From debt to freedom...

MeandO

I too loved reading your description of your day our on the boat and beaches. What a wonderful day and lovely memories made for you all no doubt.

Hope the toe and wrist are better soon. Sounds like something I'd do! xx

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

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 .

What a strange system. Not very good considering the amount of textiles that end up in landfill, either, though school ties seem to go in attics instead. Might it be worth emailing the school to point out how wasteful this is?

I missed your poorly toe, sorry. I hope both that and the thumb are soon better. It's amazing how much you notice an injury to such a small part of you, isn't it? Especially when it's one that you use all the time.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you MeandO & Cherryfudge. No pain now but still slightly swollen below the thumb. I'm thinking perhaps a little soft tissue bruising?

My work hours have changed for this academic year. I'm doing one day less in order to preserve health and be able to be more present for my children. Last year was very, very stressful and I haven't been so ill and in and out of the doctors as I was between Jan & July. The demands of my job combined with the necessary tasks of keeping everything together at home and the various stresses that the situation with the ex brings is a lot for one person so am seeking to make it all manageable. Obviously the flip side is a lower income so there is no wriggle room in the budget and it will take longer to get out of debt but I'm not adverse to looking for a p/t role in a different place or even role, if we end up struggling too much. On the plus side it will mean being able to have more time to batch cook and most importantly be there to support the children, 3 of whom are in crucial last years of courses.

In that vein, yesterday was a golden day. Having worked this week, I dropped the older ones to school and work , then had the day with DS3 on his birthday. He was happy to play cars whilst I cleaned the kitchen. It was so quiet with everyone out . DS3 found a commemorative coin from 2012 that had a local landmark on it, so wanted to walk and check that the engraved picture matched the real landmark, so we did. We had a great time walking there, looking at the beech nut husks on the floor, then counting how many beech nuts were in a husk and from which tree they had fallen. Simple conversations but precious because we had the time to do so . DS3,satisfied that the coin and landmark matched, was happy to meander to the park and climb and play on the slides and swings. In the afternoon we went to a beach for a couple of hours and spent time drawing pictures in the sand and clambering over the rocks. It was wonderful and reminded me of the times I would do the same as a child with my grandfather. A day of making memories with DS and being reminded of happy memories from the past:):):). The only spending was for the car park and we did have an ice-cream each as a birthday treat.

We had planned to go out for a birthday treat to McD0nalds. Up to now the ex and I have gone out with the children to celebrate birthdays. Yesterday though, despite mentioning it briefly last weekend, the ex made no contact until 5.30, having missed his midweek time with the children this week. I went to collect DD1 from work with the other children and stopped to call to ascertain which of the 2 places equidistant from home, we were going, only to be told he wasn't coming. I didn't mind but DS2 had opted to travel with the ex, believing that he was joining us, so ended up missing out altogether and DS3 had about 5 minutes of contact on his birthday.:mad:

The next cluster of birthdays is upon us, so DS3 yesterday, my DB today and DD2 next week. I got DD's present this week so am all ready, bar making the cake, although DD1 has offered to do that as she has the day off:).

On Wednesday I returned home from work to find that the 4 DDs at home had gone out blackberry picking and picked another 3 pounds:j. Most have been put into the freezer but some DD1 used to create a spectacular pavlova. She'd done a layer of whipped cream, then a layer of blackberry curd, another layer of cream and then topped with a layer of shiny, fresh blackberries. It was also incredibly rich. There's not many puddings that defeat me, but this one did :rotfl:. Small portions all round .

Cherryfudge

Such a shame about the missing McD's, but so good about all the rest.

I too reduced my work hours (this was last year after I had an accident when pushing myself despite being tired). Yes, it's less money, though I can still pick up extras, but it's nice to be less stressed and like you, I make up some of the difference with cooking from scratch.

