The Best Is Yet To Come

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Well DS was up and at the bus stop just in time, and is now at college.  Apparently I have done the bus pass wrong, but he hasn't given me any more details other than that.  Hoping it doesn't thrown him for the whole day.  Told him to ask his teacher or go to the welfare office and ask for help if he needs to.

Not sure what today will hold - I should clean the kitchen and bathrooms, check diaries and money.  Started on bday and  Christmas shopping - well only looking so far, but got a few ideas.

DD1's room is being rejigged to make her room a little better, so I will probably need to help sort that with her.  I would also like to have a quick tidy of the garage to make that a little more organised.

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By moving a few bits around in DD1's room making her bed into a small double rather than a single I have managed to move a few bits from the garage to her room.  I have also now got a few smaller bits in the garage that no longer fit, but she is planning on selling them.  She is the best one at things like that.  She has some bits for vinted as well.  From the airing cupboard the sheets were found and enough pillow cases.  The slightly smelly (from storage) duvet that will work is now on a 'duvet wash' - no idea of the difference but thought we'd give it a go, before I hang it out on the line for the remaining part of the day and possibly overnight.  She does need to get a duvet cover as I had a big clear out a few weeks ago and only have my couple.

Still no word from DS who I hope is having a good day despite the bus problem.  I think he is going to be exhausted as for the past few months there has been a lot of resting in his day.

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Well DS was exhausted after a full day of taking in information.  I managed to get a few bits out of him such as the days he would be in college and who the person in charge of him is for things like keeping track of how he is doing.  The bus ticket is a term pass and according to the help desk online his pass is perfectly fine and it does not require DS to say which days he needs as that is done automatically.  It turns out that the bus driver will be getting further training to recognise this.  Not heard if DS has had an issue today or not, but as he hasn't returned from the bus stop asking for a lift I am guessing he has made it.

I got a letter from the child maint people first thing this morning and as I was confused and also had some other questions I got comfy and ready for being on hold a long time and called.  I got through pretty much straight away!  Turns out XH had tried to say his income was reduced but they checked all the figures and found out that was not the case and therefore should still be paying me.  My last payment was 24th May so all of his back payments unpaid are now due and have been added onto future payments.  The guy was very much for him not backing out of paying and telling me he will have to pay the money back.  He is due to start paying me on 4th Sept then 11th sept.  If this doesn't happen I will need to call them back on 18th to tell them to start enforcement.  He said they can take it from his bank account (as they don't have details of his current employers - not sure how they checked his income if this is the case), or off his benefits.  I am still very dubious that I will see any money from him, but they will certainly try for me.

Today DD1's new mattress is arriving.  The room is ready and bedding sorted.  She is very much looking forward to being able to starfish in bed and being comfy.  Now waiting for DS to also mention his room could fit a small double.  DD2's room cannot.  After yesterdays success of washing the duvet, I am going to put all of them through the wash so they are nice and fresh before winter comes along.  Going to start with DS's today, while the sun is out, and will see if DD2's is suitable for washing, and possibly get hers in the machine later.

Yesterday I finished shopping for DD1 & DD2's birthdays.  Just DS to go now and that is never an easy task.  

Right the sun has reached the solar panels so time for washing to start.

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First wash in the machine.

Boiler service booked for the half term

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So today is going to be about catching up and getting completely ready for work / school.  I am needing to book a online food delivery as the fridge is looking bare and I am keen to leave my premade meals in the freezer until I am exhausted from work and need them.

I am also hoping to do some DIY now all of the bits have arrived.  I could also do with painting the stairs handrail where the builders bashed it a lot and the paint has come off.  This was painted last by my uncle who is coming to visit towards the end of the month so will need doing.

I could really do with mowing the lawn too and making a start on the weeds.  Will see how far we get with everything else.

DD1's BF is back from his induction at uni course today and is driving him home from the railway.  Have a feeling we wont see her much after that.

