Mum2one - next chapter - baby steps make big strides

mum2one

Took DD shopping yesterday for hol clothes, so hit primarni - £65 - really pleased as got extras for home use.

Then treated myself to a pair of Boots - reduced in sale £7.19 - got to till they were £4.99.

Yesterdays spends with the odds and sods I spent £100 - slightly (ok def) over budget but it was stuff that was needed.

Positive sold pr of curtains and a bikini on fleabay - so about £15 profit

Good news - dad has got his appointment for pre-op in a fortnight, so hopefully he should get his shoulder done soon, not bad as he was meant to go May last year.

Bad news - he's got his brother in hospital, whether he will be able to go back home is another issue, and not helping matters, his brothers wife had dementia - she can't be left home alone, they've managed to get her into a care home for 3 weeks, its took him back as when there parents were alive, they had gran in one hospital and grandad in another.

xx

AlexLK

Sorry to hear about illness in the family.

mum2one

Some good news - my Visa application has been passed for India (in just over a week), now got to get DD's sorted - all paperwork!

Some good news - Dad's been waiting for an operation on his shoulder, was suppose to go last June - got a phone call today - the local private hospital - can he go for pre-op Thurs and the Op on Saturday - day surgery... apparently the NHS are transfering out the overspill, brilliant as other hospital was 20 mile drive.

Couple more bills paid today, next couple to pay for Friday and I will have managed another month without going in the overdraft.. xx

Trixxibell

Hey mum2one,

Glad your visa is sorted, good luck with the rest of the paperwork.

Hope everything goes okay on Saturday with your dads op xx

mum2one

Another month bites the dust, - I would say it has been an up and down month, last of money came in to bank today, but I have soe juggling to do as £60 short of what I could do with spending, it can be sorted at a push, but leaves me starting March in a bit of a mess.

Emotionally - been mixed months, where there has been positives, theres been soe downers, the info I had to get about DD (the relationship or lack of relationship with her dad) it brought back a load of bad memories, and just makes me feel so vunerable again.

Pleased that dad has got his operation date at last, and the change of hospital lot better hospital and closer, but whereas with the other one I was going to stay with him this one you drop off and make arrangements to phone it.

I guess its having dads brother in hospital, and his sis in law in a care home temporary, (but she has dementia) makes me realise how vunerable we all are.

Just waiting for DD's visa now to be sorted...

Debtwise - its going down slowly, but in the right direction, trying to tackle and personal debts together, - take a long time - but trying a yr at a time, 2 months in i'm at 21% of my est payback where as basic would be 16% so that is good. xx

mum2one

I seemed to have ended Feb on a downer, trying to be positive in March...

Moneywise - Feb - Still could have done with another £60, but have managed to balance around a bit, not perfect, not as much extra but everybody gets something. Have my frugal moments so just got to be extra frugal in March.

Emotionally -To be honest that was because of jumping through hoops which I didn't need to do but have to do to enable me to get DD's visa for holiday. Just paying £60 for a 2 line solicitors letter confirming I have sole responsibility.... but I did get a 2nd copy so it will come in useful for change to secondary school, as sure have to go through it all again.

Dad- He had his operation on Saturday, came out safe and sound, and thats all that matters, he has got his arm in a sling, semi out of action, but home safe.

Debts - Hey another month - but will be paying out the 1st of Marchs payments 2mor, one down a few to go...be basic month, but everyone be paid.

My car even get some petrol this month!!!

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So pround of DD she is one in a million, we went shopping this morning (top up on Sunday) she had the list, the trolley, she knew where she was going, checking the shelf edge tickets (I've taught her well), I offered to buy her a magazine to say thank you for looking after dad, - she said he looks after me every day, and if I can't do anything for him, its wrong....

Ended up at Iceland - she brought the dog a box of mini milk lollies - as a treat for being gentle with dads shoulder...
(the dog is enjoying)

So I took her to McDs. - just a kids meals through drive throu, it was just nice the two of us and being able to treat her.

I may feel down about a lot, but I also have a lot to be thank you for, sometimes the smallest thing brings a smile.

Brilliant news checking my spam emails (always look before clearing) and got one from the local education authority - DD has got her 1st choice for secondary school. )Which is good as I only put one choice down!! xx
So onwards and upwards... xx

mum2one

I'm not use to being the taxi service - realised how much dad does...

This morning had to take mum, (I had appointment as well) for foot check with being diabetic, - we both got the all clear, I go back 12 months, mum in 6 mths (her feet are swollen - hence there keeping an eye on it).

Tonight - Take DD to opticians for eye test - she wanted dad to come - could I park nearby no... dropped them off, drove back round, fab a fab parking space, tried to reverse park.... (no comment), after the 1st attempt the driver behind me was perping his horn... so I pulled into the road and turned the engine off, but made it look at though stalled the car....

I gave up after 4 attempts, drove on and there was a parking space right outside opticians - perfect (pulled in frontwards), I have never parked so perfectly in my life, the wheels were straight and both about 4 ins from the pavement - got in and our optician was running late... so dads chatting to one of the blokes who works there, - explained I was doing all the driving, - the next minute - there both outside the store looking at my parking...

DD - she hates clothes shopping, - found her niche - glasses - she had 10 pairs on the go.... then ended up with a different pair chosen by the person fitting her glasses, - there a thin metal almost retangle shape, in shiny maroon, they look really nice. Even thou shes only 11, she has to have an adult frame, so the opticians increase the value of kids voucher upto £84 - told her to go to £99. (she's having new glasses every 6 months), and the pair was £69 - so free...

With the money saved and the time (been in opticians an hr!), - took them to the pub for tea, - the one pub has an offer 2 mail meals or £7, (thou 3 of us, - do the 2 sets of meal and split the 4th).
Had 3 gammon, steak and ale pie, 2 pints, and coke - £22.

brought the one gammon chopped up for the dog...

Rest tomorrow...

mum2one

Ok plans with money didn't quite work - but then worth a try!!

Paid another £60 off bills - March and April need to re-do budget as been trying to live so frugal that I've begrudged money and then felt so guilty having to buy something so in a way need to rethink money...

Still using last bit of Febs money to get sorted, doing ok. xx

mum2one

Good today, paid £25 off a bill, and also reduced my sky package, remembered on my phone that I had the "no to 0870 app", so got a landline number, for me a big money saving deal.

Apparently the deal that I was suppose to be on I wasn't.. so got 1/3rd knocked of the sky bill, - in theory I could go freeview but as I don't really go out much its my treat.

DD's passport came back today, so all systems ahead, xx

mum2one

We have a lovely new water feature in the kitchen........ dad felt a drip on his head!! next thing there is a lovely bow in the ceiling...

Rang homecare - is it an emergency - could be the ceiling looks lovely bowed, and dripping... and by the way its under the shower...

Plumber came - said sorry need to cut a small hole in ceiling (ok - we've already rang house ins), what was a little 6in x 6in hole - the ceiling started collasped, missed his head by half an inch... now have a lovely 4ft square in ceiling...

Hopefully there get the parts for the leak tomorrow, xx

(have to upload a photo 2mor) x