A Thread for After Debt?

SOT2011

Rising - I am sure you will just know when you meet him (or her).

You have had dogs before so you aren't going in blind to this, so go with your instincts I am sure you will make the right decision.

Hugs for the memory of Ben too, my parents had to put one of their two older dogs to sleep last week and it is so sad to lose them:(

JulieGeorgiana

Rising you need to not think of a new dog as a replacement, but an addition. When i lost mischief it was so hard, because he couldnt have been more perfect. When we got tigger I found it hard to bond because he was so different. I worried is made the wrong decision. But I came to love him, and now he's part of the family. He'll never replace mischief, but no one could... he was made for me

I only had him two years, never found out what happened to him

I'd trust your instincts x

QueenB.

Afternoon everyone:)

Let me say sorry in advance for what will be a ramble of a post, hopefully it will make some type of sense.

Firstly isn't it scary to have so many easter birthdays between us, DS1 was 2 weeks late and we worried, after the type of pregnancy I had had, that he would be born on April 1st, but thankfully he arrived the next day on the good friday.

Well DS2 is ill with the same thing DS1 just had so I was up all night with him and hes off school today, not sure when he will go back but can't see it being tomorrow:( The last couple of weeks have not been great healthwise, first DS1 accident, then both me and DD fell ill, then DS1 and now DS2, add to that all the money issues I have blacklisted January and I can only hope Febuary Is a brighter month for us all.

I was meant to do some baking yesterday but didn't get round to it so I spent this morning having a bakeathon. Made a banana cake using some sad looking bananas, cooked two cherry and blueberry wheatabix cakes and made a summer fruit crumble for tonight using some frozen summer fruits which have been in the freezer for a couple of months and I also used the last few spoonfuls of damson jam as kiddies weren't that keen on it. Finally made some welsh chocolate chip shortbread. Why welsh i hear you ask......well I used up tha half bag of chocolate chip dragon whoopsies that I picked up in wales when I visited my sister in October:D. That should do us for awhile. Also made my first attempt at batch cooking last night. Made a huge chilli which feed all of us and had enough for two more mealtimes so they are in the freezer, along with some of todays baking. Tomorrows meal will also be a batch cooking oppertunity, lasagne.

Watched superscrimpers and have tried out two of the tips today, washing machine was a bit iffy smellwise so did a high wash cycle, minus clothes and seems to have made a difference. Also took the idea of using the nets off fruit as scrubbers and that worked aswell, removed all the dough out of the bowls and then I just wiped in hot water with the sponge, I will def do it again.

With all the money stretching tips above I do have to add that I could not put my usual monthly amount into savings:( as we had to put it towards our new TV. It cost us just over £200:( Its a 32" and we did get some money off by haggling so thats something I suppose but still a cost we could have done with out and thats going to affect my savings target this year so guess what...........time to juggle the budget.........again.

Rising Don't worry, you will know if it is the dog for you. I truely believe we can find a soulmate in a pet and I found mine years ago, One of my family cats had kittens so litterally she was with me since birth (I was only 13). She was my cat, we had a special connection that I just can't explin but I know some of you will understand. Then at 13 she was hit by a car and I lost her........I was devastated and even though we had other cats in the home I was alone because they weren't her. I just couldn't even think of getting anther at the time but then four years later I visited a friend and she showed me her cats new litter of kittens and one just stood out. I hadn't even been looking but I knew it was right. The two couldn't look more different but there is a scary similarity in behaviour and once again there is that connection.......... a deep understanding. So you will know. (((((((((Rising))))))))) Good luck:)

JulieG I took a lokk at the holiday thread and it has given me some ideas, thank you for the tips, I have loads of mr T vouchers so I will look into that.

Have a good wednesday guys:)

Sorry about the spelling.........Im very tired.

rising_from_the_ashes

QueenB what a terrible couple of weeks you're having with illness doing its' rounds.... (((hugs)))


Well, didn't sleep (literally) a wink last night ...... still dog-less:(

QueenB.

(((((((((rising))))))))) I know its hard right now but it is better to have the right dog than the wrong one. Yours is out there somewhere xx

SOT2011

Big hugs Rising, this sort of situation is so emotionally draining.

I do agree with Queen B ^^ though, better that it be the right one even if it does then take a little while longer to happen.

You may not have slept thinking about your dilemma, but I didn't sleep too well (again) because my small dog is alternately trying to dig or bark her way out of the kitchen in the middle of the night. She had a hiccup like this for a few weeks about a year ago, but had gone back to sleeping well till a couple of weeks ago when it all started again

SOT x

JulieGeorgiana

Well today has been a hard day... Eliza is having a growth spurt... so she's hungry, and very very tired!! Her mummy is too... but they are worth it

QueenB I hope the illnesses have done their rounds and you have a better february both physical and money health!

Wow to the bake-a-thon... wanna come here and bake for me? I'm always hungry since Eliza was born!!!! Forgpt about superscrimpers.... I might watch it online if my internet connection stays steady enough!

