Escape to the country & living off savings

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks SW so lovely to see you x

Most of Christmas cards written. Foil bubble wrap type stuff placed behind the radiators with help from DF. Feels warmer, but it is not as cold outside so that helps. Blowing a gale here tonight. 

Stew made in my slow cooker today using leeks and parsnips from DF’s allotment plus cubed beef, swede & carrots. Still half a swede and half a bag of carrots left so tomorrow I will turn them into swede & carrot mash for other meals. 

Tomorrow is gift wrapping & putting up my tree. 

MovingForwards

My G&E came in at £165 last month, with heating on for 9h per day.

Depending on how many cards you have, start them a few months earlier next year but don't put their names on. Well done for getting most finished.

Stew sounds great, as does the mixed mash. 

The shopping trip perked you up.

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks MF I do feel a bit brighter 😊

All Christmas cards written and I walked to the post box so they will go in the morning collection. Mopped floors and put my tree up 🎄 plus a few other decorations I brought with me. No wrapping done yet, will hopefully get that done tomorrow and Tuesday afternoon, after aquafit. 

Things to do tomorrow 
- drive DF into town and drop him off. He has several appointments and says he will get the bus back 
- collect meds from chemist 
- visit mr T for some gluten free stuff 
- wrap presents 

Skint_yet_Again

Feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the Christmas prep. Did everything on my list today. More visiting arranged. DS & dogs arriving later this week. Did I mention puppy dog now has a friend! Did about half of present wrapping this afternoon & now got backache. Did I mention I hate wrapping! Ate half of one of the selection boxes 🤦‍♀️ Will need to buy a replacement after aquafit tomorrow and wrap it quick so I don’t scoff that too 🙄

Skint_yet_Again

Have paid my car insurance on my credit card £271.83. 😕 The cc bill will be produced around the 5th Jan and will be paid in full from household bills pot (currently £540 plus £100 per month)

Other bills coming due soon will be house insurance & breakdown cover in January, car tax & boiler service in February. 

I will be submitting a gas and electric meter reading before Christmas too. Heating has been on a lot but neighbours have now moved in so hopefully I will get a bit of heat from them / not be heating their empty house. The weather has been warmer the last few days & temperature in my bedroom is up from 12.5 to 15 degrees this morning. 

SuzeQStan

Hey SYA - I know it doesn’t help a lot but you aren’t alone on the christmas  overwhelmed feelings xx deep breaths.  Everyone says it’s the thought that counts but we do stress every year LOL.  

PD friend sounds interesting!!! Do tell!?!

glad your neighbours have moved in to provide a warmer wall between you both!

& So happy you have all your savings pots prepped and ready to spring Into action.  You are dojng brilliantly you know - you should give urself a big pat on the back. 😊👍🏻🥰

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks SQS 🥰

DS & his gf have a 3yr old rescue come to live with them and puppy dog. Can’t tell much as it’s only been 2 weeks and I haven’t met her yet. Will let you know. 

Had a good workout at aquafit yesterday. Called into asd@ for last few Christmas bits & gluten free garlic bread for DS’s gf. Spent £14.08. I got lots of gluten free food in Mr t on Monday & bottle of asti for Xmas present £6.50 on offer from £8. Total spend £59.18. £15 transferred from Xmas pot to cover last few bits. 

Remaining in current account £97.18. I may need £10 petrol to last until the end of the month. I may also be doing a roast for DS & gf and DF, so I will need to get a joint of meat or a whole chicken but will wait until DS & gf arrive and see what their plans are before buying it. They may be going to visit other family and we may get a takeaway so I may not need it. Fridge and freezer are currently full. Any gluten free stuff not eaten I can use up after Christmas. I am at my sisters for Christmas and DF is cooking ny day. 

Finished wrapping all gifts. Went to visit my friend yesterday for cuppa and cake. Dropped off presents for her & her DH. Received gifts from them 😊 Day of “rest” today. Need to hoover &
make up the bed in the spare room. It’s supposed to be dry and windy today so I have a load of towels to hang out. Lots of visiting arranged for over the weekend and next week so I will try to relax now and enjoy it. ☺️

SuzeQStan

Christmas plans sound wonderful & You sound really well prepared.

I always feel so sorry for coeliac sufferers - it’s a tough one. My mum’s best mate was gluten free and my mum used to make this gorgeous choccy cake - I’ll ask her for the recipe for you xx

new doggy friend for puppy dog is a lovely early Christmas prezzie for PD 🐶🐾😻

glad you can relax a bit now and enjoy yourself SYA xx

MovingForwards

PD has a sister! How wonderful 😊 

You've done a lot of adventuring while recovering from illness and it's not surprising to hear things have become overwhelming
 
Make the most of all available rest times, slip in 10 mins for a relaxing brew and go with the flow for the remainder of the year.

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks SQS. Chocolate cake recipe would be appreciated 😊

Not sure how much relaxing I will get with 2 dogs here MF ☺️

DS arrived yesterday with puppy dog & golden child 😊 Puppy dog was so pleased to see me 🥰 and golden girl is just a delight. She’s a bit skittish on the lead but as she was rescued from a puppy farm she hasn’t been walked. It’s quite amazing how gentle and friendly she is. We took them for a walk & then they settled down for the evening. We popped in to see DF then back home and had a curry delivered & mine was just under £10 paid from funds in current account. All food from now will be from stores. 

This morning we will be walking them both together then DS is going to the dog food manufacturer to get a few 15kg bags to take home. We have used the same dog food for years and it is much cheaper to buy direct. I’m going to my friends for a cuppa this afternoon. Then I will walk the dogs again with DS before it gets dark. DS’s gf is still working but will arrive on Friday on the train. 

Friday is walk the dogs, aquafit, get more milk & collect meds from chemist. 

Hopefully DS’s gf will arrive in time to walk the dogs before it gets dark otherwise I will be doing it again.