Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

elizabethhull

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Today we're going to Mum and Stepdad's old house to pick up a few small items. This may be the last time I ever go there . 

Whenever the last time is, it is tough.
At some point I realised that in order to enjoy all my parents' things I would have to rent a sizeable storage facility and arrange their possessions just as they'd always been ! This would be lunacy, and expensive lunacy at that. I know they're 'only' things, but they have my mother's scent on them, and every item is imbued with their presence.
I'm afraid there is no simple answer, only letting time soften the pain.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Thanks everyone . I'm looking forward to a week off. I have two assignments (at least) to do and lots of housework plus I'd like a day out at a NT place (weather allowing) and the wedding next weekend. So it's going to be a busy week! 

Oooh, a wedding.  How exciting.  Is it one of your sons getting married?  If so, at least the cost of a male child's wedding isn't the responsibility of the parents which is a blessing considering the cost of a wedding nowadays.

Thanks Delichon . It's actually my stepdad who is getting married. It's a slightly odd situation and I'm not quite sure what the social etiquette is for that! But it's a chance to get lots of family together in one place which is always nice .

Willowtree222

I think all my wheelie bins are on the floor! The trampoline has moved, the cover on the garden furniture was flapping around last night as well. x

Willowtree222

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Thanks everyone . I'm looking forward to a week off. I have two assignments (at least) to do and lots of housework plus I'd like a day out at a NT place (weather allowing) and the wedding next weekend. So it's going to be a busy week! 

Oooh, a wedding.  How exciting.  Is it one of your sons getting married?  If so, at least the cost of a male child's wedding isn't the responsibility of the parents which is a blessing considering the cost of a wedding nowadays.

Thanks Delichon . It's actually my stepdad who is getting married. It's a slightly odd situation and I'm not quite sure what the social etiquette is for that! But it's a chance to get lots of family together in one place which is always

Hope you're ok Hairy. Hope the visit to your mum's house wasn't too painful. x

HairyHandofDartmoor

Nicnak said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Thanks everyone . I'm looking forward to a week off. I have two assignments (at least) to do and lots of housework plus I'd like a day out at a NT place (weather allowing) and the wedding next weekend. So it's going to be a busy week! 

Oooh, a wedding.  How exciting.  Is it one of your sons getting married?  If so, at least the cost of a male child's wedding isn't the responsibility of the parents which is a blessing considering the cost of a wedding nowadays.

Thanks Delichon . It's actually my stepdad who is getting married. It's a slightly odd situation and I'm not quite sure what the social etiquette is for that! But it's a chance to get lots of family together in one place which is always

Hope you're ok Hairy. Hope the visit to your mum's house wasn't too painful. x

Thanks Nicnak . It always makes me feel sad, but I usually feel worse the next day . I need to come to terms with it though and not bury my head in the sand and I'm rescuing some items that will help me to remember my Mum.

I decided this morning that I'd like to go back and dig up a small clump of snowdrops for a pot in my garden. I was thinking of buying some but it would be much nicer to have some that used to be in Mum and stepdad's garden. They have a lovely bluebell patch too but it may be too early to identify a clump of those. I'm really pleased with the daffodils in the blue pot that I got last time .

HairyHandofDartmoor

I need to work on my assignment today. I really don't feel like it but I need to force myelf. If I could finish it today then that would be amazing and a big weight off my mind, but I feel a reluctance to begin at the moment. I must be getting lazy!

Willowtree222

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Nicnak said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Thanks everyone . I'm looking forward to a week off. I have two assignments (at least) to do and lots of housework plus I'd like a day out at a NT place (weather allowing) and the wedding next weekend. So it's going to be a busy week! 

Oooh, a wedding.  How exciting.  Is it one of your sons getting married?  If so, at least the cost of a male child's wedding isn't the responsibility of the parents which is a blessing considering the cost of a wedding nowadays.

Thanks Delichon . It's actually my stepdad who is getting married. It's a slightly odd situation and I'm not quite sure what the social etiquette is for that! But it's a chance to get lots of family together in one place which is always

Hope you're ok Hairy. Hope the visit to your mum's house wasn't too painful. x

Thanks Nicnak . It always makes me feel sad, but I usually feel worse the next day . I need to come to terms with it though and not bury my head in the sand and I'm rescuing some items that will help me to remember my Mum.

I decided this morning that I'd like to go back and dig up a small clump of snowdrops for a pot in my garden. I was thinking of buying some but it would be much nicer to have some that used to be in Mum and stepdad's garden. They have a lovely bluebell patch too but it may be too early to identify a clump of those. I'm really pleased with the daffodils in the blue pot that I got last time .

