greent's mfw journey

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hope the weather stays fine

Tilly x x x

abouttimetoo

Hi GreenT, just caught up and saw Mr G's brilliant job news, that so great and very pleased for you all :j

I hope you're all proud of how you have handled the last few months as a family, you've all done so well and you've still managed to OP

Regards
ATT

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Hello,

Very good news about the job. So glad things are looking up. It is strange how unemployment suddenly looks different when the end is in sight. Then you are making the most of the time rather than wading through it. All the best to you all,

Squirrel x

newgirly

Welcome back greent and congratulations to your dh on the new job, its fantastic news :beer:

greent

Well, Mr G has completed his first week back at work

He has been VERY tired this week - all that new routine and using his brain again stuff He was in Birmingham Monday, Newport Tuesday, Swindon Weds, home Thurs (car issues!! - thankfully swiftly resolved for cheap price at garage and he'd picked up all his tech on the Weds so wfh was possible - otherwise he'd have had to run away with my car- and then Swindon again on Fri. He will mainly be in Swindon, with Newport a couple of times a month and other places less frequently (inc London and somewhere ooop north - poss Leeds) - which is all fine by him as he doesn't really like being in just the one office day in, day out!!

He's sooooooo much brighter in himself - whilst he is tired, he's in a much better place, which is nicer for everyone! When he arrived home last night he suggested going out for a meal (I'd been thinking a takeaway) so we nipped off to Frankie and Bennys (nothing elaborate, but works well for a family of 6 on a Fri night - and everyone can easily find something on the menu which they like) One week's grocery budget later we rolled out of there full and happy - the place was heaving and we'd been really lucky and managed to walk straight in and get a table for the 6 of us (almost unheard of!) and had a lovely waitress. I'm not one for tipping just for the sake of it - the service has to be good for me to tip - and she was lovely and very helpful so I increased our bill further by adding a tip! I did mitigate slightly by searching for a voucher before we went out though!

Although I was initially slightly peeved that DH was starting work in the Easter hols, it has actually turned out well - we're all relaxed and we do have a long weekend together at the end of the school hols. DD is in major revision mode (GCSEs start 12th May), DS1 is doing some revision (he's taking 2 this year but then has 'normal' end of year exams) but is also being helpful (mowing lawn etc) It's his 14th birthday next week and he is a lovely young man. I wasn't sure at one point if that would necessarily be the case - but, thankfully, it is! DS2 is his usual enquiring self (discussion on FGM with an 8 year old, anyone?!) and DS3 is an energetic 4 year old

We've not done masses as such this week. DD is occasionally going into school - the teachers are doing some revision sessions in the hols. DS1 is having friends over next week (eeek!) whilst she is there for a 6 hour stint on history!! - that way she's not going to be *too* disturbed by a load of teenage boys! The small ones and I have met up with friends a few times and might do so again next week. And I escaped by myself for 3 hours and met up with some friends one afternoon for tea, cake and gossip - perfect!

I've been inspired this morning by decluttering news on other MFW threads so am going to take that seriously. It's an ongoing battle in this house! I could just charity shop it all but I'm reluctant to do so, so will pledge to be better with fleabay I have thrown lots of paperwork this week whilst getting things ready for the accountant, though, so that's some minor progress!

It's just DS3 and myself up at the mo - he woke me up at 7am, bless....... We've both breakfasted and he is dressed. I'm not I shall make another cup of tea and remedy this as the washing has finished and I'd like to get it out on the line

greent

From a grey start before lunchtime, the afternoon skies were lovely and blue Still cooler here than it has been all week, though - I think that my 2 loads of washing only got (basically) dry from just being outside for hours, rather than any real warmth. Although it can't be *too* bad, as I haven't resorted to the heating - but did have to put thick socks on!!

Fairly chilled day here, which has been nice. DH and DS1 went to the barbers this morning whilst DS2 and DS3 played with lego and angry birds figures DD was revising and I caught on diaries and blogs and washing I have a HUGE ironing mountain to tackle now, though Quick trip to supermarket after lunch and then people have been taking it even easier this afternoon!

Easy food day, too Mainly bacon sandwiches at lunchtime and then lots of different things for dinner tonight in an effort to use odds and ends up Off to finish sorting that out now

Chicken defrosting in fridge ready for tomorrow - which will also use up some (a small %age) of my large frozen stash of breadcrumbs to make stuffing I have a veritable breadcrumb mountain in my freezer - and that's after taking 2/3 of a loaf down the canal to feed the swans, ducks, gulls and fish before breadcrumbing the rest of the many odd slices, end of loaves, solitary rolls, small pieces of baguette and crusts cut from DS3's sandwiches which were all lurking in the freezer I don't like waste, but the unblitzed products were taking up TOO much room!! AT least this way they're tidier and I'm now on a breadcrumb mission!!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Greent, it's lovely to hear your news

I'm tackling the ironing pile tomorrow afternoon whilst watching James Martin on iplayer :T

Have a good week with the kids and no doubt life will return to a rhythm that works. Mr T has been tired as well and you're right, it is the thinking and gearing up required

Best wishes, Tilly x

Goldiegirl

Hi, just been reading your diary,sounds like things are on the up for you

greent

Thanks Tilly I did an hour's ironing last night to tv and will tackle some more later whilst watching Casualty on catch up and anything else I can find which might take my fancy!

Have been doing company accounts for accountant - company has essentially done not a lot over the last 2 years (except pay our mobiles, the accountant and stationery) However, company owes me just shy of £2k - yeay!!!! I didn't think it was that much As I've managed without it then most of it will - I think - end up as an OP:T

It's looking like a beautiful day here today - will have a rummage around people's bathrooms shortly to find enough washing for a load (currently only myself and DS3 up - everyone else is still asleep - this is a common theme on a morning!:p) My mum is coming here this afternoon with her 2 Springer spaniel puppies (born late Nov and early Dec- so very bouncy!!) and we'll probably take them for a walk along the canal path - and try not to trip over them as they 'minesweep' their way along on their extendable leads! DS3 also has a party to attend (probably a bouncy castle thing) in the community centre. Present ready - just needs wrapping and I need to persuade DS3 to write the card.... I'm not keen on Sunday afternoon parties - we have Sunday dinner (as opposed to lunch) and the party finishes at 5pm.... means a big rush when we get home to get it all done for a decent time (I probably won't leave DS3 at the party - he doesn't really know the mum well and most other mums will stay, so I'll feel guilty - he is still only 4..)

This week's plans include planting things for the garden! Shall see how I get on..... The reports I've seen indicate the potential of a good early Summer, so I'd like the garden to be a pleasant (and productive in terms of food) place to be!

Thanks Goldiegirl - I'm hoping so - it seems like it at the moment

xx

Habibiboo

greent wrote: »

From a grey start before lunchtime, the afternoon skies were lovely and blue Still cooler here than it has been all week, though - I think that my 2 loads of washing only got (basically) dry from just being outside for hours, rather than any real warmth. Although it can't be *too* bad, as I haven't resorted to the heating - but did have to put thick socks on!!

:wave:

Hi GreenT ... it's been a weekend full of sunny moments but thick socks here too! Today I'm counting down till 5.30 when the heating comes on (like yourself I haven't given in but I've really wanted to)!

Glad Mr GT had a good 1st week at the new job and so pleased you had a family night out on Friday to celebrate! Tis the season to be jolly (to quote another time of year) ... very glad for you!