Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Managed to get the picture wall up in the bar before going to collect the click and collect (well they call it click and go here). It looks really nice its mainly signs DG had at her old house that she has never hung in any of our places as she thought I would not like them. They would be naff if they were just one or two but they are all kind of bar related or just pretty vintage looking and together they look really cohesive. I'll post a picture its easier. Food was easy to get and then a few bits in the shop incl more halloween decs this time for the dinner table. To be fair they were reduced and only costs £2 so we got 4 and they are cute made of ceramic and light up. 

We did grab a hotdog at the supermarket its only £3 for 2 and they are lovely. We had a can of drink in the car so no spending on that. Too tired to do the curtain rail when we got back but I did marinate the chicken ready to cook today for the curry. I had by mistake ordered a second lot of chicken so we now have a lot in the freezer.

Tomorrow will be busy as we have my mum arriving early afternoon so the house needs cleaning and bar in good shape too. We did hear back from the projector screen people and they parts were already attached to the sides so that was all good. They also said the spirit level was not there as they cannot post liquid. They sent a video of how to put it together and it is not too bad really. Just hope it fits with the projector. I cannot believe we are nearly there with that room. Still a fair bit to do in the house and garden but it will be good for DG to have somewhere that is just hers. She can also watch late night telly and listen to loud music even with the new neighbours house they wont be able to hear it as they are quite a distance away. 

We got an email from the chap who is selling the land he has drawn the new boundary line and we get 1000m2 with the extra little plot still only £3500 plus the fees for the surveyor. 

Had a letter about my new Tesco savings account they want a signature on a letter which I cannot do so they are likely to close the account and return the money. It is a real shame but I have now way of getting it signed in 2 weeks and return it. I do also need to pay my mum back so makes sense to use it for that. 

 

pink_poppy

That looks so good, TallGirl. I love your apothecary too

daisy_1571

Well done getting them all to line up

TallGirl

Thanks Daisy that bit was quite tricky but the new laser measure is quite handy once you get it set up properly.

I have been super productive today. Cleaned the entire house, been to the tip, collected 3 tubs of free mulch/compost and I am now ready for my mum to arrive in a bit before the rest of the family for the Halloween party. 

I have cooked a butter chicken curry but we used a spice mix from an Indian Supermarket in the UK and I knew it was going to be spicey but I thought using 2 instead of 3 packets meant I was ok but guess what I was not. I have added cream which helped and I have got more should I need it. My sister cannot do spicey food so she will have a bland version I have already got in the freezer. I cannot mix the two as there is not a lot of the mild one left. So annoying really. 

I have cheated and bought a Halloween Cake from the bakers and got something easy but yummy Danish for lunch on fresh ryebread. It is such a pleasure just to go and buy it and not have to make it yourself. It is also extra lovely when fresh like this. 

I have also arranged to speak to the garden designer in the UK next Thursday to see what can be done about mine. I have also had a 20% off at a garden place that does raise borders and edges for lawns in rusty steel. Hopefully she can tell me how to prune certain plants and also what shape my new side garden bed should have. I do want a little Christmas tree with lights everyone has them here and it will look so cute in the front and be a permanent feature. 

Not done any gym work for two weeks but feel like I worked up a sweat cleaning the house and getting the mulch. Finally yesterday when I went get the dry clothes from the shed the neighbours cat ran out. It must have got in there when we went to get the click and collect so was stuck there a good 12 hours. It is heating and he had gotten some clothes of the line to lie on and not even made any mess in there. I took him home and his "mum" was very pleased. Apparently they are both coming home with bites. I really do not think it is ours as they just seem to put up with him. Also we do keep ours in at night. Anyway forgot to ask which vet she uses. Right final bits to prep before mum arrives. Catch up Monday. 

TallGirl

Fab weekend here seeing family and hosting them all was just great. Friday night my sister and her family decided to stay over so we had 4 of them here all in rooms (my niece was in the office). Just nice and having an ensuite again is also great. Soft launch of the pool bar was great fun, my BIL and mum did go to bed but the 4 of us left stayed up until 2am and got some dancing done. My sister had made a huge Halloween basket with all sorts of crazy Halloween stuff so we now do not need anything else for many years is my prediction. Food worked out ok even if the curry was a tad hot. 

Saturday we had a late breakfast they set off home and we chilled here. DG went to hit some golf balls but otherwise nothing. Oh we did get the Turkish trip booked I am really looking forward to it and so is my sister. Mum and I spent time together which was lovely. Sunday she left after breakfast and then we headed off to golf. As per usual dear readers DG was not happy with her game but we did come 8th and everyone got a prize. We did not stay for dinner at the club as it had been a full on weekend. DG had a long kip and went to bed early for her but is still in a grumpy mood due to the trial she has on Thursday in the UK. She had her first Danish lesson thingy on Tuesday we had to postpone it. 

I have still got a ton of things to do on my to do list  but with DG being away Thurs to Sat and me not having a car all that time I shall be getting on with things incl the curtains in the guest bedroom for sure. We do need another set of curtains from Ikea for the bar and this week we are going to try and put up the projector so we can check the size before we build the screen. DG is really desperate to get all working which I get but we have spent a lot of time getting it all done before the party. Sometimes she does act like a spoilt brat but to be fair she does work hard in her job. Speaking of jobs so I have less than a month left now and to say I am not that busy is a fair statement. 

