From debt to freedom...

Spendless

Happy New Year. Just had a catch up as my PC broke (harddrive just as it went out of warranty). Fortunately I have a computer student son, who never throws computer parts away, so was able to fix it from something we must have stopped using years ago!
As I read about the issue with the bank I remembered mine (different bank) no longer does Saturday counter services either. Nightmare for people who work f-time Mon-Fri. Definitely change that in the New Year.
How's your DD1 now plans have changed? Good she was able to be with you for Christmas day and I could certainly understand your concerns re isolating and food.
I've been in Tier3 for ages and it seemed so frustrating to a lot of the rest of the country, who knew it's end up being a better prospect than for many. Don't think it'll stop in thei Tier for long though, expect further restrictions to come. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Lucielle, Cherryfudge, CCL, SH & Spendless - a happy new year to you all.

SH - Thank you for your kind words. It’s humbling to think that my ramblings about the allotment have inspired anyone but glad that people may have had a go at growing things.

Spendless - DD1 is in limbo somewhat. The country that she was moving to, aren’t allowing entry to non-nationals until the 15th January and even then she will have to take Covid tests both here before she flies and as soon as she lands there. In addition she will have to self isolate for 14 days, so is unlikely to be able to be in face to face lectures until the end of January. Her course starts on the 14th January, so I’m hoping that they have some sort of remote provision. Thankfully her flat mates are already there self isolating but they came in from a different country. At least it means they will be out of their self isolation period and at least able to maybe get some groceries for her by the time DD1 gets there. We are very much having to take things day by day, but I am so very very thankful for the extra time we are able to have with her.

Yesterday was a lovely day. We woke up to a cold and frosty morning, so waited until 11 ish before setting off to the beach. We live down a lane that carries on up a hill for about a mile and ends in a T junction where we meet the main coast road. All the way up our lane, puddles were frozen over and signs of a heavy frost everywhere. As we turned  onto the coast road, the inland side of the road remained completely frosted while the seaward side was clear and all puddles just water! We drove to the beach and DDs 1, 2 & 3 went into the water. It was so beautiful and calm at the beach. Not good for the surfers but great conditions for the surprising amount of people that were also taking a New Years Day plunge into the sea. DD2 did at least have a rash vest on but the other 2 threw themselves in wearing just a bikini 🥶. The younger DDs and DS3 enjoyed playing their favourite running game while the elderly lurcher padded about. His vision isn’t brilliant as he can only see out of one eye so I have to guide him around the deeper pools on the beach. The tide was out so lots of space to be able to socially distance🙂. Walking back up the cliff to the road, the beach looked amazing. The blue sky was reflected in the water lying on the beach from the receding tide so looked like a small lake on the beach!

I came back feeling so peaceful and content. The ex was here shortly after we got back which I wasn’t expecting but thankfully he took 2 children out for a while. DD1, DS3 and I managed another walk across various fields and lanes to a nearby hamlet and back again. DS 3 delighted in crunching through any puddles that still had ice in or on them!

I do confess to an unexpected spend...I had to take DD1 to Mr T’s to get a card for her camera and spotted soup mugs reduced to £2. DD2’s dogs seem to have attacked  and chewed the last 3 soup mugs I have had, so I took the opportunity to get one while it was reduced by over 50%. 

savingholmes

Dips in the sea in January!!! It's just started snowing here... 

Parkyp

Ooh what hardcore children you have 😂😂, I’m feeling 🥶 at the thought of a dip in the sea. 

lucielle

well done them  I'd love to go wild swimming but worried about heart failure due to cold water
L

Sun_Addict

You’d never catch me doing anything that involved cold water. Not a chance in hell. All kudos to your DDs, they are very brave. Brr 🥶🥶 Chris Evans extols the virtues of a cold shower on his Virgin Radio breakfast show, I extol the virtues of a nice hot bath, I don’t do cold in any way shape or form. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH, Parkyp, Lucielle & SA.

Lucielle - I was concerned about adverse reactions if I plunged in with them. DD3 was muttering that it was time I joined them!

SA - I agree with you. I’m not into cold water! One of my colleagues enthuses about wild swimming and ice cold baths.🥶😱😳 I am yet to be convinced!

Yesterday (Sat) turned out to be quite a lazy day 😊.  A couple of the DCs needed help with various tasks which took some time. I took the rest of the Christmas decorations down ( the tree came down on the 28th  as DS3 kept asking why it was still up when Christmas has passed ) so the box of decorations needs returning to the attic today.

I took DD3 out for some driving  practice. I’m trying to strike a balance between encouraging her in her driving and not exceeding the petrol budget as we are doing so many miles on quiet lanes.

Unbelievably, between helping on tasks and driving practice, I ran out of daylight hours for a walk, so decided to go on an evening, torch lit walk instead. We followed the same figure of 8 loop that we would have done in daylight with the exception of not using one public footpath that would have taken us through someone’s farmyard.  It was a lovely walk, even in the dark and in the fields we were able to see the stars so clearly. We enjoyed looking at the Christmas lights too.

On our return, I ended up spending a couple of hours rewriting my plans for work, into a parent friendly with resources format as a “ just in case” measure should there be any last minute changes in the education world today. I’ll have at least 2 DCs at home this week needing to access lessons online...hope the broadband width bears up. DD3 didn’t have much to do in the last lockdown whereas her college are totally geared up for online lessons following the same timetable as if in college.

Have a good Sunday everyone 🙂.

savingholmes

Torchlit walk sounds fun. Good luck with the school and work situation. I wouldn't want to be in education right now

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH.

What a different start to the new term! Youngest DD had a day in school and now lockdown #3.  It’s going to be a bit of a juggling act. DS3 is now of school age so will need more time put towards his home learning than when he was of nursery age. DD3 had nothing to do last time as her exams were cancelled but she will have online lectures in real time. Let’s hope the broadband bears up with the various online needs of the children.

Yesterday ( Mon) was quite a pleasant day. I usually work in job 2 on Monday, so no work due to work being closed. I had chance to give the living  room a good clean, did 4 or 5 batches of washing up and got to the allotment for half an hour while DD2 kindly baked a cake with DS3. I’ve been trying to be more organised with taking anything compostable to the allotment and into a big compost bin. I spent a bit of time in the greenhouse clearing away the residue of last season’s tomato plants and will endeavour to get the glass cleaned on my next visit to be ready for the new growing year. I do enjoy any time I can spend at to allotment even in winter. There is always something to see and appreciate. A couple of robins often come and keep an eye on what I’m doing!

The direct debits left the account yesterday. I’m waiting until Thursday when my next wage comes in from job no 2 to pay off some more. I’m trying to keep a bit in my account in case anything crops up but when more comes in, then I can move some to an overpayment no matter how small. £50 got paid off yesterday in normal direct debit payments. I did get an email telling me that my cheque for tax claimed back on my union subscriptions , will be posted today so hoping that I can bank that by the end of the week and knock some more off the debt figure.

I had decided to try and make yesterday the start of a more healthy eating/ exercise focussed time but failed already as DD2 & DS3 made an enormous chocolate cake which DD2 insisted I tried and a gift arrived containing my favourite type of chocolates. Must try much, much harder tomorrow.

janb5

A familiar 'click'tells me that HSL is improving the early hours!
Wwll done on knocking down the debt and also gaining the tax rebate. 
I guess lots of people are needing more broadband at the moment. Could you see when your current contract comes to an end to negotiate a better deal?
I was lucky y'day as I was given a better tv from one of ny sons and originally thought my Freeview wasnt compatible but thanks to a local TV guy discovered it was. Glad to know I cam still record programmes when out...even tho' going out isn't an option right now!