Queen Bee fighting for her Hive!

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hi all, 

Its great to see the popularity of C25K. I've dipped in and out of this a few times and once downloaded its sister app C210K but this particular app I was using stopped working and so it put me off. I tried to run last year and was getting an ache in my knee so instead swapped to walking and lots of it combined with Y Tube videos on stretching and walking workouts. It is good so far, no issues from my knee so hopefully I will get through to the end of the 8 weeks! 

Tomorrow will be session 2, week 2. 

Today me and the OH went for a day out to the big yellow after dropping the troops off at school. Its always dangerous going there as we burn a hole in our wallets but considering the pandemic stopped visits I think we let off for good behaviour. Wardrobes are what we are looking for. We have these dodgy canvas ones which have served us well but are showing signs of fatigue. Dont want to spend a lot though as we rent our place. We are now well stocked in candles, fake flowers and other bits and pieces  

Queen_of_the_Hive

One of my favourite sayings is 'A picture tells a thousand words' and today's google flashback images from the past few years pretty much sum up changes in my life. There are baby photos of the kids as young, there is some photos of a sort of friend that became my ex's girlfriend for a short time (this was after we had separated and there was no conflicts just a bit of a weird choice), photos from school and more recently buying my sons bike. Each picture stirs all sorts of emotions but I just think - woman you've lived a bit. I used to struggle to look at photos but now am in a better headspace and treasure the moments. I read a lovely post yesterday about a taxi driver who took an elderly lady on her last drive around before moving into a hospice and it was an interesting, thought provoking read. 

I really need to sort out my sugar addiction - the truth is I enjoy my food and currently in the comfortable zone but can also feel in myself I need to clean up my act to feel better so today I am going to again turn over a new leaf and try yet again. I also going to dedicate some of the day to studying. Have been off the rails with this recently but today its time to pick it up again. 

I've been out for a run and felt strong - warrior woman today

Queen_of_the_Hive

Its been a busy time since last diary update, see if I can remember everything! 

Yesterday was a nice day, had a day off work and enjoyed spending it in the park with one of my kids and his classmates as an end of term treat. That was lots of fun and was great to be able to get to know a bit more about the other parents and kids of the class. Socialising has been very limited to date but they seem a nice bunch. We also found out my son's best friend is moving out of the area. He will be really sad when he realises this. They had a true young bromanse! and so yesterday I felt glum for him! I'm terrible with change... 

An event I was organising with another friend (we are help to run a charity) was a success. It was the first time we had all met up in person since the whole sorry covid mess. So that was great. I have expenses for the event to come back to me totalling £65.  

Finances wise I feel I am a bit out of control with spending - its the summer and it normally goes loose but finding the lemonade income is really taking a hit and I'm into savings. I'm due expenses from the charity and some from ex H for school photos and teacher gift donations. We are having  a day out on Saturday so train and tickets into venue for 4 of us and there wasn't much change from £100. We are taking a picnic. My dad keeps asking me about the tickets for an event in October. But I've had to tell him that unless someone ie him wants to gift us the tickets I may not be able to go. Its £50 for the event, plus we will have to travel (its back in the homeland and pay for accommodation). I'm just trying to get through the summer jollies atm! He hasn't offered to pay so its not looking likely. The timing for this isn't great either - waiting to hear from work if I'll be getting some extra hours or not and if I do it will start at around the same time. I need to prioritise earning more over the event sadly. Gotta bring in those lemons for lemonade. 

Kids finish school Friday half day so going to just enjoy the lovely weather and time we have together. 

Drawingaline

O hear you with the spendy times! We don't have much booked for the summer, but we do want to do some day trips, and pricing them up is giving me heart palpitations 😱

Queen_of_the_Hive

I have been a busy little bee and not had a chance for a diary update. 

Kids have now officially finished for the summer and we started the holidays with a bang and made a trip to Warwick Castle using the cereal codes. Day out was superb fun, we finally met up with my bro, his wife and our little niece! My youngest was in love with his cousin. It was so cute to watch! We took a picnic so that helped with the costs and we left much later than expected so we bought some sandwich fillers & bread rolls and made a second picnic for tea for on the train home! That came to less than £6 so perfect. 

