Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

It got very warm today - I went down to the dentist to look after DGD while her mum had an appointment, then DGD went in too and was very obliging which was a relief as she screamed last time. However, six months is a long time when you're tiny so she's probably forgotten she didn't used to like it. She has a big bruise on her forehead from colliding with the corner of a wall. It brings back memories of her dad at a similar age! However she's been checked by a doctor and is okay.

It was too hot to stay out long: well into the twenties. I remembered to call at L!dl on the way home as there were coupons I wanted to use. I got the things I was after but when I went to put the jam in the store cupboard I realised four jars of strawberry is probably enough! It's gone up in price such a lot, though, and DH can get through a jar a week.

Later in the afternoon when it was a bit cooler, I went out again to hunt for a yarn to add a stripe to the shawl I'm making. Absolutely nothing suitable and I've looked on line as well so I'm just going to see if I can complete it with what I've got.

DH fitted in a bike ride this morning and voluntary time at the charity shop this afternoon, then went and collected some fallen apples this evening. The apple harvest will be less this year as I probably can't get any through work, despite it being theoretically a community tree. There may be some from my sister's garden when we go up there.

Expenditure:
Housekeeping £4.54

MS things:
Didn't buy yarn! Also didn't buy Kilner jars at a charity shop for £1 each. I wanted them but I don't have quite enough storage for the ones I have, and ordinary jars are free and adequate for most jar purposes. I also resisted a book on knitting cats because I have too many books, but I'm quite likely to go back and see if it's still there. It was only £2 and DGD will look at the pictures, but what I really liked was one with flower motifs. I saw the potential to use a similar idea to cheer up a favourite hoodie. I've also dived into the mending pile and made it four items smaller, and something I forgot to mention yesterday, researched getting a railcard again. The old one lapsed but we're going up to Scotland soon and could save a few ££ by using Clubcard vouchers to pay for a 241 or whatever it's called. We rarely get the train separately now so it's cheaper than getting senior cards.

Cherryfudge

Another really warm day! It was nearly an expensive day as DGD lost a shoe but we retraced steps and some kind person had put it on a low wall for us to find. I bought the book I mentioned yesterday and DGD seemed to enjoy the photos of the knitted projects. We took her to a wooded walk this afternoon: it was cooler than the house and she enjoyed 'exploring'. Her vocabulary is coming on fast: she's saying things like 'all gone' now, and that very important word, 'coffee'. When she says 'Grandpa', it sounds like 'Amma', but somehow 'Grandma' comes out entirely differently.

Some grocery spends happened as my shoe was rubbing so I went to get plasters, but remembered Bee andEm is the cheapest place for my cappuccinos and hot chocolate, and DGD was asking for something to et and DH and I needed a cold drink each... the plasters were very well timed as later in the day I suddenly found blood running down my hand. I had no pain and am not sure how I did it but I'd damaged the skin on my index finger.

DH made dinner (tuna pasta) so I didn't have to get the finger wet. Tomorrow we intend to use up some salmon and a soup from stores.

Expenditure:
Book £2
Housekeeping £14.42
Medical £1.19

Cherryfudge

I really need to find something useful to do with the middle of today. I had my GP appointment this morning on the fourth try - she couldn't get a decent phone line. It was productive as she's going to renew my sick note for a couple of months but with the proviso that it only applies to that type of work and that workplace. She might have had her doubts about me as I thought I'd understood it, but then I asked a question that showed I'd not really processed the information, but that's par for the course. 

This afternoon I have another meeting with my manager and the union, so I'm hoping there may be some interesting job in the redeployment options. I don't even know what might be offered.

Right, I need to be productive so I'm going to put the washing machine on and tidy the kitchen

Cherryfudge

Some productivity happened: a couple of loads of laundry and most of the ironing plus some cleaning.

The afternoon's meeting included a phone consultation with HR to explain redeployment. Essentially it's a ten-week notice period during which I get full pay (nice when you consider I'm now on half pay!) and assistance in applying for jobs. My pay is protected for a year unless I go for a better paid job. Unfortunately I lose most of last year's outstanding holiday, apart from five days, which seems a bit of a swizz when you consider I wasn't able to take some of it earlier due to staff shortages. However, it is what it is and I still get about half a year's leave that I've not been able to take due to sickness in this financial year. I've just realised I'm not entirely clear if the leave is paid or carried forward, but it should be in the minutes.

