The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

4 days to go at work.  Even though this morning I was feeling a little refreshed, by the afternoon I was done.  I guess I just need to make it until Friday evening, then I can rest - well rest a little bit.

The builders did a lot of banging and drilling today.  Not much difference in how it looks but I guess a lot of the bits that we will not see were sorted today.  They will be back Wed to start installing things.  The flooring people are booked in for a week on Wed so hopefully a week to install everything is enough time.

As the holidays are almost here we received some food vouchers from the school.  I did wonder if we would get any for the older 2 as I believe they are now off roll. It certainly helps with the food bill when there are 3 very hungry growing children in the house.

Dropped DD2 off at band and will collect her shortly.  Ideally I would like to return some clothes to asda and pick up another order while parking is free at this time of night.  Need to get a move on and package everything up ready.

slm6002

Almost made it to the end of the week (well closer than yesterday).  2 more days to go and people are just remembering they need certain things for the week we are back.  Too late now I'm afraid, delivery times don't work lol.

As I was leaving for work this morning the builder carried in the toilet and I stupidly thought that maybe by the time he left this evening, it may be fitted.  No!  Still sitting in the middle of the room.  The shower has been attached, although the plumbing going to it has not been done.  The shower head is huge for our relatively small shower enclosure.  I hope it is ok once all done.  He is back tomorrow.

Been to the sports centre for a swim and a shower, but the kids need a wash too.  I will book them in tomorrow.  I am off for dinner with work ladies tonight so needed to be clean today lol.  We are going fairly early which I am quite glad of as I stayed up to watch the last couple of episodes of a series last night and it made me very late to bed which didn't help my tiredness this morning.  Next I need to figure out what I am wearing.

DD1 is still struggling to find something to do next.  She is getting down hearted with the rejections.  I just know that if someone gave her a chance they would realise they made the right choice.  Still a few more we are still waiting to hear back from, but the options are getting less.

Right I best go get changed ready for my night out

slm6002

Yay I survived!  We all made it to the end of the week.  I helped to organise an end of term do for the staff and bought home a range of goodies for the kids and me to finish off.  6 weeks holiday to enjoy, although I have a list in my head that I would like to get sorted.

The builders were not here yesterday or today.  They will return Monday to finish things off.  Not sure if that means finish on Monday?  Either way the flooring is booked in for Wed first thing, although they are aware things may need to change if we are not ready.  I cant wait to have a shower in my own home.  It has been 3 weeks so far.  We are off to Dad's to shower tomorrow afternoon.

I need to make my list of jobs I would like to get done in the holidays as well as meal planning, food shopping and budgets checking.  Not sure what we are eating tonight other than doughnuts!

slm6002

Despite still waking up early (before alarm usually goes off) I feel much more relaxed and a little refreshed already. 

Yesterday I helped with a job application and found some other possibilities for DD1.  The sooner we can get her a job, the sooner we can relax more and enjoy the holidays.  She is so down from all of the rejections.  

We went to my dads for a shower where step mother who never thinks before opening her mouth, insulted DD1 about several things.  We put her right but she never seems to listen,  and quite rightly DD1 was upset.  Poor dad felt bad and was embarrassed by the whole thing. Hopefully today will be better.

So today we are off to concert at a cricket match.  It looks like rain but so far it is still on.  Going to take a picnic (even though there will be food stands) and plenty of drinks with us as it is likely to be a long day.  Currently waiting for a food delivery, although looking back at the order, there isn't much there.  I even forgot to buy bread, but thankfully we have some in the freezer for emergencies.  It was ordered late on Friday night and I was clearly too tired to think.

Tomorrow we have the builders arriving and maybe the bathroom back? (trying positive thinking here lol)

Right I better get on and start making some food to take with us

slm6002

Finally home after what seems a long day, even though I was just sitting doing nothing.  I am sun burnt now though so have covered myself in after sun and am letting it soak in before doing anything else.  There are very dark clouds coming our way from what I can see, but at least it was nice for the cricket match.  I bought some raffle tickets but that was all.  The silent auction is too high a price for me.

