From debt to freedom...

Cherryfudge

How lovely to have time with your DD1!

I hope you can get some rest as well as catching up at home, it must be full on working three jobs.

Good move on the phone contracts.

savingholmes

Glad you got to see DD. Good she's taking responsibility for her bill too.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge and SH.

So thankful for a decent night’s sleep! Today will be a mixture of house jobs and prep for Job 1.

During the week  I had a statement arrive from the remaining double glazing loan. I was pleased to discover that the balance is now £888. I remember last year being very focused in getting the first window loan gone from a similar balance point. Will have to try and divert some Job 2 money...

I can’t quite get my mind around Christmas yet! It’s the first time in 5 Christmases that the children and I have known where the ex is living, so the first opportunity that the children will have to spend  time at Christmas with him. (He has been invited here for 3 of those Christmases but chose not to come). Not quite sure how to even broach it since negotiation, or even general conversation, is tricky. For the first time I also need to factor in that 4 of the older ones have met their girlfriends/boyfriends at some point in 2021 ( and therefore will in all probability be spending some time at the gf/bf’s parents’ houses), so am expecting Christmas to be more along the lines of different children coming and going at different times.  However it works out, I’m determined that the younger ones and I will have a good time!

I found an Advent calendar for DD1 that has a different flavour tea for each day. She is really into her various teas, so perfect for her! With only a few at home, I have splashed out and got them a Cadbury’s advent calendar each, when they were half price at Mr T’s which they were pleased about! We used to have a felt calendar that they each had a sweet in but it did get prone to having things snaffled before the right date 🙄.

The darker evenings and different work patterns mean that getting out for walks in the daylight has been tricky. I did get out with work on Thursday though...a walk through some local woods which was very welcome and uplifting. The colours of the leaves and the  bracken were beautiful with the occasional late flowering campion flower adding a splash of pink between the greens, yellows and browns. I’m hoping that I can get out for some decent walks over the weekend🙂.

Sun_Addict

Just concentrate on you and the young ones this Christmas. The older ones will come and go as you say, they’ll have to fit in with you. 

savingholmes

The walk sounds beautiful 

lucielle

How lovely to see your DD.  Bah Christmas!  It gets harder each year to sort my lot out.  Glad you enjoyed your walk
L

Spendless

Glad you got to spend time with your DD1.

The window loan sounds very doable to be gone. Race is on which goes first window loan or divorce finalised -lol.

Yes Christmas does evolve. I'm facing that. No DS for first time as he's going to his girlfriends and though DD will be home for Christmas, she currently studies in Scotland and I've told her to not to miss out on what might be her only New Year there. I've got between 8-9 coming, which has been  an ordinary meal time for you and am a bit daunted by it, especially since DH signed me up to it without checking with me first and it's being made and I've got a feeling no guests will contribute or help out with the day! 

Bet they all like their Advent calendars. 

janb5

Hi HSL - did you get any response from the CSA?

Buffythedebtslayer

Hope all is well XX 

Christmas is funny, I told one of my friends that I had never spent a Christmas any where but home and he was so surprised. He is hardly ever at home at Christmas. I actually felt sorry for his Mum who is a difficult woman at best. 

I am guessing the 3 jobs (HOW?) are taking the time, I hope you get to sit an have a cup of tea at some point XXXX 

janb5

Hi HSL..  hope you're ok .