From debt to freedom...

crazy_cat_lady

Fingers crossed that your ds gets sorted out soon. You amaze me with how much you get done in a working week. I'm dead on my feet and haven't done half of what you have.

Spendless

HSL - My friend's son enrolled on a L3 course today, starts on Mon. Only emailed the college Mon this week and interview today. He got 4 GCSEs at 4 or above none in English Lang and Maths, everything else was below. So it shows if there's spaces there's possibilities.

BTW- This week I also got DS grades. No explanation of why they're nearly 3 weeks later than rest of country but DS was being truthful. I asked one of his more reliable friends and no-one had them, friend had just got a 'we're looking into it' reply email from college when he enquired.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you CCL & Spendless.

Got home from the school run to realise that DS1 had gone to help his dad which is commendable in one sense, that he was doing something positive with the day, but not when he knew I was coming straight back to help him :mad:. Anyway he phoned College A , the one he applied to around the 20th Aug, and now has an interview on Tuesday. I rang College B, who thankfully had an open advice session today, so I was able to collect him and take him there. The two tutors we saw were very helpful. We know that one course is not possible as it is already oversubscribed but the other looks promising. He just needs to decide between Collge A or B. College C was ruled out on Tuesday as the course he is interested in, isn't available.

That has taken most of the day so not had much time to do anything else. The ex had to collect the other children as I simply couldn't get back in time. We've had tuna plait for tea, followed by crumble. I need to get some baking done tomorrow...the tins are absolutely empty!!

Honeysucklelou2

Today has been nicely busy, rather than overwhelmingly busy! I took DD1 to work, then came back to clear up the kitchen. DS 1 wanted to go to a local auction this morning. They happen 3 or 4 times a year and is supposed to be a machinery auction but other lots get put in. Thankfully I couldn't be tempted because every penny is spoken for this week. I was amazed by some lots...a box of old wellies, a bag of cuttlefish, a bucket of plastering trowels. All kinds of varied things. Just goes to show that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

We did a Tesco shop after the auction. I was pleased that I only spent £51. I went through the freezer before I went shopping so knew I had the ingredients for most of the meals. Next week DD2 turns 18, so one day will be a meal out to celebrate. The other meals are planned.

DD 3 started the baking today by making a batch of chocolate brownies, which were quickly demolished for pudding, I made an apple and blackberry cake, 2 batches of muffins ( one choc and one vanilla) and a lemon drizzle cake. Last week I was able to get some mini muffin cases so one batch of muffins is made up of 24 mini muffins, so half have gone into the freezer for packed lunches later in the week, when time and energy are limited!

Other than that, general cleaning has taken place and a couple of loads of washing although drying has been tricky. I've done some prep for next week but a bit more to do tomorrow as well.

Honeysucklelou2

The washing dried today as it's been quite sunny . On an MSE front, I've completely failed today. I've been asking DD2 for weeks about how she would like to celebrate her birthday. She decided on Friday that she wanted to go to a water sports place today and a meal out on her proper birthday. I had expected the meal out but not the cost of the watersports. I didn't want to disappoint her so ended up taking the older children. DD1 was working, so couldn't come. The youngest 2 were too young to go in so I took them swimming in a nearby pool. The whole lot came to £100. :( I'll have to go through everything and move money around. I'm cross with myself...I need to include an entertainment pot and also need to learn to say no.

We didn't stop for snacks or drinks. I've come straight home. Thankfully I made the pastry for a chicken pie before we left, so just had to put the pie together. There should be some Apple and blackberry cake left for pudding, so will perhaps just do another batch of muffins ( DS has had a friend over so not a lot left from yesterday) and get some soup made for tomorrow.

Spendless

Aww don't beat yourself up HSL. I think it was her 18th wasn't it? An entertainment pot is a good idea.

What about in a few weeks time, if you can find a space where there's no-ones birthday about (so they don't think it's specifically aimed at them) having a chat with the ones old enough to understand and saying that due to your budget, you need X amount of notice of what they want to do or that the budget for birthdays is Y amount unless it's a special one and then it'll be Z amount.

Hope DS1 gets sorted with a college course this week.

Honeysucklelou2

Thanks Spendless, that is a good idea to chat to the older ones...perhaps late October ish, when all the birthdays are over!

Today is DD2's 18th birthday. We went to the place of her choice for a birthday meal. It's years since I'd been to one of this chain of eateries and I couldn't remember the ordering process! All left feeling full, so the evening worked out ok. The ex and I paid half each, which helped.

The good news of today is that DS1 has settled on a college and course. He had an interview today at the college he applied to in August and starts his studies next Tuesday. Apparently the transport is free for the first two weeks, which will give me chance to complete the transport bursary forms for him.

crazy_cat_lady

I'm so pleased that your ds is sorted - that must be some weight off your mind.

Honeysucklelou2

Thank you CCL, it is very much. It worried me that his default was simply to watch films while I was at work, which is not good for a 16 year old. He seems animated about this course which he wasn't about the other colleges. He is seeing it as a new start and new opportunity which is great :T.

DD 2 has a couple of interesting and exciting opportunities coming up with her course. It's lovely watching them branch out and grow as people .

I had almost nailed today as a NSD until I got a text from DD3 reminding me about cooking ingredients. I'm hoping that I can get some NSDs in soon. I'm so pleased about freezing some of the mini muffins...it has really helped with packed lunches this week. I'll have to do that again on Saturday.

Honeysucklelou2

It's been a busy week at work, especially yesterday when extra meetings came up. I have a fair amount to do over this weekend, as I need to be work- free next weekend when I take DD1 back to university.
I can't believe the time has gone so quickly. She's been home for 4 months, so we've got used to having her home. She has work right up to the day before we leave. That said she has a day off today which coincides with my day off so she wants us to go out for the day with the toddler, so I will get my NT card at the ready!

DD1 has also put in a request for a dozen frozen portions of lasagne to take back with her, so looks like a fair amount of cooking is on the cards for this weekend too! Might do some red velvet cupcakes for her and freeze those too, after the success of freezing muffins last weekend.

I spotted some elderberries at the allotment yesterday so must remember to go and pick those and the remainder of any blackberries.

I went to the doctors yesterday and asked for suggestions on how to deal with the stomach churning feeling that happens primarily when issues with the ex arise or sometimes at work. I'm not looking for a tablet to fix everything but sensible suggestions to start off with. The doctor was helpful and suggested peppermint tea which I have drunk from time to time but will increase to daily. He also suggested making tea from fresh mint...have a whole bed of that at the allotment so that is easily done. Other than that he mentioned a couple of over the counter stomach remedies that I could try. I'll look at these options but he did say to go back if there's no improvement.

Must sort out DS's transport today so that he is all set to start college next week. He is really looking forward to it :T