Rising the right dog is out there somewhere waiting for a new mummy, QueenB is right about pets being soulmates... you'll know when the time is right xxx

SOT I hope your dog calms down for you too x

Talking of pets, my Tigger keeps terrorising Princess the last week... I'm wondering if its because of the baby... anyone want a cat??? because the fighting screams keep waking the baby!!!

QueenB.

Is anyone else having problems with the connection on here? My internet is a little slow but MSE is like a sleeping snail. Its taken me ages to even log on, find this thread, move the page down and actually post. Its so frustrating and I'm missing my mSE comfort.

JulieG. Hows little Eliza today? One of my cats was very jealous of the kids and still is, she only just puts up with DS2 stroking her, otherwise she stays away from the others and will jump up on my lap as soon as its vacated by one of the kiddies. I'm not surprised you are so hungry you have been so limited for your pregnancy it must be nice to actually eat anything you fancy.

Most of my baking went in the freezer, the crumble was very yummy but DS2 feels left out as he was too ill to eat it so I have promised to make him one when hes better. Today i baked some mini chocolate whoopie hearts with marshmellow cream. I've never made them before and need a bit of tweaking but still yummy, I may freeze half of the unfilled sponges as I can see them being gobbled up in no time.

I brought A small lightweight sewing machine the other day, It was reduched to £15 and came with the threads, has 8 stitches and can do sleeves so I think it was a good purchase. I haven't used a sewing machine in so many years and I have a huge one sitting in my attic which i keep trying to master and always a disaster. I had a goo at some practice stitching with it last night and whilst I'm still struggling and the lines aren't exactly straight I did managed to stitch a piece of cross stitch into a small felt frame. Its a present for someone so hopefully the slighty wonky stitching makes it look quirky not messy LOL. So with a bit more practice, another skill under my belt, I can make more for around the home and have another way of making gifts. DS1 has already put in an order for new clothes for his teddy........I can't see that happening for awhile though.

I really feel like its Friday but unfortunately its not.

Have a great Thursday everyone.

JulieGeorgiana

Yes, I had big problems last night and this morning... but as I was using my mobile I figured it was that. Not had problems since early though.

Eliza is much better today, she's becomming more and more awake now... I have also taken over 400 photos of her! Oh my

Talking of baking... I have 26 eggs and 9 lemons which need using! That's a lot of cake!! I have until 4th Feb to make them. I think egg fried pasta for lunch this weekend too!!

The sewing machine sounds lovely, I keep considering getting one... but my mum does all my sewing My DS used to have outfits for his teddy... he used to carry 'pumpkin bear' in a sling and take him on our hikes!!! Was so cute

samtoby

Hello everyone!

I have ben working so hard I have had no time to post at all. But all money stuff so progress is being made.

Still have not got any news on the job I have applied for; I hope at least if I have made no progress that they will tell me; although I am hopeful for an interview. Its 4k more than my job now; and I could do with the pennies for my mortgage but we will see. At least I have a job; I know a lot of people are in much poorer financial situations than me. Just looking at some of the debt free diaries takes me straight back to a life when I had no money at all. I do think that I will always need to be saving to stop me stpending. I feel like this maybe the only solution. I wish I was stronger.

I have not received my pass book for Nationwide. And I wanted to pay the little money I have meft this month to make the next £100 bracket on my savings. I am pleased that I have spent a small amount on DS and myself and I am proud I have only spent £2 this month on a pair on Care Bear pants and a dress in the Primark sale.

I have one of my best friends weddings tomorrow. Found such a dilema when it said in the card they wanted money. She knows I am always poor for one reason or another so I have placed £30 in the card. I hope she understands and that this is the best I can do. I am sure she will. I am proud that she is getting married to such a lovely man who offers her commitment, honesty and love. She has been in relationships with some baduns.

I have completed my spread sheets and done some pie charts, looks better in a pie when money saved in green and a tiny piece is red. Its like a slice! Use your spread sheet info to do this.

Bad news on Stamp Duty for people buying over £125k. Stamp duty is on its way back for properties over this amount. I am hoping I will buy below this but if I do not thats at least another thousand I need saved up.

Work is better and I am pleased that my workload is more managable.

As well as the wedding tomorrow in the lull between the wedding breakfast and the evening do DS and I are going to collect a dog that we are adopting from his dads gfs great aunt or some relation like that. She is called Lucy and is a sausgae dog. DS is so excited. The dog is well behaved and likes cats. Betty my cat might not like her but I am sure they will get on at some point.....or I hope. As she is so small she should not need much walking. But all the same I have always wanted one so I am very happy.

OH is in a Tough Man competition on Sunday so we all all off to Wolverhampton to watch him, Lucy the dog in tow! I have to find something bright for him to wear, might try Primark at lunch.

MSE was very slow for me over the last few days, must be this update.

I trust Eliza is getting on well; and your enjoying your new baby. Being a Mum is so rewarding.

To save money I bought a sewing machine. Made a quilt for my bed was quite impressed after I managed to work it. And thread it. I can now chrochet as well. And knit. Although takes ages.....

Ahve a great day everyone xxxxx