The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Good morning, it looks like a cloudy but still warm day for us.  I still have washing on the line and the windows open so still a good breeze, but it does feel cooler today.

Last night the girls from work and I went out for our termly meal.  I was a lovely night and the food was good too.  Feel ever so tired now though, but still woke up at the same time.  Still quiet as the children are still asleep or in their rooms.  DD1 came down a little while ago as she has been bitten on the back of her leg by something,  It is huge so getting her to have an antihistamine as it looks nasty.  The raised hard area is a few inches across and very red.  Will keep an eye on it and she is not off to work until 4 so a little time for it to calm down.

Today DD2 and I will hopefully be doing an audit of the tins in our kitchen, making sure the ones that are oldest are near the front ready to use.  We will also be making a list of what we are missing ready for online shop.  We also need to visit the library today to put down the shifts for her over the summer holidays.  I need to print out the calendar ready and make sure it is completely up to date.  Only 5 weeks left at school.

As well as topping up the tins (or not if that is the case) I need to work on a meal plan as this week has been a 'last minute see what we can eat' type of week.  We need a plan and a online shop, possibly to be delivered tomorrow - will see what is available.

Right I am off to look for tablets and then to sort the budget spreadsheet out

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Back to a sunny day here.  Thought we were due rain last night but assume it didn't happen as everything is still very dry. 

I have already watered the plants, fed brothers cat, had my food delivery (he was early and I had forgotten so I was still in my nighty - I did apologise), taken friend to collect car as hers is not behaving at the moment, and shipped DS and DD2 off with XH.  I don't think this pace will carry on as it gets warmer but that is fine.  I am off to see my Dad as soon as DD1 is out of her bed.  I have a card for him and he would like some help putting up his gazebo.

DD1's leg looks like it has stayed the same overnight so hopefully the medications are helping and it will start to go down now.  Right I am off to wake her again

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All children have returned and although its got darker and darker it is still very dry.  I don't think the rain will hold off for much longer, but we are all home and indoors now even the cats.  Plus the garden could do with the rain.

DS has come home with a sore tummy.  I expect it is a combination of too many treats and the fact it was hot and then cold.  I suffer if I get hot and cold over and over again.  It always send my stomach going.

DS and DD1 have exams tomorrow so revision is needed.  DS has a year until his GCSE's and like his SAT's and phonics check, I think the more revision we do the better chance he will have.  I say we as if I leave it up to him nothing will get done.  He has end of year 10 exams next week so working on those after the GCSE statistics tonight ready for tomorrow.  Even if tonights efforts only get him a few more marks that will be worth it.

Ok off to do dinner, showers for all and then quick revision session

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Well last nights run through verbally of an exam paper helped - fancy that!  He said he only got stuck on 2 questions and came back to them at the end.  He still put down an answer even if it might not have been right.  DD1's test today was on nothing that she had learnt about and was more like common sense so who knows on that one.  Either way no more actual exams and only mocks for the remainder of the year.

Another sunny but not too hot of a day.  We have band and a meeting straight afterwards so need to eat before we go.  It is always such a rush when we do it this way round.  Anyway the dinner is in the oven. and although it only takes half an hour to cook, it will probably take an hour today lol.

Been on the look out for things to do over the holidays again.  Nothing much about at the moment and it always seems to be left to advertise at the last minute - I like to plan don't they know.  35 days to go until we are away.  Decided to hire bikes when we are there rather than take ours as we would still need to get kids replacements as they have outgrown theirs as well as buying part of the bike rack.  When we need a new car I will look for one with a tow bar already on it.  The shifts at the library are marked on the calendar ready, as are DD1's job shifts - although we are waiting for the cleaning schedule for the holidays.  Still not found our blue peter badges and DD2's music one still hasn't arrived - sent it off so long ago now.

Right I best print of an agenda and look at the bank.

slm6002

Feeling chilled out and content tonight.  Met with best friend and sat in the library garden for the afternoon.  It was lovely and relaxing.  The house could do with a tidy but I am not going to worry about it now.  All children are quiet but happy.  No clubs tonight so I can watch a film or get an early night.  Something normally goes wrong at this point so I will just enjoy the feeling while it lasts.

My mind keeps coming back to the holidays.  I picked up a puzzle from the library (free).  It isn't quite what I was looking for but is a good starting point.  I was after one that has lots going on in the picture, a more cartoon ish type but there was nothing like that.  I will keep looking though.  I have also asked my Dad to hunt out my nans old puzzle boards if they are still there.  If not I will see what wood is left over in the garage and see if I can make one.

The library has been teaching crochet on a Tuesday morning at the library so have marked that on the calendar for the holidays.  I am at work normally so will only have these holiday weeks to master it lol.  I have tried with videos and books but think i need a real life person to help me.  I am also on the look out in case they do some more art days like in the easter hols.  DD2 really enjoyed these.  She is the one that will be joining in with lots of bits and will be bored.  The older 2 pretty much entertain themselves now and only join in if I make them (technology breaks and quality family time).

