From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

My grandmother used to hate grape hyacinths for their habit of taking over beds and borders! The only flower she disliked, whereas I love the colour and don't mind the spreading habit.:D.

DD1's birthday today...will miss her, but thankful only a week until we pick her up.

Honeysucklelou2

I did get a cup of tea in bed:)...at some unearthly hour! DD3 kindly made it. Not sure if it was because it's Mother's Day or to ensure that I was sufficiently with it to drive her into school to start her trip.:rotfl:

My parents visited and my lovely dad took us out for Sunday lunch. DD2 was working, DD1 at uni and DD3 on her triip, so less than usual but still lovely to be together. We took a walk at a nearby cove which was lovely.

Cherryfudge

I hope your daughter has a lovely time on her trip. She'll be home before you know it.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge. I've caught myself a few times, popping into her room or the living room, about to ask her something and she's not there. I really miss her.

The majority of standing orders and direct debits went out today. Just DD 's insurance to go but that's not until the 13th. Hoping to get some NSDs in this month. Going through the figures on Friday showed that food spending had risen by £50. It's not being careful about top ups at Mr T's, which I must get under control again.

I had a letter from HMRC today, which freaked me out. In the past the brown envelope has often meant bad news but today it was an invitation to open a Help to Save. I currently save £50 a month into an account but it is fairly accessible in case of emergencies. It sounds a good scheme so will see if I can stretch to save another £50. Will have to be next month now though as everything is accounted for this month.

Honeysucklelou2

Thankful to have survived this term :T There have been many moments when I've wondered if I would! Today was my last day for a couple of weeks, although I'll be going into work to get ready for the new term, but before the children return.

Legal appointment tomorrow re finance forms, so hoping that will be ok and not too scary.

Cherryfudge

Enjoy your time off. I'm sure you will find the legal meeting better than you think and it's all a step closer to being sorted out.

Honeysucklelou2

You are right Cherryfudge! The meeting was really helpful, despite me shaking like a jelly as I went into the building. I've come away with a list of things I need to do/find/ get ready. The solicitor was reassuring about some of my worries and about things that the ex has said to me. Positive steps forward.:)

I met up with a friend for a restorative cup of coffee afterwards and it was good to catch up with her as I hadn't seen her for a few weeks.:)

DD3 has returned from her trip having enjoyed it all. I'm happy and relieved to have her home.

Honeysucklelou2

Spent yesterday driving as we went to collect DD1. DS3 was so sweet, he had obviously missed his big sister and gave her the widest smile and biggest hug ever! It is so good to have her home and to have all my children under the same roof for a while! :T

I've not walked as much as I usually do this term, as I've spent lots of weekend time either at work or doing work related tasks, so am desperate to get out walking as much as possible in the next two weeks. I need to get my fitness levels up! Being outside always boosts me, so am planning in as many opportunities as I can.

Finance wise, I have messed up. I'd planned out my budget and completely forgotten to factor the council tax back in, so will have to take that from savings. Thankfully I have been putting away £40 a month in a savings account since Dec, so will have to empty that.

I contacted the credit card company to ask for my direct debit payment date to change to the day after my payday. I had an email to confirm this but noticed that no payment has come out this month. Tracked down the statement online to discover that the next payment is due 2nd May, meaning a whole month has been missed out :think:. Not sure whether to make the usual payment just to keep on track.

Need to check all my plants today and get watering the plants that are in the greenhouse.

crazy_cat_lady

So pleased to hear that the meeting was useful HSL and there is a bit of a plan of action now.
Enjoy the hols

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you CCL...hope you have a good break from school as well.

It has been so lovely to be able to relax today. Normally Sundays are filled with rushing around to make sure everyone has what they need and then lots of work dread, but it has been so good to relax today. I confess I even fell asleep this afternoon!

I've made chicken cobbler for tea ( a favourite with most if the children). DD1 made some drizzle iced biscuits for pudding which went down well. I've been able to do a circular walk this evening with DS1 and my elderly lurcher. I'm learning that some of the best conversations with my older children happen naturally when walking. The sunset was beautiful this evening. We stopped in a field gateway and simply enjoyed the beauty of the sky.