2015 - the penultimate year!

DebtFree2012

That's interesting - I'm going to look it up.

It appears most ponies are the same, the smaller, the naughtier too! They can smell the Spring grass I'm sure.

DebtFree2012

Right accounts checked. Bonus won't go in until the end of March so in the mean time I'll keep the overdraft as it looks like I'll need it as the 2 big chq's cashed today. At least they are out of the way so now just the electric and gas direct debit to leave and then that's the biggies done. I think the gas/elec DD will come out tomorrow.

The last of the cookies went last night and a couple of flapjacks remain. We have shop biscuits for treats to last us until the weekend then we can make some fairy cakes. I'm going to alternate what we have each week.

I also have a soup I want to try but need to shop for ingredients - all cheap enough though.

I'm away from Monday so will make sure there's enough for them to have at home and a meal or two to just heat up. Lasagne for Friday and I can't wait - how silly lol. Hopefully tonight will be home made pizza if I can make it (I know, it's easy, just never done it before for a long time) with chips.

The important thing is no spending as normal. Next spends will be at the weekend on the grocery shop which I have this weeks allowance of £37.50 plus the underspend of £2 to add to £39.50. Yes the pennies are important! In fact I must do a shopping list as it worked fabulously last time. I have all the prices costed out on my spreadsheet so I can get an idea of cost before I go. Sad or organised?

DebtFree2012

Morning

Last day in the office for me. A study day tomorrow from home then travelling Monday and presentation Tuesday. Wednesday is watching other people's presentations then travel home late on the night. Thursday I will work from home too. Scary how quickly it's passing.

So today is get the presentation finished - it's a 45 minute slot they want me to fill so it's very daunting. I'm not sure my nerves will hold out that long. There's no guidance - just a one word topic (my work area) so I don't even know if I'm preparing what they expect. That's the test I think. Anyway - that's today's task.

No money has been spent nor will it be today. We're out for tea as it's a relatives birthday and they always ask up round. So I will have to quickly go to the yard then change and we will all head over.

Turns out I won't need to make anything for the family when I am away as they've been asked out to tea by other people. So next week I only need food for Thursday and Friday then normal for the weekend.

Last night we had a bit of an incident. Firstly the pony took off with DD again but that wasn't the incident. She did come off but did very well, she got up and walked over to him (crying but at least she did) and gave him a smack, walked him round and then I lunged him again and she got back on and did well. He's a !!!!! Definitely going to look at the magnesium.

I wanted to turn out full time come spring but scared he will crest again and there's too many in the field to put a muzzle on as he can't protect himself when they are battling for pecking order again. He's only 11.2 and can handle himself but he needs to show them that as there's some big ones in with him. No starvation/alternate paddocks either. I think then I will turn out overnight first and build it up.

DebtFree2012

Good morning diary land.

Plan for today - continue presentation which is almost done. Practice it - hate that bit, take dog out at lunch time to clear my head and stretch his legs then study until I go for the kids. Presentation is coming on well.

This weekend I need to pack for travels next week and get the house organised, pack the kids bags as they have to stay out as DH at work at 5am so no one here for them. Then when I get back on the Friday DH has an operation (hopefully not to bad) and then we're going away Friday night to the caravan!!! I'm hoping it will aid and not hinder his recovery!!! We shall see. So I also need to be prepared for that. A busy weekend it seems.

My lovely Mam who knows about my situation has taken me out for a pair of comfy leather flats this morning (and some plasters in case they rub!) as where I am travelling to is all cobbles and I'll be on my feet all day. They will hopefully last me a couple of years, they should! So that's me sorted until I am DF for work shoes lol. I am easily pleased.

Tonight will be spent catching up with the horses as they been neglected for a couple of days with one thing and another so cuddles and love tonight. The pony needs a good make over as he is looking very unloved, maybe that's why he is being a !!!!!

The gas and electric money still hasn't been taken.

Right, presentation time.

cazmanian_minx

Pay day for Job 2 (Mine turned up this afternoon!)

Reading back re: pony - I may be being a bit paranoid, as I now see possible ulcers everywhere , but when you're grooming him tonight, see if he's at all sensitive in the girth area, particularly about a hand's-width back from his elbow on the right side and whether he's reluctant to lift his right hind. If he's sore there, he's going to object every time she puts her leg on, it's exactly what Finn did (hopefully in the past tense!). I know it absolutely goes against instinct to feed before riding, but a small scoop of chaff or something similarly absorbent while you're grooming and tacking up works as a great blotter for any excess stomach acid that might be splashing around, particularly if he's in more than usual over winter.

