Moving on

Cherryfudge

We had a quiet New Year's Day after sitting up to watch the fireworks on TV. The most exciting thing was probably going out for coffee. We discovered the coffee shop voucher DH had went out of date two days ago, so I paid! (£7.60 for an Earl Grey and a black Forest Gateau hot choc). The shop encouraged us (me) to contact their customer services as they said they will often extend vouchers if asked.

I've also ordered the calendar that DH usually gets for me as they went out of stock and have restocked, and there are only three in... it was £29.99 which to me is a lot for a calendar but I've had this particular one for years and it's excellent, with stickers and generous spaces for each day. I've kept the old ones as a record of our years and it's amazing what comes to mind if I look back for any information on them.

I think DH got a few groceries, but dinner was y/s salmon that I got yesterday.

This evening, the boiler went off and as far as we can make out, it's a jammed valve so I'll have to ring up about it tomorrow. We tried to get it serviced as per contract at the end of last year, but they had to put us off till January (now!) as they were booked up. I'm hoping we don't get a big bill, but it will be what it will be. Meanwhile it's not too cold as, despite it being around freezing out of doors, we're a mid-terrace and we had it nice and warm till not all that long ago. DH has got a small electric heater down from the loft and I can light the log burner if needed.

I've not heard that I'm needed at work, so I might also do some cooking which doubles up as heating and preparing ahead.

I also have to admit to a couple more V1nted purchases: there were Christmas socks for DD's 2026 Christmas stocking - doesn't impact my Fashion on the Ration points as they are second hand though unused (and they have dogs on, which is perfect for her), and a set of four saucers for the Denby I collect - under a fiver including postage, which is really good. Not that I ever use saucers... ahem.

Lastly, I've finished and greatly enjoyed a freebie: The painted garden by Noel streatfeild | Open Library It's been republished since as 'Movie Shoes' but later editions omit what to me are very interesting bits about post war rationing. It took me a few days to read but it's back on the 'shelf' now so you can borrow it if you like!

thriftmonster

I loved the Painted Garden as a child. The other one I loved was Theatre Shoes/ Curtain Up which was set in WW2

Cherryfudge

thriftmonster said:

I loved the Painted Garden as a child. The other one I loved was Theatre Shoes/ Curtain Up which was set in WW2

Thanks for the tip off! I will look that out! I've read a  lot of her books but apparently she wrote about 80.

Sun_Addict

I loved Noel Streatfield’s Ballet Shoes as a child. 

I hope the boiler is sorted soon 🤞Good that you have an alternative heating source in the meantime. 

Cherryfudge

I'm half way through 'Theatre Shoes' now.

Other things have been happening in between reading: I didn't get round to ringing up about the boiler till lunchtime yesterday as I hate ringing, but in fact the people I spoke to were really helpful and said the engineer could probably come that day. I noticed the boiler cupboard was dusty and fingerprinted, so I set to to clean it and my sleeve caught a loop of wire. The boiler started up immediately! I rang the company back to say it might not be the fault code I'd given them but an electrical problem and as I was speaking, the engineer arrived. I'd expected to have to wait hours as so many people have boiler problems in the freezing weather.

It seems it probably was a loose connection that had disconnected the Hive from the boiler, so we need to keep an eye on it and call out an electrician if there's a further problem, but he spent half an hour checking stuff over and didn't charge us at all, so I'm happy with that. What's more, the company had a note on their books that we are waiting for a service so there was no bother about us not having had one yet.

So yesterday got warm again!

Today has been beautiful weather and we had a walk but not far as it's so cold. I picked a few sloes ready for sloe gin, and later went to L1dl for my free veg (onions this time) as the coupon was going to run out. Other than that I've been mostly preparing the story and activity for the children tomorrow. To my delight, I asked Copilot to draw the characters I needed to illustrate the story, and it worked! Then it helped me make a poster of the Temple for a backdrop. The poster is stuck on a box from L1dl - amazing what comes in handy!

Dinner yesterday was chickpea tikka (we'll finish it tomorrow) and we had salmon today.

In other news, DGD has chickenpox. We are waiting to see if her sister gets it too.

Watty1

I loved Noel Streatfield as a child.  Read lots of her books.  Often old ones found at jumble sales.

WelshmansDaughter

Oh dear to the chicken pox. But excellent re the boiler.

Cherryfudge

Another late finish last night but I got the preparation finished for this morning and the session, and following team meeting, went quite well. Other than those, it's been a quiet day: we finished the tikka for dinner and had some of the home made mincemeat with baked apples afterwards. DH says he likes the mincemeat: I'm not so sure but I'm glad I've tried making it.

It's been another beautiful, sunny day and below freezing so I've not really had any exercise. DH found some You Tube exercises to do. We watched an old edition of 'Landscape artist of the year', I've finished 'Theatre Shoes' and I've written up the notes for the meeting. I've also been watching all the birds coming to the bird feeder. I'm glad I put more food out, they seem so hungry. I put some food on the ground and blackbirds are eating that while the smaller birds are on the hanging feeder.

This evening we started watching the new series of the Great British Throwdown and as ever I'd love to try pottery. DH was concerned I'd end up with huge amounts of china that we don't have space for, but I told him I want to make terracotta flower pots.

I've also been resisting more V1nted temptations but tomorrow I may well give in to some. There's a scarf I like for myself, and some china to go with an old favourite fruit bowl, and a book to put aside for someone's Christmas stocking. Shopping for stocking fillers is an excellent way of spending while saving - I hope. I know that depends on not going overboard. Nothing spent today.

DGD is still at the spotty stage and I've said I'll help out with her on Thursday afternoon as well as our usual Tuesday. I would have liked to have offered more but I feel I need some more rest.

Cherryfudge

A morning post as I need to motivate myself. Nothing I have to do officially, or place I need to be till this evening, but so many things I ought to get down to. I'll write a list and be accountable though I really can't see them all getting done today, despite not currently having my head in a book.

Finances

• set up a spreadsheet for this year
• check account to see whether DD's payment has gone through (she texted in a panic as a payment from her hasn't gone out despite her best efforts. We thought it might be the bank holidays slowing things down)
• get a new spending diary if they are reduced yet!
• sort out a few more of the backlog of Christmas receipts

House

• pack up Christmas tree, cards, sundries, jumpers - and sort out gifts and a visit to my sister and family!)
• Cookery - sloe gin, spiced carrot hummus and curried parsnip soup
• clean and tidy the kitchen
• clean the bathroom
• laundry - hot wash is in as I type but there's hand washing too including things where the colour may run. It's freezing outside but bright so things should dry quite well
• ironing

Admin and church

• send off the notes from yesterday's meeting
• sort out the activity bags I've brought home for repairs and contents
• do my slot on the cleaning rota
• order a few items from V1nted - ones I can justify, anyway! Those are a scrunchie to match my uniform tee shirt for children's work (I know that's not a need but the old one keeps falling out and I found some that match) and a book for DS1's next Christmas stocking). 
  
• sort out a visit to my sister

ETA: this house is so messy! I need to tidy up so I'm not negotiating to get round things - I know that's part of the definition of clutter and there's not much I'm wanting to get rid of, just too many projects out.

Cherryfudge

The 4pm progress report:

I paid off the credit card
Bank hasn't yet acknowledged DD's test payment though the details she used seem to be right
I've taken the decals off the back door
Soup and sloe gin are made
Loads of washing done, a handful left for another day as it will only dry so much
Meeting notes sent off
Contacted my sister
Bought a shirt for DH and a book for DS from V1nted. Still got my eye on a few things for me that I admittedly don't actually need!