Changing our lives....

Sessie

So, woke up (after not much sleep to start with!) and my back was still bad. Thought, "well, I'm not going to get much done today" so decided to put the twins in the buggy and walk to the village (about two miles away but walking is better for my back than inaction) and pay a couple of bills. It was really sunny and warm so we took some fruit and off we went, at something of a slow pace. We saw trains, buses, butterflies, bees, two kittens (SO cute!), flowers, collected acorns and sang our hearts out!

Paid my second instalment of the water bill so that's that sorted until next year. Before we set off I phoned them and set up a direct debit for next year which starts on 26 April so that will be better spread out over the year.

Also paid for the TV licence for the year (£145.50!!). I don't want to add TOO many things to the direct debits as we use my part-time wages to pay the bills (topped up every so often by Mr Sessie as I don't QUITE earn enough to pay everything) and we then live/shop/everything else out of his money. I say "my" money and "his" money - I don't mean that in a "we don't share" kind of way, I just mean it works out better for us to do that and have separate accounts as I get paid monthly and he gets paid weekly so all the DDs go out at the end of the month from "my" account as I get paid on the 23rd.

Forgot to say last week, the guy came to do our annual boiler service. We'd had a call from BGas a few months ago asking if we wanted to add on other items in the house to our Homecare agreement and had agreed to add the hob as it is gas. As hubby is an electrician by trade we declined any other household things as he is a magician and can wave a screwdriver and things just... work again. Really need someone who knows what they're doing with gas though so it's worth the extra cost to know the hob is also safe. Anyhow when the Engineer came last Friday he couldn't find any reference to the hob so he didn't check it. I ALMOST forgot to ring them to check on this but remembered this morning for some unknown reason so I rang them. They confirmed the hob IS now covered but this is only checked BI-annually so won't get checked until the service NEXT year - a bit cheeky really, you'd think they'd check it when the cover starts but apparently not. They did confirm, however, that if something goes wrong with it from now on, it IS covered so that's OK. It only increased the monthly premium by a couple of pounds so that's fine.

The boiler broke down on the first night of snow last winter - the children were only 16 months old then so it was a NIGHTMARE!! BGas came within two hours of reporting it (at 6 pm, they came at 8!) but the parts weren't available until the Monday! Mr Ses and I just went to bed when we were home but we had to get an electric heater for the children's room and almost smothered them in blankets and drowned them in warm milk for those two days. When I was doing the SOA I considered that the Homecare was something we maybe didn't NEED but.. thinking back to last year, I think it's worth the cost.

After a trip to the village park - a change from the local one - and a sleep on the way home (them not me sadly!) I felt a bit better so decided to do their drawers as they were downstairs anyhow. Put them on the kitchen table to avoid having to sit on the floor and turn around a lot and sorted things that don't fit any more, long sleeved and short sleeved things, trousers and shorts etc .... and put them tidily back in the drawers. Hung a lot of things up in the wardrobe that had been in the drawers to make more room. Finally put away the clothes they got for their birthday (a month ago!) too. At the bottom of their wardrobe is a big drawer which has, for the last YEAR now, held the old nappies (wait, wait, I don't mean old nappies like THAAAT....!) we used from when they were first born. We had these material (not Terry) nappies that had soft inserts that were washable and worked really well until they were about 5 months. After that, we were finding they were leaking every morning and their bedclothes were wet so we stopped using them. I thought long and hard today about what else I could POSSIBLY use them for and came up blank so I took out all the inserts as they can be used for cloths and for wiping/polishing, even shoe polishing, and threw the actual nappies away. That freed up a drawer so all their bodysuits, split into long and short sleeved are now in there to make more space in their actual drawers. It won't be long before they need a suit on under their clothes and PJs now.

This was edited and posted at 8.45 pm, after I left myself a few notes first thing this morning. More to follow in a mo but this will be AFTER Penny's post.

x

pennywisepoundstupid

Sorry about your back sessie, i have a disc problem with mine and when it goes its bl**dy agony so you have my sympathy, loving your diary, its a great read and i look forward to the next installment.

Sessie

About halfway through all this tidying I realised my back wasn't actually that much better, it had just been the painkillers but I couldn't leave everything out so I just had to get on with it and get it done. Didn't help that the children were just... to put it politely... poop machines ALL day and I had to keep chasing them, catching them and holding them on the change mat long enough to change them over and over.

Gave them tea - an interesting but very MSE one - of half the tin of spaghetti left from yesterday, a little of my (very bland - I had asked the guy to keep it mild the first time) curry from yesterday on potato waffles. Went down a treat! Then they had a jelly I made two days ago and forgot about until I saw it in the back of the fridge today with blueberries which were reduced from Mr M's on Tuesday. A further play and finally got them to bed just as I couldn't stop myself any longer and had a bit of a sob at how much my back hurts. Mine is a disc problem too, right at the base of my spine (L5/S1 for anyone that knows what that means). Had epidurals a few years ago after having had five months off work, three of which I could only crawl around on all fours. Now though, because of NHS cuts, it's unlikely I'll get this again unless I pay privately - at a cost of about £1,300 - so that's not happening.

