This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

Watty1

oh that is really interesting @Slinky I've somehow managed it on both vehicles but that might be a mistake? .  The gorgeous mini already got stuck on a country lane this year and its not even the bad weather yet.  The chap in front kept flashing me to pull forwards and the wheels just spun.  Finally i had the idea of just putting it in neutral and letting gravity take over as I was on a steep hill.  Eventually the mini slipped backwards and I was free but I'm not sure the mini is ideal even if I do love it.  The 4x4 is an import and nowhere had details of it so that was all a faff. 

 I'll get the VNM to sort the mini exhaust (the replacement is in the dining room and fix the window) then  I think it might  be sold.   although in full spend spend spend mode an on line search revealed an Italian Job holiday which is for 50 minis and I'm really keen to go!  Includes a sightseeing tour of Turin escorted by the Turin Police and special visits and so on.   Cant afford it next year but maybe I will garage the mini 2023 for the 2023 holiday.  Decisions decisions  

LadyWithAPlan

Sorry to hear this situation is still dragging on, though I did laugh when you overheard yourself being called a harpy!
 A fabulous word and one can only wish, seems you have been far more cherub like than a clawed winged beast..
Maybe you can work out a First Wives Club revenge.. 

You can't make this stuff up but at least you have a VNM - horses, 2 cars, and have money in the bank..
I would keep playing the waiting game and maybe getting a tougher lawyer.. 

This time of year is hard to not spend so hopefully you are now aware of it. I was Xmas shopping today and bought myself some much needed gym gear ..

Watty1

First wives revenge club ..... like it but more like Cohabitees Revenge as if I had been married there would be legal protection in there. 

Lovely weekend.  Saw the village panto which was very bad in places with lines forgot and music forgot and yet was totally charming.  Breakfast out with VNM in the village cafe and 2 super festive candles bought for 70p in charity shop.  Dropped off a bag of donations and a large bag of items for the food bank.

Still clearing the cupboards of things I left behind and enjoying using up and trying beauty products.  A lot were sent to me to review for work and have just sat around, others were freebies and a fair proportion found their way into the bin or were donated to the hygiene bank.  (Am a huge fan of hygiene bank, like the food bank but hands out shampoo and shower gel etc as I can easily see these are things one cuts from a budget yet make a difference to mood and self esteem).     I have in the past bought stuff specifically to donate but these donations were just from cupboards here.

Watched the Italian Job for the minis.  Now as my mini got stuck in a pile of mud and leaves I'm thinking it really was not trying hard enough having paid attention to the car chase around Turin.    Will watch the remake next as it is free on Amaz0n

Then shopping. I spent some time thinking about a tree and what to do. I live at the cottage when the ex is away but then return to my rental so what to do?   After looking at both real and fake trees and thinking it over I decided not to put up a tree at all.  Happy with this decision.   I really feel the ex has sucked the joy out of the season and whilst I could put a tree up at my lovely rental I feel that it is a waste of money as I wont be there for at least a week in the run up to Christmas as ex going to stay with girlfriend so I need to stay at cottage to look after dog.    The cottage has fairy lights up all year and the rental has outside lights and lots of candles.  That will do.  

Dog remains a yet to be resolved issue.  I have a plan to keep Wattydog as  he will have a better life with me but I do know ex wants him so am sidestepping that discussion until the main decisions on what to do with the house is made.

Still spending money as  bought a handbag to replace the one I have been using consistently.  The zip has broken and whilst I do have others but they have proved just too small.   Totally thrilled with new bag.  Found in TKMax and defo bargin.  Love it.  And bought a couple of secret santa gifts I needed.  Over budget but then it dawned on me i could use some of the unused and still in wrapper beauty products in bathroom so I can keep the purchased gifts for others.   Nice one Watty.  Finally a bit of MSE news in diary!

