From debt to freedom...

Drawingaline

Lol at ds! He is getting it. See education was not for him in a traditional setting, he is learning way more on the job.

Cherryfudge

My DS was also better learning on the job: he's been much more motivated. Had to laugh at your DS and the enchiladas! Perhaps he's learning, or perhaps they were so good he wanted them twice?

XSpender

Good on DS. Enchiladas always taste better warmed up the next day

savingholmes

Love the enchilada story, plus the cupcakes, icing, yum....

Honeysucklelou2

Today has been lovely. I've tried to hang on to summer by enjoying being outside! This morning involved lots of driving around picking up and dropping off children, then after DD2 had finished her work shift we drove to a beach, around the bay from my favourite beach and took the boat taxi across to the town near the other headland. Once there we found the coastpath and started to walk the next part. The sea was a deep turquoise colour today. DS3 was so excited to have a boat ride. He kept up a monologue about the journey which I enjoyed. It's interesting to understand what he observes and delights in.

The coast path took us round to a huge beach. I can see this beach from my favourite beach. It always looks inviting from the other side and always quite empty. I couldn't see any means of reaching it by car which accounts for perhaps why fewer people frequent it. Walking along the beach, the breeze on my face and the sound of the waves lapping at the shore as the tide crept in was wonderful. DS3 spent the time running across the beach hither and thither. DD1 joined us on the beach after she had finished work. When we reached the end of the beach, we took an inland path back to the town and then the jetty to catch the boat taxi back. DD2 didn't waste the opportunity to collect a few more blackberries, putting DD1's lunchbox to use. As we walked back to the town, the inland path went up an incline so that when you looked back, the whole mouth of the estuary was visible. It's always fascinating to see the coastline from different perspectives and vantage points.

I had hoped today would have been a NSD but have spent money on parking fees, boat fares and ice-creams. I had set aside £50 for entertainment for the last week of the holidays so the money spent today is coming out of that allocated pot. I'm glad to have got outdoors, spent time with my children and explored new places.

We got back and had sweetcorn chowder for tea, followed by apple amber .

Honeysucklelou2

Today has been a positive day albeit very busy. I was at work until 5 and got back to find that DD1 had made a batch of amazing cupcakes. The cupcakes were chocolate flavoured with Bailey's flavoured butter icing on top, decorated with golden, crunchy sprinkles. They tasted incredible . No wonder her flat mate encouraged her to bake regularly . She had also made a toblerone cheesecake and in true MSE style had ensured she bought a non-branded version . The cheesecake was quite rich, so plenty left for tomorrow.

I made macaroni cheese for tea tonight and we had the cheesecake for dessert. The ex announced he didn't think he could do a meal for the children on Wednesday, so I need to factor in an extra meal.

Direct debits left my account today. The EF has been boosted by a little and more paid off debts .

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

Direct debits left my account today. The EF has been boosted by a little and more paid off debts .

Well done.

I so enjoyed your boat trip and walk with the children. I think your older ones are as much friends as they are daughters, aren't they? I love the way you look out for each other. And little DS3 is clearly a sparkling little individual! (Well, when out on the beach... I can't tell about other times).

Bailey's cupcakes, hey? I am tempted, sorely tempted.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge. Yes the girls are all close and supportive of each other and we get on well which I am very thankful for:).

Today got off to an interesting start. I got out of bed, took a couple of steps forward , then managed to get the big toe of my left foot stuck in the hem of the right side of my pyjama bottoms, resulting in me landing in a crumpled heap on the floor . Unfortunately I put out my hand to save myself and have been nursing a sore wrist since. It's not hurting as much as it was but looks a bit swollen...will teach me to be more careful!

The last few bits and pieces needed to be bought today, ahead of DS3 starting nursery again tomorrow and everyone else to school on Thursday. 3 lots of shoes and 1 pair of wellies were bought. One of the local shoe shops does a discount scheme whereby you get 15% off every so many shoes you buy. Happily I had bought the requisite number of shoes with today's purchase so got the 15% off:):).

I think we are a little reluctant to accept the end of summer...DD2 and I figured out that tonight was probably the last available weekday evening we could go to the beach:(. Of course we had to seize the opportunity , so got there with about an hour of daylight to spare. DD2, DS2 and The youngest DD went in the water for quite a time while DD3 and I walked across the beach with the elderly lurcher. We were planning to have a BBQ but the wind was a little brisk. I think we'd have had trouble lighting it. The walk was great, the wind refreshing and not too cold. The beach was empty except for a man and his son who had some kind of remote controlled toy sand buggy type thing. The elderly lurcher looked at the sand buggy whizzing round and suddenly sprang into action and charged across the beach after it:D. I can't imagine what he thought it was but haven't seen him move that fast in ages:rotfl:. The tide brought in 3 tennis balls so the elderly lurcher contented himself with chasing after those. Back on our usual beach, it was interesting to trace the walk on Sunday from our usual vantage point.

Cherryfudge

I hope the wrist's okay. x

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge. It's not as painful now as it was but just have this raised swollen bit below the thumb. Will keep an eye on it.


Insomnia has struck again...not sure if it's a reaction to work??!! I've made use of the time by signing up for internet banking for the joint account. The mortgage still gets paid out of this but I never see any statements as the ex turns up and collects post before I get home from work, so now I've signed up, I can see what's happening. I was surprised by how easy it was to set up and navigate.

I also checked the secondary school online payment system. I've had to pay £7.50 for a tie for DD3 because she is in the final year of school. Unfortunately every Y11 year group has a different colour so passing down last year's ties from sibling to sibling doesn't work :mad:. Why do they need a different tie in the first place and why is it almost twice the cost of a regular school tie?? One of the mysteries of the educational world .