Day four - and feeling positive

Ok...not that positive. I don't think I've got enough chilli to see me through to the end, so I envisage my Friday night being an early to bed night.

But I'm not there yet, but I am counting my eggs and I've got two left, and that means just one day to go.

I am hugely relieved that the challenge is nearly over, because I want a cup of tea, because I want some milk, because I want to eat, and quite frankly now the sun is out, I'd quite like a beer too!

But I've not eaten all my eggs yet, so I know I've still got one day left.

On Tuesday, I declared quite confidently that I probably wouldn't do this challenge again next year. My memory of last year was coloured by my own euphoria in succeeding. But now I've made it to Thursday, and looking back on the week, I wouldn't rule out doing the challenge again next year.

The challenge teaches you a lot. The limited shopping budget makes you focus on what is really important to your daily life, and I'm not just talking about food. I feel I've been a better mum this week for doing it. I've been hungry and tired, but I've appreciated the joys my children bring me all the more. I've not been wrapped up in making 'meals' or housework (although, to be fair, I'm rarely overly concerned about that). We have all eaten together (some of us better than others), but I have had enjoyed the little things about those shared experiences more.

Tomorrow, I'll go shopping for the bank holiday weekend. We plan to have picnics, and we're entering birthday season in this house. I may even sneak a little breakfast in for me for Saturday morning - and some extra special teabags...