Milann's life keeps getting in the way.......

Sunshine_girl2

I am pleased you have got longer to decide what you want to do with work life. 

Very pleased you will get to see the family over Christmas, especially the little ones. 

Tier 3 is nothing new to us and makes no difference , we will carry on as we have been. When we eventually meet up with friends it will be like a big party . 

Hope the flooring goes down well this afternoon. 

beanielou

Well at least you know what the options are.
If you reduce hours/duties then obviously pay will decrease on that basis.

milann

Flooring is down and looks good. Worktops coming on Tuesday. We still have EVERYTHING out of the kitchen spread around the house so we are sitting upstairs in the bedroom. We need the builder to put a fan behind the extraction tube above the cooker....I thought he’d have done it by now....so he doesn’t want the cooker putting back until he’s done it. It could be an interesting weekend 😳 food wise since we haven’t got a cooker.....at least we can plug the microwave in in the utility room for a ready meal. I can’t wait until Wednesday when the cupboard doors will be put on and I can start getting organised.
Beanie I’d rather take the early retirement than reducing my hours....the occupational health lady advised me not to reduce my hours as it would affect the final settlement, should they decide to go down the retirement route (she told me off the record)

Sun_Addict

At least you’ve got a bit of time to consider your options and make the best decision for you. 

milann

Sunshine Girl - you are so right - tier 3 is becoming the normal now....it won’t seem any different. I suspect many people will be so used to it, if we ever get out of it that they’ll just not bother going out as much as they used to. I’m just pleased that we can see dd and gks over Christmas - I can forego pubs and restaurants and even shopping malls if need be. It’s been such a rubbish year with family member then me being in hospital.....we usually see each other and look after each other especially if one of us is ill - it’s been made so much worse by having to stay separate. We will isolate as much as possible before we go and once there we will just be happy playing with the children and going for a walk in untouristy areas away from the crowds. I’ll have my emergency turkey at home should anything scupper the plans. 

Onebrokelady

Glad the meeting went well, they probably won't want you to take the retirement option because it will cost money,my friend did it years ago because she had very bad arthritis and she said it's the best decision she has ever made, she even went on to buy a house with her new partner afterwards and is now really annoying life 😊

milann

The retirement option is very tempting after talking to my friend last night from work. Images of a sinking ship comes to mind -  2 TAs have left this week and another one goes at Christmas....nobody has been replaced and as far as we know won’t be. A couple of learning support assistants are isolating after being contacted by track and trace so the workload has been spread around and we’re already working to capacity 😱 I feel sorry for the children who should be getting1-1....... So I think I’m as well out of it all for now....although I know they really need me BUT there is no way I could do it atm.
We've had a rant at the boss builder this morning. There should have been a hole drilled for a fan in the kitchen earlier this week. It hadn’t been done. Some of the brickwork that he has been repaired once is still looking a bit dodgy but I’m not sure he can do much about that. The nice builder has gone for hospital appointments today so I don’t think we will see him again as he has to isolate between appointments from now on. The builder’s son has let him down yet again and not turned up to help him - I don’t think builder realises what a liability his son is.....but he has his proud dad glasses on. So dh has been on the phone as boss builder doesn’t usually work on Fridays...anyway he is here doing it now. I’m beginning to feel he’s taking advantage of our laid back attitude.....He won’t be getting the rest of his cash if it isn’t ready by Tuesday when they come to do the worktops 😡😡
Dh is sighing every 5 minutes and in a right grouchy mood with it all....so I’ve virtually thrown him out. He’s ordered some sort of drill and gone to pick it up. I’ve told him to go for a long walk in the outside air. That usually sorts him out....He loves a long walk but I’ve not been able to do that with him recently- he needs to do things to keep himself well and not just worry and care for me 😏
PHEW....that was a whinging post....better think of some positives -
- my bedroom with tv where I can escape the chaos
- a good friend from work who phoned to see how I am and keep me posted with the work goss
-a dh who I understand and know when he needs space to unwind. He looks after me well so I need to look after him ❤️ 😂😂

enthusiasticsaver

Glad the meeting went well. Can you compare how much you will get as pension against reduced pay if you go for reduced hours? Your pension administrator should be able to get you quotes but make sure you tell them you want a quote for retirement on health grounds as I don't think it is reduced as much then as if you were choosing to retire early depending on scheme. Is it LGPS? 

Building work sounds stressful. I remember ours being done a few years back. Washing up in the bathroom was not easy. 

badmemory

I don't like having work done, but I have kept the commode I bought when having my bathroom done.  Worth every penny!

beanielou

It sounds dire TBH & yes, do indeed think that thay are taking advantage of your good nature.