Aligning the Stars

Starmummy

The eating side went well yesterday. I came in at 1359 cals so a little light but ok.
Breakfast: 1 slice of whole grain toast with whole nut butter. apple. mug of tea
Lunch: hot smoked salmon with salad leaves, beetroot and olives.
Dinner; veggie 'pizza'
Snacks: strawberries and baby plum toms. 2 coffees with a dash of milk.

drank 2ltrs water.

Exercise: ran home from work (4.9k)
The run was tough, my legs felt heavy as it had been a week since my last actual run. It was so hot and muggy too. But I did it. I think i need to have something mid afternoon on days I run home from work-maybe a banana or something.

Starmummy

Hi all,

I've not been posting much these days as there isn't really much to say.
We go away to Paris tomorrow so that is exciting (all paid for joint expense).

My fitness is going well. I started a running streak and I'm on day 21 (must run at least a mile every single day) I'm averaging 16 miles a week at the moment but hoping to increase slightly week by week.

Finances are looking ok but I've still not been receiving maintenance from Starchilds dad (not a penny since April). We actually had a bit of an issue where he phoned me at work a few weeks back, verbally abusing me over the phone and threatening court action- screaming at me and calling me a C-word)
I was a total wreck, Starchild had sports day that afternoon, he showed up with some woman I don't know. He acosted me there and shoved an envelope in my face. Apparantly it was £600 cash- I told him repeatedly to go through the right channels and pay it into my bank- that money is yet to materials.
Me and Mr Star showed a united front chatting animatedly with other school mums and dad's, while he sat awkwardly on the side with this woman.

Me and Mr Star had to go back to work, The kids were allowed to go home with parents or were taken back with the after school club(sports day held at the high school).

Star Childs Dad tried to take her (without my permission) thankfully the safe guarding at the school is excellent and the staff refused for him to take her as they had no idea who he was (he has never been to any school event or parents evening and isn't on the contact list) The commotion upset StarChild terribly.

When we got home StarChild said that her dad had been pulling'mean faces' and calling me names to her when I left. !!!!!.

well that was 3 weeks ago and he hasn't seen or called her since.


Apart from that drama we are all ok.

AdventureWanted

Oh Starmummy that's awful. Poor starchild. Luckily she has you and Mr Star giving her the stability and love she needs. I hope you get the maintenance money soon and that you have a fantastic time in Paris.

Your running challenge sounds really interesting. I'm currently doing the couch to 5k app, but quite like the idea of running a mile a day. Seems more achievable for my level of fitness! Hope you have a good day .

Starmummy

Well,

Starchild's Dad has finally paid some maintenance. I've split it between her savings and paying myself back for costs (childcare, school shoes etc). We have still not heard a peep from him, she hasn't seen him since sports day about 4 weeks ago.

We took SC to Paris last weekend as a surprise. She was so happy when she saw the Eiffel tower I thought she ws going to cry. It was totally worth every penny, we all had a really excellent trip.

Had a really good chat with MrS last night about how relationships are never equal but striving for balance is important. EG we wouldn't have a lot of things we have if it wasn't for MrS's capital---yet he wouldn't have a family without me. How it isn't equal because the our earnings will never be equal but then again our household taksks aren't either due to his job taking him away. However, as long as we keep up conversation and discuss issues we may have then it's all ok to us.
It was so nice having a grown up conversation about money, chores, children etc without arguements or too much emotion. Just all very relaxed.

On our earnings never being the same- they aren't now, quite far from it. However, Mr S's job is niche and a similar job elsewhere would probably pay half. If he wasn't working away, and once I have another couple of years post-qualification experience my salary could double or more, putting me well ahead of him.

Looking at my updated sig my debt has hardly reduced in the last year (£2.5k) but my savings are up about £5k. I'm still inline to be debt nuetral at the end of the year so I need to buckle down.
The debts haven't reduced as much as I've used my CC to pay for exam fees and other bits and bobs that I really should have budgeted better for. I think I've become very rigid at setting savings goals at the detriment to having enough budget for a good debt payment/fun life balance. I plan to knuckle down the final 4 months of the year and have a modest xmas. We do have one more trip planned but this will be a family expense from the joint account- I also have to repay myself from the joint account for the Paris trip so I'll pay that off the CC and have debt back under £10k in no time.


