The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Currently waiting for DS to venture downstairs as his hair cut is at 10.  It is only down the road so not far to go but we will be walking so need to leave before long.

So far today I have collected friend as she dropped car off for MOT.  I will get another call when it is time to collect and take her back.  I have also been to collect a few more bottles of pop from lidl this morning as I was passing and wanting to build up a few more packs in the garage ready for winter.  Whilst there picked up a few bits for dinner tonight as well as my free ice cream (got an XXL box of strawberry ice cream lollies covered in white choc).  Came home and completed the survey to say how they were - never know I might win some vouchers?

The sun is supposed to be out all day so I might put some washing on once home from the hairdressers - will see if it is still sunny by then

slm6002

Today I have been playing taxi driver for all.  Done now until just gone 8pm when I will collect DD2 from friends house.  I then intend on putting PJ's on and perhaps not getting dressed until Friday lol.  DS now looks respectable and can see through his mound of hair after visiting the barbers.

In between waiting for calls to drop off and collect I have done some surveys, although on 1 I forgot to copy the code so doubt I will get anything for that nor the bonus that I was supposed to receive.  Silly mistake to make.  Still had some good ones today though so I should be over £40 once they clear.  Change of plans for dinner tonight as DD2 is out.  Gone for easy shop bought pizza.  Very lazy of me but every now and again ok I think.  I need to clean the fridge out as there is a whiff from something.  Had a quick look but nothing stood out so will do a deep clean tomorrow as nothing planned other than club in the evening (just realised it wont be a complete PJ day tomorrow )  I have also just booked the boiler service with our regular chap for the oct half term.  Have arranged it for the same day as the cat jabs so to leave other days free for fun / school work.

Last night I sent off a few feeler emails for DS re jobs once he turns 16 (really only asking if the employ 16 year olds).  He got a reply from 1 today not mentioning his age but they do have a Sunday job going.  Not sure if that's allowed as I think he is legally only allowed to work 2 hours on a Sunday, but I may be wrong.  Either way we will get his CV sent across and see if anything comes of it.  Maybe he will have a job before his birthday.  He will need to work on his communication skills that is for sure.

Its raining heavily again here.  Had several downpours today and glad I am home under my blanket.  The past few days has been too cold to have the door open all day - think autumn is coming

slm6002

Only just out of bed really and the rest of the household are still asleep.  As mentioned today is going to be a very lazy day with just a few things like washing to be done around the house.  No going out other than for sports club later on this evening.

The sun is currently out so will try to get some washing on the line before it turns miserable and wet again.  Will need to re-wash yesterdays as they smell all musty as they were left too long before hanging out.  Will do that next.

Today is payday - yay, although money still looking ok from last lot of money received.  Will move some bits tomorrow into a few pots once the main chunk of bills have gone out.  I am currently sitting at £36.36 with a £7.78 still to clear on survey site.  Will wait until later in the day to transfer it, and maybe some more will have cleared by then.  Haven't decided if I will pop it in the bathroom renovations pot or the Christmas pot as yet.  

Right off to start washing machine and to be lazy today

slm6002

Well it is the final day of my holidays.  Tomorrow will be an extremely long day with a very early start, but hopefully it will start the school year off well.

I do like this time of year with the new start and fresh beginnings - even more so that the January's new year.  The weathers is sunny yet cooler and the colours of the trees are so pretty.  I used to enjoy harvesting the apples, pears and plums with my nan but since step mum arrived the trees have gone and a horse has been put in place which makes me sad.  I have suggested that my Dad plants new trees in a different area but its not happened.

Anyway money has been moved to a few places this morning including the help to save account.  I think I only have 1 more year left for this account and next Oct I receive the next bonus.  I hope to put the money towards the next car, if all goes to plan.  I also claimed my monthly voucher from the work scheme so another £5 for amazon.

Today will hopefully be quite restful but I need to go food shopping and double check that things are ready for my early start tomorrow, as well as making sure the children know what they are doing, as they are not back as yet.  I am sad the family time is over but looking forward to seeing my room as its had a bit of a makeover apparently.  It is also unknown which children will be back as the type of school we are means that they move on to other schools throughout the year.  Those that need to know, know, but I don't see until it actually happens, so it could be all change as 6 weeks is a long time for us.  I also have a new person that I will be working for.  Her first day is a group PD so feel for her as it can be quite over whelming if you know no one.

Spent a lot of the last week reading a diary on here and it was gripping and in some parts similar to my story.  I finished it last night and am so glad things worked out in the end even though still on going.

slm6002

A very small shop done this afternoon before the shops shut.  I was hoping to get the whole weeks worth but time ran out when I was writing my list and trying to figure out a good meal plan.  Today and tomorrow are sorted, plus bread and milk.

