The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Good evening, it has been lovely and sunny mainly here today and the rain forecast has not yet appeared.  Should be a thunderstorm here right now according to the app but the sky is blue and free of cloud.  Managed to get the washing sorted and dried on the line.  Slow cooker has jacket potatoes in it (trying it again as we didn't have great success the first time round).  Hoping they turn out well so we can make this a regular meal.  It will only be cheese and beans with it, but we do have some cream cakes for pudding as they were yellow stickers in supermarket earlier and I could not resist.

Quick trip to town earlier. DD2 finally finished the library reading challenge while there, photos printed for DS's art homework too.  Few food bits picked up to help with the meal planning for this week.  I also ordered some birthday / Christmas bits for DS, and even better it would appear that work have given me some points on the discount scheme that we use.  This meant I could get a £5 voucher for amazon.  I also cashed out £15 yesterday from the RM survey in vouchers, so the bits for DS were free.  It also said on the discount scheme page that work will be rewarding us with free points every month, so I have set a reminder up to check on 3rd of the month to claim my free vouchers.

I am still going through websites and cook books trying to find slow cooker meals that all of us will at least try and then hopefully like.  If I can cook things during the day it will save so much as now the nights have already started to get darker earlier the solar batteries are being used earlier in the night and then draining too quickly for my liking.  This in turn means I wake up to some usage from the grid = money I need to pay.

I think the kids badminton club will stop soon as the people running it are getting on, plus the centre cant accommodate us each week.  They have also said costs will go up and that they may only be able to heat the hall for those bookings that are in all day.  I can see it stopping by Christmas.  Although we would miss it, it would also save us on petrol, fees (although neither of these are huge) and once home we can change into pjs / warm clothes and get cosy without having to go out again.  We would then only have 1 club left.  We will see.

slm6002

Woke up early again.  It was cloudy when I woke but the sun is starting to peep through so looking like maybe another nice day.

Last nights jacket potatoes in the slow cooker didn't go to plan.  They were still too hard when we took them out even though by the time I took them out they had had about 7 hours on high.  They didn't have the taste like last time and weren't a funny colour so that was better, but they were just rock solid in places.  I used the smaller of the 2 slow cooker (my new one) and I just don't think this one cooks as well.  I will try one more time using the old larger small cooker and if it doesn't work then we will just have to use the oven and microwave as normal.

I need to pop to lidl today to get some more fizzy pop for me while they have it (hopefully).  They can go weeks without any and with my need for it I am much happier if there is a fairly large supply in the garage just incase.   Do wish I could just order a pallet to my door lol, it would save a lot of hassle.   While there I might also grab some dishwasher salt as we use it for the paths in the winter when it is icy.  We are on a hill so coming to our front door can be pretty scary if it is not treated with the salt.  We are running low so will get a few more ready.

I best get sorted before the others wake up.  Have a great day

slm6002

Not made it to the shops today as just didn't get round to it.  I guess that's another NSD lol.  I did just collect a few bits from the lady who does the olio on a Sunday.  She is just round the corner and because it is Sunday it means collection is during the day.

A slight adjustment after collecting and tonight's dinner will be a mish mash of easy oven bits out of the freezer with olio potato slices and corn on the cob.  I also collected some celery which will be chopped and frozen for stews, some lettuce which DS will no doubt eat and some mushrooms.  Need to see if I can just chop and freeze or if I need so something to them first (edit I can).  Only I eat mushrooms but I had started buying them chopped and frozen for the pizzas as I never got through the whole box by myself so some were wasted.  I need to get better at collecting from olio, and freezing when I can.

I was hoping to defrost the freezer which is why we were having bits from it today, and then once defrosted I had hoped to make some homemade ready meals for those days when I was too tired or not organised.  No good however if I keep refilling it before I get the chance to defrost it lol.  I am using some ice in my drink, just to use it up.

