Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

themadvix

Suffolk_lass said:

greenbee said:

I dry lemon verbena in the airing cupboard and have it in bowls around the house. Stir it as you go past!

Definitely need to emulate that with other herbs on hand.

We use used roof tiles to edge beds - we replaced the concrete tiles on the kitchen roof with used slate and kept the tiles (fell into the one-day they will be useful for something) and now all the scaffold wood bed-edging has rotted and the sleepers are slowly being consumed by wood-eating critters, they are coming into their own here

Excellent reuse there SL. I am generally not a fan of raised beds - in no-dig they are considered more places for slugs to hide, but I will stick with what I've got (for the time being at least, this plot is having minimal financial input) (Not saying that I don't like a raised bed for certain things!). If I was redoing the plot, the raised beds would go on the principle that they're tiny and not much use for anything anyway! This plot has a lot of wasted space - massive paths (and massive beds that are inaccessible in the middle), it's not developed right to the edge of the plot (?!) and it has a large area of woodchip with a couple of pallets laying flat on it - I'm not sure what they're in aid of really either (there isn't much in the way of storage, so maybe intended for keeping things off the ground?). But for now, I'm going to clear what's there to be used. I'll put down groundcover material over the winter, plant squashes into slits in some of it in the spring and I'm sure I'll get carried away with seedlings then too, but I won't be making big changes (ever hopeful that my neighbouring plot will become available).

themadvix

Afternoon all,

It's been grey and rather damp here this morning, but has brightened up a bit now. I've just been for a wander around the block to get some fresh air and steps in. Cancelled my morning Cambridge meeting (nothing to discuss and I'll see them tomorrow anyway). Meeting with boss has been moved back an hour as other Cambridge boss, who is on mat leave, has taken baby daughter into office (am gutted I am missing them - if only I'd known, I'd have gone in today instead of tomorrow! Have sent my regards instead (and to make the point we're missing her!)). Haven't done much Cambridge stuff anyway as am trying to ensure I've got plenty to do tomorrow - normally I go in on a Tuesday and there's another meeting to fill the time, but tomorrow there's only a 2 hour lunch/meeting to occupy me. (There's also going to be some training and probably dealing with IT support!).

Work for main client is moving along. I was beating myself up for not getting through it quicker, but I've realised how large the project is and how much it'll pay and realised I can't be expecting myself to get in all done in a couple of days. Have also done a tiny bit for US client and another piece for a European client - it's quite nice having a bit more variety, it's been a while.

Dinner last night was as planned, although I actually didn't have enough basmati rice for the recipe - just about enough to do half, which was fine for two of us (recipe serves 4). Will pick some basmati up on Friday from the refill shop. I think I decided against buying any because we've got really good at having brown rice, but for IP recipes that call for basmati it's not possible to substitute! Tonight we're having pizza - the dough is proving on a long slow rise. I also baked bread this morning. Mr MV has had a free breakfast at work and took some snacks, so hopefully won't have needed to buy anything (and he's got loyalty points that would get him a small something I think anyway). Don't think I can be bothered making tomato sauce (and opening a whole jar of passata), so we'll have a pesto based pizza - will just need to defrost some pesto.

Addition to the meal plan:

- Sat - soup du poisson and galettes. I still have buckwheat flour in the cupboard from pandemic flour shortage substitutes and I'd really like it finished as it's taking up space/a kilner jar. The soup we bought last month on our day trip (and we might get some more next weekend when we're back in France).

MS things:
* Clicks and HW done
* 1P finally cashed out!
* Using the batteries wisely today

On gratitudes, I read this, this morning (in the EncounterNature app, which I can highly recommend - a bit like a digital almanac): https://findingnature.org.uk/2025/10/06/improving-connections-to-nature-life-and-people/. With it in mind, my gratitudes are:
* Watching a magpie walking along our picket fence this morning and pecking underneath for some tasty snacks
* The gorgeous red tints to the leaves around here at the moment
* The crunch of the leaves underfoot

Have a good afternoon all!

themadvix

Afternoon All,

Cambridge last Thursday was a good day - friend gave me a lift most of the way and all the way home, so only a single bus and (short-distance) train fare required. Took breakfast and lunch with me.

Friday morning, I met my local friends for an impromptu breakfast - one friend shared that she's expecting, which is lovely (for her!). £9 spent from personal spends. Popped to refill shop for basmati and also into WR for 20% off fish. In the evening we had tickets for an acoustic gig at our local theatre. As it was local, we didn't need to deviate from a quick drink in the pub beforehand! We did end up getting Indian street food takeaway from the station, but as we'd both wanted to try it for ages and it was £16 for both (a small curry/rice bowl and shared samosas), it was happily paid. Would definitely eat from them again - really nice and entirely veggie.

Saturday Mr MV went to parkrun and we did some housework - some tidying, decluttering etc. Yesterday we were more productive and I got the garden put to bed, two loads of washing done and we went for a walk in the afternoon before heading to Mum's to see her, both uncles and Sis and Niece. Lots of Disney discussion as we're going this Friday!

Stuck to the meal plan for the week, finishing with French night on Saturday (jar of soup du poisson and galettes - used up the last of our buckwheat flour - hooray!) and then fish pie for dinner last night (both galettes and fish pie stretched to lunch portions the following day too). 

Today I've been back at my desk making headway into the large project. I've also baked a loaf and granola and finally got the (nearly dry) washing in - need to put some on the airer and some in the airing cupboard still. Popped to the pharmacy for my prescription, dropped some cards in the post box and donated a couple of bits to the charity shop.

