Tightening the belts for unpaid leave

[Deleted User]

Got paid today but only for 9 days so still not back to full fighting power.  Going to continue with this diary until 20 Sept when get a full month's pay.  

Ended up being NSD yesterday as I didn't go out as the rain continued all day.  

Was supposed to run this morning but woken up with a banging headache so have given it a miss and will try to go either later this afternoon or tomorrow.  Dropped DC1 at MIL and going to try to get DC2 down for a sleep in a minute so I can get ready.  Meeting the "friend" who kicked us out in March.  Was supposed to be lunch but I've changed it to coffee as I want to save and also from WW point of view as out tonight for dinner with DH.  Then need to get some formula, wipes, snacks for DC2, plus we need handwash etc which is cheap in b**ts plus points.  Then need to go to M&S as need milk and raspberries for DC1 plus some biscuits for MIL who is babysitting tonight.  DC1's last day at nursery on Thurs so might get a big tin of biscuits/chocs for the nursery girls but may leave until in car as not sure all that will fit in bottom of DC2's pram!  Oh and need to get thank you cards for our landlady and the lady upstairs who have both given the kids gifts recently - might also make them some mini victoria sponge cakes over the weekend as weather is meant to be pants tomorrow.

Seeing house at 3 but am not getting excited.  We were actually looking at places in Northumberland last night but not sure I can convince DH to move north (I am from north so would be fine for me) - could get so much more for money up there.  Anyone else watching "a country life for half the price"?  Absolutely love it and does make us think shall we just go for it?!!!

Out for dinner with DH tonight and going for a drink first.  Expecting tonight to be 120ish in total but we've not had a date night in forever so it will be worth it.  Though not going to help on the old WW!  I've lost about 1.5lbs since Monday.

carolbee

Love  that programme! Always makes me want to move and have a goat! 😀

CRANKY40

Fingers crossed for the house. It's taken my best mate months to find a house and even the one that he's buying is only "it'll do" rather than a "wow, perfect house". 

Blackcats

Hope the house was of interest or helps you decide to have a new life for half the price.  I love those type of programmes too - I know there is often a gloss to them but I do admire the people who have been brave enough to do something different and follow their dreams.  

Enjoy your night out with OH.   Fingers crossed the children will sleep a bit later in the morning.  

Buffythedebtslayer

Big fingers crossed for the house. Really hope it is a good one XXX 

[Deleted User]

House was AMAZING!  2 acres, peaceful.  It's very different to the other one we were under offer on and a bit hiddeldy piggedly but had such a lovely feel to it.  There's stuff we'd change over time (like it has no downstairs loo) but we really liked it.  Only issue is, they don't really know what they are doing but said they would keep in touch - so we will have first refusal I think but we will keep on looking.

We might book a trip to UK to have a break and also scope out some areas/houses - going to look into it this weekend.

Dinner was rubbish and we spent £156 - dinner was £140 including tip (and we didn't even have dessert) and drinks before (only one each) £16 - ridiculous.  So just feel like that wasn't worth it at all.  Walked home so at least saved on a cab and I suppose we don't have to pay a babysitter - I'm (badly) trying to justify it to myself.

Anyway.  Spent £30.30 in boots yesterday on 2 x formula and some snacks for DC2.  Then £5.39 in M&S on raspberries for DC1, milk and biscuits for MIL (who didn't even eat any!).  Saw my friend for coffee - she paid.  It's all very awkward and am not sure our friendship can be saved really.  I'm trying but not sure she is - it's quite sad.

Got to do big shop today and we need stuff like dishwasher tabs so is not going to be cheap.  And car needs filling with petrol as we didn't do it last week so that will probs get done tomorrow.

DC1 has cricket this morning and I shall probably nurse the hangover.  Not sure what we are having for tea tonight - probs be a pizza or something.

Not sure we will be up to much else today as weather looking awful!

[Deleted User]

Have a stinking rotten cold!!!  Must've been why I had a banging headache yesterday.  Have done absolutely nothing today and spent no time with my kids (DH has taken them out so I can rest).  Feel incredibly guilty.  Eaten rubbish and obvs can't run!

[Deleted User]

Another rubbish day.  So so poorly with this cold.  Should get a covid test but can't face it.  Missing niece's birthday party on beach - DH has gone with the 2 DC and they look like they're having a great time and I miss them.  DC1 is very cuddly at present and I am missing his cuddles. 

DH spent £112 on shopping.  £63 on petrol.  We need to tighten up.  We really do.  I gave him a list (I normally go but am poorly so couldn't) and he got loads of extras like expensive cheeses, meats, nduja spread, bought the wrong type of peanut butter (crunchy so DC2 can't have that) and chocolate cupcakes - he says because I'm poorly he wanted to buy nice things and I do appreciate that.  But our spending is just insane.  And we have to go through our mortgage application again if we find another house.

I think we've resigned ourselves to the fact that we are stuck here because we just can't see much else coming on the market this year.  Know I keep banging on about it but just feel like we've let our kids down so much - we would've been much happier staying in our house.  And there's no one else to blame but us.

[Deleted User]

Had a covid test - negative thankfully!  Still feeling rubbish but less rubbish than I was.  Need to get out the house with DC2 today - need to get the nursery ladies some bics/chocs and a thank you card as is DC1's last day there thursday.

Yesterday wasn't a NSD as DH went to supermarket (again!) for (more) sweet treats and wine/beer.  No idea what the spend was until it appears on the card.

Am out tonight with girlfriends so that will be £££ though I don't think I'm going to drink as still feeling rubbish.  DH out with his friends friday so again £££.  DH is having a ready meal from freezer tonight and we are having lunch from stores (he will come home for lunch).  I will have to get a ready meal for when he's out friday.

No houses on the horizon - agents all saying it's v quiet as summer hols.  I really do think it is us being stuck here for a long long time and wish we had never sold our beautiful house with huge garden.  Just keep thinking we had a perfectly decent house there and moved for more space but we are currently stuck with less space!!!!

We are still considering a move to the UK, somewhere with holiday lets (though this would require a mortgage).  We can both keep our jobs and work remotely so would easily be able to do both.

Blackcats

Glad you are feeling a bit better.
Its been a rollercoaster few weeks for you so it's natural to get despondent.  

I have only ever regretted selling one house and I still can't drive past it.  Things worked out ok in the end but I sometimes find myself questioning my rationale for selling it so I can empathise with how you are feeling.  

It's good that you've got some socialising to enjoy and some options about future plans too.
it will be alright in the end and if it's not alright then it's not the end 🙃