Spent 4 years pretending it's all OK

Hello Jvr
Yes, we do only heat the parts of the house we use and I wear layers of jumpers and Ds's extra large hoodies too:D I only heat the office when I am home alone working, it is the warmet room in the house. Extra problem this year has been oil prices have also crept up and up and up:( However we haven't made much use of the log fire this year, mainly as we tend to do different things all the time so never tend to sit together in one room any more

Update
Its been an unproductive weekend in terms of catching up/work, meds knock me out for six so Saturdays are not a good day. Basic chores done (lots of washing/ironing/grocery shop), a bit of decluttering/tidying. Repotted a rose plant and pulled a few weeds. Mum on antibiotics again, she is pretty run down and getting everything at the moment. I myself feel like a walking meds cabinet and hate it. Different issues keep cropping up. Exasperated with NHS appointments, am having to chase everything. Very fed up and have to keep reminding myself there are millions of other people a lot worse off. It doesn't help that DD went back to uni yesterday Can't believe she is in her final month.

Was thinking this morning that we seem to be no further forward than when I first started this diary. But then I started thinking about the main things that have happened over the two years and 8 months since I started this diary.

1) Debt, seeking advice from SC
2) Dealing with all creditors and getting interest frozen, so that all payments started to bring debt down (it's down by over £4K, not a lot I know ) BUT
3) Kept on top of all priority bills, including a hefty mortgage and
4) Kept DS at Independent school, he's doing GCSE's this year
5) DD went to university (major empty nest syndrome for me) - she's now in final year.
5) Supported parents throughout, as they have got older, doing general care and chores and household improvements as dad's health deteriorated (major work in their kitchen/bathroom)
6) Fell ill 15 months ago, sudden onset, diagnosed with RA
6) Lost my Dad - still trying to come to terms with this
7) Now spending most spare time supporting mum who lives 80 miles away, often leaving DS to fend for himself.
8) Continued with SE, plus two part time jobs
9) Volunteer work-
10) DH has been very supportive last few months in practical terms for which I am very grateful. Regarding emotional support I have to look elsewhere.
Anyway, the point of this ramble was to remind myself that I have survived, though feeling a bit tired. I'd really like to sleep for a month. Just need to keep going, and keep sane and keep afloat. It doesn't matter how slowly you go, as long as you don't stop.

Roast chicken to get going for today's and tomorrows dinner...
AM really behind with everyone's diaries
NOA
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Thanks Bob, Verbatim, Brizzle
Some days you just need to remind yourself the reasons why the debt hasn't come down faster despite working 24/7. It could have if I went back to work fulltime, but then I couldn't be there for family, and that's what matters most at the moment. Just needed to write it down. There was something on the radio yesterday about research on wounds (physical ones) healing faster when the participant wrote about the trauma. I need to look up the research (out of interest) but it does make perfect sense. We all know how much these diaries have helped us, for me writing (should I say blurting - I tend not to worry about correct English!) down my feelings has kept me sane. Its like talking to a close friend, when you can't in real life because no-one knows the situation.

Major frustration again today. Got a call from GP -The blood sample taken yesterday wasn't labelled properly and couldn't be processed so need to go and pick up the form from GPs's and go to phlebotomy at the hospital again today. Another two hours will be wasted. Inefficiency and incompetence makes me:mad: Another referral to another dept. All you want is to get on with things and not be defined by your condition, but pretty impossible not to think about it when juggling appts with 4 different depts. :mad: Sorry! lots of :mad:today.

Big clonks in the car when going over speed bumps, hope the suspension hasn't gone, it getting old The service is overdue and I just looked up date and MOT is also due on 3rd so will try to book it into garage. Big bill looming I think.

More phone calls to make today to update creditors, might be easier to talk to them and say I'll put an updated I&E in post. Another has written to ask for an update and to discuss a reduced settlement but we don't have any saved to consider anything like that.

Anyway, I should get on with todays to do list.
Have a lovely day
NOA
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It's a beautiful morning, bright but very cold. Should really make use of it and wash bedding so it dry outside.
Want to get on top of things this weekend as then will be out at part time jobs until end of June. Also need to go and see Mum this weekend, as I didn't go last weekend.

To do list
1) Car insurance is also due by end next week so need to compare prices for that today. MOT to book.
2) Lots of admin to catch up on for voluntary work.
3) Hoover downstairs
4) Washing /Ironing
5) Sort out wardrobe/work clothes for 6-8 weeks of full time at part time job - still not happy with what I have.
6) Will not attempt to do any SE work today!
DS is finishing school early today so very short day for me. He will go on study leave next week, so also need to be organised with meal planning so that he has a varied range for lunch times when I am out at work. Lasagne to make this am for quick turnaround meal as DS playing in another concert tonight.

Now to put the plan into practice.....
Will pop by in tea breaks:)
Have a lovely day everyone.
NOA
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Morning Brizzle:) Just having my second breakfast so am allowed on here....
Erm.....my socks never come off....:eek: :rotfl:
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