Settling in for the long haul

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82180004#Comment_82180004

It’s my favourite season too 😊. We have a very chilled out week ahead with no real plans other than to enjoy some time at home.

The storm has been pretty wild up here and along with the clocks changing, it’s left me feeling out of sorts today. I’m not the only one as half the house seem a bit down and quiet. Unusual for our bunch.

It’s been an MSE day though. Nothing spent, and leftovers have been used up well meaning that we still have a nice dinner to look forward to tomorrow.

Mum had a power cut when we were visiting today, making me encourage her to get stocked up with some emergency supplies once again. She’s reluctant to get a little gas camping stove, but as her area often goes down with power I’d feel a lot better knowing she can make a cup of tea, heat a tin of soup and fill a hot water bottle. I think I’ve almost persuaded her but understand she is frightened of them.

Mr D and I have chatted about our own supplies and I think I’ll make it my mission to get the basics in this week. Have a horrible feeling we’re going to need them - just don’t feel comfortable with what’s going on in the news at the moment. We won’t be short of food for a good few days if we have something to heat it on. So a camping stove and bottled water is on the list. We have candles and torches, and plenty of warm clothes for everyone. Lots of books, crafts and board games for entertainment too.

DancingInTheRain

Another Autumn fan here too 😊

I'm also thinking about buying a camping stove for emergencies. Hopefully never needed but I am starting to think it's best to be prepared with the amount of storms we seem to be getting. There's no way my Mum would use one either so if we did have a power outage then I think we'd have to bring her to our house to make sure she's comfortable and well fed.

Dakota_Rose

@DancingInTheRain more things in common there 😂.

My mum really struggles with her nerves if away from her little bungalow otherwise I would just bring her round to mine. I don’t think coming into our busy house that’s full of children and a daft dog helps her anxiety either. She’s always ready to go home shortly after arriving.

Well the illnesses continue. Eldest called in sick yesterday which I was really cross about (‘you need to learn the value of work’, ‘can you really not just push through?’) but felt awful when at 10pm last night, at which point he would’ve been mid-shift, he vomited spectacularly. He’s been sick throughout the night and wanted me to stay with him each time. Love autumn, hate the viruses that start doing the rounds 😞.

I’m feeling very thankful for the half term break. I think we all need a rest and reset! I started a nice Brambly Hedge jigsaw that Mum gave me yesterday so that’s on the plan for today. Eldest wasn’t due in work today anyway so he has a guilt-free day to recover. I have everything crossed that it passes quickly and he doesn’t need any more sick days. He worked so hard to get this job, was so excited for the pay and actually loves it and the people he is working with. It would be such a shame for them to lose faith in him.

DancingInTheRain

I can relate to that with your Mum, mine seems very sensitive to noise and prefers to be home, she's been on her own for a few years so used to peace and quiet. I may have to add ear plugs to the winter prep so she can ignore my noisy household if she was to come here for a day or 2 😂

Oh gosh that sounds rough for your eldest, what bad timing. I hope his emplyers sees it for the genuine illness it is. Fingers crossed he's over the worst and that none of you get it.

Hope you have a gentle Monday after your busy night of Mum duties.

Dakota_Rose

This has been a truly bleak half term break so far. Eldest continues to be poorly and started being sick again this morning. Along with the horrendous weather, I’m feeling a bit of cabin fever. Tomorrow is a day of taking Mum out for her medical appointments. Mr D has been getting out in the garden but it’s been wildly windy out there so not very enjoyable. We’d been really looking forward to the half term, so a bit disappointing on all fronts.

Little Miss has been staying at Mum’s and was due home today but as eldest is still in such a state, we’ve agreed she will have another night there. Littlest has been lovely company though and despite the odd mad half hour, he’s been good as gold. I think he’s enjoying lots of mummy time.

Exciting updates of the day: I’ve completed the jigsaw, started a new book and Mr D managed to get bottled water to start our emergency supplies off. Aldi was empty so M&S to the rescue.