The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Good morning, no lie in for me as it would appear my body is set now for early starts.  It is looking and feeling like it is going to be a hot day.  Summer dress is on and getting myself organised for my quick trip to town.

A month or 2 ago I made my dad some cushions for his outdoor picnic table.  He had an old chair cushion that I used, but there was only enough material for 2 at the time and he needs 4.  As it is his birthday next week (aghhh left it a little late) I have decided to make him 2 more.  I will be ordering the foam and the material today and will need to fit in the making between now and Friday.  Might end up being a few days late but he wont mind.  Will get a card while in town today.

Easy dinner tonight - hotdogs.  Minimal cooking and children can customise as they wish.

Right time to get the day going.  DS needs to be dropped off

slm6002

Quite a good day and achieved what I had to do plus a few extra things.  It has still been a fairly chilled day though so that is great. Trip to town was successful even without my list which remained on the kitchen table!  DS and DD1 completed their work / volunteering work.  DD2 had a good sleepover but we had to return to collect the forgotten school shoes - she is the worst for always leaving something behind.  Washing clean and dry and soon we will all be showered and ready for sleep.  I have amended the online shop that will be arriving tomorrow

DD1 has been a grumpy teen and what ever I have said it has been wrong for most of the day / week.  She has quit the school job that she only just started as it is hard work.  Well for over £10 an hour you are not going to be doing nothing.  She prefers the even busier job that pays half the amount.  She isn't listening to me so I guess it will be a learning experience,  She is also refusing to talk about the uni situation, and will be filling out the forms at school for whatever she has decided.  I really wish she could see it without the rose tinted glasses on.  She thinks she can afford to move out soon, I don't think she has any idea of the reality, even though she has been taught how much things cost - it seems to all have gone from her head all of a sudden.  So strange, maybe a teenage thing?

Tomorrow as we have nothing we need to do I am hoping for a chilled day and that everyone will be happy

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Online food shop delivered, it never looks much once it arrives, but guess it will keep us going.  Next week I will be ordering for our club picnic and our end of school party that we do at home each year, plus a few bits for the holiday, so it will look a little more.  Just found out that the neighbours are also away the week of our party so we will be able to relax as they will not be being watching or hitting on me!

I am glad I did the washing yesterday as I'm sure it is going to rain soon, and if we don't have a thunderstorm soon it will be a shock.

I should have gates by the end of this week, although not sure if they still work in storms?  At the moment there is a 25% chance of rain tomorrow. Fingers crossed it will all go to plan.  Will be able to put my bunting up too at the end of the week.

The builder that did our cloakroom has got back to me and has booked us in for the beginning of March for our upstairs bathroom.  I had expected a little longer wait to be honest, but the figures do work.  I do however need to buy tiles, a shower, sink and toilet before they get here.  It is a good that one of the jobs on the list for the summer hols is to clear the garage.  This then means I will have somewhere to store the bits that I buy.

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Good news is the fence is up.  There is one little attachment that I asked for once I got home that they will need to fit at a later date but other than that it is all sorted.  The neighbour has already asked how he will be able to come round and visit - use the front door!

Bad news is that one of the cats has been missing since yesterday afternoon.  I think it has been shut in someone's shed.  I have been asking the neighbours of the gardens I know he hides in, but nothing so far.  I am hoping once people get home from work they will go to their sheds for something and he will fly out and come home.  DD1 is upset, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.....Update - as soon as put cat missing of FB sure enough he walks in the door, typical.   A few cobwebs but ok.  Thank goodness.

In other news, I ordered a cheap hearing aid off the web a while back, just because I was curious to see if it helped.  It finally arrived today, and I think I can hear things in both ears now.  It is small and apart from the little microphone sticking out of the side it cant be seen that well once in.  The kids haven't noticed anyway.  I still plan to have my hearing test and to get a proper hearing aid if needed (I would say it is), but this one will do for now.

Today has been the first day in months that I actually feel awake and with it.  I know last week was playing on my mind so I am guessing the fact that it is over and that it went fairly well, the weight has been lifted.  I hope it lasts as I like this feeling.  9 days to go until the school holidays

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I love my fence and the freedom it gives.  I have had the kitchen door open and am confident that no one is letting themselves in.  Most definitely worth the money to feel secure.