Today is pay day and frankly its all spent already and more - i'm using savings to cover the short fall this month so although not getting into debt I am down on savings front. This will be the same next month too. Hopefully in Sept we are back to normal and see what hit it will have been. 

Still cracking on with surveys - i've been locked out of one site (not sure why) but still doing the others. Income is small but helps to top up a little. I'm also starting to look at job sites to see if I can pick up some temporary work in the autumn. On the weekend I bought an ice cream machine someone locally was selling for £5 as I thought this would be some easy fun with the kids over the summer and sold an unneeded travel potty for £10 so thats progress. I'm now selling some kids early reader books for £15. Hopefully won't take too long to sell. 

I need to book two sets of train tickets for trips planned so will look into these later today after work.  

Have a nice day everyone

Queen_of_the_Hive

How have we got to 1st Aug, wow? 

The kids are now on their holidays with dad abroad. I'm happy for them but I do miss them too! The house is very quiet. My partner is on holiday this week so that's cool - defo enjoying the company. We've been out on our bikes. Yesterday was a long 10 miler and today we did a six miles and I must confess I had an afternoon nap afterwards - couldn't keep my eyes open . 

Last week was crazy busy with work as there were some deadlines to hit which meant late nights and intense concentrating on the screen. Wasn't fun but soooo happy to have got it done as hopefully this will help in my quest to pick up some extra hours and more £££.  

Money wise - i'm kinda relaxing for the summer and letting it go a bit. Me and the OH are going on a kid free mini break to the coast on Thursday for a couple of nights. Accommodation was paid for this morning and just need to book train tickets. I'm also looking at buying a secondhand 'girlie' bike for when I go stay at my mums. She lives at the coast and I've wanted to be able to cycle around the town with the kids. So made some enquiries for a bike that's for sale for £80, so we will see how we get on with that. Bikes are surprisingly difficult to get hold of. 

In day to day tasks - I have been trying to declutter a bit. The kids reader books haven't yet sold so need to re-advertise a bit further afield. I have some kids clothes to list as a bundle and some kids coats to sell too. Last night I defrosted & cleaned out the freezer. It was one of those jobs that was meant to be done last year!! 

Queen_of_the_Hive

I've had a bad nights sleep and I think its because a zoom video call thingy yesterday. It wasn't a horror or anything like that it was about pensions and making sure putting enough away. I know I could do with doing more but come on girl your doing your best atm! Anyway its given me some food for thought and makes me feel even more determined that I really do need to get myself living and paying a mortgage instead of rent. Not easy living in the big smoke, working part time with kids and having a semi retired partner. For now keep plugging away at the debts and see what the next 12 months brings. Don't want to make any big financial moves until the debt is gone. 

Checked my credit score and it tells me its gone up slightly - will take that 

[Deleted User]

Sending you a hug regarding your children being away. One of mine is currently away and it makes me feel sad. Enjoy the little break x

Queen_of_the_Hive

[Deleted User] said:

Sending you a hug regarding your children being away. One of mine is currently away and it makes me feel sad. Enjoy the little break x

Take care of yourself Emma, its not easy but they will be having a good time. We video call most days and I heard my youngest was a bit upset on Monday but he will be ok. My kids do this every year so for me it has got a lot easier and having stuff to do helps. I've booked myself a little trip to make the most of the time & its a good distraction. 

Queen_of_the_Hive

So last night I spent ££ sorting out purchasing a railcard and 2 lots of train tickets for trips we have planned so my credit card has melted! I'll be using savings to cover this though so no debt. Buying the railcard will quickly save itself. 

We are spending some money and getting a financial advisor for my partners pension. He has plans what he would like to do with it but his employers scheme doesn't offer what he wanted. So this is an extra cost for the service and means another month delay in getting budgets sorted but I think it will be worth it longer term. Tempted myself to get some financial advice as well. We will see how OH gets on and will think about it for me afterwards.