I have an appointment with the Pain Clinic in October but I'm not holding out much hope. My GP has written to the Exceptions Panel (which is pretty much what it says, the NHS doesn't do cortisone, epidurals etc... as a matter of course now but GPs can apply to this panel for their patients and state their case as to why Mrs Sessie needs this treatment and see whether they will agree to do it...) and he said the Pain Clinic may well back him up by letter after seeing me, which will help a lot. Fingers crossed.

One more thing before I go forum searching .. got a call last night from some Indian call centre asking about my gas and electricity suppliers. I said, politely, that I was looking into changing suppliers once I'd had a chance to check everything out and didn't want anything else at the moment. He started to give me the spiel and I cut him off saying again, I will look into it in my own time, I don't want you to take this any further. He cut ME off mid-sentence and said, "You'll be getting a call from E-On" and HUNG UP ON ME! :mad::mad: I was FURIOUS! Tried to get the number but of course it was withheld. So just WAIT until E-ON ring me! (kind of wish they would NOW as I'm bad tempered because of the pain lol). I'll tell them in no uncertain terms that yes, I really AM looking into this but after THAT call, and the blatant ignoring of my clearly-stated wishes, I won't be touching them with a barge pole!

Am sure I'll think of something else once I hit "submit reply" but it's nothing that won't keep. Anyway, if my back stays at this pain level, I'll be up a while so might come back later!

Thanks for all your continued support and kind words and suggestions - it means a lot!

x

Sessie

Another quick one before I start a full day's work (proper work)...

When I was in the village with the children the other day, saw a note in the newsagent's window for a pine cot bed. Once mum gives up her job in December, she will have room for them to go and stay with her and dad now and again which will be AWESOME to get a full night's sleep and wake up when WE want to!!

Gave her the number and she rang later to say it was a GORGEOUS almost-new pine cot bed, which will turn into a single bed by taking the sides off... and the woman only wanted £20 for it!! TIIIIIICK!

We are now on the lookout for another one - checking Mr T's Mother and Baby notice board instore (near the cig/Lottery counter in our store), W1lko's boards and the local paper - they don't have to be the same, just cheap (but safe!!). Also asking my sis to check Freecycle for us but I doubt anyone would just give away a cotbed.

Yesterday made a lovely sausage casserole using the 50p-for-8 sausages from Mr M's (thick, tasty, yummy!), the veg I got from the market on Monday (for next to nothing as it was towards the end of the day and they just wanted rid of stuff so they could go home!) and the Cantonese Uncle Ben's sauce (from Mr M's at 5 for £5!) so a TRUE bargain meal which EVERYONE loved and there's still enough left for two meals for all of us! TIIIIICK!

Ironed some of Girlchild's clothes that I had sorted from the drawers that were a bit creased but couldn't put them away as they were already in bed when I got home - but will do it tonight when I get in. TICK!

Reading back through this it's starting to look a bit like "Sessie's housework book" so tonight, if I get chance, am going to list the changes I've made in one post so I can see that I really HAVE changed how we live and what we do. This should spur me on for the next few months, plus it's always useful to see in black and white that you've made a difference!!

Finally, saw a great quote the other day:

"I haven't had any alcohol today, I haven't had a cigarette today, I haven't had any chocolate today. Luckily I can see a man to nag so all is not lost!"

:rotfl:

x

saorsie

Sessie wrote: »

Finally, saw a great quote the other day:

"I haven't had any alcohol today, I haven't had a cigarette today, I haven't had any chocolate today. Luckily I can see a man to nag so all is not lost!"

:rotfl:

x

Lol lol that really made me laugh Sessie - well done on your progress so far - hope the back's a bit more comfortable today

-s-

Sessie

So, a month (and a day) after joining here, where am I? What have I done? Am I keeping up the things that are working? Think it might be a good idea to do a recap and see which things are becoming "the norm" now and which I need to keep working on.

Meal planning/batch cooking and shopping per that : am getting pretty good at this now. The night before a shop (Monday night) I have a look at what's in, I go to Mr M's website and see what offers they have on this week and then to my recipe book where I "build" the week's meals on paper. Then I write a list of what I need - usually fresh stuff like veg - and just stick to that list. It's not always easy, sometimes I have to MAKE myself walk past stuff but I'm getting better at it! Plus, knowing I'd have to admit to weakening on here helps a lot!!

Still haven't bought any magazines or books and am on with some books I bought about a year ago - and really enjoying them!

Haven't had as many NSDs lately as when I started - need to get back to aiming for 3 a week.

