tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45449833099709126372024-03-05T22:00:06.457+00:00Because I'm MeRainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-32443081981152586922018-01-16T11:00:00.000+00:002018-01-16T22:35:28.794+00:00What we're Eating this week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Linking in with being conscious of what we are spending I've gone back to making a menu plan for the week to use up what we have in the freezer as well as the £82 shop!</div>
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Tonight we had chicken curry. I normally make my own but had bought a jar of dopiaza </div>
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from Aldi as I've not tried that curry before. It was too sweet for me. I added some spices and a bit of cream to get it more to my taste. I wouldn't buy it again.</div>
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The rest of the week is looking like this:<br />
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Tuesday: Chicken casserole (already in the slow cooker)<br />
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Wednesday: Salmon Wellington, new potatoes and vegetables<br />
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Thursday: Pie, mash potatoes and vegetables/mushy peas<br />
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Friday: HM pizza, wedges and salad<br />
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The weekend will be something else from the cupboards/freezer but we haven't decided what yet.<br />
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I took our dog for a walk today. We haven't been out in a while as both me and my hubby have had flu which has knocked us out and it is still lingering but it was a nice day so me and Layla wrapped up and headed out, although I'm not sure she likes her new coat!<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-39341895255550969992018-01-15T13:32:00.003+00:002018-01-15T13:32:52.494+00:00Money Mondays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yet again we've taken our eye off the ball a bit and not checked accounts/bill regularly. While watching This Morning, Martin Lewis was on and mentioned about swapping bank accounts to get a better deal. This bit wasn't really relevant for us but he said how much interest our bank is offering for new customers. I knew were weren't getting anywhere near that (I don't like that companies offer deals to new customers only not to their loyal customers). I went online and have applied to opened the higher interest account. I've set up a standing order to save each month and will be using the money we have already saved. The money is fixed for 1 year which is fine as we are saving for moving (hopefully). I am going to ask my husband to open one too so we can save double the amount as it is limited to a certain amount each month.<br />
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Our rental property fix rate mortgage is up at the end of February and we have already started to look into getting a better deal. We are also fortunate that we are aiming to pay a bit off it as well and probably change it to a repayment one rather than interest only as this will work better for us.<br />
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The next job on the list is for me to see about getting a better mobile deal and considering changing to a sim only deal as that has worked for my husband, although I do use my phone a lot more.<br />
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I've also done an inventory on our food stores and a shop. I was surprised at how much I spent in Aldi - £82! when there is just to 2 of us. But know everything will be eaten and used. <br />
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Next month we are having some decorating done. We made the decision to get someone in to do it all as we've been trying to find the motivation and time to do it. I know financially it would be better for us to do but we have saved up and also know they will do a better job than us and as we are looking at renting our home out in 1 to 2 years so if we take care (which we will) it won't need doing again.<br />
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Other than meeting some new friends for a coffee this week we shouldn't have to spend anything.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-6534766679546257312018-01-11T21:19:00.001+00:002018-01-11T21:19:52.581+00:00Caesar Salad. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A friend challenged me to a cook off to make Caesar salad. Not much of a challenge I thought and especially as they used a pre-made dressing!</div>
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Here are the ingredients . I know cos lettuce is normally used but Aldi didn't have any.</div>
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The dressing was something I've not made before and looked at lots of recipes. Some had pre-made mayo in but I chose to use egg yokes and olive oil for the creaminess. </div>
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I adapted what I found online and used the following.</div>
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4 anchovies</div>
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2 egg yokes</div>
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1 clove garlic - crushed</div>
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Lemon juice</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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Black pepper</div>
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Hard Italian cheese - grated</div>
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I bashed the anchovies in a pestle and mortar and added the garlic along with the egg yokes and cheese. I then whisked in the olive oil and added lemon juice to taste. As I don't have a blender the anchovies and garlic were still bitty in it so I decided to sieve it and then added a bit of water to get the right consistency. Adding the water also make the sauce lighter in colour. I then added a bit of black pepper.</div>
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The chicken breast I seasoned and cooked in a George Foreman grill. I made the croutons by tearing bits of bread into small cubes and fried them. I then put the frying pan under the grill to crisp up a bit. Added the lettuce, chicken and croutons together and drizzled over the sauce. A few shavings of cheese went over the top.<br />
