Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

Thanks Beanielou I am feeling better and we did have a nice birthday for my dad. That was all Saturday and then Sunday my sister came over with her husband and a trailer plus tools to cut the hole in the hedge and reduce my apple trees and another hedge. It looks really nice and now can get the new rob mower to connect both areas. I will need to put down some more grass seeds for sure and I think I will have to start planting some hedges or try to keep the grass down until the stones are all clear. It was annoying I could not help with much after my op but I made lunch and I got all the weeds burnt. They took all the rubbish to the tip but still more cardboard and my composters have not turned up. My BIL says the site I have ordered from is total rubbish so not holing out much hope. It says it has been delivered but the shipping company has not had them yet. Gemini says it is a good company so not a scam.

I really need to do some work. I have still not sorted the new phone line out and learnt how to use it. I have no marketing prepared today which I usually do but as I am not feeling 100% it is a bit of a late start anyway. I have also got a free Danish marketing course i want to do and I need to do some GDPR training for DG so all good.

DG is yet again fed up with golf as she played in a comp yesterday and played really badly. Sounds familiar because it is yet indeed but it is what it is. We have golf and dinner tomorrow but it is only for fun. I am not going to play as I want to make sure I am 100% healed.

Right best get on with things as per usual.

Things for DG

Contact tax office declare part time wages

Look into accountant once we know UK situation

Book driving license swap at local council

WORK

Ring central

Marketing course

GDPR

Things for garden and house:

Book golf holiday once hear back from travel rep - in contact with rep still waiting

Wooden shed

Tidy up wooden shed

Get tool rack hung up

Get rack for ladder fitted

New plot:

Pick up stones - started

Level edges for robo mower

Decide what do do with plot that has not been cut down - done about 10m2

Order and Fit compost bins together ordered

Fill up with compost.

Front garden:

Strim edges

Cut a strip away from edge of stones for robo mover to get close

Treat weeds

Paint bin shed - buy wood stain

Neaten flower bed edges for robo

Back garden:

Treat weeds

Tidy edges for weeds

Prep for robo mower he is up and running and is amazing

Front drive

Burn weeds DONE

Weed flower bed DONE

TallGirl

Morning I did get quite a bit done mainly gardening but my body was tired afterwards. I got the long grass along the wall pulled out in the front and the robo did a good job cutting it afterwards. It also did the back and can finally go between the raised beds after I cut the grass so that is a win. It also learnt we now have a hole in the hedge so I combined the two areas new and old. It then got stuck on the new bit so I will have to get some soil so it does not fall in the holes again. Still everything is cut now including all edges. Now I just need to set up a schedule so it can get cut at a regular intervals and kill the weeds basically.

Got a bit of marketing work to do with our new phone number today and then DG is playing golf at 4pm. I am going to drop her off then go to the tip and maybe shopping afterwards. She will only be a couple of hours then I will join her for dinner. Will be nice to see the other ladies.

Composters have arrived so that is 3 to build with 100's of screws so that will be fun. Best charge up the electric screwdriver. It does mean i can tidy up the compost and get the fallen apples off the grass to robo has a chance out there.

I think I will start with the marketing work and then switch between the composter and then tomorrow DG will be working with me.

Things for DG

Contact tax office declare part time wages

Look into accountant once we know UK situation

Book driving license swap at local council

WORK

Ring central DONE

Marketing course

GDPR

Things for garden and house:

Book golf holiday once hear back from travel rep - need to chase now

Wooden shed

Tidy up wooden shed

Get tool rack hung up

Get rack for ladder fitted

New plot:

Pick up stones - started

Level edges for robo mower

Decide what do do with plot that has not been cut down - done about 10m2

Order and Fit compost bins together says it has been delivered I have just been outside and did not see it.

Fill up with compost.

