Curbing the ridiculous

Jellytotts

I had the palpitations about 3 years ago, was told caffeine and perimenopause. Cut the caffeine completely and it helped a lot. Get the odd bout of them now and then but I'm now in proper hot flushes territory so I'll accept its perimenopausal now.

The caffeine withdrawals were hard work but worth it.  Hope it improves soon for you.

rdone

I've been caffeine neg for 12 years now and never looked back!  Hardly ever get migraines nor palpitations since.

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys - have cut down to one normal coffee and 1 diet coke a day but also going to cut diet coke out once this box is finished (will save money too!).  ECG and blood test at lunchtime.

DH hasn't got the new tyres fitted yet as the garage which did the service only had the super duper expensive ones in so he is going to take to a tyre place soon - not sure if it will be in this month's budget or not, but for now, we are under our "normal" budget but not our "reduced" budget.  Also need to get the other car serviced but if that needs a lot of work we might just trade it in for something younger (it's 2004 and totally battered) as it might make more economic sense.

Other than that, we've been pretty good on the spending - no baguettes, been taking in instead and buying on offer chocolate (as it always is this time of year) where you get 4 bars for £1 to avoid the expensive vending machine.

FIL's beer subscription came out today which I forgot but only 1 more to go in March as it's every 8 weeks and we said we'd get 3 lots including the ones already sent for xmas.  That was £24.

Quiet day with the DC today - in this morning as DC2 is down and my appointment is at 12, but may take them to park this arvo as weather is nice.  DH out at band practice tonight so I get to watch This is Us!

HB survey was fine.  Friend said it's a great family home with a lovely feeling but it now is just ready for a new lease of life having been a family home for 30 odd years.  Nothing significant to worry about so that's good.  I am, however, raging.  He also did the survey on the other property we were going for and I was saying to him yesterday how on reflection, we now think they were not really intending to sell and he said he certainly got that impression - he said that they were speaking to him about the house they were "thinking of buying"!!!!  Thinking of buying - we were 4 weeks out from completion!!!  It also transpires (from sources) that they hadn't even given the vendors of the one they were "thinking of buying" a date for completion as late as end of July!!!  I do think it is absolutely disgusting the way they behaved, costing us time, stress and lots of money, to never really have intended to sell in the first place and just to be able to walk away with no recourse.

QueenJess

Don't get me started on people with no recourse.  We had a nightmare trying to buy a house and it took us 3 houses to get there with multiple sellers messing us around for months on end.  I like to think it was worth it as the house we ended up with was the best one.

[Deleted User]

@QueenJess - that's awful.  It's such a fundamental thing, a home - the European Convention on Human Rights talks about it being the place you return to and feel safe/secure.  It's horrible when people just don't respect that.

Not a huge amount to update.  Took the DC to park Thurs arvo which was actually a lot of fun then we came home to have cupcakes from stores.  Worked yesterday, took lunch and chocolate in again.  Atmosphere was awful - I think I may be WFH a lot in the new house.  DH got curry from M&S as it was Friday night and much cheaper than a take away, but it wasn't very nice this time for some reason.  Hope we've not got covid!!  We have been doing LFT's which are negative.  A pretty sleepless night as DC2 being troublesome again.

Did big shop this morning which was quite expensive.  If we don't get the new tyres before thursday (which doesn't look very likely given DH is so busy at work that he logged on this morning to do some) then we will be under the usual budget this month (though over the reduced budget I'd set).  Think we won't get a new car, what is around looks expensive and think we will just try to cope with this one for as long as we can.

Agent did contents inventory on friday so just waiting for a copy of that and we've agreed to buy a few things from them on completion which we need and which will save us quite a bit.  Had a look round a garden centre earlier at bits and bobs/for ideas but we didn't buy anything.  Should get title report and written survey by end of next week and signed and returned the mortgage offer forms to bank yesterday as well as filled in form to move landline service.  Booked in an architect to come the day after we complete as we know exactly what we want to do and it will take 18 months-2 years probably to secure decent builders (have got some recommendations from my surveyor friend) so makes sense to get plans in and approved now.  Initial consultation is free anyway so is not costing us anything.

DH is making his amazing squash chicken and pesto lasagna for dinner and he's made 4 chocolate orange mousses also - for today and tomorrow.  I think this is why our food bill is quite high because whilst we eat cheaply in the week, we do love our food and cooking and so have nice things on the weekend.  Plus I overloaded on bear paws for the kids again (I think I bought 10 boxes at £1.94 a box as they were on offer so that's almost £20 in bear paws(!) but they eat them ALL the time!

Seeing best mate for coffee (probs at his so free) tomorrow as not seen him for a while.  Briefly saw him earlier when took DC2 for a walk and dropped him a book of mine I think he will like - I know he will keep it pristine.  But he was on his way out and I had DC2 in the buggy so couldn't really chat.  I miss him when I don't see him often enough.  Can't wait until we have our house and can FINALLY have friends round all the time!

astrocytic_kitten

It’s all happening with the house! It’ll be so good when you’re all in and settled.

Blackcats

So excited for you as you move closer to your new home.  your virtual friends here will breathe a sigh of relief and be very happy for you.  Perhaps we could have a virtual anonymised house warming party?  What a strange invite list when you look at our user names.
I agree about nice food at the weekend - for us it's part of relaxing and savouring the time together at home.  

[Deleted User]

Thanks guys!  Yes, absolutely a virtual anonymised house warming!  So funny re the guest list!

Made gingerbread men (or "ginger men" as DC1 calls them) with DC1 this morning.  DH has made some cheese and chive scones as we bought chives yesterday for part of dinner last night and he wanted to use them up - they haven't turned out great though!!

Off to best mate's shortly - secretly hoping he suggests wine but was up at 0440 as had the runs!!  So a bit tired.  DH has taken the DC to his mums.

Weekends are really dragging at the moment and life really is.  Am also feeling incredibly guilty - DC1 appears to have blossomed since we got news that we were a go with the house.  Like he is potty trained, speaking and interacting loads, understanding much more and interacting with his brother and is generally very happy.  And we think it might be because we are no longer down anymore.  And we feel guilty that he appears to have been so affected by decisions we've made for such a long time.  Incredibly guilty.

joedenise

Don't feel guilty RP - you can't change the past so no point beating yourself up.  Just look forward and be pleased that things have improved so much since you found out about the house.

Alchemilla

All parenting is doing the best you can with the resources available, all parents look back and critique their past parenting, the intelligent ones, anyway.