New Leaf, New Day, New Ways

Triggles

More decluttering today. Cleaned out the fridge (and got rid of old clutter in there ) and tossed out a couple more puzzles that were missing pieces. I have another bag started to take to the charity shop. As soon as it's full, then off it goes.

I've got a bag of old meds (over the counter, prescription, etc) that are out of date or not being used. They'll be taken to the chemist for disposal. In the meantime, they are bagged up securely and put where the DCs can't access them.

Two loads of laundry done, hot lunch for the DCs (well, beans and toast lol), and washing up done. I've also cleaned off the sideboard in the dining room - it's a clutter magnet.

I printed off some correspondence that needed to be completed, so it's all ready to post. And I took a few minutes to do some filing - I try to do a bit of paperwork every time I go near the desk, so it's whittling away at it slowly.

I had wanted to have a NSD today, but had to put money on the gas meter, so I've not managed a NSD. Hopefully tomorrow.

I won't go into the nightmare that is British Gas, other than to say they've once again managed to mess up my account - something that took me 40 minutes on the phone to sort out. And then they said "once your account has switched from our old computer system to the new one, you can order your pay-at-home machine." And I'm supposed to know it's transferred to their new internal computer system how?!! Yeesh. I've been wrestling with them since MAY to get this all sorted. The fact that it's past mid-August and I'm still trying to sort everything is just ridiculous. And, according to the person I spoke to yesterday, it will likely take another SIX WEEKS to get it all done completely. :eek: Have I mentioned that I'm not impressed with British Gas?!?!?! :mad:

Triggles

I have been really struggling today. Along with some personal issues, I've been dealing with DS1, who has been all over the place. Honestly, he is always that way to some extent, but today he has been very disruptive and frantic, easily upset. Quite a few meltdowns as well. It just means that a good portion of my day has been spent talking him down and keeping him calm, as well as heading off more meltdowns if possible.

H is being irresponsible about financial paperwork, which is pushing the problem off onto me. It's frustrating and I just don't need the pressure right now. He's got to step up and be an adult and start dealing with things. Regardless of whether or not he thinks I can do it better - the point is that he CAN do it, he just thinks it's easier if I do it. :mad: He was pretty stroppy with the boys on his last visit - he had a few good weeks after the last blow up and now is sliding back into aggressive behaviour again. I hate having to police the behaviour, and due to the behaviour I cannot leave him alone with the DCs, so therefore I'm stuck policing the behaviour.

I've managed to get a little bit of cleaning and reorganising done - mainly by working in whatever room or area the DCs are in. So while they're playing in the bathtub, I'm cleaning in there. While they're eating lunch in the dining room, I'm reorganising a drawer in the sideboard. While they're watching telly in the living room, I'm straightening up the bookcase. The kitchen often has to wait until they're in bed - although when I'm preparing food, I try to do a bit here and there as I go. It's going to be so nice to clean the house from top to bottom when they go to school and then really get stuck in to the DIY stuff. I am really looking forward to seeing the improvements around the house.

Still doing small things as well. A picture in a frame and hung up. Button sewn on jacket or comforter cover. Next I want to get out my sewing machine and get some covers made for the cushions on the sofa. Definitely a "during school" job though. :rotfl:

Triggles

I ordered my groceries online for delivery, because even with the £3 delivery charge, I'm saving money - it's too easy to just toss things in the trolley while I'm there. This way I can keep my eye on the total as I add things in, and adjust it accordingly before I'm done. So £43 spent on groceries, and I'll have to add another £5 at Farm Foods for toilet roll and frozen fish, as it's cheaper there. Another £2 for some fruit towards midweek and that's my £50 for the week. Included in that was £8 for some nighttime pullups, as my regular order was delayed and we're almost out.

I also have started a separate order (on Amazon) for £23 for nighttime pullups for the month. Actually it should last just over a month, so about every 4th month, I can skip the order. Free shipping and cheaper than in the supermarket.

