DAY 331-SUNDAY NIGHT CHIT CHAT

Hi Everyone!

I do hope you are having a great weekend. I wish to invite anyone to join in the Sunday Night Chit Chat session. I really look forward to hearing what people have been up to each week.

SUNDAY NIGHT CHIT CHAT

Linking up to Carla http://halfdozendaily.typepad.com/my-half-dozen-daily/ 
for Sunday Night Chit Chat


It's time to chat!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT AM I.............................

READING?


Well I've just finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I heard about this book a couple of years ago and wanted to read it ever since. Of course the film was Oscar nominated.


It is a fantastic read and shocking to think it relates to a time only 50 years ago! It helped improve my terrible knowledge of American History. There is a strong story line and great characterisation, which I love. 
I would highly recommend it and I give it 9 out of 10.





Now I'm reading another recommendation: COASTLINERS BY JOANNE HARRIS. Joanne is a British writer, author of Chocolat (you may have seen the film with the delicious Johnny Depp in it?)




On the tiny Breton island of Le Devin in France, life has remained almost unchanged for over a hundred years. For generations, two rival communities, the wealthy La Houssiniere and the improvished village of Les Salants, have fought for control of the islands only beach.


When Mado, a spirited local girl, returns to Les Salants after a ten-year absence, she finds her home threatened, both by the  tides and machinations of a local entrepreneur. Worse the community is suffering from an incurable loss of hope.


Mado is not so easily discouraged. Dogged by prejudice from the superstitious villagers, she is forced to enlist the help of Flynn, an attractive drifter. 



WATCHING?







HOMELAND-3rd EPISODE




WILD AT HEART



RECORDING: 


3rd Episode of Upstairs, Downstairs



COOKING:
We've been to my parents for Sunday lunch so we've had a day off from cooking. 
This weekend we've been menu planning for March. 


As it's warmer our neighbours' hens are laying again so we are enjoying cooking with the beautiful eggs. I'm looking forward to having a boiled egg each evening for my tea!


LOOKING FORWARD TO:
My niece has a day off school on Tuesday so she's coming in to help. 
Mothers Day with my Mum!
Our anniversary break.
My Easter Holiday.

THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

My health, family and friends.

Mr Sft.

Primroses and Snowdrops!

ARE YOU JOINING IN THE CHIT CHAT?

Sft x

Thank you to everyone who left a comment about yesterday's post. :

DAY 330-MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE 

PIECE BY PIECE: Financially we are aware of curved balls that may come. I suppose the pension increase is one of those. At least we've got a good chance of paying off our mortgage before the increases start. 

Sounds like your clothes dryer has been a curved ball for you too: a necessity you can't do without. I hope your new one lasts as long as your old one, 22 years service is amazing. Fantastic news about your additional trip savings. And your sealed pot is being filled up nicely. 

THEANNE, Thanks for your support. Sounds like your trip savings are mounting up nicely. Looking forward to hearing more about your big girls camera. Although I have to say you do wonders with your present one.

MUM, I feel lucky that we should be able to afford the new pension payments. I'm not so happy working for longer. But you are right, we are in a good position.

Why did you carry on working for longer? 

FRAN, Thanks for your support (as always). Private tuition sounds like a good plan to top up your income. May I ask when you're planning on retiring?

JO, We are so looking forward to going under 10k with our mortgage. Due to the £200 I think I will now have to work an extra year. 

JANE, Sounds like you have a good pension plan in Canada. 2 years to go is fantastic. If you are living simply on PEI then a reduced pension should go along way. What about Michael? Will he retire too?

ANNE, I love it when people say how much they are enjoying their retirement! You seem to be living comfortably on your pensions and saving some too, that's brilliant!

MATTHEW, The state pension is separate to my teacher pension. I pay into my teacher pension each month and my employer (my school pays in a larger chunk too). It's a good pension, teachers are very lucky. Hopefully we will still beable to pay off our mortgage this year.

LAURA: Thanks for your support (as always). We are delighted with our mortgage freedom progress. Can't wait to go under 10k!