The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

I am finally feeling a little better.  The fact that I am still out of my bed proves that I am on the mend.  I have been in bed by 6.30 to 8pm for the past 3 nights and DD1 has been great at sorting out dinner and the other 2.  I only managed pizza tonight for dinner but at least DD didn't have to cook it today.
I have just made a non essential purchase of a Christmas duvet set for myself.  XH always said no it wasn't allowed so when I found one that I liked I decided to buy it.  Its only £12 so not breaking the bank.  I also paid for the belts in the car to be replaced today, but happy that the car is now safe for our trip to my sisters for the holidays.
I have a lot to do tomorrow so hoping energy is increased and lasts well.  I have a tree to decorate after I have been in the loft to get the decorations.  I also have a skip to fill and the girls room to finish getting ready.  So I am going off to bed now to get a good nights sleep hopefully

slm6002

I am much better now and back to normal health.  Still tired but always am lol.  Work is going well.  I have been in all week full time and will be again tomorrow due to a bereavement of a family member of one of my office ladies.  I was happy to help cover the rest of the days just in case anything happens.  I managed to decorate our tree at the local museum at the weekend as well as filling the skip.  I was expecting it to be collected on Tuesday but it is still on my driveway.  If I had know I would have taken my time.
I have decided that the next project after bedrooms, solar panels, downstairs bathroom is the ripping out and new bathroom.  For years there have been issues with many parts of it including it raining downstairs if the shower hits a certain part of the fixings.  It happened again tonight at the kids bath time.  I do need to give them yet another lesson obviously on how not to soak the entire room when showering.  I think we need a fixed shower head attached to the ceiling rather than one that can move.  The water would then go down rather than aimed at the wall that isn't waterproof!  Anyway I need to save more money before this can be done as well as getting the other bits done first.
Off for a shower myself and hoping I dont make as much mess as the kids

slm6002

Happy December to you all.  My cold has gone and booster effects have disappeared and I am ready to face this month.  I have had my first wage slip and pay where no tax errors have been made and no extra or half months have been made.  Its good to get a normal month as I can now plan based on this.  I do need to be careful with money as after last months higher than normal wage, my benefits were much lower than normal so I have less.  It all balances out eventually.
Its been extra cold recently so the heating has been on quite a bit, but the girls room doesn't seem to be getting rid of the dampness in the air or getting the warmth the rest of the rooms have.  DD1'S bed is on 2 outside walls and she just can not get warm.  I am wondering if i can somehow add an extra layer of insulation as the bed will not and can not change places especially when the room is divided.  The radiator is working well so not sure what is going on.
Got a busy weekend with the children's Christmas concert, a work Christmas night out (just the ladies in my office / department), and a Daddy day on Sunday.  This will be my opportunity to get bits wrapped without little eyes seeing.  Still no idea on the children's main gift as yet but I think i know most of the remaining bits for everyone else so am nearly there.  I no longer feel as it I am so behind which is great.  The plan is to still go to my sisters but also waiting on government to scupper that.  Got a back up roast dinner in the freezer so we are set either way.

slm6002

We've had a lovely but busy weekend.  Friday night I went out for a meal with the ladies from my office.  We had the set menu and it was a really lovely night out and not too expensive.  The restaurant wasn't too busy which was great and I felt very safe.  On Sat we had our first concert in a very long time in the church with all of the Christmas trees.  It was great and even better as XH never turned up.  I was worried that I would need to see him as this was really the only activity that he did used to attend of the children's when we were together.  The children were not surprised when he was a no show and had plenty of friends that are like family to make up for it.  DS also received an award which was good for him.  Sunday they went out with XH and I wrapped all of the bits from Santa.  I feel as if I've made progress.  Still not completely sure what to get the kids but got them a few smaller bits.

