Moving on

Sun_Addict

I never thought I’d say this but lucky you getting some rain. It’s been hot and sunny all day here and hasn’t rained for weeks, ever since I bought a raincoat in fact 😆

Cherryfudge

Thank you for all the lovely blackberry suggestions everyone! I made a start with a jar and a third of blackberry curd, which I seem to make better than I make jam. I've not picked any today but the weekend is coming… and there are still two bowls in the fridge to use up.

I spent the morning writing out instructions for how to use the app where church rotas are stored. I started it to ensure I knew what I was doing on Monday when I'm supposed to be teaching a couple how to use it, but it occurred to me to send it and say they are welcome to a one to one session if they need it. I also had a texted conversation with the person who will be leading the Sunday morning group with me. We were going to meet up but she has a house full of children so we've postponed that.

I had all these plans to go and sort out the children's activity bags but it's not happened yet. Hopefully Monday or midweek next week. I did nip down to the shops as L1dl had some discounts I wanted, and I needed eggs and lemons (both discounted at Iceland, thanks 0lio). I was only needed for two hours at work, so I spent the extra time making the blackberry curd, and I've also heated some milk that's very short dated, so I can yogurtify it overnight.

Cherryfudge

I listed an item on V1nted last night and it's sold this morning - though I'd priced a bit high in the expectation someone would put in a lower offer. Loads of people had favourited it so I thought perhaps there'd be competition. Anyway, I will get it sent to its new home, and this time I've screenshotted the shipping label and will photograph the parcel before it goes, just in case there's any hitch. I was quite amused that the app told me to wrap this 'fragile' item with care - yes, I'll wrap with care but it's brass, and more likely to knock a hole in something than get dented.

I've also contacted the chap who sweeps chimneys and installed our log burner. This was a follow-up to a text in July but he says he had health issues - which always sounds a bit dodgy but he's a lovely guy whose work has stood the test of time and why shouldn't he have health issues? It's never easy to get him to finish things though - until he finally turns up and all is well for another year.

DH has just sent a photo of a beach that's been installed in town! That's imagination for you!

Cherryfudge

It was car boot sale time again this morning - the first time I've been to 'our' car boot in about 5 weeks, and they seem to have changed the layout but it was busy and reasonable 'pickings' even though we didn't get there early. It's been warm and sunny so we took the hobby car and had the fun of a couple of acknowledgements from enthusiasts.

I seem to have lost my keenness for car boot wardrobe hunting (blame V1nted and too many things at home) but I found a pair of U*g trainers for £3, a hair conditioner for £1.50 (selling on the Big River for about £14) and a collection of tiny animals for £2. Most of them are dogs, and a number are carved from wood. G00gle tells me they are mid 20th Century and I really don't know what to do with them as they are too big for the dolls' house (which already has three dogs). With them was the tiniest china horse, about 2cm high, which reminds me of some slightly larger ones my Mum collected. She thought they were copies of a Chinese horse beloved by an Emperor who required that statues were made so its beauty could be immortalised - but I can't find that precise story online, which just suggests mid-century blanc de chine. But I couldn't just leave them, could I?

DH didn't buy anything though he was tempted by the coin stall.

Dinner was fish in batter with couscous and veg and the usual cappuccino and square of dark chocolate to follow.

I'd intended to sort out the aforementioned activity bags this afternoon, but found it was too reminiscent of sorting my parents' house. It will be easier when there are likely to be others in the building, but today I was told my a former member of my team that they are needed on another team that meets at the same time, and which is for the age group they are working with. That makes my team a little thinner on the ground, and various messages picked up in the last couple of days are leaving me feeling very much out of the loop. To be fair, there is so much having to change at the moment that it's hardly anyone's primary duty to tell me everything, they are all too busy adapting to changes themselves.

I have, though, posted the sold item and listed some more, so in theory I might eventually get more out of the house than I've brought in today. I also wore the trainers and they may possibly be all right. The leather is lovely but G00gle, seeing a photo of them when I researched (retail £60 approx) suggested I might want to look for 'how to clean white leather'!

Some small spends on groceries and a part for DH's bike - in the last few days he's mended not only that but a problematic kitchen cupboard that's required a baton down one edge. That's the only way to drive in long enough screws to keep the door from sagging. It looks 100% better with the baton than with the saggy door (or the door periodically fallen off and propped to one side).

And, a propos of nothing, an odd thing from work yesterday. I asked for replacement gloves as I'd put a hole through one of mine. These are colour-coded and one colour is being phased out. Instead of one pair, I was handed nine pairs with the understanding that what I didn't use at work, I could use at home because work has a useless surplus. Of course I've started on pair number one, but at home I have a small stock already, largely due to buying more when self catering or in order to have spares. I can see I will need to do a lot of housework…

Cherryfudge

All that and I completely forgot to mention giving in to the temptation that is V1nted! A pack of face cloths (last of the big spenders, me), a jumper (not needed but very 'me') and an assortment of pillow cases - these last not for pillows but to use the fabric for the wooden spoon puppets I make. The face cloths were a planned buy, but having bought them, I've decided I want pink… well, I will just have to live with purple for now.

amber03

Am new to V1nted, sold my first few bits last week. Didn’t get much for them but I suppose it all mounts up. Will put a few more bits up this week. Has anyone sold on V1nted, and sent the parcel but it didn’t arrive at the destination. One of my items was collected by Ev people but still not arrived.

Cherryfudge

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82097196#Comment_82097196

You need to collect any evidence (emails from V1nted, any photos of the sale etc.) and report it to V1nted and Evr1 as well. Do it as soon as you can. V1nted may suspend the sale while they and Evr1 try to trace the parcel. Also contact the buyer and tell them what you are doing to resolve it - that's part of your evidence trail.

Most of my purchases and sales have been problem free, but these things can go wrong for various reasons. I'm not an expert but V1nted did try to help when I put an item in the locker and the locker computer failed at that point, meaning I had no record of posting. It all eventually went through the system and arrived with the buyer but it was hassle. A word of warning - when you contact V1nted you get through to an AI chatbot, which is some use but not a solution. I eventually got through to a real person and was able to explain and follow their instructions.

Laura_Elsewhere

@Cherryfudge - try googling the Six Steeds of Zhao - I think that might be the Chinese legend you're thinking of?

Cherryfudge

Thank you for that reference, @Laura_Elsewhere - I found it very interesting but I don't think it's the same. I do find the phrase 'leaps like a purple swallow' sticks with me, though!

Cherryfudge

Yesterday - nothing spent, and three rain showers. That's what happens when we decide to walk to church. 😁 I did show DH that the rain isn't really penetrating the ground yet - he doesn't really get that watering plants needs to be deep watering, but the rain went in at most 2mm. I've watered everything in the last couple of days for the first time in a week, so I think I've lost a plant due to my neglect.

I didn't get much done during the day apart apart from picking blackberries. 3lbs - which is quite a bowlful. I have to soak them and give several rinses to get any livestock out, but the rinse water is now going on the garden. Today I want to make more blackberry curd: it;s very nice!

We also had the first greengage, though last year's colossal harvest won't be happening this year. This and the blackberries are early by a week or two.

In the evening DH and I had a short local walk then I settled down with half a dozen activity bags from the children's group and did an inventory. As we will be working with children up to seven, we need to increase what's available, and to my delight I discovered that AI is really good at suggesting crafts and discussion starters - so I've made a bit of progress.