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Verdict - The sauce was way too garlicky and I love garlic. Once I'd sieved it, it tasted less "hot" but I've tried it again today and it's is still over powering. Would I make the sauce again? Probably not but glad I gave it a go and didn't resort to using a bottle! </div>
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-76667997697465112102017-03-30T19:45:00.001+01:002017-03-30T19:45:35.100+01:00Charity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
6 years ago I started volunteering at a local project that provided breakfast to vulnerable adults, whether they were homeless, had substance abuse issues or just wanted somewhere safe to go. I "worked" there for 4 years and love it, progressing to team leader. I meet some lovely people (and some not so) on both sides of the counter. On of the reasons I did this role was because I wanted to help and as we don't have much disposable income to give to charity but I had time. It also lead me into my current job as a support worker, which in turn due to my hours meant I had to give up volunteering. I do miss it. <br />
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Anyway at the start of this year I decided to do something each month to give back. For January I help collect clothes, toiletries and sleeping bags for women refugees in Paris. A friend of mine had driven through there last year and her young son wanted to know why families were sleeping on the streets. She explained the situation to him and he wanted to help. With people's kind donations she ended up helping so many families. I admire her as she actually put her money where her mouth is and got up and did something. <br />
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February lead to me having a clear out and donating items we no longer need to a charity shop.<br />
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This month a family member did a walk for Blood Wise, a charity close to her heart as she had an aggressive form of leukaemia a few years ago. I couldn't join her on her walk but donated money. I again have some items for the charity shop along with 3 bags of clothes to go to the place where I volunteered. These have been collected from friends having a clear out and a few of my husbands things.<br />
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I haven't any plans for next month at the moment but if the de-cluttering continues I guess more to charity shops.<br />
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As Oprah Winfrey says "pay it forward".</div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-79493367648068692722017-03-19T18:03:00.002+00:002017-03-19T18:03:44.273+00:00On a (permanent!) Economy Drive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We try to save money and to be fair I think we are pretty good at it compared to people I know. Yes we like going on holidays, both have a car each but each car and holiday was saved for, as well as having an emergency fund put aside. Both of us earn less than the living wage so are on reasonably low paid jobs and I'm proud that we have managed our money as we have. However there is always room for improvement and at the end of last year we did take our eye slightly off the ball and didn't manage to put any money in our savings which taught us to be mindful of our spending. So how are we doing it? Nothing too drastic but simple things like not putting the heating on as much. Also we have organised a smart meter to be fitted next month which I think will spur us on when we see how much a day we use. No food waste. I don't do a weekly shop anymore as I don't work set days so I tend to do what I class as a big shop when I can for things such as dog (more about our new addition another time) and cat food, tinned and frozen items. We don't throw food away. There was left over veg in the fridge this morning which wasn't going to be used in any meals so I've whizzed up some soup for lunches. We also need a new fridge freezer as the fridge bit of the one we have is very dodgy so trying to eat as much from the freezer to make it easier when we order the new one. I am still sorting all the years of hoarding out and have a pile of things to put on ebay/facebook selling pages. I doubt I'll earn my fortune but every bit helps and I have put aside the money I have got so far. I've also been looking at the best isa's to make the money we have work for us. So as you can see nothing ground breaking but all these small things add up and hopefully over the coming months we will see our savings go up, although we do have a lot of home improvements to do but at least we are going to continue saving as we have to enable these improvements. </div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-19614525972130110282016-11-20T11:36:00.001+00:002016-11-20T11:36:25.932+00:00Holiday Jobs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are so many things I want to and need to do it's hard to know where to start. As I've said before I am a great procrastinator or as my mum called me a "gonna" gonna do this and gonna do that but actually end up not doing anything. As a child my school reports use to say I'm easily distracted, even the nurses in hospital when I was born told my mum that if they were feeding me and someone came in the room I moved my head round to see what was going on. (I was ill when I was born and my parents had to leave me in hospital and visit me daily but the nurses obviously fed me when my mum wasn't there).<br />
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I have all next week off work and hope that I can achieve some of the things I need to. We have a few maintenance issues with our home that need sorting and I want to give the place a good clean and sort out. I hope to make a start on our spare room as it needs new floor boards. It has been used as a dumping ground and I want to be able to use it more as an office/snug. I want to decorate it with an Indian theme in mind with orange and purple walls but my husband isn't so keen so we shall see... ;)<br />
