Goal - 3 debts paid by Christmas

maman

Triggles wrote: »

Good. I feel a bit more myself already. I think I will go through my knitting patterns tomorrow afternoon as well. I did get a shelf cleaned off in the dining room - managed to bin a few things we didn't need and put away a few items that had gotten put on the shelf when busy tidying up and not actually put away. So I at least accomplished that today. And a load of clothes which are almost dry. And hoovering.


Meant to mention earlier - got 2 interesting letters recently.
1- from new DCA re Halifax account, which they only had an unenforceable CCA for. So will be sending off a letter to them.
2- from old bank re overdraft. Sneaky them. Joint account, but they have agreement with me to pay £50 per month to get it paid off and they will hold off on all charges and interest, which they are doing. But DH got letter from DCA today addressed JUST TO HIM saying he needs to pay on it to DCA. I don't think so! Sending them a letter saying "hello?!?!? a repayment agreement has already been in place for ages, so you can send it right back to the bank, thank you very much!" Incredibly cheeky! Make a repayment deal with me, then hassle DH for one as well. They KNOW we are married and live together. Good grief. How incredibly odd.

I think you accomplished lots and the bare-faced cheek of the banks really takes the.....biscuit:D

I'm a big fan of my freezer inventory. I 'shop' from it every week when I'm doing my meal plan/shopping list. It's also a great help to have some HM ready-meals (like bolognese sauce) in there for lazy or busy days.

And since there's over an hour left:bdaycake: Happy Birthday to you!!
You had some great gifts and lots of good wishes from your immediate and adopted family. Focus on the positives and enjoy playgroup tomorrow.

Triggles

maman - Thank you. You're right, of course. For the most part, I can put my family and their issues out of my head. I think holidays and birthdays and such tend to bring it to the front again. Thank goodness DH's family is just wonderful and always here for me. My MIL has been more of a mum to me than my actual mum has been these last years.

Anyway... I've gotten done a fair bit so far:
- morning school run done
- laundry (washing in the machine now)
- ironing done
- washing up done
- living room tidied up
- stock take of freezers done

I'm taking a short break and then lunch for DS3, and perhaps start working on the meal plan. I wanted to look over my knitting patterns, but forgot to bring them downstairs from the bedroom, and DH is sleeping.

Triggles

New day. Hoping for a good day today after two particularly spectacularly bad ones! LOL

Had an issue with something at the school regarding DS2, but spoke to the headteacher this morning and think we have it sorted out in a satisfactory manner now. I do hate having to go to the headteacher about things, but she has an open door policy and is great about working with parents on things. So hopefully all sorted.

Washing up done, laundry washing, now back to work on my meal planning, which I simply didn't get done last night. I need to hoover the living room, but can't do that until DS3 gets up from his nap. A bit chilly in the house today as we're trying to keep the thermostat down (and consequently the heating bill!), so I'll have to grab a jumper quick to keep warm.

ooooh much better... was freezing! LOL

Anyway, we have more stuff in the freezer than I thought. I have tried time and again to keep track of what's in there by an ongoing inventory, but invariably what happens is DH takes stuff out and forgets to mark it off. Or we are in a rush putting things away from grocery shop for whatever reason and I forget to put them on the list.

So off I go to do some thinking on the menu planning.

Triggles

Early morning Saturday. What a stressful couple days! Whew! Here's hoping we have a bit of a relaxing weekend.

I've got a bunch of school paperwork to go over, as well as reviewing DS2's IEP, as there's an IEP review meeting this week. A bit of a struggle emotionally, I've found, but needs to be done. And double checking that all his paperwork is in order for the paed's appointment. I also need to go over some activity sheets to see what activities we can start implementing in order to help him. I've browsed it a little bit and some look like he'll enjoy them.

Then I need to finish up the letters I should have done yesterday. It shouldn't take too long to get those sorted and ready to post. I was hoping to get them posted today, but looking more like Monday morning instead. Oh well, I can live with that.

I need to write a personal letter to a friend - she has the internet but is so completely uncomfortable with it, it's just easier to write a letter and post it. LOL Still debating the whole "birthday card to mum" thing. sigh

We've decided as DH is off work this week, we're going to have our roast dinner on Monday instead of Sunday. I think the plan is to get some serious cleaning done on Sunday (hey, we're in the prep for Christmas, now!), so don't want the fuss of a large dinner as well. We'll hopefully be getting the remainder of our DIY stuff we wanted done this week.
- painting another coat of paint in the living room (including ceiling)
- sanding stairs and door frames
- finish on the stairs and door frames
- putting pictures up in the hallway
Fingers crossed!!!!!

