The Best Is Yet To Come 26 December 2020 at 6:31PM edited 26 December 2020 at 6:56PM in Mortgage-free wannabe 1.1K replies 61.4K views

caeler

It's always a hold your breath moment in my house when the MOT is due @slm6002 The car is getting older now so probability says more things will need to attention! Glad yours passed.  Mine went in recently too, I got an advisory on the number plate and tyres.  Tyres had also worn on the inside and had "feathered". I decided to replace tyres straight away, I was knew they'd needing doing soon anyway and they were 5 years old!

slm6002

Thanks caeler.  I grew up with my dad on a regular basis checking over my car.  When I moved on from there mu XH took over the role as he was very much into cars and did most minor repairs such as breaks.  Now I am on my own I would love to take a car maintenance training course but nothing around here like that.  Other than checking the oil I am pretty clueless and would prefer to know what's going on.  My dad did change a light bulb for me a few months back in between lockdowns.
My Sun 9.50 holiday information came through today - must be first day of new session.  I was already expecting it but now we are on count down.  Need to get my lists of destinations ready for next Sunday evening.  I am hoping to edge myself a little further away from home this time, although still within what I think I can drive - for those new to my diary I have issues driving anywhere of great distance and especially new places.  I get panic attacks and always relied on XH to drive anywhere of great distance like to my sisters.  I am hoping one day I can drive to visit her.  Last years holiday I booked in a new place and was very pleased I did ok getting there.  I feel I can go a little further this time.  I am still looking at places that don't use major motorways etc so mainly A roads or back roads.  Off to start making my list on this cold frosty morning.

FtbDreaming

Well done on passing your MOT! I feel for you with the driving issue. Could you not book your holiday a bit further out of your comfort zone and plan several breaks so it’s split up into a few shorter journeys in your head. I was petrified of the motorway after a near miss and got the train for 2 years after. Then I went and booked a holiday to France and drove all the way there and back (and around France for 5 days) from Liverpool. I am still scared but I just sit on clenched bum cheeks and do a little jig when I get there! 

Xxx

slm6002

Thank you FtbDreaming.  I am working my way up.  My uncle lives about 4 hours away, but because we went there so often as a child I am sure I could make it there on the back roads, even though there are now bigger motorways to get us there faster.  Maybe I should head that way.  I also got an old sat nav on freecycle a while ago and updated it to show new maps before the holiday in August.  It certainly helped.  Splitting the journey up is a good idea too, even though it would still be unknown.  I had planned on upping the length of distance because the children take part in a sport where they need to go on tournaments a distance away.  I had hoped to work my way up to doing that journey, or going the day before so I could pace myself and stop, then we would get a room for the night.  Unfortunately that has stopped for now so travel has been on hold.  XH has said he will take the children but to be honest I want as little contact with him as possible so am determined to get over this fear.
It all originally started when i was pregnant with DD1 15+ years ago.  My blood pressure is very low and when pregnant it got so low I would feel faint.  At this point I would lie on the floor behind my desk (which to begin with caused much panic for other staff who came in to see just my legs sticking out lol) and 5 min later I was fine.  At some point I must have had an episode on the main road and I would have taken the next exit.  I never passed out, but since then the thought of it, especially if I know I cant get to a safe spot or turn off the road brings me into panic again.  Even though I know its all in my head it doesn't stop it.

slm6002

Roast pork is in the oven but need to get potatoes and veg on the go.  Meat smells good but the power just went out.  Its back on now, but keeps flickering.  Got my new head torch to hand ready but hoping I don't need it.  About to pre the rest of the dinner and hoping we get to fully cook it.  I think the meat is probably cooked by now so if all else fails it will be pork and apple sauce in a roll - to me it sounds good but kids would not be impressed without their roast potatoes and yorkshire puddings (yes O know its not beef but we have them with any roast dinner here!).  I'm going to cook the remaining parsnips to munch on cold tomorrow as they need using up.  I need to find something for pudding to as its sunday - we only have pudding on a sunday.
We have had a very lazy weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Other than the older 2 children walking next doors dog for him as he is still suffering with his foot, we haven't left the house.  Plan for this evening is dinner bath and bed, and then ready for homeschooling in the morning.  The first lesson for DD1 is on zoom at 9.30.  Not sure if they all moaned as it was originally 8.55

joedenise

Pork and apple sauce roll sounds good to me too!  We've got roast pork too, a stuffed rolled joint from L*dl, not had it before so hoping it's good.  We're having it with Boulanger potatoes, roasted carrots & peppers, various green veg.

We always had yorkies with a roast when I was growing up but not so much now.  Think back then is because there wasn't much meat to go round so the yorkies helped fill us up! along with all the potatoes and veg.

slm6002

Managed to get most of the dinner cooked in between several power cuts.  We ended up with no yorkshires as just couldn't risk the fact the power was about to go out again.  All full up and very yummy

joedenise

Could always cook the yorkies later and have cold with jam or syrup.  Used to love that when I was a kid!

Kitten868

Sorry about all the power cuts messing with your roast! What a nightmare not getting any yorkshire puddings! I would have given up so you did very well. 
I know what you mean about car maintenance. Seems to me they're alot more electrics than mechanics nowadays. We have one of things you plug in and it can check diagnostics. Come in very handy so fair. £2 on ebay or something. I can't do anything with it but hubby can. I'm not a car person. 
Hope the power cuts stop now xxx

dawnybabes

joedenise said:

Could always cook the yorkies later and have cold with jam or syrup.  Used to love that when I was a kid!

Was our Sunday tea every week.