Week 2 - There's so much we can do.

RubySewSew

Ah thank you for your sweet words. I've spoken to the boyfriend about supporting me by looking after the other 2 children so I can have a day out with each of them over the next few weeks. This is something I aim to do once a year - have a big one to one day out with each of them but for financial, health, time and childcare reasons that hasn't happened this year. You're right though, there is no reason not to scale this down to a swim or cake-a-thon. Will be bearing this in mind!

They do help me with chores - we have a marble in the jar system for dishwasher, compost, recycling etc and a 5 minute penalty for bad behaviour where they have to help me clean out the animals! The expectation is that they have to clean up after themselves meaning the bedroom but I haven't found an effective way of encouraging/enforcing this. Their bedrooms escalate so quickly into a state that they simply can't manage by themselves. We also have some days where we can't practically fit chores in and then we get a backlog and I end up firefighting - I've hopefully taken some steps to prevent this by planning my work differently and allowing time at either end of each day to keep on top of cleaning, shopping and cooking. Would love some ideas for family friendly veggie meals though - I've been really put off cooking because I have one vegetarian, 1 who doesn't eat beef and all 3 who have very different tastes!

I haven't ever seen my contract as there is a backlog of schools contracts. I'll get on to HR on Monday - I think the school are trying it on - they have a history of bullying people who resign.

I will be buying bins for the bedrooms before they come back for Christmas!

Ok, off into town to get a few bits and relax over Sunday roast. Will finish the cleaning and sorting tomorrow when I have the house back to myself.

Cheery_Daff

Have you tried the flylady system thing for kids Ruby? Little tiny bits at a time so they dno't get overwhelmed? Don't have kids myself, but it looks sensible to me!

NorthernLas

ARRRGH - just lost my post by accidently pressing ctrl U

Flylady pick a corner and see how much you can get done in 5mins is a good idea. Could the boys do this as soon as they get in while the kettle is boiling for a cuppa for you? If they were able to do this M-F I'm sure it would make a big difference.

For recipes, look at the OS board and http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/. This website came out of the OS board and is run by Weezl74 and friends.

Hope you got your bits n pieces and revelled in some 'me, me, me' time

RubySewSew

Flylady? What am I missing out on?!

Mags30

It's a popular system for house cleaning. Google it or check the Old Style board on here.

chevalier

yes it must be hard to plan meals with that type of preferences. what about batch cooking on a sunday, do lots of different meals, but freeze them in 1 portion pots. that way you can then pull out the relevant mixture of meals and still eat hopefully cheaply and healthily.
fly lady is a way of getting your cleaning done in bursts, I had a look at the lists and laughed to be honest. What they reckoned you could do in a day would take me a whole week!
chev

Cheery_Daff

I found the flylady thing on the OS board a bit much - maybe I just didn't look properly I actually think her basic system is easier to follow from her own website - a very basic morning, afternoon and evening routine, 15 minutes in one area of your house each day (she moves round the house over the course of a month), and 1 hour of cleaning a week (10 mins dusting, 10 mins hoovering etc). Probably not explaining very well, go and have a look!

RubySewSew

Ooh, thanks ladies - I could get addicted!

RubySewSew

Woohoo! Just wanted to share with you that my spa day is booked! I am so excited! I have never been on one before. Can't believe I've actually booked it - I usually just talk about it but never get around to it.

Bathroom is reorganised, decluttered and sparkling. 3 loads of laundry done. Chickens watered and fed. Kitchen and living room to go. Going to go and get a couple of bits needed for posting now and then brave the supermarket. With a meal plan!

Boyfriend has offered to take me out for dinner this week to so have a lot of relaxing to fit in! Might try and see the Harry Potter film to - need to find a partner in crime for that.

Very excited! Whoop! Whoop!

Mags30

Sounds like a fab few days planned. It's amazing how many people have never been to a spa. I've been but can live without-looking forward to hearing what you think.