2014 - New Rules to Live By

Pennydropped

Good grief! Still haven't managed to get to that bannister!!

Between an asthma flareup by one child, requiring a trip to A&E, to follow up asthma problems, then my other child getting ill, I've had children home from school, multiple appointments for follow up, dentist appointments, glasses broken 3 more times! THREE!! (thank god Specsavers are having pity on me and just fixing them as quickly as possible!)

Two of the windows with the double glazing problem has been replaced. The council is looking at replacing 3 of my windows as they are unsafe for the dcs (thankfully, as I've spoken to them a few times about this). They're gathering quotes on it, and then said they'll be replacing the windows.

I've spent some time pulling out the fridge recently and cleaning behind it. There's a funny odour somewhere in the kitchen that I can't quite pinpoint. It's very faint - but my friend verified that she could detect it as well, but only barely. I've now got to pull out the cooker and clean behind that. I'm hoping that will take care of it - not sure I want to see what it looks like behind the cooker!! :eek:

Pennydropped

First and foremost... happy dance... money in savings again. Whew! Not a lot, but enough that it makes me happy to see a balance in there. :j It's especially gratifying to see it in there because I've purchased some Christmas presents, and yet still have some for savings. Hooorah!!

I've budgeted to drop my grocery shop for the next four weeks by £5 and spend that £5 on food to donate to the local food bank (Trussel Trust). I think it's the very least I can do. I'm lucky enough that while sometimes money can be tight, I've had enough to buy groceries for my family, and I'm grateful for that. So I'll be looking on their website today, as they generally have a list of food items that they need the most. It's not a lot, £20, and I should be better organised and start donating to local charities year round, rather than just at Christmas. It's a point to remember that families are going hungry all year round, not just at Christmas. Perhaps something I need to think about when it comes time to make those New Year's Resolutions.

My list of things to do today is 2 pages long. Will I get it all done? I'd like to think so, but I will most likely be prioritising so at least the most important things are definitely done. The school programmes are already starting up, along with meetings, charity sales, and the like. I don't know where some people fit in the time for all this! I feel some days like I'm running from meeting to meeting to appointment to appointment! In between school runs! It's crazy, a bit stressful, and I can't help but mentally whinge that I just want to get back to my DIY and get more done!

I'm disappointed that I didn't complete everything I wanted to get done by the end of this month. No, I didn't anticipate all the illness and appointments that cropped up. And yes, these things happen. But I know that to some extent a lot of the DIY is now effectively stalled until January. (unless I can get a sneaky bit of it done here and there! :rotfl: )

Pennydropped

The house is pretty much decorated now, and the Christmas tree is up. I picked up a few new items and put aside some that my ex and I had together. I just want it to be without any depressive overtones. Plus I like the Nordic/country/tartan mix that I've got going. :cool:

The dcs helped string a banner of letters for "Merry Christmas" and a banner of snowflakes to put up. There's still one more for them to do, which will get put upstairs, but I'll let them decide. We're going to put a few more decorations upstairs as I told them they could decorate up there. I'm just awaiting their input this week.

For the most part, Christmas is sorted. I ordered a few bits recently, and that's the last of it, other than a stocking stuffer or two. I need to pick up one or two items for myself (the dcs are too young to go out and buy for me, and my mother gives me money) so there's something under the tree for me as well, otherwise the dcs will get upset. I've picked out two good books that I chanced across at Poundland, and am hoping to get a dressing gown for myself.

Food for Christmas is mostly sorted - I don't go crazy, we're just having turkey roast dinner, with the addition of cranberries and some Christmas cake. So not much extra to worry about.

Hopefully that means now I can sit back and relax and enjoy the holidays.

Pennydropped

Well, back to getting things done. I took time over Christmas to try and just relax and not get worked up over DIY stuff and what I need to get done.

Today (as soon as I finish my coffee), I'm back to work on decluttering as well as reorganising. Have you ever noticed that this type of thing just never seems to get done?? No matter how much I do, there's always MORE. That's okay - as long as I can keep up with things, I'm happy with that.

My list of DIY is organised and ready to go. Next week starts full out work on the house again. This week is declutter and prep week. I've picked up a few supplies, and am planning what tasks I want to do when - I have to plan them around school runs and appointments and meetings, so I need to plan carefully.

This week is also "MOT and car needs a few things done" week, so I'll be feeling rather poor by the end of the week! Thankfully I have money saved to cover the expense, so it's not throwing a wrench in my budget. :j

Obviously by now all my Christmas decorations are down and put away. I always keep one box of Christmas items under my bed - mainly because every year I always miss a few things, and I am NOT making a habit of going back up into the attic to put them in a box up there. So thus the lone Christmas box under the bed is born - to save my sanity.

