Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Thanks Daisy I agree it is lovely when it happens and I think it will quite a lot here as it is so small and so local.

Had a lovely weekend spending all of Sunday at my sisters after they were here Saturday night. Gymnastics was fun and we stayed for the whole show in the end. Today my sister popped down here as she was going locally and my mum left my phone at hers yesterday. It is nice having my mum here too she is resting now it has been quite full on since she got up.

I did my marketing this morning and would you believe it 2 new followers on Facebook and two emails with queries so that is just so so good. Hopefully this will now take off and it can be our main income for years to come.

The patio still has not had it sand added to it as it keeps raining and I have been busy but it really needs doing. It does need fixing in a few places so I must get some other type of sand for that.

Went to the new neighbours house on Saturday wow it is nice and they are nice too. They are pleased we bought the land next to the road so no road can be built. I spoke to them about how they had covered the other part of the ditch and the person who did it was actually there so I spoke to him. He thinks we can use some soil that is actually lying around next door but I need to ask next doors dad (the guy who did all the plots and main man in the town). I just need to do the email and then get things set in motion. I know it will be more money but I do not need a 2 meter wide and very wonky ditch preventing me to cross my own land lol. We did a little walk through today and it is now quite a big plot due to the extra bit where the road should have been looks like it actually crosses into next door but we go right up to the wines so that is a cool thing to have next door.

Anyway there is now a massive to do list which has to be done so here it does:

Email re covering of ditch

Spread sand on patio and drive

Move all things back onto patio and arrange cold frame and potting shed

Buy sharp sand and fix sunken stones on back patio.

Personal and finance

• Check tax return 2025 when it is ready add bill for tree cutting when I get it
• List my stuff on Vinted. 8 listed 3 to go
• Chase scammer bootcamp instructor
• Find out how to get the V5 on my dads car

House Stuff

• Pictures in main bedroom
• Sell dinning room table for sale but no takers
• Rehang dinning room pictures
• Sort all cupboards and draws

Garden

• Buy Alstroemeria bulbs for the front garden, Rosemary, parsley

TallGirl

Morning I did not get much done yesterday as my sister came for lunch but it was lovely seeing her obviously. I really must get that patio and drive sorted today so everything can go back. My new solar lights are working and look nice I finally found the switch to turn them on. I also ended up with two solar frogs from Lidl yesterday kind of cute kind of not really my thing but DG likes them.

Today it is sunny so I can finally complete that patio we also will meet up with her later at a nursery near hers that is really really nice so I can get a few bits I really need.

Email re covering of ditch

Spread sand on patio and drive

Move all things back onto patio and arrange cold frame and potting shed

Buy sharp sand and fix sunken stones on back patio.

Book vet appointment

Fit kitchen cupboard hinge

Personal and finance

• Check tax return 2025 when it is ready add bill for tree cutting when I get it
• List my stuff on Vinted. 8 listed 3 to go
• Chase scammer bootcamp instructor
• Find out how to get the V5 on my dads car

House Stuff

• Pictures in main bedroom
• Sell dinning room table for sale but no takers
• Rehang dinning room pictures
• Sort all cupboards and draws

Garden

• Buy Alstroemeria bulbs for the front garden, Rosemary, parsley

TallGirl

Morning I did actually get everything done on the list yesterday including buying the sand as we ran out. We did not go to the garden centre but that was just as well as it was frosty this morning. The patios and paths will look so good once we get the stones that has dropped levelled again hence 2 types of sand. It is quite handy they can just be relayed even by someone like me as they are so small and do not require mortar.

We did go to Jysk and my mum bought us a new table cloth as a present. We did see a lot of lovely garden sets and almost bought one. It was in black and beige and the beige one was such a nice look compared to the black it seemed odd they were the same model and price so wanted to check online. I did check and it is the same model in beige but the reviews were awful so I am not getting that set. It was only £300 but most reviews said it only lasted 1 year so that is not worth it. So much waste too of plastic. I might have to rethink the rattan idea. Still we have not had room for a lounge set ever so I am sure we can survive without one even if we have loads of patio space now.

