Finding Strength and Balance

Honeysucklelou2

Will be reading with interest. I separated from my husband last year so understand about those pesky back burner issues.

helsbell

Sorry I went AWOL, I've been feeling really low this week. Nothing major, just hormones coupled with the end of the summer holidays getting on top of me. I'll be fine next week.

I've had another look at my SOA, while I had YNAB open on the computer this time (so I could look at the reports). And guess what? I didn't spend £1500 on presents last year (or in fact over the 15 month period that I was looking at because I couldn't get it to look at just 12 months ) :T:T to all of you who pointed it out, and :Tfor me for not getting carried away in at least one area. So I've adjusted it down to £75, based on what I spent over the last year or so. I am pleased to have lowered it; still feel that it seems like a lot; aware that there are always a lot of people at work leaving or having babies; and worried that Christmas won't be covered as I'll probably be hosting this year. Not sure how I'm managing to feel all these conflicting things at the same time, but it probably explains why I don't sleep very well

helsbell

Cumbria_lass wrote: »

That's great that your daughter enjoyed herself . I have always encouraged my children to travel .

Glad you have seen the light with Christmas , birthdays etc. Although you have no emergency fund payment in your SOA you do have £2000 in savings or is this for your solicitor fees . Does Legal Aid not exist any more ?

I've actually taken the £2k out of my SOA, as it's not savings so much as my bank balance so I'm thinking that doesn't count. It's also not £2k any more

Legal Aid was cut right back a couple of years ago, and is now only available in cases of domestic violence as far as I understand.

I think when you set your mind to budget etc , it takes a few months to get the budget right for your circumstances. I agree with you I am paying my credit cards off but not making it that I don't have a reasonable life as well.

Have subscribed.

Can someone teach me how to use multi quote correctly? :cool: I see the button, but not sure how to actually make it appear in my post

helsbell

UncannyScot wrote: »

Hello and welcome on board
Everyone is here to help each other, so if you need anything just shout (post it up ) and someone will be along to help.
You'll do this and we will help

Hi Uncanny Scot, thanks for the welcome. I love reading your diary, you always seem so upbeat

I was thinking about you earlier, actually, as I completely failed to make pizza dough . I was trying to extricate my hands from this pile of sticky goo thinking, "I bet this doesn't happen to all those MSE people when they make bread, I certainly won't be posting any pictures of this on my thread :rotfl:". I kept trying to do something to make it into a pizza but it wasn't working, and I'd already made the tomato sauce as well. So in the end, I chucked it in the oven with a frozen garlic bread while i changed the plan to pasta, and then served it up as dough balls (well not balls as such, but definitely dough ) and used the tomato topping as a dipping sauce. It actually went down really well with the smalls too :j. That was my second attempt at pizza, and this was the most successful one so I'm not sure there [STRIKE]should [/STRIKE]will be anymore

helsbell

Honeysucklelou2 wrote: »

Will be reading with interest. I separated from my husband last year so understand about those pesky back burner issues.

Hi Honeysucklelou, thanks for dropping by. Did you get back to pick all that lovely hedgerow fruit? I'm sure you're making the most of the Last Weekend of the holidays, whatever you're up to.:cool:

Honeysucklelou2

We've picked about 6lb of blackberries but need to go back for the elderberries, it is a mad dash to get home stuff done and the new term prepared for, but savouring every moment with the toddler. It will be hard to send him to nursery again.

helsbell

Well, a more productive day today. Both DDs have a Saturday morning activity, which started back today so we were up and away at a decent time for the first time in a few days. While they were there I did the shopping and got it put away just in time to collect them.

This afternoon I've cut the grass, put the washing on and hung it up outside (the washing, not the grass ��).

I feel much better for getting some things done. There's lots still to do but I have a list so I'll get there!

Tomorrow DD2 has been invited to a children's party on the other side of town. No doubt, I'll spend money keeping DD1 and me entertained while we wait. Then in the afternoon, we'll be pottering around getting ready for back to school. So although there won't be any NSDs to start off the month, at least they should be productive days.

helsbell

We've made it back from the trampoline park party with only £1.50 spent on coffee. Some people didn't turn up so DD1 was invited to join in for free, meaning I didn't need to decide whether to spend £10 on letting her jump as well :T I also managed to resist the chocolate brownie, which would have doubled the spend :T

Also bought monthly bus pass for DD1 going back to school, so it wouldn't have been an NSD anyway .

doingitanyway

helsbell wrote: »

This afternoon I've cut the grass, put the washing on and hung it up outside (the washing, not the grass ��).

I feel much better for getting some things done. There's lots still to do but I have a list so I'll get there!

I wish I was reporting this at the end of my day. Well done.

helsbell

Thanks DIA. You have had rather a lot on your plate this week so you needn't feel guilty.

Today was an unexpected NSD :T. I was supposed to go and buy some Brownie trousers for my wee one but there was so much to do at work that i ended up staying on a couple of hours, which meant the shop was shut and I wouldn't have had time anyway as i had to collect the girls.

Anyway an NSD is an NSD, whatever the reason for it.