The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Woke up this morning to an email from the child maint people.  Good news is XH will now have to pay more each week, after neglecting to inform them he is now back at work.  Rather than the £10 ish per week he will now need to pay £71 ish per week.  Quite a difference that will certainly help with all of the increases happening at the moment.  I am sure he is thrilled with this good news lol.  He is also nearly £3K in arrears so will probably be paying it back once the children are over 18.

It stayed dry for the fete and a lot of people came out to take part even though it started drizzling towards the end.

debtfreewannabe321

Great news on the child maintenance! I hope he sticks to paying it! 

dawnybabes

Serves him right, can’t believe he’s not been paying 

slm6002

Thank you, I am happy that we will have a bit more money coming in.  He was paying around £10 a week but that isn't really going to provide for 2 children.  I am pretty sure his wage has been increased for quite some time so he has got away with it.  If I hadn't have called he would have had at least another year at the lower rate.  Anyway I think it is Wednesday when my first payment will hit the bank.

Already had a couple of power cuts this morning and we have a weather warning for thunder,  although its not raining or thundering as yet and actually looks like the sun is about to come out.  I am guessing as soon as I peg some washing out it will turn.

I have decided to get the garden out the back turfed.  If it helps to sell good, and if we don't sell it will still be nice to use.  I will message the chap later today to get that in the diary.  He seemed to think it would be a job he could do soon.  I need to get in the garage to get the paint for my room and to touch up a few areas of woodwork.  I am going to also write a list of jobs that need to be done over the holidays.  While I don't want to spend all 6 weeks working on the house it would be good to have it all done.

Time to hang my washing out - fingers crossed it stays bright for a little while at least

debtfreewannabe321

We have had rain all morning so far. Hoping the grass might revive a bit with it. Hopefully the weather holds out for you and the washing 🤞.

slm6002

It got darker and darker and I opted for the tumble dryer, which is a good job as a few minutes after that the sky fell down.  I have also noticed my front gutter is needing some attention as it was just pouring from it.  It has dried up again but now heading back to the dark skies.

Confirmed we would like our back garden turfed and he will let me know a day and time asap.  Hoping I have made the right decision.

Roast chicken for dinner tonight, will strip the rest of the meat for another meal on tomorrow or Tuesday.  Might have enough too for sandwiches tomorrow.  It will be an early night after showers and ready for a busy week - 2 weeks and 2 days to go - so its getting close to everyone needing things that they have only just remembered before the end of term, and while I have tried to think ahead for them, there will always be projects handed to me last minute.

slm6002

Another day crossed off.  Bought DD2's Christmas or birthday present today (ticket to watch Mamma Mia on tour at the theatre about an hour away).  She likes getting tickets and this is a favourite of hers.  I don't mind being her plus one either lol.  I have also pre purchased the new Jurassic park DVD for DS's birthday or Christmas.  He mentioned it the other day and as he never wants anything I jumped at the idea.  Both costs will come out of the designated pots.  

DS is 18 this year and when DD1 turned 18 I made her a photo book of her life so far.  I plan on doing this again so need to start working on his and gathering pictures ready.  Hers took much longer than expected so I need to make a start on it asap.

Could use a little nap right now but will pick up time soon and then band tonight.  Will sleep well tonight instead.

slm6002

And another day crossed off - 1 week 4 days to go.  Crossed a good few things off the list today as well so feel like I am getting somewhere.

It was supposed to be the first payment from XH today at the new rate but he seems to have kept it at the old rate.  Hopefully it will be amended and I will soon be getting more.  Will adjust spreadsheet and assume lower rate for the next few weeks until he changes it.  If it happens quicker it will be a bonus.  As we go through the official service I am assuming they know the amount he has paid and will be chasing him.

Booked in a few more little treats for the holiday - pizza hut meal (using vouchers) and skating (free for those on free school meals - only spectator needs to pay (me)).  Booked the eye tests and the dentist was already in the calendar.  Kids should go back to school fully serviced lol.  Only other things to book are hair cuts but need to do near the end of the holidays.  Will get DS son to hair dressers towards the end of this week as well so enough time between cuts.

School has been emailed to ask if their 2nd hand shop has any jumpers or blazers in the next size up as DD2 has now outgrown / destroyed hers.  Her jumper is beyond darning - honestly not sure how they have got to this state, but at least I haven't needed to buy any for 3 years.  I will also be looking on FB pages for anyone selling, and the local charity shops.

debtfreewannabe321

I'd contact CMS through the website and flag up the payment tbh otherwise it could be ages before they see it. 

I used to get free blazers and PE kits via the school once I knew the people in lost property (my DS2 is unlike anyone I've ever known he used to lose half his uniform at least once a week and I was always there. The lost property people used to just say, help yourself no one has been for any of this in years 😅). 

Hope the last couple of weeks go quickly. I used to think I got ages off at school but now I'm in college I feel I've already had a holiday before school has even broken up!

slm6002

Thank you DFW I will email them and let them know.  I am still waiting on the school and will try calling if I havent heard in by next week.  

Exciting news - I have a lawn out the back.  Last night they contacted me and told me they would be here at 8 to get started.  They thought it might take 2 days but it is all finished and looking lovely.  I need to water well morning and night, and not walk on it for 2 weeks.  That can be done, but my washing line is in the middle of it lol.  All the lovely warm weather and I cant dry things on the line

Not much else has happened today but 1 week 3 days to go