Second Time Lucky

amycool

The bathroom is "finished". 7 weeks instead of 2. There are still issues but I can't face another visit from them. A scratched window, water butts and pots all covered in a thick layer of dirt, grout really messy in places, bath panel falls off every time you get in and out of the bath.

It's been really horrible but I'm going to pay them today so I can move on. Can hopefully DIY some of the issues.

In other news, I paid for an autism assessment and I was diagnosed last week. I've suspected for a very long time so it's very weird to finally know for sure.

It was very expensive so not helping the mortgage situation! Going to check the banking now and see where we are.

debtfreeoneday

Since DS was diagnosed, I've been thinking of doing this as I'm fairly sure I am, where did you go?

amycool

debtfreeoneday wrote: »

Since DS was diagnosed, I've been thinking of doing this as I'm fairly sure I am, where did you go?

I used Spectrum North West, mostly as they can visit you at home but also because all staff work in the NHS too. It was a 4hr interview so quite intense! They were really lovely though and made me feel comfortable to talk.

Another option that a friend used was a Skype service, which is considerably cheaper if you're okay with Skype (I hate it!).

It seems really common that as kids are being diagnosed parents realise they're autistic too. It just wasn't diagnosed in females when I was a kid.

amycool

Have just updated the spreadsheet - it's been a shockingly expensive month!

OH is now getting his new wage - seems to be around £250 a month extra, which is nice.

Mortgage interest is down to about £15 a month.

Not sure whether to start overpaying again and wait for the savings to build back up later or wait another month. We do have 10k in an ISA as back up but it doesn't feel like much! Will decide next week maybe once we're in the new month.

I know I should be waxing the other interior doors and finding someone to fit them but school is a massive issue right now and is taking every bit of my mental energy.

I've started buying Christmas presents as and when I see things. We've really reduced who we buy for now so it isn't a chore.

kaycastle

I am extremely late on this point but congratulations on adoption a while ago

I'm adopted and its a wonderful thing to do but a heart wrenching process - all for good reasons like you said. I quickly scanned through all the past few years of your thread to make sure you succeeded before I posted!!

I was adopted quite young and my mum kept a diary of the years they went through...they even got told to lose weight (and they weren't what anyone would consider large), neighbours are interviewed...lots and lots of waiting and hoping. And it was really sad reading how my mum was feeling - just crazy emotional experience. But also very happy when it finally all worked out.

amycool

Thanks Kay. My views on adoption have changed a lot over the years having got to know lots of adoptees/adopters/foster carers and birth parents. There's a lot wrong with how the system works and the lack of support for everyone involved. It looks like views are slowly changing now at least. People see the importance of adopted children having relationships with their birth family, being honest about their past and supporting with the trauma experienced before and during the adoption. Worryingly, with so many cuts to social services, children's centres, mental health services, the number of children needing to be taken into care is rising. It makes me very angry and frustrated.

I am very lucky to have DD in my life. We're quite odd in that we chose adoption over trying for a baby. I think it makes the process easier in that we hadn't been through the loss and grief of miscarriage or the stress of IVF. And we knew from the start that our daughter had been through trauma so we would need to parent differently.

Saying that, I do remember at the time being very stressed! All good preparation for parenting!

amycool

Just as I thought we could start saving for new windows to replace those that don't open anymore...

...the conservatory roof is leaking. It's really poorly made (here when we moved in) and the gutter between the house and conservatory is constantly blocked. There's no way to access it either. It looks like the best option will be to replace the roof and redesign how the guttering works. We also need to get the gutter on the house roof changed as there's a join in the middle that's also leaking.

We need to work out what to replace it with. I'm guessing tiles won't be possible on the existing structure but maybe glass. Knowing our luck, the whole thing will probably need to be replaced!

amycool

£ 637.83 left to pay!!

OH has been on strike so it will most likely be paid off by February. :j

amycool

It's gone!!!!!

Octobergirl

Congratulations:T:T