The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Good morning, still in nighty on sofa so hoping no one appears at the door anytime soon lol.  Saw a scrap man on fb saying he was doing a scrap run if anyone had anything.  I sent him my details so I can get rid of the dishwasher off my drive.  I have never done it this way so I am hoping it is all ok.

I shouldn't have time to sit and think, its dangerous lol.  I have been sitting here this morning thinking it wouldn't take too much time to paint the living room.  I have paint etc I would need, but would need new curtains as these ones have light shining through in places.  I would love to have a carpet put down ready for winter as it is so cold in here.  I would choose the same one as the landing which is dark grey and hides quite a lot and is hardwearing.  It has been cheap wooden flooring since I moved in many moons ago which has got so many nicks and scratches in, and is always cold in the winter even with rugs.  As we are on a hill there is a void under the floor and the cold air just seems to come through.  I am sure a carpet would be warmer.  I still have enough money in the pot to get the carpet I think, depending on the fence which I am still waiting to hear about.  I would have to move the really heavy sofas which would be the most difficult part of the job.  I wouldn't be able to afford the new sofa yet.  Something to look at I guess and maybe get the carpet man back for a quote.

Swimming this morning and then free lunch in the cafe.  I best go and get dressed.  Have a great day everyone

slm6002

Good afternoon, it's hot again here but thankfully we don't have anything to do so not unbearable.  

Yesterdays swim was good, although very busy so not a lot of actual swimming took place.  It was still lovely and refreshing though.  I have booked for us to go again tomorrow midday and then fri evening.   I think in this hot weather it will cool us nicely.  Included was a free lunch for the children (ham sandwich, crisps, yoghurt and apple with a carton of orange juice).  I got a cup of tea too included so DD1 and I swapped as I don't drink hot drinks.  We will get the lunch again tomorrow but don't think they will do it fri evening.

Today we have been to a local town to get a few bits ready for the holiday.  Whilst there we also went to the waffle shop that I had promised to visit on our last trip there.  The waffles were very yummy but sickly.  On DS managed to finish his completely.  If we go again, we will share rather than having one each.  We had a little walk around the lake afterwards and then came home.  All 3 children have requested salad for dinner after overdosing on sugar earlier - they don't really even like salad, but that is what they are getting.

I have been waiting years for the window man to come back and mend a couple of the broken the handles so that we can open the windows - always good in this heat.  They came and did most of them a few years back but ran out of parts for the last one.  Since then another has also gone.  After weeks of leaving messages on various medias I finally got a call back today and will pop round today.  Fingers crossed he will look at what bits he needs (it's been so long he cant remember) and maybe open my bedroom window.  The only problem will be is if once open it cant shut properly and then its not done before we go on holiday.  We will see as it is starting to get late and he is still not here.

Ok I am going off to start the salad

slm6002

Well the salad was really good and they all ate it (each plate custom made to their likes, but all had enough on their plates to help cancel out the very unhealthy lunch we had).  The window man hasn't turned up so no window being left open today.  I really hope he appears first thing tomorrow morning so they can get things sorted.  I need to call the fence man too as still not had his quote.

Today I bought a summer puzzle book to do while on holiday.  I always got one of these when we were going on holiday when I was younger,  but haven't really done anything like this since I was married.  I am really quite excited to sit and relax with it - sounds quite silly really.  The children got to choose a magazine and funnily enough they all chose ones that were far too young for them, but they had (via a xmas subscription from grandparents) a number of years back.  They were not impressed when I said they couldn't have them until the holiday.  I am not very patient either

slm6002

Well I was up early to make sure I'm here for the window man just in case he appears (fingers crossed).  Just swimming today and DD1 was a shift at work.  The rest of the day will be getting things sorted for the holiday and keeping cool.  We also need to crack on with some more homework and I have some online training to do for work that needs working through before I go back.