Front garden:

Strim edges

Cut a strip away from edge of stones for robo mover to get close

Treat weeds

Paint bin shed - buy wood stain

Neaten flower bed edges for robo

Back garden:

Treat weeds

Tidy edges for weeds DONE

Prep for robo mower he is up and running and is amazing DONE

Cut flower bed edges for robo

Front drive

TallGirl

I got quite a lot done again yesterday and the first compost bin is in situ ready to fill up today. I do have another two to build and sadly they need painting as they are untreated at the ends so that is a bit annoying. DG played well yesterday and came second in a team thing so we are back to liking golf. I said I would join the commitee and got into an elite ladies team so that is quite cool too. First training session is tonight so we shall see how I get on post op. While DG played I went to the tip with a load of cardbord and picked up a Stelton bread basket which retails for about £40. There was nothing wrong with it it just needs a wash the fabric part. Why would someone just chuck that. Have a look here I think they are nice.

Went to a hardware store and got a shovel which will make it so much quicker than trying to do anything with a spade as there will be a lot of levelling out on the new plot. That was £25 and I also got some more gas for the weed burner.

Had dinner at the club it was lovely and £15 so a real bargain. Paid out of joint funds. Do need to top them up but all good there is enough money in all joint accounts even if the DDs has not worked out yet.

Got the phone working so that is all done and updated website and facebook. Should be all ready for Mondays possts. I do have a massage at physio at 12.20 so need to get the painting done on the next compost bin easier to do before assembly.

Things for DG

Contact tax office declare part time wages

Look into accountant once we know UK situation - got someone local recommended so waiting for details

Book driving license swap at local council - written to check we can just book app

WORK

Marketing course

GDPR

Things for garden and house:

Book golf holiday once hear back from travel rep - need to chase now

Wooden shed

Tidy up wooden shed

Get tool rack hung up

Get rack for ladder fitted

New plot:

Pick up stones - started

Level edges for robo mower

Decide what do do with plot that has not been cut down - done about 10m2

Paint and build compost bins (done 1)

Fill up with compost.

Front garden:

Strim edges DONE

Cut a strip away from edge of stones for robo mover to get close DONE

Treat weeds

Paint bin shed - buy wood stain

Neaten flower bed edges for robo

Back garden:

Treat weeds

Cut back flower bed edges for robo

TallGirl

Good progress again yesterday and the neighbour has said OK to me getting soil from him so I can build the compost bins today and get the holes levelled so the mower can navigate it. I also spoke to my other neighbour he is going to cut my plot down so then if it is level and no big stones etc the robo should be able to manage it now. He says we will get rain tomorrow so I really want to get seeds down and hopefully start seeing some green on my plot. I did paint compost bin 2 yesterday so I will get that put up today that I am sure.

I had my massage and physio and it was really good. I need to get on with the back exercises now my belly is better. We also went to the local castle we have passes for and tried their maze. Well lets just say we could not find the middle so cheated and found the entrance which meant we could get on to the look out tower. We do need to try it again and see if we cannot crack it. We did only have 1 1/2 hours so just did that and the garden of life and then had a far too big icecream. This is a bad habit and they are so big it was way too much eventhough we had the small size.

We then went to golf where I met the team I am now part of. It was great I got a free group lesson with the pro and DG did some practise. She is a bit miffed she is not part of the team but they play without handicaps and the ones they meet play off 15 and she is 36 I am 25 so it is just too much really. I am really pleased to be part of a team again and they are all really nice those on the team.

I did the shopping yesterday so that is now all done and diet is going better even if we still get too much not good for you stuff.

On Friday week we should have been playing in a team event but I have got free tickets to a festival and they have a section for new residents of the borough so that is quite cool. I also got on for DG and although you cannot get in early you get to spend the whole evening there after the council event has finished so that is nice. DG has been desperate for some music so at least this ticks a box. She is currently moaning that we cannot play in the team event but as long and short term readers know she gets fed up with golf on a regular basis.

