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Cheery's path to fulfilment - finishing the DIY, looking after myself, appreciating the garden ๐ป
Comments
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Bad luck on the fine ๐ข but very well done on the getting the form drafted ๐๐
KKAs at 21.05.26:
- When bought house ยฃ315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now ยฃ215,607
- OPs to mortgage = ยฃ18,925 Estd. interest saved = ยฃ9,670 to date
c. 16 months reduction in term
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 35 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 24th May.ย
Produce tracker: ยฃ119 of ยฃ400 in 2026
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.ยWatch your actions, they become your reality.ย4 -
Well I'm not sticking with my plan so far! Done some crochet, had a chat to a friend and made some more birthday arrangements ๐ weather's still rather grey so at least that's not tempting me outside. Going to sit down and do form now though, no distractions, and print it before I go outside.5
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Right, form is getting (very slowly) dragged into shape. I did print it in the end and took it to a cafe with a red pen ๐ฌ
Made a party menu and shopping list, and went round the supermarket while I was out. I've created a problem with my free and easy ways, because I now have no idea whether I'm catering for 4 or 24 ๐ At the very least it looks like there might be 11 of us for lunch on Saturday, another 2 arriving later and staying over, and a different 4 coming on Sunday afternoon, but there are potentially another 10 who may pop in at some unspecified point over the weekend ๐ฌ
There will be an assortment of vegans (we are veggie anyway so not a problem) - just need to make sure the Saturday people don't eat all the tasty vegan stuff.ย
So, the menu looks something like...
LUNCHES
Bread, big vat of lentil soup that can be reheated in the microwave for late arrivals (and go in the freezer for work lunches if nobody eats it). Cheese, hummus, salad, pasta salad (and Mr C wants to make a potato salad too).
SATURDAY DINNER
moroccan chick peas, very simple recipe which can go in the slow cooker on Saturday morning, plus sourdough bread and salad, toasted nuts etc.
BREAKFASTย
Only the four of us, so granola/toast/yogurt
ALSO
I'm making a tea loaf and a lemon cake (both vegan, I think) plus about 800 fairy cakes.
7 -
Today I've done the food shopping, and mowed and strimmed the garden.
Plan for tomorrow:
Mr C in charge of house (which is mostly tidy except the food shopping).
I'll concentrate on job form for the morning, aiming to have full draft by lunchtime.
Then I'm on baking duties - all cakes, soup, chickpea thing.ย
I'd also LOVE to get all the curtains finished for the study, which is where our guests are sleeping. Going to attempt one more tonight.
Saturday morning will be icing fairy cakes, laying out plates etc, and collecting a gazebo (or possibly two) that I've hired from the Library of Things, as the weather forecast is looking quite ropey ๐ฌ
Going to be well in need of a rest by the time I go back to work on Monday ๐ฌ๐8 -
All sounds amazing! Hopefully the weather stays fine for you, have a fab weekend with your friends and 800 cupcakes ๐งยSave ยฃ20,000 in 2025. April 2k, May 3.5k4
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Thank you!ย
Well, I didn't get to the end of the job form til 8pm ๐๐ there's still plenty of editing to do as well ๐ฌ but not now.ย
Made a lemon cake, a tea loaf, and 18 fairy cakes (not quite 800 ๐). That seemed like plenty of cake - the lemon and tea loaf were both two loaf tins. If I need more for Sunday I'll knock up a few more.ย
Also made granola, but no soup - a job for the morning.
Made one more curtain ๐ and I think for the other two windows I might just bring the craft room curtains downstairs, as nobody will be sleeping in there.ย
Still need to hoover through, get the spare bedding on (had to wash the duvet cover again as there was a massive splattery bird poo down it on the washing line ๐), pick up and put up the gazebos, and generally potter about til people arrive ๐
Turns out Mr C has a gig tomorrow night, so he'll be out for a few hours. We've only got 2 people staying so it'll be a nice gentle evening. They can help me with the washing up ๐7 -
Happy Birthday weekend dearest Cheery - enjoy your friends & all that cake!4 YEARS 10 MONTHS DEBT FREE!!! (24 OCT 2016)(With heartfelt thanks to those who have gone before us & their indubitable generosity.)...and now I have a mortgage! (23 AUG 2021)Original End Date - Sept 2041 New projection - Sep 2038 (reduced by 3 years)5
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Have a lovely cheery Birthday weekend xxxx
3 -
Sending bestest Birthday wishes.ย Cakes all sound yummy!
Greying XGrocery Spend May 2026 ยฃ195.87/ยฃ200
Grocery spend April 2026 ยฃ199.95/ยฃ200ย +5pence
Non-food spend May 2026 ยฃ58.44/ยฃ80
Bulk Fund 2026 Month 5/12 - ยฃ5.98/ยฃ93.54 (reducing balance - start ยฃ120 pa)
""Mother Nature don't draw straight lines
The broken moulds in a grand design
We look a mess but we're doing fine
We're card carrying lifelong members
Of the union of different kinds..."
"Union of the Different kinds" -ย R Christie & T Gilbert,ย Fisherman's Friendsย3 -
Happy Birthday weekend ๐๐ฅณ๐๐๐ฐ๐ง๐ฅฎ
I hope your weekend is great fun and you have a wonderful year ahead ๐
KKAs at 21.05.26:
- When bought house ยฃ315,995 mortgage debt and end date at start = October 2039 - now ยฃ215,607
- OPs to mortgage = ยฃ18,925 Estd. interest saved = ยฃ9,670 to date
c. 16 months reduction in term
Fixed rate 3.85% ends October 2030
Read 35 books of target 52 in 2026 as @ 24th May.ย
Produce tracker: ยฃ119 of ยฃ400 in 2026
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.ยWatch your actions, they become your reality.ย3
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