A fresh start on the long and bumpy road.

charlies_tribe

First lot of shopping from Mr t has arrived and the cake tins so I've just had a first attempt at a cheesecake. Just hope it comes out OK.

Finally got a reply from the pool heater people and just filled in the form so they can get an engineer out to look at it. Hopefully doesn't take too long.

Waiting for a delivery from ic@land. Will let you know how the cheesecake turns out.

charlies_tribe

A no spend day today (shopping was ordered yesterday so its all going together on one day).
Cheesecake was fantastic! DD3 has asked for it for her birthday instead of a cake. Must have been good.
Not much else done though, been trying not to nod off all day. Been trying to convince DH to decorate the hall, hes having none of it at the minute. 

charlies_tribe

Bank checked and £191 has been paid to the CC's.
Enjoying another cup of tea while DS2 is doing his work. Every one else is still in bed.
Took the plunge and posted on the benefits page about esa, just the thought is making me shake but as I won't get SSP I need to look into it.
Not much else planned for today.

charlies_tribe

Well  I filled out the esa form this morning and think I may have done the wrong thing. It looks like it will stop my carers allowance. Not sure the stress and assessments will be worth the extra £5 a week.
Showered DS this morning. Got the girls up, fed and working (not quite sure they're actually working up there) and drank way to much tea!
Must get myself in gear and clear the conservatory for DD2 dance class and get the girls to take a shower. 

Mumoffourkids

Oh no, let’s hope it doesn’t stop Carers allowance. It is so confusing all these benefits? Do you already get PIP?

charlies_tribe

Looking in to it it will definitely stop, I'll still be entitled to it as an underlying benefit but won't get paid it. So if we moved on to UC I'd still be down as a carer and wouldn't be forced to look for work.
I'm not sure id get PIP. I'm not even sure when they'd class the claim from as not been off 3 months this time but I've struggled for years.

Conservatory tidied, and DD doing her class after a shower and 10 minutes of crying. Its her junior assistant theory but she hates having to talk over the laptop, she's petrified she might get it wrong and the others will laugh at her.
Fighting with DD3 who is convinced she doesn't need a shower as she's not going anywhere 🙄.

Mumoffourkids

I got awarded standard rate living allowance from PIP as although I am not off work, I am furloughed, I do struggle. Although not having to go into work has been one stress I haven’t had to worry about. I do worry about going back to work and the stresses that brings with it. You can always try with PIP and see what happens. I found a great website which helped me fill out the form. It asked loads of questions in relation to the form and mental health issues. Without the website, I don’t think I would have been able to think about the right things to say on the form.

charlies_tribe

Thank you. I'll look into it when kids have gone to bed. The thing I've found it hardest with is not being able to do things with the kids. They were one of a few with no mum there on mothers day, dad always has to do celebration assembly, class celebrations etc as I just can't do them on my own. 
I struggle with writing DS forms. I send them off and them remember loads of things I've forgot to write on it.

Mumoffourkids

If you need any help, please feel free to message me. I can find the website that I used as it definitely helped me work out what to write. 

charlies_tribe

Thank you mumoffour.
I've just had a look while kids are playing and DH in the shower, why oh why isn't there the option to request the form online. I hate talking to people on the phone. Will try to do it in the morning.