School starting up soon changes my budget quite a bit. The boys get free school meals, so that will help, although they'll still end up bringing packed lunch occasionally. But school fees for DS1 (breakfast club £10 per month, art club £12 per month, and sports club £12 per month) adds £34 to my budget. It's necessary though, as the sports and art clubs are after school, which then allows him to participate and me to pick up DS2 from school and then DS1 after his clubs, thus saving me the expense of hiring a childminder for those 2 days. I've asked H to pick up DS2 2 days per week, which just leaves Friday to pay £5 per day for childminder, adding £20 per month for that. So essentially, that's £54 additional expenses per month - now, if I can alter the grocery budget by £13-14 per week, then I'd cover it, but I suspect I won't be able to do that.

Triggles

Today my brain has turned to food. Preparation, cutting costs, even cleaning out the fridge/freezer to organise better.

I'm going to try this recipe this week...

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/baked-beans-slow-cooker-549

It's very similar to a recipe my mum used to make when we were growing up. Very very delicious!!

The DCs quite happily ate spag bol that had no meat in the sauce, just chopped up mushrooms and onions and cheap bolognaise sauce with a tin of chopped tomatoes (and some spices) added. That means I can use the mince for other meals where it's more noticeable and have the spag bol be without meat. :j

I plan on making simpler meals a few nights a week once school starts - when both boys have a good hot meal at lunchtime, I will probably have a light meal for supper. Things like eggy bread, eggs and toast, beans and toast, sandwiches and soup.

I definitely want to get them into eating a hot breakfast, so I was thrilled that DS1 has FINALLY (after 5 years of putting this in front of him) eaten and declared that he likes scrambled eggs!!! I know, I know - many will think I am absolutely nuts for being so excited over this, but anyone that has a child with disabilities that struggles to get them to eat due to food issues, will understand where I'm coming from on this. And next on the list is oatmeal. I've talked it up bigtime and promised him I'd make it with sultanas in it (basics are about 80p for a bag at Sains, so we buy them a lot), and he's actually thinking about it. Whether or not he'll taste it is hit or miss. He has to get past smelling it and licking it, THEN he'll consider it from there. It's just the nature of his food issues. But hey, I'm so pleased about the eggs, I'm not too worried about the rest at the moment.

I'm on a mission to try some more Sains basics items. For example, hummous, coffee, ready salted crisps (in packets), mild sliced cheese. So far, all good. Very pleased! Most of my shop today was white with red writing! :rotfl:

I like the tinned red kidney beans, tinned mushrooms, and tinned chopped tomatoes, adding browned mince (1/2 pkg of basics mince), onion, garlic and making lovely chili. Inexpensive and tasty, and easy to reheat in microwave. I've got a good supply of cornmeal to make cornbread to go with it as well. Yum!!

The winter months inspire loads of yummy stuff to cook - stews, casseroles, pies, cakes. I'll have to make sure I get plenty of exercise with all that good food! :eek: I'm planning on swimming a couple times a week while the DCs are in school and walking the midday school run as much as possible.

Triggles

And finally, time to sit down.... :rotfl:

Supper is cooking away in the slow cooker. I let the boys choose between meatloaf and chili, and they chose chili, so after some mince browning, mushroom and pepper saut!ing, and tins of chopped tomatoes and kidney beans, I tossed it all in the slow cooker and later we can relax and enjoy. :cool: The weather is still in the 20's, but it just seems so much cooler now, and I am just itching to start cooking more autumn meals.

I've been very busy today. Laundry, tidying up my filing and some paperwork, washing up, general household tidying, sweeping, putting away laundry, prepping supper. The boys have been watching television, playing in their rooms, playing on the trampoline, putting puzzles together, and (for some unknown reason but apparently they were inspired) singing. :rotfl:But all in all, a fairly active household today.

Until now. I've tossed back 3 cups of coffee today, which I imagine was partly responsible for all the activity. I'm now looking over recipes and peeking through pinterest, looking for new recipes to try, and activities to make note of for Christmas for the boys. I have, after all, a full advent calendar to fill with activities, so I will need loads of ideas! Some crafty, some foody, some active, some just festive, some relaxing. I'm hoping for a good mix.

