From debt to freedom...

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Spendless. Yes you are right, DS3 will be at secondary school in 3 years time so the childcare costs are for a season. 

This week has been a challenging one. Had to go to hospital for tests as they want to work out why my iron levels are so low. Worry about that has niggled but am now thankfully through the tests and all looks to be normal thus far which is a great blessing and a weight off my mind.

Yesterday and today have been glorious, sunny Autumn days. We went for a walk on the cliffs and  we’re thankful for fresh sea air and the sight of the bracken on the cliff tops changing to a rich brown colour and in contrast to the  surrounding fields, sea and sky.  The sea was wonderfully calm, like a mirror but when we walked around the headland and faced the beach on the other sides, the waves were quite messy and the water was a mass of white frothiness.

Today I have been outside in the garden. SO brought over a pressure washer so DD3 and I have been pressure washing the drive. I can’t recall ever doing that before so it looks a lot better and all the leaves have been swept up.

I’ve worked less at Job 2 and feel the better for it. I can’t see a way to quit completely but cutting back is better for now.

dawnybabes

My low iron levels was down to coeliac, at the time I gad no symptoms other than low iron, in later years I had all the classic signs. 

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you dawnybabes. That’s interesting as when I had one of the tests, they took a biopsy to check for coeliac disease.

Honeysucklelou2

Today has been a NSD. SO helped me to finish clearing up outside. We’ve swept up lots of leaves which will hopefully mulch down into leaf mould.

I went for a walk with DS3 this afternoon. I can see a real improvement in how far I’m able to walk and the inclines I can do without becoming breathless. I’m guessing it’s down to the iron levels increasing. Makes me realise how bad I was. I feel much better day by day. DS3 and I enjoyed the sense of space as we strolled across the fields and took in the  view of distant villages and the expanse of sky. The  bracken was all kinds of shades of yellow, green and brown as we meandered along the lanes. I love these times, listening to DS3 as he shares his thoughts about everything. It brought back happy memories of walking the same route with the older ones when they were DS3’s age.

 I have a week off Job 1 so am trying to take care to pace myself and plan in some work time to catch up with Job1, some time to see my older children and some time to walk and garden.

Cherryfudge

What a wonderful time of year to be enjoying increased energy levels! And that time one to one with your lad is priceless.

Enjoy the week off Job1!

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you Cherryfudge.

Yesterday I was a little ambitious at how much I thought I could achieve and have struggled with energy levels today. I did a couple of hours gardening and did a 6 hour shift at Job 2,

Today has been a little more leisurely. We went to a local NT property and met my parents, brother, SIL and nephews there. We don’t get to see them very often as my brother and his family live many miles away so we value and treasure the days that we can be altogether. DS3 adores his cousins who are close in age to him.  Being outside and strolling around enjoying the Autumn colours has been wonderful.

On our return, I have caught up with DS2 and hope to be able to catch up with DD2 tomorrow. Having time to be with the older ones that live elsewhere is precious too.

Tomorrow is payday so will get to grips with transfers to pots shortly.

savingholmes

Hope you recover quickly. Be kind to self....

FTbuyer18

Hi honeysuckle, I have read your entire diary over the past few weeks since starting my own and i cannot believe how inspirational i can find a stranger on the internet! I have a largeish family at 4 children, how you juggle 8 i believe, plus working full time in a very demanding role, plus another job, well it really is amazing. 

I have also been baking more and planted some bulbs just like everyone else who reads your diary. I am so pleased things worked out well regarding the mortgage, your divorce, and your SO who seems lovely. I remember reading where you talked about your grandmother having a real 'zest for life' and i think you definitly get that from her. 

You should be extremely proud of the life you have built for yourself and your children, please look after yourself and take care x

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you SH and welcome FTbuyer18. Thank you for your kind words…my grandmother did have a wonderful zest for life. She would have loved the busyness of being around all the children! I’m so glad you have been planting and baking.

I’ve had a week off from Job 1 and have tried to pace myself more. A couple of days were spend simply catching up on tasks for Job1 that needed to be done.  I had a day to catch up with DD2 at a farm shop that is halfway between our home village and where she lives now. It worked out well distance wise although we had had to navigate a different owing to a road closure. I confess I did overspend there, as we ended up having lunch there.  On different evenings, I had chance to catch up with DD1 & DsonIL and with DS2 and his gf. Having that time to catch up with the older children that don’t live in the same house is precious, as much for DS3 as for me!

savingholmes

Glad you are able to have some downtime and to connect with your young adult kids.