From debt to freedom...

Cherryfudge

Iris reticulata are exquisite, aren't they? Thanks for the photo!

janb5

Apple Amber...a new one... please post recipe!

Onebrokelady

I hope you enjoy The Salt Path,I always feel nervous when someone reads a book I've liked in case they are disappointed 😀 
Post divorce if you keep hold of the house you can legally change the locks so that would stop him entering the property when you aren't there. I also think that if he is coming into your house and removing your belongings you would have grounds to change the locks now 😊

lucielle

Lovely photo
L

feeldaburn

I've read through your entire diary in the last few days and have really enjoyed it! Although I am annoyed that ex is still around and not sorted yet  
Just a thought - you mentioned changing DD1's mobile contract for international usage - have/can you change it back now she's not gone abroad?

Bluegreen143

Like @feeldaburn I’ve just binge read your whole diary!

It’s such a great read - you have a great way of writing. Where you live sounds incredibly idyllic and makes me wish I lived in the country next to the sea! What a lovely place to bring up children and all the walks you do with them sound amazing.

I live in Glasgow properly in the middle of the city and I’ve always liked being so close to so many parks, museums, restaurants/bars (before kids that is when I could still afford that!), the science centre etc. This last year has made me reevaluate a bit as being trapped in a city hasn’t been the best lockdown experience - yes, there are lots of lovely parks and a river walkway nearby but they are all very busy most of the time and usually full of litter too. And all the things I used to do with the kids like the museums, swimming, playgroups etc have obviously been off-limits so I guess I’ve not experienced any of the advantages of city life in the last year!m

I can’t believe how well you manage with no help financially from your ex. I’m actually speechless having just sat and read everything he’s put your through since you started this diary! I agree with other comments too, that it’s a case of going slowly now but in a few years you will be in a much better off position financially as the older 4-5 children become independent. Hopefully that allows you to get your own mortgage post-divorce.

PS it’s so heartwarming to read of your children pitching in and the big ones helping with the littler ones, you seem to have such a lovely family dynamic (apart from DS1 having some attitude). Dangerous for me to read about a lovely big happy family as I am very broody for having a DC3 (when DS was the age DD is, I was just about pregnant with her so it’s bringing back memories now) but husband is keen to stop at 2. I’m hoping to wear him down over time 😆

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you everyone for your comments. Wow Feeldaburn and Bluegreen143 - that must have taken some time! Thanks for reading !

Spendless - Last time I looked into mortgages, I didn’t count DD1 as she was at uni, but the mortgage company ( L&C) did include her as a dependent, which meant all of my children were then classed as dependents. 18 months on, 3 have finished their courses / started work and are legally adults so hopefully there may be more room to get a mortgage.

OBL - I am really enjoying “ The Salt Path” so far. I’m 6 chapters in! My lovely brother sent me the sequel as a birthday gift this week, so I think he and my parents had collaborated so am very thankful! Interesting point about being able to change the locks as my things are not respected....will look into that further.

Feeldaburn - that is  a good point about the phone contract. I’m not being charged the £50 a month I was told, but instead paying £38, so not sure what it covers. I’ve done an unlimited data contract for her through uni which proved invaluable as when the broadband was too poor for her lectures or submissions she was able to carry on via data on the phone. 

Bluegreen143 - I do count my blessings every day that I live in a rural setting. I really do marvel at how people with young children have managed during lockdown in city areas. 

Its been a busy week adjusting to work with a full class and generally getting back into the normal school routine. DD3 & 4 were really excited about seeing their friends again. Although DD4 has gone in as a keyworker child, she hasn’t seen her friends as they all been remote learning. DD1 & DD2 have been stars this week at pitching in and helping out.

Garden wise, the tomatoes are just about ready for repotting and the cornflowers and larkspur are through! I need more hours in the day to get to the allotment and start preparing beds!

The one disadvantage of returning to a normal routine is the petrol bill rising. I had no school runs on the days I wasn’t working which did help. It’s back to taxiing, so Monday and Friday this week have meant 5 trips in and out of the nearest big town to transport children to the right places or pick them up. I intend to enjoy staying within the locality for the weekend😊.

 

Honeysucklelou2

Janb5- I haven’t forgotten your question! Apple Amber is, in my opinion, one of the best comfort foods going!! My mum used to make it for special occasions and it’s a recipe I used to cook when at uni myself and have made many times over for my children!

2lb cooking apples
4 oz sugar
3 oz butter
Juice and rind of 1 lemon ( optional)
3 eggs
1 tbsp caster sugar for each egg white.

Put the sugar, butter, lemon juice and rind in a saucepan with the peeled and chopped apples. Simmer them until the apples are soft and can be fluffed into a purée with a fork. Separate the eggs and stir the egg yolks into the apple ( this helps to give the Amber colour). Pour into an oven proof dish.

Whip the egg whites until they are stiff. Fold in the caster sugar . ( The recipe says 1 tbsp but I usually allow 2 oz per egg white.) . Put the meringue on top of the apple . Put into the oven. I usually put it in at 160 degrees . I’m afraid I’m not very exact with me timings. I usually cook it until I can smell it, which usually works for me! With this recipe I cook it until the meringue mixture has risen and gone a golden colour.

Enjoy!

Sun_Addict

I don’t know how you fit it all in, working, the children, gardening and the allotment. Definitely a superwoman.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SA, but I must confess the size of the weeds at the allotment are shocking😲!