Downbranding - am pretty much set in my ways for this now. Most stuff I get is Mr M's value range, with the odd exception.

Decluttering - again, I'm not as good at this as I should be but I'm improving. I keep seeing little things and instead of walking past I feel the urge to do them NOW, which is good. I do need to work on it a bit more though. Have to say that since I decided to sort out my house, it's become MORE untidy as I move things from one place to the next trying to "sort out" piles of "not needed", "give to family/friends/charity shop" etc...!! I am making progress though, every time family come round they're like, "What am I taking this time then?!". :rotfl:

Am getting better at looking ahead and planning upcoming expenses - I still miss things but at least I'm writing down the "biggies" so we're not suddenly hit by them.

Eurgh, Girlchild is just NOT going to sleep tonight so I'm gonna have to go. Not much to say today anyhow, been at work all day (took packup so was an NSD).

Back again soon.

x

Sessie

Haven't had chance to get back and finish the above post - was going to note ALL the things I've done, even the little ones, rather than just in general titles but just haven't had the opportunity.

Don't have time now either, just coming back to say I haven't quit, I've just been over-run with THINGS and STUFF!!

I will be back in the next few days for a more usual length post!

Notes for me: things I need to discuss:

Nursery/work/hours change
water down
sloes/apples
duvet covers

ARGH! And off goes a child AGAIN!!

x

Sessie

Finally! I made it back! Gosh, sounds like I just went to the North Pole in a bikini doesn't it? Although that would be easier than the last week. Anyhow, enough of that, let's catch up!

Can't remember when I did what in the last few days but, despite Girlchild trying to deafen me constantly and drive me insane with her wailing for NO APPARENT REASON!!!! I managed to do the following:

(1) Sort out the garge (to a degree, not totally) and put a LOAD of stuff out for the recycling on Friday that had fallen down the back of the boxes. That made quite a lot of space, though there was no room outside the houses for our neighbours to put theirs out!!

I have kept back a load of cardboard (from nappy boxes and big toys the children got for their birthday) and one of the things on this week's list is to go round all the radiators and measure how big the cardboard lined with foil needs to be to go behind them to reflect heat back into the rooms once we put the heating on again.

(2) Sorted out the children's pyjama drawers (there are two in my bedroom as there's not enough room in theirs!). Put all the sets back together as there were trousers here and tops there. Sorted all the warmer, long sleeved ones and put them at the front so we're ready for autumn and winter.

(3) Swept and then wet cloth-ed down the edges of my stair carpet to get rid of all the dust and cat hairs. There was a tennis ball sized lump by the time I was done which was quite ... yucky!! . It's odd because they never look that bad (apart from to me!) but it's amazing how much gets into the edges and stuff!!

(4) Yet again, load upon load of washing and managed to get the ironing done this morning whilst the curry was cooking and the children were building Paddington Station with hubby in the living room.

(5) Made said curry with the other paste/spice mix from town. Put a TON of veg in it and used some reduced mince - I wasn't too impressed with this one but Mr Sessie has just eaten his, mine AND another portion so it won't go to waste!

(6) Speaking of reduced stuff, went to Mr T's the other night for a birthday card for dad. Despite having put his b'day on here as an upcoming expense I still completely forgot until two days before! Decided to have a quick look at the reduced fresh section - nothing much there, though they had WHOLE salmons for £6 - apparently they're normally about £14 but I'm not a fan so I passed. HOWEVER... the reduced "other stuff" section... holy MOLEY!! Cereal down to a quarter of the price because the boxes were torn (the inner packaging was still intact!), cat food 12 pack of tins half price because the plastic was torn, tins of this and that down because the label was ripped, jars of sauce - same, it was UNREAL!! There was also one of those tins of Celebrations, down to £3 because it was dented. Was about to reach for it and a woman asked if I knew where something was. As I turned to point her in the right direction she saw said chocolates, grabbed them and off she went. Without even a thank you!! Wanted to kill her but we really didn't have the time for the ensuing police interviews and such so just inwardly fumed and wished karma return her selfishness twofold!! Also bought the gin for the sloe gin - just got cheap stuff - about £8 for a 70cl bottle, rather than any brand. Apparently when it's done it's about 20 to 30% proof so I don't think it really matters!! Two or three sips and you could be drinking engine oil probably (though hopefully it will taste somewhat better than that).

(7) Bought one of those A4 folders with the clear inserts in for all the recipes I'm picking up from magazines, websites and this site in particular!! Have been grabbing ALL the supermarket mags (their own I mean!) when I go in - there's TONS of really nice recipes in there! Can't wait to have a go at the butternut squash soup from Mr M's. The book I've been using mainly these last few weeks has got a bit splattered so I need to find one of those perspex thingies you put them in to prevent that. If they're stupidly expensive I guess covering the page I'm working on with clingfilm (smoothly!) would do! How VERY MSE!!

