Preparing for the biggest move of our life

bellevie

I'm home early today! Had some flexi hours to use up.
Work was busy.

I treated myself, using a gift card I got for my birthday to a new notebook, its beautiful......only now I don't want to write in it for fear of ruining it!

fieldend

@bellevie: how old is your DD? I'm also contemplating moving but I'm so hesitant to do that... and don't know how to time it. Are you OK with her changing schools possibly more than once? My DD is in yr 3, so I thought perhaps we can move just before secondary school time, but then she would have to change primary school as well, if we move far from where we are. So that's a bit too much... How do people do these things?

In my case I would need to sell my place and buy another one (the idea is to buy cheaper area, as we're in one of the "poshest" suburbs of greater London... totally overpriced, it's not even on the tube and the train into central London takes more than 30 mins, I might as well move to Reading or Woking, at least they have faster trains).

bellevie

DD is in yr2. I had the same thought when we moved to where I am. It would simplify things to move her to a school within walking distance, but as I know she may have to move schools when we buy, I'd rather not put her through it too much - if at all.

DD loves her school, as do I, so if I can time our big move with her going to secondary school it will be so much better. There are only 8 girls in her class, 8 forms per year in the designated secondary school so chances are she wont be with any of her friends in her form anyway.

If I end up buying somewhere before primary is over, I will move her so that she can make friends before going to the new secondary school.

bellevie

Today was an interesting day, the job that I was going to apply for but didn't because of the person at risk, has come about again. My manager strongly suggested I go for it, she is willing to merge my role with the other, so I would work part time in both teams making a full time roll. The hours offered should work better for both teams, and I would be in line for a decent payrise!!

The way it was put forward, I'd do my favourite parts of both roles - how amazing could that be! Sure both roles can be hard, but they are the parts I enjoy the most, relatively evenly balanced across the working day!

I still have to go through the formal application process, but I am very very hopeful! Interview should be in the next couple of weeks, hopefully to start ASAP!!!!

There was also another job released today, that the very last person at risk wants to apply for, he is well suited to the role and it is a payrise - I am so so so happy for him. He is a really kind, hard working person and he deserves this role. Although he still has to go through the motion of interview, the job is actually his if he wants it. Interview I think will mainly be determining pay scale, based on experience etc.

So good news all round!

DD liked her swimming lesson, she was painfully shy in a bigger group, and neither of us really took to her swimming instructor, but she enjoyed it and hopefully wont be far of moving up a level.

Tomorrow after the food shop we will hopefully be decorating dd's room. The wall mural was delivered but too big for the letter box, so we need to collect that from the post office depot on the way to the shops.

DD is exhausted tucked up in bed, and I will follow on very shortly as I can barely keep my eyes open!

catriona79

Oh, Bellevie, how fantastic all round. You and the colleague who's at risk will both be ok. They obviously value you at work, which is a great feeling, and then the pay rise means more lovely £s to put away towards a future home. What a great Friday for you! Have you found out what sort of pay rise that would be, or is it too early? I hope it's loads and loads!!!

bellevie

Yes 13%!

My tax credits will go down because of this so I wont feel the full affect in the bank, but on paper it will help when it comes to applying for a mortgage.

Whilst I don't want to wish my life away, the biggest difference will be when DD no longer needs childcare! If the new role goes full time in future, I may be able to make some childcare savings then as its a little more flexible than my current role.

Fingers crossed no one else at work suddenly shows an interest!

bellevie

Quick shop done, all the excitement has brought on one hell of a headache!

I couldn't face the supermarkets so stopped off at the Tesco express, and sticking to my essentials list I spent £4!! I know it would have been cheaper in their bigger store, but I would have no doubt added other things as I went around so I saved myself time and money in that sense.

Off to make a nice coffee and stop for a few minutes before the demands for lunch commence!

Rebecca01

Hi

Just catching up on your diary. Glad to read you are feeling slightly better.

I am the same as you researching areas, different options but then coming back to school issue etc. Hurts my brain sometimes.

Good to do your research though and way up the best options.

Great news on job too. How exciting. Xx

RosaBernicia

fab news Bellevie -well done you, sounds like both teams really like you already!


Rosa xx

bellevie

Thank you Rebecca & Rosa!
Not a sealed deal yet, and there may be someone internal that does rethink their plans when the job comes back out, but I hope the overtime I worked in the team will help me in the interview. It is points based and two managers attend and keep their own points list so there is no getting the job unless you 'earn' the points during the interview.

One of my colleague's was really deserving of one role during the reshuffle, but someone else overtook her points wise, despite my colleague definitely having the relevant experience she just couldn't prove herself verbally.

I'm generally OK in interviews, though I think I'd do better first thing on a Monday morning rather than a Friday afternoon when I am shattered! If I am against anyone else it could make all the difference.

If I am the only applicant, and I don't get the amount of points they expect, they can reduce the pay based on points but only for a fixed period of time until you are at the required level.

The advert will be out in the next few days, so I will spend some time today preparing my application.

Hopefully within a couple of weeks I should have been interviewed and know what's happening!