From debt to freedom...

magicgirl

That is a huge victory HSL - seriously, well done!


It will soon become second nature and I hope one day you will look back and laugh about this time. You do need a different sort of strength when dealing with single or shared parenting as I am finding but you are taking steps to change the things that I know must be so hard for you at times. So just wanted to give you a high five.

crazy_cat_lady

I'm pleased that you got something for dinner - it's a start that now just needs to be maintained. Stick to your guns.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge, Magicgirl & CCL. I've had quite a surprise today. This morning DS1 alerted me to the fact he had bought some bacon yesterday within his ingredients shop. I've been able to make bacon and egg pie for tea this evening . When I got home this evening he told me he'd been past a Mr T's and had gone in and bought some doughnuts for dessert and promptly handed them to me :shocked:. I was speechless! He then went on to clean out the fire and light it without being asked to. I'm stunned...it's like having a different child. Long may it continue :rotfl:.

Today has been productive. I've been able to make a decision that has been weighing on me but feel happier at having made it. Nursery fees have been paid and a decent Mr T shop rather than the absolute bare bones we've done for the last 3 weeks. By a decent shop, I mean we've stocked up on cleaning products, washing liquid for clothes, eggs and a fair amount of frozen veg . Unfortunately I forgot present for the next party that DD has been invited to, so will need to sort that asap.

DS3 and I took a dog to the woods this afternoon. We went 5 days ago but the stream that runs along the edge of the wood was double the width compared to last weekend and very fast flowing. It was a lovely afternoon. The sun was quite low in the sky so the sunlight was streaming between the trees, lighting up some of the leaves on the path. We walked as quietly as we could and watched the wood pigeons flying around. I was so glad to have a break in the weather to be able to get out. It wasn't too cold, more of a crisp coolness!

The fire is giving off a lovely level of heat. It's the first fire we've had this Autumn so the living room is feeling delightfully cosy. I should be doing some work tasks but the temptation to read and relax is looking the preferable option .

Buffythedebtslayer

I really hope you are reading and relaxing! So glad to read about DS1 XXXXXXXXXXXxx

Cherryfudge

Smashing news about DS buying food and laying the fire! We had our first fire of the season the other day, too: very hygge!

A bit of relaxation now might energise you in the longer term?

magicgirl

Wow! I need some of that magic for my ones. lolz
So glad he's been so proactive. Long may it continue.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Buffy, Cherryfudge and Magicgirl.

I had hoped yesterday would have been a NSD but it turned out otherwise. I took DD3 to look at another option for next September. In the vicinity was a Farmf00ds. I've never been to one before - it was rather big and echoey but did have some offers on, so I bought some fish and fruit to put in the freezer. In leaner weeks, it'll help the menu plan along. I also bought some dried fruit and the smallest possible bottle of brandy to start the Christmas cake. I usually make it in the October half term, but I couldn't afford the ingredients in half term, so better late than never! I usually make a 10" square cake and a couple of smaller 8" circular cakes and sometimes a Christmas tree shaped cake using a silicone mould picked up in a Lakeland sale years ago!

We're going to a friend's for lunch today so have been busy making lemon drizzle cake, carrot cake, a white chocolate and raspberry tart and some chocolate brownies. The brownies are for DS1 to pack up as he is working away this week. It'll be interesting as he hasn't been one for travelling far in the past (from choice) . I think I'll make another gingerbread cake in a minute to see us through lunch boxes this week.

Still got some work tasks to finish off. Hopefully will get those done before we go to lunch so the are not weighing on my mind.

Cherryfudge

If it's any help. a friend tells me that Christmas cake can be matured more quickly if frozen. She tried it and it really worked. I can imagine she's right as frozen cakes somehow change texture. You are still ahead of my usual time for making the Christmas cake, but I managed October this year.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge...didn't know that, but will have to try.

Work has been a little calmer this week although I did end up going in on my day off yesterday for half a day to catch up on things and get ahead for next week.

2 of the children have come down with a temperature / achey type bug. Instead of automatically picking up a bottle of C@lpol, I realised that Mr T did an own brand version with the same amount of paracetamol per 5ml as the C@alpol version but £1.50 cheaper so that went into the basket!

Yesterday, on the school run, there was the most amazingly bright double rainbow I've ever seen. Simply stunning. As I looked at it, I'd never noticed before that when you get the second bow behind the first one, the colours are the opposite way giving the effect of the 2 lots of red being mirrored. Amazing!

This week has been noticeably colder so I did get a fire lit last night and I slumped in front of " The Good Life". I felt a bit guilty for not being very productive but it was good to be able to relax and feel warm. I wasn't quite sure what to cook last night, but really didn't want to spend anything, so we had an interesting mix - smoked kippers served with small cubed and roasted potatoes with onions and rosemary thrown in. Sweet corn and peas as the veg to accompany. It was certainly colourful! Pudding was a twist on Eve's pudding but using apples and blackberries beneath the sponge top. The apples were the very last stragglers from the tree in the garden. I'd bought some cream for the desserts cooked for lunch on Sunday, which I don't usually buy. I had about half the pot left which went nicely with the Eve's pudding . There is a certain satisfaction about being able to use up food we already have rather than spending even more on groceries .

Cherryfudge

I'm another who hunts out own brand equivalents especially for anti-inflammatories and painkillers. £1.50 is quite a hefty percentage! I hope the little ones are feeling better soon.

Tea sounds really tasty (and healthy)