Hi all,
I am posting from my phone so apologies if the formatting comes out rubbish.
I'm off work today, though it is never really a day off as I have 3 year old with me and I'm always busy playing catch up with chores and life stuff.
I'm nearly sorted for DS1's birthday on Monday. He found one of his Xmas presents a while back so instead of giving it to him at Xmas (and effectively ruining the illusion of Santa forever more) I have saved it for his birthday. It's at my mum's house (I eventually did hide it in December haha) so I need to pick it up at some point. I bought him a couple of kids science kits which I'm hoping are fun and pique his interest. Hope they pique mine too lol. I've reserved a couple of books at Waterstones too. He's taking an interest in Roald Dahl, so I've reserved The Twits as he has been reading it at school. Also he likes the Oi, Frog! Set of books. At home we have, Oi, Frog!, Oi, Dog! and Oi, Goat! which we love to read at bedtime. I have reserved Oi, Cat! at Waterstones. It was supposed to be £6.99 but it's been reduced by £2. I'll be picking both books up on Saturday.
In other news, I have decided I want a new kitchen. I know, I know, I still have the hallway to finish off decorating. But I've found the most gorgeous, coolest tiles relatively cheap online so I ordered a sample and fell in love with it. As I'm only going to be tiling around the cooker and window, the tiles will cost around £70. I also went into Wickes on Saturday to look at worktops. Initially was look at some real wood walnut ones from Ikea for £150, but I realised it had 3mm of real walnut around the particle board and it said it needed sanding and treating with oil on occasion. I can't be bothered with the upkeep. So I went to wickes and fell in love in with a laminate worktop which would match perfectly with the purple tiles I want. And it's only £120 per worktop, and none of the maintenance

. I'm gonna have another look at it, just to make sure I am certain of it. I have also renamed one of my ISA's to "I want a new kitchen" on my online banking app haha. It won't be completely new, just tiles, paint, worktops and I'll probably paint the existing cupboard doors if I can. Another large task to the list of never-ending home improvements....
The interest got added to mortgage today. My balance was £88200 but they added £170.38. I called them up first thing this morning and OPed £170.38. Mortgage payment goes out next week, plus it will be payday. Can't wait! I love watching the balance fall, it's really satisfying. Also just had a letter through from United utilities, they are increasing my water rates by £1.20 per month

might be worth getting a water meter instead.
Right, enough of my waffling, I'm gonna get a brew then take 3 year old of to L!dl, need some bread and milk.
Have a good day all x
Mortgage balance October 2015: £99875
Mortgage balance November 2017: £97583
Mortgage balance November 2018: £90952.08
Mortgage balance December 2018: £90470.65
Mortgage balance January 2019: £88200.00