The Best Is Yet To Come

Kitten868

Oh please don't beat yourself up about the food budget. In between inflation and covid it's impossible to bargain hunt the way we used to. You aren't lazy. We have all had to adjust and it just costs more.

I am so amazed at all you do. You fit in so much more than I do with my children. I just don't seem to have the time or the mental energy. I don't know how you do it.

I'm so sorry about your friend's husband. It's just hateful. I'm just glad she has you. 

xxxx

slm6002

Thank you Kitten, if you saw the bags under my eyes and knew about my fizzy pop / caffeine addiction that would explain how I get through each day lol.  I am trying to make the most of things that are free while I qualify for them because as soon as we are no longer entitled to free school dinners I wont get these offers and then it will be too expensive.  I also find that often they have spaces left on these activities and figure if people don't use them they will stop them and that would be such a shame.

Our Christmas activity has been cancelled for tonight because of the new virus.  It is postponed until March so hopefully things will look better by then.  This means that we only have one more night out this week for clubs.  I hate going out in the dark and cold after the school run. 

My sister has tested positive so is isolating until 21st.  Fingers crossed the rest of us do not get it, or it will mean we cant visit for Christmas.  Either way we will have a good day and I have all of the food ready in the freezer just in case as I was expecting a similar situation to last year.  Would be handy to know as soon as possible so we might be able to post gifts to each other.

Anyway a no spend day thanks to the cancellation of party.  Will need a few more of these in the coming months

slm6002

Yay its the holidays.  No school for a few weeks at least.  I am having a sit down as been on my feet all morning doing our outdoor cooking session.  There were some very loud children with us this time round, so I'm happy to be off my feet in the quiet of home.  We cooked leek and potato soup, flat breads and chocolate bananas over a camp fire. All the food was very nice and we have several portions that I will whizz up a little more to please those not liking bits, and then pop them in the freezer. I am quite glad that we didn't need to make the fire this time as it is so damp, I don't think it would have worked very well.  We stink of smoke but waiting for the water to heat up before we shower.  My coat is already in the wash and the next load will be the rest of our clothes.  We were sent home with a box of festive foods including a chicken, sausage meat, sausages and gammon, plus cream, cheese, pastry, eggs, Christmas pudding and enough veg to go with it all.  We really are grateful for these activities and boxes of extra food.
On Monday we should be going swimming in another town and also I need to go to the bank.  The branch we used to use in our town has shut so it makes it much more difficult to bank the clubs money, and I don't want the concert money hanging around when we are not home.  I was wondering if we should cancel it as I don't want to get ill before we go my sister, plus we still need to visit nan as well as a few other people.  Will think about it tomorrow when the children are with XH.  So far 2 out of 3 don't really want to go, but feel as its the last one before Christmas they should make an effort.  It's getting harder and harder to encourage them each fortnight.
Right must go and get DD2 to get in the shower and then its me next

slm6002

Ooh and I forgot, I have passed my probation period.  Just need Head to OK it too and I will be an actual member of staff

slm6002

OK I need some advice / recommendations please.  DS needs his first razor but is very self conscious at the moment so not really willing to discuss things much.  XH useless and insensitive so its down to me - we are not surprised.  I figured he would be better with an electric razor purely to prevent cutting himself.  What do I need to look for - any special features or is it better to keep simple?

Eager_Elephant

My son has always just used a normal razor, as long as it is sharp he will be fine.
The problem comes when it is blunt so they press harder and end up cutting themselves.

Humdinger1

Slm congratulations on passing your probation! Not that it's any surprise...you are a force of nature, as all your devoted admirers can confirm.   Yep I'd agree that everything is more expensive and nothing short if a magic wand can fix that.  We can mitigate sometimes and you are doing brilliantly.   Love Humdinger x

tryingtodobetter

I got my 2 older DS's the Harry's Razor trial set, you just pay for postage. The blades aren't too expensive and as he won't be shaving often they won't need replacing too often, they have a guide on the website as to how often he would need them. It is a subscription service but can be cancelled at any point. There's a YouTuber called 'Dad how do I' that has helpful videos on all sorts of things and includes wet and dry shaving, maybe have a look and then send the link to your son if you think he might be a bit embarrassed. 

slm6002

Thank you all for your advice, I will suggest he has a look at the you tube  as that looks really useful for shaving and possibly many other things he may need help with along the way.  He is outnumbered in the house with all us girls and think it gets to him every now and again.

We have decided to stay home rather than do any more activities before going to my sisters just to stop the chances of picking anything up.  We all had a lovely lay in this morning and are all just pottering around the house.  Several deliveries are due to turn up today so we will get those wrapped and ready for delivering.  One thing being delivered is slippers for my dad.  This is the second pair that I have bought this year but for the life of me do not know where I have put them.  I have hunted everywhere with no luck.  I gave in and bought a new pair, thinking that I ca either take them back when I find them, or feel pleased with myself as I have already started shopping for Christmas 2022 lol.

DD2 has watched a you tube video about cleaning and getting depressed if things are not clean so is merrily making the house tidy - this is the first time ever that she has even thought about cleaning.  She has just asked if I mind if she hoovers her bedroom. Where has this video been lol.

slm6002

Well we are spending another day pottering around, getting the final bits sorted.  We are visiting nana tomorrow so will venture out into the wide world again.  Need to pop to Lidl for few bits that Asda don't do (cheaply anyway).  We will deliver final gifts on Thursday including going to my dads and he will give car a mini service lol.  After he didn't get to fit my light bulb the other day he commented that 'bet the shop didn't top up your oil or windscreen wash ' lol.  Will let him do this and check tyre pressure for me like he always used to do when I lived at home.  I thinks it's his way of feeling like he is helping me which is lovely. 
Last night I had fun setting up next years spreadsheet (I love them).  I still need to tweak things but it's looking ok if I can stick to the budgets for things which is where I have been a little relaxed over the past year.
Booked my MOT for mid January and hoping the fact that it had a big service recently it will pass - fingers crossed anyway.  My ideal next car would be electric so that I can charge it at home for free from the solar panels that will hopefully be fitted before long.  The only problem is that there are not many second hand electric cars out there and certainly none in the price range I can afford.  So need to keep this car going for a while and keep saving at the same time as doing up the house. 
Lots of DIY / house improvement to look forward to in the new year as long as all goes to plan.  I dream of sitting in a fully finished house, nice carpets so no cold floors, freshly painted walls, a kitchen and bathroom that is functional, not broken and looks lovely, and finally a garden with gates and fences to keep people out that I do not want in .  Well it's not all going to happen next year but hoping to make a start on bits of it, and its nice to dream.