Earthgirl's Final Battle

earthgirl2

Thanks everyone.
I deleted a post that I decided was a bit too personal! But for sure, I knew things were not right a year ago, got referred to a few specialists and those doctors think they know what it is and I have the treatment I need.

apple_muncher

Glad you went and did something, got seen and are getting treated. Well done you.

earthgirl2

Hello all, 
Still feeling well, and no more painkillers. I've been exercising most days, although Christmas chocolates are creeping in and I need to keep an eye on this. Life is good though and I'm feeling mentally and physically much better.
Money In
Only working with 7 hours extra tuition per week. I could probably fit in more, but I have a busy Christmas ahead and I'll try to pick up more in the new year. I have a student to teach and as a homestay over Christmas, 15 hours of teaching plus another 30 hours per week of activities and excursions, so it really is masses of work but its a good opportunity to earn extra cash, especially as we can't go anywhere. I'm planning on doing a lot of paperwork when I set work for the student to do: tax return, marking from my other job, admin and Christmas cards!

Money out
Ouch. We are having a lot of necessary work completed - new master bathroom (ours was held together with coat hangers and then we just stopped using it) £8,000 and new hallway carpet - 100 sq meters of carpet and underlay costing about £3,000. £1500 for the hallway to be decorated incl plastering in places. Its a massive hallway! I'm just not used to spending this much money but OH couldn't DIY this and as our money isn't earning much in interest we decided to use it on the house. Still feels a bit uncomfortable to be spending this much though. 
DS1 has asked for a phone of his own for Christmas. Ouch. DS2 wants a kids quad bike. Ouch. It doesn't mean they have to get these things! I am still considering what to do about Christmas presents for the children. Everyone else is sorted.
I've spent my Christmas money on pool membership for a few months, it's lovely and is having a massive positive impact for me and the children.

Wonderful news today about vaccines for vulnerable people. I am so happy to think about the future. It makes me want to be better with money so that we can enjoy more experiences and squeeze in more memories. I'm going to start a spending freeze other than groceries and the Christmas presents for the children - although still to be frugal with this.
I need to use what I have and focus on lovely times.

apple_muncher

It's almost funny when it becomes painful to part with money! Just say the numbers very quickly and they won't seem as big..l

beanielou

Remind me how old DS1 is? 

earthgirl2

beanielou said:

Remind me how old DS1 is? 

He is 10 (and a half!). He has to cross a main road (60mph) at a cross roads to get home if he walks, but we don't allow him to - it's too dangerous. So we gave him an old phone with a payg simcard so he could call us when he was close and we could cross him over. Now he has this phone, but he wants a newer one. 
To get to secondary school, he will get a train or bus, so all of the  parents say it's a necessity to have a phone anyway next year, as the trains get cancelled so much.

earthgirl2

So I am planning 21 student meals and thankfully remembered my list was on here from summer 2019!
1.Lasagna - to prep
2.spag bol - slowcooker
3.chilli - slowcooker
4. Haggis - OH
5. quiche - Make/ buy
6.marinade for chicken that can be thrown in oven - no prep
7. Roast Chicken 
8. Roast Pork 
9. Shepards pie - to prep
10. salmon tray bake
11. Mediterranean fish w/ crusty bread 
12, 13. 14 pizza salad chips (once per week)
15. Fish and chips -  to buy
16. beef stew - slow cooker
17.New years eve meal - tbc
18. Steak Pie and mash - buy frozen mash or prepare and freeze
18. Curry - slow cooker
20. scotch pie - to buy
21. Xmas day

So in the next week I'd like to prepare and freeze:
Lasagna
quiche
shepards pie
mash

And decide what to do for New Year.

beanielou

Definitely time for a new phone I think 🤔 

earthgirl2

I'd had a frustrating day! Going to look at the positives:
I couldn't sleep so got up and worked - positive is I should sleep tonight and got loads of work for my student ready.
Arghh student was then cancelled. Queue major meltdown! Then another student was rebooked for longer - positive is that it is more pay. The extra week is at the end of the holidays, so I should be able to manage things quite well by then.
We had been told the government was thinking about lengthening the holidays so I was hopeful of this - it didn't happen. Can't think of a positive other than my kids get more time at school? But so do I.
Had annoying demands from my boss before I was even at work. Positive is I love my job and want to keep it.
I used my lunch hour to prep a quiche as I was teaching 5-6 and then swimming at 6 (has to be booked in advance. needed something OH would be able to serve up).
I wasn't focused or motivated in the afternoon.
I just sat down to teach at 5, but the parent cancelled right on the dot of 5. By rights I should get paid but the agent lied and said it was illness (the parent emailed something different) anyway I have been asked to reschedule to Monday which doesn't really suit. But this rarely happens and from time to time I need to change so I try to appear to be flexible.
So really, nothing bad has happened, I will get more pay and I need to look forward and have a nice evening with the kids swimming and doing a football run. Then I can get a nice early night.

apple_muncher

Hope you get some quality sleep tonight.