The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

I am up and ready for the day ahead, although the girls are not.  If we leave on time it will be somewhat of a miracle.  I have even told them we are leaving 15 min before we need to.   Bits and bobs for the tip are already in the car so it is just the girls to get in there now.

I am leaving DS home to do some of his art work while I am gone.  Not sure it will get done if I am not sitting right by his side, but when I do get home it will be revision again.  I do feel that he is getting there with it but still a long way to go.

Last night I opened a SIPP so I can try to boost my pension pot a little as I only started  recently.  Once my help to save account has finished the monthly money plus any extras will go in there, while still saving for a new car and a kitchen.  I hope it will be worthwhile and make life easier later in life.

Ok lets try to get the girls out of the house

slm6002

Wrote a reply and lost it so lets try again.  Cant believe we are already half way through the holidays.  Next week DD2 is busy almost every day so I expect that will mean that I am busy playing taxi too.

Yesterday was very successful.  We made it to the tip on time - it is a lovely new tip with no stairs to climb, its clean and well organised unlike the local one.  Once done there we went to the shops.  Well we only managed 1 shop in the 2 hours that we were there, but the girls found lots to try on and then came home with a bag each full of goodies.  As they are not essential clothes they both paid for it.  I bought some flannels!

I also managed to take my shopping list to Aldi and got a decent amount of food I thought for the price.  I used the school vouchers for it so no cost to me.  I was able to use some of the special promotion items and the meat in the stew had 30% off as its due date is today.  As I had already planned on stew today it worked with the meal plan.

DD1 is out again today with her friends and have taken a train ride to city for a day out.  Had 5 min notice that a friend was meeting her here rather than at the train station, so we had a mad tidy up before he arrived.  At least the downstairs is tidy now.

Stew is in the slow cooker for later so I only need to peel the potatoes and zap some peas in the microwave for an easy dinner.

Now sitting reading while DS does his maths revision

slm6002

Up earlyish today and quickly popped to get prescription.  Hopefully this weeks blood test results will be in quickly and I can buy prescription annual card thing before the price increase if needed, or even better that I no longer need to take them.  Popped to Lidl and treated the children to a croissant each, and to get my fizzy pop for the next few weeks.

It seems windy but mild outside, so I think the washing will be done today and then dried outside.  DS mentioned that he wanted his sheets cleaned yesterday so they may be the first in the machine.  It may just been sheets and towels today to get those all done.

I've just potted the raspberry plants.  No sign yet of my bin for garden waste but they are a day behind, so maybe today?  I am hoping to have a clear up in the garden so could make good use of it.

slm6002

Very lazy day here.  DD1 & DS are at work - keeping fingers crossed that DS likes the job and the cafe like DS.

My bedding is on the washing line, blowing away in the very sunny but windy weather.  I am loving this weekends weather.  With the sun out, we are currently exporting power to the grid.  Not going to make a fortune, but last year we cashed it in just before the holidays for a treat.  Currently we are up to £35 but I haven't put a reading in for a few months - might do that next so the balance can be amended.  With more sunshine hopefully on its way, hopefully the free electric will be flowing soon.

Think dinner will be pasta bake tonight, so a nice and easy dinner.  Tomorrow we (DD2 and me) are off on our outdoor cooking session.  Will need to leave revision requests for DS but think it will happen once we are home.

Not been anywhere or done anything today, so no money spent.  

slm6002

We are off outdoor cooking today.  There will be activities to keep us fit, then fire making and then cooking.  Once lunch has been eaten we may do some other activities but will then be sent home with a box of ingredients that make 5 main meals for 4 people.  We have done many of these days and so far I think we have cooked something different on each one.  No idea what it will be in advance but is always vegetarian and so far have been very tasty.

On the way I do need to nip into aldi for some bread and wraps, but that is all we need at the moment I think, and with the food box tonight, it should keep us going for a while.  Need to remember to take vouchers with me to aldi.

Thankfully no club tonight either and it will be jump in the shower as soon as home, clothes in the wash as we will stink of smoke, then pjs and relax for the remainder of the day.  Have left DS instructions on revision so as he will probably ignore that it may be a case of doing that too.

