🌞 Happy Days in our Golden Years 🌞

Fortune_Smiles

I've got the power ⚡

Sunday went largely to plan. I did an hour's weeding in the veg patch and finished making my swimsuit 👙🥳. It came together well and fits but I doubt whether I'll wear it as it's not a flattering style for me. That's the only problem with the workshops - you get to choose between two different styles and, sometimes, neither are very me. I am delighted though that I've achieved a garment in lycra and made activewear. It feels like a huge step forward in my sewing journey. And I'm sure I can find a home for it.

We had mushroom and blue cheese burgers for lunch and Gnocchi with Courgette, Mascarpone & Spring Onions for supper.

Monday did not go to plan. Over a dozen contractors for the network company arrived at 8.00am. There was a flurry of activity with vans and machinery coming and going and diggers and cherry pickers trundling back and forth. After about an hour though, all went quiet and Mr F and I commented on how they all seemed to be leaning on gateposts and checking their phones. Several hours passed in this way. I popped to the veg patch to get salad leaves for our lunch and spoke to Mr K, the foreman, on the way. He informed me that the work was unlikely to go ahead. His little band of merry men had not been contracted to do the 'live work'. This was down to four guys from a second contractor. These chaps were recently qualified to do the 'live work' but were still under supervision. However, they had not brought a supervisor with them and none could be found who could get to us in time to complete the work by 4pm - the deadline, after which there would be consequences for them. So they trundled off in a further flurry of activity saying they'd have to come back at another time.

All was not lost for us though as they fitted a new meter box for us. Our old one had disintegrated and was being held together with duct tape. It's the homeowner's responsibility to replace them, however, the network operator has to come out and turn the power off for the work to be done and it's incredibly difficult to get them to do this. Ours was a freebie from the network operator for their previous misdemeanours.

But… all that expense for an administrative mistake! And one of the contractors told me this happens almost every day. No wonder it takes so long to get anything done and it all goes on our bills in the end of course.

I'd not expected a day without electricity to be very productive but I managed to get quite a lot done - all the prep work for the invoicing, the downstairs vacuumed, a room cleaned and two loads of washing done and hung. We had a tuna salad wrap for lunch. Once the power was back on I sent out 2 of the 6 outstanding invoices and cooked Veg & Cheesy Rice Bake for supper.

So a good day despite the disruption. I had to miss gym class though as I don't trust the power company to behave if unsupervised. I might come home to find an enormous pylon in the garden ⚡🗼😲 At least I'd have power then 😂

Fortune x

Greying_Pilgrim

Oh Fortune - that's an interesting point about the meter boxes. Our outside one is shonky and doesn't close properly - and I'm not surprised it hasn't been changed (the previous owner had deep pockets and short arms and spent virtually nothing on the house). But the power company are pressing to have smart meters fitted, but I bet their contractors wouldn't change the box at the same time - even if we were paying for it to be done. They are 3rd party contractors, so wouldn't be able to shut off the power probably, or don't have the boxes in stock or something.

Greying X

Humboldt

What a talented, creative lady you are @Fortune_Smiles, making a swimsuit is amazing. As always, your meal choices look delicious and I am grateful for the links that you include. Hope that you are enjoying the weekend.

Fortune_Smiles

Coming up for air 🤿

I've been struggling to keep my head above water for so long but, at last, I feel like I can come up for some air. My evidence is ready for exchange, the Court has granted the accommodations I requested, a Hearing date has been set. I've still got preparation to do but the very intensive effort I've been putting in will start to lessen now. I don't know how people navigate the Court process while holding down full time jobs and bringing up families. It's relentless.

So today I've had time for some pottering - oh how I've missed it 😁 Those days when you have things to do but nothing pressing and can take your time pootling along. My pottering has been surprisingly productive - 3 loads of washing done and dried on the line, a catch up on some admin, downstairs vacuumed (and boy did it need it), raspberries picked and many, many peas harvested from the veg patch (they will be featuring heavily on the menu plan this week). There is plenty more to catch up on but I feel as though I'll have the time and energy for it now. The house is a tip and the Littlest Fortunate will be visiting in a couple of weeks time so getting things clean and tidy is the first thing on my list. I also have a sewing workshop coming up so will need to do some prep for that (oh how I've missed sewing too). In fact, I've missed my life. I feel as though it's been stolen from me by a narcissitic, entitled, man-child with an irrational and unreasonable compulsion to win at all costs - bully builder to you and I 😂

The peas were put to good use this evening as we had Prawn, Pea & Tomato Curry for supper. And now I'm sitting down in front of the telly with a glass of red in my hand - bliss 🥰

Off to catch up on diaries now and find out how you've all been doing.

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

Good to hear from you Fortune 🙂🙂 Very glad you have all your attach ducks in a row ready for Bully Builder 😬 hope you don't have to wait too long xx

Fortune_Smiles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059695#Comment_82059695

Attack ducks 😂😂😂

Humdinger1

It's so wonderful @Fortune_Smiles to hear the weight lifting from your shoulders. Bully builder is in for the shock of his life! Happy pottering love Humdinger xx

Humboldt

Morning @Fortune_Smiles so pleased to read that your evidence is now ready for exchange. Collating and documenting such things can be all consuming, but it's another step forward in the process completed. Pottering is the perfect antidote and in my view, should never be underestimated. The routine of mundane tasks grounds me and brings a sense of calm. Love that you have a sewing workshop and a visit from the Littlest Fortunate on the horizon. Take back what is yours and enjoy x

Fortune_Smiles

Reclaiming!

Finally I've been able to reclaim my life 😁 The housework and other chores are back to the normal 'need to do' levels, paperwork is under control, hobbies have been practiced and we have enjoyed some social and family events. It's been a busy couple of weeks getting to this stage but I feel lighter and brighter and less stressed than I have for ages. Long may it last 😁

I'm very proud of myself for keeping up my gym classes throughout this difficult period. I knew that exercise was important for managing the stress levels but it was an effort to get there sometimes. I'm off to my next class this morning.

My immediate focus now is to:

• prepare for the Court Hearing. I plan to take a little and often approach to this so it doesn't start to feel overwhelming again. There are some weeks before the Hearing date so I have plenty of time
• finish a jacket I started at a recent sewing workshop. I didn't get very far with it on the day as welt pockets were involved 😲 This is advanced sewing people 😂 I learned a lot though and feel confident to finish at home
• get the house ready for another family visit at the end of the month
• menu plan to use up all the leftovers from this weekend's family visit.

I'm not looking too far ahead yet as I want to pace myself and just enjoy having some time and energy back.

Hope all is well with you guys.

Fortune x

rtandon27

AwwwAwwww - lovely to hear about you reclaiming balance - very proud of you