Have a lovely Monday I hope it is sunny where you are. 

To do
Chase electrician
Lengthen lounge curtains need material first or buy new and use material to make cushions with leaning towards letting the hem down first. 
Paint back wall in our bedroom green
Paint wall in guest bedroom pale pink might not be needed now. 
Fit 4th set of curtains and shorten them in Guest bed room 
Make a cushioned seat cover for the toy box 

Garden jobs:
Pack away garden furniture - moved chairs into shed and managed to put two covers on the table. 
Strim edges
Make new raised bed out the front where there is "wild" flowers now - in progress
Mulch (get freebie compost from tip). (I miss my estate) - still need more - always need more
By Lerca balls to project the small pots over winter. 

Shopping
Source unit for coffee station kitchen guy coming next Tuesday we might do that instead of recycle. 
Curtains ain guest bedroom - ordered online for small one DONE
Hang up clothes line in carport.  DONE
Buy paint for main bedroom and guest bedroom. 
Green curtains for Pool bar from IKEA

TallGirl

Morning bit of a lazy one this morning as I am just so unmotivated by work as there is hardly anything left to do. 

We are meeting the Danish teacher for DG this morning and the kitchen guy is then coming around later. I have got Thurs and Fri as leave but I have offered appointments so I can flex my days a bit. I have also just spent £45 on booking a suitcase to take to UK. Well it is actually a large hand luggage but I want to put it in the hold. I know it would make more sense to take a huge suitcase as I am allowed but I am travelling by train and it will look odd be coming with so much luggage for a 2 night stay for a conference. I hope to get to a supermarket and stock up on all the goodies I miss. 

We did win on the Premium Bonds £500 and £100 so very happy with that. We do have the full allowance. I spoke to Money Corp yesterday and the £ is just so so low £8.34 it was £8.6 last time so I cannot justify sending the money over now but it is also stressing me out not being invested at the moment even if the cash is in high interest accounts. There is no interest being paid here so I am not missing out that way. I do need to pay my mum back. MoneyCorp said the budget is the reason the £ is so low. I really hope that sorts itself out soon. If not I might just take out what I owe my mum and then invest the rest in Vanguard or something. I have enough platforms I can use. It is doing quite well my pension even after taking the money out but I do feel jittery not having money invested. 

Anyway how I have replied to the guy who is selling the land totally forgot to do this so ups. The build next door has totally stopped so no idea what is wrong. They are building a barn and a house so maybe the Council is not happy. I did see one of their vans just before it all stopped. It is so far away from us it really does not affect us just be nice if they they do not their drive right across from ours. 

I went into town yesterday and got some free compost from the tip, some normal compost and some stuff to insulate my boxes for the smaller plants so I can finish that today. I really must get a greenhouse next year or some more storage. This house would have loads of storage if the Pool bar was not a bar but hey ho then we would have no fun. 

Best head off to do some work at least but I do also want to write down all the places my money is currently located as it feels quite out of control and I do not like that. 

To do
Chase electrician
Lengthen lounge curtains need material first or buy new and use material to make cushions with leaning towards letting the hem down first. 
Paint back wall in our bedroom green
Paint wall in guest bedroom pale pink might not be needed now. 
Fit 4th set of curtains and shorten them in Guest bed room 
Make a cushioned seat cover for the toy box 

Garden jobs:
Pack away garden furniture - moved chairs into shed and managed to put two covers on the table. 
Strim edges
Make new raised bed out the front where there is "wild" flowers now - in progress
Mulch (get freebie compost from tip). (I miss my estate) - still need more - always need more
By Lerca balls to project the small pots over winter. DONE

Shopping
Source unit for coffee station kitchen guy coming next Tuesday we might do that instead of recycle. 
Buy paint for main bedroom and guest bedroom. 
Green curtains for Pool bar from IKEA

TallGirl

Morning starting work so late this morning I just could not get out of bed. DG has been working since 6am the trial is Friday so it is all stressy here. 

Met the Danish teacher yesterday they got on fine so she starts next week. £20 an hour is well worth it. I am so happy about as long as she can spend some time on it. We also had the kitchen guy come out and I actually liked him. He totally gets it and they have got a new product out a ceramic work top that will be long enough for our massive peninsular so that is quite cool as a join would not look very nice or we would have to have laminate. He also got the idea to hand the units on the wall so they float at the back which will look great plus happy with our coffee station idea. Price could be a lot but first off it will be a while as we need to wait for the worktops and the new colours. Thinking sage green with the white of the rest of the kitchen. No grey that is for sure. 

Got an email from exDH's firm need some ID thing for directors. I did reply and this morning there was an email from exBIL so I quickly replied and said yes you can still buy me out please as I have moved. 

Today I actually have three meetings and then I have a meeting tomorrow eventhough I have taken the day off but it is fine I have also got the call with the garden designer and the gardener so that will be helpful. DG will be away from the morning until Saturday so will be my first time home alone in this house. 

