Earthgirl's Final Battle

museumworker

Just catching up, so sorry to hear about your FIL. I thought the getting each family member to pick something nice to do afterwards was a lovely idea.

So pleased to hear your break to London/Windsor was a good one. Look forward to hearing about your next trip.

You have so much going on, take care of yourself. And if your routines stop serving you, take a break from them. I hope you have a good break over Christmas. X

WannabeFree

Hope you have a good weekend EG
x

earthgirl

Thanks for all the lovely replies. Museummum nice to hear from you! Karma I am totally on your wave length - I bought a bottle of non alcoholic fizz for last night just incase I was tempted - and I wasn't

Unfortunately I had to take strong painkillers for my back pain last night, but I will try with just normal painkillers tonight.

I'm feeling a bit concerned about OH. He says he feels worthless (as his business isn't bringing in any money) and he is quite grumpy and doesn't want to book things or look forward to things. He can't seem to find the energy to do things. I think he might be a bit depressed

I will talk to him about it and go through the figures/budgets with him. I see that we can afford to live without his wage but it doesn't make him feel better.

It is definitely having a knock on effect on us all and I was feeling a bit mopey today. I think instead I'll have to be much stronger to get us all through this, and if I don't feel strong or energetic I'll have to just fake it.

We have bnb guests at the moment, so thats an extra £60 in.

WannabeFree

I know you're trying to make everyone else feel better/happier but remember you need to take time for you too

x

beanielou

Also remember your DH has just lost his dad too.

themadvix

Hope your back has improved - back pain is so debilitating!

It does sound like your OH might be struggling at the moment, and it's entirely understandable. Does he not want to give up on the business (which I completely understand)? Is there a way to find more work for it? Appreciate that this time of year is not the best to be looking for it.

Agree with Wannabe - make sure you look after yourself - plastering a smile on your face might not always be the answer. Take care!

earthgirl

Thanks wannabe and beanie, I think I will just have to go with what he wants for a while to keep things as cheery as possible.

Just had my dad to visit and it was good. Spent nothing on activities we just did our normal free things. Trying to teach the kids swimming indoors over a foot stool at the moment - this may sound ridiculous but I need the to practice the rhythm of breathing and its going quite well. DS2's skin is sore at the moment and Chlorine seems to aggravate it.

Spent £70 on taking my dad out for a meal for his birthday, brought MIL as well as trying to invite her to things too.


OH wants to have some friends on New Years eve and to stay for a few days so that will be nice and I will be able to do it quite cheaply I think. I will use this Christmas holiday as a time to work on my goals - spend time with family and friends, get some exercise and eat healthily (most days). We will have a frugal, simple Christmas holiday.


I have got a few extra shifts at the lunch club, I will try to get some other income too, I'll set up some play dates and do some other free activities with the kids.

This week:
Get caught up at work.
Keep up with cleaning rota
Continue healthy eating then introduce more exercise when back is better
Think of Cheap meals for having friends to stay for a few days
Free/ cheap activities for entertaining the children (should be fairly easy with their new toys, but getting out is good too).
Ways to save money
Ways to save money at Xmas particularly
Ways to make more money - I will do a CV with/for OH, or broach the subject with him anyway.

earthgirl

Yey - back is better and no painkillers last night. No alcohol either, I think I've cracked that although I still want a glass now and again, so having the non alcoholic alternative there for a while will help. My eating hasn't been great, so whilst my back rests I'll just aim to get my 10k steps in every day and watch my diet.

This week:
Get caught up at work. - getting there
Keep up with cleaning rota - not totally abandoned
Continue healthy eating then introduce more exercise when back is better - Will do more.
Think of Cheap meals for having friends to stay for a few days
Free/ cheap activities for entertaining the children (should be fairly easy with their new toys, but getting out is good too).
Ways to save money
Ways to save money at Xmas particularly - will read martins guide
Ways to make more money - I will do a CV with/for OH, or broach the subject with him anyway.

I found a job for OH to apply for that seemed to meet his criteria but he doesn't want to apply because it's a contract and he wants casual work Frustrating me a bit, but I just have to smile and agree I guess.

earthgirl

Feel very close to tears. Two fairly close family members have very sudden and serious health problems. They both have a chance to survive so we have to focus on that.

My money situation has worsened to the tune of £5000. I'm incredibly sad about this but it is our travel money, not our money for food etc. It was our money for wants, not needs.

I need to do a budget and show this to OH. WE need to save more and bring in more. I can't do it on my own - good job I have this place

Edit - doing the sums, it's not too bad as I have overpaid the mortgage every month by direct debit and hadn't taken this into account.

Needhelpsaving

So sorry to hear about your family members, I hope their situations improve x

With regards to the money, please take some perspective on this, there is only so much you can do to bring in extra - don't end up making yourself ill by trying to do everything xx