Get a grip woman!

Suffolk_lass · 20 November 2019 at 9:37AM

We have not staged things in quite the same way enthusiasticsaver. The jobs and plans for us don't really separate like that...

So the foundations and the new parking area logically sit together as they both involve buying stuff from builders' merchants that need to be delivered. Also want both done by Christmas.

So there is a bit of an order driven by the most pressing jobs. We also have to have sorted the new greenhouse before we can demolish the old one, then demolish and rebuild the pig-shed, prior to the new garden workshop, although I think the garden workshop surveyor should come before the rebuild in case we need that plot to be deeper (we plan to butt the wooden workshop against the block-built, rendered pig-shed (it's called that because it is called that on the deeds, not because we keep pigs!) - the pig shed is also a permanent structure in the garden and therefore outwith any planning constraints.

And so on really. With money able to be accessed in April (to minimise tax) and October (a bond) in 2020

And so on

Suffolk_lass · 21 November 2019 at 9:14AM

DS popped round on Tuesday and we spent a couple of hours following the MSE Motor Insurance comparisons - he saved over £250 by moving. He is 27 now with 4 years NCD so we were actually appalled that his first quote was over £700.

So spurred on, I did mine yesterday. It took most of the morning and I have saved just over £60 by moving to a 5* defaqto company. My existing insurer of many years could not match it. In my case I could have gone £60 cheaper but as we take my car abroad every year, I did not want to be messing about with no foreign travel included, and this one includes all the things like legal cover and courtesy car. I'm happy.

More reflections on money and mortgages (and the Ashes down under in 21-22!) - got lots more thinking to do on travel and being mortgage free.

The membrane for our drive arrived yesterday so we need to get ordering the gravel trap matting and gravel really. Just as it has turned really cold and frosty! - I think we might ask our Son and a couple of his friends to give us a couple of hours to do some gravel spreading!

StripeyTightsSpottySocks · 21 November 2019 at 8:53PM

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

I also picked up a pack of Lamb neck that I will stew with fridge veg and Pearl Barley for an evening slow-cooker short-cut

Hi Suffolk Lass

I hope all is well. i'm still catching up and this caught my eye

I have slow cooker, lamb neck (YS), in the fridge are potatoes, celery, leeks, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and i have pearl barley also tins of peas & sweetcorn - do you have a suggested recipe for this please? No problem if these aren't the right veg. I can usually throw things together but once added turnip to a pot and it overpowered everything

Oh, i'd best read faster - The Ashes in Aus is something we would love to do - we've been several times here

enthusiasticsaver · 21 November 2019 at 9:05PM

Suffolk_lass wrote: »

We have not staged things in quite the same way enthusiasticsaver. The jobs and plans for us don't really separate like that...

So the foundations and the new parking area logically sit together as they both involve buying stuff from builders' merchants that need to be delivered. Also want both done by Christmas.

So there is a bit of an order driven by the most pressing jobs. We also have to have sorted the new greenhouse before we can demolish the old one, then demolish and rebuild the pig-shed, prior to the new garden workshop, although I think the garden workshop surveyor should come before the rebuild in case we need that plot to be deeper (we plan to butt the wooden workshop against the block-built, rendered pig-shed (it's called that because it is called that on the deeds, not because we keep pigs!) - the pig shed is also a permanent structure in the garden and therefore outwith any planning constraints.

And so on really. With money able to be accessed in April (to minimise tax) and October (a bond) in 2020

And so on

Good to have the finance sorted out to do these jobs. Your plans sound exciting and obviously keeping you busy. Your own pig shed (minus pigs

Suffolk_lass · 23 November 2019 at 8:06AM

StripeyTightsSpottySocks wrote: »

Hi Suffolk Lass

I hope all is well. i'm still catching up and this caught my eye

I have slow cooker, lamb neck (YS), in the fridge are potatoes, celery, leeks, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and i have pearl barley also tins of peas & sweetcorn - do you have a suggested recipe for this please? No problem if these aren't the right veg. I can usually throw things together but once added turnip to a pot and it overpowered everything

Oh, i'd best read faster - The Ashes in Aus is something we would love to do - we've been several times here

This was my grandmother's recipe and you can adapt it as it is very forgiving. I can't remember if I did last time but here goes:

1.5lbs stewing lamb - scrag, neck or similar cheap cut
1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 parsnip (diced)
1 tablespoon of pearl barley
1 pint of water
1 dessert spoon of plain flour
salt and pepper

put the flour, salt and pepper in a bag and dip the chopped up meat in it then fry it in the butter. Then add the veg and keep turning. You are attempting to render some of the fat from the lamb. Drain off the fat and transfer the browned meat and veg to a slow cooker or casserole dish and add the water and barley. Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook for at least 3 hours on a very low heat.

Personally I find parsnip a bit sweet so might chop up potato (which might dissolve and thicken the sauce) instead.

Suffolk_lass · 28 November 2019 at 12:55PM

Having a wibbly week here. I just don't feel like doing anything. We have just been to the dentist and we are having some work done next Thursday with this new chap. It's all a bit traumatic for me - I used to fall off the chair at one stage as I cowered away from the probe. At my age now I have to pretend to be fine but that little cowering person is still there, saying, "this might hurt" just loud enough to terrify me.

I am also desperately hoping we don't have invaders this year. I don't want our house to be part of the muscle memory winter quarters for the local rat population. A bit of the thatch has been disturbed which makes me think there may have been an attempt to get in and nest (could be jackdaws though, they are just as naughty). After my coffee I must go and look for ground evidence of a route round the house

trix-a-belle · 1 December 2019 at 1:08PM

How are you feeling now SL? I think the combination of weather, darkness and all the general ug going round is affecting many, I don't know which way is up at the moment & lots of jobs to be done just not sure what order

Suffolk_lass · 2 December 2019 at 2:34PM

Thanks for asking trix, I am feeling better. No evidence of vermin and managing to fend off my dentist phobia.

We have moved our van over to the local farm and it is taking up space in a barn while we do some much-needed re-proofing. DH has found a hole in the roof that will need attention. He is going to take my hairdryer over there but it might be too much for it. He said when you press it water bubbles up which is awful.

I have been researching the stuff to repair it and whether we need to fill the recess behind that before putting something on top. I think we will get some thin aluminium to stick over holes and just paint the patch before we stick it up there. I'm a bit distracted as all my lists are in my head at the moment and there are real or imaginary obstacles to getting on with lots of things so my head is full of bits and pieces. I know I need to write them down and then sort them into priority order!

Suffolk_lass · 2 December 2019 at 3:31PM

Ooh come on "pay day" - lots to do and no money to start it...

trix-a-belle · 2 December 2019 at 6:53PM

That's good to hear, re dentist phobia ask him to explain what he's going to do before doing it if that might help you prepare when in the chair, I have been lucky and had 2 great dentists in my life even the randomers I got sent to for wisdom teeth removal were quite lovely and kept discomfort and nasty bits hidden or to a minimum.

Not good on the holes in the van roof though!! Unfortunately can't offer suggestions but at least it's undercover & you can hopefully leave it there till the weather drys up a bit so it can dry out as best you can.

Definitely get your lists written down even if you have a 'master' list and then further sub category lists like I seem to have, it's so satisfying ticking things off them!

Get a grip woman!

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