So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

themadvix

EssexHebridean said:

That sounds like a lovely balanced weekend of fun & "stuff" - nice when things work out like that isn't it!

As for the neighbour issues, I feel your pain. We too have previously been in the position of having some lovely neighbours, but also some that just made us feel like not going home, and it's miserable because it has such an impact on even the smallest aspects of everyday life. Saving a "moving fund" sounds sensible - it will make you feel like you are doing something in case it's needed, and if you definitely do plan that you will be moving one day, then you would just be saving for that sooner than later, wouldn't you! I too just struggle to get my head around why some people seem to feel they can behave exactly as suits them, without any consideration for others - the only conclusion I can reach is that they didn't have the good fortune to be brought up in the sort of household where behaviour standards were taught? 

Thanks EH. Yes, it was an unexpectedly pleasant weekend in terms of socialising - pity Mr MV wasn't feeling it more, but totally understood in the context of his disappointment.

I couldn't agree more with your point above. And it just feels so wrong that those who have standards/are nice are always the ones forced out. From reading the forums, I know we are incredibly lucky that there's nothing more unpleasant going on with our neighbours - some of the stories are truly hair-raising (and seemingly police and authorities won't get involved), but it has such an impact on how we feel (sometimes).

themadvix

Hmm... I think I may need some fresh baking powder. I have a very solid soda bread that is also undercooked, despite twice as long in the oven as expected. The garlic flatbreads I made last night (which also rely on baking powder) weren't very fluffy either (but harder to tell with them).

In other MSE news, I forgot to add that Sis and I have sorted Stepmum's birthday present for under budgeted cost.

Dinner will be lentil or bean based - undecided as yet.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Dinner was lentil bolognese, handily cooked by Mr MV, which was nice. He is out today (supplier should be feeding him) and I've got leftover solid bread and fish soup. Not really looking forward to it as the soup was a bit aniseedy for my taste and the bread... well. I will toast it, which should help.

Need to go and get glasses amended (again) later. While I'm out I also need to look for some white shoes/sandals to wear with the dress I'm planning on wearing at the weekend! I've had 'white sandals' on my shopping list on my phone for so long that I've stopped noticing it and suddenly realised I don't have anything to wear with the dress as the previous pair had fallen apart and been thrown out (they were also unbearably uncomfortable). If I can't find anything, I'll change the dress, but I'd rather not - and I currently have two dresses I can't wear unless I sort the shoe situation, which isn't ideal. Not sure what I'm going to have for dinner - something we already have in though, of course!

Work is going well, but I'm not feeling I'm making enough progress today, which is frustrating.

MS things:
* Comps entered (there was a massive backlog on these)
* HW and clicks done
* No veg box required this week (partly because we're away at the weekend and one night next week)

Movement:
* Although not 10k steps yesterday, I did deliberately go out for a walk and I did do my arms workout (failing miserably so far today)

Gratitudes:
* Found the level 2 heated steering wheel setting on the car - couldn't be more first world, but I love it!
* Cats have decided laps are good heat pads now we're into colder weather
* Pushed back with workload with a Cambridge boss and I think she's OK about it

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Busy day yesterday with work, but I did manage a couple of hours down at the allotment yesterday afternoon - clearing beds, spreading some compost, laying fresh woodchippings on some paths and planting onion sets. Harvested the final few cannellini beans, so these are drying now. There's a tiny borlotti bean on one of my plants! Success! Don't think it'll be feeding us much, but it's got a little bit longer to grow!

Still busy with work today, but have also put two loads of washing out (and brought 1.5 in, dry!), planted the allium, narcissi and hyacinth bulbs I bought the other day and (very optimistically - the ground was a bit wet) cut the back lawn.

Dinner tonight is pizza and I started the dough first thing, so using less yeast and water (and remembered to use the mozzarella water for most of the liquid too). Toppings will include the last baby courgette from the plant at the allotment.

I have a PC surveys referral code, if anyone wants one - imagine most who read my drivel have already signed up!

MS things:
* Clicks and HW
* 40 onion sets in - investing in future food - although nowhere near enough to keep us in onions (these have the advantage of being ready to harvest about when other tender crops go in in the summer).
* Washing washed with sunshine power and dried with more of the same

Movement:
* 20 mins of yoga this morning
* 100 squats (easier than last week, but still a challenge)
* an hour in the garden - Foxgloves counts this, don't see why I shouldn't! 

Gratitudes:
* Sunshine!
* Meeting with new Cambridge colleague who seems lovely
* Thanks from main client 😊

Have a good evening all!

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, a single borlotti bean, how exciting! 😃

PC ditched me a long time ago sadly. Never got an official email but didn't have any surveys for ages despite logging in and making sure email preferences were right,  but I stopped bothering after a year or so. It was nice while it lasted!

themadvix

After planting 30 plus plants, one bean is disappointing to say the least! But that's gardening for you - and hopefully this has been an outlier year - there's not much hope for food security if this is permanent.

