The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Well no washing was completed.  Every time I saw some sunshine which would get the panels working, there was a grey cloud in the sky heading our way.  We actually didn't get any rain so I should have done a couple of loads.  If the same happens tomorrow I am going for it, even if it means rain (sods law would be when I peg it on the line it starts the storm!, but locals would be happy to get some rain as nothing as yet).

I ordered the last few bits for DD2's school / PE kit, and we went shoe shopping, whilst out doing the food shopping and a trip to collect new books from the library.  I need to hunt for the football boots that I know are hiding somewhere in the house / loft.  They only do a few lessons of each sport so the boots are hardly worn and have been handed around my group of friends children many times.

The food shop was completely funded by the school vouchers and I think I still have £45 left for next time.  I did buy my mirror for my bedroom and the tv bracket so will need to ask my brother nicely to fix those to the wall for me.  I can attach things to internal walls now but not confident with external brick walls lol.  He is on holiday next week so it wont be up for a while as yet.  I text the carpet man too asking for a quote for the living room.  I am sure he will get back to me soon.

I still need to chase the window man (to open and change fixings on my bedroom window, all paid for already), the fence man for the quote, and then the electrician who is coming back to refit the gadget that turns excess generated power into hot water (again already paid for).  He is on holiday currently but think he is back early next week.

slm6002

Good morning, woken too early for a Sunday by the delivery man.  I had forgotten to turn the door bell ringers back on since coming home from holiday so he rang my mobile.  We have a few more deliveries due to day (even though I ordered all at the same time they seem to be coming in dribs and drabs).

Because of DS's dyslexia I signed him up a long time ago for audio books to help with vocabulary and so he could listen to the books his peers were reading.  It is a fantastic service and works well.  Well his device broke a while ago so he hasn't really listened to many for a while.  With his GCSE learning now about to begin I thought it would be a good time to get it re sorted so he can listen to the exam pieces as well as read them.  They now do downloads and after finding his membership number and password we were back on the site.  It still will not let me download the books so I have emailed asking them to switch over to downloads rather than postal usb sticks.  I am hoping we can get him his 4 in English 1st time so no re runs needed.  It feels like start of the next hurdle, just like it was with the reading in year 1, and sats in year 6.  We worked so hard and got him through - just about.  He will need to learn quite a number of poems and quotes.  His memory is not great so the earlier we have them to learn the better.  The problem was DD1 didn't get these until quite late on in her learning, and because of covid she didn't actually need them.  I feel it will soon be time to pester school.  I'm not sure if I mentioned it at the end of term, but we did get confirmation that he will have extra time in his exams which is great, and will also be in a smaller room because of this.

Sitting here looking out of the window I can see a mix of grey and blue skies - washing really needs to be done today if at all possible.  Only a 2% chance of rain all day so fingers crossed.  It can rain tonight if it likes to help the gardens.

No plans to go anywhere, unless DD2 needs to head to museum for bark rubbings for homework.  We will see

slm6002

Ok so far I have done 2 loads of washing and although it is still overcast it is still warm so hoping they will dry.  Washing line is full so I haven't done all of what needs doing but we will at least all have some clothes to wear.   I have turned up DD2's school trousers and she is currently cleaning the football boots that were hidden behind the tumble dryer (I knew they were somewhere there and they are the correct size).  The rest of the deliveries haven't appeared as yet.  DD1 is beautifying herself ready to take her college photo for her ID card - could take a while to get a photo she actually likes.
I have managed another module on my online training for work.  Only 4 more to go

slm6002

Well I woke up to sun again even though I thought today was our day for rain, looks like that may be tomorrow now.  Hopefully it means we can get the rest of the washing done.

I managed to finish my online training for work, which is a weight off my mind.  I now need to record that and everything else i have achieved onto the system for this years pay review in Sept.  I also need to think what I will be wearing on the first day back as all of the academies in the group meet up in a central location and talk over last year and our plans for this year.  Need to look smart than normal lol.

DD1 is getting nervous about her gcse results and so am I if truth be told.  On Thurs when she gets her results we have to register for college course.  I don't think she revised as much as she could have and just hoping she has got the grades she needs.  Because she wants to change courses from the one she originally signed up for it will be a longer wait to see if she gets in (its oversubscribed each year). Think we will me mentally exhausted by Thurs night.

