NST December: Frugal festivities

stewby

GSRcat... I was so sorry to read your post. It is never easy to make a decision like that but the important thing is to have the courage to make that first step and the confidence not to let him or other people convince you to take him back.
It will be hard, especially whilst you try to rebuild your confidence and self-esteem but I know you will get there cause you seem like an amazing person.
In a year from now, I hope to see you being debt free, confident and happy with your life choices.
My experience in this is limited (having done but only with my first BF of only three months) so I am here if you want to talk but can't really promise much advice.
Hugs.

I really think it's wonderful how people jump to help others despite only really knowing them in a virtual world. It makes me really proud to be part of such a great community. Sorry, smushy.
:happyhear

Fmess.... that is completely awesome news. I always look in amazement at how much you have achieved compared to me. We started our journey at roughly the same time and you have never faltered. Even when you split up with your partner you carried on where others would have given up and just let the debt build without caring. You are an inspiration to me.
:grinheart

Sorry to hear about your mother having shingles mothernerd. Is there any way to contact care management down where you are?? I only ask because up here you can phone and ask for temporary care to be given due to illness and normally they will put in a carer for a couple of weeks. Might give your mum and her partner some much needed help whilst she isn't well??
It would also help you get some much needed rest and hopefully stop your hip hurting as much. I just thought I would suggest it as an option.
To be honest, it might help you out in the future as it would put them on the system so that if there was a problem in future years, the care management department would know of them already, particularly if your mother's partner is struggling with alzheimers.
:undecided

Hugs to you all.

Fmess

stewby wrote: »

Fmess.... that is completely awesome news. I always look in amazement at how much you have achieved compared to me. We started our journey at roughly the same time and you have never faltered. Even when you split up with your partner you carried on where others would have given up and just let the debt build without caring. You are an inspiration to me.
:grinheart

Thank you stewby that is really kind of you to say! I tend to beat myself up because I always feel like I'm treading water but you are right in many ways and I need to be more positive and give myself a pat on the back, thank you.

Today's good news - I got two offers of examining work for my favoured exam board. This means that if the other exam board offer me some work, I could turn them down and still be making extra money. The second exam board's organisation was pretty dire and stressful this year. The second good thing is that the money arrived in my account and I have paid off my loan :j and paid off the none 0% credit card :j Lastly, I've had a SFD

chocolatelover93

Hello everyone

WelshKitty - so sorry about your school friend

GSR - So sorry to hear that! I hope next year is better for you.

Fmess - That's good news on the loan front

Motherned - Sorry to hear about your mum and her partner, hope she feels better soon. I know how hard it is caring for people, I used to be a carer and felt so sorry for the families of some of the people I cared for. Do they have carers come in? It might take some of the weight off you.

Bob - Congratulations having your wombling post mentioned!! I can't wait to start wombling in 2016 you're an inspiration

Stewby - I agree about us all helping it's nice because I feel like I can talk to you guys about things I can't talk to other people about and I know I'm not going to be judged and it's not going to do the rounds on social media if you know what I mean?

Didn't pop in yesterday, did a bit of tidying, took the decs down and sat on the sofa for a chillax and woke up 2 and a half hours later and it was dark!!
Not been sleeping too well so guessing I needed it!! Hubby told me I should go to the docs but I don't want to rely on a tablet to help me sleep

Anyway 6 things I am grateful for (yesterday and today)
1. Getting some sleep even if it was during the day.
2. One of the cats using their Christmas present (even though it was free nice to see them using it!)
3. Hubby's workmate and his girlfriend coming over for tea - nice to meet new people and socialize!!
4. Someone has come and chopped a load of weeds down we had along our drive! (I know it sounds bad but I was going to do it when the weather was a bit nicer)
5. Having a lay in this morning
6. My mum's pharmacy for sorting out her meds (it was their fault anyway but glad they sorted it quick! She has a carousel that beeps when she has to take them. She swaps it once a week at the pharmacy, last night she opened it for her tea time meds and the whole thing was empty!! She is diabetic and is on meds for various things inc blood thinning to stop her having a stroke!! So angry they could be so careless, even told her that they had done it. In the end they did it and drove out to her and gave her a new one)

Calling14

Congratulations Stewby on being DF. Loving the snowmen.