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When we bought our house the furniture was given to us to go with the few bits we had as we couldn't afford new or even second hand. Now we have been able to put some money aside to replace items of furniture, some of which are well past it and as we haven't had to think of what we would like in terms of style we are struggling, there is so much choice out there. We are starting with upstairs first, hence doing the spare room. Our room has blue walls which we are sticking with just going to re-decorate to brighten it up and are going to buy white wardrobes. We have ordered a new bed as after 20 plus years the old one has finally given up and so has our backs!<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-11622025618087156872016-05-15T08:51:00.001+01:002016-05-15T08:51:44.853+01:00My Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was my birthday at the end of February and I was very spoilt. Flowers and quality time with my husband.<br />
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I went out for lunch with a friend who gave me my favourite chocolates.<br />
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Had sushi with another friend.<br />
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It's my best friends birthday a few days before mine and there has been a restuarnt we have both wanted to try so treated ourselves and we not disappointed. The whole experience was great, from the moment we walked in to the end. The staff friendly and professional and the owner took time out to talk to us about cooking the perfect Scotch egg, even checking with the chef the correct temperature.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses on the table for our arrival</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melt in your mouth steak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The meat platter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runny Scotch egg</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDEpmJM249Pt309qisug3FgW_N6beSu9aiUayAjVKUjeiWYp04lSVBpnEsLim8zb6VQ1DdlTgUXgwPQuCBaUOwiBp9ULQIvS5C6k2SJID9qISnx73v-8bZYYCseLxVMe3BkcCA1NI3cs/s1600/20160228_142629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDEpmJM249Pt309qisug3FgW_N6beSu9aiUayAjVKUjeiWYp04lSVBpnEsLim8zb6VQ1DdlTgUXgwPQuCBaUOwiBp9ULQIvS5C6k2SJID9qISnx73v-8bZYYCseLxVMe3BkcCA1NI3cs/s320/20160228_142629.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Refreshers instead of mints</td></tr>
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Then a light supper at my friends.</div>
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Plus a little gift from another friend...<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-15763744582326895112016-05-15T08:51:00.000+01:002016-05-15T08:51:06.727+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-52574181114037569902016-05-13T22:35:00.001+01:002016-05-13T22:35:34.964+01:00Barcelona<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have wanted to go to Barcelona for a few years now and we haven't been able to justify the cost until this year we got the best deal we have found.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce</td></tr>
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The city lived up to my expectations in all but one area - the food.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the entrances to Sagrada Familia</td></tr>
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I loved the buildings which was my main reason for wanting to visit. The mind of Antoni Gaudi who designed a lot of buildings there amazes me. We pre-booked online to avoid the queues to go to the Sagrada Familia, a large cathedral still in the process of being built. I wouldn't class myself as religious but as soon as I walked in I felt emotional for some reason. I thought it was such a beautiful building and reading about his reasoning behind the design, taking inspiration from nature and transferring his ideas into bricks and mortar was incredible. The story of Jesus's birth is told at once of the entrances with the three wise men and King Herod. It made me realise I had taken more in at primary school than I thought about the story of Christ as I was able to explain it to my husband.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the city from Sagrada Familia</td></tr>
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We walked round the city on a evening and enjoyed seeing families out having food and drinks without the need to get completely plastered something that in the city were we live happens every weekend.<br />
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On our last day we were fortunate with the weather so walked down the main street and explored the little streets and shops off it, ending up at the harbour and sat to soak up some sun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harbour</td></tr>
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We used the metro and got a pass for 10 euros. It cost 1 euro a journey and you can both use the same ticket. It is also transferrable to the buses so we found it cheap and easy to get around.<br />
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Our hotel was good too. The room was clean and comfortable and the breakfast very good plus the staff friendly and helpful.<br />
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With regards to the food I think we were just in the wrong areas (very touristy) to find the types of restaurant I had visualised eating in. My Spanish friend was horrified when I said the best meal I had there was pizza. I will defiantly research the food side of things more. I also think my taste and standards have changed as I've been cooking a lot more and hope I have improved as a cook.<br />
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We are hoping to go back as it is one of our favourite cities we have visited, the overall vibe of the place was great, very chilled back and relaxed. Ideal for a short break.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-42582528553257078682016-05-12T19:52:00.001+01:002016-05-12T19:52:42.826+01:00Busy, Busy, Busy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been ages since I've blogged. I really admire and appreciate bloggers who manage it every day.<br />