So, there are a few questions the HR lady has to clarify, then I'm on the way to whatever the future holds.

I had a further look through some of the jobs that are around at the moment and I might ring up with some questions about one of the admin ones. Even if I only do a job for a while, it's income and experience and kind of buys time to find the 'perfect' job.

After the meeting I collected DGD from nursery as her Dad had a meeting. It was fun having her back at ours for a little while. She's bossy! She chose a chair she wanted to sit on to eat her raisins, then ordered me to sit on the next chair. She's so funny, but I'll have to be careful not to let her get away with too much.

I've paid off the credit card (yesterday) and I probably ought to check the status of the accounts now that most of the payments have gone out. There's still no news on when my pay actually goes down to half (despite what I said above: I think it's paid retrospectively in which case I'll see it in the payment at the end of this month).

I hadn't managed much exercise today so I walked down to the supermarket this evening while DH was at a meeting. It was going dark and as warm as being abroad. After the heat of the day it was still much warmer than I'd have thought for September. Idyllic, really.

Expenditure:
Housekeeping £9.38

MS:
Sent off for my free union diary for next year
Some bargain fruit and veg from the discounts tonight
Considered a book off Kindle discounts but found it in the library instead.

Things to be thankful for:
Not being as nervous over today's meetings as previously
Lovely weather
Time with DGD
A way forward with the job situation
People ensuring good practice
Met a colleague in passing yesterday and have arranged coffee.

Floss

Great news about redeployment, but maybe just check with ACAS about losing that annual leave and to endure you're getting your correct dues.

in_need_of_direction

Sounds like you had a really positive meeting.

Cherryfudge

I will see if I can find out any more, thanks Floss. The union person seemed to think it was right, though, and I know normally only five days can be carried over (though what constitutes a day, I'm not sure!)

Well, a grey start to the day with a hint of rain has quickly lifted to sunshine and it's going to be another hot one. We've just had a squirrel come and stand with its paws on the glass of the back door, looking in! Don't often get them so that was an unexpected treat.

It's going to be too hot to do much outside, more of a doors-open-and-enjoy-the-breeze sort of day. And a looking-for-jobs day too, of course.

Cherryfudge

It's all been a bit too quiet today. I did exciting things like finishing the ironing and making a casserole, and eventually had another look at jobs. There's one I like which is too many hours, but if I were successful, I could ask for a job share. Oddly, it's admin in the department where the relief job is, and one of the reasons I'd want fewer hours is so I cold do more of the relief job (as well as look after DGD and not wear myself out).

My manager has forwarded some details from HR in response to my questions: one of the points is that I can't be medically redeployed into a relief post but could apply competitively outside of the medical redeployment process. To me, knowing I've already done this, it raises the possibility that starting a relief post then shouldn't preclude staying on the medical redeployment register, thus increasing my chances of steady employment. I don't know, I'll have to ask.

Dinner was a sausage casserole, using up bits from the freezer. It wasn't the best, but it's freed some space! I managed to bite my lip twice, right on the spot that was still swollen from biting it twice the other day where it was distorted by a mouth ulcer! 'Ouch' about covers it. Dh introduced me to the wonders of Bonjela, how did I not know what a useful product that is?

We went down to the supermarket again after eating. It had cooled down by then. We also had a look at photo from J who's holidaying in the South of France with some friends. It looks wonderful and they all seem to be living the dream! Dh commented that the only thing wrong was that he wasn't there, so she suggested a family holiday. That would give me an incentive to get another job as well as a purpose for all the time I spend on Duolingo!

Expenditure:
Housekeeping: £10.60

MS:
Picked another bowl of blackberries.
Got red pesto on a 3 for 2 offer.
Arranged for a friend to come here for coffee and to sort out my crochet, instead of paying to get coffees.

Cherryfudge

Another thought on the annual leave - I seem to remember that last year, when I'd not been able to get in all my leave, the remainder was authorised to be taken outside the usual period. I need to check but I think it was similar to what I'm being allowed this year. If it was over five days (unlikely), I'd have a precedent to claim the rest of last year's.

Sun_Addict

It’s good that some roles are coming up that you like the sound of. I hope you find the right one soon. 

We can only carry forward 10 days leave to the next leave year. Anything over is lost. There was a last minute influx of people requesting time off during August when our leave year ends. I believe in special circumstances we can carry forward more so worth double checking with your employer as you’ve been on sick leave so it’s unfair if you lose it.