Preparing for the biggest move of our life

bellevie

Thanks greenone - I did a quick search actually and found that the meat should be ok so will defrost some of the older meat for our stew tomorrow!


I had no idea you could freeze cheese - thanks for the tip I will definitely pick up a big block next time!

RosaBernicia

I keep a Sharpie in a magnetic wotsit on the fridge freezer - right there so when I'm unpacking stuff I write the date it's being frozen on the pack. That way I know if it was up to its use by date when I froze it or not. And how long it's been buried in the freezer...


Rosa xx

bellevie

Thanks Rosa, good tip!


Im trying to defrost chicken right now, I'm guessing if its not right I will know by it's smell. I do have some shop bought chicken that cooks from frozen, so have a back up if it all goes wrong last minute!

bellevie

Leisure centre membership sorted, also booked onto an easter swim course - they are covering both weeks of the break which was good news as I only had 1 week off! Hopefully it will be as quiet as feb half term was as she made so much progress that week!


Pizza yesterday was delicious, I am always amazed even simple cheese & tomato tastes so much better than shop brought.


I just tried fried spinach & cherry toms with a touch of garlic powder on toast - it was delicious! I had spinach on my half of the pizza yesterday, DD always insists she hates it, but yesterday she pinched a slice of mine and declared she loves it! She still opted for her usual cheese sandwich at lunch though


We had an unplanned tidy up of front & back gardens, clearing weeds, leaves etc.


I really would like to make my back garden pretty, without spending huge amounts of money, or getting things too big to move. Im going to have a little google of idea's, it will give us something to work on over the easter holidays!


Quick coffee now before we take Mr T into the forest for an afternoon stroll.

bellevie

Counting down the days till payday - already!


I have money left in both accounts but all 'reserved' for bills / groceries/ childcare etc.


Two & a bit weeks till my next week off work - I have to say I am looking forward to it. I love my job, and my colleagues but I feel so tired at the end of each day, despite always being in bed by 10 latest! I think I need to dig out the multivitamins - I start of with good intentions, then they disappear to the back of the medicine cupboard I had better dig them out now, before I get sidetracked!

catriona79

Understand re looking forward to getting paid!!

Dig those multivitamins out

bellevie

Easter childcare paid today, that was a painful transaction


I had most of it saved, in my esave, just needed to top it up. AA renewal is due out this week, as well as swimming & afterschool club - a week before payday....eeek! I have had to pull some money out of my regular saver to make sure I don't go overdrawn. I will replace it next week, but means I wont see a huge increase in my total savings which is annoying.


I submitted the application for the job I want, interview wont be for a couple of weeks, but fingers crossed come May / June I will see an increase in my wages! I have calculated it, after tax, insurance, pensions and the drop in tax credits due to a payrise it makes around £5 difference a month but the main thing is, it will help a little more in any potential mortgage application!


I considered dropping my pension so I can add it to savings, but after tax & insurance are added back in, I wont see a huge amount of it. Seeing as I'm likely to be paying off a mortgage a little longer, I will need all the help I can get later on!


That said I'm sure this govt if they continue will have us working into our late 80s....

catriona79

Just a quickie - don't drop your pension! It's so important that you keep paying into it. Compound interest etc.

bellevie

So I've been thinking about this part time job that I have been given permission to apply for.


I have this niggling feeling, as my team is just not busy enough that within the next 12-18 months, they will review us again and drop it down to 2 people - ie supervisor + 1. Now, it came to me, that if I am part time and there is just one full time role my full time colleague would just be moved into the role.


My hope is that in the next 12-18 months the part time role goes full time anyway, but there is no guarantee.


Another part time job has come up, for 2.5 days. This job is in the next department that I would opt for after the current one I am applying for - in terms of progression. In total the two jobs would only be 4.5 days per week, meaning one morning a week off work but the same amount of money as the current part time of lower and higher paid roles.


I know I could do the job, so I am planning to apply, however there are a couple of long term temps who's contracts will be ending soon who I suspect may also apply, and as there is no one at risk we would all have an equal chance.


I've spoken to the manager of my 'long term goal' team, and she said for her, me working in this other team would work better, the roles would blend better and she too agreed that it would be safer for me. As if that team is reviewed the whole team would be in the same boat, and there are a couple more part timers so its likely everyone would have to re-apply.


I have written up my application this morning, and will apply in the week. I know its a long shot getting both jobs, but worth a try. I get on well with the manager of this second part time job, and I think he knows I'm capable of the job itself. I think his concern would be me taking on two new jobs at the same time, but I think its definitely doable - I'll just need to convince him!


NSD today, I've been picking up bits in the week. DD has run out of yogurts, and we will need more bottled water, but Im hoping we can last until Monday and I can pick some up in my lunch break.


Yesterday was a very high spend day, rebooked on the swimming course & afterschool club. Its left me £5 below my 'minimum budget' that I like to keep in the bank. I know my breakdown cover is due out too, I just cant remember the date - I'm hoping it co-insides with Friday - payday!! There is enough in my 'minimum balance' to cover it - I just wouldn't feel very safe for a few days!


We are going to go to the forest with Mr T. He has been superb off the lead in a sealed park with just us, but at the weekend its too busy and I'm worried with too many distractions, he wont listen to me when I call him! There will be a few other walkers in the forest, but not in close proximity, so it will be a good test to see if he follows after a quick and hopefully polite hello!

bellevie

I have reviewed my spreadsheets, and dropped my target for the year - well halved it!


I came to the conclusion if I moved to one or both of the mobile working roles permanently, my car wont last much longer.


I haven't decided yet, if I will just save 2k and get a replacement to last another few years, or get a newer car - say 3-4 years, on finance, I need to do the sums.


Anyhow I thought reducing my target would ease the pressure either way!


DD isn't feeling too well, and there are a few bugs going round her school, so naturally I am symptom watching. I may need to take tomorrow off work, I have a few flexi hours to use and some annual leave so I hope they don't make me take it unpaid.


I will send her to bed early and re-assess in the morning.


Whenever DD is ill, I almost revert to how she was when she was sooo poorly as a baby, I too go to bed early in preparation for 2 hourly checks! I shouldn't do as I know she is old enough to wake me when she needs to but its a hard habit to break!