More time and less money = life changes.

maman

old-fashioned-girl wrote: »

Probably won't want my help when they see my messy attempts! As much as I would love organising wall displays (and cutting and sticking!) I will be in the school office so will be mostly doing admin work.

Oh I hadn't thought of it being a bit of an ice breaker! I tend to be really shy and I have worked in my current job for over 10 years (the only place I have worked) so I am pretty nervous about meeting all those new people.

I wouldn't worry about meeting new people, you'll soon fit in.


I do hope it works out as you plan and that you have time for sitting and doing crafting although I don't think I've seen a school staff room like that for more than 30 years! These days people are lucky to grab a drink and maybe eat a sandwich and if there's any more time they just talk!

hoglet121

I can vouch for a craft project being an icebreaker - I used to get the train to work and would often do my crochet. The number of people that asked me what I was making, commented on the colour or said how nice it was 'to still see someone doing that' really made my day.

It will provide a nice easy way for your colleagues to start to chat with you, rather than have to drudge out the same old 'so do you live far from here?' type questions.

Batch cooking works wonders for me - a couple of hours early on a weekend to get things squirrelled away in the freezer and then all I have to do is take something out the night before and heat it up. So easy and very good for the budget, especially using a rubber chicken ;-)

As for cleaning - we all have our strengths and weaknesses - my weakness is cleaning.... You can't do everything so just give yourself a chance to work out a routine that works for you. Remember to go easy on yourself at the start - I used to stress that my house didn't look like a show home, then I realised the only houses that look like show homes, are show homes, mine is lived in and is clean in the important areas (bathroom, kitchen) and very errrr lived in in the rest....

MrsSave

Hi! I completely agree with the work/life balance. Since having my son last year I have gone from having a full time teaching post to supply work and I love it! There are some weeks I work 4 days, some I only do 3. I do very little work in the evening and don't have the extra's a full time teacher has.

I meal plan. I usually do 2 weeks worth at a time, but that's because I struggled to spend £25 a week for home delivery, so now spend around £40 a fortnight and a few pounds in between for extra milk and fruit. I only buy what we need, and a few treats.

As for keeping on top of housework, once you work that one out can you let me know please

meritaten

hi oldfashionedgirl. well, you have come to the right place! on this board there is no such thing as a 'stupid question' - so if there is something you want to know, ASK! somebody (usually more than one) will answer and the advice is normally excellent.

when it comes to cleaning I personally, like to do kitchen everyday, bathroom gets a good thorough scrub on Wednesday, bedrooms get one at a time - unless my spare bedrooms aren't being used - in which case they get ignored. living room gets hoovered by OH every day (Don't ask - he is OCD about hovering), but I polish once a fortnight and just dust every other day, and clutter is put out of sight once a day. Cupboards, storage pouffes etc I am a huge fan of! you can make up your own 'routine' as you go along - but I strongly recommend HAVING a routine.
shame about the drop in pay - but, as you work in school admin, I am sure you will get to hear about any holiday temp positions, where you could pick up some income!
oh and when it comes to crafting - its practice and doing something you love that brings results - so carry on and enjoy it!

meritaten

hoglet121 wrote: »

I can vouch for a craft project being an icebreaker - I used to get the train to work and would often do my crochet. The number of people that asked me what I was making, commented on the colour or said how nice it was 'to still see someone doing that' really made my day.

It will provide a nice easy way for your colleagues to start to chat with you, rather than have to drudge out the same old 'so do you live far from here?' type questions.

this reminds me of accompanying my OH to a hospital appointment last year. I was really into 'Kumihimo' and took my project along with me to do while in the waiting room(s). we were sat there and I was chatting to OH while working a simple 12 strand braid, when OH whispered to me 'Everyone is watching you'. surprised I looked up, and sure enough all eyes were glued to my board! I just carried on and this young girl asked me what I was doing. so I answered 'its called kumihimo and its Japanese braiding'. she asked what I was making and moved over and sat by me. OH got called in to see doctor and when he came out, he said 'all finished, we can go'. I said 'we cant go yet, I seem to be teaching a workshop here'! rofl! six people had 'had a go' at my braid! and were surprised how easy it was!

old-fashioned-girl

Oh I am hoping I get my lunch break! They seem pretty strict with it - apparently they used to have their lunches in the office but always got disturbed so now go to the staff room so they get a proper break. It will be interesting having set hours and not having the pressure to work lots of extra hours. I think the stress at my current job has been making me ill.

Also hoping that once I have school experience I can move up a bit as that was what held me back from getting interviews at a higher level. Lots of years until retirement!

I am aiming to take things nice and easy at the beginning. I am expecting to be tired for a while when I am settling in to the new job and routine and learning everything!

This forum does seem friendly but I am a bit wary about jumping into threads - everyone seems to know each other! Maybe once I get moved and start putting these things into practice.

Muser1

Hi! Don't be shy on here, you seem lovely and will fit right in. I lurk a lot but it's such a friendly place.

Good luck with the new job and home. Sounds just perfect.

flowertotmum

Hi there OFG..don't be shy hun..i was like you and was crippling shy even on here..it took me weeks to pluck up the courage to join..but i did it and haven't looked back..i have great friends on here now..best friends ever..always supportive and so understanding..

Budgets and meal plans are the way to go..i do mine on a weekly basis and ask the family if there is something special they would like and shop accordingly.

As for crafting well i hope you get on well..i was like that..had the books and stuff just not the time..so i made time..only half an hour here and there but i soon got the hang of it and now do it to relax in the evenings.
take care
ftm

dingdongsaving

Oh what an exciting time! A work-life balance & finding a job you love is well worth a manageable drop in pay too. I did the same and am now a teacher and I adore it...there's nothing like waking up excited when the alarm goes off.

For your cleaning I'd say work from the lists on here or make a list of all the things you'd like to do daily (kitchen tops, bins, washing/washing-up/dishwasher etc.) & weekly (hoovering/dusting etc). and split them into a daily list - that's what I do. Then 3 days a week I work through the 9 "other" cleaning bits I do every 3 weeks...just in rotation...T/W&Th each week I do 1 of them each day (things like clean windows indoors/clean windows outdoors/clean the garage door & sweep the driveway/clean the patio furniture/wipe down skirting boards etc). Generally I spend about 20 minutes each day doing "housework" Monday to Friday and never have to think about what needs doing when...I just work from my list & everything's done.

For shopping I'd say start small and make a list of what you've got and meals you enjoy...then combine the 2 and plan a meal at a time...making a shopping list as you go of things you need to buy for the following week of meals.

Maybe try starting small with just the cleaning list for a week or 2. Then add in meal planning and looking at building your shopping list around it so that you don't get off-track with grocery spending.

Def. brave the boards on here too. Everyone's so helpful and welcoming. I really enjoy the monthly Grocery challenge and seeing that everyone on there's working hard to stick to their own allocated budget. I always read the What's For Dinner thread too - good for inspiration and seeing how others meal plan and adapt what they cook in "real life" as each week & challenge comes.

Pooky

Get yourself a slowcooker (if your OH hasn't got one already) and you can set your dinner going before you leave for work and come home to something quick, tasty and home made.