A Better View 🌄

savingholmes

badmemory said:

Fortune_Smiles said:

 It means he won't be able to do the contract work Narcissistic Boss wants him to do as there'll be a conflict of interest -

Oh what a shame - I bet he's devastated - NOT.

Fantastic news. So pleased for you both. 

Fortune_Smiles said:

Cheery_Daff said:

Hope your fudge sets Fortune? I love both fudge and amaretto, so if it doesn't set, feel free to send it over here and I'll just eat it with a spoon 😋

Rolling my eyes at Narcissistic Boss 🙄 Hope she gets what's coming to her!

Unfortunately it didn't set properly @Cheery_Daff🙁  However, it was the perfect consistency for rolling into balls and coating with dessicated coconut, cocoa powder, dark chocolate and white chocolate and making into fudge truffles 🥳  Mr F has quality checked the results and says they are up to a sufficient standard to give as a gift.

I'm sure Narcissistic Boss is a very unhappy person already and karma visits her frequently.

teapot2 said:

Just looked at the recipes for the Frittata and hope you got an adult to help you with it 😉

No 'adults' available in the Fortunate Household @teapot2 😂😂😂

Fortune x

The truffles sound lovely too. 

Glad you are both on the mend and that Mr F is nearly out from his hellhole. I found the stats you quoted very interesting!!!

beanielou

Two working days to go? 

Fortune_Smiles

End of an Era

Mr F's last day with his employer was Tuesday and he left on a high.  Lots of people came up to him in the office and thanked him for his help and support over the years.  His team arranged a leaving meal and got him some lovely presents - they didn't tell Narcissistic Boss but she found out the day before apparently.  It was their decision rather than Mr F's but he was glad not to have to face her as she didn't come... or sign his leaving card... or call him to say good luck 😂

It's been a busy week and it feels as if I'm finally getting free of Covid - just a little fatigue remaining.  So progress in the last fortnight:

Health

• I'm practicing Tai Chi three times a week which is really helping with my shoulder and my mental health.  I still have some stiffness and twinging in my shoulder but my range of movement is almost back to normal.  I'm feeling more positive and motivated and less 'meh'
• we're avoiding UPF.  I had one day when I fell off the wagon (curse you M&$ and your delicious delicacies) and one day where I had two social events in one day.  There wasn't any UPF involved that day though - I just ate too much 🤭

Wealth

• We now have an instant access savings account, a fixed term savings account and an ISA all paying above 5% interest 🥳  I've allocated funds to make the most of the tax free allowances on savings
• I've moved some of my personal spending money into premium bonds.  That probably doesn't make the best financial sense at the moment but it keeps the little bit of my own money separate from our joint funds and it's one step up from leaving it to stagnate in my current account
• some money has been spent on replacing broken beyond repair items
• we're waiting for a contract to appear for the long term work.  The client is in regular contact and keeping us updated so we've no concerns there
• Mr F has been offered 12 days work in December.  He may not want to take it all on but it will be nice to have the prospect of some income in January/February.  It was very odd doing the budget for December and realising that every penny coming in was allocated 😲
• we'll be turning down the long term project offered by Narcissistic Ex-boss but will offer technical support on a day rate basis

Happiness

• my returning energy has meant I've been able to attend several social events
• I'm officially off the WI Committee now which will free up some time to concentrate on work stuff.  They gave me a book voucher to say thank you for my work 🥰
• we've booked several date nights.  It's so much easier to do things together now Mr F's diary is free of global business trips 🥳  I know there will be some of those in future but, for the most part, we can manage work around our social life and not the other way around 😁
• I'd booked Mr F on some two-day workshops run by the CPRE - coppicing and hedge-laying.  I thought it would be good for him to have some things in the diary this first couple of weeks and they were only £25 each.  The first was this Thursday and Friday and, despite Storm Ci@r@n, he thoroughly enjoyed himself and learned loads.  The next is Thursday and Friday this week.  There maybe another on hedge planting available which Mr F has expressed an interest in so that will keep him occupied for a bit.  I've also got a job list for him should he run out of things to do 😆

We've a quiet weekend planned.  FDawg is absolutely terrified of fire works so we wanted to be at home for him.

Happy Saturday folks

Fortune x
 

Cheery_Daff

Fantastic news Fortune! Congratulations to you both, and I'm so glad horrid boss didn't come to his leaving do. Sounds like both of your lives are shaping up very nicely indeed! 😊😊

beanielou

Cheery_Daff said:

Fantastic news Fortune! Congratulations to you both, and I'm so glad horrid boss didn't come to his leaving do. Sounds like both of your lives are shaping up very nicely indeed! 😊😊

Absolutely just this. 😊😻

savingholmes

Sounds like together you've hauled things back to align with your vision for your lives. It will be good to leave that old boss behind. Those courses sound good value. LOL at your list of things you have ready for him to do. Good news on the option of 12 days work - it will take a while to find the right balance but sure he/you will get there. 

It sounds like you are starting to feel better. The Tai Chi sounds really interesting.

Humdinger1

Congratulations to you both @Fortune_Smiles! Happy happy ever after love Humdinger x 

LadyWithAPlan

that boss sounds like a nightmare and to not sign a leaving card or send good wishes !! How rude can one be..
Learning new things is good for happiness and the brain - so well done on keeping him busy!

Fudge truffle - wow sounds amazing! 

I bought some oat milk in - am away in the States - and I swear its just mouthfuls of sugar - so UPF! Tastes v creamy but putting this much sugar in oat milk is insane... 

Glad the taichi is helping 

savingholmes

Hope you're both off having fun somewhere and haven't been too hard hit by the latest storms or any lingering illness.

Fortune_Smiles

So Far, So Good 😁

Time is whizzing by ⏰  We seem busier than ever since Mr F left work.  He is very much enjoying his semi-retirement and I am enjoying a calmer and more relaxed household.

Health

• Tai chi is still happening 3 times a week 🥳  I still have a slight twinge in my shoulder but as soon as that resolves I'll add in some yoga
• I've really got on top of my diet and feel so much better for it.  I've loads of energy and motivation and feel really well.  And, as an added bonus, I've lost 4lbs.  My blood pressure seems to be returning to a normal range too.

Wealth

• We have signed a contract with Mr F's former employer (not through Narcissistic Boss).  This will be for ad-hoc short terms projects.  It's likely we'll have the offer of a least one of these a month but they will mean Mr F is away from home for the duration so we don't want too many of them.  However, some are available immediately so we've signed up for one in November, one in December and one in January
• we're also in talks with another department there about a further contract.  This will be training related and probably a couple of days a month longer term.
• the organisation Mr F was keen to work with are currently drawing up a contract to commence 1 January.  This will be for technical advice and probably be for a day or two a week longer term
• and that's all we need for the moment 😁
• Mr F popped into town today to pick up two free trees.  Our Town Council are giving them away as part of their carbon neutral plans.  They want to plant a tree for every resident.  We've added them to our new hedgerow.

Happiness

• there are lots of things in the diary to look forward to.  It's lovely being able to plan things we can attend together
• I organised a lunch today for the WI County Show Team to celebrate our achievements and plan for next year.  I also handed over the Chair to another member along with all the exhibition boards and accessories.  My dining room is looking a lot clearer now 😆

So far, so good.

Everything would be perfect if only this blimming rain would stop 😂

Hope all is well with you guys

Fortune x