Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Thanks @savingholmes and I hope your DD's mood has improved and you've had a lovely end to your Saturday x

It's definitely a tricky time for most people I know at the moment, the term 'Coronacoaster' has been mooted a few times and I'd agree that my mood is following this pattern.

Positives today:

Both boys slept until 7.30 - totally unheard of but very welcome!

I still woke at 6am but used the time to plan next Month's budget so enjoyed having a bit of headspace to do so.

Enjoyed some child free time while Mum looked after the boys, DH & I wrapped up warmly and enjoyed a lovely walk around our local harbour, the sun was absolutely dazzling but really enjoyed getting out in some fresh air (was also good to walk at a much faster pace than when we have the boys ☺️).

We also picked up a £5 pizza deal from Mr M's (2 x pizzas, 1 x fries, 1 x coleslaw) which we all enjoyed for our fakeaway treat this evening.

Both boys asleep by 7pm so DH enjoying some x box time while I be watched Strictly while browsing diaries.

Mum is missing her weekly church meetings and doesn't have internet access so is coming to ours tomorrow to watch an online broadcast, she's offered to stay a little longer to look after the boys if DH & I want to do something without them. We may take her up on the offer as she & the boys absolutely dote on each other do wouldn't care less if we are there or not 🤣 will see what the weather is like before making a firm plan.

Hope everyone is doing well xx

DancingInTheRain

Still struggling through each day but seem to be turning a corner finally this weekend. 
The most important thing is those I care about continue to be relatively fit and well among all the virus chaos that surrounds us.
Had to make a couple of small amendments to the assignment but that's all done and dusted now, have a zoom training session on Thursday and will then need to do the last assignment and sort some observation dates, bit tricky between lockdown, joining tier 2 and Christmas break pending but will get sorted at some point.
Xmas shopping pretty much done, just 3 vouchers to collect from local shops when they reopen. Have also wrapped all gifts apart from what we've got for the boys as DH and I like to do that Xmas Eve when they've gone to bed and then out them straight under the tree or in stockings 😊, don't think we'll be able to do this when they're bigger but as they're both usually asleep by 730 we'll definitely get away with it this year.
We put the decorations up over the weekend so starting to feel a little bit festive, DS2 has been told off numerous times for taking decorations off this tree, breaking decorations, moving decorations, you name it! 😬 Hopefully the novelty will wear off for him soon.
DH has also redecorated our utility room so that's looking fresh and tidy having spent the last couple of years being bashed by prams, bags and shoes. DS2 is barely in his pram anymore so will just leave his lightweight buggy in the car boot for when we're out and about.
DH paid today (mine last Thurs) so we are well in with the December budget. DH had a bit of unexpected extra pay, just over £100. Turns out he's had an incremental pay rise he wasn't aware of and a miniscule amount of back pay. Have given DH £50 of it for extra spends, as he's eyeing up a couple of cyber Monday deals, called it his 'pay' for decorating, cheaper than paying a painter and decorator and no real cost to us as we weren't expecting the money. The remaining money went to the mortgage as a small overpayment. Will send another small overpayment to the mortgage tomorrow once interest has been applied tonight.
Standing orders are all set up for savings tomorrow so will update my signature once they've all gone then it's a case of not getting too carried away with treats for Xmas, all being well this month should be a fairly boring one on terms of spends as we have no plans and Christmas is budgeted from savings, the danger zone may be us all being home for a fortnight from December 18th, will need to plan a few low cost/free activities to keep us occupied I think 😊
Hope everyone is well, stay safe xx

DancingInTheRain

Early lunch so taking time to update the 1st of the month money shuffle. 
Annual pots, EF, PB's all topped up & small o/p sent to the mortgage to tidy the account balance as usual 😉
Signature updated.
Right, time for a quick cuppa and 5 minutes on here then back to it...

DancingInTheRain

Sorted the kids Christmas jumpers and PJ's. I'd bought them matching jumpers in the January sales which still fit & picked up matching PJ's from Primark pre lockdown. A couple of last year's jumpers still fit DS1 so he's sorted. DS2 has DS1's outgrown jumpers and some jumpers and PJ's from my friends little boy so he is well stocked up.
I put the remaining outgrown bits on eBay as a bundle and had a few bids already so a few extra pennies will be heading our way when that ends. I've also listed a couple of overcoats that no longer fit me but are in fantastic condition so hopefully they'll sell too.
I feel another decluttering/selling phase coming on, it's been a while... 😊

savingholmes

You are doing well as ever. Pressies wrapped already. Impressive

DancingInTheRain

Thanks @savingholmes I'm just trying to get some things done when moments of motivation hit me! Got a few more bits listed on eBay as mentioned, made £60 so far thanks to outgrown Xmas wear of the kids, one of my coats and some of DHs old tech bits and pieces. Sent £50 to the PB's so they're now at £900 and £10 to the EF.
Got feedback that another assignment has met all criteria so just one more to try to submit before Xmas then I can focus on observations in January, hoping to get it all done and dusted before my birthday at the end of Jan as I'm fed up of it so will be a nice gift to myself
We've enjoyed a cold but sunny weekend, wrapped up warm and had a couple of walks to the playground to keep us all busy.
Work still flat out but getting ever closer to the Xmas break so just need to keep my head down. The boys have lots of fun things happening at school and nursery over the next 2 weeks so need to keep checking the school calendar to see what's happening as there's something most days requiring Xmas jumpers, donations, £1's, both mega excited though - it's lovely to see just need to remember to budget for these bits next year!
Hope everyone else is well xx

beanielou

All sounding good   

savingholmes

It's lovely when the kids are all excited about xmas. Not quite the same now mine are older. Looking forward to seeing my sisters kids at xmas though as they are still under 7

DancingInTheRain

Yes it definitely adds to the magic, it's lovely to see their faces each morning checking how many sleeps until Christmas, opening their advent calendars & playing/singing Christmas songs. So despite the challenges of this year and the very low key approach to Christmas it will still be a magical time for the little ones, memories to treasure 🎄🎅☃️🌟

Bubblesmum

So impressed - overpayments to mortgage, and to the EF
Well done re assignment - I’m in the midst of one so hard going but worth it.... your nearly there 
it’s lovely to hear about your little ones Christmas journey, letters to FC did make me smile, I realise how much I miss interaction with the younger generation. 

Hope work this week is ok, I appreciate when times are tough, but next year I hope will be brighter