I'm debating fastening a round cork board to the front of one of my cupboards. I think the best way to do it is to use double sided cushioned tape (from my craft supplies) and fasten it that way (there's no frame on the cork). I want to keep it there as it's right where I do a lot of cooking/baking prep, right by my mixer, and it would be so handy to pin the recipe I'm working on right there. I've put another one by the fridge, so I can keep a few things handy there as well.

I found a brilliant how-to on whitewashing a fireplace. Very very simple and gorgeous results. I'm very tempted to do this with my fireplace. I've been looking to make it more uniform in colour, but I didn't want it just completely white like just painting it would do. With whitewash, the colour variations would show through enough to look good, but not be quite so awkward looking as it currently looks, with some white patchy areas.

NSD today, which I'm quite pleased about. I plan on another tomorrow as well.

I am going to look at my Quilting CD on my computer this evening, to get some ideas for using some of the material I have stashed. I was thinking of making a bit smaller quilt for each of the boys, roughly the size of the fleece throws (that fully cover them in bed) that I purchased in Asda last year. If I can use quilted top, fleece for the bottom (nice and soft) and then have a thin batting inside (they don't cope with thick blankets well), I'm hoping it will do the trick. I guess that means shopping online and possibly in person to see batting and how thick it comes and how much it costs. This is a new venture for me, and I'm totally unfamiliar with the quilting stuff. Fingers crossed I can manage it!!

Triggles

Well, so much for productive day. Boys just managed to break DS2's toddler bed. Another thing I'll have to fit in the budget. Just great.

sigh

Triggles

After much thought and consideration, I will have to bite the bullet and buy DS2 a single bed and mattress. He is currently in a toddler bed, but I cannot justify buying another toddler bed and then buying a single bed in a year. I would rather simply add the expense of a bedrail of some sort to keep him from falling out of the bed, as he does this still occasionally. It's cheaper over the course of a year to buy a bedrail than an additional toddler bed. I've managed to put his bed in reasonable order so it's safe for the time being, but I'd prefer to replace it as soon as possible. So within 2 weeks, I hope to have it all replaced. It's a bit frustrating as I wanted to wait until next year so I could get them both nice new beds with drawers underneath at the same time. I will have to go with inexpensive, sturdy and serviceable instead. The other option is looking for a second hand bed at the local furniture recycling place. I will check this out first, and go from there. Even if I get the bed second hand, I will need to buy a new mattress. And some more single sheets so I have enough for both of them, due to nighttime wetting.

I'm sorting some counselling for myself. I've been dealing with stress on my own for far too long, and while I'm okay at the moment, I worry that any major setbacks would really be difficult to cope with at this point. I obviously am not comfortable discussing my problems with EH (estranged husband), and I don't want to overload my friends - they've been great, but I need someone objective that can provide advice on coping skills and help me find my way forward. I haven't mentioned my marriage breakdown to my family - they're great in some respects, but desperately unsupportive really. I cannot deal with their fallout as well.

I know that once school starts, my stress levels will most likely drop for a number of reasons. First, of course, the children will be in school - not home, fighting, shrieking, running around, whinging, doing all those things that children do. So for a big chunk of the day I will be able to get on with cleaning and basic DIY without worrying about direct supervision of the DCs. It WILL be 3 school runs for the first month, but I can deal with that - did it all last year anyway. Second, I plan on implementing 2x weekly swimming sessions. Physical exercise will help my frame of mind greatly - a stress buster, plus it's good for me. Thirdly, hopefully money will be less stressful. There's been quite a bit of expenses going out, including DS1's swimming lessons (£240 for 12 weeks of one-to-one lessons - ouch!!:eek:) but important for him to have, and he had to have the one-to-one lessons due to his disabilities. Add that to car tax and licencing, school uniforms, new school and regular shoes needed by both boys, and my initial benefits taking over six weeks to sort correctly (causing all sorts of chaos).

