Time to Take Control

wannabee_in_credit

Well, I've survived my first week back at work and the mse in me is still going strong. I'm really quite proud of myself, I've gone all old style and mse at the same time. Really does help that the kids are a little older and therefore require less of my time, and can also join in and help a bit too.
I've not had time to get on here all week. Get up at 5.50am, get ready for work, kids up and ready for school/nursery. Out of the door by 7.25 and not home before half five. Then dinner, flylady and bedtime. I've been so exhausted I've just about had time to read on here but none to post. I promised I'd catch up this weekend and intend to do so tonight.
I joined the flylady thread and am quite surprised that I'm already somewhere in between level 2 and 3, but the revelation is doing a little bit every day rather than the big clear out I normally do on a Sunday morning - I'll be wondering what to do with myself tomorrow when I get up. Still need to do the hoovering and ironing but other than that....
Also embracing the don't waste food challenge, and the os batch cooking. I've never done and enjoyed food prep so much, and the kids are really getting into it as well. Today we've made shepherd's pie, chicken and bacon casserole, banana bread, mini apple pies and jam tarts. The freezer is filling up with quality, home made food, and nights like last night when I'm just too tired to bother then I can do something quick and easy that's not a takeaway.
OH is not quite so into it yet, but as long as we can manage with his little extravagances then I'm a happy bunny.
Love to everyone, hope 2012 is being kind so far.
:beer:

wannabee_in_credit

So I heard on the news this morning that today is the day where most people give up on their new year resolutions. Not me, no way. I love the MSE/OS me... :D:D
I've done more than enough batch cooking to give me plenty of food choices for the next week or two. My house is becoming more fly every day, and ds is really on board with that I have to say, and I am enjoying the organisation and control I have over my spending.
Weightloss not going so well, but I am trying a completely different approach with that, so I need to be patient no matter how many times I wake up wishing I was a size 10. It takes time to change a mindset and I haven't quite had my lbm with weightloss so I need to keep working hard at it.
Ordered my wedding invitations. In spite of almost emptying my wedding dress fund to pay for the car repairs before Christmas, my mse ways meant that I had enough available to pay for the invites now. Which I feel incredibly proud about. :A:T

wannabee_in_credit

I heard on the news last week about how most people's new year resolutions have gone out of the window by the 10th January, and I said that I was more mse than ever. Just thinking that my weightloss maybe did go out of the window. I hate having to 'forbid' myself to eat stuff and count and write everything. However, I'd been invited for a girlie night out on Friday - my first night out in ages - and I had a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing that fit me. I almost cried and went out feeling really self conscious. For goodness sakes I'm getting married in less than 8 months time and I'm almost as fat as I was after I had ds. Not sure how I can get my lbm for weightloss back - and I know I need to exercise but can't find any time in my day.
However, I'm still enjoying the mse stuff. My child benefit is due in on Tuesday and I'm usually totally desperate for the cash now, but I actually still have a bit of money in the bank. First time this has ever happened to me, and it really feels good that's for sure. It makes me want to do it more. I want to make a big dent in the debt before the wedding if I can. There's no way I can be debt free before then, but 2017 seems a long way off to be debt free. Must try harder...
Better go and check my leftover Sunday Roast pie. Thanks to JulieGeorgiana for that fabulous recipe.

wannabee_in_credit

Still going strong...
My tax credit and child benefit is due tomorrow and for the first month I can remember I'm not absolutely desperate for the money (not far off but not unable to leave the house until my money arrives etc). Isn't it amazing how much difference spending diaries and challenges make?:money::p
Also really loving the flylady. And today I extended one step further. Was cleaning the cupboard under the sink and could smell the stinky plughole in there. So I remembered a book my mum bought me years ago with very basic maintenance stuff in it. Cue one unblocked and non smelly sink. Don't think I'll ever love stuff like that but I'm really pleased I managed to sort the smell out for myself. Even think I might have dislodged the washing machine blockage, fingers crossed. :T:T:T:D:D:D

pennywisepoundstupid

Hi w_i_c, you sound really positive at the minute and in control, your doing really well and well done on unblocking the sink, thats saved you a few quid as you havn't had to get someone in to do it.

wannabee_in_credit

Mild panic...
I think I've left the heating on in the kitchen. Not only is that the worst mse thing I've done in ages, I'm also concerned about the fire risk of unattended vent heaters so close to my laundry basket. I've texted my sister to ask her to pop round and check but no news back from her so far. House will be empty until at least 1pm until OH gets home from work.
Once I went for a weekend away thinking that I'd left some electrical appliance on and it spoilt my whole weekend. I hadn't left it on of course but I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Really cannot remember switching off though. Grrr. Wish I wasn't so blimming busy in the mornings so I could actually remember what I did instead of being on autopilot.

pennywisepoundstupid

Hope you got it sorted, i'm always doing this thinking i've left my straighteners on, mad dash home at lunch time to find i havn't.

Once went to work and when i got there relised i had left my back door wide open and dogs out in the garden, luckily i had an understanding boss and a secure garden that the dogs couldn't get out of.

wannabee_in_credit

Well, I'm home and my house is still here. My lovely sister rang at half nine to remind me that I'm a plank but I had indeed switched the heating off so no imminent fire risk. Bless her boots.
Once I went shopping and locked up out front - when I got home my neighbour was waiting outside to tell me that I'd left the back door wide open into the garden. I'm lucky I have good neighbours.
Another nsd for me, and I've been a bit more proactive with ideas for upping income. Have applied to mark exam papers. It pays a pittance for what you do but it all helps.

wannabee_in_credit

So tired tonight. But my house is nearly properly clean. I'm so pleased that I've learned to stop fighting with OH about housework and just get on with it, a little a day. Got under my bed tonight - goodness the muck and rubbish under there was amazing....
Another nsd, and still pleased to see my bank balance looking ok this far into the month (and I was paid over a week early in December). I hope this feeling goes on and on and on.

wannabee_in_credit

I was just about to start ranting on another thread, then I remembered that I have this diary to rant on. And it doesn't matter if nobody reads or comments - I will have felt better for getting it all out.
As I have previously mentioned, my OH suffers with depression - some times are better than others, he had a serious breakdown after our son was born in 2008. Anyway, he's been down again recently. Not really bad, but since Christmas. I've tried to reassure him that January is generally a tough month for everyone (dark, miserable, skint etc) and in fairness he is talking more than he used to (but not much at all).
When he gets into his downward spiral he doesn't do anything. No help round the house, can't be bothered with me or the kids - just work, beer and football.
Now, I like a drink - I like a good night out, but I also have certain issues around alcohol as I grew up with a father who drank every day. Anyway, the worse OH is the less he does and the more he drinks. Last night he started drinking at 5pm and I woke up at 2am and he was still sitting downstairs and still drinking. On his own, watching tv and on his football forums. So I asked (without trying to start an argument) if he thought he was drinking too much again. He laughed at me, and then it just all descended into an argument about my nagging of him and trying to bully him into being something he's not.
He came to bed just before 4am and rather unsurprisingly he isn't up yet. I feel bad that he's depressed and I appear to be making him worse by getting on at him, but the amount he drinks really worries me. He drinks between 4-5 pints every night. Apparently 'everyone' does it, and 'everyone' drinks more than the recommended. And he reminded me how drunk I was last weekend when I got home - but I'd been out with friends so not sitting on my own with just me for company.
I know depression is awful, and he can't help feeling the way he does, but it really frustrates me because I can't see how drinking every night is possibly helping him. He's missing out on time with me and his kids and gives the distinct impression he can't be bothered with us (although I'm sure this is not true).
There, I've said it.