Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

Another eventful day: I went for an interview this morning, though I didn't get the job. However, I'm at peace with this - I realised I wasn't sure what to say if I were offered it, which isn't a good sign. I then found myself gravitating towards doing the proofreading course I was considering a couple of months ago. Perhaps now's the time to take the plunge?

I went to the shops on the way home and picked up some items for a care package for H, who's still in hospital, though improved, then home for lunch and to start sorting through an overspill of books that I rootled out while looking for proofs of my address over the past 5 years. A asked me if I could pick up DGD from nursery, which left me with enough time for a quick tidy up (not sure when I last did housework, the last few days have been otherwise occupied), shoved the chicken in the oven and hurriedly went to two charity shops where I'd noted nice things and still remembered them after I'd gone home. One had some lovely hardback books, as new, and I've bought a couple for DH's Christmas present. The other was a small willow-pattern jug that I don't need but I liked the shape. I think it dates to around 1920. It isn't a known make or in brilliant condition but I like it. I also found a children's book for DGD.

I picked up DGD, who is full of a cold and refusing to eat. We must have watched TV for hours, which isn't normally the only thing we'd do but I felt she needed rest and distraction as she's missing her parents. We ended up giving her Calpol because she seemed so miserably under the weather. She was asleep when A came to collect her. H and the new baby are now both fit to be discharged from hospital but stayed there as the medication H needs isn't yet dispensed. Apparently she's feeling a lot better. It will be great to see them tomorrow and meet the newest member of the family!

My friend had the op she's been waiting many months for, and texted to say she's out the other side, which is such good news.

So all in all - plenty happened and I need to slow down and get some rest!

Expenditure:
Gifts: £30.93
Housekeeping £3
Household £2.45
Medication ?

MS
Lots of chicken left for other meals.
Bought some of the gifts on a 3 for 2 package.
I've also just seen that the three for two has gone through on a lower price than was on the shelf edge, but not as 342. Last time I mentioned this (in another shop) I was told 'aren't you lucky!'. I've already given one away so I'm not going back to tell them: my understanding is that they would leave it as it is. I don't think that particular shop is very good at keeping up with their shelf edges, as they had an out of date offer up the other day (which I told them about).

in_need_of_direction

Isn’t it good you can be on hand for the child care at present? 

Cherryfudge

in_need_of_direction said:

Isn’t it good you can be on hand for the child care at present? 

Absolutely perfect timing - and also good I don't have commitments in between childcare, because it's been a full week!  

Cherryfudge

Looks like a nice day outside, though I've put the heating on as the temperature is edging down over the last few days.

I'm not sure where to start on the house! There are lots of uneventful bits of cleaning and tidying, lots of small mending jobs, dinner to think about (something with chicken, again) and we'll see what else shows up.

DH liked the little jug I bought yesterday: he thinks it's mid-nineteenth century but Google images isn't telling me anything. I've put it with a larger one of the same shape and colour, but neither really has a place, so that's something to bear in mind. Why are jugs so collectable?

I noticed all our surfaces are filling up! Buying jugs and houseplants has its drawbacks. I could aim to sort out one surface... that has to be do-able.

I'm going to start by washing my hair: one can always do more when ones hair is newly washed, and the sun is shining.  

Cherryfudge

In the end, the only cleaning that got done was the bathroom. I had a text from a former colleague who'd I'd cancelled on last week when I had the cold, and we went out for coffee. She got me a pumpkin spice cappuccino, which was delicious. Both of us are job hunting, so we compared notes.

When I got home, the new kettle had arrived. It's a darker green than the tiles but still looks nice and feels like a new toy after a couple of days of boiling water on the stove, as it's so quick.

H and the baby finally got out of hospital this afternoon, so we went round at teatime to meet the new little one. She's exquisite. We had about an hour with them: DGD1 is still under the weather and barely eating so I'm a bit concerned about her, but I think she's happy with her little sister.

