Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Thanks all, feels a bit surreal that we've managed to achieve so much this year but it's a good place for us to be especially as there's still so much uncertainty surrounding us all with the ongoing pandemic.

We're still in tier 2 at the moment but cases are on the rise and everything seems to be heading in the direction of another national lockdown doesn't it? 😣

Still not 100%, feeling exhausted today but have got the food shop done today so we're all set for Xmas. No signs of panic buying near us so hopefully everyone is ignoring the media trying to stir everything up.

Mum took the boys to hers for lunch and films yesterday so we got their presents wrapped and hidden while we had the opportunity, takes a bit of pressure off Xmas Eve as I've been ready to go to sleep by 9pm the last few night! We've also delivered the gifts for family members local to us so it's been nice to have a few doorstep distanced chats with some of our nearest and dearest.

The boys are ridiculously excited about Xmas 'Santa' came past our house earlier and gave them a wave and a 'ho, ho, ho' so they were ecstatic. Told them he was planning his route for Xmas Eve, it's our local Round Table who do this every year and normally they'd knock on doors and give sweets, etc. Obviously this isn't happening this year so they're encouraging us all to donate to the local food bang via their just giving page, which we did.

So only 2 sleeps to go... The little ones are having a boys day with their dad while I attend a hospital appointment tomorrow, might squeeze in a festive film when I get home and then on Xmas Eve we're going to a Santa train ride event. It's a surprise for the boys so they'll be over the moon when we tell them. Drinks and snacks provided in a little box when we arrive and according to a friend who has been Santa then gives the children a gift using a litter picker 😂 unusual but got to be done in the current climate!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Just caught up.... you've done so well this year! Your break in the Lakes sounds lovely.  I'm envious of tier 2... wish I'd made more use of being able to browse shops and eat out!

DancingInTheRain

Happy Christmas Eve all! 🎅🎄🛷
Well still in tier 2 for now, don't think it will be for long though as infection rates are on the up here and there are signs the new strain of the virus has made an appearance 😟. After today we have no plans to go anywhere or do anything but I suppose it's nice to have the option (for now anyway), what a year!

I was up at 5am so have prepped the Xmas ham and that's cooking on low in the slow cooker, lovely smell of festive spices starting to fill the air.

I'm now enjoying a peaceful cup of coffee while catching up on here before the little ones wake up and the struggle of trying to keep them calm commences 🤣

We have our Santa train ride at lunchtime so DH and I have decided to treat the boys to a happy meal on the way home, will help fill some time in too. Once home we're planning on watching a couple of films or playing games. We'll do the 6pm doorstep bell ringing before trying to bath and settle the boys and then DH and I will have a takeaway as a treat to ourselves once the boys are asleep.

That's the plan, we'll see if it works out that way with an over excited 4 and 2 year old 🤣 we've stick to their bedtime routine all week so hopefully we can do the same tonight but am anticipating DS1 being harder to settle.

Mum is coming to us for the day tomorrow with being in our bubble and the plan is to catch up with our brothers and their families throughout the day. MIL is at DH's brothers house for the day so she'll have company too which is a relief.

If I don't pop on here again today I'd just like to wish everyone a safe, happy and peaceful Xmas Day.

For anyone reading who is struggling during these uncertain times please know help is around and you're not alone. If you feel you can't reach out to a family member or friend here are some organisations that may be able to help https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Lots of love ❤️

savingholmes

Hope you are having a relaxing time.

DancingInTheRain

Good evening, last one from tier 2 for a while as like most people we're in tier 4 from midnight. Surely a lockdown for January would have made more sense? 🤷

The boys had a wonderful Xmas Eve and day, they were beyond excited to see Santa (from a distance ☺️) on Xmas Eve, we came home and watched Home Alone then did the 6pm jingle bell ring before bath, Xmas stories and bed.
Thankfully they settled well and woke up at their usual time, they were spoiled rotten (by our standards anyway...) After opening gifts they chose a few to play with and then the rest were put in the utility room and they've been allowed to get a new toy each day dependant on good behaviour.

Unfortunately both Mum and DH have been poorly since Xmas day with cold/flu symptoms. Both took Covid tests as a precaution but both negative thankfully. They're both feeling much better today so Mum is going to come to us tomorrow as part of our bubble and we'll mark New Year's Eve in lieu of not being able to get together Xmas Day.

So me and the boys have been a little trio since Xmas day, the weather has been sunny but freezing so we've been able to get out in the garden to play as well as playing with their new toys so they're happy and we've all got some fresh air. Also dropped soup and easy meals up to Mum to save her cooking, not been to hard as been making the same for DH. The kids and I have lived on Xmas dinner leftovers and buffet style food ☺️

December budget has held out which I'm really pleased about, DH's pay currently sat in savings ready to be transferred to the current account tomorrow. We still haven't really finalised goals with DH being unwell but plan to stick to living on DH's wage, as it looks like we'll be WFH in January we're going to put £100 into the S&S ISA as we will easily save this on less fuel usage and me not having parking costs.
Hope everyone is well, stay safe xx

savingholmes

Glad the tests came back negative. Happy New Year - hope you have a good time together.

Sarahwithlove

Glad it's just a cold. There's a lot of that going round and it's hard to know which it is. Hope they feel better soon. Happy New Year

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Happy New Year Sounds like you've had a good Christmas

DancingInTheRain

Quick update, mortgage interest applied today so have made the monthly tidy up overpayment to round the balance to £53,000. 
Sent the £100 due to bge saved from fuel/parking costs this month to the S&S ISA.
Signature updated, removed PB target as for now, they just don't feature in our plans.
Following on from moving DH's early December pay into a savings account until his 'proper' pay day on the 31st, I've applied the same principle to the the amount remaining after fixed bills.
Will leave in savings and will transfer a weekly amount to the current account each Thursday as the majority of our variable spends (groceries, fuel, school, clothes, etc) occur on a Friday when I do the main shop whether in person or online.
I think this will help me focus as I seem to do better with smaller, regular actions than having little to do once the majority of bills go out at the start of the month.
Work looks like it may be chaos next week for both DH and I so just going to focus on the week in hand rather than set any big goals for now.
Take care all x

savingholmes

Mortgage is coming down nicely. Sympathise on the disruption to next week's return to work plans. Everything still feels quite messy with c19 even for those of us who have retained our jobs.