As pissed off as a pissed off thing in a most pissed off thing competition!

Money, families- biggest bane of my life.  I got lumbered with Power of attorney for my mum. This means I get the pleasure of her banking., Add in family to this mix and yes it was a time bomb. I knew this and wanted nothing to do with it but had no choice as I was the only party available to do it. I have no interest in money - I had enough with my own frugality and attempts to keep out of the financial mire thank you very much.  My preference would have been completely different but like I said no choice. Anyway have basically been berated for my efforts at book keeping which yes were pants but I warned all those involved of Mums failing health and problems and I was left to deal with it on my own.

 I have been accused of mislaying 40k. Family yet again!!! (Ha I wish - wouldn't be whinging about my 11yr old car or ridiculous mortgage payments if I had and would have had a few interesting holidays, a new kitchen, central heating  lol lol)

My book keeping system is rubbish. However to avoid bank charges and get the best rate of exchange etc I would withdraw funds and hand over cash to the relevant member of the family or use my account  to transfer money or pay directly into accounts. There is no paper trail. Why???... family. You don't bother with a paper trail.


I can account for the expenditure and know where it has gone. - house renovations in order to find tenants, cash sent  to a number of accounts for parental upkeep to avoid bank charges..... I pay for things in cash if possible - cheaper- so that's a withdrawal made by me. receipts for house renovations from2007/8 are missing. I have moved twice, had three homes and had a baby since mum left in 2007. I worked full time from Weeny girl being 8 months old, had housework, washing, shopping and all the other domestic stuff to accomplish as well as buying a house,  single parenting, moving twice with a baby in tow . The throw everything into a tin filing system has fallen down.

Ok my point. I have given a general rundown re cash and  budgets on several occasions to interested parties but  I am supposed to flagellate myself and worry myself to death over what I cannot change- my long past accounting system. Accordingly its for my own good and no one thinks I have borrowed the money surreptitiously!!. This is bollocks.  Its about where is my money!!! (My gut instinct all along was to say get a financial adviser in to do some care fees planning to pay for mums care in this country  then no one had to do this but such is life)  Family being perfect and supreme beings have every item receipted and accounted for all monies they received  listed, budgeted but then again its nice to have time for pilates and a book club and not to have to do domestics, small child care etc etc. If I had had the time there is so much I could of and would of done and not just keep orderly accounts and if I had had the ability... well that's another story.  And being perfect never making mistakes well I should just try harder to be more like them.I have sent out copies of rent statements and emails re renovation work. I am sick of having to repeat myself,.

Upshot is I have had enough. Supposedly I am on facebook/blogging all the time and could have done more.... yeah and less pilates and book club and a trip home in 2006 might have changed everything..... Hindsight is a wonderful thing!

So am pondering ''need''... how much do I need to have this in my life and the answer is not at all. I have the joys of  new job, house selling, ex s to  deal with, my own finances to  run,   some relationship and personal stuff, weeny girl to raise, a garden to keep, friends and family to see. I have no time for this. To be spoken to like that, to be insulted, to be patronised. My self esteem is fragile and dependant on medication enough as it is.

I will complete the last few responsibilities re assessments for mum then I am passing over all documentation and washing my hands of it all.  never ever again.  Its late and I am unable to sleep . This point says it all and it is the final straw for me. what would really be the purpose of continuing this relationship I ask myself.... and I struggle to find an answer.

 I really need to find my happy place again. How dare someone effect your life so much that you can't sleep and have a  knot in your stomach.... ''but all I said I ......''can hear the echoes already and they are so familiar and even in apology the tone is so patronising..... Time Gentlemen please methinks.

