From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Janb5 & Cherryfudge.

The recipe looks delicious Jan, it’s amazing how a few dates, when mixed with liquid, can end up as a delicious cake.  I think you’re right re DD1. She is probably the best chance I’ve got to try and explain about life from a financial perspective. She might even get him to start saving. The concept of an EF is one that she has taken to heart from her first summer job at 17.

Cherryfudge - I’m not sure quite how hardy I’ll be in the winter months! Running in a circular route was more enjoyable than running halfway and back again, so might see if, as we get further through C25K, we can devise some more circular running routes.

I seem to have spent most of the last 2 days in front of a computer screen, partly on writing reports and partly trying to do an online course for CPD purposes. Unfortunately the course is excruciatingly slow to load - we’re talking 5 minutes to load a page-  so the 50 pages I did yesterday took several hours. I’m determined not to go near the work computer today and get outside to catch up on some gardening and walking.

One job I did get done yesterday was to set up a Help to Save account. I had a letter about it last year alerting me to the fact I was eligible for one, so finally got on with it yesterday. After all the recent expenses of oven, hob, vets bills and the ongoing legal fees I do feel the need to build up some savings. The EF really did make a difference to being able to meet those vet bills but needs replenishing.

DS1 didn’t do tea on Friday, must have seen my face, and offered to do tea yesterday instead. He bought Mr T’s version of takeaway boxes, so a very different meal for us all. A real treat! A shock for him to realise how expensive food is but part of his life learning!

janb5

It does look so positive that DS` offered another option so I`d maximize on that.  it must often feel that he is resisting everything  and kicking at the traces but maybe there is a significant shift in his viewpoint.  Also even Tesco`s takeaways  are costly so he might think `how could I do this for cheaper?`.......we live in hope!

You`ve not mentioned Ex recently so I`m guessing he`s having his baths elsewhere (!) or maybe your email to your solicitor had the desired effect.  I`m sure the elderly lurcher will be pleased and I think you have other dogs too.

Looking forward to walking somewhere this week albeit at a social distance( hate that phrase!)  Shielding appears endless atm.

savingholmes

Well done on the run and the H2S account. Good luck with getting your kids to contribute. I'm sure having DD home is allowable given that you are her permanent home until she sets up home for herself.

lucielle

Your gardening and allotment is sounding really good.  Hope DS1 starts to pay his way.  I wouldn't be doing his washing or anything else for that matter.
L

Mumoffourkids

Good to hear you have set up a help to save account. I have had one for over two years now and got my first bonus in April this year. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Janb5, SH, Lucielle & Mumoffourkids.

Jan - Since we no longer have a bath in the house, it just goes to show that the ex is capable of keeping himself clean without coming here. He is still coming round ( ostensibly to see the children) more than I would like but at least he is keeping his dog well away from mine, so the elderly lurcher has had some peace. I’m going to ask for mediation to be done via digital means...it’s not impossible, but otherwise everything will drag on for even longer. Hope you are able to enjoy your walk this week...

I had a bit of a baking session this morning and made 2 triple layer carrot cakes with cream cheese icing. I gifted one and kept one for us. I made a batch of vanilla cupcakes and used up some past-their-best apples by grating them and making apple flapjack.

DD2 and I were desperate to get outside for a decent walk this afternoon. We drove, with the youngest 3, to a small NT car park about 5 miles away. The car park was quite full but we didn’t see many people. We took a public footpath which led us through some fields and onto the coast path. It was a tale of contrast this afternoon. In front of us the sea was a deep mid blue colour with a golden sheen across the sea, at the point where the sun was shining on it. It was incredibly calm, not even the splash of waves was heard as it was just a ripple reaching the shore. As we looked at the shoreline, it was so clear we could see the rocks underneath the water and the seaweed clinging to those rocks. The sea at the shoreline was a sparkling turquoise colour, looked really inviting!  Yet a few miles further up the coast, the sea was an inky blue, almost to the point of black. The sky was full of stormy looking clouds and visibility came and went as presumably heavy rain showers hit the villages further up the coast. Incredible to see such differing sky and sea from one vantage point.

I’ve had some highs and lows at the allotment. On the plus side, the sweet peas have started to flower. I picked a few stems which are scenting the bedroom with their delicate fragrance. The lettuces are ready, so I picked one and brought it home and have put it into a jug so that the roots remain in water and we can pick the leaves of the lettuce as we want them.  The mangetout are continuing to flower ( really pretty flowers) and produce purple pods. Cerinthe is in flower, which looks really good.

On the not so positive side, I am feeling rather annoyed at the rabbit population around the allotment. They have choice weeds they could eat but no, they decided to eat all of my hollyhocks, runner beans and broccoli. Not a single plant left, all neatly nibbled off at the same height. Thankfully the sunflowers are ok but I’m hoping the they aren’t the next snack of choice, for the rabbits. Some beds are wired but looks like I need to make a couple of beds more secure.

janb5

I love your descriptions HSl- the scenery sounds magnificent .  

Is there a way that you can deter the rabbits - netting etc?  Does it work?

Sun_Addict

Your coastal walk sounds fabulous.  We had a torrential downpour of rain early evening yesterday with flash floods, then the sun came out again. Sorry to hear about the rabbits munching their way through your allotment produce, hope you can find a solution.

janb5

I was so looking forward to my walk but I tried to find out today when my new shed will be delivered.  Apparently they use two firms for deliveries- one lets the customer know and the other doesn`t.....!  So I asked how I can go out and would they deliver anyway...oh no we cant deliver if you`re not there! D`oh!  I pointed out that it means I will be effectively here for 3 weeks without knowing the time of delivery.  Why is it they talk about 15  business days..what on earth is wrong with 3 weeks!

janb5

Hi HSL- I spoke to my friend who has an allotment like you and asked about the rabbit problem.  She said you have to dig chicken wire around the area and quite deep down to prevent them digging underneath.  HTH.