Another day done - yesterdays awake feeling must have been a one off, although not too tired but not spritely like yesterday.  We had a practice lockdown today, and I ticked off a big item on my to do list.  It means I am nearly sorted for the holidays.  If I can do as much tomorrow I will be very happy.

Have just had DS's hair cut and can now relax for the remainder of the evening.  Easy quick pasta meal for dinner - lovely early relaxing night planned for us. Need to put the bin out though first so I don't forget

slm6002

Another day done.  Not as productive as planned but still on track as long as people dont give me more to do last minute.  

We received the last of the holiday activity codes today for the children.  I have just spoken to the sports centre and booked them in to the teen gym for the holiday - just turn up when they want between 3.15 and 5.30 during the school holidays.  It also allows them to swim, but I need to check the rules over this one as not sure if it is the same timings.

We also received the food vouchers so they have been converted into aldi vouchers and will be put away until the end of next week.  These really help with the childrens hollow legs and food disappearing all of the time. As all 3 get the vouchers so we have £270 worth to use on food.  This always helps the food budget.

I have my dance lesson next and then shower and bed.  Been a busy but ok day

slm6002

Not a bad day today.  I was quite productive at work and got a few things that have been niggling me off my list by the time I left - 6 days to go!

I then popped into town to collect the trophies for club and to look on the market stall for some lace.  Unfortunately the stall wasn't there again.  Not sure if on holiday but not seen it for a few weeks now so maybe she has retired?  I was looking for some to go on the bottom of DD2's jeans that I have taken up.  They were a charity shop find but too long for her liking.  I had the machine out for my Dad's bday present today so just turned them up for now.  Dad's cushions that he wanted for his picnic bench are almost finished.  I was surprised that both the material and wadding arrived a day early, allowing me to complete them ready for tomorrow.  I did use us 3 almost done red thread reals, much to my annoyance - thought I was almost there and then had to rethread the machine, then a few min later the same happened again.  Anyway I hope he likes them.

Dinner tonight is bits from the fridge and freezer that need using up.  There is a bit of quiche, some samosas, an onion bhaji, a small pizza, some sweet potatoes plus the odd bit of salad and coleslaw.  The fridge is looking a little better now.

Still loving the gates and the freedom it brings

slm6002

Oh and I forgot I have my hospital hearing test through and it is on 8th August.  I was shocked when the lady called as I had only today had notification that the referral had been sent.  She said there were some extra sessions just added, and that I was young and able could I make 8.30am.  It is about 20-30 min away, but yes I can make it.  It is very helpful that it is in the holidays too.  Am I being too optimistic that I may be sorted by Sept?  I think so, but it would be great if it was to happen. 

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It's a bit grey and miserable here today and has been raining on and off all day.  DD2 has her sports day all day outside today so I reckon she will come home grumpy cold and wet.

We need to go and visit my dad after school and to deliver his gifts and to wish him a happy birthday. After that we can come home for dinner and put out pjs on and relax.   

Not much happening this weekend for us, so we will be organising everything for the holiday.  Need cases out of the loft, plus DD1's hand me downs to see if any now fit DD2.  I did say that we would go to the children's charity clothes shop to see if we can find anything they are missing after sorting through the bits in the loft first.  DD's are both after a denim jacket so we will look and see if there are any at the shop before spending lots.  XH has the younger 2 Sunday and they are off to the local carnival, so it will be another day sorting things out here.  I want everything sorted as we are deep cleaning next doors house the day before we go so he can get his deposit back. It is all going to be a rush and hectic I reckon.

Anyway 5 working days to go  

slm6002

Well last night the kids were very keen to spend my money.  They were trying to shop for the new school year and clothes for the summer (was tipping down with rain at the time).  No money has been spent yet.  We also got the cases and DD1's old clothes down from the loft.  All tried on by DD2.  Some were good others were 'I'm not wearing that!' so are in the pile for the charity shop.  I will fold everything and then deliver to a charity this weekend.

Plans for today are...  Shower and dressed shortly, trip to clothes shop, relook at online shop ready for tomorrow,  clean the house and get some washing done. 

I am very aware XH and his new family are in my town this weekend so I don't plan of venturing too far just in case I bump into either of them.  I do however need to nip and get some bits that the online shop cant provide me at some point today.

Have a great day