Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Hi Sashy, thanks for the visit yes the overnight nappies are frustrating for all involved, we're the same with having to get the P nappies even on offer they're so expensive though :cool:

So after a sleepless night with the males of my household taking turns to have coughing fits DH and DS1 seem to be on the mend so DS1 will be back at school tomorrow. DS2 is now quite poorly, poor lamb seems very prone to picking up coughs and colds so he was happy to go to bed early tonight and DS2 wasn't far behind him.

RH is annoying and very slow compared to Shoppix but I've made it a part of my shopping routine so going to keep it going for the foreseeable.

As predicted I left the house just after 7 and got home just after 6, the day itself wasn't too bad but after a few sleepless nights and a long drive I'm exhausted. Couple of chores to sort them I'll be settling down for an early night.

Lunch, drinks and snacks were provided today and DH has been housebound with the boys so unexpectedly we've had another NSD :T so now at 5/30 RH money has arrived so have sent this across to the CC.

Refocusing on NSD's and the small wins seem to be paying off for me again at the moment. Not going to get too excited though as there's definitely a few spendy days on the horizon in readiness for Christmas, can't believe it's 3 weeks today!

Time is just flying by lately :eek:

Take care all x

DancingInTheRain

Happy Friday

So NSD's remain at 5/30 as I forgot I had arranged to meet up with a few ex-colleagues last night! Someone had messaged me to see if I needed a lift about an hour before we were due to meet so ran around like a whirlwind getting ready:rotfl: we had a 2 course meal including drink for £17.50 which I thought was fairly reasonable, we had such a good evening catching up.

I also have my works Xmas meal tonight so as well as spending pounds I'm in danger of piling them on too need to have a healthy eating/drinking weekend I think... DH is gigging tonight and tomorrow night so he's in for a busy festive weekend so I'll have a bit of time to myself too

Had a bit of good luck yesterday, M-I-L randomly gave us some vouchers for A$da, £80 worth so we've been very MSE and agreed to use this for our regular grocery spends and have transferred £80 from the grocery budget across to the CC.

I've picked up a few groceries and Christmas cards today but mainly just enjoyed having a stroll with DS2 and getting some fresh air, I really haven't seen much daylight this week and I'm feeling very lethargic.

I haven't been able to motivate myself to complete the Christmas gift shopping as planned, we don't need much more but the shops are getting quite busy now so just need to get on with it.

Finally, I've updated my signature to keep me focused on the £9,999 target which is getting closer Also pleased to see we've paid just over £3,000 off the debt total since starting this diary which is another lovely milestone hit, we're both quite shocked with what we've achieved here but excited to keep going.

Take care, DITR

beanielou

Target getting closer indeed

FootyFanDan

WOW! 3K since diary start is a fantastic achievement to have made, Go you! Your are so close to reaching the target you set which will feel so good for you once you get there.

I haven't really been able to get xmas shopping finished yet either haha, i know what needs to be done but very little motivation to do so. I also know i have a dreaded shopping centre visit to contend with soon..yay hahaha

Keep up the amazing working, can not wait for you to hit the target

DancingInTheRain

Thanks Dan, it's definitely spurring me on with the little overpayments.

I also had a little luck yesterday when I was looking through a Xmas decoration box and found not only last years cards received (which made writing this years cards easier ) but a £30 M&S gift card we got last year but couldn't for the life of me work out where I'd put it!
So with an eye on my imminent target I sent £30 across to the credit card :A

So Friday was my works party, was a good evening and a great opportunity to get to know a few people better. Home early as I wasn't feeling great which then developed in to some sort of strange viral thing - hot and sweating one moment then feeling like a block of ice the next and also tingling everywhere, very strange. Thanks to DH and my Mum I managed to spend most of the day sleeping and was back to normal yesterday.

Poor DS1 still isn't 100%, this is the 3rd week for him not being quite right, poor lamb. It's really affecting his ability to get enthusiastic about all the Christmas celebrations at home and school as he just seems so wiped out all of the time

DH had a good weekend of gigs and his knee seems to be coping well with the rigours of loading and loading equipment as well as playing so this bodes well.