Washing needs getting in off the line shortly.  Lovely washing and drying weather and all washing up to date.  All done via the sun.  Cooking dinner early to make the most of the light too.  I need to make my lunch for tomorrow as I am working all day, and then Tue I have training 3-4.30 ish so will probably stay all day again.  I do need to get DD2 a key cut for letting herself in after school.  Some days I will bring her home but other days she will have to walk so will need a key.

Ok off to get the washing in

dawnybabes

I batch cook JP’s - I cook a big full bag and freeze so just a quick microwave (or in the air fryer) 

slm6002

Well what a week.  I have done extra hours at work to cover lady not in, children are all back now in educational settings.  DD1 decided wed that she does not like college and would like to go back to the 6th form at her high school.  I always thought that this would have been the best option - it was very difficult not to say I told you so, as she listed all of the reason I had previously mentioned for not going to college. Anyway by last night she had been accepted for 6th form, college informed of decision and she will start on Monday.  I have informed the bursary people and the transport people.  I am hoping we can get a refund for part of the bus that we paid.  Apparently she didn't want to tell me earlier as she knew she would have to admit that I was right lol.  I do hope she likes the 6th form now.

The quote for the carpet came in and once the cost for removing the laminate flooring off had been removed (we will do this saving £100) it was around the price I thought it would be.  They asked if I wanted the next available slot so I said yes as I know they are busy.  Turns out it is next Friday, so we are going to be clearing the living room and pulling up laminate flooring this week.

Not sure what the final result of the energy crisis help was as the news was overtaken with the sad news about the Queen.  Will need to read about it in a bit.  I will say that I turned off the solar water heater device and I can see that it was that that was draining the batteries.  We have definitely used less energy without it so will need to think about if it is worth using with a timer or not, which was the option that the electrician that fitted it suggested.  Without it we will turn the boiler on to heat the water for an hour every 2-3 days and that warms it enough for our showers.

The main bank account looks a little low at the moment but not sure why as not been spending on things not in the budget,  Will have a better look later and see why it doesn't match my estimate figures. DD2's school wants a donation of £10 for the art materials that they will use over the year.  Carpet money comes from the house pot and not much else due for a little while.

OK off to chase a few bits and to see if I can get the washing done yet

slm6002

Good morning, I've just shipped DD2 and DS off with XH for the day.  Who knows what they will be up to but neither of them sounded very enthusiastic about going.  DD1 is going to brave the train (no bus service on a Sunday anymore) on her own to meet boyfriend.  Not sure how long it will last as they don't get to meet up very often.  We will see.

It does mean I will have some time at home to myself for a while.  What shall I do lol......
*  I need to sort her birthday as that is in a few weeks time but nowhere to put things. 
*  I need to empty the living room as there are lots of things in here that shouldn't be - DS and I took the floor up yesterday and took it to the tip.
*  I am hoping the sun will appear (currently hazy) so I can do the washing from last week and get it dry.
*  I need to work out what is for dinner tonight.  I think it will be jelly for pudding so need to get that in the fridge soon.
*  I need to get ready for work tomorrow
*  I need to do club accounts

While taking up the flooring it became really noticeable that the walls really do need painting.  I just don't think I can fit that in this week.  I think I will have to settle with giving them a wash down and hope this improves things.  Painting will have to happen after it has gone in.  Mum says I need new lights too as they are very dated (which they are) but the rest of the living room makeover will just have to wait.  I was wanting the carpet for heat over winter rather than the design of the room.

Right I better start ticking things off my list

slm6002

Another couple of busy days done.  DD1 now happy at 6th form, but need to sort bursary form out for them now.  DD2's head of year contacted over school dinners as she keeps being told she does not have enough money for dinner and is going hungry.  Several other parents had also contacted the school so something isn't quite right between staff and the kitchen.  DS has been asked if he would like to do an extra GCSE in statistics at the end of his year 10.  He is in top maths and this was offered to them all.  He has decided to do it even though it means staying late on a Wed after school.  This surprised me a little.  On Saturday I got a final notice from the council tax people saying they would fine me on 7th Sept (didn't get the letter until past this time) as I was not up to date.  After speaking to them they could see I was given the wrong information and reversed the fine.  Made yet another extra payment and they are happy and I should be up to date. 

