A question about : The revenge of the stripey socks
Well - another 'snow day' to disrupt the routine of a trying to be DFW single mum, livng her own, well with two somewhat niggling younglings, anklebitters, little darlings call them what you will. trying somehow to hold it all together with sellotape, stripey socks* and a few DFW sparkles for good measure.
(*I will explain about the significance of stripey socks later, they are as intregal to our lives as air, beaches and fish finger sandwiches*)
So what am I up to really?? We have been on our own almost 10 years.........when we seem to have somehow *lost* the main breadwinner, you know the story - you put your husband down somewhere then forget what you have done with him.........and on valentines day too how silly of me....................
So this is my vague attempt at a virtual diary to try to continue to keep us ticking along, floating just slightly above water, slowly but surely try and repay some of our debts, have a bit of a laugh and raise two very MSE aware younglings.
I came across this lovely wonderful site by the recommendation of a lovely chum 
I posted my SOA last year and found lots of things on here which have/are helping on a daily basis. The 'what small things......' thread IS my daily salvation when it gets just too hard. The OS board and others are great - what an inspriation, I even stick my nose in on the gardening thread now and again as I am to heart (and for real work when not studying) a gardener - best job in the world working with flowers.
Since joining the site I have got lots of good advice - paid off 3 credit cards and have not gone over my OD limit on my accounts for a matter of several months (previoulsy unheard of).
Anyway I digress - we are three
- 2 younglings (DD and DS) and me
- 2 dogs (cairn and a collie who is being 'dog sat' whist her owner has buzzed off to antarctic for 2 and a bit years)
- the odd visit by a cat who claims to live here (Mrs Norris)
- a couple fish (names change on a daily basis but generally bob and fred)
- and two chookies who are lovely and give us eggs.........(also bob and fred a theme perhaps??)
And of course 'Darwin' our VW campervan who was a pressie from my lovely (new long suffereing) OH for my 40th birthday last year - not a cutsie old style van - he's a bit battered and rusty like the rest of us. We found him reduced on the sales boards in our local supermarket last January. So we got a whoopsied bargain!!
I guess I should mention at the outset that I have always wanted to be Felicity Kendall in 'the good life'. Self sufficiency and the idea of being at one with nature has always appealled - the reality is often me in wellies scratching my head wondering what on earth I have got myself into and what to do next :rolleyes:
We live way up north on an island - 20,000 people, couple supermarkets and ferry/plane to get off the island to Scotland and have just moved into town but live in a very very large garden so its almost like being out in the sticks. Largeish house which we rent/look after for a sort of friend. Currently we have two lodgers, various kids come crashing in and out of the house - some of which I sometimes even know.
SOA previously posted so - I have taken on board get rid of sky, change mobile contract, reduce shopping expenses - use quidco for everything possible and of course the joyous freecycle gets a daily visit. We moved into town when the opportunity to be in a larger house came up - with the potential to possibly rent a couple rooms to allow us to contribute more to our (my) debt.
Oh yeah and in case I forget - I work full time - doing a PhD - helps to pay the bills and adds to the variety of life up here.
Will post a new SOA soon - to see if anyone can offer to improve it for me - always welcomed.
If you managed to read any of this then well done!!! I live alone what can I say - too many words..........
Best answers:
- Oh Wow!!! A bright shiny exciting diary!! Welcome to diary land Fay
As I thought, your life is interesting and funny, can't wait to read the next installment.
Paying off 3 credit cards already is one heck of an achievement - well done you
...I've subscribed, so carry on posting! - Awwww bless Piq _ you managed to read all my nonsense. Thanks for that. 3 cards were not 'huge' - and one I paid off with an interest free loan from a pal. So now its trying to tick it all over somehow.
All my debts are from my marriage or getting myself back into employment ie University expenses - student loan, masters loan and of course ticking the kids and I over. Not complaining - but having taken the brush myself off route and got myself semi-back into employability - I am now hugely in debt.
They don't tell you that one do they? But - I have had the past 10 years semi 'at home' working around the kids school etc. Studying and then often working from home (growing plants etc) has been more flexible for me I guess. So I could be here if needed - up until now ish I have just swept the financial consequences of my choices to be around the kids under the table.
Waving thanks so much for being around!! Much appreciated.......xx - Looking forward to reading your diary! Bring on the stripey socks!
- Just wanted to hi and good luck!!!!!
i try to lose my fella sometimes, unfortuantly he always seems to find his way home....... lol!!
will be reading with interest.
love rags
xxxxxxxx - my 3 yr old has a great collection of stripey socks, in a variety of colours to match most of his clothes. He loves them!!
I'm looking forward to following your story.
We too are home from school today and by the looks of the forecast it's another day off tomorrow. If so that'll be 4 this week!!
Best of luck with all your money saving/making efforts.
Liz
x - Weeeeeeeeeee
Another fun diary to subscribe to - Yeah - poor you !!!!!!! The vets poor husband has immortalised the sordid tale in a novel he has written a couple - with a slight change of names but the two of them are in it - and he 'exacts' his revenge in the book
- I was a bit more subtle I just kept cleaning the toilet with his toothbrush - from the time he was being 'silly' and odd with us to the time I found out what he was really upto.whoops.........at least the kidlets were so teeeny they don't really know anything.
We live thousands of miles away from each other now - just a pity he isnt on the Moon - but then again the kids have a tough enough time flying in the holidays - can you imagine their carbon footprint if they had to travel there each school holiday!!
And I might have exacted my revenge in a couple of other really delightful ways - which one day I might even confess..............
I have recently, ahem, ok, last year turned 40 - I figure its ok to wear stripey socks now as I never did when I was a kid. Hi Lizziebop!!
Hi Olive and Rags ------- waving!! - Hi Fay will be reading with interest! I too have always wanted to be Felicity Kendall. I've just bought some wellie 'shoes' light blue with big cream spots with a label saying 'live the good life' Made me smile. My ex shagged my ex best mate the day after valentines day, when i was 5 months pregnant so we have SO much in common!!! lol.
- PBT - OMG what a horrible thing to have happenned. ((hugs)) don't get too glum on your anniversary x
Great about the shoe/wellie purchase.
I have several pairs of wellies - they are my favourite footwear......xx - Hi Fay
Glad you finally got around to the diary,will be reading and posting - Hi Fay.
I love stripey socks, they are so happy and cheery, even if nobody can see them you still know they're there! I sometimes wear them with my very smart suits, hidden beneath my boots. I can tell your diary is going to be a great read. - Hurray - a Fay diary
More excuses to spend lots of time reading on here.
Am quite excited about reading all you get up to - you are such a glass half full rather than empty, stripey sock, and sparkly DFW that your journey is a great inspiration to me
(Perhaps you should write a book?)
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