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Things have been busy with the new house, work and a few days away. Also my mother in law who has a stroke just before Christmas has been diagnosed with cancer and we have been caring for her.<br />
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Things that are in the pipe line are more work on the new house (it needs more specialist work than expected), a self reliant weekend away and training for to do the Race for Life.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-8825350151018676742016-03-02T17:31:00.001+00:002016-03-02T17:31:28.769+00:00Keys....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have the keys<br />
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Now the work begins..</div>
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-2594286836856661902016-02-04T10:39:00.001+00:002016-02-04T10:39:58.398+00:00Managing Finances<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As part of getting the buy to let mortgage we had to show our expenses to the mortgage broker. Even though I have said in a previous post we budget since our holiday in October we've taken our eye off the ball a bit. Not that we have gone overdrawn but just not been as careful as usual. We had a form to complete with all our monthly outgoings and it has just made us re-focus. I have started using our credit card for shopping and fuel as we get points which we can convert into vouchers for different things. I pay the balance off each month. <br />
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I have dug out a spreadsheet that I used years ago when we were first starting to save and will start to complete that again. It shows how much we spend on what, things like food, toiletries etc. It also shows our balances which when you see it go up makes everything worthwhile. <br />
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Each Monday I am going to check our balances just to keep an eye on them. I still menu plan and at the moment have a fully stocked freezer with a meat delivery I got just before Christmas.<br />
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I use more fuel than before as I work a lot further from home but am going to make a real effort to do errands while I am out. For example I drive past the gym on my way to and from work so rather than coming home then go back out take my gym clothes with me and call in on the way home. <br />
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We have opened a separate account for the new house so we can clearly the expenses and profit for it.<br />
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I think that for now all this will keep us on track.</div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-34454270773388428512016-01-31T13:08:00.001+00:002016-01-31T13:08:22.553+00:00Feeling Out of Sorts and a Bit of a Catch Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been ill for a while, coughing, aching and no energy. I actually had to take a day off work which isn't like me to try and recover. When I do get a cough it does linger and can go on for months, its just something I am prone too. Hopefully I am over the worse. Also I had an injection more or less 12 months ago for carpel tunnel syndrome and have been lucky it has lasted all this time however the pain as come back so I have started wearing the splint the hospital gave me and hope that will put off another injection. I don't mind them but know I can only have another two before they will have to operate so am trying to drag is out as long as possible.<br />
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Unfortunately things have slowed down with the buy to let house. We are all good to go but the mortgage company are being awkward and keep asking for more info which is frustrating as I wish they had asked for everything to start with not keep coming back say "can we just have this or this".<br />
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Other than that I have a few plans for February. My hubby is taking his mum away for a week and hopefully in that time I can get the floor replaced in our spare room. We had a leak from the bathroom and it had rotted the floor so it all needs taking up and redoing. It will then need decorating and I have plans for an Indian/Moroccan themed room. The plans for the rest of the home is for a more neutral look. Money for this has already been saved up, if our figures are correct! <br />
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Using the credit card for shopping has worked well and is something I am going to keep up. We don't seem to have spent much in January which I am pleased of, hopefully this will keep going during the rest of the year. I had to buy some new jeans for work (a size smaller!) which was an expense I hadn't planned for but due to the nature of my work I have to wash my clothes more regularly than I normally would which I think makes them wear quicker than usual. This month I need a pair of trainers again for work mainly but that is the only non food spend. <br />
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So onwards and upwards into February. Fingers crossed we get the set of keys for the new house!</div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-70425744465155652122016-01-14T12:12:00.000+00:002016-01-14T12:12:17.796+00:00Catching up with the bestie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I met my best friend just over 10 years ago. We didn't like each other at first but had to work together in a little portakabin and soon discovered even though there is a 13 year age gap between us (I'm the older one) we both had the same sense of humour. Over the 10 years we have seen each other though the ups' and downs of life such as domestic abuse, engagement, miscarriage, birth of her daughter (I was privilege to cut the cord) and deaths of parents. <br />
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We use see each other every day at work and then sometimes out of work and with me changing jobs and she had her gorgeous little girl just over a year ago we have both had to adjust not seeing each other as much. So when we catch up it is so nice and comfortable. We try and see each other once a week and I can see how fast her little girl is growing which is incredible to see. <br />