You're really not missing much with PC Cheery - I have a love hate relationship with them. I love the pay, but hate the products and frequently rant about how unenvironmentally friendly/unsustainable they are. Funnily enough, I don't get offered many to test! 😂 As RT says though (we've talked about this before) - at least we are telling them!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

I am having a very productive day, which is lovely. One piece of work returned to main client and I've spent a couple of hours on Cambridge stuff, which has moved things forward quite a bit, which is a huge relief. I've also harnessed the power of ChatGPT and can say that it's definitely better than me a writing flowery letters! 😂 This cut down my work time substantially - but in a good way. Generally, I don't think this sort of AI is a good thing - I can see it making my work redundant in a few years, but for the flowery letters I have to draft for Cambridge (putting words in someone else's mouth), it's perfect.

Back to work for main client now, but will need to head out this afternoon. I have an RM survey parcel to post and also need to actually get to town today. Pub this evening of course, and we're off to a wedding tomorrow, with a stay overnight nearby (Premier Inn/Travelodge? Not sure which, but either way substantially cheaper than the wedding venue!). It has felt like a long old week, but having made the progress with the Cambridge reports, it's feeling a lot better.

MS things:
* Clicks and HW
* Comps entered (the usual, plus one to win a trip on the Caledonian Sleeper 😊
* 1P surveys
* RM mail survey stuff done - nearly at £25 payout there (and stamps received today too)
* Dinner tonight is leftover chilli from Wednesday and will put rice in IP on delay start before we head to pub
* Trip to town will be by bike and hopefully on foot to pub

Movement:
* We managed a brief walk round the block last night (Mr MV definitely humouring me rather than embracing it!)
* Yoga and core workout still to do today

Gratitudes:
* It's Friday - it's been a long week
* Appreciation from Cambridge and getting stuff off my desk!
* Gorgeous leaves on trees - we have lots of maple/sycamore types round here and they are always absolutely stunning - still reds/greens at the moment but will soon turn to yellows

Have a good afternoon all!

rtandon27

themadvix said:

...we have lots of maple/sycamore types round here and they are always absolutely stunning - still reds/greens at the moment but will soon turn to yellows...

ooooo - I'm jealous! 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

themadvix

Not sure if I mentioned, but I didn't have a bag to go with the dress for tomorrow's wedding. Popped into the CS over the road and now have a small black bag that is perfect (and in good condition) for £2.50. Very pleased.

I'm done for the week - Cambridge timesheets submitted, have told main client he's not getting what I'm working on back until Monday and I'm about to enquire as to the whereabouts of others for pub tonight! Have already had a sneaky look at the menu and decided on the stout (probably followed by the raspberry sour).

Have a lovely weekend all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Sorry RT, hadn't seen your message above - they are very pretty at this time of year (and generally they alleviate the grey of townness). No syrup from them though (and wouldn't fancy it as they line the fumey streets).

So despite an awful night's (lack of) sleep on Friday night and being totally exhausted, the wedding was much more enjoyable than expected - for various reasons I hadn't really been looking forward to it. We had a cooked breakfast out on Saturday morning (as the wedding breakfast wasn't until 5!), so a little spend there, but fed the rest of the day and for breakfast the following morning (wedding cake - which was two full sized caterpillars and lots of mini ones!). Stopped at an NT place on the way back and did have lunch there (cake is not a particularly filling breakfast) - opted for the pasties, which were considerably better value than a lot of the other options. Dinner last night was soupy leeky rice, using up the remaining leeks from the veg box.

Back to it this morning, with some new stuff in from main client over the weekend. I'm feeling positive about it all at the moment, having made good Cambridge progress on Friday, but that can quickly change!

Dinner tonight will either be masala carrots or squash something - I might break out the IP recipe book if the latter. Mr MV at home today (and tomorrow I think). Whereabouts unknown Wednesday morning, but then we're off to a concert at the O2 on Wednesday evening and staying over nearby to save the miserable and late journey home. Neither of us have 'booked' the time off (him officially, me by informing people), but I think we'll adjust this as necessary depending on workload. Part of me is tempted to take laptop and have a fun day working-from-London for a change, but of course, this will have attendant costs (and may not be terribly productive). We'll see.

MS things:

* Cake for breakfast

* 1P surveys - have been making some progress with these... would love to get to payout by end of November (at 17** points currently)

* YLive longitudinal study (with app on my phone - sharing my whereabouts with the DfT 😬) - will pay £15 though

Movement:

* Lots of dancing! Did 13k steps on Saturday (which given I was utterly exhausted from the moment I got up was impressive)

* Yoga this morning (and arms later)

Gratitudes:

* A lovely day on Saturday - catching up with someone from Mr MV's uni days

* Friendly and fun people on our table

* A peaceful visit to an interesting NT place yesterday - Canons Ashby. Very informative and friendly guides/staff.

Have a good day all!