The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

A lovely sunny morning so far but can see we had a good amount of rain last night.  Hoping to get the washing on the line as soon as solar starts up.  Trip to the tip is postponed until tomorrow so DD1 can come along and we can make a day of it (BF visit cancelled as he has a bug)

I have just sent all monies to the right pots.  They are starting to fill up again, which makes me think maybe my downstairs toilet could be done sooner that I expected.  I really do need some builders to come round and quote.  I also need to think where all the things I have stored under the stairs will go once it is a bathroom.

I have just booked me and the kids in to a night walk of a local abbey when they have a light spectacular event going on.  Hoping it will be something different to do.  I'm sure if we have hot chocs in hand (from home) they will all come along.  Yes they will moan,  but secretly might actually enjoy themselves lol.  I also booked the firework night tickets at the local museum the other night.  Just feel we don't do much fun stuff as a family anymore as they all have their own lives and to be honest we all like just snuggling up on the sofa.  I just feel we need a few bits of excitement to look back on.  I have also told my dad who is taking them to the dentist in half term that on the way home we will stop off at the pumpkin patch to get our pumpkins for decorating.

Right must stop planning for the rest of the year and actually deal with today.  Have a great day everyone

slm6002

Bit of a slow start to the day here.  The sun is trying to come out so hopefully the white load of washing will be done and on the line shortly.

I have applied and received a free national trust ticket with an offer.  I think we will go to one of the local sites around Halloween and hope that they have something going on for the kids.  My dad likes to go there so might get him to come with us.  We have quite a few bits coming up this autumn / winter.  

I still need to go to the supermarket and do a weekly shop.  I know it will be busy as to be honest I'm not really sure what I need as I am yet to meal plan and write a list.  Must do this next.  I think although today may be relaxed it will whizz by.

slm6002

Fridge, freezer, store cupboard and fruit & veg all stocked up.  Just missing 1 item that they didn't have but if I have enough energy I can make from scratch rather than buying a jar of sauce.  Rough meal plan sorted.  I also bought lawn feed in the hopes that one day I may have grass rather than weeds and moss in my front garden.  From a distance it looks like grass as is green, but close up there is mainly weeds and barely any grass.  It has always been that way but will try this out and see what happens.

DD2 found the missing library book that she swore she had already returned and was building up fines on my card.  All returned now so will pay up when I next go in.  I would normally renew online, but it was on reserve for someone else so I was unable to this time.

2 loads of washing is on line and will hopefully be dry by the time i get it in.  Solar battery is charged but is needed earlier and earlier in the day not the sun goes down earlier.

Plan on popping dinner in the over fairly early so we can hopefully have an early night ready for the week ahead.

slm6002

I just filled in the paperwork to change my name back to my pre married name.  It has been on my mind now for some time and I have done it.  I asked the children first for their opinions on it and they all replied 'why have you not already done it?'  They are all very keen for me to get it done asap.  So will get that sorted and then start the process of telling everyone I am linked to.  Need new driving licence, tell benefit people etc.  That is I think what has stopped me from doing this sooner, the shear amount of people that need to know.  Anyway I am off to bed feeling good

FtbDreaming

Excellent! That’s a big thing going back to your maiden name; you will feel free once that’s all done! 

I love watching your solar panel journey too. Will be interesting to see in a few months how it’s panned out. I’d love to be completely off the grid one day. We’ve only got the central heating on gas now and are seriously considering changing over to another source and getting the gas disconnected from the house.

we didn’t top up between the 13th May and 2 weeks ago because it was summer then when I’ve gone to put gas back on I’ve had to put £80 for £14 gas and the rest was taken for standing charge x

slm6002

I received the certificate in the post today for my name change but they haven't included my middle name.  I would like to keep it so have asked them to try again.  It seems a very quick process.  Once the new certificate arrives I need to get it sign by a friend and then that's that.  I have already changed a few bits that didn't need any official paperwork, and I have warned work that it is in the process.  They cant do anything until I have the document signed and sealed.  Hoping to get it signed Thursday and then visit the bank on Friday afternoon.  At the same time I will go to the post office to get the form for my driving licence.

My solar panels have reduced my bill so far to about a third of the cost compared to last year.  So far I have only experienced 1 day where the batteries didn't charge fully, and most days we export something to the grid.  Apart from the actual solar, I have also become very mean when it comes to using any power we generate.  With the app showing how much we are using I am very mindful of it all and keeping an eye on the weather to dry clothes, and using the slow cooker so I dont need to turn the oven on etc has been much more of a focus.