DH made a chicken and vegetable pie for tea, proper tasty. There's still lots of chicken left. Cooking it longer and slower (by accident) has paid off as it's more succulent.

Expenditure:
Housekeeping £3.60 (that was my 'tins' shop at Asda, which is cheaper for some things we use regularly, but isn't on my usual route).

Cherryfudge

DH and I are being tempted by the toaster that matches the kettle.  

Our old toaster still works but not absolutely 100%. Decisions!

The only thing I have scheduled today is an optician's appointment. It's lovely and sunny so there's washing on the line and it will be nice (and good for me) to have a walk into town. I'm also tempted by a cardigan I saw in a charity shop that's very similar in style to one I have in another colour and use a lot. I really don't need another but I can only wear the navy one with blues (or beige or green, I suppose), and charcoal green could go with more things...

Honeysucklelou2

Glad to read that H and the little one are out of hospital.

Cherryfudge

For an unscheduled day, there's been plenty happening.

The optician's appointment took about an hour, but the person was in training so had to have some things checked. That's okay with me, sometimes the newly qualified have a fresh perspective and aren't guided by having seen 200 cases of whatever it is before, so they are more open-minded. Anyway this guy was very thorough. I also paid for the extra test , which is useful as I had a problem a few years ago that needs to be checked every now and then. The actual test is free under my contact lens agreement. There's only been a slight change in my vision so I don't need new glasses yet, but he gave me advice about taking Omega 3 to help the dry eyes.

On the way home I got some Omega 3 and eucalyptus oil as I found a place that does it more cheaply than previously, and I called in at the charity shop and bought the cardi. It's now had a button taken off and been given a wash. In fact most of the washing got nearly dry and is now finishing off on the airer.

We finished off yesterday's pie for lunch, so no chippie spends.

It was still lovely outside so we went for a walk and bumped into a former colleague of mine, stopping to chat and agree a proper meet-up over coffee sometime in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully we can also include the person I had coffee with yesterday as we went through some tough times together and I think we've all missed being part of that group.

There was a lovely sunset, but it will be cold tonight. DH has lit the log burner: he piled it full as he thought it was taking a long time to get going, and now it's blazing. It's a great heat source. I met someone at the eco event the other week who cooks on hers, so perhaps that's something to look into? 

This evening has been headachy as I've been sorting out a few official things. Firstly I filled in a form for a cleaning job locally which is about right in terms of hours and a non-threatening setting. I've not sent it yet but it's almost ready to go. Then I checked my emails and the Head teacher from the TA interview has emailed asking if I'd be interested in a midday supervisor/TA cover post. This is actually a post I applied for a few weeks back, but he doesn't seem aware of that so I don't know what's going on. He must have thought I was worth considering, which is nice, but I'd just adjusted my mindset to working the relief post while focussing on getting myself some digital and proofreading skills. At least I don't have to decide anything on the spot, though I think the post he's suggesting would eat too much into my day to let me do much else in terms of another job or training. It's right across the middle of the day.

I had a letter from the Union checking my details which has meant some admin as I found I'd put myself in totally the wrong pay bracket on their records. It was completely my fault but an honest mistake, so I might be getting a bill from them!

I've also drafted a reply to Employment Support who have sent me useful information about reclaiming my annual leave, emailed the head of children's activities at church to offer to help with something and swapped a rota'd activity with someone on the pre-school team at church. I think I need a PA.

Actually, it's been a perfect autumn day: sunshine, coloured leaves (at last) and a fire this evening. First long socks under trousers, first frost forecast tonight.

And DGD2 has a name. Here, I'll call her F. Her big sister is N.

Expenditure:
Medical £13.99
Household £1.50
Clothing £5

Honeysucklelou2

First frost 🥶…I forget how much colder different parts of the country are!

How lovely that your DGD2 now has a name.  Welcome to the World Baby F!

CRANKY40

Aww, hello baby F, it's lovely to hear about you. 

I hope big sister N is feeling better too.