We also got 2 TGTG my mum will take hers back which was just as well as there was so so much. We got 3 ryebreads which are £4 each normally as they are proper bakery ones and freeze so well. There was so many rolls and some you toast like a tea cake plus baguettes and one standard loaf which was actually what we needed. That was well worth it and I was pleased we had got our new freezer. Also tried a frappe from the new ice cream machine my gosh it was lush.

We are taking the big cat to the vets today he is off his food so it is most likely his teeth again. Also finally given Ginger his flea treatment he is scratching a bit.

I do also want to get the Easter decs down for the house and put them up so they are here for our friend who is arriving on Sunday. DG bought a load in a very short time yesterday they are kind of sweet but she could have waiting until they are on sale. I am sure some bits are actually broken and she bought the last one. Still it is her money.

Tomorrow is a bank holiday here so we are off to my sisters for lunch and then they are taking my mum back. It has been lovely having her here for so long.

Watty1

A thought on the garden furniture. I've now three metal tables and chairs and they weathered really well outside. One table I have had since my 20s as a gift from my parents and it has outlasted plastic and wood furniture. The other two were second hand when I got them and again they have lasted. I settled on metal because the wood needs treating so very often and I just didn't want the work and I love the ones I have now.

TallGirl

Thanks Watty really good point we have been lucky with most of the stuff we have bought over the years or go second hand but after moving we did leave a lot behind.

Sorry I have been MIA been rather busy. Easter was lovely and I have still not planted all the plants I got just not had time. I did get decorated for Easter and we had a great time with our friend from the UK. It was a really short break of two nights but we did pack a lot in. We managed to get the bus to the local town that works really well and the bus stop is not too far. Shame last bus is just after 7pm but we did find a taxi firm but it is £4 by bus and a taxi was £45 on a bank holiday.

Then on Tuesday just as we were about to drive her to the airport my sister called we had been offered a cancelation appointment for my dads hearing aids so wanted to know if I could do it. I could so set off yesterday to get him to the GP first for ear cleaning then off to the hospital with a tight timescale. I was lucky I got the last GP app and they were running on time so we could make both appointments. At the hospital you had to do 5 different appointments between two buildings so it took almost 3 hours plus it was 45 min each way. I managed to get the horrid girlfriend to back to her own house which scored major points with my sister and we can now collect the new hearing aid in early June. That is quick as his original appointment would have been September. I then had a couple of hours at my mums and we chilled and ate dinner. Then I drove back. Super long day.

While all that was going on our table top got replaced and we had the algae treatment on the roofs. I have now paid all bills for work on the kitchen just waiting for the electrician but he is meant to be sorting the outside lights. I do need to contact the chap to do the drainage ditch but just not had the headspace.

DG has settled one of the big long cases but what a hassle. This was the one they cancelled her hearing date in April 25 because there was no court fee paid. The chap is on benefits but they did not spot the application for fee remission. She battled to get it reinstated which they did and she got all the paperwork ready last year. Then the judge cancelled it saying it was too short notice and adjourned it to next available date. That date was today 2026 exactly a year later. So they managed to settle the case yesterday (the other side had a whole year but of course had to do it two days before). This morning the barrister was at court ready to get the order signed as the hearing was 10am. Guess what 9.15am DG gets a call from the court the judge is sick so it is adjourned. Well they just need a signature now but if they had not settled who knows when the new hearing would have been. The system is broken honestly it is not the staff it is the chronic underfunding I am so glad DG is getting out of this area of work. She now has about 9 cases left to do which hopefully we can get settled. This was the first one ever to get all the way to court. Anyway enough about Dgs work but she is not happy shes been trying to have a few days off and everything just keeps kicking off.

Plan is to go and play some golf then swap cars back with my sister. After driving hers I now realise how horrid my dads one really is. I think we will look at a new car later this month when we go to my gynaecologist as there is a Skoda dealer there. We still would like an estate and saw a Skoda Fabia the other day estate version. I don't think we need anything as big as the Octavia anymore as we do not travel with clubs and trolleys that often.

I think we will take tomorrow off as well but then it is back to work and all my to do lists which has gone a bit mental I must admit.