(8) Bought two big Kilner jar thingies and this morning I MADE THE SLOE GIN!! It's all very exciting!! Glug glug, in went the gin ...in went some sugar and I gently cut the skins of the sloes and popped them in too. Sealed the jars, tipped them upside down and when I looked back they were already turning a rich red colour! Need to check now and again whether it's sweet enough or not so have roped mum in to be official taster as we go along since I don't drink at all - she has obviously been "very reluctant" to take on this job but has, "for the sake of decency" agreed to do so!! :rotfl:

(9) Older sister's bf has lent me his sewing machine so I can get to work on those duvet covers for the children. Gulp!! He needs it back before the start of December as he has bought the children some of those "advent calendars" that are material and have little pockets in where you can put little toys or fruit or something rather then get chocolate ones and he needs to sew them up (he's very practical!) so I'm on a deadline! That might sound crazy but finding the time to get the machine out and actually have a go, when the children aren't around (hardly ever!) is a big ask around here but... I WILL do it!!

Time for a break to refill the coffee... back in a few!

x

o2bfree

Missed your lllloooonnngggg posts.
Love them
Can't wait for the next instalment.

Sessie

So... things to (try to) do this week:

(a) Get a passport pic of me. Already have one of Mr Sessie from applying for a card once he qualified for membership of something after passing an exam recently. We can then go back to The Deep in Hull any time until the end of next August free. They give you a Gift Aid form to complete when you pay and if you then complete it and take the completed form and passport pics (for us, not the children) each time you go again you can get in free! Bonus! Normally I'd have "thought about it" but never got round to it and just paid again next time so I really AM starting to think MSE!

(b) Keep turning the sloe gin - once every other day for the first 10 days.

(c) Measure all radiator backs in the house. If I get time, cut the cardboard and line with foil but there's no immediate rush for this unless it suddenly drops 10 degrees.

(d) Look through my own drawers (! Ooh I say!) and pull out "won't wear again"s and either give away or bag up for charity shop.

(e) Try to get started on the duvet covers.

(f) Car goes in for MOT on Tuesday - going to Home Bargains while it's being done as it's walkable from the MOT Centre. They were doing Vanish stain remover powder for £2 a couple of days ago, yes the PROPER pink container stuff! £2!! It's like seven quid in the supermarkets! I got 3 last week but want to stockpile - didn't have room in the buggy for more. Also, saw a few possible Xmas gifts- want to have another look. I did get an 18 pack of loo roll for £3.50 - might get another as there's now plenty of room to store them in the Airing Cupboard of Awesome. :T

(f) Speaking of stockpiling, need to start putting pasta and jars of sauce etc into boxes in the garage as my cupboards are a bit TOO full as I keep buying in bulk.

(g) Need to actually sit down one night, with Messenger well and truly OFF (rarely have it on unless I see my sis is on) and read through:

(i) The "Let's start to learn how to grow our own veg" topic over on OS from start to finish as I'd really like to give it a go next year.

(ii) The "Preparing for Winter II" thread - managed the first six or so pages this week but haven't been back since and it's a really good thread (well, last year's was!).

(iii) The "Don't throw it away, use it up!" leftovers thread I was talking about the other day.

They are all really long topics but SO worth the read. It would be nice just to sit and NOT do something for one night a week so maybe I can incorporate reading useful topics into that night!

(h) Remember to put the fleece blankets on the cots UNDER the sheets when I wash the children's bed stuff and blankets tomorrow. It's just getting a BIT cool in there overnight - not quite at the "put the heating on" stage but.. if they had those lovely fleeces underneath they'd be a lot warmer I think. Of course, they'd probably ALSO be warmer if they didn't kick their blankets off ten times a night but I don't think even Martin Lewis can solve THAT one!

(i) B***dy CURTAIN HOOKS for the nursery! Have been to The Range TWICE and Mr T's TWICE and not remembered. In the meantime, another TWO have broken in the nursery!!

(j) Oh yes and the final "little" thing - working part-time, bringing up two currently extremely demanding two year olds, keeping the house clean and tidy, sorting and decluttering and cooking!! :rotfl:

So, am just going to post this, feed the cats and go to bed now (I know it's early but it's been a trying week to say the very least!) with a selection of "broken" biscuits from The Range (big box, £2.29, some LOVELY biccies in there!) and a cup of hot milk and a copy of SHE (so I caved and bought a magazine this week, seriously, it is a TREAT I truly deserve, it's been a HORRIBLE week it really has!). Saying that, I'll probably sit on the side of the bed and think, "Naaah, I'll just go to sleep" as I'm that tired.

I shall try to get back to more regular posting - I tend to do more when I know I'm going to post that night - and also catching up with what everyone else is up to. I hope everyone (well, anyone who's still here!) is doing well and saving those pennies.

x