Keeping on the Straight and Narrow...

savingholmes

Lots of utube ideas on craft activities for pennies... I went to our local park today - and the lake had frozen and it was stunning

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Sorry to hear about your sister in law, that's really sad news.
Glad your furlough has been extended and that your finances are going well

DancingInTheRain

Wow a month since I last posted...

Sadly lovely sister-in-law's health rapidly deteriorated & she passed away. Devastated doesn't come close to describing how we are all feeling, we're all in shock at how quickly the end came. In amongst all this her dad contracted Covid and also passed away so her family are just in bits.

DH and I have been trying to support my brother and nieces as best we can in the circumstances but it all feels like it's not enough.
Telling DS1 was incredibly difficult as he was very close to his Aunty and with returning to school his behaviour has been a little difficult, trying hard to be understanding and just offer cuddles and comfort as often as he'll allow.

My own mental health has been suffering but thankfully my employers agreed to extend my furlough until the end of March with still having DS2 to look after so trying to use the time to get myself on an even keel as well as supporting family.

Money wise, not been keeping track and I need to get on top of this. I know this month's budget is blown with cooking extra meals for my brother and nieces, buying clothes for the funeral and extra uniform for DS1 who has had a mega growth spurt.
Also had to replace a number of electrical items 😩

Arrrggggghhh feel so burnt out and like I'm running on empty, going to ride out the rest of the month then take a deep breath and sort everything out ahead of my return to work.

Sorry for the lengthy, moany post and brain dump, just needed to vent a little I think.

Hope everyone else is okay, I've not been commenting recently but have been dipping in and out of diaries. 

Big hugs to those that need them, life is so hard going and unforgiving at times xx

beanielou

So so sorry to read your news.
That was quick.
As you say life can be very hard & unforgiving sometimes.
Please be kind to yourself & take care of you xx

sashybo

Sorry to hear about your SIL, Dancing. 😞 It must be so hard for all of you, I'm sure you're doing a great job being there for your brother & nieces as well as DS1, the poor wee soul must be confused. 😔 

I hope you can get some time to yourself to try and get some equilibrium and ease your stress. I'm not surprised you're feeling burnt out, sending love.

savingholmes

So sorry to hear of your losses. That's really hard. No wonder you are feeling rough. Hugs. 

Aspiration

Really sorry to hear about your loss. 

Please keep looking after yourself, this year has been tough on everyone’s mental health already.

DancingInTheRain

Well made it to the end of this pay cycle with not as much damage to the budget as I'd anticipated. 

It's been an exhausting few weeks with getting DS1 settled back at school, SIL's funeral, supporting my brother & nieces and DS2 keeping me on my toes. On top of this we've also begun work renovating one of our living rooms as some of the tradesmen we usually use are available in the coming weeks so it was a bit now or never.

Overall still feeling very unmotivated and lacking any oomph. Trying to eat and drink more healthily and get fresh air daily but I'm finding life a real slog at the moment.

MIL's sheilding ends next week but we still can't bubble with her for childcare as she looks after my BIL's children.
Spoken to my line manager and although I'd offered to use leave or work flexible furlough/flexible hours to juggle childcare, school holidays and work he's offered to extend furlough fully for a month which I've accepted.

We're managing fine with the lower pay and I'm hoping it's going to help me get my mental health on track too.

My Mum, MIL & BIL (vulnerable) all have their 2nd Covid vaccinations booked next week, it'll be a relief to know they have maximum protection on that front.

For something to look forward to, DH & I have booked a holiday abroad for May half term 2022. Deposit and insurance paid and we've set up a regular Saver to pay the balance when it matures, hopefully we'll feel safe to travel then (& will be allowed to do so) worse case scenario we can transfer to a later date if needed.

Hope everyone else is okay, I'm continuing to read along with a lot of diaries and enjoying seeing the progress everyone is making ☺️

Stay safe, take care xx

FootyFanDan

I am so sorry to read of your loss and it sounds like it's been a very tough month all round *sending hugs*. I think a lot are in the unmotivated boat as well, life just seems very much meh at the moment. Glad that you have something to look forward to although it seems a distance away it will soon arrive. I am praying that we have some level of normality back by then. Good news on the family vaccines too, we have had a few at work having it some reacted to it worse than others but its all for long term gain. Take care and stay safe x

savingholmes

Hugs. Sounds like a tough time. Glad work are being supportive.