SmlSave's extremely small steps to reducing the mortgage

Crumpets

That's probably for the best smlsave, my dd had one since her first Christmas thanks to some over enthusiastic grandparents i think the longer you can get away without one the better. A few years ago I got a fabric advent calendar with little pockets for treats in so now I just buy chocolate coins/santas and put one for each child in each pocket. It actually looks quite nice hanging on the wall too. X

BlueMoo

Lots going on in the SmlSave household as ever.

I used to share an advent calendar with my siblings, and I loved it. It was more exciting in a way waiting for your 'turn'.

Has anyone bought a Christmas tree yet? :xmastree:

SmlSave

Just popping on to say I'm still alive - can't believe its been 3 weeks! We've been busy with DH's Christmas party, tree surgery, nursery DIY and First Aid Course along with lots of midwives, doctors and blood tests (not all related to same thing) and I'm now on antibiotics so feel a little more able to cope with everything.

From being organised for Xmas its now going to be a big rush to get everything done and cards haven't even been written yet!

Got £100 from work as a Christmas present

DS has a Calendar (we got it free) and so is now bribed to tidy his toys away at night

Hope everyone is well.

Alchemilla

Would a man with a chainsaw be cheaper than an actual tree surgeon?
Hope the pregnancy is going well. Xxx

Crumpets

Glad to see you're still around smlsave, I hope you can relax and enjoy the run up to Christmas as well as getting organised. Bribery works wonders with little ones

SmlSave

Have found out today that there's no stocking for little ol' me as DH forgot I guess I'll just have to go shopping in the sales

Cards have been posted and most presents wrapped now. Finishing work at 1pm today and then straight to the in-laws to be fed. They are European so celebrate Xmas today rather than tomorrow. There is a slice of proper hm stollen waiting to be eaten in my bag

Would a man with a chainsaw be cheaper than an actual tree surgeon?
Hope the pregnancy is going well. Xxx

Talking about chainsaws Alchemilla FIL just bought a new one and him and DH spent a couple of happy hours taking down some trees in FIL's garden the other day - which is yet another source of wood for us when we get a working fire.

Our trees however are over 40 years old and we needed a proper tree surgeon with insurance just in case there was an accident that damaged the neighbors property. They had the proper equipment to clamber up the trees and reduce them safely too - I was surprised that DS wasn't more interested in watching them climb up!

Bump is growing well thanks Very active and I waddle most attractively.

I suppose I'd better do some work......

newgirly

Hi sml save sorry it's been a while since I popped in , glad you are all well and I wish you a very merry Xmas :xmastree:

SmlSave

Happy New year everyone I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

DH missed it as DS woke up so he just got a toddler hug at midnight.

Due to the lovely weather we've been having there is now a small leak through our flat roof Not good at all so we'll get some quotes and shell out more money that we didn't expect :mad:

At least we're not in our overdraft and have some savings.

I think my New Years resolution is to mainly keep our family alive, together, fed and clothed. DH's is to DIY at least our bedroom and DS's.

I'm going to be brave and update our accounts now.

Crumpets

Happy new year smlsave:beer:

Sorry to hear about your leak, this weather is horrendous. Good news about the overdraft and savings though :T

I think your resolutions sounds absolutely fine, you need to be taking it easy now, not long before baby sml arrives I hope dh gets his DIY done.

Good luck with finances

C x

SmlSave

First week back at work survived and this week's just started. Only 5 weeks, 19 working days till mat leave Not that I'm counting or anything.

I've just booked a fancy meal out with DH for next week (being paid for by in-laws) and am planning to meet up with the girls for a drink and a chat before I'm home-bound.

Last years accounts showed that we overspent about £3000 from what we were bringing in but as we're still in the black with savings too so I'm quite happy

Thankfully the roof has stopped dripping but I'm still waiting for someone to be available to come and take a look. I wonder if roofers dream of windy wet weather because they can rake it in...?

DS's room has been cleared of everything but the bed in preparation of being completely stripped and decorated next week. I've booked Friday off to pull up the carpet and remove the wallpaper so its a little less for DH to do.

Feeling quite uncomfortably big atm with baby moving around.