From debt to freedom...

Cherryfudge

8 birthdays! Wow. I think 3 is a big cluster of birthdays. I guess that's a lot of people to look after you in your old age.

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

The good news is that the oil tank is still full from last year, but just need a working boiler

I think I see the difficulty here... new boilers often seem to feature on these boards. I wonder if there's a pay by installment scheme somewhere. If not, maybe there should be.

Re the cooker, I do sympathise as the one at my Mum's old place frazzles things in no time. If you are on Facebook, the buy/sell/swap groups are often a source for white goods, thus saving a few ££ to use elsewhere?

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge...I don't do Facebook but one DS does so might ask him to look out. That's a good idea, I never think of Facebook because I'm not on it.

Someone I know has recommended a type of boiler and a local plumber, so at least I have a starting point!

Crazy day at work and tomorrow will be as well. Hurray for adult children :T. DD1 had cooked tea (unbeknown to me) which was a nice surprise. I was very grateful as am ridiculously tired at the moment. She has also offered to make her sister's birthday cake, which I have willing relinquished the task. Plenty more birthday cakes to be made in the next few weeks

Cherryfudge

Isn't it wonderful when there's another cake maker?! Much as I love cooking, I'm glad that DD often comes to the rescue with a cake for some celebration or another. Sometimes there is just too much to do and making a cake isn't fun on those occasions.

Honeysucklelou2

You're right Cherryfudge...DD1 quite enjoys baking. I think she likes the artistic side of being creative with icing! DD2 however tends to keep her culinary skills to her workplace.


I'm so so glad to have made it to the end of term :T:). I have really enjoyed sitting in the garden in the dark watching the first stars come out and savouring the coolness of the evening. Too tired to contemplate anything but glad to be able to stop and relax.

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

I have really enjoyed sitting in the garden in the dark watching the first stars come out and savouring the coolness of the evening. Too tired to contemplate anything but glad to be able to stop and relax.

"There is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under Heaven".

And again, "What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stop and stare?"

Glad you have time to breathe now.

Honeysucklelou2

Ahh Ecclesiastes...as valid today as when Solomon penned those words. I looked up the poem...how beautiful! I think I may type that out and put it in a prominent place at work to remind me. Thank you Cherryfudge


The first day of the holidays was a day of ticking off jobs that needed doing. I had a letter from the solicitor on Thursday, reminding me that various documents were still needed. Some things I have requested such as pension valuations but 3 months on, I'm still waiting to hear so I have emailed to chivvy them on. I also had to provide an annual mortgage statement and statements for a joint account which hasn't been closed as the mortgage comes out of that account. It made me realise that I haven't seen a mortgage statement this year which is unusual as it comes out in May. I phoned the provider and requested a copy.

I also realised that I haven't seen the monthly joint account statements. This week one came, which is the first I've seen for months. I came home from work a little earlier than usual on Wednesday which meant I actually picked up the post and found the statement within that day's post, along with quite a lot of post for the ex. This includes post from financial organisations which does concern me. I think what's happening is the ex is dropping round when I'm at work and collecting his post and taking anything addressed to both of us. Surely 2 and a half years is enough time for him to let officialdom know where he lives, even if he doesn't want me to know.

I also had a message left on my landline to say his business insurance was due for renewal so I did rung the broker and told them they need to contact him direct on his phone and not leave messages here, not least because I rarely check the answerphone.

I've requested copies of statements to get to the solicitor asap and will have to keep reminding the pension providers. I also got the tax credits renewal done. I tried doing it online this year and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.

I had to dip into the EF to make the last nursery payment of the year. Just over £200 paid yesterday so at least that is cleared for another academic year.


Last night I met a few friends at the beach and we had a BBQ and just enjoyed the view and the company until dark. The assorted children played happily together...a really chilled evening:).

Today is a birthday so about to make a giant stack of pancakes! The DC in question has yet to decide how to spend the day but this evening is planned.

Cherryfudge

That's a huge pile of paperwork dealt with - well done. I am especially impressed as I hate paperwork and will get all sorts of other stuff done rather than tackle it.
I wonder if you could get access to the bank statements online? It won't solve the problem removal of joint paperwork entirely but it could be useful. There might be other areas where you could get online access too.
The BBQ sounds so nice...I hope the weather isn't going to be miserable today for the birthday person (we have torrents of rain up here) and they have a lovely day.

crazy_cat_lady

Hope that you have a lovely day for DC birthday - whatever you get up to.
Enjoy!

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge and CCL. Hopefully DD had an enjoyable day. We ended up having pancakes for brunch! I had to do a 2lb flour, 8 eggs, 4 pints of milk mix which took some time to cook!!

We had a quiet day...DD was happy to play with gifts. We went out for a birthday meal this evening and she now has a friend here for a sleepover. DD1 kindly made the cake - 3 layers of raspberry & white chocolate cake sandwiched together with white chocolate frosting. It looked incredible!

Honeysucklelou2

I've had a lovely day today . Didn't need a gym workout as working in the garden gave me plenty of exercise! 3 bulk bags ( builders' bags) of hedge clippings picked up, the remaining third of the nettles pulled out and manoeuvring said bulk bags to the tip. The back garden is starting to look less of a wilderness and more of a space with potential .

I'm really enjoying having time to do things and enjoy doing them rather than hurtling through the day as I do in term time. Tonight I made mushroom soup for DD1 and I to have. It was great to savour time to simply make soup without rushing!!

This evening I've also had time to walk my elderly lurcher and help DD2 to walk the nutty pups. The honeysuckle smelled wonderful as I walked down the lanes and I spotted the first hazelnuts on the tree.