The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

OK I have collected the pills from the vets at the same time as dropping DD1 off at work.  She has said today that all her friends are now earning quite a bit more per hour than her and although she is on minimum wage she would like more (wouldn't we all lol!).  Anyway she is hoping to find another job for the new year in the hopes she can get her car a bit quicker.  I am still trying to get her to see that she doesn't really need a car and they are very expensive, but as she is saving well I cant complain.

Got a few more bits (socks and pants) for DS's stocking as it really was looking quite sparce compared to the other 2.  Will wrap those later when children are all out of the way.  I think all I now need to do is write up a letter for niece about geocaching to put with her bits and then I think I am done.  Tomorrow DD1 and I are off out for a cream tea with my dad and his wife.  The others are off with XH.  It will be the last time they see him before the new year - in fact I am interested to see if he will postpone the visit on 1st Jan as I know he always celebrates and gets drunk so he may not be in any fit state to take them out. Oh well we will see.

Homemade pizza for dinner tonight, one our favourites.  Will shortly put the dough in the bread mixer and then late we will all make our own as we all have something different.  My favourite is onion, peppers, sweetcorn, mushrooms, pineapple.  Too much veg on there for the kids lol.  Everything is in the freezer, fridge or cupboard so nothing to spend.  I do need to do the food order as well as when I booked the Christmas slot I just put something in there to get the time.  Right must go and pick DD1 up

slm6002

Good morning, I have woken up to the first non white day for quite a while.  We never got snow (unless you count the 5 min of it) but the frost covered everything and rarely melted in all of this time. Now it just looks grey outside.  Not sure which I prefer.

Yesterday my dad to me and DD1 out for afternoon tea.  It was very nice and they were very accommodating as me and DD1 don't drink tea or eat the proposed sandwiches.   They gave us other options and didn't charge the extra.  It was a very lovely afternoon, and we have come home with boxes of uneaten bits for today.  I also picked up a few extra bits for DS's stocking (just socks and pants) as his was looking a little pitiful.  So I am done with shopping, and almost done with putting everything together.  I think I may start packing them into bags ready for the journey to my sisters.

My brother popped round yesterday once we got home for no real reason that I could see.  Him and Dad don't really speak so I pass presents between them.  He thinks he is left out as I see him a lot more.  I see him mire because I make the effort to get him involved!  Families hey! . Anyway he will be feeding the cats while we are away, and when they go away in Feb half term we will feed their cat.

The children are all asleep still, and I will let them have a little longer before encouraging them to get up.  I would like to get the washing done today and some homework out of the way.  DD2 has her driving theory tomorrow and practice tests online haven't been that successful so far, so more practice needed.  I need to look up exactly where I need to take her.  We did explore the estate the other week when passing but nothing stood out as being the test centre.

I was also contacted yesterday by the local church who said that I have been nominated for a food box.  It is so very lovely but don't think we really qualify for it.  They say we meet their criteria and it has been allocated so we will get it either today or tomorrow.  I will share bits with friends and neighbours.

slm6002

OK some washing has been done and dried in the machine - needs must.  No heating required today as not too cold so washing wont dry on the radiators.  Food parcel was delivered and is full of goodies - we really are very grateful.  Asda order coming tomorrow has been adjusted as no longer need treaty bits as just delivered.  Still need to wrap those last few bits and the children still need to do something productive!

slm6002

Ooh meant to say that I have been looking at 2023 & 2024 budgets.  2024 will be quite a difference here as DD1 will finish full time education and therefore not count in the benefits calculations and XH will stop contributing towards her.  I'm not sure how much difference it will make but it will certainly impact on things a little.  I am guessing I will no longer get the single person allowance either for council tax.  So basically less income and more expenses, so I need to think about it and work out the costs as much as I can.  My fixed energy prices also come to an end Nov 2023 so that will hit in 2024 as well.

I will also need to work more hours in 2023/24 and hoping a few extra hours become available at work so I don't need to look for extra hours and have the work coach hounding me every week. Lots of changes coming up I reckon

slm6002

I have joined the 23 things in 2023 thread.  Here are my ideas

1. Loose 23lb in weight
2. Donate at least 23 items to the food bank
3. Enter 23 competitions a month
4. Spend 23 min on 'me' each week
5. Listen to 23 books
6. Watch 23 new films
7. 23 sessions of crafty making things for fun
8. Save £23 each month
9. Get rid of 23 bags of stuff that we no longer need in the house
10. Swim 23 miles
11. Try 23 new or forgotten hobbies
12. Help friends / family 23 times
13. 23 fun family days
14. 23 hours of sorting paperwork
15. 23 surveys a month
16. Buy second hand 23 times rather than brand new
17. Drink 23 glasses of plain water a week rather than the fizzy I normally drink
18. Walk rather drive 23 times
19. 23 random acts of kindness
20. 23 fruit and veg a week
21. Enjoy 23 fun and free activities
22. Send 23 letters to Postpals children
23. 23 early nights to get a proper nights sleep

