Holding On and Letting Go 🎈

Moneyfordreams

Aiming for 3 years sounds fab. Hope Mr Fs health issues resolve quickly

Fortune_Smiles

Moneyfordreams said:

Aiming for 3 years sounds fab. Hope Mr Fs health issues resolve quickly

Thank you Money.  The doctor doesn't think there's anything to worry about but it did make us think.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Fit

Mr F had his doctor's appointment yesterday morning.  She didn't think there was anything to worry about but she's sending him for some further tests.  Thankfully, he's had no further symptoms since, possibly because he's been making a few lifestyle changes.  The doctor thinks he's super fit and that's probably the cause of one of the symptoms 😲  It's a relief to know it's probably nothing serious.

There was much coming and going yesterday:

• the new stove arrived.  It's sitting in the Annexe for the moment as the fitter is coming in the new year
• the veg box and grocery shop were delivered.  R1v£rf0rd have a thing at the moment where you can donate a bundle of veg.  The warm autumn has meant a surplus of brassicas - too many for customer demands and the growers will make a further loss if they pick them.  So rather than them going to waste in the ground, people can donate a little towards the harvest and distribution costs and food banks, soup kitchens and schools will benefit.  I donated 12 bundles from our Random Acts of Kindness budget.  And we still came in a little under budget on groceries this week
• a courier came with a box of D£nby wine glasses to swop for the original ones which arrived broken
• the electrician was due to come and put a plug on the boiler and repair an external light switch but that was "weather dependent" and we had very heavy rain here yesterday so we didn't hear from him
• a new jumper arrived which I'd bought in the sale so I'm all set up for the festive season and beyond now
• Young Decorator messaged.  He wanted to come and oil the house windows today but I think the house needs a bit of time to dry out first.  At the moment, the forecast looks to be dry for a couple of weeks after Saturday so I've asked him if he can come later
• I set up transfers from our building society and premium bond accounts so that we can make the mortgage op.  I can't op until December when our regular payment goes out because it mucks up the mortgage providers calculations but the money will be here in plenty of time to op before the end of the year when our 10% window closes.  It also means I can leave the premium bonds in for the next draw 🤞

I've realised that it's December in a minute 😲 so I'd better get on and order some Christmas presents.  We don't buy much these days and I've set the budget so just need to get my finger out.  I might also order some wine from the Christmas budget.  We're taking some up to the Younger Fortunates as a contribution towards the celebrations.

Mr F has the day off today as he's going to a reunion dinner this evening which means an overnight stay.  I'm planning to have a relaxing time in his absence.  I was given a 1962 sewing machine by a friend so will give that a clean up and have a play.  Sadly that won't help me with my involvement with the new sewing group I've joined as it's been decided that the quilt we're making should be entirely hand sewn 😆  Might also make some more bookmarks for Christmas presents.

It's Friday peeps 😁

Fortune x

themadvix

Glad to hear Mr F has been reassured by GP.

Yes, what happened to the year? How is it December? I *still* haven't looked at my presents plan at all!

badmemory

The old sewing machines were generally better than the new.  All that plastic on the new just snaps.

savingholmes

Best of luck with the sewing projects and the retirement plans. 

3 years to MF sounds a fab plan.

Fortune_Smiles

themadvix said:

Glad to hear Mr F has been reassured by GP.

Yes, what happened to the year? How is it December? I *still* haven't looked at my presents plan at all!

Thanks MV.  I've normally got everything organised by now but we don't have any visitors this year so there doesn't seem to be any pressure to get on 😁

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

badmemory said:

The old sewing machines were generally better than the new.  All that plastic on the new just snaps.

It weighs a ton BM 🏋️‍♀️ But it's still going strong after 60 years and looks sooo vintage and cute.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

savingholmes said:

Best of luck with the sewing projects and the retirement plans. 

3 years to MF sounds a fab plan.

Thanks SH.  Fingers crossed nothing else expensive comes up in the meantime 🤞

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Christmasing 🎄

I've been busy Christmasing 😁:

Health

• I've slipped off the wagon a bit with my diet this week as there have been a few Christmassy things going on involving food.  Limited damage so far though and next week is quieter so I'm hoping to recover the situation a little then
• two yoga sessions completed 🧘‍♀️
• it's been much nicer walking FDawg in this crisp, cold weather.  He doesn't get so muddy and need showering before he comes in
• I'm feeling much more upbeat now the rain has stopped and the skies are a little lighter.

Wealth

• we have made the full 10% op allowed on our mortgage for the year 🥳  Our mortgage payments are now what they were when we left Kent and not our biggest expense each month 🥳  We've paid off 73% of the balance in just over 5 years 🥳
• Mr F has increased his pension contributions by around 50%.  Those will start to go out from January and decrease our current income but will also decrease Mr F's tax bill
• our June-Dec electricity bill has come in.  We've used less than this time last year and are significantly in credit.  Our monthly payment amount is staying the same though and I'm happy with that as our fixed rate ends at the end of March when costs will go up.  As we're used to paying an inflated amount anyway I'm hoping the increase won't hurt too much
• all the Christmas presents have been purchased/made and some given already.  I just need to get on with wrapping the rest now. We're on budget so far except for a special hamper we've sent to the older Younger Fortunates as a contribution to a special dinner they're hosting for us over Christmas
• I've added a couple of extra gifts for some friends who are having a really bad time at the moment.  Costs to be met from our Random Acts of Kindness budget.

Happiness

• the tree and decorations are up
• I made the Christmas cake a few weeks ago and am planning to hand paint the decoration this year with food pens... wish me luck 🤞
• we've attended a few Christmas events already and have more in the diary
• I'm on top of the chores
• Mr F has only one night away for work left between now and Christmas and has holiday booked for two weeks from the 19th.

We don't go overboard at Christmas but it's lovely to be able to spread some good cheer.  I hand-painted some bookmarks for my Book Club and gave them out at our Christmas meeting/meal last night.  Very cheap and cheerful gifts but they were well received.  A couple of other gifts we've given have brought great excitement or faces lighting up with smiles.  Small candles but giving a little light in the darkness 🕯

Hope your preparations are going well.

Fortune x