Wow! to the blackberries! It's a good year for them. The pavlova sounds amazing... I've never heard of blackberry curd but from your description it's a hit. Apparently blackberries are good in much the same way as blueberries so getting them for free is a double bonus.

crazy_cat_lady

I am incredibly jealous of the blackberries, and even more of the pavlova. It sounds amazing.
Also sounds like you enjoyed the day with ds3 - shame on your ex for not coming to the birthday food though. Unfortunately, nothing surprises me though...

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge and CCL.

I wasn't as productive as I'd hoped to be yesterday. It turned out to be very wet so no blackberrying done and washing still waiting to go on the line today. DD1 had a day off and was quite low so I spent time with her. She's back to university in 2 weeks time and I will miss her.

We did work out a menu plan for the coming week and did the weekly shop. I'm determined to get the weekly shopping billl down. We have been better over the summer. Usually in term time I spend about £600 on food which creeps up to £800 in holiday times but this year I've been able to keep it down to the term time figure more. This is, in part, to DS1 being out with his friends much more and choosing to eat out and partly because DD1 is savvy and will take whatever is left over to work the next day! I know there is still room for improvement. Yesterday's shop came to £67 and I just need to get meat from the butchers today.

Today looks to be busy, the youngest DD has an optician's appointment in the nearest big town, my parents are visiting and DD4 has a friend over for the day and for a sleepover. I am fighting panic about work but determined not to let it overwhelme today.

savingholmes

Hope you avoid overwhelm. Disappointing that ex let you and the kids down but assume that is one of many reasons he is the ex. Pavlova sounds amazing. Well done on taking a step towards self-care with reducing your hours and making precious memories with your DS.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Saving Holmes .

Yesterday did turn out to be quite busy. The eye appointment that I thought would take half to three quarters of an hour ( based on my past experiences there) took 2 hours:eek:. DS3 was getting somewhat restless, as was I (!) by the time we got out. DD needs glasses so we'll be back there next week to collect them.

My parents came to visit which was lovely. My mum brought 2 bags of apples that she had been gifted but was too much for them to use up. Half got promptly peeled, chopped and put into the freezer. The apples will come in handy to use with the blackberries in the winter. The rest of them got turned into apple amber this evening! I'm thankful for free food .

My mum also brought up some odds and bits from my grandmother's house. The most fascinating was a beginner's guide to knitting from the 1940s . My mum still hopes that one day I will love knitting. She and both of my grandmothers tried to get me interested but I could never get past the squeaky sound of wool against needles. I was pleasantly surprised that I could still understand the abbreviations .

The late eye appointment meant that the local butchers shop was shut so I ended up having to go to Mr T's to get the meat for the menu plan. I timed it to pick up DD1 and got there in time to pick up lots of YS fruit . DD4 had a friend over, so I ended up making pizza dough and letting the children make their own pizza;).

Today has been spent getting work things ready. I have had times of dread but really trying to keep calm...I know it's the thought of the busyness, which will be fine when I get there but can feel overwhelming at the beginning of term times. I got busy in the kitchen instead and made chocolate cherry brownies, spicy apple muffins and apple amber. The apple muffins went very quickly so will need to top up tins later in the week. I also made a lasagne for tomorrow that only needs to be reheated. DD1 is off work tomorrow so can put it in the oven so that it will be done by the time I get home .

NSD today

Honeysucklelou2

NSD again today:j.

Had a busy yet pleasant day at work today . DD1 got the lasagne in the oven so that we could all sit down to a hot meal when we got home. I should have baked tonight but have been doing work tasks so will have to catch up tomorrow.

I did manage a quick walk round the allotment. It was a funny light at dusk tonight. I was trying to pick as many blackberries as I could in the fading light. It was just under 1lb which will go straight in the freezer. I think we have almost 1 drawer full of fruit. I must harvest the apples this week before they all get blown off the tree. It is starting to feel distinctly autumnal. Tonight is the first night I've felt chilly since about May!

savingholmes

You are reminding me that I need to pick more of my apples too. They are nice enough - just too many maggots have been visiting... Your allotment sounds good - did you have to wait long?