Finally in health news and most importantly, poor SIL is in a really dark place at the moment, feeling everything is futile. She's such a sweetheart, it's just devastating seeing her like this. My brother is also really low so I'm trying to spend time with him too to give him space to talk/vent. As a family we all just feel so useless but trying to be there for each other as much as we can, really makes me count my blessings and try to make the best of each day. She's on a 4 week break from treatment now so hopefully she can have a peaceful few weeks before the next phase starts.

Hope everyone else is well and lots of love to those who need it x

DancingInTheRain

Me again

For my own records, just wanted to log that Saturday and today were NSDs, taking me up to 7/30. Yesterday saw me getting a few Xmas presents, should get the final bits when I'm off on Friday. Also current 'freebie' earnings are as follows:

Yougov - 2770/5000
OnePoll - £16.75/£25.00
Prolific - £2.03/£5.00 confirmed, £1.33 pending
vypr - 1960/10000
Receipt Hog - 61/12,000 (Going for the £50 payout)
Shoppix - 1670/11500 (Going for the £20 payout)

DancingInTheRain

Hello
Finally finished putting up the Xmas decorations today. This process started on the 1st December but DS2 has proved to be a nightmare so after him trying to munch his way through several baubles and tree lights :eek: we now have a beautifully decorated top half of the tree and a horribly bare bottom half of the tree. Any decorations that are breakable have been left in the box and, due to the joy of stair gates on our living room doors, we at least have a tastefully decorated grown up Christmas hallway!
Honestly DS2 is like a one man demolition squad, totally different to DS1 at the same age - it's a good thing he's cute
Work is mega busy at the moment, can you believe I've been there over 3 months already? I've been advised we don't need to see clients Xmas week so have taken advantage and booked some flexi and annual leave meaning I should finish on the 19th and not return until the 6th which would be officially the longest Xmas break I have ever had in 20+ years of working (think my previous best was 6 days) so can't wait :T
Today was a LSD, I've misplaced my works mobile charger so have ordered a couple of spares from the Bay of E, only cost £1.98 but if it's not locked down it walks in my office so a wise investment I think.
Nothing else to report in terms of debt busting or money making, need to factor in a top up shop possibly tomorrow - couldn't face it in the awful wind and rain today, will see how everything looks tomorrow.

DancingInTheRain

Good evening
Not much happening on the debt busting front, a few surveys completed since my last post but nothing to cash out yet.
Also no NSD's but I have now finished my Xmas shopping :j I did a little each day over the last 3 days which made it easier to sneak bits into the house.
Everything wrapped apart from a few bits we got for the boys and my little gifts for DH.
DH gigging today & tomorrow so me & the boys are doing a few family visits this weekend to catch up with everyone and dish out Xmas cards & gifts. Also have my nephew and my Mum's birthdays this week so need to remember to give them their birthday cards & gifts too.
Busy week at work next week, I've also got a deadline on an assignment for a qualification I'm doing through work but no motivation to get started DH also back to work on Monday so all change again in our house. Both of us just need to get our heads down and crack on I think.
DS1 has a different Xmas activity everyday at school so will be super hyper by Friday Other than that, not a lot planned.
Hope everyone had a great weekend xx

DancingInTheRain

Still not a NSD both boys were in a good mood so took advantage and did a small grocery shop in Mr L's. Have sent a small TT across to the CC though
Spent some time visiting Mum this morning which was nice as I'm usually running in & out of her house with DS2
All set for a NSD tomorrow though, need to put a joint of beef in the slow cooker first thing before visiting my brother and his family in the morning while letting DH have a lie in.
We'll then have lunch before heading to DH's brothers as it's our nephew's birthday so a busy day but will be good to catch up with family.
Once we're home it'll be bath time & PJ's on for the boys, then chill in front of a Xmas film and an early night I reckon.

DancingInTheRain

Weekend gone as planned, good to catch up with family. All bags packed & ready for the morning.
Managed a NSD today, taking me up to 8/30
£1 sent to CC from my personal spends account to maintain momentum
Feeling more in control than I had for a while, hope it lasts!