Settling in for the long haul

Sun_Addict

I used to love chocolate oranges but I bought one a couple of years ago to enjoy at Christmas and it just didn’t taste the same. Maybe my tastes have changed if not the recipe 😐

Well done to your eldest 🥳

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82162978#Comment_82162978

I’m pretty sure most chocolate products have changed - they’re definitely not what they were! Replacing the cocoa with oil has been a game-changer. I rarely eat anything but a small dark chocolate moser roth bar from Aldi nowadays and I was a cadburys/galaxy chocoholic.

DancingInTheRain

Sorry you had a tough day yesterday, hope today's been better.

I may or may not have bought 6 bargainous chocolate oranges yesterday, I have hidden them from the menfolk in my household to try to make them last but I'm not convinced they won't sniff them out.

That's a great amount of money your DS will earn, the plan for how it's allocated sounds great.

Blackcats

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82163105#Comment_82163105

I'm the same with chocolate now despite previously being a chocoholic. Now, I only like dark chocolate although not the really high % version. I even walked out of the petrol station empty handed last week as they didn't have any dark chocolate. My purse was empty too after filling up the car 🙃

Dakota_Rose

I think today topped yesterday for stress levels. There wasn’t a moment for headspace at all and I had to literally run out of the door at the end of the day to be in time to take eldest for his first shift. Even then, I had calls coming through to my car. I usually opt to work a bit later on a Friday evening to tie all my loose ends up so it did feel a bit unsettling.

On the positive side (as there’s always light to be found), we had a couple of very nice moments during the day, and I’m lucky enough to have a well-paying job, as is eldest! Once home, I had the poshest of baths and a carb fest courtesy of Mr D. A glass wine spritzer on the side and a chapter of my book, and I’m almost fully recovered.

And the best news of all is that the weekend is almost clear of plans. I should surely get some time to read, relax and craft a little - perfection 😊.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

The crafting sounds fab ☺️

That’s a lovely amount for DS to earn

Dakota_Rose

It’s been a lovely lazy Saturday so far and I can finally feel my stress melting away a little bit.

We’ve made a sale for £4 on Vinted so have that ready to post, and an unexpected £50 sale on marketplace. It’s an item I’ve had listed for over a year for slightly more than that, so when I got the offer and told they would collect today I took it. Adding that to the premium bonds win, we have enough for the lovely laundry basket Mr D has had his eye on.

Tonight will be quiet at home. Eldest is working, Little Miss is sleeping at Mum’s and littlest will have a reasonably early night. Mr D and I have a Camembert to bake and will have that with some hot crusty bread and tomato soup. I’m actually rather looking forward to it 😋. I have visions of a hot bath, my walking pad, a quiet hour with my book and starting the next sewing project. I imagine half of that list won’t materialise 😂.

Cherryfudge

But just to have that list on the horizon is so encouraging!

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82164473#Comment_82164473

You are right @Cherryfudge. It’s too easy to take what we have for granted. I’ve already read lots today, dinner was good and the bath is happening next. I have nothing to complain about!

Wishing everyone else a lovely Saturday evening.

Dakota_Rose

I slept well last night and that was so needed. I woke feeling so appreciative of it. In lots of ways, it’s been a good Sunday. Quick visit to Mum’s to collect Little Miss and a brief food shop was had. We popped into Home B’s and it was like an explosion of Halloween and Christmas. Lots to tempt shoppers, but we’ve agreed a simpler one this year so we looked but didn’t buy. We’re each going to choose an item for all the stockings as our small gift to each other (and the children’s contributions to the merriment as a whole). I’m actually quite excited. The list is as follows:

Youngest: Lego minifgure (he was quick to choose and adamant this was the thing 😂)
Little Miss: a chocolate orange

Eldest: something smelly (bubble bath, body spray, candle or similar)

Me: something snuggly (socks, gloves, hat or similar)

Mr D: a book

Youngest and Little Miss were laying heavy hints for eldest around Home B’s today and it was lovely to see them really being intentional about which small item they’d enjoy and could fit into a stocking. Little Miss has her eye on a perfume spray she likes or a scented hand gel. Youngest wants some superhero bath bombs. I handmade each of our stockings so they’re really special and we love hanging them up each year.

Some of us are still hoping Santa will bring a special gift and Mum and Dad will have a couple of treats along with one nice item. That with a Christmas Eve box (we have some beloved reusables that come out each year plus a selection box and novelty item) and it’ll be lovely we hope.

I sold another small item on fb today and that’s been collected, so another £5 cash is ready to be paid into the post office. All these small extras really help to boost the sinking fund pots/loan overpayments and keep me feeling positive. Nowadays I love a sale as much I used to love a spend 😂.

It’ll be an early night tonight. Mentally preparing myself for a new week. Last week was intense so I’m selfishly hoping for a kinder few days ahead.