Those lines came to me tonight as I considered the seasons of our lives tonight. Last year was definitely a time to save, but this year is a time to get things done, and it seems that this means spending.
This morning the gas fitter came to connect up the hob which R put in yesterday, and we thought it was going to be a simple job - the pipe was there, the connectors were there and I could see it all done in less than half an hour. The call out fee for the first hour from the company was £40 and I honestly thought that was going to be the charge.......
Think again.
The fitter and apprentice were here for over two and a half hours, and there were new fittings and lengths of copper pipes, elbows and soldering going on. The fitter was a very methodical chap [or you can read that as "slow" if you are not feeling terrible charitable, as I confess I wasn't this morning] and it took f o r e v e r.
The bill will come through the post later this week, and I am expecting it to be three times what I had anticipated.
As I said, it seems to be the season for spending here.
However, the kitchen looks great and it was a bonus to spend some good time with the FH's son at the weekend, who appreciated the meals I cooked him, and eating together around a table. Simple joys, but ones worth noting and remembering.
I have already warned the girls that we need to take a tighter rein on the finances in May, and we may be looking at a very controlled month indeed - good job I have been saving up the Shop&Scan points for a couple of books I need for my studies from Amazon!
Trying to live my life for God and my family, with an eye on the pennies!
Really pleased that things are getting done and progress is being made. Our tradesmen are wonderful up here but so very slow getting invoices out (takes up to a year so you have to keep track on what you still have to pay). Then all at once 3 big bills in one week and a new part for the boiler!!! Will need to cut back this month.
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