Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Back home from weekend summer holidays and it was wonderful to see family and friends. Have that lovely fuzzy feeling from a great time. Eaten way too much of the bad stuff and feeling the excesses! Going to make home made soup later as "recovery broth". 

We blew the budget and had some unnecessary spends (I really hate spending money unnecessarily )- in particular chocolate and magazines for the long train ride home from a certain blue newsagents but I'm generally really good with money so this kinds of evens its out. I'm currently over budget by £41.06 with 6 days to go. 

This week me and the OH are on holiday from work, we should have been on a different holiday but it was cancelled for the second time so just enjoying the lovely weather, catching up with budgets and the every lasting mountain of washing. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Don't you just love ex husbands, mine has planned some kid free weekends away on weekends which he is scheduled to have the kids and is then surprised when I turn around and say I can't do one of the days as I too have plans & then I get the reply "his girlfriend won't be happy!". She's the kind of person who's never happy, quite hard work and she's put barriers in place so communication between me and the ex is now very limited. So when I had this little hoe down at school drop off yesterday I wasn't best pleased! Came home, had a little cry and winge to my partner (he knows what she is like) and got on with the day. 

Needed to collect the ebay purchase of jeggings from the post office so that was first major task of the day - they fit perfectly.  Was a bit worried leg length might be too long but was absolutely fine. 

At lunchtime me and OH met our beautiful grandson for the first time in the park with his parents and its was wonderful to see them, little man is now a month old and very cute! they were calling me 'nana X' it does feel strange - only turned 40 late last year.. but I love having different branches of family and this one is special. He's my partners, son's child so no blood relation but I don't care I love my unconventional family

We finished the day with a bbq with just the two of us and finally put up the mirror and solar lights in the garden which have been laying there for a good few weeks. 

Today is my little man's birthday - he is with his dad so I'm a bit mixed emotions as I will see him briefly today but we've already had a party and done presents on the weekend. He's got a play date with his bestie on thursday so he is having the best time ever. Next year I hope we can have a big class party. This year its just bad timing with covid. 

Me and OH are off for a day out using the English Heritage membership. Taking a picnic and flasks so our only expenses will be the transport costs. Not bad for day 2 of holiday from work. 

[Deleted User]

The best advice I can give about exes who are father to your children is not to rise to it. I expect nothing from mine (it's been 10 years) and as a result I'm much happier. No nasty messages, nothing. 
Somebody told me once that my ex doesn't make me cry, I choose to cry as a result of him.  It's difficult to get your head around but when you put your emotions back onto you (your responsibility). I find I can manage them better.
As for your son's birthday. He will only remeber that he had a nice time with one of you. Hard for you I know (I've been there) but you're doing right by not taking up all the key dates. Sometimes doing the right thing though doesn't always feel like the right thing for us x
 

Queen_of_the_Hive

[Deleted User] said:

The best advice I can give about exes who are father to your children is not to rise to it. I expect nothing from mine (it's been 10 years) and as a result I'm much happier. No nasty messages, nothing. 
Somebody told me once that my ex doesn't make me cry, I choose to cry as a result of him.  It's difficult to get your head around but when you put your emotions back onto you (your responsibility). I find I can manage them better.
As for your son's birthday. He will only remeber that he had a nice time with one of you. Hard for you I know (I've been there) but you're doing right by not taking up all the key dates. Sometimes doing the right thing though doesn't always feel like the right thing for us x
 

Thanks @[Deleted User], nothing was said re the weekend this morning when I met up with the kids en route to school this morning. It was fab to see the kids this morning and get a photo with the birthday boy. He was wearing his age t shirt and was absolutely bouncing and asking for presents! He'd quickly forgotten he'd already had them from us on the weekend! It was brilliant  

Had a lovely day out with OH, he is funny. We get to our destination and goes straight to the café and said he wants a tea & bacon sandwich smiling in my direction. He'd completely forgotten he was carrying our lunch in the rucksack By taking a picnic we managed to nearly finish off a glut of kiwi fruits. The house and gardens were beautiful and we didn't spend anything apart from our travel which was good. 

