From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

I collected DD1 yesterday; it's so lovely to have her home :T:). Today, we have a Christmas bring and share type meal. My friend is cooking the main meal and we're taking desserts, so last night after we got back, I made a meringue that just needs to have cream and fruit added to be a meringue roulade. I've made some chocolate pastry as the start of raspberry and white chocolate tart and found my silicone Christmas tree shaped "tin" to make a festive lemon drizzle cake.

Tomorrow it's Christmas lunch at school so by Tuesday a long walk will be welcome after lots of festive food!!

Mumoffourkids

I know what you mean about days off being taken up by other jobs. That seems to be my life at the moment!

You have inspired me to start baking again though so I will be doing more of that over Christmas and will hopefully carry on into the new year.

Honeysucklelou2

That's great, Mumoffourkids. Glad you feel inspired to bake. I find a few cakes / buns/ muffins help to keep children filled up, especially the teenage boy.

Finished work today, so am feeling fairly shattered! Unfortunately DD2 has to do an extra day at work ( an hour's journey) and the bus doesn't operate tomorrow as it's a term-time bus, so we'll be up bright and early to take her to work. I'll try to combine her working time with getting the last few Christmas presents sorted.

DD2 passed her theory driving test today, so relief all round. I'm really glad she has passed before Christmas. She is keen to get cracking with her practical driving test now.

Cherryfudge

Well done to your DD! I hope you get all the shopping completed, and somehow do it without wearing yourself out.

louby40

Oh so glad your DD passed her theory. It took my DS 4 attempts

He has his practical test on the 23rd Jan so fingers crossed.

redofromstart

I hate the whole Christmas Jumper thing. Spend £10 on a singe wear jumper and donate £1 to the charity? I'd rather donate the money in the first place.

Totally agree on the baking to fill up teenagers - even chocolate crispy cakes help (value cereal, value chocolate - last of the big spenders here).

Honeysucklelou2

Spent yesterday getting the last few presents from the nearest town. I've tried to keep costs down and been practical with the older children's gifts. DD1 was able to choose some boots on Thursday and although the shop didn't have them in her size, they will post free of charge, so should be here just after Christmas.

I'm hoping to go and get the food shopping done in the next hour or so, then I can concentrate on baking mince pies and gingerbread and icing the Christmas cake. My parents come for Christmas Day and my mum makes the pudding so that's one less thing to think about! I found a new recipe online this week for after eight cupcakes which I thought I'd try.

I'm finding the situation with the ex harder to deal with at Christmas than I thought. Birthdays I can deal with. The "let's all go out for a meal" seems to work. The ex is usually at one end of the table and me at the other, children all in between and it means that the children can celebrate their birthdays with both of us there. Christmas just seems trickier somehow. He has never liked Christmas despite our best efforts to make it as fun as possible and won't commit to times to see the children or take them out so it makes it harder to plan things.

The chicks are all growing fast. I moved them outside this week and they have got the idea of going into their little house quite quickly. I made sure that I got plenty of food in to see them over the festive period.

I also got to Home Bargains yesterday and did a cleaning shop so stocked up on surface sprays, dishcloths, loo roll and the like. It seemed easier to do that and leave today to concentrate just on the food!

Cherryfudge

Aw, I want chicks!

Perhaps the thing to do for Christmas plans is to make your own and let ex know - then he will have to fit in with you and can't say he wasn't told. You could include a choice of two times for him to see the children as he's left it so late to commit.

If I don't 'see' you before, have a lovely Christmas x

Spendless

Thought of you this week Honeysuckle when got a message from DD's drama group saying to wear Xmas jumpers. (it wasn't for charity). DD who is 14 doesn't have one, though she did when younger. One of the Mums messaged back to say her daughter wouldn't be wearing one as 'it wasn't cool enough for her'. :rotfl: and with that no-one would wear one.

Like that you got the boots, good idea to get practical things that they'll need.


Echoing Cherryfudge's advice and doing what my husband calls the 'alternative close' (it's a sales technique) you don't say 'When are you going to .....?' because that gives a get out clause. Instead you say 'Are you doing x or y?' So not 'when are you seeing the kids on xmas day' but instead 'Are you going to take the kids at 10am or 2pm on xmas day' Choose times convenient to you and where you're left with plan B if he does a no show.

Have a good Christmas.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Spendless and Cherryfudge. I hadn't thought of phrasing questions like that. Normally it's me asking on a Wednesday, which part of the weekend he wants to see the children to be met with a non-commital response. I will think carefully about how to phrase the question next time.

Veg is prepared, the star 3D tree has been made, cooked and iced. We've made gingerbread biscuits and meringue topped mince pies. The children have been busy rolling and cutting out the dough. The local crib service was an interesting one.

Merry Christmas one and all!:xmastree: