definitely better with a small person (although a lot less subtle - yells of 'It was in a giant fake acorn' ringing out across the woods to Sis kind of spoils the whole secrecy thing!).

Banking, invoicing, pay etc. done. A satisfying amount moved to savings - so much so that it feels like I've forgotten something!

That little platform job done and I've got a few bits to look over for my UK client (who I'm pleased to say has given up on the career change she was attempting - not so great for her, but a sensible decision, but excellent for me, as it means she'll keep sending me work).

Bread is out of the oven and the kitchen and dining room are looking good as I've been selectively flyladying in them this morning. Now onto Cambridge stuff...

Suffolk_lass

Happy New Year TMV, and all the best for 2024. I am catching up after another group of visitors and sort of delaying some of the jobs that follow (should have done laundry last night but not so bad as the sun is shining here this morning. I have seed catalogue and buying on my list for this month. Are you planning to grow anything unusual this year? I'm very traditional, concentrating on the premium fruit and veg that is expensive or absent (for example I bought two leveller gooseberry starters) plus the stuff that just tastes so much better when you grow it

themadvix

Morning all,

Hi SL - Happy New Year to you too. I haven't got that far with growing plans yet (my allotment friend had planned it all out in October I think - way too organised for me!). I think I'll probably get a few different things, but mostly concentrate on what I've got and try to do better with them. It might depend on if I get offered a second plot (it's unlikely but in some areas apparently existing plot holders get offered ahead of new people). My chillis seem to be happy in the dining room overwintering, so hoping I won't have shenanigans with trying to grow them from seed this year. I've got some tomato seeds already and plenty of other seeds in the tin, so will see how I get on with those. I do need some more romanesco/calabrese seeds though.

Well that was quite a storm last night! Fortunately all is well here (although Mr MV did retrieve a pillow?? from the pond last night). It has been nice until now this morning - I've been out and collected a key for more cat sitting on Friday and Saturday. Still not had a proper response from CIAF and not been paid - am getting stroppy with them now...

Have cleaned the cloakroom this morning as per Flylady - it already feels as if I'm getting on top of things, which is good. The kitchen is feeling much cleaner and easier to keep on top of.

I am doing Cambridge work this morning - database updates at the moment, but will move onto report writing in a bit. Niece is coming tomorrow now (as originally planned). We're going to make pizzas for dinner from scratch, probably do some baking and hopefully get outside for some fresh air. I'll ask her mum to pack a crafty kit and some games too as it's going to be a long day and Mr MV will be in the office, so no help from favourite uncle.

Dinner last night was a (rather unappetising) stir fry - used up some carrots, lots of Brussels and a few of my oca, which gave a nice water-chestnutty crunch. Dinner tonight will be soupy leeky rice. Unfortunately I've seen on Facebook that my refill shop is closing. The branch I use will remain in place and the garden centre it is located within will be taking it over. This is somewhat good news, but I fear for a) it's longevity, b) the range and c) price rises. Such a pity. There is still another one I use (that's actually closer, but requires a special trip, paid-for parking and doesn't have such a good range), so all is not lost, but it's very disappointing all the same. If you have a refill/zero-waste shop, please use it!!

MS things:
* Popped out to Lidl and Sain yesterday for a few various bits. This will save us trying to make up enough for a delivery. Spent £21 instead of minimum order of £40. Didn't get one of the things I needed, so it's postponed rather than abandoned, but hopefully keeping spends low this month (that being said, we don't actually have a great deal of food in, so we will have to buy some). 
* R'ford delivery due Friday and I have selected carefully (no need for a set box with allotment). 
* Clicks and HW done
* Use-it-up dinner
* Heating is currently off here (because I went out and the automation for when we return doesn't work currently!) and it's fine. I also received a lovely thick, knitted pair of fingerless gloves for Christmas from Dad, so can add them if I do feel chilly.

Gratitudes:
* It remained dry while I was picking the cat key up
* The sun is back out now
* Feeling I'm getting on top of the housework at last

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Reasonably productive afternoon - I've made a good start on the report I'm writing, but am waiting on quite a few people to come back to me (which they won't as they're all off until next week). I've been putting it off a bit, so I feel much better knowing I've started (and actually, it's not taken me as long as I thought either - which will please Cambridge as I'm cheap (ish) hourly labour!

I've also sold something on Vinted, so will need to get that sorted and posted tomorrow (or Friday, given Niece arrival tomorrow). A few PA surveys done too, so that's underway for the month. Have also cleaned kitchen windows, which now look a million times better - they get all the spray/steam from the pressure cooker and also had cobwebs growing on the inside (I blame this on the plants on the windowsill!). 

Cheery_Daff

Ooh,how do you find Vinted? I've got a few things I was considering selling - won't get much as they came from the charity shop in the first place and I'e been wearing them myself 😂 Is it worth it, or a faff? I've never really done selling clothes online before.

EssexHebridean

Ahh if I only had a refill shop locally I very much would use it - it's not something that seems to have caught on around us overmuch, which is disappointing. As for geocaching - I've a good friend who does it and he's said before he reckons we'd enjoy it - but I can see it being something we'd get completely caught up in, and mostly we can do without too many more things like that to fill our time! 

Your year round up and plans made really nice reading  - it is nice to review what you've got done isn't it, does bring home to you how much you do get done in a relatively speaking short space of time! 

Suffolk_lass

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh,how do you find Vinted? I've got a few things I was considering selling - won't get much as they came from the charity shop in the first place and I'e been wearing them myself 😂 Is it worth it, or a faff? I've never really done selling clothes online before.

I was wondering the same thing. I have far too many clothes and residual handbags that I used when working. All in quite good condition compared with some I have seen on there (having just looked) but with over 500 bags of the same makes, will they ever be seen?

Cheery_Daff

Suffolk_lass said:

Cheery_Daff said:

Ooh,how do you find Vinted? I've got a few things I was considering selling - won't get much as they came from the charity shop in the first place and I'e been wearing them myself 😂 Is it worth it, or a faff? I've never really done selling clothes online before.

I was wondering the same thing. I have far too many clothes and residual handbags that I used when working. All in quite good condition compared with some I have seen on there (having just looked) but with over 500 bags of the same makes, will they ever be seen?

I wondered that, but I put 3 fairly nondescript things up there the other day - one sold on the same day, another the following day, and the third has been favourited about 7 times now so people are obviously seeing them. You might be able to order by new things, I've not checked what the buying side is like. It was very easy to list stuff so you could just give one a go!

themadvix

I think it’s all most recent first unless you have filters on.

LadyWithAPlan

I think vinted is easier than ebay as no postage issues - buyer pays and decides how. Plus no ebay fees... I have bought off it but planning to try to sell some shoes etc.
I think most people are now using vinted rather than ebay for clothes now.