Just heard from the builder and the news is that he wont make it until January (no actual date as yet, but not just an open ended in the new year).  I was starting to expect this but at least we can relax and be off duty as half expected very late notice and then scrambling to get the room cleared.  We can relax over Christmas.  I have also asked him to price up the downstairs toilet while he is here and add us to the waiting list.  Figured by the time I have saved up it he might get back here lol.  I am really hoping that because they are so busy they are really as good as their reviews say. DD1 not impressed but nothing we can do other than wait.

She is doing her mocks this week and next, and it would appear the school have yet to teach them quite a lot of subjects and only now realising.  They are blaming lockdowns but really the school isn't great in the first place, so add in covid and they really are going to struggle.  I've told her to just do her best and we will try to fill in her learning gaps before the real exams.  She received a conditional offer to her college course she would like to do so she is happy about that.

My council tax discount (due to low income) has been cancelled as it looks like I earnt lots more money last month and therefore universal credits were low.  I spoke to them today to say that it was in fact a tax code error and the extra money was that being paid back rather than a raise in wages.  I need to send in my benefit summary for this month when it comes through and they will relook at it.  I can't wait for the rest of the benefits etc to catch up with my regular income as it has finally become the same amount each month.

Work is going well and now less than 2 weeks left before the holidays.  People are starting to go off with covid though so really hoping not to - fingers crossed

slm6002

Just as things were going well I have just heard that my best friends husband has had a heart attack and died this afternoon.  They have been there for me so much and it is such a shock and totally unexpected.  If I can be there for her as much as she has been there for me hopefully she will be ok.  It's just so sad and sudden.

FtbDreaming

Aww what terrible news @slm6002 I hope you take a bit of time yourself too to let it sink in and grieve. Things like this really do put things in perspective. I’m sure you’ll be there for her as she was you xxx

slm6002

Thank you, I visited my friend today (had been staying away until she was ready) and we both had a good cry.  She is numb and still trying to process the whole thing, as are most people.  Its the first time I have ever seen her as the one in need.  She is always so strong.  She will be ok because of this, but wish I could take her pain away.  Why is it the good ones go and the ones we don't want around stay.

slm6002

Not long left until the end of term now.  Christmas lunch at school tomorrow which will hopefully be good.  We are trying to keep all germs outside of our office but its becoming more and more difficult as time goes on.  If we can just make it a few more days that would be good.  Because of the children's free school meals we have been invited to a few activities over the holidays.  We are going to go swimming with lunch / snacks one day and outdoor cooking another day.  There will be a box of goodies to bring home from that too.  There are several other activities on offer but all within the holiday prior to Christmas and then it goes quite after that.
It's coming up to that time of year where I get to prepare my yearly spreadsheet and budget for the following year.  I have had back up savings to fall back on the past year or so but after the bedrooms and solar panels I will only have my emergency pot to fall back on.  It means that things will have to be much stricter than they have been.  I cant just buy things if they are not budgeted for.  I used to go to several supermarkets a week to get the best deals but have become lazy.  Its partly because of covid and partly the fact I have less time to do so.  This may have to change so that I can start to control the food budget again like I used to do.  DS is very fussy but I am trying to find filling meals that he will put up with and maybe one day like, but are easy to cook and cheap. He just about ate chicken stew the other day, even if he did moan about every single mouthful.  This will be helpful as I can pop it in the slow cooker and come home to a hot meal.  I am also hoping to stretch it so that I can come home the next day and eat the leftovers for lunch.  Or maybe putting jacket potatoes in the over when cooking other things so I can have those the next day. I know I can do it because I have in the past.  It's just a case of planning and organising.
Anyway must go and get in the shower and then bed.  I hope you all have a great day tomorrow

joedenise

If you’re cooking jacket potatoes cook extra and then wrap and freeze.  Easily reheat in oven or microwave.  Can also cook wrapped in foil in the SC - can get about 8 in a 3.5l SC.

slm6002

Thank you for the suggestion.  I have tried in the slow cooker before but they tasted strange and kids were not keen.  Will definitely do more than we need and freeze though.