I'm also going to hand over the paperwork for debt to EH to take over on those he is paying on. I will keep a copy of what's important, as he's already shown that he cannot be responsible for things. But he won't know I'm keeping a copy and he will have to be responsible for sorting it himself. I will be insisting he update his address with them and take care of it on his own. I am no longer his PA.

I've done some fun things with the boys over the holidays, but we didn't manage to get to the zoo, which I'm a bit bummed about. I will make an effort to take them on a day off school in the next month or two instead.

I'm doing a turn around on a previous decision as well - I'm going to hire a skip in the beginning of October and get rid of everything not nailed down that is junk - cleaning out the shed in the rear garden, getting rid of the old garden furniture that needs to be replaced, the broken huge standing umbrella out back, etc. A big huge clear out. DS2 will be in FT school starting in October, so if I get the skip delivered on a Monday, that gives me basically all week to fill it up and get rid. Between now and then, I can be going through the interior of the house and organising to get rid of anything inside as well that is not needed. I had considered loading this stuff up, trip by trip, and taking it to the local tip, however in terms of time and money, while this is more of a cash outlay for the skip, it's certainly easier for me to just bung it all in the skip and get it hauled away. So I'm happy to pay the money for it.

Next month I start throwing extra money at the OD debt and getting that paid off, then I will look save some and look at offering F&F to one other debt, just to get it out of the way. It's in EH's name, however, we acquired the debt while we were married and together, so I feel it's only right I help clear it.

Triggles

DS2's bed is fixed. EH offered to help pay for a new bed for DS2, however, I took the time to look over the bed once more and realised that it could be fixed by putting a support under the broken piece and screwing it to the frame. I also thought it would add to the support to have a piece of either plywood or mdf the size of the mattress put on the frame (as it indents, so it will just lay in there without affecting the lay of the mattress). So that's what we did. EH had his visit with the DCs today, so he came over early and brought his cordless drill. We picked up the materials from B&Q and now DS2's bed is good as new again. For £20. :j Works for me - and glad that EH stepped up to the plate for this. This means I can wait to get him a single bed until next summer when he is more ready for it.

DS1's swimming lessons today, and he showed a huge bit of improvement. Due to his disabilities, he takes one-to-one lessons with an instructor that does very well with him. I cringed initially at the cost (£120 for six weeks) but he would never cope in group lessons, and seeing some progress today made it all worth it. He's just started his second six week course. I may schedule him, if possible, for one more six week course after this. That will give him that much more instruction before his school takes them swimming in the spring (he'll have a one-to-one TA with him then for his own safety). I know on this site we are all about saving money, but I think in this instance, the money is well spent. Water safety is so important. I also will be spending money on DS2 starting swimming lessons this autumn. Again - it's an expense, but IMO a necessary one. I strongly feel that children should learn to swim.

School starts next week. :j Big stress reliever for me, and I will be able to start getting more things done around the house. The plan is to do morning school run with the car (necessary due to distance), but then midday school run pickup of DS2 on foot (saving petrol, getting exercise). Then I will use the car again to pick up DS1. I can stop once a week on the walk home and get my electric/gas cards topped up, then pop up to the supermarket and get groceries and petrol. No more deliveries of groceries once the DCs are back in school, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

The only thing I haven't purchased yet for school is the PE bag for DS2. I'm keeping an eye out for a specific type - a net bag that allows the clothing to breathe a bit. I had one already that DS1 uses, and it works great. I think I have another one - just can't find it, so will have to spend some time going through "stuff" boxes. :rotfl: I will be glad to get back into the routine, although it does mean tea will be a struggle now just due to timing. I plan on doing more slow cooker meals to make up for it - or cook things ahead and freeze and then reheat on the night to save some time.

pennywisepoundstupid

Fantastic news about the bed and fixed very cheaply, well done.

I agree about the swimming, I see it as a life skill, all children SHOULD learn to swim.

