Mortgage Free now aiming for FIRE

TallGirl

All place 6 mats now complete and a little square to put in a bread basket or something. 

Also found a brand new table ironing board in the loft. Well there was actually two they belong fed to dgs mum. 

Another win found the exact elastic I needed for the trouser project. The one I had bought was too wide and not long enough. The pink fabric is the stuff for the trousers. Might start getting the pattern sorted or at least iron the fabric. 

LadyWithAPlan

Loving all your craft pics, those mats are lovely.

I LOVED Bridgerton season 1 but I  dont think season 2 is quite as good - have you watched it yet? Despite the actual 2nd book being better - in the Tv version the plot gets overly twisted and the shocking lack of the Duke just hurts   Still the costumes and settings are beyond fabulous and its definitely still required viewing.

I am currently on drag race season 15 - I have been watching them since the start thanks to my hairdressing friend - if you haven't seen Anetra's talent show in episode 1 you should - beyond fabulous. She so broke the internet ... 

TallGirl

Hello fellow Drag race friend we watched all of the UK and American series incl All Stars in lockdown. I love Ru Paul with Michelle Visage and the guest judges but without them it’s not so good so haven’t bothered with the Canadian one. 

We’ve not started series two yet the Duke is essential so that will be a shame.  As you said if the rest is as amazing hopefully enjoy it. 

Also started on Call the midwives that’s just so good. Only on series 2 so loads to watch. I like it when there’s humour too not just doom and gloom. Struggle with the news at the moment everything just seems so depressing. 

Thanks for your comments re the mats I’m trying to get back into sewing. I used to make my own clothes as I could never fit anything at 6.2ft. Then I found long tall sally and then kind of stopped. 

I’m about the cut out the trousers so still plodding along. 

TallGirl

Had to stop sewing the pink trousers as I had no thread in the right colour. I did take in some work trousers that was due to be thrown out as they were flared. Now I just need to loose a tiny bit and they are perfect. Money saved. 

No golf just too cold but did get a bit of gardening done which was nice. 

Went to Lidl got essentials you do get more for your money than Asda but I like the delivery. 

Now watching Call the midwife than dinner. Total chilling which is nice. 

TallGirl

Morning hope you had a nice weekend I did enjoy doing nothing and also getting some sewing done. 

My main hobbies are gardening (growing veg) and golf but used to love making my own clothes and home furnishings. Sorry a  bit of a story coming up as I discussed this with an old school friend at Christmas.

At school (in Denmark) I was told by my really horrible primary school needlework teacher that because I was left handed I was stupid and couldn't learn to sew. She would not even try me to get a "driving license" for the sewing machines. I did get better with another teacher but it was never my thing. Fast forward at 15 I went to sign up for some evening youth classes think it was Latin or something serious  and I bumped into my friend from a year below me. She was there with her neighbour who was a seamstress and was looking for young people for her dressmaking classes. She was in danger of having them cancelled so I signed up just to help her out. I really didn't know her but my friend was going. She was actually English but obviously spoke Danish and I started on the classes once a week. Well I blossomed and made most of my own clothes over those 4 or 5 years I was eligible to attend. Once I went to University I carried on sewing my own clothes (remember I am tall so need 36inch trousers) money saving obviously. My friend who I discussed this with is also left handed and was told exactly the same by this horrible primary school teacher. I didn't know this but she became a tailor and has run her own business all her working life.

Anyway back to my story when I moved to England at 24 I carried on making my own clothes and attended evening classes. When we extended our old house I even made a lovely office perfect for sewing but then I got a job WFH so that was the end of that. I do not really know why I then stopped but it's been a good 10 years of not making anything just taking hems up or basic repairs. Then my machine broked 3 years ago and I got a new one. It was like switching from an old basic mobile to a smart phone but not having used anything else in between. I struggling as it was so fancy but could obviously do the same.

DG gave me a subscription to a sewing magazine, Christmas before last and that got me reading at least. I paid a local charity for a 1 to 1 to learn how to use my machine which was a great help. So slowly over the last few weeks with my new set up I have managed to get back into it. I think I lost my confidence so happy that it is now coming back. Might still need some lessons but if I can complete the pink trousers I am well on way back into something I really enjoy again. Even though fabrics have gone up I think it is still money saving too. 

Hope that story didn't bore you too much. 

daisy_1571

Tg, its always terrible to hear these throwawy remarks made by teachers and how they can stick with someone.  Some people really shouldn't go into teaching.  Its great that you found better teachers later on in life and from the photos you put on you are very accomplished.   Making clothes, especially trousers, is not easy.  Well done for not letting such a silly comment put you off.

