Dilemma, Dilemma, Dilemma

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Sunday Evening!

Its been a good week in the hive. Diet has gone well apart from today when my body was screaming for food. So gave in for just today but tomorrow will be back on it!

We are getting excited in the hive, school finishes mid week for both kids and to celebrate we are taking some time out and having a trip to Scotland. The kids haven't been before, OH has been once before and only seen Edinburgh and I have been a few times but where we are going none of us have explored so its going to be a perfect trip. Today i've spent quite a bit of time going through our holiday plans and making sure we are slick with our transport plans as we will be taking public transport as neither myself or OH drives. A big money saving we have managed to make - we were looking to book a day tour and the cost was looking to be £163 which we were wobbling on as our finances are not looking too great. Anyway long story short, a good bit of research and was able to work out a DIY trip which is much more reasonble, so that will be our Sunday trip.

The interest which gets applied to our mortgage is applied around the 20th of the month and having checked it over the weekend its £20 less than previous months. I really hope this is a sign that we are gradually reducing the monthly amounts of interest. Currently sitting with 13% equity. Its only pence, but have been using Sprive as much as we could this week on small amounts and have done paid surveys if they have been available, also set up OH so he has this too. Going to add to the pot on their and come the last day of the year i'll hit send on the overpayment of however much it'll be.

Was going to do some match betting this weekend but miss timed it and missed the boat. Will be better to pick up when football season starts again.

beanielou

Enjoy bonny Scotland.

Drawingaline

Enjoy Scotland. I have done one of the inner Hebridean islands a few times as have friends who live there. I would love to do a full two week tour around the whole of Scotland. Even planned the route. But money is an issue and a husband who wouldn't be too keen. 😏 Might do it solo in the future 

Queen_of_the_Hive

Drawingaline said:

Enjoy Scotland. I have done one of the inner Hebridean islands a few times as have friends who live there. I would love to do a full two week tour around the whole of Scotland. Even planned the route. But money is an issue and a husband who wouldn't be too keen. 😏 Might do it solo in the future 

Morning @Drawingaline, I love Scotland but have been shocked at just how expensive it has been & have had to just "shut my eyes" to it. You should do it, even solo. Must say i've found staying in hostels a bit of an adventure in itself.

Queen_of_the_Hive

beanielou said:

Enjoy bonny Scotland.

Thanks @beanielou

Drawingaline

Hubby has announced a desire to do a random tour of European brutilist architecture 🤷 so maybe if I agree to that i can get my Scotland trip 😝

Queen_of_the_Hive

Drawingaline said:

Hubby has announced a desire to do a random tour of European brutilist architecture 🤷 so maybe if I agree to that i can get my Scotland trip 😝

Doesn't seem a bad deal

Queen_of_the_Hive

Hello Monday,

I haven't been around much since the last diary update as its been a nice bit of family time. Had my DS's since they broke up for school holidays and its been super fab. We had a wonderful mini break in Scotland and despite initially costing a fortune it was very special and would happily do it again and more. Having personally loved the trip I've declared i'd full heart like to move to the Highlands in retirement! Its a maybe for the future but for now there are absolutely no plans to upsticks again! We've had some days out, done a bit of baking at home. This was me and DS2 making DS1 a birthday cake which turned out wonderfully. Am no skilled baker but enjoyed the process. The magic for me was just having my two kids at home regardless of what we were doing. In between having the kids, i've also been having a bit of annual leave and also working. Today is another short week before going back to normal for two weeks and then having the bank holiday Monday which will just be me and OH.

We've also had some potentially hard news to deal with and tbh its only just the beginning. OH has been in a bit of pain and in the past 2 / 3 weeks its quickly escalated. He went to hospital last week and its looking pretty serious. The docs think its cancer and so we find ourselves waiting on scans and tests. I have of course being the kind of person I am spent quite a bit of time reading up on the suspected condition and yeah not good. Personally haven't been in this kind of situation so its all new and very daunting. We are at the moment, back in our old stomping ground pet sitting for the week in a gorgeous period house  of one of my besties which is actually a perfect distraction. So if anyone has an advice, tips or just words of wisdom its greatly appreciated.

Finances wise, no real change. Between myself and my partner we quickly racked up debt by all the travel and hotels since we moved. Its looking like OH will have to take time off for treatment when we know what that will be. He was going to fully retire next year anyway so this may come forward. We will see. For me, I was thinking of looking for a new job next year but given our likely situation am now extremely greatful to be part time and having a good boss so this is absolutely on hold. I honestly don't know what the autumn term will bring, we were going to reduce the travel anyway as we couldn't sustain it which should help to pay off the debt we've built up. Luckily we have my mum and step dad close by and they will support where they can. The rest of August am going to have a quiet month spending month as I need the calm.

On a more positive note, i'd started a diet and was doing quite well. Its gone a bit haywire with staying away from home etc but will keep at it as I feel better for it.

Queen_of_the_Hive

Birthday Cake!

TallGirl

So sorry to read about your bad news we just never know what is around the corner for us. Sounds like you have a lot of support around you and you will need it both of you but so sorry that is not an easy place to be. I have no words of wisdom other than be grateful for what you have got and the job does sound like a blessing right now. Glad you had a lovely holiday hope the scans etc gives clarity soon so you know the options for going forward. Pet cuddles and hugs are always a worthwhile distraction.