Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

savingholmes

Hi Sandy - I've had a few new builds. What helped a lot was digging a ditch so that it would 'flood' with water and then let the lawn and main beds survive. Plus using compost mounds etc as well. Perhaps grow your trees on a bit in pots before planting out so they are more established. Love the acer, magnolia and flowering cherry choice. Avoid eucalyptus like the plague - it's fast growing, tall and loses branches dangerously easily.  I know because I've had them fall into my garden and if they'd hit someone it could have done serious damage.

Another option could be to use a raised bed (think pallet collars) and fill that with compost, well rotted manure etc and then plant into that... 

KajiKita

Hi Sandy,

Do you have a ‘work put down’ ritual for the end of the week? If you don’t it might be worth considering creating one - perhaps something along the lines of, stopping work 30 minutes before hometime, tidying your desk, planning Monday and acknowledging what you have achieved in the week?

Massive well done on the reduction of mortgage term by six months!! I am little envious …. 😉😊

KK

SandyShores

Thanks Kajikita, I can't take all the credit - it was partly a generous gift, but it was lovely to finally be starting the OPs in seriousness.  Good idea about the ritual and closing things up and down - I'm going to do that.

Thanks savingholmes, I need to accept that its going to take some organising to get the garden how we want it - yes I'll definitely try all of those things

Moneyfordreams I know what you mean, sometimes I just want to access my diary to see what's on Monday morning, or to book some leave - and before you know it an emails slapped you in the face like a cold wet fish - that's what happened to me late Friday afternoon.  The thing is, nothing is unfixable, its really no big deal so I don't know why I worry so much.  I am working on that.  Looking forward is definitely the right thing to do, I agree, but the occasional glimpse back to see how far you've come is acceptable.  I'm exactly the same with DH - he wanted this, that and the other and stubborn as a mule.  I try not to remind him, but its difficult to completely forgive and forget when its something so huge.  Mind you, you know that song turn a different corner and we never might have met - who knows what corners life would have turned, and as long as we have a roof over our heads and food and warmth I can be content.  And the odd snippy comment is forgivable I think

SandyShores

Decided to amend my energy direct debits yesterday - electric was showing as overpaying, and my gas dd had been reduced to only £10/month as I'd massively overpaid.  I thought I'd reduce the electric dd by £20 and increase the gas dd by £20 (I like to have a little bit built up).  They let me decrease the electric one, but then refused to increase the gas one online.  Really can't be bothered to call anyone, so I'll wait for the next review - April according to the website.  

We need to do a bit of a tv dd audit soon - we seem to have multiple subscriptions, including a free Apple TV one.  Mind you we do watch a lot of TV together.

Quick check in on my goals to remind me where to focus my energy.  Started attending the gym again now so feel that I'm making progress with no. 5 and its very social as well.  Babysteps with decluttering but getting there.  Good progress with no.6 which is essential for 3 and 4.  And I am definitely getting there with 2.  It all leads to number 1 so am happy with progress all round.

1. Spiritual / Personal Growth / Inner Peace
2. Financial
3. Career
4. Learning
5. Physical Health
6. Family / healthy work-life balance
7. Social
8. Environment e.g. decluttering your space

SandyShores

Payday has been and gone, and another £1k overpayment made which has shaved another month off - keep this up and we have more than a good chance of paying it all off by SP age.  The H2B is another matter, but there are options (including remortgage time) and possibilities for lump sums in the future (or a PB win ) but while property prices are steady and we're in interest free its one for another day.

Hopped on the scales this morning and they groaned  - I've been neglecting my diet lately so I need to get back onto healthy eating.  It sometimes feels like there is just so much else to do.  Now I'm feeling more organised in the other areas of my life I can get back onto looking after that aspect and will up the exercise again.

FlacosFloozie

Hi Sandy, I just stumbled across your diary. I can definitely understand the uncertaintly of getting to grips with a new job. I got promoted a year ago and still feel like I'm floundering a lot, but everyday I'm learning a little more

I also have a new build with heavy clay soil and my trees have struggled. Things that have done well- astibile (but dissappears in winter), oleander bush, catoneaster, laurel, camelia and lavender. I've been mulching the borders with bark chips twice a year for the last 3 years- mainly to try to keep the weeds sown, but it's finally starting to improve the soil quality too.

KajiKita

Whoop for the £1K OP!! 🥳🎊🎉👏 Well done. 

KK

SandyShores

Hi FlacosFloozie, thanks for dropping by.  Congratulations on the promotion.  I am starting to feel more settled now, but you are right there is learning everyday.  I guess the alternative is a job where there isn't much to learn, but that doesn't sound attractive. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but am learning to prioritise, delegate and just let some things go - its much healthier for me.

Thanks for the clay soil tip.  We've put bark down too and I had noticed it was changing colour and slightly changing texture.  I was reading an article earlier that seemed to suggest willows might be suitable for damp clay soil.  I'm gathering together all of the suggestions for plants, so thank you.

Thank you Kajikita,  

savingholmes

If you were thinking of willow - go for a dwarf type - kilmarnock willow - as a proper willow grows really tall and can damage your foundations. Dogwoods I think do well in clay. Most plants do once established - but I remember new builds were tricky. 

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes that looks lovely.  I also saw a standard bay in someone's garden today - I think I need to seriously think about those, as well as one of those tall italian cypress trees.  I'll need to do some work on the soil but great idea to keep them in pots to get them established and while I work on the soil.