Adventures of the Boy & Me..

Chandelier.

Christmas Present List

-The Boy: 5x boxes of Lego. Just need to get some stocking fillers now.

- Mum: Nothing bought as of yet

- Sister/Brother in Law: A much wanted joint present that's a bread knife, then a book for my sister and a box of chocolates for brother in law.

- Brother/Sister in Law: A giftcard for my brother and pair of slippers for sister in law.

- Nephew: A singing/dancing teddy bear.

- Niece: An aqua bead set which will keep her busy.

- My Boss: A personalised pen/pencil set.

- Boys Dad/Partner: A box of truffles each, may get them another small present.

- Boys Grandparents: A box of truffles, will get something else to go with.

- Boys Teachers: A box of chocolates each to keep it simple.

- Godson: Nothing as of yet, will ask friend for suggestions.

- Friend: Nothing as of yet, need to think wisely.

- Secret Santa: So far a chocolate christmas card, going to look for a nice hat/gloves set to give

--

There seems to be an occuring theme of chocolate in many presents however we went to a local food hall where I was mesmerisef by all the food available so I bought some lovely truffles for the boys dad/partner and his grandparents. I need to think of another idea to go with grandparents. I appreciate them so much.

I also managed to find out what chocolates his teachers liked so just bought them as a token gift to say thank you. The boy can write a lovely message in a card to go with.

In regards to going over budget with my sister/brother in law this is because I got them a joint present and a seperate one each. We always buy one another and don't usually have a set budget unless its one if our own. I know the items I've brought will be much appreciated and used and loved very well.

So I've probably done 60% of my Christmas shopping so far. I need to find out what my mum would like and what my godson would like. I'm off to some Christmas markets next week so will keep my eye out there for anything.

Thats pretty much it in regards to christmas budget/posts. I'll update this and the budget when I've finally done .

Chandelier.

So.. an update from me, I've been awol for over a week.

Three/four weeks ago I had a chest infection which I left my body to fight its own battle (I've had so many antibiotics over past 18 months). It seemed to clear up and then I started with pleuritic pain and could hardly move/breathe. I managed to get through the weekend but then last Tuesday I ended up coughing up blood and went to the doctors who stated I had a secondary chest infection and needed a chest xray done. So I managed to get that done and got the results really quick to find out the next day that I basically have pneumonia and fluid on my lung. I've been walking around, working and battling through and they are unsure how I've managed to do this. I ended up back at the doctors yesterday and came out with some more antibiotics and I'm suppose to go for a repeat chest xray in 5 weeks to make sure its cleared up. I'm still managing to remain in work though.

The boy now seems much happier in school and is tinkering along as he does and never ceases to amaze me. He is kept busy with his ice skating and rehearsals for an upcoming show.

I'm all set for December to begin and hopefully won't need to buy too much more present wise as stated in previous posts.

I've a couple of upcoming events in the next few weeks which should keep me busy. Alot of these include socialising which is doing me the world of good. I'm reaching out to people and wanting to do more.

I'm still taking my medications and seem to be a lot better. I have a review with my consultant mid December and hope everything continues to go well.

Things with Man friend are definately truly over. I've told him this. He wishes to remain friends, we will see. Slowly I'm taking myself away from the situation and talking less.

Last time I updated I stated I went for coffee with a friend. We have a couple of things planned over the next month or so. This week we are going for breakfast and mid December he's taking me out for tea which should be good. We seem to be on the same wavelength and he's very understanding about my situation and thoughtful. He remembers all the little things about me.

So that is where I am at the moment.

SpekySquarehead

Hey Chandelier,

I too have been a bit absent, so this is me just catching up.

Hope you've fully recovered now and fit and ready for Christmas.

Chandelier.

Debt Remaining/Offer Periods

1) Halifax: £2200 (Ends February 2019)

2) AA: £2300 (Ends July 2019)

3) MBNA: £2950 (Ends December 2019)

Total: £7450

--

Chandelier.

Morning,

I've been awol yet again for just over two weeks. Life has been rather busy with a lot going on.

