Macgirl's "I Can Do Anything....If I Put My Mind to it" Diary

macgirl

Aw, thanks KC :kisses3::D

Yes, I'm sure 2011 will be all things housey for us both Hypno!

Well, I'm a bit frustrated. DH is 40 in a couple of weeks and despite him saying he doesn't want to do anything, I want to take him to London for the weekend. Hardly romantic (especially with the kids in tow ) but it's his hometown and he doesn't go there for pleasure anymore. He is quite a nostalgic chap with simple needs, so I know he would love it.
I've got a railcard :money: so can get cheap enough tickets, it will be easier to take the train and fun for the kids. I've done my research and found a perfect hotel in Bloomsbury for us, bit more than I'd like to pay, but I've stayed in a few dodgy dives and don't want to again.

Initially I thought I'd ring his partner, excuse him from work that day and head off straight from school, but we wouldn't arrive til around 7.30pm and if we can't go out (little DD will be shattered and I can't risk her kicking off) - it seems like a waste to stay in a hotel. But of course there's "No availability" for one night :mad:
Seems like such a con when if I booked Friday and Saturday, it WOULD be available- Grrrrrrr

I won't be deterred and will ring them instead!

macgirl

Good Morning

Well I booked the hotel, then DH must have sensed it and reiterated that he didn't want to do anything special for his birthday :cool:
He said sorry to disappoint me (he hasn't) but he's not like everyone else (that's why I married him) and doesn't want to be artificial because every day with us is special to him....*sigh*
Oh well, it is money saved and we will just go out for a meal, as that's all he wants to do. The other thing he has asked for is a keepsake box. He wants me and the kids to make a card each telling him everything good that has happened in the last year. Then he wants us to do that every year. He said *that* will make him happy, as he'll have special things to look back on. Ahhhh :A

So today after reading the paper, I will be getting my life in order, sorting the house, the kids homework/PE kits and other gubbins and of course the bank accounts. I confess, I daren't look at them lately :o:o So MUST take the plunge today.
Then I have to visit my little sister who turns 30 today and visit my Auntie who lost her husband before Christmas.

Have a good day to anyone reading

mummytogirls

Morning Macgirl, did you manage to just get the one night in the hotel then? Awww what a lovely surprise for him!

Have a nice day x

macgirl

Morning MTG - no I've cancelled it! He didn't want to do that, he appreciated the thought but said it was *his* birthday so could we do what *he* wanted. Fair enough.

Well, I have just looked at my current and our joint accounts. I was spending with gay-abandon before Christmas, thinking "I'll deal with it later".
Some habits die hard

I'm ashamed to say we had a cheque and DD returned, all because - although I'd been paid on the 20th instead of the 25th - our salaries hadn't gone into the joint account until the 31st. I should have been looking - but didn't. Then I would have noticed and transferred money from the savings account. But didn't. :wall:
We don't have an overdraft facility on that account as we never go overdrawn and don't want one either. I want to remain strict with it.

I know it's just Christmas that let it get out of control and the good thing is that DH got a bonus and is going to transfer more into the joint pot to pay for that. But that's not the point.....I should have been on top of it.

Note to self - check bank account everyday without fail.

Karmacat

Well, technically, yes you should - but you know what happened, you had the money, don't beat yourself up too much - you don't need to do *quite* so much at Christmas maybe, given what your lovely OH has said about his birthday celebrations?

He really sounds like one in a million ... several million! Enjoy the day.

gilligansyle

That's a lovely thing for your OH to say.

I know the temptation to do something special, but believe me, as an introvert I wish I'd been firmer with my family over my 40th. My XOH organised it, it was the sort of thing he would have liked,and I hated every minute, couldn't wait to get home.

Enjoy your ironing.

macgirl

He certainly *is* one in a Million KC - I'm very lucky But yes Gill, he is more introverted and would hate a surprise party or anything like that - he'd die of embarrassment!

So, I have bought him the special picture charting all important places in his life and the girls and I will make a special box and cards for him, as requested.
He has a favourite restaurant so I'll book us in there and that will be it. People do call him "miserable" for not conforming to the norm and wanting to celebrate in the conventional sense, but as long as he's happy that's all I care about.

Went to town and had a scoot round the sales. I bought a job lot of kid's birthday cards as we seem to go to parties every week and some presents for kid's birthdays that look like a tenner but cost less than a fiver :money: It does feel good to be organised AND frugal

Karmacat

Hiya! I think the words "organised" and "frugal" go together very well - you can't be frugal if you do stuff at the last minute, unless you're very, very lucky.

Glad you had a good day at the sales.

hypno06

For what its worth, I think it is a good thing that the DD and cheque were returned.....because it has nipped any return to bad habits in the bud as you realise that you have to keep on top of things.

Not sure if that makes sense to you, but it does to my frazzled brain - see it as a positive, not a negative!

macgirl

Thanks Hypno - how's Klosters?

Yes I think it defo bit me on the behind and reminded me not to be so complacent. Things aren't as tight as they were, but I'm not Rockefeller and usually in January I'm scanning the streets for pennies, so I MUST stay on track.