Jamiedodger's Happy Times 2009 Diary

JAMIEDODGER · 1 January 2009 at 1:28PM

Hello all:D

I have decided to start a new diary as a sparkly new year is here!

In the last 12 months since my nightmare start to 2008, I have managed to pay back most of what I owe. I still have a bit of debt but this should be gone by the spring.

I joined this site in May 2005 and have learnt so much over the last 3 years, and I am still learning everyday....

2009 looks set to be a very good year for me. I have finally made the decision to not save to purchase a house in a few years time. The last few months I have slowly started to decorate my house and it had got in to a right state, being a single parent with four kids and a business there never seemed to be the time available to do the house up on top of all that. However I have made a start and I have fallen back in love with my house:T I have made the choice to stay and I am happy with that. The money I would have saved will now be spent doing up the house:)

I am doing the 4k challenge again this year and have set myself a strict budget so that the money left will be enough to cover the things I want to do in the house.

This diary will record my journey for the next 12 months.:j

The positive feelings I have for my house have spread into other areas and I have rediscovered my love of cooking, which had seriously taken a battering last year. I am baking and cooking from scratch everyday again, the kids are very pleased with this:D

I truly hope that everyone who joined in to comment on my old thread last year will come over to post on this new thread!:)

Anyways.....

Today I have boiled up a couple of eggs that needed using up to go with our cold lunch. I have a chicken stock simmering away which I will be making into soup later.

Ive made up a trifle for pudding tonight and will be rifling through the freezer shortly to get out something for tomorrow nights dinner.

Tonight we are going to have pesto and pasta with bacon, yum:D

I need to finish off my storecupboard inventory which I have started this morning and from that start a shopping list for january...

2009 is going to be a great year:beer:

sophiesmum_2 · 1 January 2009 at 1:41PM

Happy New sparkly 2009 diary Jamie:j
Hope this year is a great one for you and your family:D

halight · 1 January 2009 at 1:49PM

Hi happy new year ans the very best for 2009

dND · 1 January 2009 at 2:26PM

Good Luck for 2009 Jamie :j, I think a lot of us are hoping that 2009 will be better than last year.

Deborah x

JAMIEDODGER · 1 January 2009 at 3:50PM

thanks guys:)

Hello halight:wave:

Deborah - hows the farm looking?

SM - Hope you have a wonderful 2009 too, will be watching in earnest to see what wonders you craft this year and will be copycatting them:D I loved the white chocolate butterflies.......must put those on list of things to make for xmas 2009!!!

Cat_Addict · 1 January 2009 at 3:56PM

Happy New Year Jamie!

Sounds like you have a great gameplan for 2009 and I'm looking forward to reading about your journey (and learning from it LOL!). I'm looking forward to hearing about your cooking as I've resolved to cook from scratch more. Not living on convenience food.

I'm interested in your house decision. You were planning to buy a flat if I remember correctly? (I believe only lottery winners can afford to buy property personally - hence I'm in it Saturday and Wednesday!). Is your current house a council house? Ours is a housing association house and although we're bulging at the seams I'm happy with it. Wish we could decorate but don't know where to start as the rooms are full of furniture!

JAMIEDODGER · 1 January 2009 at 4:13PM

Hi Cat:wave: Glad you found it lol:D

I have a housing association house, lovely area, older property with 4 bedrooms, I had considered saving for deposit for flat and buying in ten years time when the kids were older but the rent is really reasonable here, HA no trouble, they put in a new kitchen in october and its beautiful.

I started with DS3 bedroom, moved everything out on a day when they were at school, B&Q value magnolia (£11 for 10litres) and painted 2 coats, next day did the same again. Value gloss and you wouldnt believe the difference! So clean and fresh looking....moved on to my room, then landing, halfway through DD bedroom currently but will not be doing anymore until kids go back to school!

DS3 needed new wardrobe, chest of drawers (both Ikea total £80) new flooring CarpetRight (£70) cheap desk, chair, shelf and wall light and his room looks amazing!!!!! That in itself inspired me to keep going!

Will be starting ds1&2 bedroom after DD bedroom is done then down stairs and onto other rooms!:j its really starting to look good!!!

Cat_Addict · 1 January 2009 at 4:20PM

You should be really proud of yourself! How do you lump all that furniture around on your own LOL?

jacci45 · 1 January 2009 at 4:51PM

Happy New Year! I look forward to reading your diary throughout 2009.

xx

JAMIEDODGER · 1 January 2009 at 9:13PM

Cat - I had a very good male friend do most of the furniture moving and the putting together of new stuff!:D

Jaccie - welcome to my humble home:) hope to see you posting again! I love visitors:D