Safely into a frugal September saving as we go...

[northender]

New thread. Thought I needed to get back on track.

Tayto, Happier is right we are here if you need us. Just pm if you want to talk

Two floorboards replaced including some very complicated fitting round badly done pipe work that isn't below floor level but should be - I was the assistant mostly but I did some of it myself.

Cleaned up again for what feels like the millionth time this weekend

Need to do some ironing but am beyond knackered but ds won't have uniform if I don't. I have more painting to do but can't face it today, will have to do it during the week

Meter readings done and submitted

Love I know what you mean about the change in pace, I'm struggling a bit at the moment with too many things to juggle

Life, glad the wedding was good

Mrs love the hedgehog pics

Unescorted have a safe trip, hope dd settles in brilliantly and has a fantastic time

Happier well done getting the affidavit done, I'm still stalled waiting for ex to see a bloody solicitor it's coming up on a year now since I secured the decree nisi

Wolf that's so annoying, it's ex that's pushing this so I should be ok.

mrs I’d have happily eaten nothing but cake all weekend. Dh has other ideas. Also it is very rich.

Thanks for your kind words everyone. I was talking to a friend who got divorced a few years ago now and she described some messy scenes whereby she and her Ex ended up fighting over their possessions. I guess I should be glad that I've been spared all of that, but there is a part of me that's sad that he left without making any special requests - it's like nothing from our life together meant anything to him . He pretty much took his clothes with him and left everything else behind. That's partly because of space - he's living in a spare bedroom in his parents' house. He asked me to hold onto a box of photos albums from before we got together, a box of work papers and his golf set. But he didn't make any other requests.

Anyway, I visited the craft shop this morning. They've a huge range of arts and crafts materials but not much in the way of wreath making materials. I just bought a few sprays of synthetic flowers. So I came home and ordered a lot more stuff online. The postman will be busy I may have added him to my Christmas present list. DD and I are going to make an autumn wreath each - she's going to give hers to her Granny and Grandad as a gift. If it's a success, I may go on to make Christmas/Easter/summer wreaths. Just for me though.

It's a horrible day here - wet and windy. DCats aren't impressed. They keep hopping up on the window ledge, but when I open the window to let them out, they change their minds. DCat1 is curled up on a cushion beside me atm. DCat2 is probably asleep on one of the beds upstairs.

I'm going to make myself a cuppa and then get stuck into dinner (chicken enchiladas). I need to put on a washload and clean out the fridge also.

I’ll still end up stressing about something on Christmas Eve love!

Thank you mrs! Hopefully they remember these times I spend with them. Very excited to see pics when DD’s house is sorted!

It was lovely north! I’m used to no sleep now, but I can’t wait until I have teenagers who want to sleep in all day, I might actually be able to catch up on sleep then.

Enjoy your baking madden!!

em it sounds like you’ve done a lot of Christmas planning! Luckily we have a fake tree but I haven’t thought about how difficult it might be to get a real tree. I do hope Christmas is somewhat normal, I need it this year more than ever.

Good luck to your DD unescorted!

Good luck your your Bf happier!! How old are your DC? Could you ask the Christmas board for present ideas?. Thank you! We love baking in this house

Good work with the floorboards wolf!

tayto it is really difficult, I felt the same when the DC’s dad left. Enjoy your crafting!

Cosy weather here, I’ve put a film on and we’re snuggled up. I’m meant to be sorting out the house but I’m so tired, I’ll do it later. I need to get uniform ready for tomorrow. DM and nan are coming over later, I’m not in the mood to cook Sunday lunch so they’re going to pay for a takeaway!. Also, DC’s dad hasn’t spoke to me for about a week now. I called him yesterday asking if he’d like to come over and visit the DC but he blanked me even though I know he’s seen it. I’ve told him I need help one day next week with the school pick up as I have an appointment and won’t be able to get the DC from nursery. DM has offered to help but I thought it’d be nice for the DC to be with their dad maybe go for a McDonald’s or something. He hasn’t replied to that either🙁. I know it’s because of his new gf, it isn’t her fault though! He should visit his kids. I’m getting so bored of his behaviour now, it’s unfair on the kids they need stability.

