The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

This morning was the first Saturday where we didn't need to be somewhere early on so I went back to sleep and got up about 9.  It was nice not being in a rush.  Even DS is awake now.  I am trying to encourage him to leave his room again for fresh air and open his windows, but he had an enormous spider above his headboard last night.  It nearly didn't fit in our spider catching kit (spare cup and postcard lol).  Anyway windows need to be open and air needs to circulate.

The first load of washing is on the line and a second is in the machine.  We have quite a lot to do and I know we have thunderstorms forecast for today so need to keep an eye on things later.  About to tackle to dishwasher and once the washing machine has finished I will set that off.  Trying to conserve the energy from the solar panels today as the other very hot sunny day we used 2kw when I would expect to use nothing.  Not sure if we have become lazy and not turned things off, but need to get back onto it as we will soon be in winter with less solar at our disposal.

I closed down DD1's small account that I look after on her behalf.  Now that she is about to turn 18 she will be in charge of all of her own money.  I am trying to get her to see that the child trust fund she hasn't really known about so could go straight into a ISA for when she wants to buy her own house.  She shouldn't miss it if she didn't know she had it in the first place?  We need to look at other options too and not just waste in on jeans and petrol!  There is around £480 in it so not huge amounts but it was free money from the government and will get her off to a good start.

Right i can feel the floor vibrating so must mean the washing machine is almost done spinning.  Time to get the next load on the line

slm6002

Still adding more washing to the line as no sign of thunder as yet.  Feel like we have achieved quite a lot today, especially as it was going to be a restful day.  Still waiting on my parcel to be delivered so that I can extract the photos from my phone, but have made progress on it so that is good.

As DD1 has no clue on what career she would like we have been trying to figure it out for months, and every time the answer is no - that is a boring job!  Well today there were 3 apprentice jobs in the 15 mile radius of our house (she has figured she has no hope of moving out as yet).  2 we a no go but the other she is actually going to apply for.  She would be gaining a degree while working and it looks like she would be going to university every 6 weeks or so for 5 days.  She likes this idea although is still a little apprehensive about the unknown.  It would mean she would get a little  living away from home / uni life experience but earning a decent sum of money at the same time.  I think they also pay for accommodation and travel for the block uni training too.  It feels like progress even if it turns out to be just the experience of filling in an application.

She is now at work at the pub.  Someone called in sick at the last minute so she suggested that DS goes in to do the washing up.  They agreed so he is there too.  They are 2 staff down overall so if they are looking and DS makes enough of an impression, that maybe his part time job sorted too.  An added bonus would be if they could be on the same shifts so she could drive them both ways and I would not be needed lol.

DD1 and I also talked about the ISA's and she is keen.  Looked at local house prices to see what sort of deposit she would be aiming for when she is ready to move out.  Also looked at mortgages to show her the difference a higher deposit makes to the mortgage payments.  Eyes were opened by doing this - hence my earlier comment about her realising she wasn't moving out yet!  She also knows that she needs to not drive everywhere as her petrol costs are getting high.  Sometimes I can feel like I am talking to a brick wall but today she listened and asked questions.  I did comment that at least she was starting to think about money a lot sooner that XH.  She asked when he started and my comment of 'he hasn't' made her laugh.

It has been a good day.  

slm6002

Good morning.  Well it didn't rain at all yesterday and today seems to be another 'too hot to do much' day here.  Last load of washing will be on the line shortly and DD2 & DS will be off with XH.  Hopefully he will provide them with some shade at some point during the day.  DD1 is also off to the beach with her friends so I will have a few hours to myself. DD2 has just come down in winter type clothes so I've sent her back upstairs to find her shorts!  I do wonder sometimes.

1st job once I'm alone will be getting the photos sorted for DD1's book.  I did make a bit of progress yesterday but more is needed.  I then need to work out a meal plan as never feel like eating in this kind of weather - I am much better at cold weather foods like stews and mash lol

I think after that I will get things ready for this week at work and then relax

slm6002

Well I have finished the photo book but that is it for today.  It has taken most of the day to do it.  I have ordered myself a copy too as there are so many lovely photos from over the years.  I hope it makes her smile.

No children home as yet but I don't think it will be long before they get home.  I still need to see what we can have for dinner tonight, and work out some sort of meal plan for this week coming.  I must say I feel quite exhausted from doing all of the photos.  I didn't stop for lunch so might have a slice of toast to keep me going

slm6002

Not been too busy at work today so was able to get some of the yearly training done.  I think having the extra hours will mean I am not crazy busy most of the time.  Everyone seemed really tired at work today and I sure it is a combination of the heat and going back last week,  it is only now hitting us.

Dinner was easy tonight as was jacket potatoes cheese and beans - a favourite in this house.  Tomorrow I have a chicken that I will pop in the slow cooker.  We will have it with baby potatoes and some veg.  Then on wed I can use the left overs in the enchiladas.  I have a plan - sort of.