Daisy xx

TallGirl

Thanks for reading and your kind words. 

So more spending today, our pool equipment needed to be replaced and the guy managed to source some new kit at about 1/2 price. So that is £350 in cash gone today then there is more cash Thursday (£200) and finally having to pay for his labour which shouldn't be much but needs must and we knew when we bought that it would need replacing so he has done well to keep it going for 3 years. 

Off to HQ tomorrow so that is lunch incl at least and I can get a coffee on expenses which will be nice. Today busy with calls but lovely lunch planned HM chilli from the freezer with jackets. Asda being delivered later actually struggled to spend the min really trying to eat out of the freezer. We did an inventory at the weekend so we know what it is in there now. 

TallGirl

Morning but if a hectic start to the day as train was cancelled due to landslide. Couldn’t get the one before so decided to drive 7 miles to next mainline station and park. Work will reimburse me and they can pay for my coffee too. Had to buy it at station so no stamps sadly.  I would have walked to local station but as the next one said delayed I didn’t want to risk it. 

More spending yesterday saw a vintage Le Crueset fondue set on marketplace. £20 without the forks but sell around £50. My set is was £20 20 years ago but cheap metal not cast iron and lovely retro orange like this one. Very happy with my spend. 

My mum got blue lighted to hospital her Addison went into crisis happens when she’s stressed or has something not right with her. She’s got gallstones and might have other infections. Thankful she lives in Denmark where the ambulances work and hospitals can cope. I’m getting more and more worried about this country. 

Work is mental but managing and seeing results. Got told yesterday but a chair that I asked all the right questions he just didn’t have the answers. Looking forward to spending time with my team today face to face been so so long. 

vandanfc

TallGirl said:

Morning but if a hectic start to the day as train was cancelled due to landslide. Couldn’t get the one before so decided to drive 7 miles to next mainline station and park. Work will reimburse me and they can pay for my coffee too. Had to buy it at station so no stamps sadly.  I would have walked to local station but as the next one said delayed I didn’t want to risk it. 

More spending yesterday saw a vintage Le Crueset fondue set on marketplace. £20 without the forks but sell around £50. My set is was £20 20 years ago but cheap metal not cast iron and lovely retro orange like this one. Very happy with my spend. 

My mum got blue lighted to hospital her Addison went into crisis happens when she’s stressed or has something not right with her. She’s got gallstones and might have other infections. Thankful she lives in Denmark where the ambulances work and hospitals can cope. I’m getting more and more worried about this country. 

Work is mental but managing and seeing results. Got told yesterday but a chair that I asked all the right questions he just didn’t have the answers. Looking forward to spending time with my team today face to face been so so long. 

Sorry to hear about your mum. As you said thankfully she doesn’t live in the UK! Hope you hear good news soon.

TallGirl

Thanks my mum had her operation today 4 gall bladder stones so will hopefully feel better soon. I do wish I could visit her in hospital but she has oodles of good friends and my sister will come if needed she's not that far away.  

Another expense today this time physio for my shoulder. It is not frozen just torn and I need it to repair itself. She only charges £40 a session as I know her from the club. Usually it's £65 so that is something to be grateful for. 

Did also have to buy some bands to help stretch my shoulders back as my posture is awful which I agree with plus some exercises. Managed two sessions at the gym that's 5 this week two less due to being in London yesterday. 

I did have nice win yesterday there was far too much food yesterday so got some lovely Pret fruit and sweet treats to take home. Brownies and flapjacks safely in the freezer so they don't spoil the diet.  Dietwise we have both been good less so yesterday. Fruit smoothie with oats and skimmed milk (homemade) a chicken wrap with freshly cooked plain chicken and lots of salad and for dinner after gym a bowl of home made musli and blueberries.  If only I could be that good everyday. 

Tomorrow work is super busy but things are progressing nicely. Got a lot of projects on the go and I had let one slip by which I have not rectified but it could have been done sooner. Also got out of a meeting next week which will be handy. Speaking to my manager tomorrow about all my leave in Feb/March I bet she's not keen but I do not think she'll say no. Well I hope not as all the tickets are booked. 

No gym tomorrow so that is nice hoping to crack on with the pink trousers over the weekend and the guy who is doing the work on the pump box is also coming tomorrow but the cash is ready for him. 

Night night all.