Mooloo's little tapestry of life, 2016

Eager_Elephant

Have a great day!!!

Savvy_sewing

Thankyou everyone for your birthday wishes.
The sun has disappeared somewhat but maybe that's a good thing.
A lazy start to the day. Possibly some shopping later.
Meal tonight.

ivyleaf

Happy Birthday Mooloo!

supermezzo

Happy birthday Mooloo. Revel in your 'me' time.

Savvy_sewing

Had a walk around Stoke Bruerne canal and lunch outside one of the pubs. The rain didn't last and the sun has been pushing back the clouds all day.
Had a phone call from my Mum, Brother, twin2 and Biggest of Mooloo's.
Spent the last hour or so blitzing DGDs bedroom while she's not around to see what goes in the bin. And a bag of clothes that are too small ready for the charity shop.
Second load of washing on, and the bathroom cleaned. Must be something wrong with me?

*Robin*

Belated Happy Birthday, Mooloo - you got to do what you wanted, so no matter that it wasn't the most exciting day of your life!

Savvy_sewing

My birthday brought amended taxcredits forms. They have taken off the over payment, and reduced my payments accordingly, spread over the rest of the year, so my money is reduced by over £40 a week.
I had an updated rent account saying I have to pay £75 odd a week rent now, but don't know if that will be my final change or if it is an interim one.
In real terms I'm looking at a shortfall financially of £180 a week in my budget.
There will not be a replacement car.
The holiday coming up, will be definitely the last for a while unless I cash in my pension.
The emergency fund is still intact until I get the final calculations from the council.
But I have cut every expense, swapped utilities etc so have no more wriggle room in the budget. Food will be significantly different as the budget is £46 a week now. The organic boxes have been put on hold.
Time to use up the Armageddon cupboards.
I worked until after 5.30 yesterday completing some £180 worth of work.
Handy not having DGD or childcare costs this week.

Savvy_sewing

As I wake up to an empty nest it is very strange.
My Guardianship allowance came in, and went back out again, £50 to twin1 to help the family with costs while they have DGD and £40 to the childcare ready for the holidays ahead. The small balance has been moved into the savings ready to start building for the next Approved Food/Muscle food delivery next month.
As it is just me at home I shall just eat up what's in the fridge and cupboards and am aiming for a NSD well a full week of them if possible.
I sometimes buy lunch, but I shall be taking it in with me this week.
Looking at the business account, we have banked around £800 last week, with the help of deposits for the curtains, and seat cushions final payments.
If we can maintain a good week this week it will help the start of August and a week where we are going to be closed.
I have put £160 into the savings pot, 20% roughly, ready for the tax man, wages bill etc and if needed it will there if we have a shortfall to pay the rent.
I still have staffs wages to do when I get to work as I didn't bring the laptop home.
I also have to calculate her holiday pay for next week.
This week she's working two full days to make up her hours, as she is off on another surprise holiday at the end of August. She's going to join her daughter and grandchildren on their holiday. All secret. They have booked the same hotel and are going to surprise them by the pool.
So I will have to factor that into my workings out, and the work load I will be able to sustain on my own.
Today I have a morning full of fittings, followed by starting on the curtains that have been ordered.
I intend to stay a bit longer until around 6pm if I can. Then I want to find my second wind as I want to do some work in the spare room.
Mainly sorting out boxes of junk, clothes etc ready to move DGD.
So I have an ambitious week ahead of me.
Missing my little monkey, but relieved I can do what I need to this week.

Savvy_sewing

The curtains were so very heavy that I struggled with the weight and my left arm/shoulder. I had to stop. I sold a sewing machine today, and delivered that at 4.30 so I came home.
Tomorrow I will take pain killers with me, as the next stage joining the linings to the fabric will be really heavy.
Each curtain is 2 1/2 panels of fabric and the same in blackout lining which is incredibly heavy.
I shall go for a soak in the bath and a heat pad later.

Savvy_sewing

Never did get my soak in the bath, but after tea I did start sorting out the spare room - ready to move DGD. I have two bags of rubbish plus recycling stuff and three charity bags of clothes. I also did a preliminary pack ready for Cyprus.
I had a night of very weird dreams, my family were in it, but one minute the twins were as they are now and then just before I woke up they were about four! Considering they will be 28 in November that was strange.
My arm/shoulder is bad! Pain killers at the ready. After these curtains are done, I will need the week to recover. (And the rest probably). Just tapping the keyboard is generating a problem already).
I am feeling my age today with little aches and pains,
But I must get on, there is only me to do it all.
Still not sure yet about my housing benefit claim. I can't get through to a human, and they ring me back when I'm at work etc.
It's a pity they don't have a satalite office here anymore.
I would feel very much happier if it could be sorted before I go away at the weekend.
Trying to budget is becoming a nightmare.
I managed a no spend day yesterday, and have enough grub in the fridge for my lunch today, and even a frozen steak out for tea tonight along with salad. So something nice to look forward too.
Staff sold my spare wheel from the car at the weekend, so I have an extra £20 in my purse. Bonus.
I don't get the post until I get home this evening so I will not know if there are any changes to my bills etc.