I've been going through the recipe books that were from the garage that were recently unpacked, online recipes and anything else I can think of.  I have persuaded DS to try mince but I am not sure it will work.  He has a very limited selection of foods that he eats so the rest of us will most days eat something nice and his is fairly basic.  I am determined to get some variety into him and will work more on saving leftovers of meals that he likes and freezing them for days when the rest of us have something he doesn't like.  I am aiming to fill him up at meal times to avoid too many snacks in between as well as keeping in my budget which needs to sorted as I have got a little out of control with food.  We have also been in a bit of a rut meal wise so that needs to change.

I am so tired and should have gone to bed earlier last night as I cant stop yawning.  It will be dinner, shower and bed nice and early today.

slm6002

Finally home from a very long day out.  It was good but lasted over 12 hours with the travel.  Thankfully I didn't feel too bad on the coach.   We made chocolates in a very warm room and then had a hog roast before our mammoth journey home sitting in traffic for so long.  Thankfully the head decided to do one of the training sessions on the coach that was planned for tomorrow so we could all arrive slightly later tomorrow.  Plus it kept us entertained for a while.

I am glad I had previously arranged for DD1 to take DD2 to club as I was not home in time.  I am about to good dinner for them and them go to bed I think.  Another busy day tomorrow.

slm6002

Well I feel much more awake today.  Had a lazy evening last night and to bed at a decent time.  I will probably go into work at almost the same time as I would normally as I have so much to do today.  So I am quickly going to get breakfast and then get going.

It looks another nice day so hopefully I can get DD1 to pop the washing out once it has finished.  She was bored at home and with me being at work yesterday so cleaned the kitchen, bathroom and living room.  Or at least she organised / bossed DD2 around lol.  It was nice to come home to hoovered floors and clean surfaces.

Last night I did walk round the corner to collect a few bits for Olio.  Cauliflower, sausage rolls, cheese & onions rolls, bagels.  I felt quite warm still when we went and was quite nice to do before I went to bed.  Not sure why the cauliflower was there as looked new.  Depending on the weather I may make cauliflower cheese for dinner tonight.

slm6002

And I am home.  I am a sweaty mess as I have been running around all day but that is it.  Tomorrow all of the children are back at our school.  I am also going to be paid an extra 5 hours per week from 1st Sept as I will now be sorting out the lunches.  Hopefully this will keep the universal tax credit people happy - fingers crossed everyone.

DD2 has been out all day with her friends.  She is now on her way home.  Goodness knows what she has been up to other than crochet with the ladies first thing and then meeting her friends for a picnic.  Tomorrow she is back at school and it is school photo day.

I plan on sitting for 10 min and then working on  what is for dinner

slm6002

Another day done and dusted - not done my normal hours so far this week as yet.  I have an extra hour a day now and wondering if I can put some together so some days are slightly longer and others slightly shorter.  I would still be there to do the lunches but I would also be able to have an afternoon off once the lunches are sorted.  As I have a gap of between 1 to 1.15 hours from leaving to being back in the same place to pick DD2 up, I wonder if hours can be jiggled a little.  I need to see full extent of the job as we had minimal children in today.

DD2 was back today and although some niggles that the nice teachers left last term, I think she will be fine again this year.  Lots of new staff and she reported that the ones she met today were nice.

DD1 and DS are back tomorrow.  I will need to make sure DS is out of bed and dressed by the time I leave or I will be getting a call from the school asking where he is.  I will be happy tomorrow knowing we are all back in some sort of routine again.

It is so hot today and fans have been on all day at work.  DD1 has just gone off to work so will be boiling tonight.  Next job is to pop dinner in the over and load the dishwasher.  I am going to get DS to water next doors plants as they are away for the week and he loves his garden.  Cant have him coming home to wilted flowers. 

slm6002

Yay we have made it to the end of the week.  Everyone is back and happy as far as I can tell.  Normality has resumed.  I sat and worked out how to best work out the hours I do today.  I am hoping to do 2 full days and 3 mornings.  This will still allow me to have time at home alone to do the boring household jobs and the food shop etc.  I am waiting to see which days are going to be best to do the longer days - no point doing them on the days DD2 has club or I will still be hanging around. I am happy with how it will work out.

This weekend I must get the photo book for DD1 finished and sent off.  Her birthday is on the 26th and it says allow 6 business days, so if I can get it finished by the end of the weekend that will give a little room for any unexpected problems.  I need to get in the loft to find her scan pictures.  I also have a fancy device (not expensive) that will read the phone memory card and transfer then in 1 go to the laptop - well fingers crossed that is what it does.  The only other option is to email them to me 5 at a time - would take forever.  That arrives tomorrow so hopefully I can have a play with that and still have enough time.  She is at work tomorrow from 4 ish so I will have the evening to go through those.

I need to catch up on the washing and the housework but nothing much else is pressing for this weekend.  The sun has been behind the clouds for most of the day but it has still been hot.  I would say that there maybe a thunderstorm heading our way possibly.