Weekend!

ha ha washout!!! Arrived in lovely sunshine - enjoyed one evening partaking of alcohol a wee bit in the family room - beer with child is a novelty!! It was empty and as such acceptable. As a child I had a lot of experience in these type of places - it was the 70's/80's and the holiday bar for families was not unfamiliar to me!!!  By the morning I had a stomach bug and had s & d. Looked outside and in the driving rain Biggles had to change his back tyre which was flat. We had left Weeny girls waterproof so while he set off to find a kwik fit we went on a hunt for a waterproof!! No where - matalan, asda, sports direct, sainsburys - stocked a basic cheap kiddies water proof. She scored for an umbrella instead  - princesses- sigh.  We saw mum, met family for some food in Loans ( a village) - a compliment of thirteen of us - 6 adults and 7 kids - . I ordered food in Loans ( a village) - potato and leek soup was excellent as was the veggie pasta dish. I managed to only eat half the soup and a third of the pasta. Would go back there however. Biggles really enjoyed his - Chicken tempura and  posh veggies. Prices good too 8.95 for two courses 10.95 for three. Food excellent for price. After that we headed back to the caravan. We had horizontal rain and I felt like rubbish still. Doctor Who and other crap tv - no more alcohol!!!

Sunday we had the wee party for the birthday girl. We had cake, sang happy birthday, pressies, tea etc - the kids were really good. Mum seemed to get something out of it- smiled and had a twinkle in her eye for a bit. we all had a general catch up to which was funny. Will be going back in July.  Mum seems well cared for and the home is nice. My cousins call in regularly and keep the staff on their toes. They really care about mum which is lovely. As niece's they had a bettter relationship with her than I did as her daughter.

We made it to the Electric Brae which is an optical illusion - hill where your car will appear to be rolling up hill, Dunure and to the park.

On Monday we took the long route home in the hooligan winds through Moffat, St Mary's Loch, Selkirk and Kelso. Stopped by Grey Mares Tail waterfall  for a stretch of the legs and the cafe at the Loch. Never seen the Loch so full.  All the rivers were rather full. Gales a howling- reports of trees down and cars squished.

View from the caravan on the first evening - doesn't do it justice was pretty wow with sunlight like a spotlight - very heaven like through the clouds

 Lucky mum got two cakes one from the staff and one from us and two lots of happy birthday sung to her which she responded to really well- residents got lots of cake that day!!!

 I often only ever get this view of them - will show you what I mean one day!!

 Same sea from Easter Weekend - now grey and harsh with plenty surf!

Grey Mares Tail in the background

 Guess what ........- no floors or bathroom cleaned and no grass cut. Well I never!!!!

Last post till Monday

Off to Scots lander for three nights ! Weather forecast is poor  but  where are I going again???  Am I guaranteed blistering sunshine.. ever..... no - rain- most excellent Scottish weather!!! We have packed for all variables apart from snow! 

I have packed this evening and am really tired. Friday - plans are just to get there and roll into bed. Saturday we need to find food and explore - Beach and Dunure and seeing mum. Sunday its birthday time - so cake, pressies etc. I shall purchase these on Sunday morning.  I will post pics. May take a trip for lunch to Maybole - a village type place down the coast and  a little inland.

See Mum again on Monday before coming home. ( I will gut the grass and wash the floors - I will I will)

Biggles stressed - frustrated at work and unable to ride bike. He is collecting weeny one tomorrow. We are leaving as soon as I get back.

Am shattered- and am really looking forward to a weekend where we have nothing planned and can potter about the house and if its a nice day go to the beach, if not bake cakes etc etc or may be all of that with extra bits!!!
 Here are some weeny girl pics for fun!!! oh and Dunure and beer ice cream and the River Till at Etal, Northumberland over Easter weekend when we had lovely weather!!!

 Brown Ale Ice Cream - no seconds thank you very much, I prefer cold bottles.

 River Till - a tributary of the Tweed! ( I think lol)

  Pretending to be a shop dummy - loving the wig!

 Castle at Dunure - Scotland

My sister and Weeny one near castle making daisy chains

Its a great little cove with a pebble beach, ruined castle, caves, ice cream shop, rock pools and a nice pub


See you soon blogger peeps!!!