@Happierwithouthim

I took dc to Smyths yesterday with a view to see what they'd ask Santa for. Ds fell in love with this but they weren't drawn to anything really. Ex had them writing their letters last night I'm cautious because I'm afraid they'll just ask for stuff for the sake of writing a letter

Pumpkin your dc are beautiful, baking is a great activity, mess, fun and yummy treats as a result

Err Happier what is it ? Showing My age now 😂

Wolf well done on all the work you have managed to do , great job ! 😊
Em me too 😋 cake for brekky lunch, dinner and supper & seconds 😂😋😋😂
Pumpkin so sorry about the Dc's Dad that's so horrible for the Dc & you bless you sweetheart 💐
Tayto sounds like a lovely day to me enjoy it 😊 chicken enchiladas 😋😋😋

Hey pumpkin - sorry to hear that the dc dad is being like this, I think you predicted it in one of your posts. I know how difficult it is especially when they are small and don't understand why Daddy hasn't been around. Hopefully keeping them busy will help, I always baked with my kids when they were little, dd1 is now 15 and a fantastic baker, often I'll come home from work and she's baked brownies or cookies just because she enjoys doing it!

I always seem to start buying for Christmas early and then twitch around mid December and panic buy unnecessary stuff - not frugal!

Mrs - how's it going in your part of the world? Have the restrictions caused any problems for your dd with the house move?

Happier as crazy as it sounds I miss the days of trips to Smyths and the Entertainer looking for hints for Santa. We got a Smyths catalogue in the post this week and it went straight into the recycling.

Madden your afternoon at friends sounds so nice, I/we never ever do stuff like that, sometimes it's nice to just go with the flow and stay out rather than rushing home ( usually to housework and cooking)

Another crappy day here, I've spent most of it doing laundry and having an airing cupboard sort out, roast beef for dinner which I'm looking forward to!

Hope everyone is enjoying the last of the weekend

Lunch done. Dd has successfully spread chocolate cake everywhere. Hands up who thought it was easier to have a one year old loose from her high chair and give her cake 🤦🏻‍♀️🙋‍♀️

There was a point weren't going to the wedding but it worked out so we could.

Wolf eugh on the dirt. Well done on more diy.

You got this tayto and we've got you x. Definitely deadline then skip. You are not a storage unit.

Oo are you going to frugality car share happier when he is at yours?

Camden we are not on lockdown here in Monmouthshire. Thank goodness .
Dd2 works in Cardiff and pops in to the house when she is on her way home or going l think she is allowed to go there anyway for reasons of moving home but l am not 100% sure tbh it's a bit confusing 🙄
Hope you get some time to yourself today 🤗 the washing is a nightmare in this weather 🙂
Em 😂 that has made me lol it brings back memories of my Dds and the mess they used to get in 😂

Evening all,

It's certainly been a soggy wend here, pretty much rained non stop 😕

Caught up with chores today and went to my mums for a roast dinner which was nice.

Only spend was a Moonpig card for my brothers 40th which is in a couple of weeks £7.

So, dinner has been cooked and consumed (leftovers in the fridge for tomorrow). I've cleaned the kitchen and changed the cats' litter trays. My washload is hanging up on the airers. The only thing I didn't do is clean out the fridge and that's because I was out of compost bags for fridge leftovers. I'll do it tomorrow night. I'm going to watch TV for an hour or so before bed. Back to the office in the morning. Arrrgghhh! I contemplated checking my e-mails to save time in the morning but I just couldn't face the prospect.

I bought my first Christmas present today - a cross stitch kit for feminists for a friend who is into sewing and crafts. I know she'll love it.