I purchased dc2's bed last week and when it was delivered, I assembled it and put the mattress on it. The cotbed mattress now resides underneath the new single bed, as dc2 has an alarming tendency to fall out of bed, however refuses to contemplate having a bed rail on the bed. So every evening, part of the bedtime routine is pulling the cotbed mattress out from under the bed to put next to it, for protection if there is a fall out of bed. If nothing else, it keeps him from putting toys under the bed. :cool:

Another session of going through the toys is needed as well. I suspect they are breeding, as every time I look, there seem to be more. Surely I just went through them all right before Christmas? Where have they all come from? Time for me to go in with a couple carrier bags and take what's not used much, and hide them away for awhile. If they're not noticed as missing, then off they go out of the house - either to the tip or charity shop, depending on condition.

I'm happy to be getting back to work on things though. I tend to waste time when I don't have lists and goals.

Pennydropped

You know how you say "as long as nothing goes wrong"... and then look over your shoulder because you just KNOW you've jinxed yourself? :eek: Well, I'm sitting here with both children home ill today. Yes, that's right, both. Not getting a lot of anything done either. Ill children are high maintenance.

A slight correction. I did manage to get the tax paid for on my car online. MOT was done yesterday, so thankfully that's done. I was so worried as I suspected the brakes were worn again - which technically they shouldn't be after less than a year. Cringing at the thought of another £400 bill (it had reached metal on metal and needed disc replaced as well), I made sure I had that much money put aside, plus the MOT bill. And lo and behold, the brakes just needed stripping and cleaning - they are fine. No cost. So just the £35 for the MOT. What. A. Relief!! :j So next week I'll be doing that final repair that I've been postponing - the wing mirror (the one that is currently held on with electrical tape!). I will pay for it out of the money I had saved for the other repair, and still have money to put in savings. Hooray!!

I am getting to the stage where the stairs will be completed soon. And about time, I say!! But you know me - still waffling on the carpet issue. I need to get a few quotes on how much it would cost to fully carpet it, so I can compare it to the price of the carpet blocks I planned on putting on the stairs. It's a tough decision, and I want to get it right. I'm trying to keep in mind the difference in cleaning as well. Full carpeting would be easier, but the lesser amount of carpet would be cheaper, although more difficult to clean.

First task for next week is getting the appropriate stain/varnish for the bannister. I know I want a walnut/dark wood colouring, but not what type to get. I may have to do some looking around online to see if there are any recommendations. I hate asking at B&Q because so often the people don't know, and then I'm at the store and stuck, as I don't have a good idea what to get. If the children are back at school tomorrow, I may pop into B&Q tomorrow after the supermarket shop, so I guess I'll be doing some browsing for answers online tonight in preparation.

I will be ringing to organise a few quotes on the carpeting as well, so I can get that going as soon as the bannister is done. A friend gave me the name of a carpet layer that does a good job (I've seen the carpet he did in her house) for a decent price, so I may check with him first. I know the type of carpet I would want, so it's just a matter of pricing it. This is the kind of thing that it'd be nice to be able to just wave a magic wand and have it done. :rotfl:

kbl

Hi Pennydropped, quick hello and hope you and the kids are well, and 2015 is good to you.

Pennydropped

So sorry. Things have been in complete uproar here.

I have been struggling with ds2's primary school, and things have finally come to a head. Without going into too much detail, he is going through the process of being assessed for special needs. Some have already been identified and some are still being discussed. His primary school are a study in reactivity, rather than supporting him and being proactive. Things that were recommended for them to do last spring (referrals to various support agencies) have still not been done (although his paediatrician has now stepped in and taken care of it, as she was annoyed that the school had not done it) and numerous other recommendations to support him have not been put in place either - this is after months of them ignoring communication from me, while I've been trying to meet with them and push them to put these things in place. Meanwhile he is falling further and further behind his peers.

A meeting in the beginning of December highlighted a number of specific things that were supposed to be put in place immediately. A meeting in late January shows that these things were still not done. Appalling. I'd already been looking into the possibility of Home Education, and I have now made the decision to do HE starting immediately.

A huge huge relief for me. Both dcs were ill for almost a week with a stomach bug, and then last week they had no school. This week starts the HE'ing. It's unbelievable how many free resources are out there, and I've managed to sort out lesson plans and crafts, reading material, and socialisation opportunities with other HE groups in the area.

It does, of course, mean that I'll have to tailor my DIY activities even more, but as much as I feel slightly sad about that, I have to do what is best for ds2. And for now, that is HE. I'll still be working on the DIY - obviously I haven't gotten anything done with illness and school nonsense going on and the dcs home for school break. Hopefully I can get back into it in the week or so, once I've got things into more of a schedule.

