Renewed focus: the (less-than?) five-year plan to move

themadvix

Morning all,

Weekend went pretty much as planned. We did go for a walk in the pouring rain on Saturday - got back to the car and had to change our clothes, but we'd planned for this, so it was fine. Did get to the allotment yesterday to do a few bits, but still haven't cleared much as things are still growing - I have got another small BNS on the vine - it won't ripen in time, but can still be eaten like a summer squash. Picked sprouting broccoli, loads of kale (my perennial kale needed/needs a severe prune!), beans (various) and dug up my first sweet potato (carefully extracted, leaving the rest of the plant there, in the hope it will continue to grow - but I was desperate to see what it was like!). Also sowed some broad beans and tidied up a bit in the garden. Had a very non-digital day yesterday, which was lovely - tried to be very intentional about picking up my phone.

Dinner on Saturday was really nice - lovely to see friends and the food was excellent. My insistence we pay for what we had did reduce our bill - we had less than others - and it was fine. Unfortunately, these are the friends who wanted to come to the Christmas markets with us, and have now all bailed 🙄 Which isn't unexpected (they'd been suspiciously quiet), but is a bit annoying as we'd booked Cologne because they were coming - we might have gone elsewhere - plus they know we've got cat issues. Oh well. I think we'll stick with it, but I might look to see if we could shorten the trip by a day (suspect it will cost too much at this point though). We've got plans to venture out from the city to Bonn and Aachen (this will be our third trip there) and we'll finally go into the cathedral, so it's not the end of the world, just a bit frustrating. Main concern, as always, is that B&W Cat eats enough while we're away 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Today I'm booked in for classes at the gym this afternoon so cracking on with work this morning - trying to finish the bulk of the large project for main client. It's grey and damp here, but if I get the chance I'll pop to the allotment to check on everything after the weather yesterday. If not, tomorrow will be fine - it's meant to be sunny and I should have time to get my garlic in then too.

MS things:
* YNP used for milk top-up at Sains yesterday (cancelled a pint from milklady today)
* Used the leaves from the cauli in Friday's stir fry as well as last night's roasted soy cauliflower recipe (which also had some crispy soy kale in). Dinner tonight will be a stir fry too, I think.
* Insurance has paid out for Ginger Cat's investigations - about £1000, so about £500 to pay off cc
* Final week of alternate chemo days for B&W (and actually we think he was meant to have it today, but couldn't remember, so he didn't have it) - will reduce the bill for these tablets to £35/month instead of £70
* S&S submitted (including a receipt, which is virtually unheard of round here!); plus changed £30 of points for Uber vouchers - we'll use these, albeit not too quickly, so it made sense. We struggle to find other things to spend on, although it was good to see garden centre vouchers have been added.

Gratitudes:
* Despite the weather, we both loved our walk on Saturday in the rain - it showed us some nearby countryside that was surprising to us, including what would be a lovely view from a ridge if the weather hadn't been so atrocious! Plus sheep!
* Got out for fresh air yesterday too - both at the allotment and for a short walk in the afternoon
* Lovely to see friends on Saturday night - and was really impressed by the food

Have a good day all!

EssexHebridean

I'm very impressed at you going for a walk in Saturday's weather - the little we had to go out in it we decided it was utterly vile and certainly weren't keen to spend more time in it than we had to!

That is annoying about the bail-outs on the Christmas market trip after choosing the location based on folk who have now bailed! Sounds like your making the best of it approach is the best option at this stage though and you do have some nice things planned.

themadvix

We were quite impressed too - but actually it wasn't cold, and we had walking boots, walking trousers (soaked through - the worst bit was the wet knees!) and proper (longish) coats on. And we didn't come across anyone else, which I imagine was quite unusual in the Home Counties. We had a target to get to (some ruins), so that helped too, I think. We were disappointed that the pub's fires weren't lit when we got there, but actually it would have been far too warm later on if they had been!

