Start of my downshift from full time to part time work

pozalina

Ooh, good luck. Must dash now but wanted to say how exciting! I currently work 29 hours but would love to reduce this further by another day. Will follow your thread for tips!

Amishwannabee

Thank you all for your lovely thoughts and replies.
Kaz - we made elderberry wine a few years ago and that was lush too.
Will read the link you posted later for more inspiration. Up washed and dressed and ready to go by 7am this morning so must move on...

Have decided not to fritter away my newly aquired time sitting on computer for hours. Think I will use cooker timer to allow me say 20 minutes a couple of times a day - time for me to check MSE and a couple of other sites I love. I know that I just start looking at all sorts of things if I stay on too long at a time. Not sure if this will have to exclude my updating of our money spreadsheets though as this sometimes takes me a while.

So back to today:

• prep veggies for hm pizza and potato wedges for tea to save time later on
• clean bathroom quickly and hoover through quickly
• go and see mum and maybe go for a walk - see how she feels
• go to Aqua class - yippee!
• check what we have for tea tomorrow as back at work - need something quick and easy
• load up my new Mothers Day cd present "Electronic 80s" - thank you kids - to my lovely ipod. One of the best birthday presents I ever had and I use it all the time - on the way to and from work; going round the supermarket; on loudspeakers in the kitchen!!
• start to sort out filing box in kitchen which is stuffed to the gills with paperwork and most of it probably needs shredding - will do at work tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a good, useful and rewarding day. Take care. AW

Kaz2904

Well, I've had a little browse whilst eating my breakfast. Now I'm off to do the ironing. I need to go out in the garden and get the (wet) washing from the line and sort it out. Such a pain
I have got tea on already in the slow cooker so brownie points for me

JodyBPM

Sounds like you will have a productive day Amishwannabe! I've got a sick little girl at home today, plus its raining here, so my plans to get all the summer flowering bulbs and poundland perennials out in my newly dug bed will have to wait for another day. Not too sure what I will do as I'm fairly up to date with the housework, and we can't really go anywhere due to DD being sick. Maybe I will get the sewing machine out later, as I have some sewing jobs to do...

Kaz2904

Great minds think alike Jody! I've finished 3 cushions and covers today. Now they're off the bookshelf and on the sofa where they should be . I've done 2 loads of washing, all the ironing's done and put away. Unfortunately, I found another load of washing in the dryer when I put the first load in so that's awaiting sorting but I shall do all 3 loads tonight.

SkintGypsy

Ok, so not a patch on your achievements, however better than nowt. I have unloaded and loaded the dishwasher, put away clean washing and emptied the lounge of all dirty crockery. The floor remains clear, for the time being, and I have remembered to pay for the special Easter lunch at school, so my child won't starve that day. Phew! Parents evening in a bit, so will whack some lovely spud in to jacket while we are out. I am feeling a touch motivated. Who knew?! It won't last. Sigh.

Amishwannabee

Back on again briefly and impressed with all your achievements today - well done to all.
I so far did all on my list bar decluttering the kitchen box but hey ho - that can wait another day or two. Went for a short walk before the rain came so that was good but walked to The Range and spent £17 - not so good. Told my mum that our next walk has to be somewhere well away from shops. However the things i bought were needed so not a great problem!
Did my aqua class which was really good and have found out that the teacher has other daytime classes in the week so will hopefully be able to fit one in each week but on various days as necessary.
Have to say that I don't feel at all daunted about the thought of going to work tomorrow - not like that usual Sunday night feeling when there is not enough weekend to go round. Starting to feel in control of home already which puts me in a much better state of mind to face the next 3 days.
Obviously can't do as much as the last couple of days but at least I know home is tidy, washing sorted and there is something for packed lunch and dinners!!
Just off to start tea for us all. Have a peaceful evening.

Kaz2904

Here's my cushions. Lovely and fat .
So far, I'm getting there, the cost per cushion is rapidly falling as I've made all 5 now. I used old pillows so free. £5.98 for material. £67.99 for the rest of the sewing kit (but that'll be used for many many many other projects).
Actually never made it out today but that's ok because I DID sew on DS's badges to his aikido costume too. This bent my needle so I lost time changing it. Maybe I'll get into town tomorrow?

ellay864

Oh I'm jealous!! I just went back FT at the start of March. After DS1 was born (back in '92) I worked 3 days one week, 2 the next etc. I kept doing that until after both him and DS2 were at school, then I worked 9.30 - 2 so I could do the school run. I gradually increased it so I worked every day but not full days, but work got busier and I was often stopping later or bringing work home so I figured I might as well get paid for it. The money is coming in very handy (an extra £400/month when we get married later in the year ) but I do miss that bit of time each afternoon.
On the plus side, now that DS1 is away at uni and DS2 is 16 I do have more time as I'm not doing all the school stuff I did when they were younger, and if anything, working FT has made me realise how to appreciate and make the best of the time I do have

sharloid

Ooh I'm jealous! I've been thinking about dropping a day for a while, but I only earn £14000 full time so I'm not too sure how wise that would be. Would you guys only drop a day if you're on a lot of money? Or do you think a low wage is possible if you have more time?