Small steps lead to big changes...

jwil

WinterWarrior said:

So annoying about the neighbour. We have one of those to the side garden. I try not to get eye contact, but if dog sees him she’ll run over and that’s 15 mins of your life gone. It’s even worse for MrWW. If he pops out and doesn’t come back in for ages I know he’s been trapped 😁 Much better to have friendly neighbours and they really are lovely, I wouldn’t swap them, but it’s still hard when they are retired and have all the time in the world, but our time is limited. 

It's frustrating isn't it.  He's quite odd anyway, but friendly to us.  He's attempted to sue the neighbours behind and on the other side (twice) so I'm keen to avoid getting into a dispute!

Pollie

As there appears to be no guarantee he will replace it or when even if he does, is it worth standing a large pot with a fast growing climber in front of trellis so his view is restricted?

jwil

Pollie said:

As there appears to be no guarantee he will replace it or when even if he does, is it worth standing a large pot with a fast growing climber in front of trellis so his view is restricted?

Thank you.  That's a good idea.  He's got stuff growing the other side but still can see through.  It's bare in the winter though.  We've got a big fern underneath and not a lot of room.  I was wondering about those planters that have a bit of trellis attached though and see if I can get a narrow one.

maggiem

Actually jwil I have seen some trellis in a garden centre with an artificial Ivy growing up so would remain year round and could be placed in a pot with prettier planting in the summer to add colour? Some of the trellis seem to be able to be narrow or wider but narrow would be best as a screen. 

jwil

I'm not feeling the work love at the moment, I've always had a bit of an odd set up where my line manager deals with the traditional management stuff but someone else gives me my actual work tasks.  The other person has moved to a different role and my line manager has also slightly changed roles so I don't get much management.  

I've got loads to do so it's not a problem in that sense, but I don't get any feedback or just answers to my queries so I get frustrated.  We are due a restructure at some point but who knows when that will happen. I feel a bit rudderless and like I've gone rogue as I'm just doing my own thing  

It does do one thing though and focuses my mind on the future and how I can further my plans to retire early and keep going with my PADs to make sure the mortgage is clear by the end of the fixed rate.  I've been a bit frittery over the last few months so I need to make sure I stop spending unnecessarily and keep adding to the savings.  I also need to spend some time revisiting some of our accounts to make sure we're getting the best interest rates.  I'm sure there are other ways I can save as well, so could do with looking at my SOA again and seeing if everything is up to date.  I still want to get the work done on the house as well so need to factor all of that in too.  

savingholmes

I'm with you on the 'frittery'. 

Fatsia japonica is a plant with big leaves that could help with screening. It grows well in pots. You can get at BnM from £5 but more expensive in other places.

jwil

maggiem said:

Actually jwil I have seen some trellis in a garden centre with an artificial Ivy growing up so would remain year round and could be placed in a pot with prettier planting in the summer to add colour? Some of the trellis seem to be able to be narrow or wider but narrow would be best as a screen. 

Oh thank you, I'll have a look.

savingholmes said:

I'm with you on the 'frittery'. 

Fatsia japonica is a plant with big leaves that could help with screening. It grows well in pots. You can get at BnM from £5 but more expensive in other places.

Thank you.  I'll have a look.  I need something that will be tall and narrow ideally, as the bed isn't very deep and it's right where our patio doors open.

beanielou

I hear you on the flittery.  Sigh.

WinterWarrior

I hear you on the rudderless work! It’s terrible when you ask for a steer or some back up and get radio silence. Mine often pop up with praise once an issue is finally fixed, but are nowhere in sight when you are stressing out over it, or working 9 hr days. Another fritterer here! 

jwil

beanielou said:

I hear you on the flittery.  Sigh.

It's too tempting isn't it

WinterWarrior said:

I hear you on the rudderless work! It’s terrible when you ask for a steer or some back up and get radio silence. Mine often pop up with praise once an issue is finally fixed, but are nowhere in sight when you are stressing out over it, or working 9 hr days. Another fritterer here! 

It's hard isn't it!  On the one hand it's nice not having the constant demands, but it's gone from one extreme to the other.  I send out work or requests and it's like it goes into a black hole.