Quick run to Sains today to pick up fresh fruit and veg. And then a stop at Farm Foods on the way home to pick up milk and bread. Everything else we pretty much have. So a small savings there. This is that time of year that I try to avoid watching the "holiday food" ads on the television or the reading the sales ads that show all the yummy holiday food (that is always so expensive!). And again this year, we are not falling into the trap of buying alcohol "just in case" someone wants something particular when visiting before Christmas. We used to do that, and it was so expensive, as EVERYONE liked something DIFFERENT! So we bought in all these different drinks - just silly. Tea and coffee work just as well before Christmas (and hot chocolate if need be), but unless it's a specific "so-and-so's coming over for drinks or dinner" then we're just not serving alcohol to guests. I wouldn't expect others to put their budget on the line just to provide drinks for us, so why should we?

Whooops. The boys are tired of the early morning "play in rooms" so off to fix breakfast for them.

Triggles

DS3 in bed for nap. DH napping after working. DS2 eating an apple, shaking a tamourine and watching Numberjacks. Calm reigns. For the moment... :rotfl:

I found a great Christmas project for DS2 & I to work on in a couple weeks. It was £1.99 at The Works - they had a bunch of different project kits for Christmas, all the same price. But this one is for 2 felt holiday gift bags (although DS2 can use them to put things in, as he enjoys that), with all the felt precut, googly eyes (which DS2 likes - thanks Mr Maker ), and the best part is the stitching holes up the sides with a plastic needle and yarn/wool. This will be fun to do, plus the stitching is brilliant coordination practice for him as well. Really looking forward to it!

Putting together our list of things to do with the boys over the holiday season:
- making cookies (will probably do this on a couple occasions)
- putting up the Christmas tree (artificial) the last weekend in November (traditionally in our family it's done Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday)
- decorating the tree (the day after putting it up - so Sunday)
- watching some Christmas programmes
- a fair number of people locally put out lights at Christmas, so we'll go out for an early evening walk and look at Christmas lights
- go see Father Christmas at the shopping centre
- make some Christmas donations (always carry change so boys can drop ££ in donation boxes)
- spend an afternoon on the high street as we get lots of local talent playing holiday music on instruments and such - the boys love this
- if ice rink set up locally again, would like to take DS2 (DS3 too young)
- make some decorations for the tree
- make a fun decoration for teachers for school
- make rice krispie christmas tree treats (an old recipe we found - it just looks fun)
- make a few decorations to hang up in house

I'm going to look through some local magazines and papers to see what's going on locally in case there are some fun and inexpensive activities that DS2 might enjoy - can be difficult as he doesn't like crowds, so we have to consider that as well. We have an advent calendar, but DS2 doesn't like chocolate, so we will put other things in there - little treats, little decorations to put on the tree, and outings written down.

I was going to work on paperwork today, but DH has suggested I use the day to just get myself back onto an even keel. After a few very stressful days, I suppose he's right - I need a little time to pull myself together. Maybe after the boys are in bed tonight I will put on some Christmas music and enjoy doing some craft work, then relax with DH, a glass of wine, and a movie. Sounds good to me!

rainbow81

Triggles, I have mentioned it before but it never ceases to amaze me how alike my DS and your DS2 seem. It makes me chuckle. I got him a pack of Christmas puppets for us to make from the Works. I saw the big needle and thread and thought "Oo good for fine motor skills!". And the googly eyes thing! I bought some for DS as he's always talking about them, you're right, that Mister Maker has a lot to answer for!

All your activities you've got planned look really good too. I find the crowds really gets to DS and he just starts humming and flapping/jumping so we tend to do a lot of staying in. He is also scared of Father Christmas so we have a few things to negotiate at this time of year. Thank god for online shopping, that's all I can say!

I hope you had a nice evening, it sounds perfect.

R x

Triggles

Rainbow - they do sound quite alike! DS2 also has a tendency to go into what we call "shut down mode" when he is overwhelmed by too much going on or too many people. We've never taken him to a cinema as I don't think he could cope with the noise. He wears his ear defenders when the THX thing comes up on DVDs at home - I imagine he would be climbing the wall at the cinema. Our most reliable tactic when he is starting to either go into meltdown or shutdown is counting - I say "DS2 can you count to 23? (or 17 or any number really)" He is obsessed with numbers and letters so this distracts him enough sometimes to either give us time to remove him to a quieter area or allows him to shut out some of the confusion. He was a bit edgy around Father Christmas last year, but the grotto had a massive layout with toy trains and miniature village stuff, which drew him in enough to get through it. So we'll be going to that one again this year!