Pics as promised and other bits

Well accomplished 80% of the personal admin - only got to pop cheque in the post and ring tax credits. In my defence only received the renewal form in the post  when I got home this evening  and had rung at lunchtime so all good intentions. Awating a call back from Home Front re the central heating.

No cleaning or grass cutting accomplished opted for the park at the bottom of the street and the girls from next door coming in for a play date!!! Much nicer!!!Must try harder and not look for excuses not to clean bathroom properly, wash kitchen floor and cut grass. Grass will wait till Monday when we return  but re the other two jobs I have no excuse!!!
Major packing/organising tomorrow night. Biggles will collect weeny girl early and have her waiting for me at home with the car packed full of our stuff!

Super scrimpers - top tip  IMO- cheapo screen wash!!!
Also apreciated the string over the paint pot - also very practical and the wet newspaper for painting windows - Ace!!!

Barbecue was a recycling dream  - if you had the know how and the tools!

Pictures of finds and preloved donations from chums!! I have left out the washing basket - nothing exciting re that one!

 

 Shame  one got a bit blurred - it is a riot of colour and the pics don't do it justice. I like just being able to just sling it on at weekends and go out or potter about in it and its dead comfy!!! 

 Weeny one likes her tiger bin and star cushion. All rubbish gets directed to the tiger bin. Novelty eh!

Also scored for a hippie elephant wall hanging long thing but no pic. I love pre loved gifts!!!

Thank you dear Chum - many prayers and blessings and good karma to you. My chum needs it.

I found this funny!!!

I am still uploading to fb using  wi fi on my mobile then down loading from facebook to my laptop.... when I get round to diving into the understairs cupboard I may retrieve the necessary cd software thing!!!


TTFN Peeps

Kind of productive - must try harder, can do better! Lucky Me!!!

Productive - kind of.. I suppose
OK so have accomplished the following:
Tax office - electricity company all as POA for mum - completed

Need to do more personal admin tomorrow - send off car mechanics check, ring warm front ( I have been given a grant for central heating - am happy with the electric night storage stuff I have but in an effort to sell the house have taken the plunge - booo - more bloody expense - two service charges to pay!!!!) Ring tax credits to confirm money made last year..... can't think of anything else - ah yes credit card to ring up and pay and doctors)

However I have gardened - planted runner beans and petunia type things in hanging baskets, hoovered up stairs.

Tomorrow - wash the kitchen floor, do the bathroomish, do some ironing ( Yaa Booo :-( ) Personal Admin at work-  to organise/complete - make phone calls, etc etc
Scored for a few second hand things to day! A chum was having a clear our of stuff I had stored for her after she left her partner. Weeny girl got the remains of an art set - pens, pencils, paints etc in a tin briefcase style storage bag/box , a lion shaped flip top bin and a lilac star cushion. I bagged a washing basket - the ones you use to collect washing from the machine. I currently just plonk armfuls onf washing on the kitchen table leaving a trail of socks and knickers in my wake. And.a wicker shelf thing painted cream - good for the bedroom. Weeny girl happy, Mummy happy!

I promise I will post pics of finds, progress in the garden and such soon!!!!


Tea - one gammon round between 1.5 peeps, baked spuds one each - small one  and medium size  with cucumber, tomato salsa, mayo, mustard, sweetcorn and a few peas for splash of green colour. We really like this tea and both finish our plates pretty much. Dead cheap too. Gammon only 50p and the most expensive item on the list!

Mwaw Mwaw and all that May make low fat low cal (ish) Banana cake to take to the caravan- well its lower calorie banana cake .......

Note to self.....

Need to renew prescriptions and purchase chemist stuff for me  and tablets, weeny girl eczema cream - not urgent has a few weeks supply but might as well collect at the same time!!!