DD1 has a phone interview for an apprenticeship at a local company.  It looks a really good place to work and they are known for supporting apprenticeships well.  It would be lovely if she gets it, but there will be so so many people that have applied as there are not that many choices around here.  I hope like she has said, that she has done some research into the company and knows what to say.

Right, must get moving

slm6002

We are home with very Smokey clothes and a huge bundle of food.  There were 2 boxes of food left over from families that didn't turn up, so the fresh ingredients were also shared out between the 3 families that were there.  I've had a shower and put my clothes in the wash.  DD2's still to do but will pop them in the machine to hide the smell if no other washing today.  We went on a long walk and played games as well as the cooking so we are both tired now.  Leftovers that we made are for dinner.  Will turn into a pasta bake dish and maybe add some garlic as felt it needed that too.

DS has attempted some revision but really only about 15 min worth so I need to prise the  controllers out of his hand and get him going again.

slm6002

The week has whizzed by and today is my last day of the holiday.  I have lots to fit in, ready for work tomorrow.

* Take and collect DD2 - art day at the library
* Blood test to see if pills are doing what they should be
* Pick up newspaper to organise work sweepstake on grand national
* Quick trip to town
* Pack work bag
* Washing
* Look in fridge and freeze things not needed as yet & work out what is for dinner
* Buy sauce (DS cant not have with his meal - disaster lol)
* Help DD1 with her car insurance & tax
* Revision with DS
* Prepare tomorrows revision as well as what he can take to school in case teachers say 'revision for this lesson'

I've just cashed out a £15 voucher for pizza hut from one of the survey sites.  Will try to raise enough for another trip there in the summer holidays as we all had a great time this time round.  Might be a nice celebration treat once the exams are over.  I have points on another site but it isn't working correctly, so I need to give them a call to exchange them.

I have started thinking about the kitchen and how I would like it to look, once the money is saved up.  No harm in looking and planning while I wait.

Right no time to dream yet, must get on

slm6002

My first day back went well yesterday, and I managed to cross all of my jobs off the list from Thurs.  Pretty successful few days.  I am escaping the children today as I have a craft day making a stained glass window.  When I say window I am sure it will be a small item to hang in the window lol.  I am shortly going to leave, as I only have a vague idea where I am going.  All 3 children are still in bed, but know the plan for today so wont be shocked to find me not here.

Grand national later and me and the children will do a sweepstake to win a box of malteasers.  Cheaper than trying to win anything in the betting shops.  I dont think I will make it back in time for the race so will pick my horses before I go and let the children do theirs later.

Right I must get on

slm6002

Well that was a fun few hours.  I got the hang of cutting glass and learnt the technique that was needed putting the stained glass decoration together.  I do however need more practice at soldering (and not burning fingers).  As I say very fun and quite happy with the results even if it is a little wobbly.  It was held in a town that I've not been to for about 35 years.  I only saw a little bit of it so might take a drive to explore over the summer holidays

I got home in time for the race and DS won the chocolates.  I didn't win in the work sweepstake either, but mum won a few £'s on the bet I placed for her.  I will collect her winnings at some point this week maybe.

I am really tired now having sat down and relaxed for half hour.  I need to clean the kitchen now DD1 has finally emptied the dishwasher.  I think it might be a pasta bake for dinner as nice and easy.  I also need DS to get his bike ready to take tomorrow.  Okay off to get sorted before I get back to the sofa for the rest of the day

slm6002

Wed already.  Seems like we haven't been away from work, but yesterday was a productive day.  Fingers crossed today will be the same, although only a half day today.  Being so busy does mean that I haven't had much time to spend any money.

Anyone have access to a Ford Mustang Shelby.  DS decided a while back that this car was going to be part of his art final project.  Last night he tells me he needs 1st hand evidence and needs to take some pictures of it.  I asked him where he thinks I am going to find this car for him to take pictures.  I am asking anyone I can think of that might have any connections in the hope they can take some pictures for us to make it look like DS has taken them.  I am going to ask at the local garage too, to see if they know of any.  Maybe they have a customer who is very proud of their car that might want to show it off to us.  Had a look to see if there are any car shows around here too but we only have a week or 2 at a push.

Need to remember to collect cats medication from the vets later today as they called to say it was ready.  There is a car sales place next door to that too so maybe worth an ask.

Right time to encourage children to move quicker and to get ready for school.  Have a great day