Chased the travel company still nothing I might try and see if I can book it online myself. Anyway I think that is it for now need to get on with things as the work I was doing for DG is no longer needed.

TallGirl

And that was that long weekend that went so quickly.

We had a fairly productive weekend but also time to chill which was nice. Not a lot of golf due to the rain but I did get a few things done. The robo mower can now do the whole of the garden which is fab. It does miss two areas around some flower beds but that does not take long to just run over myself. I recons it has saved me 20 hours of mowing so far since I got it. Definitely worth the money as the new garden is really looking good. There are a lot of apples coming off the 3 trees that it gets stuck in and I still need to build the last compost bin but once that is sorted I can get soil next door and make some of the indents good and sow some grass seed which I already have.

We also got the pool bar and the car cleaned so that is looking better and we ordered photos for my dad and our new photo wall which arrives this week. I also ordered some new mugs from Flying Tiger only £2 each which was cheap and they are really nice.

Tried to sort the DDs out but DK has such a crap system. You can only set new ones up after the 7th of the month and then it has to be done before the 20th. So I have 4 or 5 to set up next week and then hopefully I will not have to move so much money around. It has been a royal pain to get it set up but hopefully next month we are there.

Had to move some money over to DG to pay a business bill but hopefully soon she will pay me back when she gets some of her big payments in.

Our holiday in March is now booked and deposit paid which is so nice to have something to look forward to. The only spending money will be drinks during the day (we will be out golfing mainly), hire of trolly maybe a buggy and normal spending so should not be much. Parking will be cheap as it is the smaller airport.

SO today I need to finish off some of those outstanding projects that has been hanging over me in particular to sort that bloody shed out with the garden tools. I really want to get all the stuff off the ground. Anyway its sunny so no excuse I would rather that than shovel soil lol.

TallGirl

Finally making some progress on the to do list shed is tidy and it was so funny as I expected to have to put hooks up for the ladder but in the end I did not. There were a space I thought might fit and it has wooden brackets that just fitted it perfectly. Then I thought oh I need to put up the step ladder and lo and behold right above that was two wodden pegs perfect for them. He must had had the same ladders as us what a win.

I also worked out how to use the wooden indents for the tools I did not think mine fitted but I just had to turn them upside down and everything fitted. Had to put hooks for the pressure washer and the spray bottle but everything else found a space. I put the pallets on the floor so I think we will still be able to store garden furniture in there this winter. I would love a proper insulated shed but the money is not for that so just is a big win that it now functions. I also hung up the lockbox so we have a spare key which others can use.

The car keys are being done tomorrow so that is great too finally.

Just been to the tip and collect two parcels. VInted golf shoes for me Ecco as new £25 so a bargain so pleased with them. Golf this afternoon feel a bit shattered now after all that work in the garden but my goodness it feels good.

Things for DG

Contact tax office declare part time wages

Look into accountant once we know UK situation - got details just need to contact them now

Book driving license swap at local council - going Thursday DONE

WORK

Marketing course in progress

GDPR

Things for garden and house:

New plot:

Level edges for robo mower

Paint and build compost bins (done 2 1/2)

Front garden:

Treat weeds

Paint bin shed - buy wood stain

Neaten flower bed edges for robo

Back garden:

Treat weeds

Cut back flower bed edges for robo

DRIVE

Burn weeds

POOL BAR

Move pictures to make space for photo wall

Return IKEA items and buy more frames plus frame for dads picture

TallGirl

Morning this is going to be a busy one for someone who does not really have a day job. DG is still asleep but I have had the new key fob done for the car the one DG smashed in the door. It has been so irritating not to have one since June so this will be nice but a total waste of £171 but needs must.

Won £100 on the Premium Bonds. Not checked for DG she can do that herself even if it is my money. Plan is to leave the win this month in our old bank account and then next month until March transfer to our "fun Fund" for holiday in March. Lets see how it goes we normally end up raiding it early.