Right I must get on if I want to be sorted by the end of the day

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Well my new little saw didn't work on the metal pole so I am off to my brothers later today to use his tools.  I may get the pole up today but may end up leaving it until after the supermarket delivery has been.

DS's desk chair is now only 4 stops away so hopefully he will be happy.  He says he cant get onto the college area to get his timetable and handbook, which I would like to see so I know the rules he needs to follow - and can remind him of them when needed.

DD1 has had to do an english and maths test today for her apprenticeship.  Turns out she may need to go to the same college as DS, which she is not happy about.  She thinks that she will be the eldest one there as in theory she could have done this course 2 years ago.  I said she will find that there are all ages there as a lot of people that have done A Levels will be doing the same as her.

Bought myself some wool the other day and have ordered a book from the library for inspiration.  I would love to make something from a pattern, but need to learn a few more stitches first.  Wool costs came from my personal spends budget.

Shopping receipt has been received and there is 1 substitution that is fine, but there is 1 item missing - milk.  Maybe they dont have a 6 pint bottle but surely they have some type of milk in the shop that they could swap for?  Never mind I might grab some while I am out visiting my brother.

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Well I am going to have to retry the DIY again tomorrow as my first attempt did not work.  Plan b will have to happen now, and if that fails I will give Dad a call lol.  At least the pole is the correct length after a trip to see my brother, so a very small amount of progress has been made.

Feel like today hasnt been as productive as I had hoped, but it will all be done at some point

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DIY went much better today and I wish I had gone with plan b from the start.  It was very quick and I am getting the hang of certain things now.  The curtain pole is up and it works just how I imagined it would - no cold drafts in the winter months.  I was also quite impressed that I was able to find all of the tools in my garage, where I thought they would be especially as I haven't managed to get in there as yet to tidy up.

Pork is in the slow cooker and smelling good ready for the bbq seasoning to be added for our pulled pork.  Such and easy dinner.  Going to try to freeze some of the meat for an easy pre made dinner for a few weeks time.

DD2 has finished her last session of volunteering at the library.  We were a little unsure if she was needed but she turned up anyway.  There was already a lady there and they got talking.  The lady volunteers at a local charity shop and said DD2 should come and help.  I thought she would hate this idea but agreed that it would be a good idea now the library has finished.  She has to be 14 so when she has her birthday she can apply.  Not sure they will need anyone, but I am pleased she is willing.  The hope is that it will give her some confidence in talking to people / strangers by the time she is old enough to get paid work, as she has no confidence currently.

DD1 is bored but cleaning is not the solution to her boredom apparently.  Shame as there are plenty of jobs around the house that would help me out lol.  She is waiting for her friendship groups bbq which seems ages away at the moment.  She has made some rocky road to take along.  There is also enough for her lunch box, which was the main idea of her baking last night.

No money spent as yet today.  I have told DS to look for hoodies as he is seriously lacking in items other than shorts and t-shirts.  Thinking birthday gifts too.  Either way I doubt that I will place an order today, but who knows.  I think I may get the wool out and try to make something as it is autumn type weather today and I am struggling to find anything exciting to watch on tv.

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Happy September.  It is the final day of the summer holidays for me and I don't have too much planned for today.  A last restful chilled day I think.  I need to be at work at 7.30am in the morning so will have an early night.  DS has work this morning and as DD1 no longer works there I need to drop off and pick him up. 

This evening will be a mini roast dinner, got chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken so less time to cook.  Last nights dinner went down better than planned and DD1s BF also had some so there is not enough for the freezer.  Will use the left overs for lunches this week instead.

Best wake DS up and get him off to work

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Grass and hedge cut.  Just the borders that need a good weed now.  There are more weeds than there are plants currently.  I often wondered if I should re turf the front as I am just cutting weeds most of the time and very little grass.  Anyway not a job for this year, something to think about.

DD1 and BF cooked us lunch which was very nice.  I need to load the dishwasher though as they have gone out for a walk.

I need to find what I did with the good luck card that I bought DD1 ready for work tomorrow.  She is getting nervous but that is normal and I am sure she will be fine.