Will try to do some of the accounts work today so most of it is ready for year end in a few days time.  I will also be ringing round all of the builders etc that I need to get in touch with.  Running out of time for them to come round when I am not working

slm6002

DD1 was wanting to go shopping on the train to local city - about 1 hour away - to find clothes for college.  She sent me her Pinterest board with ideas on.  I suggested we walk into town an hour before collecting DD2 from her club today.  I made her look in the charity shops (there are many) and then the other shops.  Of course everything I picked up was wrong even though almost identical to her ideas board.   All she came home with was a pair of boots and in a grump.  I honestly don't think they are selling exactly what she has in her mind this year, and therefore she is going to be disappointed with all of the shops.  I don't think traveling an extra hour to get to similar shops will work.  At least the boots were bought with a voucher so no money spent

slm6002

Ok so today is ice skating (yes the trip XH has been promising DD2 for 9 months for her bday but really had no intentions of actually taking her to) and my dad is coming along with us.  I think we will be treated to a nice lunch.  Just had my shower and woken kids up (too early according to DD1), and big news is it is finally raining - well I say raining, but not quite there yet, maybe a very light drizzle, but more than we have had in a very long time.

I didn't get round to much yesterday after the shopping so will try to get some bits done after skating.  House is looking a mess again so will need to have a quick tidy up too.  Hoping we wont need a big dinner so can perhaps have a sandwiches this evening.

OK must get moving

slm6002

Well yesterday was a success and DD2 had a wonderful time.  It only cost £8 each which included skate hire, which I thought was great price for that sort of thing.  It was an hour away but it you combine it with a shopping trip or similar it would work well. They were booked in for an hour but we arrived 20 min early and they said to go on anyway, and didn't even check we had tickets.  We stopped off at a couple of large supermarkets on the way home and got some bits for DD1 and found a better pair of shoes for DD2 so her others will go back to the shop (only really bought so we had something even though not quite right).  A nice pub lunch didn't happen (really craving this) but a trip to Maccy D's filled us up and we only needed lunch bits for dinner.

Today is another day to do homework - might include trip to local museum for a few bits.  I have text the window man to tell him we are home all day.  We need to pack school bags to make sure we have everything we should.  I am hoping the weather forecast is correct and I can catch up with the washing.  Shouldn't need to spend anything which is good as bank account is looking a little low, but benefits arrive tomorrow so not too bad.

slm6002

Good afternoon, I got little sleep last night as I was thinking over DD1s exams and wondering if she would pass. Well this morning she was one of the first in the line to get hers and she did really well, and is very happy as she had convinced herself and me that she had failed them all.  She didn't, and has got what she needs and more for her college course she wants to do.  We need to wait until tomorrow evening apparently to see if she got in as the course is generally over subscribed.
I also received an email from the finance and they confirmed she will remain on free school dinners and the money will be added to her card each day.  We are still waiting to hear about the bursary and if she will get help with the bus each term.  This too should be decided in the next few days.  It all depends on what they class as income, because my job + benefits = we should qualify, but if you add on child maintenance then we don't.  Will wait and see and I have money put aside just in case, but it would be good if it not used.
About to go to get DD2 jabbed for her second dose of covid.  Hoping it will give her protection by next week when they start back and no doubt it will all start to rise again as they will be mixing.
Feeling exhausted after all of the excitement - looking forward to early night.  Homemade pizzas for dinner tonight as requested by DD1.

slm6002

Good morning, what a lovely day it looks to be.  I slept much better last night and feel better for it.  It was chilli last night too and actually snuggled under the duvet at some points.

I have already been to my brothers to feed his cat as they have gone on holiday.  Must remember until monday.  I nipped to lidl for a few bits including my vice of fizzy pop.  I get a little nervy when I don't have a plentiful supply in the garage.  I will get a few more bottles later on this weekend too so I can relax.

1st load of washing is on and looking like we can get several loads done and up to date today.  All dried on the line and washed using solar power.  Although I have a good energy package that lasts a while longer (Nov 2023) I am still a little nervous about how much it may cost once it finishes.  Who knows what price it will be by then and I although I will have solar power to help it will still no doubt be a big jump from where I am now.  I haven't reduced my payments at all since getting solar as thought it might be good to build up a buffer

slm6002

Good news - DD1 is in the college courses that she has requested.  Still waiting on last hurdle - the funding application for the bus.  I am not too worried if it's a no as I have put the money aside, but I need to get it booked so will need to know asap.  Hopefully we will know soon.

The electrician came back to repair the hot water device and it is now working.  I guess we will see how we get on with it and see if it is a benefit or not.