As part of my work I organise the vouchers for the supermarkets for the children on free school meals.  It dawned on me whilst looking at this holidays vouchers that I will be getting a nice chunk of vouchers to go towards the food bill again.  I really do appreciate these as it certainly frees up money to spend on the odd treat here and there.  I also deal with the activity vouchers but nothing is available there as yet.  If previous holidays are anything to go by they could be allowed free swimming sessions, free outdoor activities including the family cooking session that she enjoys, things going on at the local youth group (just looked and activities are out.  Signed up for tie dye tshirts and some sort of art day).  Am trawling FB and local sites to see what else is available.

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Well another day at work done.  I will be clearing the kitchen today as it has become a bit of a tip.  DD2's turn for the dishwasher (she has been taking tips from DD1 on how to avoid, but it will be done when she gets home) and then I can put the next lot on and clear the kitchen a little more.

I heard from the fence man yesterday and he is hoping to now book us in for wk beginning 10th July-possibly-as it sounds like they are ready for delivery.  So excited for them and making our garden ready for the holidays - yay.

I've been trying to get the refund from Octopus for the past few days now.  It keeps telling me to try in a few days time.  I think I will need to call/message them as they have all of my information now.  I am still waiting for my refund from the water company which should have arrived by now, so hopefully any day.

Clubs end of term celebration has been announced and as the club is likely to fold we are inviting all past and present members for a picnic, music and games.  I think I have found a replacement club should it happen.  I think it is almost certain to which is such a shame.

Right I best get ready to collect DD2 and DS, as well as getting up before I fall asleep

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WelI I have been on a PD day today and we have had a lot of fun.  I think I surprised a few people with some skills no one really knew about.  I also tried something new and although it was fun I will stick with the original version of the sport as it is much more my cup of tea.  I do not do buses so was quiet there and back trying not to think about it.  It was only 45 min or so each way but that was enough.  I am completely exhausted now mind you.  I didn't buy takeaway (kids plan) but we did have an easy dinner (beans on toast / pasta with a jar of sauce). 

I need to be finalising my online shop ready for Sunday's delivery.  We should be going out Sunday for the day and will need a picnic so will add a few extra treat bits to the list.

Today was the first payday of the month and all pots have been replenished.  I was going to put some extra into the holiday fund from the Building fund (where I put the biggest chunk), but was pleasantly surprised at what was already in there.  I felt there is plenty already, plus we have vouchers ready to use for our meal out and various activities already planned and paid for.  There should be plenty left to bring home and help towards anything we do for the whole holidays.

Going to treat myself to an episode of the good doctor, which I've just come across and am liking.  I may do a few days worth of embroidery after I finish the online order too.

slm6002

Feel zapped of energy but still plodding on.  I am also aching a little from the extra exercise yesterday.  I am not made for running.

Already dropped DS of for his volunteer work, nipped to get some fresh bits to go on the pizza that we will be making tonight, done a load of washing and hung it out to dry.  Typically as soon as i did the clouds came over.  It is quite muggy today rather than sunny, but with a little breeze.

I have misplaced my car key somewhere in the house (so used DD1's car earlier).  I always leave it on the side so no idea what I have done with it.  Yesterdays trousers were emptied before putting them in the washing machine.  I need to find them so will be plodding on with some extra cleaning up in the hopes they suddenly appear.

I would also like to try and get some more surveys done today as I have been quite slack with this over the past month

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I am up early as last week my online food order arrived while I was still in my pjs.  Today he is 6 stops away still so I could have had longer in bed.  Never mind I will get a few hours peace and quiet before the kids wake up.   

We are off to the farm today using our voucher that we won last year (it's our last chance to use it before it expires).  It will be hot but we don't have to stay the whole day so will see how we get on.  Sun cream and hats ready, picnic on its way and I will probably treat them to an ice cream at some point.  We don't normally go to places when they are likely to be busy as none of us really like crowds, but we missed our chance during other times

DS will need to some revision when we get home as has end of year exams this week, and the science and maths results will see if he will do the further maths and extra science exams next year, so he needs to do well.  He has no interest in it mind you.  I am really hoping his little light bulb moment comes soon and he realises how well he could do if he actually did some work.

I need to get some washing in the machine and then on the line before we go, so that hopefully everyone has some clean uniform for school tomorrow. 

Right I best get going

slm6002

Well we lasted just over 3 hours at the farm and then gave up because of the heat.  We ate our picnic in the shade and then came home into the cool.  I've had a shower which has cooled me down nicely as well as washing the stickyness of the sun cream off.  I am just sitting relaxing now but will get the washing in shortly.  I could easily drift off to sleep like the cats have, but will try not to and just get a decent night tonight.   DS is revising in between bits but its better than nothing