TallGirl

Forgot to say I won £50 in PB and DG got £150 plus my savings bond matured at it paid £147.

TO DO list ready for Monday

Take down Eater Decs and find box for them (means cleaning one from shed).

Txt chap about ditch covering get quote

Oil new dinning room table top

Personal and finance

• Check tax return 2025 when it is ready add bill for tree cutting when I get it
• List my stuff on Vinted. 8 listed 3 to go
• Chase scammer bootcamp instructor
• Find out how to get the V5 on my dads car DONE sister is sorting

House Stuff

• Pictures in main bedroom DONE
• Sell dinning room table for sale but no takers
• Rehang dinning room pictures DONE
• Sort all cupboards and draws
• Buy more while oil for kitchen

Garden

• Buy Alstroemeria bulbs for the front garden,
• Plant new plants in pots and sort bulbs out.
• Relay patio tiles when sunken
• Fill sand when re laid
• Sort out new plant boxes

beanielou

Good news on the hearing aids for your dad.

QueenJess

Just catching up with your diary and you have so much going on as usual :) I make our own yorkshire puddings and they are so easy (and cheap). I make a big batch and then chuck them into the freezer so they just need reheating for the next roast (you just need to place them carefully in the freezer so they don't get crushed!).

I make small puddings using a 12 hole muffin tray and this recipe is for that, but feel free to scale it up as required:

Put 70g plain flour in a bowl with 2 eggs and beat with a fork/whisk until smooth. Gradually add 100ml milk and carry on beating until it is lump free (should have some bubbles at the top). Then put this in the fridge. The trick to good yorkshire puddings is very cold batter and a very hot tray - I make mine at breakfast time and it sits in the fridge until I need them in the evening.

To make, brush oil in a muffin or yorkshire pudding tray and put it in an oven (210 fan, 230 or gas mark 8) until the tray is nice and hot. Then pour the mixture into the tray and leave in there (don't open the oven) for 20-25 mins until puffed up and brown. Once cool you can throw them into a bag and freeze.

TallGirl

Thank you QueenJess I will keep that as you cannot get self raising flour here. Makes sense about the cold batter I have always rested mine well before using but never kept it in the fridge I have never frozen them but great idea thank you.

What a busy weekend up early Saturday to have a golf lesson which was free and excellent. Then Sunday we volunteered to spruce up the golf club an 8.30am start yuck lots of windows cleaned.

Then last night it was cinema volunteer evening but no one turned up so we were home by 8pm and could watch the Maters instead and yeah a non American won it. So happy for Rory!. This morning has not started well. DG got a message our emails were no working on the new business so had a look. Turns out our domain name has not been paid and we paid the web designers 5 years worth. Doing more digging we find out the company is a scam and are now gone taking out website with them. So so annoying and just as we were starting to make traction. Also so annoying that we have lost access to our emails. We can get our domain back but our website is gone and we do not have a backup as we paid for 5 years we did not think to even do it. So annoying and an expensive lesson learnt. We will try with Charge back from the bank but it was over 1 year ago so not holding much hope out. Crap start to the day to say the least.

This week is also busy game Tuesday evening so no Jumping and Thursday is DGs meeting with the immigration people.

To do lists will have to wait a bit I think need to get over this set back. But here is an update so I can keep track

Txt chap about ditch covering get quote DONE

Oil new dinning room table top

Personal and finance

• Check tax return 2025 when it is ready add bill for tree cutting when I get it
• List my stuff on Vinted. 8 listed 3 to go
• Get domain sorted back up
• Set business emails up again
• Website creation.

House Stuff

• Pictures in main bedroom DONE
• Sell dinning room table for sale but no takers
• Rehang dinning room pictures DONE
• Sort all cupboards and draws
• Buy more while oil for kitchen

Garden

• Buy Alstroemeria bulbs for the front garden,
• Plant new plants in pots and sort bulbs out.
• Relay patio tiles when sunken
• Fill sand when re laid
• Sort out new plant boxes

badmemory

I don't keep self raising flour these days & just add baking powder to plain flour as per Nigella Lawson. She didn't like the American self raising (additives I think). It also cuts down on storage space when you only have a small kitchen.