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She spoils me when I go, making me breakfast and sharing her dinner too this time with a recipe I am going to try, beef with pasta and olives, simple and tasty.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-52979613163862460562016-01-11T21:50:00.002+00:002016-01-11T21:50:46.045+00:00Starting as I mean to go on<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've done this weeks menu plan and made a shopping list of what we haven't got in. Lunches are homemade soup. salads or sandwiches. The soups are already made and in the freezer. After this week I think I will need to stock it up again. I will get the shopping tomorrow as I am visiting a friend and drive past the supermarket. <br />
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Mon - Meat balls and pasta<br />
Tue - Lemon and Herb chicken, potatoes and vegetables<br />
Wed - Pulled Pork, sweet potato mash and roasted vegetables<br />
Thur - Leftover pork and Chicken<br />
Fri - Homemade chicken goujons, wedges and salad<br />
Sat - Thai chicken curry and rice<br />
Sun - tbc<br />
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I need to get some moisturiser as it has completely run out and another mattress protector so I am called in to Wilcos before I went to work today. Strangely there is no protectors in Wilco or either of the Tescos in town.<br />
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I made a goats cheese and beetroot tart this morning. I've not made it before but it smells good. This will be to have with salad for lunches.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-75074404004274086062016-01-10T15:35:00.002+00:002016-01-10T15:36:17.270+00:00Financial Planning for our Future<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My changing jobs nearly twelve months ago had to be given a lot of thought due to the massive drop in my salary. Not only am I being paid a lot less but chose to work less hours. I wouldn't be able to have done it had we not been frugal. However it has worked out that with the bit of overtime I occasionally do, the extra for doing nights which I do a least once a week, the fact I only earn just over the tax limit and only pay a small amount into the work base pension I'm coming home with just slightly less than I did before. Plus I am a lot happier and feel we have a better work/life balance which is worth more than money.<br />
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It is all to do with priorities I think. Many years ago when we first went for a mortgage my husband was working for an agency, although he had been there for about 2 years his wage was discounted. We also wanted to be able to manage our monthly payments on one of our salary just incase one of us lost our job or if we had a family. Sadly the family never came but we were able to overpay our mortgage and pay it off early making us mortgage and debt free in our late 30's/early 40's. <br />
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Having no debt was a priority for us. I see friends and family who having a loan or having a credit card payment each month is just the norm. Other than our mortgage we haven't borrowed money. We save up for things we need and look after the things we have. We monitor our outgoings, shop at a discount supermarket, cook from scratch, take a pack up to work and my husband cycles the 11 mile round trip to his work. We could do more to save money but we feel that we have a good balance in saving some but also enjoying our hard earned money.<br />
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As we are both in our 40's now we have turned our attention to retirement. As we have both earned a lot less than the national average and tbh enjoyed our disposable income we haven't put aside much in a pension pot. I have a couple of pensions from previous job. So we have decided to invest in a buy to let property. Getting a mortgage again in a way feels like a backward step and one my husband especially has struggled with. However it is something we have thought about for a few years and felt it was a case of now or never. A buy to let mortgage is different to the mortgage we had in the past and there has been a lot of reading and understanding to do. We have put an offer in of a terrace house which has been accepted and in the process of it going through fingers crossed. It's exciting and nerve-racking. Decisions still to be made like to we manage it ourselves or pay an agency and there is a bit of work to be done to the property. We have spoken to lots of people who have done it and taken their advice on board. At the moment we are looking at it being just for two years incase we find it too much as I know not everyone is cut out to be landlords but I am hoping we are.</div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-31398539514876683232016-01-07T22:27:00.000+00:002016-01-07T22:27:47.252+00:00What a Difference a Time Makes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A lot has changed in 12 months, there have been a lot of up and downs but I now feel happy and content with most things.<br />
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I have heard that when things get rough you find out who your friends are and this has been true. Certain bonds have been made stronger and other broken, I feel I have grown up, which I guess as a 40 something is about time!<br />
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Work now is so rewarding, although challenging. I have a lot to learn but my colleagues are very supportive and I feel we are a good team.<br />
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I feel that things are coming together, work, home and relationships. I have lots I want to do with our home (hopefully a new one too) and personal goals but feel positive that this year will see some of these achieved.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-72555620150896129772016-01-05T22:49:00.002+00:002016-01-05T22:49:08.391+00:00Some Things Change...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
...and some never do.<br />
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Things that have changed = I love my job. I'm a lot more chilled. We have more time together. I've made new friends. We (hopefully) are going to be landlords.<br />