So next on the list is hair cut this afternoon and then another company coming to quote for the pergola.. That company has several models so will be good to see what price they come up with. They are a smaller local company.

Lots of spending going on right now but the Robo mower has already made a difference and the composters are also taking the strain on the waste which makes it look so much neater around here. The shed tidy was totally free at least and soon DG will be able to pay me back what she owes me. We totted it up yesterday and I think she was surprised how much it came to. She should get a tax rebate so that will help but we do need the big cases to settle and the one that settled in April to pay up. That is not her fault it has taken so long. It is a large corporation that owes her the money so they will pay no worries there.

Anyway right now I am going to finish my Wordpress course and then see if DG wants me to start on the GDPR training or the bundle she talked about. Currently she is fast asleep as she got upset over yet another crap round of golf. I have a lesson tonight with the new team so I am looking forward to that.

TallGirl

Just come back from town DGs license is swapped for a Danish on so all good there. Also managed to practise golf in the dry last night a bit of a miracle as it is raining non stop now. Still quite warm and no wind so that does help.

We have one set of friends coming in September and now one in October so they are not back to back which is great. Shame we can only get two free into our castle and flower park but the others can just pay.

DG won £50 on the Premium Bonds so that is £150 no too bad but we do have the max amount.

I am working on our website and I finished the WordPress course it was excellent and well worth it. Now I am learning about SEO's etc all really interesting. We are off at 4pm to have our gym induction we have joined the local one it is tiny and only for 3 months no joining fee either which is great. Now we just have to go. 30min x 3 a week is the aim but we shall see.

The pergola chap turned up last night I did not take to him. He did not listen to what i wanted and just went ahead and talked about the one he wanted to sell. He said the fabric option I wanted would take too long and it wasnt until I pushed him and quoted the ref number of the one I really liked on their website he sort of agreed to quote for it. Who knows if it is even the one we want. I do not know if he did not like women or gays or he thought we could not afford the expensive option we wanted. The company tomorrow is the last one. According to AI they are the middle price option (last night being the most expensive) so we will have a good comparison. First guy has a sale on so if we go with that one its worth buying now but the others I might wait and see if any offers come up.

I think that is about it, take care stay dry!

TallGirl

Morning Friday and today is the free festival with the new to the area theme from the Council so that will be interesting. I have never been to a larger festival despite living close to many but this one has 4 stages so that sounds large. I do not know any of the acts but its free and we get fed so we shall see. I have another marquise company coming today not the local one I really would like to come but I only email them so I might have to chase that next week. I am progressing with the composter it will be done today as I can stand in the carport in the dry and build it. It is so so wet now so gardening is not happening but I would love to get some grass seeds down soon as my garden really really needs it but I have to put more soil on it first.

I did 11% of the GDPR training yesterday so plenty to crack on with today. It is really boring and i know most of it but there are some interesting points along the way and some tough tests at the ends so I really need to be able to pass those.

Urgent stuff to do before the guy comes is to move the garden cushions to the heated shed and make sure the house looks somehow presentable currently robo is doing the floors which does help a lot. There is usually cat hair everywhere.

TallGirl

We have had the third guy here and I did like him. He listened and understood and he took note of the low rafters and showed us the solution for those. It can have a side screen mounted and I do like the clean look as there is no front pull down which we do not need at all anyway. The price is £9K so more than double of the first quote but this one is larger my 1.5m all around and it also have side backets which zips the fabric in unlike the first one. This makes it more durable to use in wind. Only snag is we have to dig the foundations to mount the front legs on so that cost is extra on top. So here are the two current ones we have had quotes for.

A lot of money to spend and they do have showroom so going there on Thursday to have a look which will be good to see it in person. I do still have the local factory to come back to me so lets see. Not holding much hope on the 2nd guy coming back to me. No idea what that was all about. Is this crazy money to spend or worth the extra for the large more sturdy one? Or keep going and get more quotes!