That would be a lovely thing to do x

[Deleted User]

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Nicnak said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Thanks everyone . I'm looking forward to a week off. I have two assignments (at least) to do and lots of housework plus I'd like a day out at a NT place (weather allowing) and the wedding next weekend. So it's going to be a busy week! 

Oooh, a wedding.  How exciting.  Is it one of your sons getting married?  If so, at least the cost of a male child's wedding isn't the responsibility of the parents which is a blessing considering the cost of a wedding nowadays.

Thanks Delichon . It's actually my stepdad who is getting married. It's a slightly odd situation and I'm not quite sure what the social etiquette is for that! But it's a chance to get lots of family together in one place which is always

Hope you're ok Hairy. Hope the visit to your mum's house wasn't too painful. x

Thanks Nicnak . It always makes me feel sad, but I usually feel worse the next day . I need to come to terms with it though and not bury my head in the sand and I'm rescuing some items that will help me to remember my Mum.

I decided this morning that I'd like to go back and dig up a small clump of snowdrops for a pot in my garden. I was thinking of buying some but it would be much nicer to have some that used to be in Mum and stepdad's garden. They have a lovely bluebell patch too but it may be too early to identify a clump of those. I'm really pleased with the daffodils in the blue pot that I got last time .

That's a lovely idea to have something that will continue to live on in memory of your Mum.  I know you have your memories but something tangible that you can see thriving and flourishing will raise your spirits whenever you see it emerging after the long dark winters.  I made sure I dug up and transplanted several things from my parents' garden.

I can understand that you don't feel like doing your assignment.  Is there a deadline or is the tutor pretty easy going about dates?  He/she must realise that adults undertaking courses are likely to have a lot of home/family/job commitments on their time.  It's not like the days of being a full-time student when we had little else to worry about.  At least this atrocious weather gives little opportunity to do anything outdoors.  If you could force yourself to do at least part of the assignment today you'll be more able to seize any break in the weather later in the week to do more 'fun' things.

I hope you don't mind me chipping in and posting on your diary.  I came across it via Nicnak's diary and was intrigued by your name and the title of your diary.  I haven't read it all yet (there's loads of it!!!) so a lot of the things I'm asking about may already have been answered.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Nicnak said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Delichon said:

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

Thanks everyone . I'm looking forward to a week off. I have two assignments (at least) to do and lots of housework plus I'd like a day out at a NT place (weather allowing) and the wedding next weekend. So it's going to be a busy week! 

Oooh, a wedding.  How exciting.  Is it one of your sons getting married?  If so, at least the cost of a male child's wedding isn't the responsibility of the parents which is a blessing considering the cost of a wedding nowadays.

Thanks Delichon . It's actually my stepdad who is getting married. It's a slightly odd situation and I'm not quite sure what the social etiquette is for that! But it's a chance to get lots of family together in one place which is always

Hope you're ok Hairy. Hope the visit to your mum's house wasn't too painful. x

Thanks Nicnak . It always makes me feel sad, but I usually feel worse the next day . I need to come to terms with it though and not bury my head in the sand and I'm rescuing some items that will help me to remember my Mum.

I decided this morning that I'd like to go back and dig up a small clump of snowdrops for a pot in my garden. I was thinking of buying some but it would be much nicer to have some that used to be in Mum and stepdad's garden. They have a lovely bluebell patch too but it may be too early to identify a clump of those. I'm really pleased with the daffodils in the blue pot that I got last time .

That's a lovely idea to have something that will continue to live on in memory of your Mum.  I know you have your memories but something tangible that you can see thriving and flourishing will raise your spirits whenever you see it emerging after the long dark winters.  I made sure I dug up and transplanted several things from my parents' garden.

I can understand that you don't feel like doing your assignment.  Is there a deadline or is the tutor pretty easy going about dates?  He/she must realise that adults undertaking courses are likely to have a lot of home/family/job commitments on their time.  It's not like the days of being a full-time student when we had little else to worry about.  At least this atrocious weather gives little opportunity to do anything outdoors.  If you could force yourself to do at least part of the assignment today you'll be more able to seize any break in the weather later in the week to do more 'fun' things.

I hope you don't mind me chipping in and posting on your diary.  I came across it via Nicnak's diary and was intrigued by your name and the title of your diary.  I haven't read it all yet (there's loads of it!!!) so a lot of the things I'm asking about may already have been answered.

Of course I don't mind you posting on my diary Delichon . It's always nice to have new posters . My assignment is already two months late but luckily my tutor has been very understanding. 

Broke_Bear

Hi Hairy

thats a great idea regarding the snowdrops, my Mum did the same with my Nana’s house (Mum’s mum) and she has a lovely clump of Nana’s snowdrops in her rockery which have now been there for 20+ years.