I did do a bit of money shuffling yesterday I worked out I have 60% in cash/Premium Bonds and only 40% invested so I moved £35K into my works pension the one I want to take my £25% out off before January. I will need to sort Tesco savings out as it is a good rate but they want a physical signature which is quite tricky. If not I will just send the money over here and pay my mum back 

TallGirl

So today is my day off and so is tomorrow. Started a bit stressed with DG getting to the airport and problem with her new laptop lead. It did not fit and neither of us remember it has a travel lead. Our IT guy helped he is amazing. She is now at the airport all is good. She is so stressed out about this case. It really should have a barrister but the charity cannot afford it so she is having to do the talking. She hates that but at least she is on her way and have arrived at the airport. 

I have got my call with the gardeners today so really looking forward to that and it is a lovely sunny day which means I should be able to get some gardening done before I speak to them.

I do have a work call at 11am for this final project I am working on. It is sad this is coming to an end but I could easily do it as consultant but we shall see.

Just been to the local shop got some goodies in to eat it is less than 5 min walk there which really is ideal when you only have one car and DG has got it. 

Not a lot else to say have a lovely day. 

TallGirl

Morning back to Monday morning weekends go so fast even with my long ones. I did get a lot done while DG was away which can be seen from the very updated to do list. My call with the gardeners was really good but I really think I need more time before I get a plan done. It is also quite expensive to have it done so I want to get it right. I was actually surprised how much it would cost and that is to do it remotely. I need to do some more thinking on this one or maybe just go it alone. There is so much to spend money on that I really would like Pergola, Greenhouse, decent shed. Anyway I need to get back to her she is really nice and has some good ideas but then again I could have them too. 

I also managed to update the website and put a blog on there so today I really should get an article out for our social media pages. 

DG came back Saturday morning and we went out to town for lunch. We found this cafe we had seen before that does Jacket Potatoes. Turns out it it run by English people and its a kind of Danish English Fusion. Think jacket potato with 4 Danish toppings inspired by local ingredients and local dishes. Yummy and not that expensive mainly because they do not have an alcohol license yet. We have booked to do their English Christmas dinner in December Dg was made up it was such a lovely place and only 10 min from us. In Summer they do live music on the square and this place is right on the square. Lovely afternoon had by us both cost £40 but well well worth it we had two drinks each and shared a pudding. We even found the harbour swimming pool and saw the ferries. 

Sunday we worked in the pool bar until lunch time to get the projector and screen up. God I hate that kind of thing and turns out the projector does not fit with the screen because we cannot hang it as high as it really should because of the heat pump. So it needs to sit on the floor which is not ideal and could have been avoided if she had bought a smaller screen or found the bit in the instructions manual where it shows you the size in relation to the screen. All is not lost but it was bloody irritation. We then went out for lunch (I know two days in a row) but i have been going on about this steak restaurant chain from my student days and they are all closing down soon. They do a lunch time offer and we got 12 quid off for being new customers and upgraded the size of the steak cost a fiver but the actual normal size at 12 quid would have been enough. Now we had been to DGs nostalgic place in the Summer which was Pizzahut and it was so awful now but the opposite was true here it was still amazing. I really enjoyed everything and I am now so sad it is closing. We spent £36 for both of us with the discount. Such good value for money. We then went to Ikea got the light for the office so I can use the electric desk and also more curtains for the pool bar to make them fit. We got everything we needed including frames. Went for the cheap one as they are replacing some that are perfectly good but just the wrong colour. Basically they are white which does not work in this white house. Got home finished the screen and got the projector almost aligned for now DG can pack down Halloween ready for Christmas and also get the speakers set up. 

So a good weekend with two lovely meals out. Now I need to get ready for Wednesday when I fly back to the UK. Will be a busy could of days my compost arrives today so need to get a wheelbarrow and the electrician might come tomorrow so that would be so cool. To list is looking a lot better. 

To do
Chase electrician DONE
Lengthen lounge curtains need material first or buy new and use material to make cushions with leaning towards letting the hem down first. DONE NOW FITS still needs cushions
Paint back wall in our bedroom green
Paint wall in guest bedroom pale pink might not be needed now. NOT NEEDED
Fit 4th set of curtains and shorten them in Guest bed room DONE
Make a cushioned seat cover for the toy box 
Book flu jab UK
List my stuff on Vinted. 
Book hotel and flights for Morocco 
Buy goodies for friend I am staying with in the UK. 

Garden jobs:
Pack away garden furniture - moved chairs into shed and managed to put two covers on the table. DONE
Strim edges DONE
Make new raised bed out the front where there is "wild" flowers now - in progress
Mulch (get freebie compost from tip). (I miss my estate) - still need more - always need more DONE ordered some

Shopping
Source unit for coffee station kitchen guy coming next Tuesday we might do that instead of recycle. DONE waiting until after Christmas
Buy paint for main bedroom and guest bedroom. 
Green curtains for Pool bar from IKEA DONE
Buy wheelbarrow

daisy_1571

The lunches out sound great, lovely to hear you are both settling in so well

Dxx