The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

I am exhausted.  Done so many steps (for me) but did get everything and more sorted before I have flopped on sofa.  
Driving test went as expected but at least he knows the whole procedure and how it works,  so if and when he is ready he can revise properly and then have a better go at it.  To be fair he got more than I think we both expected.

The dentist went well for DS but poor DD2 who despite brushing her teeth properly is still requiring more work.  Dentist said it was because she was calcium deficient this time.  She always drinks plenty of milk and to be honest probably has a better intake of calcium that the rest of us.  Will see if I can increase it more or if any supplements might help.  She has also been put forward for braces but the wait is over 2 years.  She has far too many teeth for the size of her mouth and always has done so will need them, as well as some teeth to be removed.

While my dad was in the dentist with the children I walked across town and returned some of the clothes that were too small from the shopping trip the other week.  Primark was packed with people and so many in the queue had husbands and children that really could have waiting else where.  No wonder the queue was winding through the aisles.  Anyway it is done.

Needed to stop for ketchup on the way home and as I was pulling in my tyre pressure light went on.  Typically the pump was in DD1's car, but I remembered my dad was also planning on stopping there.  Luckily he was there and took me to the local halfords where I purchased my own pump for the car.  Hopefully it is a 1 off but will keep checking to make sure.  Unfortunately the warning light is still on so not sure if the garage need to reset the light or if something is still wrong.  Might google it shortly.   Googled it and I should be able to sort that tomorrow easily enough.

The pulled pork smells good, but no one has appeared saying they are hungry as yet and expect at least 1 of them is having a little nap.  Will see if I can get anyone to answer me and then I think it will be an early night.

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Up early as I found a freezer that would work in the garage as it could cope with being in cold temperatures, which clearly the current one cant.  It is being delivered today so I have removed the old one from the garage and using the bbq tongs prized open the lid (solid ice all around).  I have bagged up the contents so I can transfer them easily to the new one even though I know it will need to get to temperature and settle first.  I figured maybe it will reach optimum temp quicker if there is already frozen things in it?  To be honest there is no where else for it to go so it has to be put in there and we will keep fingers crossed that it doesn't defrost in the mean time.  They are taking the old freezer away for free too which will save disposal fee at the council of at least £45.

I have let all 3 children sleep in as DD1 was complaining about waking her yesterday while waking the other 2 for our busy day, which in turn made her grumpy for the remainder of the day.  I don't need grumpy children today.  Had to make sure I was up early too as the bin didn't get put out last night either and didn't want to miss that.

Spoke to my Uncle yesterday evening and it looks like he is planning a visit over the Easter holidays so I need to finish the DIY project that he was doing, that I said I would carry on with the day he left.  Will need to find somewhere he can park too possibly.  Dreamt last night that the neighbours were selling up because of the parking too, which filled me with dread as it would lead to more unknown.  Better the devil you know.  Thankfully it was just a dream but I can see it happening soon.

Washing machine and dryer are working at full capacity today.  Given up waiting for DD1 to do her own washing as it was just sitting there.  The rest of us need clothes so I have done it for her.  No doubt it will be wrong but there are others living here too.  Once the freezer has arrived and I am not watching for the lorry I will sort the already washed washing and put it in the right bedrooms.

Managed to complete quite a few surveys this morning and it meant that I was able to finally cash out and transfer it to a voucher.  Still have another £4 ish to clear so on my way to the next one too.

Off down the road shortly to collect some fidget toys for school from someone on Olio.  They will get a lot of use and no need to pay for them

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The freezer is settled and doing its job well, but the old one couldn't be taken away today as it was still icy.  I am defrosting it outside (hopefully the layers of ice will melt) and they will collect it free of charge on Friday of I leave it at the back gate.  Once it has settled I will take the food out of the bags and organise it a little more.

I feel so sleepy today so grateful that there wasn't much else needing to be sorted.  Many loads of washing have been sorted and a few lots put away so far, but another restful day.

Tomorrow I need to pop to town to help DD2 bank her money and take her glasses in for repair.  I will also visit the refill shop for some herbs and dates.  I think I may also have a library book to take back and maybe another to collect.  Tomorrow is also the last sports club night for a few weeks as we are unable to use the hall.  I need to do some paperwork for it to keep up to date.

A few more surveys completed as well so money is coming in slowly.

slm6002

Off to town shortly but it is looking grotty out there so it will be a quick trip I think.  DD2 and friend are supposed to be taking a picnic to the rec for lunch and staying there all day.  It isn't the type of weather that you want to be doing that so plans may still change as yet.

I think a little to do list might help me today:
* Wash door curtain
* Post mum's bday and mothers day cards
* Take DD2's glasses in for repair
* Ring bank
* Paperwork for club
* Finish washing mountain

That will do for now I think as still feeling very lazy.

slm6002

Well we had a change of plan this morning when I went to take DD2 into town.  My tyre was as flat as a pancake, so I used the pump to get it up and running, then drove to the tyre place, while DD2 was late to meet her friend.  They are fully booked until later today.  So made an appointment for 3.30.  Decided to then collect the cats flea treatments that I had forgotten about for a few weeks as I was close by.  Also booked for cat to be looked at tomorrow as he has a lump that the vet said to keep an eye on in December.  As it is still there it is time for it to be looked at.  Tomorrow evening will cost at least £65 but we do have insurance so if something is needed then hopefully it will only be the excess of £85 to pay and I have that ready in the cat funds pot.  So with a new tyre maybe and a trip to the vets my money pots are going to be stretched in the next day or 2.  Will need to get the cat basket out of the loft - ladder is currently in the garage.

Didn't make it to town and DD2 and friend ended up back at the house as it is too cold to sit at the park.  I have given in and put the heating on for a little while, just to warm the house up a little.  I did get to the drs surgery to collect my hearing aid batteries (been meaning to do this for months), and then onto lidl to get my free donut and some bits to pop in the freezer for easy dinners.

Cleaned the kitchen as the kids had left it in a big mess and put on the next load of washing.  At least some bits have been done today even if it is not what I had planned.

Been on hold for 67 minutes trying to shut down an old account of DS's as we haven't used it for 15 years or so and I keep meaning to shut it.  The lady on the end of the phone has no idea how to do it and insists on trying to find our relationship manager to get the ok to shut account.  The branch has been shut down which is why I phoned and the staff are probably all have new jobs elsewhere now.  It only had £3.41 in it which has been successfully transferred to his.  Well the account remains open and told to go to a real branch - not easy as you shut them all.  Her final words were 'is there anything else I can do for you?'....... excuse me lol

slm6002

OK tyre patched and £29, I can cope with that.  Fingers crossed the vets bill is just as cheap.

DD1 and BF are fighting.  I can see stormy times ahead

slm6002

Well the good luck continued to today and it was just a consultation that was charged.  Not sure quite how we managed that but I did ask the question as the cat had a local anaesthetic and small procedure to try to get sample from the lump,  but it turned out to be a cyst so it has now gone.  We need to keep an eye on it but hopefully that is that and nothing nasty instead.  Happy about the result and the minimum cost.

Managed to get into town earlier to pay money into DD2's bank account, then to the refill shop (£1.96) and the opticians to get her glasses mended (no cost) and then lastly the library to return a book.  We then stopped off at lidl for our free baguette, free bag of potatoes and the free bottle of fizzy.

Cant quite believe it is the weekend already.  This week has flown by but we have had some relaxed days as well as some really busy days.  Hopefully we will all be refreshed for the next half term

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Managed to get DD2 to do her art homework that she has been putting off as she didn't really understand what she was doing as wasn't in school the day they did it.  Lots of grumpy huffs and puffs later she is almost done, and it really wasn't as bad as she made it out to be.  I did one along side her too which was quite fun.  In my day we had to draw the picture but this was much easier as it was just distorting a picture on the computer.  Not had her PE kit to wash as yet so once the door curtain is out of the washing machine I will get her to bring it down.

Need to go and feed my brothers cat shortly as they are away for the night.  Will need to do in the morning as well, but it does mean that I get to have a good nose at their new kitchen they have had put in, and see if I can get any good ideas from it.

Not been anywhere today so it has been a NSD again.  Sausage and mash for dinner.  DD1 has already made sure we are having this for dinner as she is at work and really fancying it when she gets home.  Her BF has just gone to hospital after a day biking with friends in the wood.  He has fallen off his bike and needed stitches again.  He is so accident prone, she already feels like she is looking after a child when they are alone.

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This morning we have woken up to beautiful blue skies and sunshine.  I am able to wear my fleece jacket when out and about rather than my big sleeping bag style coat.  I have the back door open (although will shut soon) to let some fresh air in.  It just makes me feel more productive.  Not sure how long it will last as I know some have some very grotty weather today.

So far I have fed my brothers cat and then taken DS to work.  Not sure what we will be doing today other than cleaning up and getting ready for back to school tomorrow.  I have my Uncle coming for a visit at the end of this half term but will arrive on the last day of school, so will have no holiday time to prepare.  Need to factor in some DIY time during the weekends up to then, so he doesn't feel the need to help.  I need to sort the garden out too so that it looks presentable.  The daffodils are starting to pop up in the front garden.

Right best go wake DD2 so she doesn't waste the day away in bed.

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Clearly I should have kept quiet at the sun has vanished and it has turned chilly.  Big jumpers back on and window and door shut.  Got the left over sausages cooking and will warm up a part baked baguette for lunch as we have no bread.  Keep forgetting it when at the supermarket.  Will collect some on the way to get DS as we need more cat food too.

Planning my packed lunches for the next week, I am going to see if I can make a sandwich filler like they sell in the shops but for a fraction of the price.  Need some that can be made the night before or frozen so I don't run out of time in the morning and resort to shop bought sandwiches as they really are not that great.