Take care PWPS.x

Triggles

Today I am starting a new drive to have NSDs. Today will be a NSD. First of all, of course, there is nowhere to go and spend money on! :rotfl: Secondly, I've topped up the gas and electric meters, put some petrol in the car, and bought groceries. There's really nothing else to spend money on at this point.

This is also the first day of my "stay completely out of the overdraft" push. I will admit that I'm ever so slightly in it (by under £20), but that will be rectified Monday morning so I'm not going to stress over it. I'm usually much further in it on a regular basis, so this is a huge step for me.

School starts next week, which means that as of Friday (6 September) I can go pick up the groceries myself instead of having them delivered, thus saving myself the delivery fee. I also have £9 off a £60 shop voucher - I'm happy to adjust my spending a bit, purchasing a few of my regular non-perishables a week ahead in order to put my total up to £60 in order to save £9!! The Nectar points are being saved in order to be used at Christmas to help purchase extra Christmas goodies and presents. I think in order to help with my budgeting, I am going to put the shopping online into the "online trolley" to keep track of the money spent while I'm putting together my list, then copy it down and empty the trolley. Then I won't accidentally go over. :cool:

I have just enough cash to cover breakfast club for DS1 this week for school, and 2 new jumpers for him (£15 total for the jumpers) as he's outgrown his others. I made sure I didn't have extra right now, so I am not tempted to spend it.

We had spag bol yesterday for lunch, and I made enough extra to put a 2 person portion in the freezer. I will be doing this as much as possible to build up a supply of smaller meals to use during the day when the DCs are in school or in the evening when I want something easy to cook. I think I may do what my mum did when we were children and make some pancakes and freeze them - then when we wanted pancakes for breakfast before school, it was as easy as popping them in the toaster. Also nice if one child wants pancakes and the other wants cereal.

I'm back to using half portions of mince in "mixed" meals - so instead of a regular package of mince, I'm using half a package by either browning the whole package with onions, peppers, garlic, and mushrooms and then putting half of it back in the fridge in a sealed container for the next day's meal... or dividing the package in half before cooking and browning (or freezing if I've just bought the package) it separately. This works well for meals like spag bol, chili, lasagne, tacos (using refried beans as a added filler) and Spanish rice. I think I will look at implementing this a bit more on other meat dishes - such as reducing the amount of meat in beef stew and increasing the amount of vegetables. Not by a whole lot, but even a little trimmed here and there will save money and not be noticed much.

It's cool enough now that, for the most part, the fans are not needed, except in the DCs rooms at night. Their rooms get the afternoon sun, so can still be quite warm by nighttime. This is good though, as during the winter, it means their rooms are the warmest as well. This winter I am determined to keep the thermostat lower than last year. EH liked to keep it warm enough that he could walk around in a tshirt in the winter, and I just don't think it's necessary. The boys and I have plenty of winter clothing - a jumper is quite handy to keep warm, rather than turning up the heat. And I will be making sure the boys wear something on their feet to keep them warm as well (they are barefoot most of the time in the summer). I haven't seen the usual "prepping for winter" thread on the OS boards, so I'll have to do some digging around to find it. I also usually do a big "stock up" shop in the beginning of December when EH's work (supermarket) gave all the employees a higher discount. But I won't be able to take advantage of that this year, so will need to be more alert for bargains to make up the difference.

I will also need to sit down and look realistically at what DIY I can afford and get done on my own, and what I will need to hire out. Then a practical schedule needs to be drawn up, so I can organise it properly. Priority is obviously painting the interior walls and doing the flooring downstairs. As far as hiring someone, I will be hiring someone to fix the electric shower (suspect it needs to be replaced), install my ceiling fan in my room, and put in another outdoor light on the house. I'd like this work all done at once (to reduce the cost) and be done before winter really sets in (so hopefully beginning of October at the latest). I've also been mulling over the addition of an electrical outlet in my bedroom on the side of the room near the door - they are all on the opposite side of the room and it's just pants running a cord across the room all the time!

Anyway - it's going to be a busy autumn! But it is absolutely my favourite time of year and I tend to get the most done over the next few months, so roll on autumn!! :cool: