The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Washing all completed - yay, shopping done and meets ups arranged.  It looks like we will be home for Christmas this year and although we were initially a little sad as we enjoy visiting family, it means that there is no long journey on Christmas eve, and no having to leave the cats.  It also means the children don't need get cover for their jobs and can earn some good tips hopefully.

I have just ordered DS's gifts using vouchers that have been earnt throughout the year from doing surveys.  I still have a few left to use on others gifts.  DS is one of the most difficult to buy for so happy his list is out of the way.

I have started a list of food / Christmas things we will need / want and I will start buying them over the next few weeks.  I am also trying to find enough 'minute to win it' games that the children will actually take part in over the few days.  I will invite my Uncle too as he will be on his own.  DD1 would like to go on a Christmas day walk as we have got into the habit of it now, so plan to go to the local woods.

We have watched a few cheesy movies as well that have a Christmas theme so we are properly getting into the spirit of things even if a little early.   Soon be time for shower and then bed and ready for the week ahead.

slm6002

First day of the week done at work.  Came home to find builders blocking the way again.  Work have an advice centre where we can get various types of help for free.  I have just called and registered for some legal help to see if there is anything I can do.  I thought I may as well ask rather than just getting annoyed with them.  If it turns out that I can claim the 2 parking spaces as my own (as I have used them without paying a small fee and no one has complained for the past 19 years) then I will at least have some kind of bargaining power with the builder.  Not sure how we can prove we have been parking there for all this time or even if we need picture evidence?

I can smell the pumpkin soup in the slow cooker.  Never made it before but have tasted it out and about.  It smells good so fingers crossed it tastes as good.  I hope to use it for lunches this week.

DS's gifts have just been delivered so will go hide those now.

LeighofMar

So happy to hear DS's trial went well. My boy also seemed to come alive with his first job as a server. He ended up moving out at 20, worked as a server for 5 years and now currently bartends at a hotel/convention center. I don't have any clue where he gets the customer-facing personality from as I am the complete opposite. Lock me in my home office hovel and let me out for occasional air and water 😁. They can and do surprise us. I hope he continues to enjoy working and will get some ideas on what he'd like to do in the future. 

slm6002

Thank you @LeighofMar he is still quite chuffed with himself.  He has let his volunteering people know and they have said if he needs a reference, they would be more than happy to give one.  

Such a horrid day outside today.  Got to go and do the school run shortly and then have parents evening at 4 and then I have my dance class.  Parents evening is still online which seems to work well and no having to wait ages in a boiling hot school hall.  I can cook the dinner in between appointments and get ready to go out afterwards.  

Builders out the back have been making life very difficult the past few weeks and I have started looking into claiming the land as our own as we have parked there for over 10 years.  I need to be able to prove this somehow, but cant see how they can dispute it (although I am sure that they will).  I think I may ask CAB office to help decipher the legal jargon before going any further with it.  I don't want to leave it too long and risk loosing any chance of keeping our parking spaces though.

slm6002

Dragged DS around the college looking for something for him to do next year.  Such lack of enthusiasm has never been seen lol.  Went to some of the areas that he had hinted might be his idea of ok.  Then happened to get talking to one of the helpers for the evening and by then DS was walking round on his phone playing games.  It was suggested we go to the computer area if he like playing games (never off phone or games system so yes).  Saw a computer games design course - slight flicker that this might be ok.  Then went to see another computer course and oh my goodness it has been made for DS.  The classroom was like his bedroom and lack of sunlight lol lots of  led lights lit up the place, and the guy selling it to his was just a grown up version of him.  He engaged with the guy and actually asked questions.  He has to get certain grade which is hopefully going to be ok, but is actually willing to try rather than just get by.  He is finally excited about learning, and I have never seen that before.  It wouldn't have been my first choice of courses for him, but will come out of it with a btech equal to 3  A Levels after 2 years so I guess that is all that matters.  Both of us went to bed very happy.  I need to check if it is considered a full time course as only 3 days a week,

It was also DD2's 13th bday and she was the one who wanted to go to the college for her bday lol.  She had a great day.  We had a cake and presents and all the usual merriments

joedenise

Don't knock the computer course.  My grandson was the same and went to college and got  BTech in Computer Studies or some such.  Got a job in a good international company using those computer skills.  There's very good money to be had if he gets good grades.  

It would be good he could get some customer facing experience as most of the jobs need not only the computer skills but also being willing and able to speak to customers both on the phone and customer facing.  Unfortunately my grandson is autistic and this part of the job is not something he is able to do so it actually took him a while to find a job without the customer facing dimension.

Good luck to your son with his college course and future career.

slm6002

Thank you @joedenise, I agree computing is the way to go, it's just the fact it is more of a games tournament type course which might not be that broad of a course.  It should give him lots of transferrable skills but not sure what future employers might think.  DS is clearly on the autistic spectrum but not enough to get a diagnosis, although when being tested for his dyslexia it was bought up that we might want to go down that route as they could see it.  The more I work in an alternative school, the more I realise that we as a family are probably all on there in some way.  When he is gaming he chats to people really well about the game, but it is the 'in person' skills he lacks, unless he is really into a topic.  The course requires 40 hours of work experience too so maybe that will help. 

DS is currently on his first actual shift today so keeping fingers crossed that he is improving and still being a good employer.  DD1 has an interview for a part time job at Lidl next week, and has been short listed for Costa too.  Hopefully she will have a new job soon as the pub she is working at is shutting after Christmas.

Nothing too much to get done this weekend other than prepare for uncles arrival on 24th.  Need some DIY bits to be finished by the time he arrives.

joedenise

My GDS had to do work experience.  His longest assignment was Eurodisney!  He didn't really want to go but as it was worth something like 24 hours work experience he relented when it was pointed out to him it would give him quite a lot of the time he needed to do.

Honeysucklelou2

The gaming design course sounds good. The art school that my DD1 went to ran a degree in games design so a field that is current and in demand!

Tiggermad

For the parking issue and possibly requiring proof, have you got any neighbours who would provide a written statement that you have always used the spaces?