The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

I am exhausted after a busy day at outdoor cooking.  Only 2 of the 5 families turned up so it was a nice little session for our 2 families.  We cooked veg stew and dumplings which was very tasty.  We also took part in archery and of course the learning how to light a fire.  We came away with loads of fresh food.  Today is the last day and as only 2/5 families turned up we had almost 2.5 boxes worth of food each.  One lot of meat in the fridge for this weeks dinner and the other is in the freezer.  We have many vegetables and cheese etc,  and we will probably share this with the neighbours or family as too much for just us.

Came home just as the builders were packing away.  They hope to be finished by mid week and then I will need to get the painting sorted.  The sink is plumbed in but as the drain is missing the last link, so the water is turned off for now.  The toilet is also half plumbed in.  The radiator is in place and I am tempted to try it out.

Have washed our coats as they smell like fire but need a shower later and to wash the rest of our smoky clothes.  Taking DD1 to a party before I can have my shower, and she is hopefully getting a lift home so no need to go anywhere else tonight.  Not hungry as stew has filled me up for the day, might just have a slice of toast later if needed.

Signed myself up for another craft course at the end of this month.  It is to learn how to make a macrame bag.  I am very much into learning crafts at the moment.  I have always enjoyed things like this and now the children are older I think why not.  The money is coming out of my personal spend pot and maybe I will become good enough to make and sell them - who knows.  Lets hope it is fun

slm6002

Well yesterday I wrote a post but the computer decided to restart and it vanished - so here goes again!

Fri night I was about to step into the shower when I realised that the water was cold.  No hot water.  DD1 had a shower earlier and said it was cold.  I wondered if the builders had done something so sat morning I text the main builder who was away but suggested a few things.  The red light on the boiler was then flashing.  Not sure if it is a coincidence or what but after resetting it yesterday I have managed a very quick luke warm shower this morning.  It heats for a few minutes and then cuts out.  After 15 min will start up again and repeat the cycle.  DS may get a shower with what is left in the tank but only because he takes 2 min at the most.  No chance for DD's.  I text the boiler man yesterday morning but not heard from him as yet.  Last time they fiddled with radiators (previous builders) there was an issue with the tank in the loft and water was coming out of the overflow pipe, but checked that and all ok.  The tank in the airing cupboard sounded like it was constantly filling but stopped eventually after going in the loft.  I am hoping the builders can either sort it tomorrow or the boiler man gets in touch.  Until then we may have to go swimming every few days.

Yesterday I mainly played taxi for DD1.  Made some veg curry with some of the free veg which will go in the freezer shortly.  Went to the tip and got rid of all of the boxes from the toilets and sink etc.  Lounge is looking better for it. Placed an asda online order.  If you spent £50 you get £10 voucher.  I forgot I already have £9.78 in there so might make it to £20 spend very shortly.  It also saved me having to fit the food shop in at some point.  Still need to get ketchup and shampoo that they didn't have (for prices I will pay anyway).

Todays list:
* Make sure all homework done
* Clean kitchen
* Make list of meals for the week - half done
* Get my bags ready for work
* Make sure PE bags clean and back in bags
* Washing
* Work out what is for dinner as food delivery isn't arriving until after we will have eaten
* Plant up the plants I have bought into the front garden

Think that will do for today - Enjoy the remainder of the weekend

missymoo81

Found you!!! So I am currently on page 1, only 101 to go 😁.

slm6002

Hello Missymoo81 - welcome to my ramblings - I'm sure most of the time to myself.  After you asked I went back to one of my old diaries and started reading it.  I have come a long way from  where I was.  One comment I made got me laughing.  Something along the lines of 'lets hope the only solution isn't a divorce'.  Well it pretty much was.  I was having to find money to pay into the bank to avoid overdraft fees and hoping we could make it until payday, while all the time XH was off down the pub enjoying himself. Thank goodness those days are behind me.

Well homework is all done (or at least they say it is).  PE bags all washed and currently being put in bags,  My bag is still waiting to be sorted, but I have planted the plants in the front garden.  Lets hope they survive and that in a few years time they are lovely flowery bushes.  The kitchen is still not quite there but DD2 has finally unloaded the dishwasher (pretty much the only chore I make the kids do and they take it in turns so maybe 2 times a week.  Yet they still complain).  We had our main meal at lunch time so an easy lunchy type dinner.

The hot water is still not heating so I am about to email boiler man in the hope he can come and have a look.  The pilot light keeps going out.  Need to get DD2 to try to have shower now in case we need to visit somewhere for one.

Jessy103

Hope you get the boiler sorted soon and it's quick/cheap fix 🙂

LeighofMar

I hope you get your hot water sorted soon. 

slm6002

Thank you @Jessy103 fingers crossed it will be an easy fix. DD2 said it was hotter than she normally has it, but it was certainly freezing in comparison for DS and I who normally scold ourselves with the water.  DD1 is yet to have hers as she is on a date with BF and their couple friends.  I am guessing she will just make do with a good wash as she has only just straightened her hair!

Asda man has been and voucher is now on my app. 6 subs and 4 of them went back.  Really they all needed to as they were not the cheapest option, and smaller quantities for almost the same price.  I just needed the ingredients for dinner tomorrow.

The boiler man has got back to me and said if the reset button isn't working then he will need to come out.  It hasn't work so he is hoping to come and have a look tomorrow around midday.  It is going to be busy in the house tomorrow with builders and tradesmen.  On the way home I need to remember to pick DD1 up as she has a driving lesson and arranged to be picked up from home.

After planting the plants we have a bit that goes along the road side which is quite a bit wider that the sides.  I would love it if I can find a Christmas tree that would only grown about 6 feet - maybe a dwarf tree? - then at Christmas time I could put some solar lights on it.  It would fill the corner nicely and block the ugly light pole.  My main aim is to have a garden that looks after itself and needs very little attention but still looks pretty.  It really is very bare at the moment.  I hope to plant tulip and daffodil bulbs down the side of the neighbours hedge so some colour each spring.  I only ever think if this though in spring when it is too late.  Need to put it in the diary to remind myself.

slm6002

I have finally had a hot shower - yay.  Thankfully the builder had a look at it and drained some trapped air from the tank, which seems to have done the job.  I did a little happy dance and may have had a shower a few min longer than normal.  Not very MSE but very nice.  

The builders have also put the new door on the cloakroom and now just need to finish the frame work.  The waste pipe is in place and the toilet is almost ready.  The flooring will be laid tomorrow and then the toilet completely plumbed in and should be usable by the evening.  Then all that will be left is to put a few tiles behind the sink, some skirting board and then I can paint.

Not much else has happened today.  Been at work so not spent anything which is good.

slm6002

Have done a few more surveys while the builders were here as there wasn't much else that I could do.  Have cashed out £20 and purchased a pizza express voucher with it.  We are now up to £44 for when we visit in the summer holidays.

The builders have only used 1 box of flooring so I need to see if I can dig out the receipt and take that back.  The along with the towel ring as the radiator will do the job instead.  I dont think they have used the underlay either (not sure why) but that too can go back.

DD2 and I bought some towels for it a while ago but they are really the wrong colour when you look at the tiles.  They too are going back, but will change for the right colour

slm6002

Oh and after my latest meter reading I have £43.32 ready to withdraw from the solar energy I have sold.  I will leave it and keep earning up until we go on holiday and then put it towards the petrol or a treat.  It is not huge amounts but better than nothing.