Watty's Awakening

Slinky

Watty, M&S Heat Gen do a good selection of different coloured thermals of differing thicknesses, with scoop, crew and turtle neck necklines. I've bought several to use as long sleeved T-shirts under knitwear. They are quite long in the body too so you don't get that blast of a draft around your middle.  There's also leggings available, although I didn't look too closely at them as I already have some.

LadyWithAPlan

Watty1 said: ....

This prompted a quick removal of T-shirts and vest tops from main wardrobe and replaced with an organised selection of winter clothes. I thought I had once decluttered my wardrobe to a simple clear state but there seems to be a lot of "stuff" that has appeared.  I have had a quick cull and am undecided whether to list for sale or just donate. Currently leaning towards sunk costs and remove from house but that might be mood related.

i think my wardrobe breeds ... i am definitely leaning towards sunk costs 

Watty1

@Slinky thanks.  Two of the items to go back were from the Heatgen range, but were lightweight. I think I might be a heavyweight girl.  I will see if the leggings get reduced later in the year as I have some that will do and the wardrobe tidy up meant I located last winters purchase of padded waterproof trousers and I remembered how much I loved them

@LadyWithAPlan  My wardrobe has clearly been doing some breeding too.  I had a look on Vinted and have decided that I will list a couple of items just because they are expensive brands but the rest I will drop into the village charity shop to save the stress of packing and posting.  A carrier bag has set aside and I am folding and adding items to it.  

Freezing outside, everything icy and I cannot find my hammer to break ice on the water troughs.  So that is on the to do list for today, along with after work going to DIY store for insulation for some outside pipes where the old stuff has frayed off as it is so icy that job has now moved up the priority pile.

First though, tidy self and office up for camera to be on for the course hour, both self and office need to look professional.

greenbee

I'm about to pack a whole lot of stuff up for the CS which has been on FBMP for ages and I am getting fed up with having hanging around. There's only so much time and effort you can put into selling when you're trying to work, look after the animals, renovate the house, and get the garden under control!

Slinky

Watty1 said:

@Slinky thanks.  Two of the items to go back were from the Heatgen range, but were lightweight. I think I might be a heavyweight girl.  I will see if the leggings get reduced later in the year as I have some that will do and the wardrobe tidy up meant I located last winters purchase of padded waterproof trousers and I remembered how much I loved them

There are several different thicknesses of HeatGen.  It sounds like you chose the ones aimed at the London office worker end of their range.

Watty1

That makes sense @Slinky.  I also have one of their heavyweight ones and that will be great.   I lit the wood burner yesterday evening which made such a difference to the house and then the VNM added coal to it this morning before leaving.    Freezing outside but warm inside.   

Up and at my desk earlier, so gentle read on here whilst breakfast then must press on as need to take the afternoon off for dental work.  At last restoration on the part that was worked on earlier in the year begins with a hygienist deep clean for 40 mins beforehand.     I have the money to pay for the work, so it all feels right.  Such a difference from the start of the year  (still thinking over plans for next year).

Have chased maintenance man up for more precise quotes and asked when he can start. I raised the issue that the costs were really odd - three lights than an electrician can switch in an hour or two, over £1000 but the pathways that need lifting, a new membrane, and redoing only £800 and that is a few days work!   I suggested he look over the prices and be clear about what is included as I suspect the pathways is labour only and the electrical work I just said that would be a no!    I also asked him when he can start as is ideal hedge trimming time and the fencing in the field needs doing given neither of my two lovely but unreliable fencers have shown up.    Probably too late to reseed the back of the barn but while he is working the wood can be burnt (£150) and I have a long list for the two chaps who will do a days work doing "odd jobs" like putting up hooks, changing a gate latch, breaking up a pallet.    I am going with just getting the work done rather than waiting and seeing what happens with the VNM and his work as I want the jobs done and it will cost me pretty much the same whoever does the work.  

I'm beginning to think over plans for next year and it will be great to just enjoy the house and land as part of that, hence pushing on with the work now I can afford the next stage.

Watty1

Dental appointment meant three hours in traffic due to an accident and no work done. After chatting to two dentists have decided to go for an implant but bone scan needed first.

Work can begin outside in January. Start date agreed as spent time in traffic jam messaging the maintenance and landscaping man.

In fun stuff:  whilst sitting in the dentist waiting I read one of those lifestyle magazines and found an article on hedge laying.  Now I have a long hedge that I had always wanted laid properly but this has never really happened so I posted on a local app and now have the phone number of someone who is a member of the national hedge laying society and is local.  Hurrah!  Will call him later today.     (Hedge laying is an old skill to make a native hedge into a proper barrier rather than a collection of bushes for anyone wondering).

Greying_Pilgrim

Watty - if you have a hedge 'ripe' to be properly treated, are there any local agricultural colleges/adult education outlets (I realise those are getting rarer than hen's teeth), or even heritage organisations that would take a 'volunteer' hedge to train people 'how to' on?  It may not make the hedge laying process 'no cost', but it may make it 'low cost'?  The instructor would be on hand to ensure it was been being done correctly, and the fact that it may be enough for several students at a time, may get the job done quicker than if it was a pro-contractor working alone?  just a thought.  I'm sure you can still do courses on hedge laying and dry stone walling, so 'volunteer' hedges/walls must be required?  And you can't 'unlay' a hedge, like you can knock down a wall,.

Greying X

Watty1

@Greying_Pilgrim  what a fabulous idea. I know there is a local college, well not exactly local but local enough so I will try them next week. Nice . thank you

Watty1

These shorter days are hard.  Finally unloaded the jump wings from lorry to find the floor of the horsebox was wet which is very concerning. I've put it on a list for the VNM to look at, hopefully tomorrow.  Moved fencing posts to barn from spare stable, exhausting but needed doing as the fencing is not likely to be done now until the end of January and moved the lawn mower that needs repair to the haybarn.  That means I now have a spare stable for use (this one has the heat lamps in so useful for drying a wet pony).   The jump posts have been stacked where the old dog crate is so that has finally been listed on Marketplace.    Then inside as is so wet out there!

Did a few hours work then a little bit on accounts and ordered Christmas gift for the VNM.  When we first met I refused to do Christmas gifts as I cannot bear the "what would you like" and the stress that usually descends into or indeed the money that seems to get spent.   Instead I suggested we just buy each other a personalised bauble or decoration for the tree that reflects something that happened in the year.    His bauble this year will be a photo he took of him and his mum on her last day in her house with the date on the back.  

Then a quick rummage in the freezer for dinner, stew and a jacket potato and frozen veg.