The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Thought today was a PJ day but DD1 is meeting a friend over lunch and will need at least 1 lift.  Never mind, I'm not getting dressed yet.  Today needs to be a clean up day.  It is more than likely that most things will end up in my room until I figure out where things are going.  There are a few bits to go in the loft but still lots to sort.

No money being spent today at least.  The food budget last week didn't go to plan but mostly was vouchers used.  Other spends also crept in so I need to withdraw the cash again and go back to that way of working a little more.  There is so much that needs using up it may only be milk, bread and fruit needed for the next month.  We didn't have the lasagne the other day so have just taken the mince out and hoping it will defrost by this evening.  Might make up a trifle too or whip as lots of packets that need using up.  Need to work out a meal plan for this week and maybe even next.  We have a busy few weeks - once we get to mid March hopefully things will calm down.

Back to work and school tomorrow so making sure all homework has been completed before a late night panic.  Also need to make sure bags and PE kits are ready - already washed so just need to find everything and repack.  

slm6002

Having a quick well deserved sit down. Freezer 2 defrosted and now in the garage. Letting it cool down a little before putting the food back in. Patio is now covered in peas. Hoping the birds may eat them? Cupboards are now both completely empty and mid way through finding everything a spot. Mince almost ready for making dinner. Loving the sunny summers day

slm6002

Freezer restocked in the garage.  Used up the beef mince and 2 jars of sauce to make lasagne.  Still enough for us all to have it again tomorrow.  Not as good as the lidl version but it will do.

Been discussing the holiday with the children today.  They have decided that they would like to go on bike rides.  It would mean either hiring bikes or taking our possibly outgrown bikes with us.  There is also the slight issue of me being very unfit and not having ridden a bike since I was 17.  29 years is a long time, and I know you never forget how to ride a bike, but I have.  I have very little balance.  It is going to be a challenge that is for sure.  I suggested a tricycle but was told under no circumstances was that happening.  We have 155 days apparently till the holiday.  I wonder if I can re-learn to ride a bike.  I need to find a quiet spot nearby with no one watching that I can practice.  Then it is just a case of building my stamina up.

Right time for showers and then bed.  Half term is over.  6 weeks to go until the Easter Holidays

slm6002

Plodding on with life one day at a time.  Trying not to do full shops this week as we have plenty of bits left in the freezer.  We did nip to aldi earlier for wraps, crisps and treats for snacks when needed.  I have some chicken thawing for tomorrow but not sure what I am actually going to make it into as yet.  Will see what we fancy tomorrow.  Today was Jacket potatoes and then pancakes for pudding.

I cashed out another £10 voucher the other day and it arrived earlier today.  Will hide it in my little stash - its becoming quite a nice little amount now.  I wont earn as much this month I don't think, but anything is better than nothing.

Work is going ok.  The lady I share a room with is a little down at the moment as she received some bad news about a family member over half term.  I will do my best to cheer her up and take her mind of it.  She has again mentioned cutting her hours and trying to see what I can do for her.  It would benefit us both if we can go to those that decide with a plan.  Hopefully as well our report should be out and fingers crossed we will have moved into the 'Good' category.  The staff were informed this evening but as I am half days I don't go to those meetings so will need to wait until tomorrow.

De-bobbled my work cardigan - need to do the other 2 another day.  Hopefully they will remain smart enough to wear to work for a while to avoid buying more clothes. 

slm6002

I realised we were out of milk this morning so popped by the local corner shop and bought just the milk.  Everything else food wise is going down nicely.  Plenty left for everyone.

Just returned from my dance class.  I've had 2 weeks off and can notice the difference plus my knee is a little niggly.  Hopefully back to normal tomorrow.  The work week is flying by and we have indeed be told that we are being awarded 'Good', although it wont be public until next week.  We are very proud to have gone up from rock bottom in a year.  Another busy day tomorrow after school but then we can relax Fri evening as nothing planned.  I enjoy Friday evening, no clubs, no places we have to rush to.  

Got the gas statement through although it is based on estimated usage which is pointless really.  The smart meter is clearly still not working.  I have had no end of problems since they moved over to their new system.  I like the old system where everything worked and I could see my daily usage.  Need to find the key for the meter cupboard and take a real reading.  Hopefully it will be under what they estimated.

