22 Foxhole East

joedenise

I only had 2 girls and the soundtrack was exactly the same in my household @f0xh0les!  Think it's just a teenage thing which they do eventually grow out of - once they move out!!!

f0xh0les

Kid 4's online passport application with home made photo got approved, it has taken 8 days. They are sending it back to me.   Only one more to go, but at least I know which white wall in the house is acceptable to HMPO now.

Cashed out £9 from p/a

Today's fun and thrilling activities include,

surrepticiously removing cardboard and ex-electricals from the back room for recycling and rediscovering the carpet in half the room, in order to hoover it.

Moving a cube unit next to the washing machine, to stop a space becoming a future dumping ground danger. 

Z1ffiting books again, just in case some are now worth pennies.  Gummytree / Fake book bath lift for one last time before shoving it on a free listing site when suddenly it will be the most popular thing ever - as long as it is free, oh, and  I can deliver ?

Was under 13 stone again this morning! Working a long way away from my fridge is helping a lot.

Going to wrap up the crystal glasses and put in boxes on top shelf of pantry shelving.  I will deal with it when the kitchen refurb is done, and I will either keep, or give to the charity shop.  That will free up a lot of floor space in the kitchen so I can mop the floor again in there. I know it has not solved the problem, but it will be out of my immediate view.

Not going to spend anything today.  I have packet porridge, porridge oats, and bagels for their breakfasts tomorrow.  I have lunchbox bakes to do the rest of the week.  I am going to make pizza for supper tonight to rid some bits from the fridge, and I can take a piece for my break at work tomorrow - on lates again 2.00 -9.30.  Might see if DS2 comes home from school at lunchtime tomorrow and I can use his bus ticket (is that legal? it is not a student one, just an adult weekly pass) It would be good if we could share when I am on lates and weekends.  Hmm, it is an idea.....

apple_muncher

Yep, I'd think you could share the ticket. I've done that with my sister. It's not allocated to a specific person, so should be fine.

DrCarrie

Evening Team Turtles, 

There really is a bit of nip now. 

I got out for a lovely sunrise walk this morning before work, got a gorgeous fish that I cooked on the bone with potatoes, tomatoes, red pepper, and olives with salad ....delicious.  Had mostly a nice day at work. 

Grateful for all of the above - forgetting light and air in, for having a snuggly early night, for coffee in the morning and sleepy tea at night, and no wine for 35 days!

f0xh0les

Well, I am 12.12 this morning.  Working is obviously good for the waistline (nods wisely).

I have picked up an extra 5 hours work today, might as well rack up the £s while they are available, while the kids are taking the bus/bike, and while DH is at home on writing leave - it is not going well, grumpy bloke alert!

Work is not exciting, but the people are lovely, most of the customers are lovely, and most importantly, it pays - and November's pay cheque should be LARGE.  The kids working there are hilarious - they don't know it, but they are.  Not happy about profiting from fast fashion though.  The extent of CONSUMERISM is massive!  Shopping (in my world) is not a recreational activity!  It will be very interesting to see if it slows down any over the next 6 weeks.

Shunted £150 to savings this morning, child benefit came in, but I am still within allocated budget, so that can go sideways.   Quite excited about possible expenses being paid tomorrow, very interested in seeing my energy bill which  should be generated today, and £66 govt rebate will go in on 10th.  

Feeling quite in control of stuff.  Famous last words. 

Working  in London on Friday - it takes up 2 days for a little over £100, I will need to reconsider this one, travel, hotel, and meals are free, so if it is near where I have friends and I can combine the trip, it works out well, but still, I should not let myself get talked into things.

In today's news, I need to bake some cookies, make some lunch, and go to work for 12.00

Roofer was water soluble.  Pouf! and the tradesman is gone! - and these are the one's recommended locally as being reliable!

So see ya later!

f0xh0les

Worked a long shift yesterday 9.5 hours  Busy the whole time, they obviously do not have enough staff. I was very glad I was not on the 4 til  midnight shift though.  This is not going to be sustainable.  I will carry on until the end of January as originally planned, but goodwill is starting to thin a little. Firstly not getting paid, secondly, you are supposed to get a briefing at the start of your shift - I have worked 11 shifts so far and have only been given 1 briefing, thirdly, no locker has been arranged for me, and  fourthly still no access to online rota app - which would actually not have made a blind bit of difference, because the rota that starts on Sunday was only done yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).  I totally get that  they want a degree of flexibility, but you cannot plan your life if you don't know when you are working!!  So much for rotas being available 3 weeks in advance!

I have zipped little old ladies into coats, unzipped little old ladies from their coats, and been a translator, and personal shopper, I have accompanied terrified people in the customer lift and held their hand......and generally made people smile.

People are bonkers however.  All day long people return items they have tried on in the fitting rooms, bought, then taken home and changed their minds.  So back they come, full of resentment, to return their items, because shopping is now a hobby activity.

I have had a man trying to buy clothing  items for a baby not yet born, but he was convinced the newborn range was all too big, and unhappy there were not more shades of pink for his future daughter.  I did tell him babies grew quite quickly, but he gave me a dirty look and said he needed stuff ready to take IT out in.  I reminded him the shop was open every single day from now until Xmas day, but he was bonkers, and nothing was going to be good enough for  'future  baby'. After he left,   I very uncharitably hoped it  was 11lb 4oz and looked like Miriam Margolyes.

Anyway, off on the train tomorrow to L0nd0n and a free trip to the Sky Garden, and then a meal out with colleagues on expenses, and then grad. work on Friday.  I am then working in the shop on Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday,  off on Thursday, working on Friday and off on Saturday when Swi$$ Auntie is coming to visit - so a meal out Saturday night, and the kids can stand up on their back legs and make polite conversation until Tuesday when she goes again.  I have found a couple of craft bazaars and things to take her to, but I do not know my work schedule, and the kids will be at school on Mon and Tues anyway.   She is probably only coming to buy her own weight in mice pies and other 'English type food' to seduce her friends with in the Land of Swi$$.

earthgirl2

  just caught up! I love your description of retail work so funny but I do hope you get what's owed to you, good luck and well done for braving it! 

Btw the growing responsibility in the kids is such a great idea. You've done amazing!

f0xh0les

Just got the new energy bill £207 October  -  £74 more expensive than last month, and the heating has not even been on much at all.  Eeek! I am £502 in credit still. DD is £223.67  a month.  Should be fine, probably will be on £0 for February I would think.  DS3 came home from the petrol station complaining the pink panther wafers that were 2 for £1 all summer are now 75p each. He now understands 'Inflation'.

apple_muncher

Hope Swi$$ auntie brings t0bler0ne....

f0xh0les

Long pockets, short arms.