Pay off mortgage and start having fun!

themadvix

On the upside, at least you're all going to be living in one household, so you will have all the kids and their partners (this may not seem an upside in a few months!). Like you say, there are lots of potential positives and a chance to start new traditions if Christmas is looking very different this year. I've already told my sister that I won't be very happy if Mum, who is bubbled with them, gets to spend Christmas with my niece and I don't get to see her!

I think you're right about making the most of the freedom we have at the moment. Especially as it seems that our esteemed leader has been dreaming again!

South_coast

I hadn't thought about Christmas - that might mean we only get one set of BF's relatives coming to stay 😀!

newgirly

Hi vix and Sc, it’s the not knowing that’s the hard bit I think, difficult to plan. Best friend sent me link today for costc@ turkeys as she had one last year and it was very good, but they were for about 12-14 people, I said I think we will need a sparrow this year! I hope you get to see your niece this year Vix, can’t you do semester visits on the day? Not the same I know ☹️ Sc you have multiple sets of bf’s relatives  staying normally? That’s a big gold star, I wouldn’t want my own staying let alone dhs side 😂

It’s our zoo day tomorrow 🥳 I decided to take a shop bought picnic rather than make one as it’s easier, so I went for my first @ldi shop probably this year actually. Didn’t fancy the one in town as it’s small and busy, so drove to a big one twenty minutes away when it opened and it was virtually empty. Such a shock after all the online deliveries 😱 I know how much cheaper it is but kind of talked myself into other stores being not much dearer, but that’s really not the case, so I’m pledging to only shop there again from now on except for the odd tiny top up in m&s for bread and milk if needed, should be a massive saving. 

themadvix

Oh NG, I’m only thinking I won’t see her if we’re back in lockdown - mum is bubbled with them so it would have to be full on lockdown for her not to see them. Hopefully it won’t come to that.
 

Aldi is much cheaper!

South_coast

newgirly said:

Sc you have multiple sets of bf’s relatives  staying normally? That’s a big gold star, I wouldn’t want my own staying let alone dhs side 😂

Not my choice NG, he makes the arrangements and then tells me 🙁! Last year I think 3 sets stayed and one came for the day. It's not that I don't get on with them, it's more the having to stay in jeans when the waistband is digging in after eating too much and all the "hosting". BF doesn't consider I do anything as he does the cooking, but that leaves me with all the table setting/clearing, dishwasher loading/emptying and drink topping-up, when really all I want to do is sit on my *rse and relax! Anyway, enough about me!

The zoo sounds good, just stay out of the gift shop!

the_cross_rabbit

We’d already told our relatives that we not be hosting or visiting them this year as I’m sick of running around all day and not getting chance to relax. They are welcome to call in for cake and coffee but that’s it this Christmas.
CRx

newgirly

Sounds like quite a few of us might be happy if it is enforced reduction of Xmas guests 😆 
We had a fantastic day at the zoo, ds2’s girlfriend has an absolute ball there, her brother had booked a slot to feed the elephants which are her favourite, plus we managed to see virtually everything there, feed tortoises, goats and go on the train. Many happy memories of when we used to take the kids when they were little 😊 The only spending on my part except the picnic and dh and our tickets was £3.50 on an inflatable lemur which I bought her which she carried around all day, all in all the perfect 21st day out for her. Back home tonight to slow cooker chilli & casserole with rice and garlic bread, very easy and cheap. They kids are staying up drinking now while we go to bed to watch strike on catchup, after all that walking I need bed.

themadvix

The zoo sounds like it was a lovely day out NG 😊 All  ok with you?

newgirly

Hi vix, thanks yes all is ok. It’s just been a crazily busy week! Ds2’s girlfriend’s 21st yesterday and dads birthday today so lots going in albeit in small groups 🙄 I’ve also been doing some work from home 😬 a job which the customer no longer wants from my old employer due to the massive delay in receiving it (due to the fact I do a lot of it and they got rid of me!) he was going elsewhere anyway so dh offered for us to do it instead, he was happy and it turns out he’s only round the corner. Strictly speaking dh should not be doing that, but quite honestly who cares after the way we have been treated! No real money for us as it will go into our business account and disappear down the black hole that is expenses and factory mortgage, but it’s kept me busy. 

As for the online shop nothing is happening there as dh has not set up with all the equipment he needs at home, it’s a bit of a work in progress, but if he can get extra work himself it will run alongside what I will do really well.

I’ve also been busy booking a pumpkin picking slot at a farm half hour away, usually just turn up but not in these time’s! So £10 for two family tickets and most of the slots the week before Halloween were already sold out. We are away for Halloween but it seems like a good cheap fun thing to do outside. 

This Saturday dh is giving dad a lift to collect his new Tesla, he’s managed to in his words “accidentally order one” I’ve no idea how that’s possible, but there we go, I’ve clearly rebelled being an mse’er with the parents I have, my mums ordered a new car last week too 😂

killerpeaty

I don't know how someone can accidentally get a tesla! They are very shiny though!

Don't blame you at all for the client. Just don't get caught. Can you tell your OH to get a move on with the equipment? I'm dying to browse your shop.