Well done Bob on your trolley.

Fmess you are catching me nearly already.

Went out for meal with a friend today so spent money. Drank 2 jugs of water throat swollen up and now home collapsed in a heap. Upset my bunny hasn't eaten his food today, love him to bits. Probably about 7 1/2 yrs old, see how he is tomorrow. Hoping just wind frightened him last night, he is the garage. Fence damaged I need help to fix it, too heavy.

GSR only you know if you are doing the right thing. Hard decision to make, going can get tough but for me it was worth it. My confidence, self esteem was so low and had a lot of dark times whilst living together. Bounced back to being bubbly me, just a pity most things were on my credit card!!! Take care and look after yourself.

£2 off my credit cards today, slowly but surely getting there.

chocolatelover93

Calling - hope your bunny is ok xx

Fmess

Hope your bunny is ok calling, I would love another bunny (had them as a child) but my cat is very predatory so I daren't at the moment.

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for watching Little Women with dd, for yummy soup, for an exciting World's Strongest Men heat, for good coffee, for being able to stay inside.

Bobarella

Stewby - I see I'm not the only one with something new and shiny. Loving your new Debt free badge!

Calling - I'll take you for a spin in it if you ask me nicely sorry bugs is not feeling well. I'd be the same if my cat was sick.

Chocolate - how dreadful that a diabetic would be put in that position.

Fmess - I'm inspired by your clever thinking on getting that loan gone. Great work!

crazy_cat_lady

Hi everyone,
Sorry I've been awol - I've missed pages of posts, which I am about to go back and read through. Sadly, this month has been a write off in terms of budgeting and sticking to the rules etc but I just lost track of everything trying to make sure that life continued as normally as possible in the run up to Christmas.
I wanted to say a massive thank you to apple muncher for thinking of us. Your gifts arrived, and are beautiful and so thoughtful of you. I really appreciate it.
So, to update the last 10 days or so in a few sentences. The run up to Christmas was awful. DH was transferred to a hospital closer to home and put on all sorts of medication - with his first assessment scheduled for Christmas Eve. I was invited to lots of separate meetings, with carers charities, nurses, doctors etc - all of which I went to. I met his consultant on Christmas Eve, after the assessment, and the diagnosis wasn't what I was expecting to be honest - I was told that his drinking is out of control and negating all of the effects of his medication, and until he gives up alcohol he won't be offered any kind of talking therapy at all. I thought that he'd been drinking too much for years, but that I was overly sensitive because of my own father's drinking issues. Anyway, they said that they had put him onto detox medication but he had to abstain for alcohol completely - then the dr told me that dh had already rang an alcohol support group and was keen to show willing. And if I was willing to have him home then he could come home for Christmas. Then we met all together - me, dh and his care team and then he came home with me for Christmas. I have never seen the kids so happy as they were when I picked them up from bestie's house with their dad in tow. We didn't have much alcohol in the house to start with, but I got rid of everything we did have - I'm happy enough to give up with him if that will help - and we had a lovely Christmas. I wasn't expecting any presents (obviously) but the kids had spent some of their own money buying me a book and some chocolate because they didn't want me to be without... I can't believe I have such amazing and considerate kids. :A:A:A
To try and cut this load of waffle a bit shorter, we got on so well over Christmas that the hospital allowed him to come with us on our holiday to Center Parcs - which we just got back from today. No alcohol, lots of fresh air, quality time and long walks - I feel like a new woman.
We have another round of meetings at the hospital tomorrow - but the general feeling is that if we think he's well enough to be home and stays off the drink then he can stay home until he's officially discharged into community care next week. Fingers crossed.
Right - I think I've waffled for long enough - I'm off to catch up on the thread now. Thanks in advance to everyone who has thought about me - I am always a bit overwhelmed by the amount of care and support I get on here.

clippy_girl

What a lovely post crazy cat lady. I am very happy for you that not only was he able to come home but that it resulted in a lovely relaxed family time