Curbing the ridiculous

[Deleted User]

So, re the friends point - they are as it's not them - it's my friend's mum who owns the property - they only got involved with the utilities as she is currently still in hospital and can't - so they had nothing to do with it all other than trying to organise (and taking) final readings.  So it's not their fault.  But I do appreciate your support guys.

Decided to call the gas company this morning - figured that if I found out when the previous reading was taken and if it was within our tenancy term then it must be our expense.  If it wasn't, and was taken some time prior to us moving in, then we would have to think again.

Found out that it was last taken in Sept 2021 which was during our tenancy (and when landlady wasn't in hospital) - then we got a very small bill (which I raised with friend didn't look right) in Dec 2021 which was apparently an estimated reading - so it is right - it's just huge.  So we have paid it over to landlady.

Anyway, my reactionary rant is all my fault(!).  I do need to start thinking about things and how to tackle before I react.

[Deleted User]

So, I think I'm going to start a new diary - because I feel like we need to leave the past 18 months behind us.

joedenise

Glad it's all sorted @[Deleted User], although it does seem an awful lot for such a short time!  I don't think my gas bill is that high for a year!

moving_forward

Phew what a relief. Panic is a normal reaction so don't stress unnecessary over it. Whether you start a new diary or not is up to you but the past 18 months ARE behind you now so you can move on 😘

[Deleted User]

joedenise said:

Glad it's all sorted @[Deleted User], although it does seem an awful lot for such a short time!  I don't think my gas bill is that high for a year!

Yes, I just don't know how it is that high!  But it is our usage so obviously we have paid it.

Just the final electricity and water bills to go for the flat now - gah.

[Deleted User]

So in other news, DH saw MIL on Friday when he went to pick DC2 up.  She said that she was willing to have the DC (1 at a time) occasionally, but just could not commit to a regular slot, which doesn't exactly help us with our childcare arrangements (as we need reliable childcare for obvious reasons).  I honestly wouldn't care as it is not her place to provide childcare, they are our children, if the same applied to her daughter's kids.  But it just doesn't - she is willing to commit to regular slots there (plus lots of ad hoc and school holidays) but not for our kids and it is THAT which really gets to me.

DH also told her off for the comments regarding our "big house and holidays".  He said she changed the subject pretty quickly.

Upshot is, she has sent me a message saying she can have DC1 this coming thursday afternoon (she had said tuesday or thursday as don't think she realised we have now had to put DC1 in nursery on a tuesday)- which is fine but it doesn't really get us much further long term.  Going forwards, I am just not going to ask her - if she wants to see them then she can ask/offer but I'm just not going to ask.

Been looking ahead at sept 2023 as I want to go back FT (for financial reasons).  However, unless we can get wraparound care for the DC 1 day a week post-school, it isn't going to work.  Best I can do in that scenario (if we don't get wraparound) is to go back 33.5 hours as opposed to 35 hours a week if DH works from home 1 day a week to enable him to pick the kids up and me to work late (as by then at 3 &5 they will be able to entertain themselves/watch tv largely for a couple of hours once a week).

Not even sure why I'm worrying about this now but I am an over-planner and do tend to worry a lot.  But maybe that it an ok solution - as I then get to pick them up 4 days a week and DH once.

DC2 still not interested in milk - spoke to health visitor who said it's all fine and gave some tips as to what to offer instead.  I guess at least we will reduce the milk bill and I actually haven't bought any since Saturday (will need tomorrow though but less than normal).

Stuck to new budget from 20th mainly because this month's figures were scaring me psychologically!  So far, we've spent 0.79 on my apple storage subscription and nothing else.

Friend just dropped round some clothes for the DC which was very kind of her.  Not had chance to look at what they are yet but looks like summer stuff so should save us a few £££.

moving_forward

I plan wayyyy ahead too. It's the anxiety in me. I'm trying to limit it by talking to myself as if I was advising someone else. Lists as well help as I'm write down all the scenarios and it stops them whirling in your head.

[Deleted User]

Spent £14.10 today in WR - all essential - 1 x milk, 1 x cottage cheese (to try DC2 on to get calcium down him), 1 x orange squash (DC2 also not drinking much water and nursery suggested putting the tiniest bit of squash in his water) and 4 x bear paws (on offer and we were running low and they eat them ALL THE TIME) plus 1 x peppa pig yoghurts.

This morning also took DC1 to nursery, dropped in the signed life insurance forms and CDD so hopefully that should be in place by end of week (WHAT A SLOG THAT WAS) and then nipped to WR.  DC2 down for a nap and I am watching Pieces of Her on Netflix - hoping he is down for 2-2.5 hours.

Have to pick DC1 up at 3.  DH was due to be out with work tonight but that's been cancelled due to covid so at least I have help with the DC.

Dinner from stores tonight - lloyd grossman sauce, pasta and sausages.

Alchemilla

What will you curb your new diary?

BellaLasagna2018

I binged watched Pieces of Her. I think Toni Colette is such a good actress. I’ll look forward to your opinion of the series. I won’t say anything yet though!