The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

DS is 16 but because of his quirky nature he holds on to small grudges.  Last night he bought up his teacher from year 7 who 'laughed at him'.  She didn't but was instead trying to joke with him to help him see where he had gone wrong - totally in a trying to be nice kind of way to cheer him up.  DS did not see it that way and hasn't taken the subject since being allowed to drop it,  and the teacher is no longer even at the school.  It doesn't stop him bringing it up when sad.  I don't think anyone has done anything major to him, but more likely he has taken something out of context and now has another grudge.  Also the pressure of exams coming up soon is probably not helping.  I will be glad once it is all over and done with that is for sure.

debtfreewannabe321

slm6002 said:

DS is 16 but because of his quirky nature he holds on to small grudges.  Last night he bought up his teacher from year 7 who 'laughed at him'.  She didn't but was instead trying to joke with him to help him see where he had gone wrong - totally in a trying to be nice kind of way to cheer him up.  DS did not see it that way and hasn't taken the subject since being allowed to drop it,  and the teacher is no longer even at the school.  It doesn't stop him bringing it up when sad.  I don't think anyone has done anything major to him, but more likely he has taken something out of context and now has another grudge.  Also the pressure of exams coming up soon is probably not helping.  I will be glad once it is all over and done with that is for sure.

oh blimey he sounds like my son. My son hates me because I once threw out his favourite teddy (I didn't, a friend gave me a load of her kids teddies, and they were all covered in cat hair and I am allergic, so I put them in the charity shop after a wash didn't help me with them, and DS unbeknownst to me had taken a shining to one). He also dropped subjects because a teacher has told him off in what he perceived as a mocking way. And he dropped martial arts class after 5 years because he got told off by one of the teachers too many times- the I'm always offended by something generation is what I like to call him (when he can't hear or else he'd be offended some more).

slm6002

Well day 1 of the holidays and i am exhausted already,  DD1 had work most of the day, DD2 had her school musical all day and DS and I stayed home waiting for various deliveries through the day.  First was asda, then wickes, then topps tiles, then the boiler grant man.  I cleared the house and organised the garage.  Finally we have someone who has agreed to take the bed, but not until Sat.  We have put the bathroom bits in places that can mean we can move the bed hopefully without too much trouble, and maybe just moving a couple of items.

I need to explain about the grant man....The other day when I was looking at the list of jobs still to do, i thought about the boiler, and as I have a little extra money before the bathroom can be done, I thought I would look into it.  I also wondered if it would be better to do before the bathroom so all pipes are in the right place from the start?  Still need to speak to the builder to see if it will be a help or hinder.  Anyway there was a link to getting a grant because I am on benefits.  After answering a few questions yesterday, an appointment to come and have a look at the current system was made for today.  He came and took pictures of everything, boiler, controls, every radiator and water tank.  It caught me a little off guard to be honest and my room was hiding all of the washing.  Apparently as long as the benefits side qualifies I should be entitled to a grant for the boiler and to put extra insulation in the loft as well as trickler vents in the windows.  I am not sure if the radiators would be replaced and that is why the windows were looked at?  I will know in 4-5 days.

The electrician has also been in contact to say that he can now come on wed to fit / look at our new lights.  So that maybe another job ticked off the list.  I need to find and buy the right light bulbs ready for wed.

Off to the hospital first thing tomorrow to discuss my hearing, although since my hearing aids it is much improved.  After that we have a trip to the tip in the afternoon, but pretty relaxed day.

Oh and DS is back to his normal self - amazing what being away from school will do

slm6002

I don't think it has stopped raining as yet today, but nothing planned outside so not sure it matters.  Washing has been dried indoors today.

Yesterday was hospital appoint and trip to the tip - all went well and got to relax a little once home which was great.

Today the electrician has been and swapped over the lights in the living room.  They are nice and bright, but he will need to come and remove the dimmer switch and replace with just an on and off one.  All lights now have nice LED cheap to run bulbs in them so will hopefully reduce costs even more.

2 weeks ago the new neighbours took our larger general waste bin by accident (even though it has our number clearly on it) so I have been waiting until this week to reclaim it.  Unfortunately they have gone away.  So I have put their bin out for them and went round the back to get ours and emptied that too.  I replaced both bins to the correct location once the collection had been done.  I hope they don't mind, but we cant last 2 weeks on a tiny bin.  They only had 1 bag in theirs / ours.  I expect they didn't realise the size difference so thought it didn't matter.

I have received our latest gas and electricity bill today and was please to see that we are still nicely in credit with them.  We also received the winter fuel allowance which was a nice surprise.  So between mid Nov and yesterday we used £96 electricity and £113 gas.  These figures also include the standing charge.  I don't think that is too bad especially as we had visitors over Christmas and had the heating on much more than normal.  The solar will soon start helping to reduce the cost again.  About £2.15 per day for this bill.

Tomorrow is going to be expensive as we are all taking DD1 to her uni interview.  She will be there from 8.30 until around 5 we think.  The rest of us are going bowling (free burger included) and will visit nana, but that still leave a lot of time to kill.  We have a small list of things need for school but that hopefully wont take long.  I might see if there is a film we can go and see.

slm6002

The sun is finally out and there are blue skies - this always brightens the mood.  The children are exhausted after a long day yesterday so left them to sleep this morning.

I had a surprise and the olio lady collecting the bed tomorrow had emailed her friend that was collecting it, and he had turned up a day early.  Didn't matter to me as we were here and the bed has finally gone.  I will get DS to help move the bathroom things into one pile rather than either side of the bed shaped hole.

While getting the bed in the van, the builder building the house out the back finally plucked up enough courage to  come and speak to me. The crane that will block the road will arrive Tuesday, but will only be here for a morning.  I suggested that he wait until 8.30 to allow for us all to have left.  I also reminded him that as they are not allowed on site until then anyway so it shouldn't be a problem.  It would also allow the crane to navigate our very narrow roads better as more cars will have left for work.  I feel it will be a big palaver but I wont say I told you so lol

I need to collect some antibiotics for DS too later as he has another infected toe (ingrowing toenail I think) .  Thankfully a quick picture to the doc via the app meant we didn't have to visit them.  Will also need to collect the cat's flea and worm treatments on the circular trip.  Not sure what is for dinner as DD2 has a party at 5 about 25 min away.  I think she will be fed, but the rest of us need to eat.  Was going to make pizza but might leave that for tomorrow night.  

It was benefit payday today so have moved money to the correct pots.  Things are looking good both money wise, plans for future DIY and life in general - cue something about to go wrong!  It really is nice just having time to sit and not worry about things for a little while, even though something is bound to crop up very soon.

debtfreewannabe321

Hope the uni trip went well slm? We've also finally got blue skies here too! Has been raining non stop for days the pond is nearly over-flowing!

slm6002

The uni trip went well although it was a long day.  DD1 isn't sure she made a great impression, but I guess we will find out soon.  She has another interview for a similar subject in April so all is not lost as yet if she doesn't make it.  I think it will be more difficult if she has to choose between the 2 courses.  While she was doing her thing we went window shopping, bowling, visited nana and then a little more shopping.  Long day but actually didn't spend too much.  We decided to save the pizza hut vouchers until the easter hols when we can all go, and the bowling was cheaper if you had a burger with the half term offer, so that is what we did.

Yesterday I managed to do several surveys that we well paid - £'s not just p's.  I am now over £20 after a very slow start, but will leave the money there until the end of the month.  I will carry on today as not too much planned.  

Todays jobs (feels like a Sunday not a Saturday)
Homework - all 3 need to get some finished
Washing - managed to leave some in the machine, so will need rewashing and then drying
Sort out bags for Monday
Meal planning
Food shopping (remember to take vouchers with me)
Feed brothers cat tonight

slm6002

Homework completed, washing (2 loads) completed, bags ready for school and work, meals planned and food shopped for.  Fed cat and collected antibiotics for DS.  A successful day I think.

Just eaten our homemade pizzas which were scrummy.  Earnt some more on the surveys and will keep an eye on the site tonight

slm6002

The sun is out again and spring is in the air.

I have walked to my brothers to feed his cat this morning - no more feeding required as they are home later.  The first load of washing is in the machine.  I might wash the bedding today, depending on how much more washing DD2 brings down.  Towels we done yesterday so they are all done.

DD2 got an email saying she had passed her grade 1 music exam with a merit.  She was very happy and has been waiting for ages to get the grade.  She has also decided not to go out with XH today again.  She will stop going completely before long.  Only DS still happy to go.

Anyway nothing much planned for today, so plan to be lazy and slowly do anything that is needed.  DS mentioned wanting roast dinner later, but that is not on the meal plan.  Things may change and it wouldn't be too difficult to swap a few days.  He is also after apple crumble for pudding.

Ok off to see if there are any surveys going

slm6002

Yay the first week of the new half term is done, and it has been a busy one.  I am happy to have the weekend to relax.

I have already started to plan next weeks meals, as there a lot of clubs afterschool so a few easy / slow cooker meals are needed, plus snacks to eat on the go.  Will pop to shops early tomorrow morning maybe to beat the rush, of I have sorted the list.  Tonight is jacket potatoes which is easy enough.

Downstairs needs a full clean and clear away, and the usual washing / homework will be done.  Other than that nothing much is going on.  I would like to finish a crochet project that I started but never finished, even though it isn't too far off.  I really feel the need to something crafty this weekend.  Maybe I will have a look and see if I can find anything new too, as I still have my mums money from my Bday and Christmas to put towards them.

Payday pots have been filled and the savings accounts have been topped up today so money is looking well.

Will try to catch up with diaries on here too and search for inspiration