Cwtchie

Interesting, DD was telling me about a survey where 10 horses were kept at home, normal routine, riding etc. 2 horses had developed ulcers at the end of the trial, a week I think. 10 were taken to shows daily and out of them 7 had developed ulcers, and 10 horses at grass who were worked did not develop any. Ours all are fed completely adlib hay, they almost never run out (but they are well covered). The cushions pony who can not have much at all or will get laminitis still is on adlib hay, but haylage would kill him. When is gets a bout of laminitis I give him full tub truss of hifi light as much as he wants, fills him up but is light enough not to make him fat. It's always about balance I never understand how some people say they don't have to do much to their horses! Mine are full time and then some

DebtFree2012

I'm back Happy Monday!

Well what a chaotic week last week. I've been abroad for work, then away with the family for pleasure. DH had an operation on Friday and we left Friday at 4:30 for the caravan. In the mean time I had one night with the horses and my lovely friends did the other days:T. Lots of favours to be dished out in return as it's much appreciated. Abroad, my corporate card wouldn't work so had to use my personal one (debit - grrr) but will get it back, also I had terrible sinus pain, missed everyone (inc all animals) terribly but did a cracking presentation so all of that prep paid off:T. The weekend and Mother's Day meant I spent double the week's amount in Ald1 but my fuel isn't too bad. I'll get my spreadsheet updated and keep the remainder of the costs down as normal until pay day. This one is the bonus so I will get back on an even keep then.

I also made £16 on Ebay which went in with the above.

So today I am back at work and is the first day that I'm starting my healthy eating again. I did it the year before last from Jan to end March and lost 1.5 stone. I put the half back on which I knew I would, as life balanced out, but kept the one off. I've been slowly putting some back on over the last couple of months, so now am only about 10lbs less than original weight. After getting on the scales this morning I would like to lose another 1 stone 11lb but that's for round figures purposes . I'll go for 1.5 and see how that leaves me.

I start this off by cutting out bread, butter and alcohol to get me kick started then after however long introduce it slowly back in to a maintainable level. I will still have sweet snacks and treats otherwise I will quit after 2 days. All in moderation though. I know what works for my body so will just plod along. We're going away in June so that's my loose target.

So porridge/fruit/cereal for breakfast then salad or soup for lunch (which I enjoy, people normally frown at salad) then a stir fry or rice based tea. Ald1 rice is 25p a pack of dry rice and that does the family in with meat and veg. I alternate with flavours such as garlic, chilli, sweet chilli, oxo cubes or spices and tbh we don't feel like we're missing out. We would be changing our meals shortly anyway as the Spring comes in, less winter based fuel and some lighter meals, so it's the perfect time.

So my focus for the rest of the month is study for my exam, make soups, eat well, concentrate on pony to give him a fair chance (thank you for your ulcer comments - very interesting and I shall be investigating that but as he's had a week off pretty much, it's going to be hell for a good few days until he settles again) and sit tight until the bonus comes in.

I finish for Good Friday then I am off for Easter week :j and I can't wait.

Next month will be about enjoying time off with the kids and the big spring clean.

So lovely to be back.

DebtFree2012

Right, grocery signature updated after the weekend away spends. Not great reading but honest. Next month should be ok based on this month without a weekend away figures. had the bough carrot and coriander soup from aldi for lunch and feel bloated now. Normally I make my own but this was just in case I needed something quick if dh wasn't ok after op.
Right, 2 hours study now.

DebtFree2012

Long day Tuesday is upon us. I'm in the office until 5 then online 8-10 tonight - booooo. Lots to do today including 2 hours study somewhere. I'm going to go home over lunch though to get a break from the desk as it's so unhealthy being stuck here all day.

I also have some documentation which must be done today or tomorrow so I'll fit that in where I can. My exam is a week on Friday so next week will be 80% study week for me - Monday is a workshop. I will take Friday as a study day too so that leaves 3 days to get everything up to speed work wise.

Yesterday's healthy eating got off to a good start and I replaced my nightly cereal/toast/whatever I fancy with eggs and they were lovely. Tonight will be melon instead. I need to make some flajacks too as my afternoon boost. That will be the treat of the day and if I don't need it, I won't have it, but if I don't have it with me, I will need it

So last night little pony was 80% good which is a dramatic improvement. He did show his pony side once but we ignored it and moved on. We did loads of pole work with him so truth be told, my plan was to keep his mind occupied that he didn't get time to think about being naughty. Also I checked where you said Caz and worked loads with him when grooming but nothing doing - thank you for the suggestion though. I still need to look into the magnesium which was mentioned. 6 weeks and they will be out full time - whooop!

At lunch time I will put the chicken pieces in the SC and have them (in gravy) with mash and broccolli plus whatever other veg I have, for tea. Tomorrow will be a later tea as we'll go to the yard straight from school.

All quiet on the money front. No money has been spent though I will need fuel tonight or before work in the morning.

I have a mountain of clothes to wash too, again!!! That's what happens when you have a week away and then go back to work the next day - nothing's been done. I'll pop another load in at lunch time.

cazmanian_minx

Well that's great news on the pony front Hope he continues to improve!