I would like to concentrate of weight loss next year as it is long overdue and there is a LOT to loose.  Now I have got my head around XH leaving and life is dare I say it going OK, I think I have head space for it.  Tried it early this year and I was clearly not ready.  I have today sent an enquiry to a dance school for adult tap dancing lessons.  It used to be my favourite class when I was younger so thought it might be a good way to get some exercise and some me time.  I don't plan on joining the weight loss clubs as I normally do as its the weekly sitting around after weigh in waiting to be named and shamed that stops me wanting to go.  I know what I need to do and hopefully if I can find fun exercise to do it wont be such a chore and the weight will fall off - well I can hope.  I need to see if the sports centre still have their fancy set of scales that gives a print out.  I can then weight at certain points through the year and keep an eye on the progress.  Anyway I must go have my shower and then get to bed as DD1 has her theory test tomorrow at 10am so will need to leave here at 9am.  Night

slm6002

Good evening, what a lovely day it has been.  When we were out I had the window open in the car and wasn't shivering at all.  The sun filled the solar batteries and the house isn't in need of any heating.

Well we were up early for DD1's theory test, but unfortunately she will have to try again as she was 1 mark away from the pass mark.  It is booked in for 4th Jan.  She was gutted as it was so close but is determined to do it next time.  And as she says at least she knows what to expect at the centre now.

I returned some trousers that we later rebought online at the sale price, so will be refunded the original price for those.  I may have picked up another pair for me, but they were on the sale rack as well. What is even better is they are the size smaller than I would normally buy.  I have also ticked off a few more jobs on the to do list before going to my sisters.  We are slowly getting organised. 

Crazycatlady2

slm6002 said:

Good evening, what a lovely day it has been.  When we were out I had the window open in the car and wasn't shivering at all.  The sun filled the solar batteries and the house isn't in need of any heating.

Well we were up early for DD1's theory test, but unfortunately she will have to try again as she was 1 mark away from the pass mark.  It is booked in for 4th Jan.  She was gutted as it was so close but is determined to do it next time.  And as she says at least she knows what to expect at the centre now.

I returned some trousers that we later rebought online at the sale price, so will be refunded the original price for those.  I may have picked up another pair for me, but they were on the sale rack as well. What is even better is they are the size smaller than I would normally buy.  I have also ticked off a few more jobs on the to do list before going to my sisters.  We are slowly getting organised. 

Good luck for her second try. My son passed on 3rd attempt and both times he was only a couple of marks off and on a different section each time 😂 he was very frustrated and has his practical booked for February now 

slm6002

Thank you @Crazycatlady2 fingers crossed for 4th Jan.  Thankfully she has forgotten about it over Christmas and hasn't let it spoil our time away.

We have spent the past few days in the south of England with my sister and her OH.  My Uncle also joined us for the few days.  They overlook the beach and it is beautiful.  We were treated throughout but glad to be home.  The cats are happy to see us and we will be glad to rest in our own beds tonight.  When away I share a bed with DD2 so it will be nice to get that back to myself lol.  I hate the driving part but I know I can do it now as have done it a few times, but I still do not like it.  I can relax now for the remainder of the holidays.

We have only spent money on petrol so probably around £60 for there and back.  Everything else was paid for.  Ooh we did an online escape room which was fun.  I have often wondered if I would be clever enough to do these, but myself and DS seemed to be quite good at them and figured out what we needed to do.  I would like to do some more of these.  Maybe I will ask for one for my birthday?  We did a lot of walking and my Fitbit was very happy.  We need to keep it up but after putting everything away I have sat on the sofa eating chocs.  Whoops.

I only got a few gifts - £20, knife sharpener, fancy cheese grater, hair straighteners, de-icer and ice scrapper, and a box of chocs - but they were all wanted and greatly received.  I looking forward to having sharp kitchen knives for the first time in many years.

This evening I am trying to work out what sink and toilet I would like in our cloakroom - being done in March.  I am hoping to find some bargains in the sales.  I have a budget so hoping with any sales price I can upgrade a little maybe.  After visiting my sister it makes me want fancy things but I know I cant so will get what I can.

Anyway I am happy to be back and I hope you all had a good Christmas.

slm6002

Its been a bit grey and miserable here.  PJ day as not going anywhere.  The children didn't wake up until quite late and I moved downstairs as quite early as I couldn't get comfy all night long.  Which ever position I lay in my back was really hurting.  I am hoping tonight will be better or I will move back to the sofa during the night.

I have continued browsing the sales.  Found the sink I would like and taps, and tomorrow we will head to local store to look at the toilet I think I will be getting.  I have purchased a trivet for the kitchen as it was on my Christmas list but it never appeared.  I have also bought a dress for work.  I have had my eye on it for quite a while but it was expensive.  It is now £20 or so cheaper and still more than I would normally pay, but I will try it on and if it is not perfect it will be going back.  I only have 1 dress suitable for work so if I can get another I would be happy as my work wardrobe is quite limited and repetitive.

Roast dinner this evening with freebies given to us before leaving for my sisters.  All free apart from the gravy which is from cupboard.

slm6002

I was planning on nipping to the shops tomorrow as fresh food is a little sparce since getting home from my sisters, and then my next food delivery is not until Tuesday.  I have just managed to get a few bits on olio to see us through.  I think I will only need milk now .  I need to start making use of this again as it really does save me money.  I also need to store in the freezer if suitable as I know some items will not be wanted by others.  I will be getting bread items and vegetables as well as some flowers which will brighten up the place once the decorations come down.