You're right, we'll make the most of it. Some bailed early on (it's a group of 11 of us - five couples and the sister of one of the couples), but the ones who'd shown most interest had, at the last count, said they needed to look at booking accommodation - at this point we knew it would be expensive (and budget is definitely an issue for them), so we were fairly certain it was just going to be us. It is what it is. We'll plan for ourselves next year and they can come if they want (we also booked over a weekend for the teacher among us, which would not have been our preference as the markets are so busy).

themadvix

Evening all,

Finally finished that big project for main client this morning, so have taken advantage of some spare time to get on with jobs. Stuff went to charity shop and rag bin this morning, then I had a lovely walk in the sunshine (stripped down to my t-shirt, it was so warm) to the vets to collect some pills (and dispose safelyof spat out chemo tabs - did consider taking these to the pharmacy, but wondered what they’d make of that! 😂). Came home and baked a loaf and rolls, a batch of chocolate and pistachio cream cookies, granola and @foxgloves flatbreads. Then popped to the allotment to pick some leeks. Should have stayed longer and planted garlic, but was feeling rather tired by then! Leeks and bread are ready to make sausages tomorrow. I also took delivery of our apocalypse food this morning - various tins and a few bags of pasta. Still considering playing out for our emergency power supply to be set up using the solar/batteries… but it’s a cost and we do plan on moving… (Solar is automatically cut off if there’s a power cut to ensure the grid is safe for people to work on - so this would be an isolator of some sort to ensure we could continue to use our set up should there be a power cut.)

Dinner tonight is going to be Spanish tortilla, with hg potatoes, onion and salad. Since I got back from the allotment I have been blessed with cuddles from B&W cat and have done a whole batch of 1P surveys and read some of my book.

Looking at possible tickets to see Brad Paisley next year at the O2 this evening - he’s my favourite country artist. Tickets not on sale until Friday, but the TL nearby might go up in price if we leave it… On a cheaper note, we might go to the local football club for Mr MV’s birthday treat - looks like tickets start at £13.

MS things:

• lots of hg veg being used
• Baking done while the sun was out
• We’re exporting during the saving session this evening
• 1P
• VB poll
• Meal plan ready for the week

Gratitudes:

• sunshine!
• B&W Cat cuddles (after a very active day and lots of food being munched - him, not me!)
• I can feel the benefits of the Pilates I did yesterday!
  

Have a good evening all!

EssexHebridean

Ooh garlic flatbreads - not made those for a while, that could be a good use for some of the home made garlic, couldn't it! I have a feeling I have a discount voucher on the Lil's app for Greek yogurt too. You have also made me think that next time we have negative electric prices I should make a batch of granola - I used to make it from time to time but haven't done so for ages.

See, this is why I love these diaries - kitchen inspiration! 😁

themadvix

Couldn’t agree more re inspiration! I don’t bother with Greek yoghurt in the flatbreads, just normal stuff (of course, if you have a voucher the Greek might be cheaper).

EssexHebridean

I eat the Greek normally so it makes more sense for me to get that as a rule, as I won't use a full tub in the flatbreads! if I'm making a loaf of yogurt bread I just buy a tub of whatever is cheapest though!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

@EssexHebridean that makes sense!

Still quiet on the work front here, so yesterday I made a batch of glamorgan sausages - 18 made and 14 now open freezing (naturally we had to have some for dinner last night). Container rationalisation to fit these in the freezer means I'm going to finish off the last of last year's red currants on my porridge over the next couple of days. Also visited the gym and the pool and took my friend's baby for a walk as she needed to have a work-related phone call. He's a very happy baby normally but was quite serious yesterday (but also quite tired - after a nap he was his usual cheery self).

Today I've made a batch of Dishoom dal using up the last of a packet of urid lentils. There should be six portions, so will freeze four and we'll have the last one for dinner tomorrow night after the pub. Am feeling pleased that there's some easy food in the freezer now, which will make meals after the gym etc. easier. Tonight we're having buffalo tofu and houmous which is a new recipe for us. The chickpeas have been soaking and are now cooked. I'll make a double batch of the coleslaw and houmous so we can take houmous and coleslaw sandwiches when we go out on Saturday. We're going to be in London and plan to use Mr MV's Amex dining credit for dinner (at Dishoom hopefully!) and we might buy a snack, but at least we won't need to buy overpriced mediocre lunch food (we might not be in a position to anyway - we're playing Jetlag Hide and Seek).

I am just about to head to the allotment and finally get my garlic planted. I might do a few other bits, but will have to see how I get on as I've pulled a muscle in my back/side - really annoying as I was hoping to strim the grass, but that's definitely not an option.