The boy has started performing in his Christmas ice skating shows so most of our weekends are filled up with this. He's doing well at school and we had his parents evening last week where the boy received alot of positive feedback so all is good. He's such a sensitive child and becomes easily upset/frightened if others are mean to him, mostly petty name calling. I'm trying to build up his resillience and offer him ways of dealing with this.

I had my appointment with my consultant psychiatrist. I've been engaging and taking my medication and all is going well. He's only upped the dose of one of my medications so not much change there. Overall I had a positive consultation.

The thing with manfriend is totally over. We had a big argument last week and many things were said. He made a few nasty comments about my bipolar so I've decided to completely cut him out my life and all forms of communication has stopped.

The thing with my friend is going well. We are off out for a meal tomorrow night to a nice restaurant. He will pick me up and chauffeur me around. Last week he stopped off at my work and filled up my car with windscreen wash- thats how kind he is.

Most of my christmas shopping is completed. I need to update my total Christmas budget, I may have slightly overspent but it doesnt matter as I've worked a couple extra shifts to make up for this.

Anyhow I best crack on. I'll update further later.

Chandelier.

Evening... or should I say early morning?

Its been a fair few days since I last posted and quite a few things have gone on since then, mostly for the good.

Everything is sorted for Christmas, all bar one present is wrapped. I'll get that done before I go to bed. Then its justthe case of handing them out.

I've been spending more time with my friend recently and things seem to be progressing nicely and slowly which is good. We've been out for a couple of meals and have been making plans. I'm happy and content around him and finally feel good enough for someone and he treats me well.

Old Man friend is definately off the scene and I haven't spoken to him for nearly three weeks now- all forms of communication are blocked and I feel much happier and relieved now. Looking back I can see many red flag behaviours and can see how badly he treated me towards the end, I don't deserve that.

I've paid off some more towards my debt for January. I've been paid early but have kept whats left over for the next month ahead. I need to create a proper budget for things including entertainment.

I've had some good news just recently which was a shock/surprise. I've recieved a sum of inheritance which will allow me to pay off my debt and save the rest towards a house deposit. I have two cheques which I intend to put in the bank and once that is done I shall pay off the cards as soon as possible so I will essentially be debt free. I'm aware that I'm lucky for this to happen and I'm so grateful, I never expected this to happen. It means a fresh start for the new year and instead of trying to pay my debt down as much as possible, instead I will be starting to save for my future.

So all in all, its quite a positive update. I may well start a new diary in the new year aimed mainly on saving money and writing down where I'm at and whats going on with me and the boy.

The boy is doing well in his shows and we've only three more performances left. To be honest I'll be glad for the break as it has taken up alot of our time but it's been worth it.

I best go anyway and crack on with what I have to do. I'll try update with new debt totals and a budget for January when i can.

Merry Christmas everyone

louby40

What wonderful news about your inheritance- you can start 2018 with a fres, debt free start.

Have a lovely Christmas x

enthusiasticsaver

Just read through your diary and you seem to be pretty focused on repaying the debt which is good. Nice to have the inheritance though to clear it for the year ahead so you can plan for your own home at some point.

I am pretty OCD about round numbers too and am constantly rearranging savings pots (we don't have debt or a mortgage now) to keep the numbers round. Worked great when we were OP the mortgage.

Have a great Christmas with your son.

Chandelier.

Thanks Louby and Enthusiasticsaver. This past year has definately thrown many things up in the air and I feel its time for a fresh start.

Its been an emotional whirlwind over the last few days or so. My mental health has took a dive due to a number of things and I need to pull myself back from it. This is down to a lot of disruptions to my routine and lack of sleep. Thankfully after the next few days this should all be over.

I feel its time to put an end to this diary and start a fresh one for the year ahead so that's what I'm going to do.

I shall continue to post about savings, goals, adventures with the boy and other general life ramblings. It gives me something to commit to and remind myself how far I've come.

So for this diary, over and out. Its time for a fresh start for 2018.

Here's hoping its the year for me.

Chandelier.

New diary link.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5765832