New year, new name, new life (literally!)

Helgathehairy_2

I had a diary just over a year ago but I stopped posting. It really helped to keep me on track so I'm back again.

In January last year I was made redundant. I live in an area of very high unemployment (so like the rest of Ireland basically) so haven't found a job yet. DH is a student but starts work experience end of January this year so will make life a bit easier hopefully.

On the personal side of things, my Aunt (who lived next door along with her sister and brother, my other Aunt and Uncle) died in April of a stroke.
Just as everyone was trying to pick themselves up from that my Uncle was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. Due to his age, it was terminal, we were told he had 3 months, he died 5 days later in August.

After my Uncles death I found out he'd left me his house and some money in his will (it was a rental property he owned, DH and I already live there).

Then this December, after more than a year of Trying to Conceive, I found out I'm pregnant!! It was too soon to tell anyone at Christmas (i'm only 8 weeks), so another 4 weeks before we can tell.

That's kind of where things stand at the moment. 2012 was a pretty horrible year so just hoping 2013 will be better!

Mags30

Found you! Happy New Diary and huge Congratulations on the pregnancy :j Feeling VERY privileged to know before you tell other people Shhhh
Hopefully this is the start of things turning around for you, looks like 2012 was really bad, so much sadness and so much to cope with.

What happened to the house you built? I remember you posting about that last time we chatted on here.

Helgathehairy_2

That's the house Mags. He'd always told me it would be mine so we renovated it, but I never expected it to happen this soon.

beanielou

Good news on the house & even better news on the 'news'

Helgathehairy_2

Thanks for finding me Mags and welcome Beanielou.

It's a miserable day here today, really windy and constant drizzle. Did get out for a 2 mile walk with the dog earlier, he came home absolutely filthy!

I treated myself to a few Sunday papers, haven't done it in ages, and had visions of a fire, tea and the papers but DH isn't feeling well (some kind of tummy bug) so I haven't bothered.

So it's turning into a bit of a "blah" day.

I'm joining the NSD challenge for January with 10 days. It seems really low but I have a horrible habit of spending just for the sake of it. It could be "just" a cup of coffee or a newspaper but it's still things I don't need to spend money on.

Looking forward to "The Big Fat Quiz of the Year" tonight and "Ripper Street" so that's my night sorted anyway.

Helgathehairy_2

Right - just been working on finances for the month.

I'm not doing an SOA because we're not in debt. Things are going to be tight but not having mortgage/rent is a huge saving.

So annoyed. I was going to post a broad overview of the months expense and went into the budgeting app I use as I had Jans budget all set up and it's all gone wrong. Some of the dates have changed to 1st January 2012 and some to 1st December 2012. I KNOW I set it up correctly so it's obviously some kind of bug but it seems to have wiped half my figures as well. I have the ipad and iphone version of the app and sync between them and it seems to be ok on the iphone but I need to do some investigating.

Not impressed!

Helgathehairy_2

Ipad and iphone issues seem to be resolved. But I'm a bit lazy to go posting finances now so just an update!

Had a lazy night at home last night. We usually go to the in-laws for New Years eve but I had a hard enough job with not drinking on Christmas Day - had to say I was on antibiotics - so just made our excuses for last night. So watched the London fireworks on telly and then watched Total Recall! Wasn't as bad as i'd heard and Colin Farrell has improved with age!

Bit of a lazy start to the day today. DH got up with the puppy but was lazy as well so came back to bed around 11.30 with the puppy and we all had a nap for an hour!! Luckily enough the only pregnancy symptom I seem to have is tiredness. It's nice to have an excuse to have a nap in the middle of the day!

Took the puppy for a 2 mile walk on the beach later. It was a nice day, cloudy but with patches of blue skies, and he was really good. I feel bad for him sometimes because I have to keep him on a lead as if I let him off I doubt he'd ever come back! He's extremely friendly, but most people don't appreciate a big dog jumping all over them!

Home after that and had a bit of a nap! Was REALLY lazy about dinner and ended up getting a McDonalds! Just going watching Robin Hood now as there's nothing else on.

Happy new year!

Helgathehairy_2

Had another lovely walk on the beach with Bailey yesterday. I need to keep them as a treat though as its 20/25 mins away in the car and the diesel adds up. Our regular walk is only 5 mins away.

Planning an NSD day today so fingers crossed.

Mags30

Hey what's the "personal spending" in the signature for? Is it for coffee/papers? Is it €20 per week?

Helgathehairy_2

Mags30 wrote: »

Hey what's the "personal spending" in the signature for? Is it for coffee/papers? Is it €20 per week?

It's stuff I really shouldn't be spending money on! So am attempting to keep track of it a bit. Itis €20 a week, which is a bit high but I figure if I can keep track of where the money is going it will be easier to cut back.

So far it has gone on Sunday papers, new slippers on sale from Topshop and Heat magazine which was a pure unconscious purchase. Used to always buy it but had decided to stop but forgot!

EverTheOptimist

Hi Helga

I was just looking through the diaries and just had a nosy at yours, and what a year you've had. How very very sad, i can't imagine, but lovely to finish on a positive.

Haven't really anything to say other than good luck. And fingers crossed for a positive pregnancy and fab year to come.
xx