Still need to remove everything from the living room before Thursday evening.  Just text my brother to see if he is free to help lift things. Fingers crossed he will answer soon.  Off to get mums Xmas present that has eventually been delivered to the store (sent back last time as never notified due to half of it being lost!)  She is visiting mid October (hopefully).  I still need something else for her and also something for her partner but I have a little while, and once that is done I can cross those off the list.  Right must get going ready for the school run

slm6002

Good evening to you all.  Today we have had the carpet put down and the sofas are now back in the room.  We need to attach the door again (was removed to give us an extra inch).  It looks very good but very strange having had wooden flooring since moving in 18+ years ago.  I am hoping it should make a big difference in the temperature over the next few months.  Tonight we can really feel the heat has dropped and we have all got our blankets on the sofas (change in weather rather than the new flooring lol).
I did a huge job at work today and figured out something big that no one else could do.  Felt like a big achievement as it had been hanging around since the end of last term.  I have a feeling it will become another part of my job before long.  I don't mind now as I know what I am doing.  It will be much easier starting from scratch rather than having to unpick something that was done incorrectly and to redo.
Not sure what we are doing this weekend other than trying to get the house back to some order ready for my Uncle to arrive on Thursday for the weekend.  I need to do some food shopping too.  Off to bed soon though as I am exhausted after such a busy few days

slm6002

Well it is still a little chilly inside, although nice and sunny outside.  It is also very windy so I am hoping the washing on the line will dry quickly.  I can smell someone having a bonfire close by and hoping my nice clean washing will not smell by the time it has dried.
Still not been food shopping and wondering if I can wait until tomorrow or if I should just go ahead and do it so we don't need to go out tomorrow.

slm6002

Good morning I woke up early again but managed to get back to sleep until 9am.  Today feels strange now that we have a bank holiday tomorrow.  I guess I hadn't been prepared for an extra day, but am grateful for it. 

I need to get the house in order ready for when Uncle arrives on Thursday.  I could do with getting the garage sorted a little so I know where the tools are when he announces 'I will just fix this'.  As DS has just plonked the boxes from decorating the bedrooms in the doorway to the garage, everything is everywhere.  Tools need to go back in the tool box ready for the next job.  But I need to redo inside first as that will be where he is the majority of the time, and bits from the lounge still haven't been put back as yet.  The garden has also been neglected as well while we have been sorting the inside out.  I will need to have a tidy up out there too.  I have a feeling it is not all going to get done before this visit, but he is back again mid Oct with my Mum and Step Dad so things will definitely need to be sorted by then.  Mum hasn't visited for over 4 years so would like the house and garden looking good and not like XH is still living here in the mess.

I bought myself a tool to clean the oven glass the other month and yesterday I finally gave it a go.  Oh my goodness, it is fantastic.  It is only a razor blade in a holder type thing but the muck on my over door just peels off.  No more need for smelly oven cleaners and scrubbing to an inch of my life, only to realise they have made no difference at all.  I can actually see what I am cooking!

Tonight I think we are having enchiladas chips and salad.  DS will have plain chicken and I will do a smaller version for me with added spices, mushrooms, onions and pepper if there is any in the bottom of the fridge that needs using up. I am quite looking forward to it.

I need to forward my evidence paperwork to the 6th form for the bursary.  Still not heard back from the college that they have received confirmation that DD1 is no longer going, and also haven't heard anything back about the possible refund of bus fees.  If I haven't heard by the end of next week I will try to give them a call.  

BG are still looking at my payment plan but hope to have it sorted by 12 October.  Wondering what they will say as most days we only really use 1kwh if any currently and by the time the bill is paid in October I will have around £500 excess in the account.  Obviously I have only had the panels in summer and my fixed rate is until Nov 23 so still have a way to go hopefully before things get really expensive.  I am much better off without the water heater so will keep that off for now.

I have a feeling this week is going to whizz by