Settling in for the long haul

_Dolly_Rocker_

You're doing great with the EF.

Dakota_Rose

Thank you 😊 I am really looking forward to payday tomorrow and it has come round quite quickly too.

Tomorrow will hit my petrol and purse hard as we have a longer drive to do with eldest having a hospital appointment a little way away. Mr D struggles to do the hospital visits now following what was a really traumatic few months with eldest a few years ago. He fell very poorly very suddenly and this turned into the worst year of our lives really. As I was still breastfeeding littlest at the time, Mr D stayed full time in the hospital while I drove home each night. This broke my heart too leaving them each day and those drives were an awful part of every day. Eldest has since had major surgery for an issue they discovered during the illness, with the same sleeping arrangements again. We should be through the other side now, but still have regular appointments and now with a different issue that is painful but not life-limiting, we are back over to the same hospital. I do the regular appointments as Mr D has what I’m sure is PTSD bless him. I think I have slightly of the drive and dreaded parking situation, but I definitely cope better with it than he does.

Here’s hoping for a good result from the scans tomorrow. As I’ve alluded to in earlier diary entries, this kid deserves a break. He has a heart of gold (and patches) and hasn’t had an easy ride of things in the past few years. What we need is for the scans to show no worsening of his condition and he can opt out of surgery.

The only thing he looks forward to on appointment days is a meal deal from the nearby Tesco, which is something he enjoyed when he finally started to recover from his illness. I will feel no guilt treating him to one of those tomorrow after the appointment. Mr D is making us bacon rolls to take with us, which I’m hoping will tide me over till I get home again.

Cor, that did turn into an outpouring!

RhiBi

Really hoping the appointment goes well for you all. It sounds like it’s been traumatic all round for all of you in differing ways. I agree he deserves the meal deal, you’re doing so well with the debt busting especially having to deal with the trauma and emotional toll of your son being so ill.

Dakota_Rose

Thanks for your kind words @RhiBi

FootyFanDan

Hope the appointment goes well.

Honeysucklelou2

Hope the scan goes well.

Baileys_Babe

I hope the scan & appointment go well. I'm glad to hear your DS has a loving and supportive family to help him through the health issues 🤗

foxgloves

Best wishes for the hospital visit x

Dakota_Rose

March’s money shuffle has been done. That is always a happy half hour 😂

Emergency fund has been topped up 🥳 £1000/£1000. The challenge now is to keep it there untouched unless an emergency! I haven’t managed this for any length of time in the past so this will be the real test now.

Sinking fund pots have also had a contribution. In order from largest to smallest: holiday, shower fund, birthday/gifts, car, family treats.

Petrol and personal spends have £75 each again, which is the monthly allowance I’ve settled on in recent months. My personal spends had increased to £100 a while back, which was a comfortable amount. I felt too guilty having a new phone and (new to me) car that I’ve reduced this slightly to contribute.

And the garden waste bin license has been purchased.

I’ve had two bumper months of extra money due to council tax and water both being on 10-month payment plans. Very pleased that the EF and pots have felt the benefit. In the past, that money would have been frittered away with nothing but stuff to show for it. I’ll be sad to have less to allocate on the spreadsheet next month, but at least it won’t be a struggle!

This has been a nice distraction to start the day. Can’t ignore the anxious tummy for much longer though and it’s time to face the day. Thank you for your kind words everyone - you are a lovely bunch.

RhiBi

Thinking of you all today @Dakota_Rose i hope it all goes well xx