Dear Diary 2012 'things can only get better!'

smattie

Hi, just thought i'd let u know that i am sending positive thoughts your way. Love reading your post keep up the good work and try and stay positive

mummytogirls

Hello Direstraits,

Just caught up with your diary and wanted to say well done on everything you have achieved so far.
Having your LBM and working things out is a major thing.

I love the markets for cheap meat, fruit and veg too. Your meal plans sound delicious. Who says you cant eat well on a budget .

Best of luck with the council xx

Radish72

Sorry to hear about the council, I'm not surprised your nerves are shattered.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you appeal letter


And off subject wondered if this would be any use (its says it free to join)


http://www.petrolprices.com/

direstraits2012

Dear diary

Well that's the weekend done and dusted. I suppose the worst thing that happened was my car windscreen cracked so this week I've gotta get that sorted before it shatters. Not sure we can afford the excess on the insurance yet so may not have a car till pay day The best thing that happened was we helped friends put up a new tent which was fun and we all got a blast of fresh air!

And today I had a fantastic surprise, my sister had her baby this morning - he's gorgeous and can't wait to give him a long cuddle. I'm an aunty for the first time :j

What a great start to the week - which is sorely needed as tomorrow I've got two appointments at the CAB which will send me crashing back to reality! I'm seeing the finance person first then the housing person after. Think tomorrow is going to be very stressful. I know that I will get very tearful as well. I've gotta get myself moving in a minute as I've gotta go through loads of paperwork to get organised for tomorrow's meetings.

I will need to do a meal planner at some point - we're living out of the freezer this week. I've just got out some prawns and chicken which I will make into some sort of meal later - have some cream that needs using up so might do a creamy sauce.

Well I'm going to give myself a big kick up the bum and get moving! Catch up later.

Bye for now x

direstraits2012

Dear diary

It's gonna be a tough day but I'm organised now with all the paperwork I could muster. A lot of the paperwork was shredded in denial but hopefully I'll have enough to help the poor CAB people muddle through our chaos. It's gonna be emotional but I will get through today as what doesn't kill you makes you stronger (hopefully!).

Well think of me at 10am when it all starts

(oh and must remember to get some mince out of the freezer before I go as I fancy shepherds pie tonight - good old fashioned comfort food!).

Catch up later.

Bye for now.

direstraits2012

Dear diary

Well still no decision from the council grrrrrr! I tried to cheer myself up with a bit of daydreaming on the internet over local houses for rent - yeah wakey wakey woman!!

We've had a NSD :j and I'm currently making chicken stock from a carcass left over from the other day. I've never bothered to do this before, I would just buy stock! I'm enjoying learning how to be frugal - it's kinda taking my mind off reality really.

I forgot to tell you yesterday that I bought a joint of silverside beef at the co-op - it has been reduced from £10 to £4 - bargain. We will enjoy that on Sunday I got other 'yellow stickered' food which went straight in the freezer. I worked out that I saved £8 - good going!

I was cheered up this afternoon with a surprise phone call from an former work colleague. It was lovely to catch up with her. I truly hope at some point into the future I will be able to work again. But it's baby steps and one thing at a time as my poor brain won't cope at the mo.

I hate to admit but I've been watching Celebrity Big Bro - there's gonna be an eviction tonight - that's how sad my life has got when I'm looking forward to such crap TV as this!!

I haven't done a meal plan this week but so far we had:
Monday - Chicken & Prawns in creme fraiche sauce with rice
Tuesday - Reduced pizzas from Lidls
Wednesday - Shepherds Pie with reduced carrots from co-op

I'm defrosting some chicken for tomorrow and think I'll defrost some steak for Friday - sounds like a good plan but it could change.

We're down to £42 to last us till Monday when child benefit gets paid then hubby gets paid on Tuesday. It's a bit squeaky but we should be ok :eek: Please please please let there be no horrible surprises for us till then!!

Oh well I'm gonna make a cuppa tea and wait for Big Bro!

Bye for now

xx

direstraits2012

....... Doh! forgot to tell you how I got on at the CAB yesterday! I was there 3 hours!

A quick summary is that the finance lady at the CAB confirmed that we are definitely going to have to go bankrupt. As we have no money, the CAB have applied for grants to pay for this which will cost £1,400 :eek: So until we know if we have been given the money to go bankrupt we will have to wait..... so watch this space. So will have to subscribe to the bankruptcy threads now. In the meantime Hubby needs to find out if he will lose his job - wonder how long he'll put this off for? If we don't get the grant god knows what will happen?

The housing guy at the CAB was very knowledgeable. Until the council write back to us with a final decision he can't really do much but in the meantime he's writing to my GP regarding my depression as it will help with our application.

So back to the waiting! My poor in-laws are sick to death of us being here - my FIL's brother died at the weekend and yesterday they had to have their dog put down. Not sure how much longer their patience will last - they aren't 'happy' people normally, you know the type, grumpy old man and woman! Won't take much more before they 'break'

Oh well - what will be will be so they say.......

Bye again for now!

xx

smattie

Just wanted to pop in and give u a hug

direstraits2012

Dear diary

Well I've had a NSD so far but will have to spend some money tomorrow as my 11 yr old has only 11p on his phone. He's very good with his phone, we usually only have to top up £10 a month for him but January is a long month and he's run out a few days short of hubby's pay day. He's on PAYG with Orange - I wonder what the minimum top up is? Better check that out later.

I had a spurt of energy this morning - I put a wash on, hoovered the lounge and hall, then dusted the lounge as well (inc. the lampshades!). Was tired after that but felt very satisfied.

I've been thinking that I need to start exercising again as will help with my depression. Can't guarantee that I'll pass the 'thinking' stage but you never know LOL!

You won't be surprised to hear that there's no news from the council go figure :mad:! We'll probably hear tomorrow that it's bad news just to ruin our weekend.

I've been keeping a spending diary since the beginning of January, logging petrol, food and other purchases. Next Tuesday I will have a month's worth so will have a good look at where our money is being spent and share it with you.

Well I'd better get moving and feed the boys - one has Scouts later!
They are having sausages, croquettes and beans and later on hubby and I will be having chicken and asparagus in some sort of sauce using my fresh chicken stock made yesterday

Not an exciting day but practical and a good day mentally for me.

Bye for now x

direstraits2012

Dear diary

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fed up.

Nothing else to say!

Bye for now.