Watty's Awakening

Watty1

themadvix said:

Loving that your focus hasn't dwindled as we near the end of the year - it would be so easy now to leave things to 2026, but you're right, there's another 4/5? weeks left this year!

Five weeks!  Five weeks today until new years eve.  I'm  not sure how much I can tick off, but, I don't want to just give up and roll it all into next year.  I'm thinking the stair carpet might be better bought after Christmas now in case there are "sales".  Are these still a thing??   It is hardly the weather for giving external woodwork another coat so that might need to wait till Spring and I'm not sure about the front drive which has been a frequent feature of my ponderings but that is pretty much all that is left for the house other than regular maintenance and a decision on the heating.

Work wise I want to write a short course which I have made a start on.  This one is more about attracting business than money in but I have in mind some uses for it. Just got to get it written.

Health wise/Personal wise I still need to research an implant dentist (anyone lurking with a Kent suggestion can you PM me?), buy some new toothbrush heads as I've used my last and get my eyes tested.  Oh and I have chilblains so any suggestions ????   Other than that, all good.  Supplements and sugar free really seems to have helped.

Fun stuff, horses, WattyDog, VNM, friends all good, I have some nice stuff to look forwards to over the next 5 weeks in my diary.

Planning wise, I think the ecology survey needed is sorted. I had a very weird email saying I did not need to consider biodiversity net gain, which the preapp did so I emailed back saying I was sure I did but copying in the planning consultant who came to my rescue with a very clear concise explanation and request of the specialist and it seems as well as the ecologist I need an environmental study too now - eeekk  - but I knew getting the permission would be expensive but I am hoping it will pay off in the long run.    By the end of the year I would like all the "bits" in place.

Some of this I can tick off in the next 5 weeks   

Watty1

Sent ecology survey quote to planning consultant as I cannot make sense of it other than it seems VERY expensive but he felt it was 'as expected' and sent a helpful question to ask them before committing. So far I am liking planning consultant.

Yesterday evenings report took a lot longer than I expected to write and did not get finished, partly due to time but also because chilblains driving me mad so I had a few glasses of wine to take my mind off.  

TallGirl

As usual you are really amazing Watty and I do remember you from when you were mortgage free and all this kicked off. Yes things could have been very different and I myself could have been in your situation had my ex not died (he was not great but not a PPH level at least). I myself was sure paying off the mortgage was better than filling the pensions but heyho lets not dwell on things main thing is you now have a lovely life and someone in it that is lovely too. 

Hope you get as much done as you want this year if not there is always next year. Planning permission sounds like an expensive pain but as you said could well be worth it. 

PennysIntoPounds

Ouch to the chilblains. Did you have your vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels checked in your recent MOT? 
Hope you've got some lovely cosy socks too. I blimmin love a good pair of socks, very sad I know but nice socks make everything a bit better

WelshmansDaughter

Perhaps socks or shoes made for diabetics if chilblains are on feet? I know little about chilblains 

Watty1

B12 a little low on blood test so not a bad idea to add some B vits. Vit D fine but i do take over winter.   Have dug out the bed socks as I think my feet have been getting cold at night.  

Fun evening last night.  The first festive fun  The local charity shop held a 'glitz and glamour' event - they sold tickets to an evening opening and had saved all the 'party ware'   There were some fabulous bargains, I went with two girlfriends and bought for £5 a unworn (still with tags) black cropped jacket with silver and gold flowers on for £5 and was tried on lots of other bits many of which I really tried to make fit.  I have no idea about how to sew/adjust clothes as there were a few things I really did want but just would not fit.  We then finished the evening with a glass of fizz and giggles in the local pub before picking up chips in the chippie.    Really hope the shop did well out of their evening, they certainly deserved to. 

greenbee

What a lovely evening - maybe you should suggest they partner with a seamstress who does clothes alterations if they can find one, as it sounds as if there'd be a lot of business in it and they might sell even more!

Greying_Pilgrim

greenbee said:

What a lovely evening - maybe you should suggest they partner with a seamstress who does clothes alterations if they can find one, as it sounds as if there'd be a lot of business in it and they might sell even more!

Would people value the sewists time and work tho greenbee? 🤔 Altering a garment for yourself is one thing, but many folk would baulk at paying £20/£30/£50 for alterations to a garment they got for a fiver in a chazzer - irrespective of whether they'd think nothing of paying £100 in a shop for something similar new ☹️ Just my humble opinion.  It's always difficult to value time with craft industries.

But as a way of keeping things out of landfill ✅ And for getting fantastic party attire for a fraction of the cost ✅

Greying X

Cherryfudge

What a great idea from the charity shop! 

As for changing and altering things, is it something you'd enjoy doing? And would you find the time? I'm very good at mending (says she humbly) and there is a lot of help online nowadays as mending becomes fashionable, but alterations rarely happen as I have the ideas but also have other things to do. Being able to sew, in whatever way, is a real feel-good factor, though. Meanwhile, enjoy your lovely new jacket: it sounds versatile as well as glamorous so there should be some good outings coming up!

Watty1

@greenbee that is a great suggestion!  I think Greying might be right as the shop really does work on the principle of cheap turnover (one of my friends bought a £35 new with tags top for £3) but they could put some details up on their little noticeboard behind the till (I will suggest that)
@Cherryfudge you made me think.  The items are really inexpensive, I have a sewing box with pins, needles and cotton. I ought to have a go!  At the worst I would lose a few hours and about £5 so I might try something!