New Empty Nest Mum starts battle of mortgage ...

Durban

Delurking to say how much I am enjoying your diary and I'm very sorry about you poor old cat

shopaholicnumber1

Durban wrote: »

Delurking to say how much I am enjoying your diary and I'm very sorry about you poor old cat

Thank you Durban - quite a lovely surprise to know that someone reads my ramblings!

Feline situation is not looking hopeful, just taken a call from the vet who very gently and nicely prepared me to potentially have to make a decision tomorrow unless there is a significant improvement overnight. So a painful conversation with my DC's tonight and potentially a very hard decision tomorrow. Have to remind myself that this isn't about us humans, but what's best for our lovely girl. Heartbreaking :sad::sad::sad:

shopaholicnumber1

Spoke to DC's last night who surprised me by being quite stoic and sensible. DS (always closest to Jones) was upset, but said that as he's been away at uni since September his vision of her is in reasonable health and "her old self" which makes it slightly easier. DD was equally level headed and said it isn't fair to prolong her pain and unhappiness if the vet says it won't improve. I forget they are both adults sometimes and able to rationalise and empathise.

Just spoken with vet who says she hasn't improved, she's stopped eating again and now can't urinate, her temperature is dropping and she isn't moving. However, the vet wants to do one last blood test to compare kidney function to yesterday - I was a bit reluctant to put her through any more poking about, but at least I'll be absolutely sure I've done everything possible for her. Am expecting a call in next hour or two at which point I'm fully expecting to have to say that it's time to let her go.

I feel so sad, but resigned that she's had enough and is now suffering so I have no other kind choice.

Apologies for the maudlin post to anyone who is reading! Mortgage overpayment and financial news etc seems so insignificant right now

shopaholicnumber1

I said a sad goodbye to my lovely Jones last night. She was ready and it gave her the peaceful, dignified and actually quite beautiful end she deserved. She rested her head on my hand while I stroked her and told her how much we love her and then she gently went to sleep. I am so sad and I miss her, but take comfort from being certain that it was the right decision taken at the right time, and was a peaceful journey onward. Goodnight Jones, God Bless :A

Chrystal

Empathy and gentle (((hugs))) for you. XX

shopaholicnumber1

Chrystal wrote: »

Empathy and gentle (((hugs))) for you. XX

Thank you, it means a lot that people understand - I'm not sure I did before I went through it

shopaholicnumber1

A new week and let the festive spending commence it would seem
Had a lovely, much needed chilled out weekend after a pretty exhasting and emotional week.

Wrapped my Christmas pressies (still a few bits to get for kids stockings, but nothing major), wrote all my cards and posted the few I still send my snail mail today. Bought a few festive treats in the supermarket to start stocking up the the cupboard ready for the invasion. I also ordered a new Christmas tree which should (I hope!) arrive this week as I left everything behind when I moved out in March. I did pick up a bag of decorations and lights so not a total disaster. To be fair, ex has said I can have "the b****y lot"! But the space I have is too narrow for the huge, wide 7 foot trees (2 of them) I had so its time for a new one!

So I actually feel pretty organised - am sure it will catch up with me later and I'll be in my usual blind panic on 21st December, but for now I'm serene :rotfl:

shopaholicnumber1

Hello to a brand new week - cannot believe how quickly they come round.

Had a good weekend, put the new, skinny Christmas tree up and now I've got used to it's rather slim profile I am happy with it :xmastree:

Had a good rummage around in some of the boxes I hadn't unpacked and am chuffed to bits that I found all my Christmas crockery and loads of bits and bobs I'd forgotten I'd got. I'd budgeted to replace some of it as I couldn't find it last year and thought that with 2 house moved in 2 years I'd managed to leave it all behind! But no, I've found it, still like it and only 1 small chip on one item so all is good to go! Went to TKMx and bought a few last bits and bobs as stocking fillers for the kids, the very last things are all due for delivery this week and then I'm all done except for the last minute fresh food stuff. I've never been so organised!

The budget is doing OK. I have little pots for EVERYTHING! Christmas groceries, stockings, each person ... even wrapping paper and cards! All either at zero now as purchased, or still a little bit left for last minute expenses so even though I feel a bit twitchy about how much I've spent, it is actually all under control and saved for. I just don't seem to like parting with money any more :rotfl:

On the OP front, nothing to report, November's OP was done but still have a couple of weeks until next one (bloomin Christmas delays it all which is annoying!). Will be interesting to post my 31st December total and set a 2020 target (not rocket science as it's likely to be 12 x £100 but I might try and stretch myself a little bit

Hoping you have a great week folks, I'll be off up and down the A1 next weekend retrieving DC's from Newcastle and Lincoln - then Christmas will really start for my little family - can't wait! :santa2:

shopaholicnumber1

The big day is almost here so I thought it about time I updated my sadly neglected diary. Another payday been and gone (early) but mortgage OP won't go out until 27th. Did manage to top up the savings account though which is a first for December!

Also had some decent financial news with a 2% payrise this month which was backdated to April so a nice unexpected bonus just before Christmas! Good job too, as DD's car failed its MOT and needs some welding doing in January which will pretty much cost my whole extra payment! Oh well, at least I'm no worse off I suppose.

Anyway, Christmas is all sorted, DC's both home, presents wrapped and fridge bursting with scrummy stuff so all that's left for me to do is say a very "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" to all my fellow MSEers and I'll be back in the New Year so see what financial progress can be made in the new decade!
:xmassign::xmastree:

longway2go

Hey,

Merry Christmas and congratulations on the pay rise. Enjoy the time with your family and we can focus together in the new year