I have been looking at the weather forecast recently for our holiday and up until yesterday it was looking sunny and warm but not silly hot, perfect.  However this morning it looks like it is going to rain everyday.  Our plans while there mainly involve playing on the beach, which is not as much fun in the rain.  Perhaps it will rain through the night but dry during the day???  I know we need the rain but it would be nice to have it this week or the week after lol.  I need to see what is around that we can do in the rain.

Ok must get on

slm6002

Good morning, this morning I was woken at 5 by DS sobbing as his head was hurting so much and he needed tablets.  Bless him he is a big lad these days but looked so little crying in pain.  If he gets a headache it usually turns into a bad one, and he is normally sick but then feels fine again.  This time there was no sickness just pain.  He eventually went back to sleep and is still there now.  He had one yesterday and the day before so I am wondering if it is the heat?  He is drinking plenty as I bought him one of those 2 litre bottles that he is now carrying around with him and glugging down water all day.  Will keep an eye on him and we may not go swimming as planned.  Going underwater didn't help yesterday apparently.

Right today we are going to sort cases out, wash clothes, more homework while we have time and sit in the living room where it is cool and there is a lovely breeze from the open windows.  I have text the window man as he was a no show yesterday and told him we are here all day if he has time to pop round.  Really would like to be able to open small window and get some air in my room at night.  I heard from the chalet owner and she makes our beds up but we need towels and I will take slow cooker so it can be cooking food while we are hopefully out enjoying ourselves.  I have even cheated and bought a few liners so minimal washing up.  DD2 is currently looking through our stash of DVDs to see what we can take just in case it does rain the entire week.  We have our usual board games to gather up ready along with treats for the winners (bag if chewy sweets from lidl bought the other week).

Need to get some more cat treats and cat biscuits before we go so cat sitter can lure cats in at night.  Also need to remind cat sitters!

Ok must go get on and check on DS.  Have a great day and stay out of the heat

slm6002

Back to doing not a lot on the sofa as too hot outside - just hung out 2nd load of washing.  I have ordered some sea shoes as there have been warnings on the towns fb page for the place we are going.  Bother jelly fish and weaver fish (think that was it) and they advise wearing beach shoes.  It is due to the water heating up and happens this time of year apparently.  4 pairs due to arrive tomorrow ready.  Its only really DD2 who has feet that are growing now, maybe DS but bought his big, so they should last a few years hopefully if rinsed through after each visit.
Trying to find slow cooker recipes that the kids would eat to save time and money once everything rises and back at work.  Thought it was time well spent as I am not moving today really

slm6002

Good morning, another hot night  and more to come today.  I know we need to get used to doing things in this heat as it looks like it will happen more frequently, but i think it will take me a while to adjust.  DS had another headache after swimming last night.  He is better now but I am keeping an eye on him.

Beach shoes arrived this morning so need to pack those with the beach things.  Will wash the swimming bits once the sun is on panels and then we can pack those as well as the towels.  In theory we could have gone today but because its a daddy day tomorrow we have postponed going until Monday.  To be honest I don't fancy driving in this weather.

Nothing planned today other than DD1 was last shift at work for the week, which means payday for her.  She is getting very good at saving and deposits the cash straight into the bank before coming home.  Once home she goes online and splits it 50:50 between her spending money and saving account.  She has over £800 in the savings pot now. My dad is popping over at some point with the camera charger as we cant find ours.  Its probably in a box or drawer somewhere, but for now we will borrow his so we (DD2) can take decent pics.

I emptied the last of my boxes in my room last night.   It was mainly a case of putting most of the bits in other drawers in my room, but a lot of rubbish also went out.  I could still do with going through all of the drawers and sorting through them to organise them more, but for now everything is put away and floor is clear.  Still no window man to be seen, so still cant open windows at night to let breeze through.  Larger window is open a little but on the lock as one of our cats has previously jumped from the top floor windows and was very lucky to have not done any damage.  I do not need extra vet bills so the windows remain on the lock at night.