In financial matters I took the plunge and set up a stocks and shares account to invest half of the monthly rent from the investment property so just waiting for this to be invested. I've also taken the wise move to remove the funds from Prolific account. Was at nearly £30 so been updating paypal as its not something I use much and I've also opened an account from a third survey site today. Finding I'm enjoying filling these in more than I thought I would. The little extra income helps    

Kids are back to mine tomorrow and so back into regular routine, no plans to go out. I need to sort out paying for next block of driving lessons (I pay in blocks of 10) and have studies to do. Its the 13th on Sunday so no spending is planned till then

[Deleted User]

Out of interest, how much do you make a month completing surveys? 

Queen_of_the_Hive

[Deleted User] said:

Out of interest, how much do you make a month completing surveys? 

I've only just started but so far sitting at just under £30, signed up for 3 different survey providers and I have set up a dedicated email address for them so I can see when they come through and just keep the survey sites pages open on my pc while studying. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Happy Thursday diary, 

The TV is broken and we've had to call in the repair shop to hopefully get it fixed. Do not have anything in the budget for replacing the TV atm! TV is used for catch up tv mainly so I could do without for a bit if needed. Kids wont be happy but hey ho. Will find out tomorrow if it is repairable, fingers crossed. 

This week I havn't been feeling 100%, not quite sure what it is just a bit off it. So tonight will be early to bed and hope all is good tomorrow. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

TV repair job has come in at £95 eeek! Although we already paid a £20 deposit so £75. Its still cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying new. Hopefully it lasts a good few more years. 

Its the 13th on Sunday but I've done my accounts review early. Chuffed to say debts are now 58% paid off and I've added to savings pot for third month in a row. Debt repayment plan is going to plan so far although next couple of months its going to be challenged due to some changes in our circumstances so my short term financial goals are to spend wisely while enjoying the summer. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Well I have absolutely no idea what I have done but I have a bad back. It started Thursday evening and OMG two nights of very little sleep - laying down flat on the bed is awful so doing a lot of tossing and turning! Grrrr this was not the weekend I was hoping for. On the positive the kids are back with dad this weekend so I can at least get a chance to recover. The two of them were really sweet and were showering me with worried cuddles and their favourite cuddly toys for comfort. Today's driving lesson I have cancelled as a wise move as well. 

With that in mind I have been up since ugly o'clock this morning and been busy on the surveys. Set up accounts for two more sites and with now having registered with 5 different sites I will stick to this for now. Done a handful of surveys this morning and slowly building up a pot for next month. The best paying one requires a purchase of a certain food product and a review with photos and receipts. So this is going to be this Tuesday's activity for date night!   :

TV won't be back until Monday so going to take opportunity to dust behind tv area as its difficult to access. Will go for a short walk but generally taking it easy this week as I really need proper sleep before work on Monday. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Its sad, holiday from work is officially over and tomorrow am. Its up and on to the laptop for the regular grind. 

Considering my original holiday was cancelled the staycation has been great. Done a bit of everything, visited family and seen friends that not seen in v long time, been to the beach and got my feet in the North Sea (that's as far as I go!). Met my new grandson on Monday and had fun with the kids and wine with my bud yesterday. So all in all a very great week. The icing on the cake was beautiful weather and actually starting this study lark (again!) this afternoon. 

Back is feeling better - still not yet managed a full nights sleep though. Fingers crossed tonight is the night! 

This weekend has been a no spend weekend - this wasn't the intention it just turned out that way. Still got plenty of food in freezer but getting very short of fruits, veg and salad. Veg box is delivered this coming Friday so need to be practical with what we have in until then as I often do - buy some salad stuff before the veg box arrives and then have way too much fresh stuff. Fridge is nearly empty.

Done a bit more on the surveys front and withdrawn funds where I could so need to keep a beady eye on PayPal this week. 

Tasks for this coming week: 

* Food shop list and meal plan. 
* Camping trip - essential list and purchase of essential items. 
* Carry on with accounts studies. 
* Sort out fathers day cards!! Terrible at this one!