A few more surveys completed today so working towards the next voucher.  Up to £8.82 so far.

slm6002

Not long before I head to bed.  Really tired even though I have been sleeping well.  I've had some strange dreams the past few nights as well.  I think I need some more sunshine as it always seems to give me more energy.  It feels colder in the house tonight.  Another reason for heading to bed earlier.  I will soon warm up under several layers.

Today I was supposed to withdraw money for the food shop.  Totally forgot that was the plan.  Nothing spent and I will withdraw it tomorrow as I am going out for lunch with a friend and will end up in town no doubt.  Defrosting a block of cheese out of the freezer but everything else is still looking plentiful in the fridge.  No need for shopping as yet.  Bread is getting a little low, but I have flour so might make a loaf in the bread maker tomorrow.

Only made another 20p today on surveys so no voucher as yet.  Tomorrow will be no clubs or children needing to go anywhere - Yay.  I like Fridays for this very reason.  Hopefully I can get my brother round over the weekend at some point to help with some DIY.  I just know that he is extremely busy as well so don't want to pester him too much.  We would like to be able to sit on the sofas again at some point though lol.  I am going to make an appointment at the tip to get rid of some electrical bits that no longer work and a drying rack that is broken.

Other than that not much happening here - benefits payday tomorrow to keep the bank topped up, and work payday on Tuesday.  We like short months.  Right off to bed for me

slm6002

Yay we made it to Friday.  I've had a restful evening and turned the heating on for a while as it was quite chilly.  It certainly took the edge off the cold and is feeling ok now.

I took the cash out for food today but £20 less as already had that left in my purse from last time.  Dinner was grab what you want kind of night.  I fancied cornflakes as did DD2.  DS had wraps and DD1 a sandwich dinner.  Not part of our 5 a day but every now and again wont hurt.

A work friend then called and had a bit of a moan.  She is not happy at the moment but there isn't anything I can do other than listen to her .  I am happy in my job (apart from a small niggle) but I think she thinks we have the same issues.  She has been in the same job for many many years and I think she just needs a bit of a change.  However if she was to move I think she would realise that actually it's not that bad.  Anyway hopefully just sounding things out made her feel better.

Tomorrow my brother is hopefully coming round to help with the kitchen.  I have a plan in my head that makes sense but need someone braver than me to drill the holes.  Drilling into the wall scares me in case I make a mess of things.  I need to buy a few more bits from the DIY shop but they come to around £30 so not too bad and it says they are available.  Not sure if they will fit in the car though.

Time to load the dishwasher and then bed so I can be up early to switch it on in the morning before he comes

slm6002

Just having a sit down as we have been on the go since we woke up.  It doesn't look like much has changed but it is getting there.  Appliances now in the correct places in the kitchen, but the work top has been left until another time.  I will have the extra bits then and brother is having a think about how to do it for the best.

Last load of washing is in the machine and the dishwasher is almost done.  I have baked a nice lemon and blueberry loaf.  Just had a piece and must say it was worth it.  We had a few other ingredients to use up so made some muffins to use the space in the oven.

It has just gone really dark and I am waiting for another burst of rain.  We had hail earlier when brother was here.  I have some plants that need potting but not going out if its about to rain.  It will have to wait.

Wondering if I have enough energy to do the loft today.  It would clear quite a nice area and leave me to relax tomorrow.  Will give it another 10 min and decide as still need to sort dinner.  Might sit still and research some training for work instead.

slm6002

Almost time for bed, but quick update... £10 received from surveys and stashed in drawer.  Been food shopping today and think we are sorted until the next cash top up.  It is wages payday tomorrow.

Have needed to put the heating on a few times this weekend.  Its just so chilly in the house at the moment like there are windows open everywhere.  I have double checked and all are shut firmly.

Tomorrow I need to catch up on some admin and I still haven't made it into the loft

slm6002

Happy March to you all.  Not much has happened.  Just plodding along with day to day life.  I have filled the money pots from my wages so we are all set for this month.

Building work has been delayed by a week.  Hopefully they will be on track after that.  I have also asked roughly how long they think it will take.  That way I can try to plan things around it.  It also gives me a little longer to sort the kitchen and living room out ready for them to knock walls down.

Had to ring the bank to sort out the mandate for the club account.  Yesterday I was on hold until they told me they were now shut and today I requested a call back and so far nothing.  There are no banks close enough anymore for me to just pop into them so I will try again tomorrow if I haven't heard anything.

Right off to have a read of others diaries then shower and bed