From debt to freedom...

janb5

I wonder how your older children get on with each other.  Might it be an idea for your older daughter to speak to your son  and discuss the reality of living away from home, costs of running a house and the impact it is having on you?  I agree with Sashybo that when you are that age, it  doesn`t register just how expensive everything is.  I know you have a large family and to keep everything working is no mean feat!  xx

XSpender

Sorry to hear the old boy needs an operation.  It’s so worrying when they are elderly.

crazy_cat_lady

Hi HSL - when NT1 needed her third £1000+ operation this year, my vet mentioned to me about a company that let you have an interest free loan to pay back over 12 months. They pay the vet direct as it's specifically for veterinary treatment, and you pay them back monthly. I didn't use it but I thought it was a really good idea - may be worth bearing in mind, although I hope your ds removes his pig headedness and helps out.

Drawingaline

I hope your dog is ok. It must be a worry.

Cherryfudge

Excuse me hijacking your thread HSL, but I think so many gardeners gather here that it seemed a good place to post the link to the Gardener's World magazine that has free seeds this month: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/gardeners-world/?utm_content=1590150476&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter#52714

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH, Sashybo, Cherryfudge, Janb5, XSpender, CCL & DAL.

CCL - Thank you for mentioning loans for vet treatment. I had no idea that they existed.

Janb5 - my older DDs get exasperated by DS1. DD2 will give me the £15 a month contribution to her car insurance on the dot every month. 

Cherryfudge - Thank you for the magazine tip...will investigate!

Saturday was a busy day. I had to take the elderly lurcher to the vets for a check up on his eye. The vet practice was locally owned and run but is now part of a bigger business group so not all branches are open on a Saturday, so it was a 50 mile round trip for his check up. The vet gave me more medication for him and we have a check up on Tuesday, thankfully locally.  Getting eye drops into his eye is not an easy job. Considering he’s elderly and can only see out of one eye, he is remarkably adept at spotting the eye drop bottle in one’s hand and then bolting off in the opposite direction! We have 9 doses a day to get in...

The DDs, DS3, the elderly lurcher and I made it to the allotment on Saturday afternoon. DD2 did her amazing clearance of overgrown ground again, the youngest DD raked to a nice fine tilth which meant by the end of the afternoon I was able to  plant out the runner beans, sweet corn, sunflowers and broccoli.  DD3 earthed up the potatoes again. The gooseberries are getting bigger week by week...not long until harvest.

Yesterday I caught up on some baking - flapjacks, vanilla cupcakes & chocolate brownies - some of which we used to pack up a picnic.  We drove about 7 miles from home and parked near a small church hidden on the edge of some woodland. We followed a public footpath sign which took us deep into the woods. It was fabulous...the wild garlic flowers had mainly died off but the leaves were very much alive so the air was filled with the garlic aroma. Some of the last bluebells were in flower, the majority had green seed pods held on the stems. The new leaves were out on the trees with that vibrant fresh green that you only find in Spring.  We wandered along the path, which led to a footbridge over the river and onto a path that ran parallel to the river. It was bliss to listen to the birdsong and the sound of the ever moving river, flowing over the slate stones, on the way to the sea. Cow parsley was in flower along the river bank and dozens of butterflies were enjoying the sunny day.  Further down the path we saw huge stepping stones across the river which brought us back into the coolness of the woods. It was quite a steep walk back to find the church and the cars but worth it to see the view of the woods in front of us, the freshly unfurled ferns stretching out over the path and the sunlight giving a dappled effect through the trees. I felt much refreshed, despite the steep hill.  We could have gone to sea but I’m still cautious  about going to the beach, particularly on sunny days at peak times. Even this hidden woodland walk had a couple of groups of people walking but plenty of space to socially distance.

The walk was a bit too long and hilly for the elderly lurcher, so I took him out later in the evening on a walk through the fields. It’s amazing how many walks and beautiful places are right on our doorsteps. If we had to draw a 10 mile radius around our hometown or village, I wonder how many public footpaths we would find. Although the woodland was only a few miles from home, I’m so used to driving in the opposite direction to access the nearest big town, I forget that such gems are quite close. Years ago I used to live further up the coast, so the river part of the walk was an old favourite which brought back memories of my old dog, when we used to regularly ramble by the river!

Half term now for a week, so am determined to get as much done around the house and garden before going back to work.

Cherryfudge

I love your walks! Sorry you were up so late/early though: I hope you can catch up tonight.

I meant to say the Gardener's World magazine (mentioned above) also has 2 for 1 entry for many gardens which are currently shut, but the voucher lasts a year so you may yet get a chance to use it.

Drawingaline

Lol at you dogs antics! Really hope he is going to be ok 

Sun_Addict

Sounds like a lovely woodland walk. I have loads of bluebells in my garden, also lots and lots of buttercups which I’m loathe to pull up as they look so cheerful. Fingers crossed your dog will be ok.

Honeysucklelou2

I am very, very thankful today. The elderly lurcher had his operation and came through. I had been really worried that a general anaesthetic at his age would result in him not coming home. I did have a few tears this morning when I dropped home off but I am so so thankful he is home now. I am not doing anything this afternoon except sitting next to him  to reassure him when he stirs. He has a huge collar on for his own protection so he’s finding it a bit of a puzzle to move around but we have found a cool place for him to relax by the back door. I’m also thankful that if I empty my EF and odd bits sat in other pots , I can just scrape enough together to meet the bill. June will be lean but at least the bill will be paid.

While the elderly lurcher had his op, I got a bit of baking done...a lemon and elderflower layer cake.  Definitely helped as a distraction!