In other news, Corona virus cases are on the rise here (they were exceptionally high in NI on Friday) so it looks like the whole country is heading for Level 5 restrictions i.e. the highest level of restrictions .

Tayto that is harsh of him .

I have just got home - it is quite a long way. Her room is huge so I am glad she decided to ditch minimalist and took loads of throws and all her art things. Her college is beautiful and everyone we met was so friendly. One of the people on her course (year above same college) ambushed her as we got out of the car. Saying she was so excited to see her work. It was a coincidence she was walking out of the gate as we parked up just outside . Otherwise I would be concerned about stalkers!

I am sooooo knackered. Not as knackered as I would be if I had been doing wolf's decorating mind.

DM and Dgran came over today, we had a takeaway because I was too tired for Sunday lunch. It was really lovely to catch up with them. The weathers been awful but it does make me feel cosy. I’m considering ordering a few Yankee candles with a christmas scent but not sure if it’s worth it!. DC are in bed ready for nursery tomorrow and I’m doing some late night admin

Thanks mrs it truly isn’t fair on our little ones, they deserve much better than that!.

camden I’m sorry your DC went through the same with their dad. Sometimes I wonder how the man I loved turned into this, but I don’t dwell on it too much. I hope my DC bake for me when I get home from work in a few years. I do some late Christmas crap buying too. I hope you enjoyed your beef!

em Ds smeared cake batter and icing everywhere yesterday! I should’ve warned you not to let 1 year olds loose (with anything!).

Sorry about the Corona news tayto! I hope things don’t get too bad.

It sound like DD has been settled in nicely unescorted!

Mrs I am at risk of becoming a really dull ex drinker. But do it.... I was not convinced about the "sparkly" feeling in the morning. Up until this morning it felt no different. Last night I slept so well and have woken up with Vim for the first time since forever.

Madden Take care lovely.

There really should be a special place in hell for people who turn into a family denier when they leave... usually to "find themselves". DH has done some really hateful things in the past, but has never stopped being a present parent.

How has it turned into Monday already? I will see you guys later - today is going to be an eyes on stalks one.

Pleases the drop off went well unescorted

I can't believe it's Monday. #tired

I can't believe it's Monday either, urgh!

Good luck Mr North in your first day in your new job

Good luck Mr North.

tayto ex walked out with his shaving bag, and his clothes. Left all his crap everywhere, then I couldn't clear it out immediately because I didn't want to upset the dc so I was decluttering gradually. Then when we were selling house he came and took almost all the photos we had on display on a photo wall, I was so angry but then I decided not to row with him over it and to make a new photo wall at my next house with photos which are not tinged with history, plus I found the pixifotos of dd that never made it into frames and I've most stuff on my google photos so I'll be ok.

I also ended up bearing the cost of him not clearing out his mancave too, but I'm well rid and that's the main thing.

mad a soft toy of a cat, I presume its a character from some movie or tv show but I'm not sure of what. Saw a lovely shleich advent calendar of their horse club series in smyths it's €20 but I know dd would love it, bf was going to a nearby shop yesterday so I thought I'd pop in and get it, there were at least 40 people in queue for shop so I didn't bother.

life he never stays midweek, dd is pushing for him to but he hasn't yet. And he definitely wouldn't carpool, he has a thing about not making it obvious we're together even though everyone knows at this point, plus he's to eat in his vehicle and they're strict about covid distancing here at work.

Solicitor has said as I'm an existing customer there will be no charge for signing my forms for divorce [happy]

First Christmas presents done. I popped into tesco and picked up some brown sugar for Dm (as apparently it’s not in any of the shops waitrose she only shops at waitrose here so there must be a shortage and whilst waiting at the till I picked up 2 selection boxes to send to dnephews in nz.

£49 next Christmas pyjamas for Dd ds and dnephews. Same matching jammies. Yay.

That was a huge long day....

Hope it went well Mr North

You are all scaring me with buying Christmas presents.

I was going with nsd but then got some metal straws for £6