Send out checks asap - Garage1- MOT Garage 2 - Exhaust  161 and 189 respectively
End of month  from new wages - Car tax  and credit card payments to make!!!  130 and 120+ 25

Hopefully June - sigh - Will be more financially productive. My interest free has been extended till March next year but thats not the point really.

I also need to start saving big time for a new car, save in general for savings sake, save for  car tax, mot etc etc  When I get this month out of the way I shall re calculate with new ins and outs and spares.

Mondays.....after a rather nice weekend not including the Bike disaster sigh!!!

Monday - quick post before bed.  Weekend grand - Weeny girl at party which she loved. We shopped - lidl then popped into Morrisons to be the victims of sods law - Morrisons had the cheaper bacon - ya boo sucks. No more food required till Saturday when we shall be ensconced in a caravan on the west coast of Scotland!!! Its Mums birthday on the sunday - I would like to find her a coffee cake and candles, some photos, photo frames,  a CD player for her room and some very smelly flowers - going for the sensory approach.


Biggles bought his new machine - then was a super victim of the law of sod. The following day when out for a pootle about he stopped at a junction too the weight of the bike and his calf promptly gave way causing him to put his new bike on the floor very quickly nearly dropping it - yes scratched and requires a paint job already. Bloody unlucky - he has been working with a physio on this calf muscle for ages. The muscle is knacked - third time it has happened and its really starting to restrict his life - cycling, running, motor biking, walking are all out - OK short walks are fine but pref is for more challenging type walking.  He was gutter - the bike is brand new - He wanted to buy what he feels will be his last bike from new - he works hard and dedicates his life to his job - well has done for 20 years so far so he deserves it.

Sat night weeny girl was at her other families.  We had souped up thai red curry - with extra chilli's, garlic, lime, ginger, fish sauce all  added to the shop bought paste. Fantastic it was too!!! Scoffed in front of Doctor Who with Biggles bought alcohol!!! MMMM BEER!!! - Biggles wants to go for a proper Thai meal to sample a few dishes. Ooo did I say I snaffled a maxi dress -have been waiting for one ( non vintage) in a proper size 14 - not from New look ( I find their dresses too low cut) Got one - Will post pics of dress and jacket at some point.

I spent Sunday thinking about cleaning.Was raining so the plans to re pot and plant out runner bean plants and do the hanging baskets was out leaving cleaning. Booooo  I thought and then thought some more and then put on Schindlers List DVD( I really fancied Shawshank but don't have a copy), ate biccies, cried, drank coffee, weeped, had daughter delivered to me at 4pm, watched scooby do with her, watched TV then finally started to tidy around 6pm. We had snack tea as Mme sometimes eats Sunday dinner late  and indicated to me that this had certainly been the case and as such was not hungry ( tomato.salsa, ham, cucumber, tortillas, raw carrot sticks, mayo for dipping - she loves buffet stuff - oh and grapes) I tidied and prepped for weeknight action!!!

My house is skanky - well partially now.I have decided to do a few things each night  in prep for the caravan weekend and Mums birthday.

Monday - Polish and Hoover downstairs, ironing,  clean both toilets empty all bins,  Put on washing overnight - check!!
Tuesday - Hoover upstairs, clean bathroom - ironing . washing cycle etc etc etc
Wednesday - garden -  cut grass if weather permits - runner beans and plants to be re potted asap!!! Wash downstairs floors- This hasn't been done in a long long time  tut tut tut
Thursday - Pack and prep for weekend!!!

FRUGAL CLEANING - in my house this means you clean sparingly only when you can truly justify the use of water, electricity and products- ie not often, live in your own muck for as long as you can stands it!!! hee hee

I am going to take the personal admin to work to do in lunch hour. I need to do some juggling as power of attorney for mum I have to contact tax office to let them know she is resident again.

So peeps may be away for a while - If I do anything exciting I will blog but that's my week with work pretty much planned out.

ha no progress on the  frugal money thing - cheers exhaust!!!! Gotta laugh - I have intentions...... sigh.....

Much lurve xxxx