The children have requested roast potatoes in gravy so I will cook the chicken breasts to go with it plus veg, once I finish soaking up lotion.

Once dinner has been cleared away I will start looking at the finances and how much we have for the holiday spends.

slm6002

Well I am like a beetroot / lobster this morning, sure this builder is having a little giggle to himself. 

The water has been turned off and will remain that way for most of the day so he can drain the system and then sort the bathroom out.  I have warned everyone but they are still in bed.  Thanks to a little prepping, I do have 12 large bottles of water we can use. 

Today will be spent trying to get DD1 to apply for jobs (she is currently wanting to hear back from others first before applying again - I've tried telling her that may not be the best idea) and getting DS to complete his homework for college course.  Neither will be easy tasks but both are necessary.  I could do with cutting the grass too and weeding the front garden too.  Don't really want to be in the sun (although its suddenly turned dark and cloudy) today so not sure if I will do the garden yet.

Ok I best get on - feel I may be updating here quite a lot today - sorry

slm6002

OK so toilet upstairs is working, sink being plumbed in and the enclosure for the shower is upstairs, but still on the landing currently.  The shower pump ordered isn't the correct one so that wont be sorted today.  He thinks the flooring on Wednesday should be fine to do as the floorboards are all back in place now.  I am hoping shower pump is sorted very soon and can be fitted tomorrow when he returned.  He has been out of the house most of the day and talking on the phone.  This afternoon he has been a bit more visibly doing things but it is really slow going.

I helped DD1 get a couple more applications completed.  It was a little easier than expected although she did stomp off a few times.  She has also heard back from a company about a 5 min walk away.  The money isn't great but it is full time work and as she would be walking, there would be no travel costs involved.  It is still an apprenticeship although not in the one she would like to do really.  Hopefully she will hear from a few others before the interview and can keep her options open.

No luck on DS and his homework as yet.  We did sit down and look at it as he wanted me to help figure out what was needed.  Me doing that annoyed him to the point we gave up for the morning.  Will try again later today and be 'less annoying' somehow.

Now to look at holiday spending money now everyone else is occupied doing their own thing.

slm6002

Well last night didn't go to plan.  The builder left and I did my usual going to have a look and take pictures of the progress.  All looked ok until I saw one of the shower panels on the floor in its bag but the glass had shattered.  The builder turned up 10 min later apologising and asking where we had bought the shower cubical from as his boss would need to replace it.  It will arrive in a few days, which then delays the completion of things and our ability to wash still.  These things happen and nothing I can do about it.

I then get a call from my best friend asking if I can take her to A&E as Dr is concerned and wants her to have some tests.  All the big things are ruled out and considering we were in A&E waiting room all night we had a good time nattering away.  Did suggest it was a little extreme way to meet up in our busy lives and next time a trip to the local cafe would do.  We didn't get home until about half 12 last night which is way past my bedtime, and then I need to be up for the builders so my lack of sleep will catch up with me before long.

My monthly council tax amount has gone up £85 and I am guessing it is due to DD1 now not being in education.  I will call them just to check but that is quite a chunk.  I knew it would go up, but didn't expect it to be quite that much.  I am expecting child benefit to stop shortly, as well as UC portion for DD1.  My money I expect to reduce by quite a lot.  She will be paying me some money when working, but it wont cover the full amount.  Back to budgeting well and hunting for special prices etc. 

Nothing much planned for today other than looking at money, listening to the builders banging away and maybe a nap.  I do need to try to get DS going with his homework again.  Need to be more awake than now to tackle that one

Pollie

Should your daughter take up an apprenticeship, she may be disregarded for council tax purposes. You would need to check your local council's information for full details.

slm6002

Ooh thank you - I will certainly look into that.  The 2 jobs that she has interviews for are minimum wage so not huge amounts of money being bought into the house.

We officially have a working sink and toilet in the bathroom,  shower enclosure will arrive tomorrow and then the shower pump needs a plug and it will be all sorted.  By Friday we should be able to take a shower.  It will have taken 4 weeks to get to that point.  Flooring is going down tomorrow hopefully first thing.