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Things that haven't = The clutter. My weight. My lack of motivation. These are things I hope will move into the changed section during 2016.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-67331847212246549622015-05-04T12:09:00.000+01:002015-05-04T12:09:20.429+01:00Menu Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
MONDAY<br />
Lunch - Tuna and salad wraps<br />
Dinner - Spaghetti alla Puttanesca<br />
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TUESDAY<br />
Lunch - Homemade soup <br />
Dinner - BBQ chicken/pork, sweet potato mash and vegetables<br />
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WEDNESDAY<br />
Lunch - Ham and boiled egg salad<br />
Dinner - Roast chicken, roast potatoes and vegetables<br />
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THURSDAY<br />
Lunch - Beans on Toast<br />
Dinner - Sausage casserole and mashed potatoes<br />
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FRIDAY<br />
Lunch - Tinned Fish salad<br />
Dinner - Chicken and lentil casserole<br />
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SATURDAY<br />
Lunch - Homemade Soup <br />
Dinner - Pizza, potato wedges and salad<br />
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Last nights dinner, Lamb Shanks, dauphinoise potatoes and parsnips (using yellow stickered potatoes for 4p and parsnips for 3p) and vegetables. Yummm...<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-29543272883486706412015-05-03T17:05:00.001+01:002015-05-03T17:05:07.651+01:00Plans for May<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am hoping and aiming that May will be a productive month.<br />
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I feel I am settling into my new role as a Support Worker, getting use to the hours and having a different routine. We do sleep's were I work as the gentlemen I support are unable to be left alone. I find these have taken a bit of planning for me, simple things taking dinner, breakfast and lunch with me, along with bedding and over night things. Also leaving a meal for my OH to come into if he has been a work (night shifts). <br />
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Hopefully work will begin on our garden. We are having the front lawn and tree removed and gravelled over. This is so we can park our new car on the drive. We have never had two cars so it's all new and exciting. We pick Winston (our new car) up next Thursday. The back lawn is being re-turfed and a raised bed built for me to grow veg in. Fingers crossed the summer will be good so we can enjoy the garden.<br />
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I have made a start on de-cluttering. It feels difficult for me to get rid of things as I am such a hoarder but slowly does it. The aim is to break the back of it this month.<br />
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We have chosen the light fittings, wall paper and paint we like for the living room and I need to get an electrician to fix the lights before decorating. I hope that the decorators can come the first week in June as my OH is taking his mother away for a few days which will make things easier all round.<br />
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As I have mentioned before we love our takeaways which isn't good for our waistlines or budget so we are aiming for none this month. We have eaten out a couple of times recently and have found we don't enjoy it like we use to as we think I can cook better at home so again we hope not to be tempted. So to help with being organised to go to work and only eating home cooked I have done a menu plan for this week.<br />
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Maybe if I start blogging regularly it will keep me motivated, we'll see.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-65280716329042541292015-03-12T19:46:00.000+00:002015-03-12T19:46:12.701+00:00New Job (s)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Things have moved fast, well faster than I thought they would.<br />
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For a few years now I have wanted to become a support worker. I applied for a few jobs with the local authority were I work now and haven't even got an interview. A commination of not having any experience or relevant qualifications in this field haven't helped. I was looking at the local press job site and fired off my cv and a little covering message explaining that I might not have any professional experience but am ready, willing and able! I sent this to care jobs mainly, with the thinking of I could do this part time to gain some experience. After a few interviews I was fortunate to be able to choose who I wanted to work for a few months have been working part time for a home caring company. I was rather naïve as I did think it would be mainly just making meals and a bit of cleaning but it is a lot more "nursing". I have been on a weeks training course to learn how to use hoists and administering medicines. The days are long and the pay isn't great but I am learning and enjoying it plus everyone has been so nice and helpful to me. It has opened my eyes to what help there is available to people that need it and has also raised some questions in me such as if I was ill how would I like to be cared for. Whilst some of the care we give is to enable people to live independently are they really, as I am not sure its maybe best for the client but for their family. Also some of the care is paid for by the council some by the clients, the care they receive is the same.<br />
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Whilst randomly sending these cv's off I applied via an agency to Mencap. I then looked at the website, read their own application form and thought it was too in-depth for me at this time. I few weeks later I received an email from the local office saying they had read my cv and would like me to apply formally. I did this and was invited to an interview, which after a few emails going back and forth as we were away for the date they had asked me to I had my first interview and called back for a second which involved meeting some of the people that Mencap support at a sports hall where people meet up and dance.<br />