I went to the supermarket while DD2 was at club, which worked ok as it wasn't very busy but the shelves were also quite empty in places.  I bought some garden fairy lights that were reduced.  I have wanted some to put in the garden now the fence is all up.  I would also like some comfy chairs to sit in rather than the basic plastic variety, especially as ours have seen much better days but I don't feel that I can justify the expense at the moment.  Bought a few bday cards so apart from wrapping things DD1 is all done.  DS is next but no idea what he want other than the latest xbox.  Not that there is anything wrong with his current one, but he does use it a lot .  He will have to save for it if that is what he wants so I can let people know its money for birthday and Christmas.  Just not very exciting when nothing to open.  I have asked DD2 and I am expecting a very long list from her even though she wont be able to fit anything else in her room, so I might get her a voucher to do something instead.  Not sure what yet though.

Money is ticking along nicely.  It will be interesting to see what I will get from now on with the extra hours - not for a few more weeks though.

A few more admin bits to do, the dishwasher and the remains of the shopping to put away.  Then a early- ish night.

slm6002

It is finally raining.  We've even had a little clap of thunder.  I cant remember the last time it rained,  lots of grey miserable days but no rain for what seems like ages.

Work was ok and people seemed happier today.  I came home and sorted some admin bits out in the 45 min I had.  I need to work out what days I am staying and what days I finish at my old time as no point being home for 45 min just to turn around and go back to collect DD2.  DD1 is now bringing DS home so we don't need to do that as it makes no sense.  They are at the same school and now she is being made to stay until the end of the day she is at no disadvantage.

Chicken has been in the slow cooker and all taken off the bones ready for the next few meals.  I just need to make the mash (children's request rather than boiled potatoes) and sort the veg and that's done.  I might make up the enchiladas for tomorrow too so it can just be popped into the oven after work.

Right I must get on before I get too comfy on the sofa

slm6002

Yay we have made it to the end of another school week.  Not too much to report other than I think things are going well.

DS needs to decide if he will be doing further maths after school each week.  So far he is a definite no, but I think he needs to think a little more.  DD1 still hasn't finished applying for her apprenticeship that she liked.  She is not keen on the idea that she needs to have the camera on when doing the task,  but it needs to be so she needs to get over that.

Put a load of washing on the line when I got home and then the bread maker ready for our pizzas.  I will make them soon although no one is very hungry at the moment.  Nothing very exciting happening this weekend other that I have my flu jab booked.  Both DS and DD1 have work / volunteering, but DD2 has finished for now.  Not sure if she could find anything else or if still a little too young for anything else.

slm6002

Good morning, DD1 and DS have been taken to work and I have caught up on a few bits. 

I would quite like to finish a few bits in the garden today.  The nosy neighbour is away for the weekend so it is a good time to get out there.  I have take the summer holiday bunting down but have some solar garden lights that I would like to put up in the back garden.  The bbq needs a clean and then needs putting away ready for next year.  Think we only used it once or twice this year.  There are some weeds that need dealing with and some bits to do to tidy up.  I could use my dad coming over with his hedge cutter and strimmer to sort the hedges out.  I am have just been out to buy some daffodils and a small Christmas tree to plant in the front garden too.  I have been thinking about the Christmas tree for a while and knew I wanted one that will only really grow about 2m high.  I have finally found one - or something that looks enough like one that I can put lights on each year.  It is slow growing, but that is fine.  The tree and the bulbs came out of the house pot so no effect on the main bank account.

Lots of direct debits came out yesterday so bank balance went down quite a lot.  Still enough in there until payday but because I have moved the chunk of the money to building fund it looks lower than I would normally keep it.  The only thing we need until payday is food, and as long as I do some sort of meal plan there is more than enough in there.

Managed a few surveys this morning after not having done any for most of the month so far.  Will keep checking today

slm6002

Hedge trimmed, grass edges strimmed and edged, plants and bulbs planted, trimmings all swept up and ready to go to the tip (tomorrow maybe).  I still need to put the lights around the back garden but that will wait until tomorrow I think as I need to work out the best way to attach them to things.  I have just had a shower so all nice and clean.  Will load the dish washer, and get dinner ready then plonk myself on the sofa for the night.  Feel as if I have had a good workout.

slm6002

Off in a little while to get my flu jab at the Drs surgery.  Not much planned other than that today.  Garden looks good this morning.  Just need to get the lights up at the back and that will be the outside jobs sorted.  Need to concentrate on the kitchen today.  Might even do some baking later.  

I have a long day at work tomorrow as we have 2 hours of training on top of the normal hours.  I have a meeting with my manager so will suggest my new hours (2 long days and 3 short) which total up to the full amount, but allowing for some time home alone to get bits done.

Right best go get jabbed