Settling in for the long haul

Cherryfudge

What an excellent idea for the stockings!

I hope this coming week is kinder to you.

Dakota_Rose

@Cherryfudge thank you so much. I’ve woken feeling somewhat anxious this morning. Going to give myself until 7am just to lay and breathe!

FootyFanDan

Hope this week is kinder to you.

DancingInTheRain

Another one sending wishes for a kinder week

Sun_Addict

Sending positive vibes for a good week ahead🙏🏼

Dakota_Rose

Thank you all. It was an okay day but I’ve been plagued with a headache all day. There’s been one issue after another at work and I am feeling ready for a break.

In different news, I’ve finished my 22nd book of the year. Think I should complete my 26 books for 2026 challenge but we’ll see. I’ve really been enjoying it reading something different these past couple of months which has kept the momentum going.

This was A Throne of Glass, the first of a new series by Sarah J Maas. I’d definitely read the next one but it didn’t grip me as much as I had hoped. I think it’ll grow on me as it continues knowing what I’m like with these things. I debated a 7 or 7.5 but I did read it within a week so for stickability, I’ll give it an 8.

Dakota_Rose

Well the headache wiped me out overnight and this morning as it turned into a full blown migraine. Feels like I’m coming out of the other side of it now though.

What news do I have to update on? Well with the help of his daddy and the Lego barcode scanner, littlest has chosen 5 different minifigures from the Shrek range for his Christmas stocking gifts. He’s absolutely loved choosing who is getting which one and writing the names on the Christmas labels. We’ve officially started our preparations. Little Miss is very annoyed that the Mr T’s chocolate orange offer has ended as that’s to be her contribution and she’s not one for paying full price for anything 😂. If they don’t go back on, we’ll each be getting a segment in our stocking 😂.

Vinted sale went through with £4 cleared and another item for £5 was collected via marketplace today. All those little pounds do make a difference, especially when we run a zero-based budget - every little bit is a happy moment.

I’m still awaiting the deposit refund from littlest’s birthday party so I’ve sent a nudge for that today.

Mr D and I have chatted Christmas budget again and have agreed the amount to be allocated for each of the children. We save plenty for it as we really love it but both agree that anything we can save would be much appreciated by the house itself, which is still waiting patiently for a new front door, redecoration and fire 🙈.

Eldest’s big run of shifts starts tomorrow, so life in the Dakota house is about to get pretty hectic with pick ups and travel. We have a master plan to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Eldest will be covering the cost of all fuel with his pay, so we’ve agreed to put it on the CC so we can keep track of what is being spent. This will be cleared while the card is still 0%.

Considering all I’ve done is rest and sleep since this time yesterday, my bed is calling me. It’ll be an early night again!

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Sounds like you’re having a busy time!

I have Throne of Glass downloaded on my kindle, but haven’t started it yet. I’ve heard the series gets better as it goes along too.

Dakota_Rose

Please let me know what you make of it @ohdearhowdidthathappen

That was a full on day at work. I did 2 days’ worth of work and left very late as a result. My migraine is all but gone now but I did feel very ropey this morning.

Nothing much else to report other than I feel robbed by the petrol station. Put £50 and needless to say it didn’t fill the tank. I’ve also started a new book ‘Close to Home’ which is set in lower class Ireland and couldn’t be more different to the fantasy books I’ve recently had my head stuck in. Enjoying it so far though!

Dakota_Rose

I’m so relieved it’s the weekend. It’s been a full on week, with lots different to my usual timetable - some real highs and lows too.

Littlest is full of cold so we are going to have a cosy day at home and have enjoyed snuggles in bed this morning. It’s a nice feeling having nowhere to go.

Wishing everyone a good weekend. I’m fully intending to keep my hands on my pennies. We have the week after next off and pay day is still not in sight!