OOOOooooooh! I spent far too much time browsing the crafty Christmas threads and now I want to do some of my craft stuff. I don't generally have a whole lot of time to do so, but I will make some time this week as it's a bit of a stress-buster for me and I enjoy it.

Letters prepared to be posted tomorrow in town. Going to pop into Poundland and the Range, as I like looking through the Christmas crafty stuff.

We made (with DS2's assistance) a lovely decoration that is now hanging over the front of our living room fireplace. Christmas decorations (like you hang on the tree) were on sale at Sains for 3 for 2, and plus DH's discount, so we let DS2 pick out a couple decorations. He decided on a package of ornamental pine cones and a package of red glittery snowflakes. We strung them on a gold ribbon with curled gold and green ribbons, with a bunch of curled red shiny ribbon in the middle of the string. It's all hung up across the fireplace, looking all festive and shiny and glittery. DS2 loves it, spends time counting the ornaments on it, and is so proud that he helped "make" it. :j Next will be some Christmas ornaments for the tree for him to colour and will be backed with coloured paper and set on clothes peg to fasten to Christmas tree branches. DD made one when she was 4 and I still put it on the tree each year! :cool:

Ooops.. celebrity jungle has started. My guilty little pleasure, that! :rotfl:

Triggles

Good morning! A little more up beat today, I think. I've had coffee, so that always makes things a bit more rosy! :cool:

So far today:
- updated monthly budget spreadsheet
- double checked status of bank account
- written 2 letters re debt accounts which will be posted later today
- done school run
- washing up, tidied up kitchen

Next will be going over DS2's medical/school paperwork in preparation for IEP review on Wednesday. It shouldn't be too complicated as school has for the most part been very good about it. One or two items I will be bringing up, but they're not massive changes, so it should be fine.

MIL has decided that she would like DH & I to be able to go out for an evening on our own, without the children, which we haven't done since well before DS3 was born. So she's giving us money strictly to pay for an evening out (nice dinner and such), and she and DD will be babysitting the boys for us. :j We're quite thrilled as it's been ages since we've been to a restaurant without lugging a highchair to the table! :eek: Although we'll probably be nervous wrecks the whole time in case DS2 has a bad evening/night. We won't be late, obviously, but at least we won't be too far away in case they need to call us. But still... exciting evening out! Yay! Everything's been so stressful lately, I think we really need this.

Alright. I have school paperwork to sort through and then a basket of odds and ends I promised myself I would put away this morning. And then I may just toddle on downstairs (I'm in my little office area upstairs right now) and start organising my craft papers, as I'm going to set aside some time a couple evenings a week and do some craft stuff. :j It's one of those "something just for me" things that I've decided I need to make time for.

Don't ask me about plans for tea tonight - I haven't a clue! Eeeeek! Which reminds me I need to finish that meal plan as well! Shame on me for procrastinating! I'm about halfway done - trying to work out a rotating one, which is why it's taking me a bit longer. Have to organise meals which are DS2 friendly along with DH's work schedule and my "having time to cook" days. :rotfl:

maman

Good morning Triggles, glad you're feeling a bit brighter this morning and having a happy time in your office!

Your MIL sounds absolutely marvellous, what a super idea! Personally I would prefer treats as gifts rather than 'stuff'. You must try not to worry about DS2 when you're out. I'm sure his grandma and sister can manage IF (and that's a big if by the way) he has a disturbed evening. You really must try to spread the load a bit. Is this a Christmas treat or are you planning on going anytime soon? Around Thanksgiving might be good as many restaurants in this country go a a bit down hill at Christmas. Or if you're really nervous why don't you go out to lunch with OH and then MIL would only need to have DS3? A sort of trial run?

I think that having some time to yourself for crafty stuff is really great. I am determined to sort out some knitting for myself soon.

Well done on thinking through the IEP, you'd be amazed how many parents are completely uninterested and never turn up for any meetings.

Have a good day.

Triggles

maman - we're going this week for the dinner out. I'm sure that MIL & DD can deal with most anything that comes up, it's that parent-paranoia, I think. LOL We're going in the evening as both boys generally go to bed at 6pm. DS2 obviously is up and down during the evening, but usually the first couple hours are his best sleep (not sure why, but it is), so we felt that was the best time to go. We did talk about going during the day, but DD wouldn't be available to help out and sometimes stairs can be a bit rough for MIL, so we wanted DD here for the "running up and down the stairs and checking on the children" part.

Watching an interesting programme called Turn Back Time: The High Street. Very good info about shops on the high street through the years.