Right Im off to clean the kitchen before the sun moves round

slm6002

Good morning, we are waiting to see if XH arrives as this week none of the kids have reminded him with a text asking what they are doing today.  They are all hoping he doesn't appear.  It is getting like this each fortnight now, wish XH would just admit defeat and stay away, but we will see.  DS had yet another headache, so we will be going to the doctors on our return I think.  He stayed in all yesterday and we didn't swim, which bought it on a few times.  Not sure what it is but will get it checked out.  Thankfully normal pain killers seem to get rid of it for now.

My dad popped round with the camera charger so that it all ready to go.  He also gave us some money for the holiday / petrol.  Told him is was not needed as we have money for it saved, but he insisted.  He also tried to tell me which roads to take and that my aa autoroute was wrong lol.  Not looked on the sat nav yet so will do that once / if kids get picked up. Kids are hoping that he doesn't arrive and that we can leave for the holiday today.  I did get a text from the lady yesterday saying that the chalet was ready and when are we arriving.  I said Monday but she lives close by so don't expect if we changed to today it would be a problem.  I don't expect it will happen and we will probably stick til tomorrow morning.

Need to put as much as I can in the car today so its ready.  I also need to sort the house out in case cat sitters mistake that we have been robbed!

***XH has turned up, kids all moaned

slm6002

Good evening, we have returned.  We have returned 1/2 day early really but we were all at the point of missing home comforts and had completed all of the usual holiday activities.  We were going to pack this afternoon which we did, but it felt odd just staying for the sake of it and the lure of our beds and seeing the cats won.

The chalet was small but nice.  On the first night the lights kept flickering, then went off and on several times before finally going off completely.  I rang the lady who owns it and she came to try and fix it with a friend thinking it was just the trip switch, but it wasn't.  She gave us a key to another chalet she owns but only has 2 double beds and neither DD was willing to share with DS so he got the sofa.  By the time we went back to get breakfast the next morning it was working again.  At lunch it went off again so the owner got the electrician round, and by that evening it was sorted.  She gave the kids £10 each as a sorry for it being so annoying.  They really weren't that worried but appreciated the gesture as did I.

It was a typical sea side town and had a good beach.  The town did look run down and there were only a couple of larger named stores surrounded by independent shops selling seaside town stuff.  We had a look around one day when it was raining as there wasn't much else to do in the rain.  DS and DD1 were overwhelmed by the level of people everywhere and the noise.  We went bowling, played on amusements, went to the local animal sanctuary, ate out, had candyfloss, slushies and ice creams, played mini golf, paddled in the sea and played on the beach.  We all had a good time but glad to be home.

I need to see how we did money wise, because although I came home with cash I know I spent money on my card so will balance the payments out and pay the extra money into the right accounts this week.

This week coming I need to sort out everything for school (shoes springs to mind for DD) as I only have a week and half left now.  I still need to do some training for work and also the accounts for club as will be audited in sept.  We have trip to do ice skating as XH promised to take DD2 for her bday in Nov and still hasn't.  Guess I will pick that up as well then!  DD1 also has her results to exams next week so moods are up and down through anxiety.  Once we have them she needs to sign up for the course she wants so please keep fingers crossed for the required grades and then that she gets the course that she would like to do. 

Right off for a nice powerful hot shower

slm6002

It's so nice being at home in your own bed, the children must be comfy as they are still fast asleep as I type.  Lots of washing to do today while it is nice outside.  Need to wait until the sun hits the panels.  I also need to go shopping as I emptied the fridge before leaving.  Need to write a list first as its time to start being frugal again.  Holiday is over and now the focus is on this coming winter, all 3 birthdays and then Christmas.  With all of the price rises going on I need to make sure I get the most out of every single penny we have.
I also need to get properly back into the surveys again as they help to get a few vouchers for presents.  There are still some DIY bits needing to be done before winter and I mentioned the want of a carpet in the living room too, so some saving and thinking required.