We are completely out of grocery funds (having bought apocalypse food), so eking out what we have until next week - we're not likely to starve, but sandwich fillings are a bit touch and go (only 3 eggs left, a small amount of cheese, used the last of the pickle today, no tuna, not enough peanut butter for a sandwich (have been having it in breakfast) - hence the forward thinking with the coleslaw and houmous! Plenty of jam, but that's not exactly filling or nutritious! My personal spends are a bit tragic too, but there's enough for a drink on Friday night (train fare for Saturday comes from different pot) - another reason to take food on Saturday! In reality, I'll pay myself tomorrow, but it's good to have a bit of discipline and not dip into November's money until then.

MS things:
* Gym/pool hours now work out at >£4/hour in October
* Making meals out of existing ingredients and getting easy stuff in the freezer to avoid Friday-night temptation
* Planting next year's garlic 🧄
* YL £3 survey - back to £15 earned already on there
* 1P surveys (nearly halfway to payout again)
* At payout on VB and claimed 🥳

Gratitudes:
* Lovely cuddles with friend's little boy
* Felt great at gym and pool yesterday morning - pity about the muscle pain now!
* Absolutely stunning leaves around here 🍂

Have a good afternoon all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Mr MV got up at the ungodly hour of 6am to go to the gym this morning - tbf B&W Cat had decided 5.37 was the time to start whinging, so we were already awake.

Bread is proving, ready for tomorrow's sandwiches (I am feeling very organised!), washing is about to finish and will be out on the line - apparently it's going to be 16 degrees here today. Once the washing is out, I'm going to do my accounts and pay myself. Apparently Sis, Niece and possibly Mum are popping round for a cuppa this afternoon, which will be lovely - haven't seen Sis or Niece since beginning of September! 😯

The buffalo tofu and hummus recipe was pretty good last night - needs a bit of tweaking and the hot sauce definitely made it (would add more smoked paprika and less cornflour if having without the hot sauce (thinking of LG here, @Greying_Pilgrim). Have plenty of hummus and slaw left for tomorrow's lunches too. Dal for dinner tonight - only decision is do we want rice with it (on delay start in the IP before we head to pub) or a flatbread… decisions, decisions.

Mr MV has requested pizza (in the pizza oven) for Sunday - we have the requisite ingredients, so that's sorted - will just need to make dough either tomorrow night (unlikely) or Sunday morning and dig out the frozen grated mozzarella.

MS things:
* 1P surveys
* Free line drying

Gratitudes:
* Beautiful misty morning here - the sun is breaking through and the trees look gorgeous in the light
* Tasty new dinner to add to repertoire
* My back is better than yesterday

Have a good day all!

themadvix

Have just been in and updated/set up my profile on the replacement for cat in a flat. It's very dog-centric 😏 So not sure how much work will come through there, but we'll see. A few of my clients have dropped off/moved away over the past year or so, and I've not been accepting new ones for a while as it was getting too much, but it's time to acquire some new ones now I think. Have also tweaked my LI profile slightly.

Paid myself but still feel poor - money just doesn't go as far as it used to. And then there's the cat fund that constantly needs topping up.

As noted yesterday, we need to do some stocking up on groceries at the beginning of this month, but I think the focus is generally going to be on keeping food costs low - should be OK with homegrown produce in stock and it being soup and stew season. Will need a supermarket delivery and a trip to the refill shop, but hoping to shave at least £50 off the grocery budget for the month (we'd have been OK this month, had we not had to get 'emergency' food). Forgot to say, I harvested my sweet potatoes yesterday - rather pleased with them!

We've also got several decent-sized squashes of various types that can be used - I see roasted veg and pesto pasta on the horizon, plus lots of IP meals.

It's Mr MV's birthday towards the end of the month, so it won't be a particularly cheap month - we'll go out for tapas with his brother and SIL and likely for a meal with some friends too (and I've suggested a curry as these can definitely be cheaper than the expensive tapas we went to last year). But the trains aren't running on the weekend of his birthday, so am hoping a cheaper birthday weekend than if we went to London, which we often do. He's also not getting an expensive online card this year (I've already announced this to him) - I'd fallen into the trap of getting these as they are actually funny, unlike most of the ones in the shops, but it's just not worth it.

Also have a couple of other social events in the diary - breakfast next week and bowling (which I am paying for for my ex-Brownies friends' Christmas present). Hmm…. definitely not a cheap month.