Living Large, on a Small Income, by the Sea.

beanielou

Buy the wardrobe. It sounds just perfect. 

PennysIntoPounds

doingitanyway said:

Yes, I agree @PennysIntoPounds...just noticed your signature and v. jealous that you have read 36 books this year! I lag woefully behind...

Definitely dedicate some time to yourself for reading when your guests have gone, good for the soul innit. A sarnie and a book by the sea ❤️
Or snackerels and a glass of something delicious with a book as the sun sets ❤️❤️
You'll be able to catch me up quick enough as my main book at the moment is Hilary Mantel's A Place of Greater Safety which is even chunkier than War and Peace

Sunshine_girl2

Please be careful using tin foil in the air fryer . I have a silicone liner for mine , easy to use and wash. Mine was from Lakeland , but you can get them from HB as well. 

If the wardrobe is going to bring you joy and be practical then why not buy it. 

doingitanyway

Thank you @Sunshine_girl2 I will check the silicone liner out 
Yes, the place opens at 11 so will pop along. If it is there and ok, and passes my inspection, I will buy it...
Thanks @beanielou
Thanks @PennysIntoPounds that is a great book! I am not so into the Wolf Hall stuff but love her earlier work.
Funnily a lovely friend sent me some money instructions to head for the sea for a treat so I quite fancy the sunsetting scenario 

So, this morning after a good night's sleep I began tackling the drudge work early (thank you @teapot2)

• understairs, junk pulled out hoovered behind
• a bag of books, some plates and a small ironing board ready for charity shop
• potatoes peeled (easy meal of tuna bean salad with garlic fried potatoes tonight for guests)
• soup made for myself!
• upstairs cupboard reorganised

TBH the house looks sort of worse because so much has been pulled out but it will look better in the end

But, the big news is this:

I had an idea when I bought this house that I would have a creative retreat for the area of creativity I specialise in. I could act as a guide for the creative spaces available, offer mentoring and a variety of 'add ons' as well as the basic package of a room, breakfast and a simple organic lunch of soup (yes soup again) and sides. There are countless eateries in the area so no cooking evening meals for me!

I did my research and advertised in one place related to my specialism.
I have been hard at work producing a PDF
I wanted it to be low tech with word of mouth growth, so no website just an email and PDF info. 

I had interest but used this interest to fine tune  

A friend challenged me to say yes to the next request, so I did! The deposit dropped into my account  this morning. The creative will be here for 3 nights in 4 weeks time. The rate for one night is 4 times the rate of the current international guests (this is without an evening meal and the add ons I provide, which we discuss when they arrive, so we can fine tune their package) 

If this all works out, I can host fewer people for shorter stays less often and not cook an evening meal. 

Having the international guests has been key in finding out if I can do this and what issues might arise. I now know I have a 10 day limit before I get grouchy...

There are lots of things I need to work out like what time of year I host in future and I haven't fine tuned the add-ons but I'm feeling positive this morning.

Off to see if the wardrobe is still there   

Sun_Addict

What a fabulous idea to offer the creative retreat.  The shorter stays, no cooking evening meals and being able to charge more sound perfect for you, I really hope it takes off.

Fingers crossed for the wardrobe. 

doingitanyway

Thanks @Sun_Addict the shop wasn't open  It only opens at the weekend. I will go back tomorrow.

To CS...6 hardbacks out and 4 big plates and 2 heavy coasters, small ironing board  

PennysIntoPounds

What a great venture, proud of you

beanielou

That just sounds so you. 

Tresinia511

Dia that's amazing. You have elevated working smarter not harder to the next level! Good luck!

joeyjimbles

How exciting that your germ of an idea has developed into something so exciting. 

And well done on tackling the dull jobs earlier in the day so you have time for the fun stuff later. Fingers crossed for the wardrobe