So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

I did indeed feel better very soon after I posted BB! Amazing what headache tablets and realising you’re wearing less warm clothes than normal can do! 🙄😂 I felt fine so I did go out this afternoon - probably shouldn’t have done in some respects but it definitely cheered up a miserable January afternoon. Also found a bird feeder in a design I liked for cleaning so bought that (will use some birthday money as it was on my list and didn’t appear) - it was reduced too. Despite getting home in the dark, I filled it and have popped it out - hoping the birds discover it before the weekend for the Big Garden Birdwatch (but as generally the seed sprouts before they notice it, I don’t hold out much hope).

redofromstart

We have a similar problem with bird food although over time daily feeding has improved things. Sunflower hearts and worms are the only things ours really like. 

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Good to know @redofromstart - I think persistence is key (and is often lacking here). I'm hoping having a decent seed feeder that comes apart easily for proper cleaning will improve my persistence!

Had a busy Cambridge morning, but most excitingly, I've got proper work to do! I'm so happy about this - still not the unexpected big project, but the first of the regular pieces at this time of year, which is lovely. I am so much happier when I have proper work I can do in my own little bubble. (Not to say the Cambridge stuff with others isn't nice, but my happy place is what I do as self-employment.)

Am about to pause anyway, as going to see about this rag rugging workshop (and the wool festival generally). Will probably meet Mum there too.

Cat sat this morning for my first cat client - didn't see him, but he'll take a couple of visits to warm up to me.

Have also booked a cheapy caravan 5 days in March to visit RHS Rosemoor in Devon - £59 for 4 nights can't really be beaten. We'll see our Devonian friends while we're there (and if I'm trying to keep it cheap, I *won't* book lunch at Riverford!).

MS things:
* Annual interest on my present fund pot paid, so £11 transferred to savings (split between allotment pot and car savings)
* Have car today so no train fare needed for trip out (although will probably have to pay for parking)
* Must do Cambridge timesheets!
* Actual work! Hooray!
* All set up with new agency for work - hope something comes from that

Gratitudes:
* Work!
* Productive meetings and feeling fairly on top of Cambridge stuff
* Cheapy holiday booked

Have a good day all!

EssexHebridean

That's excellent value for a caravan stay Vix - well found! I'm rather thinking that we may whizz off for a few nights in the tent at Easter although we may well leave it until the very last minute to decide where to go based on weather forecasts. (And it might well be Cornwall again on the basis that it should be a bit warmer down there!) 

A wool festival sounds fun - even without the workshop, although fingers crossed you do get in for that! 

themadvix

@EssexHebridean it’s Haven - they have saver offers for term time and you get a ‘last year’s’ caravan (possibly with heating only in the living area, but that wasn’t our experience last time - it had full central heating throughout) and no entertainment or pool (fine by us!). They are very good value!

 Sadly everyone turned up for the workshop but have discovered they are in a village adjacent to our town so I could actually cycle to a workshop there! Wool festival is excellent (I’ve had a good look while waiting to see if a space became available, and am now taking a break before looking around and spending some money when mum comes to look - she’s on her way). Also had a nice chat with the spinning ladies and they have a lovely taster day on which I have a flyer for too.

newgirly

That’s a great deal vix, we have a cheapy caravan booked for may and they just emailed to offer us the entertainment passes, no thanks, no kids anymore so we can avoid the arcades this time, a big saving 😆

themadvix

Afternoon all,

A busy day so far today. Up early and bread and pizza dough proving before I headed to see cat client. Then to PO with additional parcels (another £9 of postage into my account). Unexpectedly large urgent job for Cambridge boss, which took the rest of the morning. So I'm now just sitting down with my work - although I did make good progress with it yesterday when I got back.

Dinner last night was freezer curry and rice - nice and easy and avoided (Mr MV's) temptation of a takeaway. I'm really not bothered these days - they tend to be a disappointment (possibly with the exception of a curry). In any case, I'm looking forward to the rescheduled tapas on Saturday night. As mentioned, hm pizza for dinner tonight.

@newgirly they are really, really good value, aren't they? And I like going right at the beginning or end of the season too - even cheaper, but also really quiet! I suspect I'll have to take my laptop like I did last time we did one of these, as the timing isn't great work-wise, but I can cope with that - Mr MV just read while I did some work each morning and then we went out and did fun stuff. 

MS things:
* Clicks and HW done
* £1 YLive survey
* PA longitudinal survey (must be coming to an end soon, I think?)
* Have completed the sign-up with new work agency
* Another client has been in touch to say they/we won the contract with a new client that I helped with a couple of weeks ago, so there should be some more work coming from them
* Mum has offered to pay for a rag rugging workshop for my birthday present

Gratitudes:
* My health - heard from a friend today who has had (unbeknownst to me) fairly major surgery - she's OK and recovering well but it still makes me grateful for my health.
* A decent night's sleep
* Fresh air and exercise - it's been lovely walking over to cat client the last couple of days

Have a good afternoon/evening all!

themadvix

Persevered with work - completed my piece of work and returned to a bit of report writing for Cambridge - managed an hour of that, which as I am very avoidant of it is good going. I don't know why I don't like doing it really - it's not difficult, uses my skillset and is moderately interesting...

Also did several PA surveys, so over £20 there now.

Going to pop to Coop for milk now - will cancel the pint from milkman tomorrow as we'll need more than one and I don't really want to pay £1.50 per pint. Have a 20p off coupon in the app too. Will then head to see lovely for my last visit. Am cat sitting for a friend next week - we've not broached payment for this yet (I've cat sat before, but that was a while ago and we didn't know each other as well then). I'm sure we'll discuss it when I go to collect the key.

Looking forward to pizza this evening. I think Mr MV's had another difficult day (one of many this week), so a drink may be involved! Hopefully he won't be as late home as he was yesterday.

Baileys_Babe

It must be the day for difficult days as my OH has had one as well.

themadvix

Sorry to hear that @Baileys_Babe