Milann’s quest for a new me in 23

milann

Cc was paid in full last night. I don’t usually leave it this late. Must do better next month. As I expected it was a spendy month but still just within my limit. 

The plans for Dh 70th birthday in November are taking shape and we now have a plan. I was going to book a hotel but he wants to go in Millie Motorhome- so that is what we’ll do as it his birthday. I want to book some shows I know he will like as a surprise. I’ve been putting money aside for this. Unfortunately the original plans I had for the whole family to visit a show didn’t work out so it’ll just be the 2 of us but we will have a lovely weekend with Dd and gks with a meal with them and visit to somewhere Dh will love that has gorillas,  before we head off on our own.
I've spent the morning chatting to a couple of friends and catching up on diaries…..I’ve only been reducing my online time for about a week and some diaries had over 100 posts to catch up on. We can’t half chat 😂😂😂😂
This afternoon I’ll have a quick Hoover around.Tea is using a chicken dish I froze before Dd arrived but we didn’t use. I’d bought corn on the cob as it’s a fave of the gks but they weren’t used so I’ll cook them to go with it as I don’t want to waste them and finish with roasty potatoes. It’s feels like a real autumnal meal. I’ve still got some orange and almond cake from our baking so might do Dh some custard with it.
I think my friend is coming around tomorrow for a birthday afternoon tea. We arranged it a while back as she has a day off. I saved and froze some cake from the baking session I did with gks so just need to make some sandwiches, sausage rolls and scones to go along with it. It was my friends birthday a while ago but she has a hectic life caring for parents, looking after gks and working so when I asked what she would like she asked for an afternoon of peace at my house….we did this during lockdown when we couldn’t eat out and she really enjoyed it. There might be bubbly too 🥂

beanielou

Enjoy your afternoon tea. 

Is your DH showing any signs of slowing down yet?  

Seasidegal58

That's a lovely birthday present to give your friend milann - I do hope she has a relaxing time and you have a good natter!

milann

My friend ended up having to work so we’ve postponed the afternoon tea. 

Dd messaged an youngest gdd has com down with chicken pox. After they left us last week they spent a weekend at friends where there were about 30 children and their parents staying in tents 😵‍💫 bet Dd won’t be popular if they all catch it.
Ive ironed a few bits this morning and hopefully the only cash spent will be the show tickets I’ve bought for Dh birthday weekend but I’m not counting that in my spends as it’s from money put aside for that purpose 👍 
Beanie - Dh is still working 3 days a week…..no sign of him wanting to finish yet. I can’t believe he’ll have been working there 20 years in June. I suspect he’s hanging on for that.

Seasidegal58

Sorry that your tea was postponed and the news of GDD's chickenpox. I hope she's not too poorly but the good thing about having these ailments as a child is that you don't remember much of the discomfort about it as the years go by - bit like childbirth!😳

badmemory

Beware of shingles!  The older you are the less fun it is.

milann

I had thought about shingles. Hopefully it’ll pass me by.
We had contemplated going to Mid-Wales in Millie Motorhome this weekend so Dh could go to a steam rally and train show which is on over the weekend, but there was nothing he needed….and had he spotted something I’m sure he have ‘needed’ it. Anyway we decided to have a chilled weekend instead. We’ve been many times and although it’s good I feel I’ve well and truly done it.

I’ve had a lovely afternoon in the garden. I can’t remember the  last time I did anything substantial in the garden. I think it must have been when I planted my seeds that didn’t do much out in Spring. We’ve either been away or it’s not been the weather to do anything. I think I’ve filled my green bin for the first time this year. I had planted a couple of ‘nice’ campanula in the fairy garden section when we set it up  but an invasive campanula that I battled with for years to get out of my front garden wall for years had taken residence, I presume thanks to the birds.  So I’ve been sitting on a cushion with a trowel taking it out. The roots were entangled around the slate chippings and was a real blighter to get out. Thankfully it was only about a 2 foot square. But I had to try to get every bit of root out. I’ve been through all the slate and sorted the roots out of it….washed it off and put it back…split some polyanthus from another part of the garden and planted some free plants…..shhhhh……don’t ask about the bulbs I’ve ordered to fill the gap.  I’ve also split a heuchurus - I’ve never done this before but if it works I’ll have four more plants. I ended up with about 10 tomatoes- some were great big plum ones 😀 and 1 courgette pretending to be a gherkin 😂😂😡 The  garden is really low maintenance and generally looks after itself with the Alpines just needing thinning out at this time of year. And setting off again in Spring.
We’ve brought some of the buildings in for repair and painting.This is usually done in Spring but it didn’t get done. It’s very relaxing painting the models. Hopefully the garden will look a little more loved by the end of the weekend.
The campsite in London has been booked as have 2 shows for Dh birthday. I was having agro buying them and the site kept crashing so I got ds on the case and I transferred the cash last night. These special birthdays are expensive business 😂😂Would have been much worse had we stayed in a hotel and not in Millie. Can’t knock £140 for 4 nights for both of us on a site near the end of The Elizabeth Line. That said, I’ve no idea how long it takes  to take the underground into London from there. I’m quite looking forward to it. A long weekend with ds, dd, son in law and gks then 4 nights in London and home via Wales as Millie is due her hab check that weekend. Can’t believe we’ve had her 2 years in November. 
Talking of anniversaries I can’t believe it’s 3 years today since I was rushed in with the stomach perforation that resulted in the surgery. Time flies when you’re having fun 😏
£13 spent today on a few bits. And money for bulbs spent too- that’s not come out of my budget and the less said about that the better 😵‍💫😉

beanielou

3 years already!!

Glad that the birthday planning is taking shape.

milann

I know Beanie can’t believe I should have been heading to work three years ago and I haven’t been back since. It’s taken me a while to get used to it but I’m loving it now.

milann

Today we have been painting model buildings by the open patio doors. I had a lovely time, I find it very relaxing. It was a tad too sunny out there for me so the breeze from the doors was gorgeous. It was like being outside without the glare and heat. 
We nipped to the garden centre and had a free cuppa each - courtesy of a loyalty scheme I’m in. It’s more than paid for itself. I satisfied myself that I got a good deal yesterday when I ordered my plants and bulbs, as I was feeling a tad guilty that I’d spent when I hadn’t really intended to.. I’m looking forward  to sorting the garden - section by section. Once the bulbs arrive and are planted, the fairy garden will be complete and the village is well on its way….only a couple of buildings to repair and paint on there now. I haven’t felt this enthusiastic about the garden for a long time and hopefully it should be nice again next spring. It has been very neglected in the past few years. Folk say it still looks good but I see all the faults 😏 I just haven’t been up to it but have learned to pace myself now and realise I can’t do the whole lot in a couple of days like I used to. 

£15 spent in Asd@ and sharing a rather large flapjack with Dh in the garden centre with Dh 👍