Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

DancingInTheRain

Hi all

Another budget week completed without major incident.

Weight and steps much the same as last week - too many biscuits and not enough steps 😬 the weather has been dismal here but blue skies today so the boys have been dragged out for a big walk.

We seem to have settled into some sort of lockdown rhythm, DH working more set hours and me and the boys building a routine around this to accommodate everyone's work/home learning tasks around playtimes and lunches (and coffee & biscuits for me 🤫).

Also got my final assignment signed this week, so I think I just have an observation based assessment once I'm back at work and a couple of tidying up jobs on another assignment and that should be enough to complete my portfolio and complete the qualification (at last!!!) 🤞

There seems to be more and more cases of Covid and other illnesses creeping into our social circle at an alarming rate, anyone I know with Covid seems to have milder symptoms thankfully however 2 of my former work colleagues lost their fathers to cancer last week and my brother's FIL is waiting on a prognosis on a secondary cancer tumour, he's really struggling to come to terms with it mentally to which is so sad to hear as he's such a lovely man who will do anything for anyone, hope he gets some positive news. 

Finally, it's also been confirmed that my lovely Sister in law's brain tumour has returned and is inoperable. She's undergoing chemo again but is taking each day as it comes and has said she'll stop the treatment if it knocked her off her feet too much. It's just the worst news and we're all devastated, lockdown on top is making it so difficult for her to gain many opportunities to have any fun or enjoyment on days she feels well, this pandemic really is so cruel in so many ways 💔 back to leaving meals on the doorstep for them and trying to keep her smiling by video calling with the boys when she feels up to it as there's literally nothing else I can do to help, just want to give her & my brother the biggest hugs 😓

Keep yourself and your loved ones as safe as you can, take care all 💞

beanielou

So sorry to read your news 

Lookafterthepennies2020

First of all congratulations on nearing completing your qualification, it can be hard to study whilst working, running a house and taking care of family at the best of times. I've just completed my masters and didn't really celebrate as I was glad to see the back of it but plan on going for a meal later in the year as we all need something to look forward to.

Glad to hear you have some sort of routine atm with the children and dh, mine have been back in school for the last 2 days and whilst I felt so guilty that I was putting them at risk, there moods have improved dramatically and there is 8 children in ds2 class and 15 in the hold of ds1s y5 and y6 combined. 

Sorry to hear all your sad family news, my auntie has been diagnosed terminal during covid and its awful not being able to see them and just give them a squeeze, she doesn't want to do zoom etc either as she has lost so much weight and apparently looks very ill. I dread to think when we finally come out of this covid mess how many families will have suffered with not seeing GPS in time etc and recieved the treatment they need.

To end on a bit more of a positive, we are all almost at the end of lockdown 3 week 3, take care x

FootyFanDan

I am really sorry to hear your sad family news, I think when it is so close to home it can really hit hard. Even more so given the tough circumstances we are living under - My partner's mum is going through a cancer battle too and there is nothing they can do so its a crappy feeling knowing she is trying to be as positive as possible when she knows she doesn't have long. 

Glad to read there seems to be a routine you and family have got in to...I wonder how long it will take for us all to re-adjust back to how it was once it is safe to do so...Great news regarding the certification

Stay safe x

savingholmes

Well done on your achievements. Hugs about your sister in law

DancingInTheRain

Thanks all and love to you all as everyone is going through such a hard time one way or another at the moment, it just feels particularly cruel for those who have limited time left doesn't it? So, so difficult.

A glorious winters day here, sunny and cold but no wind so put DS2 in his buggy and went for a big walk around our harbour to blow away the cobwebs, much needed. Once we got away from the main roads DS2 got out and enjoyed looking at the boats as well as walking a fair distance. Took a flask of coffee for me, juice for DS2 and we shared a sandwich too. Simple pleasures but a lovely couple of hours.

DH and DS1 enjoyed a bit of Xbox time while we were out so they've had a bit of fun too. I think it's done the boys good to have a bit of time apart from each other as they're playing very nicely at the moment 😉

DH has been a bit mardy this week (work pressures and fed up of lockdown) but has apologised and decided to treat us to a takeaway tonight using his personal spends, we're also doing an online quiz so a nice lockdown date night in store. 

Hope everyone is okay, stay safe xx

savingholmes

Walk by a harbour sounds beautiful. Hope the takeaway was fab too

DancingInTheRain

Walk and takeaway were both lovely ☺️

Payday for me today, obviously reduced due to furlough but worth it for peace of mind. Budget held up well in January which was massively helped by lockdown.

While chatting through this month's budget last night DH shocked me by saying he thinks my wage should all go in the ISA rather than splitting with the mortgage. With all the ongoing uncertainty he likes the idea that if needed we can get this money back out of the ISA  if needed whereas this isn't an option with overpaying the mortgage.

I'm really happy as this is my preferred approach, especially at the moment as our mortgage rate is 2.49% and the ISA is growing at 6.25%. I will of course overpay to tidy the mortgage account balance once interest is applied on the 1st 😉

In other news it's my birthday today, got some lovely gifts that I was very grateful for. We're going to have a small buffet tea & party songs when DH finishes work and the boys have enjoyed putting up birthday banners and balloons with daddy this morning 🙂 so it's all been very special but definitely low key 😉

Hope everyone else is well xx

beanielou

Happy Birthday Dancing In The Rain.
Have a good day 

Lookafterthepennies2020

Happy birthday