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I am so pleased to say that I was offered the job and for the last few weeks have been shadowing to learn my role. So far so good, I am loving it :) and am convinced the reason I got the job was down to knowing the dance routine to Agadoo!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv-3yIPSWc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POv-3yIPSWc</a></div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-12533810388596784282015-01-06T19:34:00.001+00:002015-01-06T19:34:37.580+00:00Word of the Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have read a couple of blogs where they have picked a word for the year. I haven't heard of this before but think its a great idea. <br />
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After a bit of thinking I went back to the first word that sprung to mind which is "change".<br />
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A big change will be a new career. Something that I have thought about doing for about 4 years and now I am taking the plunge and doing it. Will it work out?, only time will tell but I am excited and feeling positive. <br />
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Another change will be cosmetic changes to our home, with plans being made to decorated and some work required outside.<br />
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I have always thought I don't like change, I do like to stay in my comfort zone but this time I actually feel excited. A year ago this week I lost my mum which was a massive change in my life, so emotional, more than I expected. Mum had changes in her life, moving from London to an isolated farm when she married my Dad, after 10 years of marriage another big changes were when I came along, my Dad passing away and then moving into a flat. She viewed her life as different chapters and for me, this year, its is just another chapter. One that I am looking forward to.<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-16323598678570383882015-01-01T23:11:00.001+00:002015-01-01T23:11:12.178+00:00Big Changes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Happy New Year.<br />
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Last year was full of highs and lows. <br />
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I sadly lost my Mum in January and then in November her brother passed away. Work is another big change. Due to things that have occurred in the last few months I feel I can no longer work with the people I do. <br />
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The good things to have come out of these are the love of my friends and family. My cousins came to Mums funeral and for the first time I felt like I had bothers and sisters. We are not a close family, however, I think the things that have happened this year have made us closer and I like that. My friends have been such a support too and I have also been reminded who my true friends are.<br />
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There have been many highlights too, seeing Prince live, camping in Wales, holidays in Spain, a festival and the best one of all being present at the birth of my best friends little girl.<br />
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The plans for this year are to change jobs, things are in the pipeline for this which if come off means a complete career change and a lot lower salary. But I hope with this change (fingers crossed) I will be happier and have a better work/life balance. We are still working on the house, there is more to do than we first thought but we will get there. I hope to have more time to do things that I would like to, hobbies, spending time with my hubby and friends, oh and blog! :)<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-92061051566245218702014-11-03T09:40:00.000+00:002014-11-03T09:40:58.052+00:00Things to Do<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am trying to get things in the house organised. My mate keeps threatening to call some man off the tv who does a de-cluttering show. I think I have spoken on here about my hoarding problem! Anyhow I have been on a bit of a roll (of me) and have made a start.<br />
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I had bags of clothes that I hoped to fit into but they have been in cases in my spare room for years! I went though them with the thought of selling them on FB but know that they would just sit there again so I bit the bullet and took 7 bin bags to the charity shop. I have kept a few items back to list on Ebay as they are more "named" clothes. One case I gave to the charity shop and the other two to a friend who is moving to transfer her clothes in. This has just made a small dent in the mountain of stuff I have but it is a biggish step for me. <br />
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So for this week I have made a list of things I want to get done:<br />
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List all I have to sell on Ebay<br />
Finish Little Table (first chalk painting project)<br />
Ironing<br />
Sort holiday paperwork out - book car park, travel insurance and cattery <br />
Mend clothes<br />
Sort paper work out and file<br />
Take bag of jumpers to homeless shelter <br />
Make soup<br />
Continue sorting the spare room<br />
Deep clean bathroom - sort toiletries out<br />
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So instead of sitting here in my pj's I better make a start. I'll just have another brew first....<br />
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Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4544983309970912637.post-42396048340307647532014-11-02T19:13:00.002+00:002014-11-02T19:13:12.095+00:00It's Been Awhile...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been over a year since my last post and some things have changed.<br />
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Sadly my Mum passed away in January. She had been in hospital for several months which showed her strength as when she went in the doctors didn't expect her to survive the day she went in. I will write more on another post about the excellent (and sometimes not so) care she received. <br />
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But for now I want to start getting back into the habit of writing on here. I have been reading blogs regularly so feel I am, in a way, still part of the "community". </div>
Rainbowchildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870570759653366246noreply@blogger.com0