Have just got off the phone from a call with my main client. It was a courtesy call really to update me on what's going on (cue panic in my head!). The other half of the partnership is retiring, so company is being wound up. *However* nothing really should change for me - he said he is intending to continue for the foreseeable future (a relief for me as he's not far off retirement age either, and it had been beginning to play on my mind). He also wanted to discuss whether I'd be happy to provide business continuity with our main client, should there be a problem now it's just him - to which, of course I said 'Yes!'. What a huge relief. It feels pretty much as close to job security as one can get as a freelancer. We also discussed the other person he's brought on board and I was so relieved to know that he can see the issues there, so another sigh of relief.

So all in all, a really positive day (and I can see the light at the end of this project's tunnel too - thank goodness!)

MS things:
* Bread and granola baked (the new battery is making a huge difference to how self-sufficient we are when it comes to running the oven - obviously this will change when we have the heat pump, as we're expecting the battery to just about cover that usage)
* Clicks and HW
* Entered a couple of competitions
* Transferred sweepings to long-term savings (Cash ISA)
* Calculated that I should have leftover money from the Disney budget after the weekend (at least, I hope so!)
* Sticking to the meal plan. Tonight we're having a stew from the IP recipe book - chickpeas are soaking and it will use some hg potatoes
* Small R'ford order put in (deadline tomorrow, but don't envisage any additions)
* Heating still off - opened the oven door to allow the warmth to circulate once it was finished with

Gratitudes:
* Lovely walk yesterday afternoon - they've just opened a new car park and introduced improved walking routes. Saw a muntjac and lots of waterfowl
* Lovely to see uncles yesterday afternoon
* Gig on Friday was excellent - a bit different from what we normally see (in terms of being acoustic), but really enjoyed it
* Phone call with main client 😀

Have a good evening all!

rtandon27

Fabulous news with the main client Vix - so happy for you!  A bit of stability is always a good thing.

beanielou

Great news on the main client Vix. 

themadvix

Thanks RT and Beanie - it really did make my day!

themadvix

Morning all,

Yesterday really was a Good Day. I finally managed to break the back of this project, just as Mr MV got home. Mr MV then proceeded to do some painting that needs doing before the heat pump people arrive (we've chosen to remove some boxing in around pipes to rearrange where the pipes go, so there was some previously unexposed wall that needs tidying). I tidied the kitchen and made pesto using the last of the basil and popped to the allotment (collecting the paint from the other garage as I passed it), picking a pocket full of French beans (they're still coming - so the plant stays!). Courgette is still struggling along with two small (but growing courgettes on it).

I'm hoping today will be as productive. Alongside work (this project is far from finished and I'd like it done by EOD Thursday, so I can start on something fresh next week), I've got a batch of Glamorgan sausages to make and I'd like to get the shallots/red onions and garlic in the ground (the bed is prepared, so in theory it's a quick job). No evening class tonight, which will help.

Lunch will be Cranks tomato and red lentil soup and dinner will be the aforementioned sausages and mash (hg potatoes and leeks in the sausages). Last night's dinner was nice, although I did add a bit more liquid than the recipe suggested (and it could have taken more). I'm going to aim to  do one recipe a week from the IP book - they're all quite tasty and easy and generally low cost - using lentils/veg/beans with flavour coming from spices. They make good autumnal fare!

Today's additional task is to try to get tickets for a concert next year at Wembley we'd like to go to. So hopefully not a NSD. Mr MV has money in the fun pot for this though.

themadvix

Couldn't be bothered with the soup - will save it for tomorrow. Egg has been hardboiled in the IP for my lunchtime sandwich instead (part of the cba was that the loaf is nice and fresh and will make a lovely sandwich). Decided I needed another leek for the sausages, so have been down to the allotment. Also picked kale and onion greens for the mash to make a colcannon. While there I noticed that the tomatoes on my new plot (in a growbag) had properly got blight (very suddenly - they were fine the last time I was there), so quickly cleared them into the council bins so that no one can complain I'm spreading the blight. Dislodged a frog - hopefully he's found a new spot to snuggle up in now.

Most importantly - got the tickets we wanted and while they are expensive, they are not horrifically so (£78 each? I resent how much concert tickets are these days - but Mr MV was paying and really wanted to go. Think they were pretty much the cheapest available🙄 Once you add on train tickets, some food and drink (because realistically you'll need something while en route at least and you can't take anything in with you), it's very much *not* a cheap event.)

KajiKita

Great news about the main client and if you end up doing 'business continuity' type activities, before your main client contact retires, it may even continue beyond them retiring? 

I keep meaning to ask - is 'the teardrop' some kind of self build caravan / mobile home, or some such? You mention various things you are doing to do it or progressing on it, but I don't remember ever reading about when you started with it or why ...

KK

themadvix

KajiKita said:

Great news about the main client and if you end up doing 'business continuity' type activities, before your main client contact retires, it may even continue beyond them retiring? 

I keep meaning to ask - is 'the teardrop' some kind of self build caravan / mobile home, or some such? You mention various things you are doing to do it or progressing on it, but I don't remember ever reading about when you started with it or why ...

KK

Yes, I think the plan would be for me to continue once he has retired - assuming the logistics of it can be worked out (EU/non-EU business logistics, complicated by funding from the EU on their end).

Yes the teardrop is one of these: https://phieldbug.co.uk/. It doesn't quite look like that yet, but it's getting there! I will share pictures, but at the moment they're not very clear as it's in the garage and you can't really see much of it (just one end), so they don't really give much of an idea!