Thanks for taking the time to read and post ADVENTURE, the running is going well. I've knocked a minute off my mile pace and got my long runs up to 5.25 miles. I'm not fast but i'm not part of the turtle pack now. I'm increasing my long runs by about 1/2 a mile a week in training for a running event I have going with a team at work the end of September.

take care

SM

Starmummy

Just realised. We actually have 2 more trips before the end of the year- but still both joint costs.

I really do need to start posting more to keep me on track.
All going well I will be debt free this time next year (using assessable savings to pay the balance of the loan) I'll still have a fair amount left in savings towards buying a house together one day in the not too distant future. We are sitting tight at the moment in 'our' house as there is no point moving if we stay in the town we currently live in- don't wish to pay stamp duty just for me to be able to transfer my savings into bricks and mortar, so we won't move untl we decide to move elsewhere. Moving will depend on how long MrS wishes to stay in his current job and the health of MIL mainly.

I've decided to sit tight in my job for the next 10 months or so too. I know I could earn quite a bit more (1/3) if I wished to commute to the nearest city. However, my job is fairly stressless for the industry and it is nice having something so flexible while SC is still in primary school. I'll use these 10 months wisely though and do the paperwork needed to turn my professional qualification from associate to member, finish my dissertation to convert part of it to a BSc and start my PRINCE2 qualification.

Those things should set me up well to jump the next rung or two on the career ladder. I've doubled my salary in the last 6/7 years. I'm sure I can do the same in the next 6-8 years.

Starmummy

Morning Team,

I hope you are all well.

I have the house to myself for the next week. MrS is in America on a work trip and SC is at her favourite aunts for 10 days of fun with her little cousin. I love the bond she has with my Sister and her family.
Having the house tomyself is bliss, everything is tidy and the mornings are so relaxed but I'm looking forward to having them home next week.

Money wise, well food for one is super cheap. I made a big veggie curry at the weekend so that covers most dinners. Breakfast times i'm making my way through yoghurt and seasonal fruit and lunches are salad bits and leftovers.
I should be meeting with a girlfriend on Friday after work and then getting a haircut on Saturday. Everythingis just so relaxed, I even managed to read in bed with my morning cuppa after a spot of yoga and still got to the office early.

I'm using my time wisely and still keeping up with the running. I don't weigh myself but my work suits are definitely less snug so I'm losing inches somewhere.
I've started studying for the bits mentioned above as I have some time on my hands. I did say I'd take the summer off, but that was mostly for SC's benefit so she could have her mum back- if she isn't here then I may as well flex my grey matter.

No finances to updated, all savings in savings accounts, all debt payments made and all bills paid so just sitting tight with the few dregs in my account as fun money,

redofromstart

Sounds like everything is coming together nicely.

Good feedback on the clothes being looser. Always think that is a more positive measure than the number on the scales.

Starmummy

Thanks Red.

This is the first time I've really stuck with running and seen an imrovement. I managed 4.5 miles last night when there was a gap in the rain. My legs definitely feel stronger and more toned and my lungs feel less likely to collapse.

I plan to run 2 miles after work before meeting up with someone from my swim group for a quick 40 lengths. I definitely sleep better when I've excercised. Which mmakes work and studying much easier to concentrate on.

I'm feeling really rather content about things at the moment. Mr and Mr Star really seem to be working as a team, there definitely feels like a bit of a level up in our relationship.

Starmummy

Doing one of those things you shouldn't do and window shopping on rightmove.

I've found the perfect house in a place we would quite like to move to (near MIL)
In a year or 2 I will have some capital saved and no debts and we could totally make a big move.

Why do I do this.ha ha

redofromstart

Its fatal to look! I found the perfect place for us on ruralscene.co.uk the other day, which is my 'breakfast at Tiffany' equivalent. I shouldn't look, we are at least three years off moving. It does help to keep me focused though.