Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

Chrystal

Great that you got the grant Hairy, but sorry to hear you've been feeling so poorly, and hoping that that improves very quickly.
Pity about the Manager... there's always something to put a fly in the ointment, and she doesn't sound as though she's going out of her way to win friends and influence people, leaving it till the last minute to drop all that work on you!   Just bear in mind that this is all experience for you (with qualifications!) and keep your eye out for another post.  ((((hugs)))) XX

milann

Hope you are ok and have broken up for Easter 👍

foxgloves

I was thinking about you the other day, @HairyHandofDartmoor, as I was sitting out on our coffee bench & wondered if you are making use of yours now that Spring is here.
Hope you are ok, anyway.
F x

beanielou

Happy holidays 
Hope your courses are going well.

elizabethhull

Happy Easter !
Hope things are going well for you, and you are enjoying the recent spell of lovely weather. I've dried loads of washing outside already !

milann

Hope you are ok and enjoying your coffees in the garden 👍

Chrystal

Also being thinking about you Hairy, and hoping that you and the Family are all OK.  XXX

HairyHandofDartmoor

Hi everyone. Thanks for your comments . Sorry I've been awol for so long. I've been finding work really tiring and a bit stressful and have been doing college work too.

I broke up for the summer a week ago and feel like I finally have the energy to catch up on here. The day I broke up for the summer my cold turned into a horrible chest infection and I was struggling to breath (my asthma makes it worse). I got steroid tablets and penicillin from the doctor but felt ill all week. I struggled out one day to meet my nieces and nephews in a park as I hardly ever see one of them as she lives a way away. Apart from that I was lying on the sofa feeling unwell and coughing. I got some more penicillin on Friday to knock it on the head.
On Saturday I finally felt well enough to go out to the shops so my holiday can finally begin .

Career wise I have got my Level 2 qualification so I'm not an unqualified worker any more in early years. I've been given a pay rise of 5p an hour 😂🤣. I've started my Level 3 course and have been working every Sunday for about four hours to get my assignments done. It's been tough working Sundays as well as Monday to Friday in a tiring job. The last week at work before I broke up was gruelling due to the heat (think pre-fabricated building, perspex roof and no air con  😩. Also we had to go in to work on a weekend for a preschool graduation so I worked six days that week. We got overtime but it was gruelling due to it being a heatwave and hot weather not agreeing with me.

My manager is nicer than I thought, but there are a couple of staff at work who go around stirring a bit and making people cry (including me 😥). The room I work in now has three other people who I don't feel very compatible with and one staff member left after a term of working in my room due to stress! There will be a different staff member coming in and one going on leave in September so I'm hoping that will make the room pleasanter to work in and improve the atmosphere. I like the staff in the other rooms (mostly) so I think I've just been unfortunate with the ones I work with. I enjoy the work and like being with the children, although it's hard work physically and mentally. I'm trying to stay detached from staff negativity and gossip and not let it stress me.  I had a supervision at work which was positive and was told I had passed my trial period, so the managers seem happy with me. 

Although work is tiring and stressful the regular money coming in is a godsend so I need to keep working. I'm keeping my options open with regard to other jobs and if I see one that looks perfect I may well apply.

With regards to family DH has put on a bit of weight and isn't really going for walks any more, but he does all the food shopping and a lot more housework since I've been in this job so he's getting some exercise that way. His diabetic check up recently was very positive and he had a heart scan a week ago which we're waiting for the results of. No change for DS1 or DS2, but DS3 has got his first proper job as a graduate web developer in the Midlands 🎉. He did very well to get it as he had three interviews and three technical tests. His starting salary is £27,000 which is more than DH and I have ever earnt and we're very proud of him for all the self studying that went into improving his skills so he could get this job. He says he wants to send DH and I money when he's moved out which is very sweet of him, although he should probably spend his money on his own future. I'll miss him when he moves out but I'm pleased for him.

My sister is coming down from Scotland today to visit for a week so I'm looking forward to seeing her every day 😀. Today I'm going to do gardening as it's full of weeds and some housework. I'm enjoying having the energy to do things now I'm better.

I hope everyone in Forumland is doing okay and I'm looking forward to catching up with diaries once my sister has gone back.

Sunshine_girl2

A quick message to say hello and welcome back. I am off on holiday with the DGD today so will read properly when I get back. 

HairyHandofDartmoor

Sunshine_girl2 said:

A quick message to say hello and welcome back. I am off on holiday with the DGD today so will read properly when I get back. 

Thanks Sunshine enjoy your holiday 😊