I have contacted a builder with lots of good reviews to come and have a look at the under stairs cupboard.  I need to know how much it will cost to convert so I can say wait until I have the money, or please add me to the list of jobs (I am sure that there will be a wait as builders are still so busy).  He hasn't given me a time and day yet to come and have a look but at least he has got back to me.

slm6002

I am waiting on an interest payment from my help to save account.  It is £600 and will go straight to the holiday and should be in my bank by 7th Oct.  Just checked and nothing as yet.  Have a great day everyone

slm6002

No chunks of money in the bank account today but it should appear in the next few days hopefully.  Work was quiet and at one point I had completed everything.  It didn't last long lol.

I spoke to the window man who had put me in the diary for next Tuesday.  This will be to fit the new window locks which will allow us to both open and shut the windows whenever we feel like it!  It is possibly also to fit a new door lock on the front door.  It has been playing up for some time and is a task to lock so a new one will hopefully arrive too.  I only need to pay for the lock as the rest was paid for years ago

On the way home I also stopped off at the hairdressers as I need a trim.  I only go every 12 - 18 months ish once my hair has reached a point where it is too long to have down and gets matted if in a ponytail (most of the time even if cut short).  I have a very basic hair cut that has been the same all of my life.  I like it and is easy to deal with in the mornings.  So tomorrow straight after work I will be having about 6 inches off.  It costs £24  - not sure if this is good / average / bad but needs doing.  Need to train daughter in cutting mine - she does her own!

Sausages and mash for dinner so nice and easy and everyone eats it.

slm6002

Good afternoon, what am pleasant sunny day, warm in the sun but chilli in the shade. I have washed and hung out 3 loads of washing and hoping the little breeze will dry it all before the sun goes down.  Solar batteries are full and dishwasher has just finished.  I need to start the pizza dough off in the bread machine ready for homemade pizzas tonight.

I have cleared some boxes, but still got a few more boxes to go.  Mum arrives on Friday so I have a lot of tidying, cleaning and clearing to do.  Flowers have been planted outside to brighten the place up.  The tree that was attached to the fence snapped during the high winds this week so I need to work out what to do with that.  Neighbour cut it back quite drastically last time and that part has never grown back, so don't really want to do that, but it is too top heavy at the moment.  Got Dad coming over at some point to look at it for me.  It might end up having to go and then I will replace with an evergreen plant as it is our screen between us and next door. He likes to be in his garage and look into our kitchen / dining room so we need something there rather than shutting the curtains.

Hair was cut and I had the boss who charged me less that the learner lady was going to charge.  That is me sorted for the next year or so.  I haven't received the 'help to save' interest as yet.  Read the message again and it could be up to the 10th before it arrives.

Oooh and I have now officially changed my name back to my maiden name.  Off to get forms today from the post office for some bits and then monday I am off to the bank

slm6002

Good evening, I am currently sitting on the sofa waiting for the window man to arrive.  He was supposed to be here at 3 ish.  I have sent a text message asking if he is still coming.  Their work is good but their time keeping / organisation is shocking.  I expect he has forgotten even though I am in the diary.

Dad came over and chopped a lot of the weight off my broken tree, and then fixed it to the fence.  It is much better and although so much was chopped off, it still gives us the privacy we need from the neighbours.  I need to sweep up the patio and put the chairs away for winter and then it will look smart enough for upcoming visitors.  The driveway however is covered in wood from the garage and old furniture.  The man across from us would like it either to do up or burn, but I need it gone by Thurs evening ready for mum to arrive.  Still have one more bedside table that needs emptying and putting out.  It's on the landing and it needs clearing.  Might have to resort to a trip to the tip Thursday after work otherwise.  There are some other bits and bobs needing to go into the loft too and then the ladder can also be moved to the garage, making the landing clear.

Good day at work - dare I say it even a little quiet.  Name has been changed on HR files and wages and email sent around informing everyone.  It will not make much difference to the most, but its another bit done.  I have also done tax man, benefits, main bank, premium bonds.  I have requested a form for my driving licence as the post offices around here have run out of them.  While I was in the bank I deposited DS's xmas money that I found while clearing up - only a few months late, and I also changed up the paper notes that we can no longer spend.  Next on the list is insurances, house, contents, car etc.  Not sure of these will encounter a charge to change them or not but will have a google later tonight.

I received my help to save interest yesterday.  £600 came into my bank account and has gone straight to the holiday people for next years trip.  I would really urge anyone in my position to sign up for this as it is such a great savings scheme and the interest rate is unheard of.

OK well I guess they are not coming today so will move onto the next tasks - dinner and maybe make a start on the landing