I did buy a new printer - my old one was deemed unfixable, and I finally gave up. This one has been really put to work lately, and I'm quite pleased with it. My laminator is being put to good use as well.

There are some pluses - some expenses will drop (school related) but grocery budget slightly up (lunches at home), and I'll probably be spending more on printer ink and paper. Less petrol running around as well. And mostly, less anxiety for ds2.

I'm starting to think about Christmas presents and getting organised early. I'd like to make more presents this year - every year I want to do this, and I always allow myself to be derailed. This year I'll be starting soon, so hopefully it will work better.

Pennydropped

HE'ing is going well. It's been a struggle trying to sort out exactly where ds2 is academically. Dreadfully far behind, that's for certain! I've been utilising a number of free online teaching tools, some free apps, and free online reading books from the Oxford Owl website (those Biff, Chip, and Kipper books ) to try and sort out where he goes from "I can do this" to "I'm struggling" to "I can't do this."

I'm also supplementing this with some things like laminated write on/wipe off sheets, a numicon set (£15 on Amazon), various books, and art/craft things. I've also started introducing some computer skills practice (very basic), some exposure to different types of music, and playing outside.

I tried a local HE group, but it wasn't really a good fit, so I'll try again with a different group.

"Moneysaving" has been difficult lately. Both children needed new clothing. Ds1 needed new trousers as he has gotten taller and his were far too short! Ds2 needed new shirts, as all his are too short in the body and the sleeves. Both needed new socks. I also picked up some legos for them, as they are good for numerous things - hand to eye coordination, practice following instructions when putting together things in the booklet, and fine motor skills when building. Both dcs need this, so at least they can have fun at the same time.

The DIY has been sidetracked due to having practically daily appointments recently. I am planning on getting back into it this week, however, around the HE'ing. First up is finishing the stairs/banister! Honestly, if I don't get that done before summer, I'm going to be so frustrated! This project has taken FAR too long, even if I have been doing it a little at a time. And then it's on to the dining room. I wanted to complete the trim and small details in the living room, but I think I'll just keep a running list of the small stuff, while continuing to get the major stuff done. Then I can work on the small stuff at my leisure, while enjoying the more major changes.

Pennydropped

Definitely been awhile since I've been here. But I am back on track again. School starting again tomorrow for one dc, and the other is still HE'ing. I've got loose lesson plans worked out for the next few weeks, so all set to start back up tomorrow.

Easter break has meant children and activities have taken up most of my time. I am, however, getting that DIY bug again and really looking forward to getting more things done in the next few months (without spending a fortune, as hopefully will have an inexpensive holiday coming up this summer).

I've come across an interesting puzzle with my grocery shopping. I've been shopping in Waitrose, using that self-scanner so that I can track my spending and keep it under budget. I've gone to Asda a few times in the last month or two, for various reasons, and I have noticed that while I probably spend about the same, I buy more junk and cheap stuff that probably just isn't good for us - simply because it's cheaper. So.... while Asda (or Aldi or Sains or Tesco) may be slightly cheaper (and not THAT much as I buy Waitrose essential products which are fairly competitive in price), I buy less junk and am much more careful about what I buy when I shop at Waitrose. I find that rather interesting, and think perhaps continuing to shop at Waitrose is the way to go in future. I won't argue with the free coffee either. :rotfl: It at least makes me feel like I get a nice treat without spending a fortune.

I've spent more on chewellery, ear defenders, and lots of books in the last month than I have all year, I think. This is directly for dc1 though, and specifically through his DLA. The books were some books on feelings (and how to cope) as well as some specific reading books to break through some of his obsessions to widen his area of reading. The school had a devil of a time getting him to read Harry Potter as he detests fantasy. He is, however, very interested in history, so I purchased him a set of books that has children his age that end up time travelling - so a mix of fantasy and history that he could tolerate. It was a good move, as he is really enjoying these books (Time Hunters series). I also picked up more fact books for him, as those are a particular favourite of his.

I must be better about popping in here. New resolution to do so. It keeps me on track.

Pennydropped

Feeling positive today. I've finished painting my bedroom, and I've put wallpaper up in the dining room. I'm really happy with all of it. The wallpaper changes the look of the dining room so much!

Still being run ragged with appointments and meetings. For this coming week alone, so my week is pretty booked up. I'm hoping to get moving on that stairway and bannister soon. Still waiting for a combination of less children in the house and decent weather!!

I have an inexpensive holiday booked for this summer, and a divorce to pay for, so I think I have a good idea where most extra money will be going. :rotfl: