The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Got everything and more done other than visiting the library.  Hope to get there in the next few days but we will see.  I managed to cut the grass too after asking the old neighbour if it was dry enough.  I ran out of time before I was due a phone call, so I still need to do the edges and weed the borders.

I have also been decluttering the boxes in my bedroom and need to condense 8 cube boxes into 4.  I have looked through a few of them and really I can probably have a big clear out but I have exhausted my energy this evening.  For now it is shower and bed time and I will try again tomorrow.

slm6002

Slept better last night so getting used to the mattress change I think. 

Whole day at work today but have made my lunch with last nights left overs so no need to buy anything.  I do need to get cat food today though as they are currently eating the last few biscuits and will probably be starving by the time I get home.

I asked for my contract from the estate agents and was surprised to see it is for 21 weeks rather than12.  I wish I could find my copy, but not sure I even had one otherwise it would be with the rest of my paperwork.  I know we discussed 12 weeks and after the terrible service of previous estate agents I would have been reluctant to go for 21 weeks.  Either way I guess I am stuck with them for a while longer (until September), so will either take the pictures ourself or get them to come back and try again.  I had another estate agent knock on my door and give me his card today.  He was surprised that there had been no viewings as yet.  Maybe today is the day we will get a call.

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Done for the week at work.  Met the new executive head today - I really loose track at work, who is who and who they are in charge of.  Seemed nice enough.  Found out exactly where we are heading on our 1st day back and was asked my opinion on what activities we should do in the next pd day, that is only a few weeks away.  After yesterdays full day I have caught up with most bits that I needed to do.  Anyway nothing else needed work wise until next week now.  DD2 is walking home so I don't need to venture out this evening either.

Got home to a grumpy DD1 as I wouldn't let her buy an oversized garden seat.  It is just too big to go anywhere, but I am obviously in the wrong.

Tomorrow I have a craft day to go to which should be fun.  I need to check the road is open again and try to remember where I need to go.  It will take about 45 min to get there and starts at 10 so not too early.  Then Sunday is fathers day and DS at work, but other than that not much else is happening.

The children do however have a party tomorrow with XH's side of the family who we rarely have contact with.  It is also possible that XH will be there (they do not want him to be as they do not want to see him).  I have told them that if they want to go it doesn't mean they have to speak to him if they don't want to, but also if they decided to say hi that is ok too.  I have also told them they can change their mind and send their apologies - behaviours are becoming grouchy (see above) and little things niggling at them and I suspect knowing that it is tomorrow has a lot to do with it.  

Anyway the washing machine has just pinged so I better get it onto the line before the storms hit - looks too lovely for that to happen currently.

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Soon be time to go to club and need to collect my prescription on the way.  I need to find the ladder so I can get my summer clothes down from the loft as need short trousers for work and more summer dresses.

The children went to the party and tempers were short leading up to it especially DD1.  When they got there she burst into tears as she could see XH's work van and BF had to talk her round.  I said they can still come home without going inside if they need to.  The went in and he was by the door with partner and her daughter.  He said hello, bought them a drink and then ran out of conversation (you would if you don't know your children well).  The kids went over to some relatives they felt at ease with and saw XH leave.  The rest of the relatives seemed to have seen how little effort he has made since leaving and could understand why they nearly didn't come because of him.  Several of them asked after me having realised they had been fooled by him and the reasons he gave for leaving, and turning them against me.  Not sure I could go back now but I was glad they have seen his real colours.

Anyway as he was in his works van and had mentioned that he is now back working, that means he is surely earning more than £6500 a year!  Having spoken to child maintenance yesterday they can see yes he is indeed earning more and they are reassessing things.  I may get more than the £9 from him a week that I was due to get.  Had I have not called them he would have been paying this new amount for the whole year as it had only just been assessed.  Will need to wait another 4 weeks for new letter but the lady on the phone said it should go though and be adjusted as he was clearly earning more.

My craft session was really fun and we all produced some lovely bits to bring home.  It was shorter than expected so I was able to go food shopping that afternoon.  I have been food shopping in lidls but it is more expensive than when I shop online.  Not sure if I am picking more up, things are more expensive in general everywhere or if before I would do a shop online and then need to nip in somewhere for bits and bobs.  Although smaller amounts, they would have added up to similar.  Think I need to investigate a little more.

We have now been on the market for 10 weeks and still not 1 single viewing.  Almost ready to send new photos in the hope that it generates some interest

slm6002

Been a hot week and just today to go at work.  I am the only one today as DS finished for the year the other week, DD1 is on her days off (and still in a particularly grumpy mood) and DD2 has a PD day so going to enjoy her lie in and get homework sorted apparently.  Makes getting out of the house on time much easier I suppose lol.

Will be home at lunch time and getting cooler clothes on.  I need to sand and paint 1 of my bedroom wall sooner rather than later just in case someone comes to view.  Once that is done I will set it up and take some new photos.  When it is cooler (maybe this evening) I need to weed the front garden and cut the hedges front and back, as they have grown so much this past few weeks.

We have a clear weekend so it will just be pottering about and resting in the shade I think. Only 4 weeks and 2 days until the summer break.  Not planned anything for the holidays as yet so will need to find some bits to do or places to go.

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Very hot again so am minimising the amount of time in the sun (I just burn so more comfortable to stay indoors), windows all open and a good flow of air blowing through the house.

Washing almost done, just waiting for DS to bring his down, and hopefully it will be dried before the bbqs get going this evening.

I was going to go to the shops for the weekly shop this morning but decided that we have bread, milk and cheese as well as enough for tonights dinner (Ham in the slow cooker as we speak).  I will reassess tomorrow but hoping to get rid of the odds and ends in the freezer.  I might just buy some fresh fruit and veg.  I also picked up some fancy drinks from olio so kids can have those as a treat.  My only niggle to make me do the shopping today is that I have a 10% off voucher that finishes today.  Maybe later tonight I will go once it has cooled a little.

My bank account took a hit yesterday as my subscription for virus protection went through.  I need to make a note of it so not to be surprised again next year.  Anyway that took a chunk out and now have only a little to get through until  25th when I get my benefits payment.  I am sure month after month my account is ending at a lower balance.  I have money in pots but would like to leave it there for now unless we really need it.

I have some free energy tomorrow afternoon from electric company.  I might cook dinner early and bake some treats.  I have a fair coming up and could do with practicing some of the recipes before the day.

slm6002

Well I have only just managed to hang up the washing that was left over as DS only bought his load down this morning on the way out the door to work.  I do not envy him being in a kitchen today.  DD1 is also in her thick material uniform working until 8 tonight.  I think both will need a cold shower on their return.  Told them that it will be homemade pizza for dinner so something to look forward to.

All windows are open and there is a good breeze through the house again,  and I am expecting to spend a lot of my time in the living room where it is coolest.  DD2 has barely left her stuffy room so will encourage her downstairs.  She doesn't like her window open as the spiders come in, but it is so hot in there an not air moving.

On the way home from dropping DS off at work I nipped into lidl for fruit and another loaf of bread,  as that is all that we need for the next few days.  Even if I had gone yesterday evening I would have only save a few pennies and being tired would probably have bought treats as well.

I think I will load all electrical equipment ready for the free electricity hour at 2, and then sit and plan the summer hols

slm6002

Half way through the week again and feeling tired but no clubs for the rest of the week so we can rest once home.  Tonight will also be an early night if I choose it to be as once DD1 has had dinner she will be off to see BF before he goes on holiday.  The next week will be fun with her moping around missing him, but we will get through it.

Benefits arrived in my bank this morning thankfully as money was getting low.  I have moved money into the right pots.  Lots of end of term events happening in July so will need to make sure there is enough in my personal spends pots for those.

Cashed out some restaurant vouchers for the summer holidays.  We can now go to Pizza Hut and Nandos for some treats. I have quite a nice sum in the holiday pot but no plans on holidays as yet.  The free holiday workshops go live on Monday so I expect at least DD2 will have some plans before long. I need to up my surveys as I have neglected them quite a bit

slm6002

Been a hot few days and today will be another.  Plants in the garden are looking a bit worse for wear apart from the weeds which are thriving!  Cut the hedge at the back yesterday and need to do the front soon but my green bin is currently full.  We are thinking about how to make our back garden more desirable for buyers and may end up having to lay some grass.  Need to see if fake or real grass is the cheapest option, as while I would prefer real the fake would possibly look better instantly.  Agents say they are doing everything that they can but we have again been removed from their window.

Money... current account is tight until tomorrow when I get paid as I have already put most of it to my saving pots.  I bought some dresses for summer and work, although most will no doubt go back. This will come from the clothing pot.  I also need to buy some food today.  We are off on a picnic with my dad, sister and her partner at the local cricket place.  Sisters OH loves his cricket so said we would join them.  We know nothing about it, but should be relaxing hopefully.

Countdown at work now.  3 weeks 2 days to go.  A few big things to do before I finish but think we are getting there.  DD2 has shows this week as well as the normal clubs so it will be busy 

slm6002

Another week down and we are nearly at the end.  Been a long week and have done some long days as well as having lots on in the evenings.  DD2 and I have a fete to attend with band, DD1 is at BF most of the weekend as he has returned from his holidays, as DS will no doubt stay in his room until work on Sunday.

Payday has been and gone, and pots sorted and filled.  I have today bought some food as even the basics had been used and the children were starting to complain they were wasting away!  It was only really a top up shop to keep us going as I just wanted to get home after work this afternoon.  I need to give the fridge a good clean before I do the next shop as it looks grubby.  In fact the whole house could use a clean - will do in small bursts over the weekend.

Loving this slightly cooler but still sunny weather.  A nice breeze to help stay at a good temperature.  Saying that it looks like rain for the weekend, so put a load of washing on the line when I got home.  It's a little late but hopefully still enough time before the sun goes down to dry things.

No plans to spend this weekend but if I end up at the fete we may buy a few raffle tickets maybe.  The band often get a free drink and bit of cake so no need to spend anything else