Watty1

Checked bank account from which I pay bills as it needed a top up.
Around same time I downloaded my mobile phone bills as the company pays these and I needed 'proof'. Astounded to see my bill has gone down to £3.  Delighted.
Then noticed the bank were taking more than £3, quite a bit more so rang ee to discuss. They were sure they were only taking the right money.  After a bit of thought and a super helpful person on the other end we figured out that when we had split the bills the ex bill had transferred his to my account and my bill to his.  So we have been paying each others phone bills. 
His is not too high so not too much of a problem but it has added up.  There seems nothing I can do about it according to EE except set up up a new DD for my bill and cancel his.   It was a genuine mistake all round and I didn't notice as I was expecting an amount out each month.
Wickedly I am hoping he thinks the text saying his DD is spam and is cut off.  Sigh. OK tell me I'm bad. I don't care just now!

ajmoney

Maybe it is bad but equally you are getting your affairs in order in the same way he has been.  I might tell him too though...

Humdinger1

Just wondering how you are @Watty1?

Watty1

Seems to be a busy time here.  Next year I have diary noted to plan Christmas weeks in November so I can do some basics like prep some meals, buy small gifts etc and not feel I'm so behind.   Decided not to worry about spending this month but to regroup in January.   Another legal bill came in yesterday.  Ouch.

Tackled the ex on the phone bill and he give me the difference so that was a plus.  He said it was a "goodwill gesture" which made me wish I had not asked.  Especially as there are over £1000 worth of joint bills that remain unpaid and are being "debated"

Lovely day yesterday at the London Horse Show.  Saw both the afternoon and evening performances which sounds was indeed a flash spend but was such a fabulous happy day worth every penny.  Long time to be wearing a mask though but still worth it for the sheer joy of spending a day doing nothing but fun.   

Home to a gorgeous meaningful card from my sister (of which I'm still not sure about but she does seem to be trying very hard) and a handpainted card from a neighbour who is very ill with the dreaded c word.  A group of friends and I do a secret santa and we decided not to do one this year but pool the money to buy something for her instead.    I suggested she might not feel like cooking after next op so we bought a box of fabulous ready meals (I use this brand) for her freezer.  (I had subtly checked she had freezer space) and she painted us each a thank you card.  Charming.

It is the third card I have had this year that I really want to keep and frame.  (Others were one of a pic of me and VNM and the other a card that was produced as a school art lesson by the child that I have let ride the Charming Cob.  Only 8 cards were produced and I'm sure that mum wanted to send them to family etc but the little girl insisted one was for me and I felt moved to tears by that).

 

Watty1

Very relaxing 3 days.  Friday spent the day at an Equestrian event with 3 girlfriends.  Discussed it in detail given the pandemic and then decided just to go and enjoy.  Glad I did. Saturday evening cooked for 3 friends. Nothing too fancy just a black bean chilli rice and garlic bread.  Made my own chocolate orange (just peeled orange dipped in melted chocolate) instead of a pud and everyone agreed were delicious and then today nice ride on Charming Cob followed by full English breakfast in cafe with VNM then out to dinner for a Christmas meal. The group of 30  was cut to 16 by those wisely deciding not to attend.  Again I considered it and decided to go.  I need fun and friendship right now and it rounded off the weekend beautifully.    

Humdinger1

@Watty1 totally agree; fun and common sense are both essential. You totally deserve this.  What are your plans for Christmas? Love Humdinger xx 

Watty1

My plans for Christmas are calm and nice..  The VNM has Christmas Eve off work so we will spend that together - although part of it will be focused on the horses as one of them has his booster.    A few girlfriends and I were going to the local candle lit church service of carols and lessons but I think the current level of the c virus might prevent that? Watching and waiting.  Last year we spent Christmas Eve in the village square drinking Prosecco and all agreed that despite the restrictions it was the best Christmas Eve we had ever had.  This year we are hoping to be less like street urchins!

Then Christmas Day itself will be the same as every other Christmas Day for me in that I always ride then have a lovely big lazy breakfast followed by an early evening trip to a friends.  A few years ago she started a sort of "animal parents" Christmas as she had a few friends who had far too many horses and dogs between them to go away to family.  And she has been doing it ever since.  This year there should be about 7 of us.  Its like a family Christmas without the trauma of actual family.  I've just bought a board game for a person I've never met and a book of dog walks for another person that will be there.   Think all presents are now sorted for that event.   

I hope everyone reading along has a wonderful Christmas. Whatever life throws at us we can always find the roses and fun xx