A new chapter, An empty nest, Drama school & Last year of Uni

Newstartforme

Enjoy your trip Spendless , love your updates , so practical and informative

Spendless

Aww thank you Newstartforme. A lot of the time I think I'm just rambling on. It's nice to know that's not neccessarily the case.

Tuesday and I've just paid DD's student rent. This was week 3 rent from my wages so next week's will be coming from the money I saved towards it from DH's wages. She has less than 2 weeks to go before her degree ends.

In a couple of hours I have an emergency dental appt because yesterday a filling came out! I bought some sweet stuff on clearance tempted by the bargain price but it was chewy and removed the filling! Most expensive discounted item ever but it's my own fault cos I shouldn't be eating sweet stuff anyway and needed teaching a lesson about it - well, I've got one. Immediately afterwards it came out I rang the dentist and couldn't get through or leave a message so I drove to the surgery and explained the issue and that I'm going to the US shortly and really didn't want to get stuck with any medical issues there and luckily she'd just had a cancellation. Does mean I've had to rejig seeing a friend, which in turn has a knock on effect of when I can start packing - but hey ho, shouldn't have been eating the offending item anyway!

Bought tickets to see DD's show on Friday and realised it has a longer running time than I anticipated, which doesn't matter for Friday, but does mean we can set off later on Thursday. DH is off, I'm working till lunchtime, I thought me commuting in by public transport, eating a breakfast out (so don't need to grab lunch) and then being picked up by DH to set off as soon as I finished was how to work things (same way we did it when we took my parents away recently) but the public transport times, the hours places open to start serving breakfast and the time I need to be at work by didn't all align, now DH has realised we don't need to be there as early (he thought we were watching Thurs evening show) I will drive in my own car to work, get bfast at a hotel near my workplace that serves earlier and walk round the corner to work. After my shift I'll drive home and then we'll set off. The later finish of DD's show means the place she'd like to eat at with us afterwards is out and we're restricted to where we can go that will still be open. Urgghhh so much planning and that's before we even need to go anywhere near the airport!.

Today's tasks other than the dentist, involve picking up (former) wedding dress, seeing friend for lunch, calling at parents cos Mum is altering another dress for me and needs me to try on and packing. Really hope I have everything I need here and can 'shop from home' and not need to go out to get anything else.

ETA - Forgot to say best bit, Mr S finally had the last cheque back from the taxman from his 4 years of wrong coding, around £10 under £1200! Hoping to be able to put this towards much needed house renovation that has been on hold for the past 8 years. Not showing in bank yet, he paid in via an app. Hope it'll show up later today or tomorrow.

Spendless

Had the dental appt, some issues in that area to be looked at next appt with my regular appt. The dentist that did the work I told about going away and she also prescribed me some anti-bs to ward off any infections whilst I'm in the US (so grateful to her for thinking of this). I can still drink on them, I checked with the pharmacist -lol. Bill just under £30 (very lucky to still have an nhs dentist) have emptied my 'health n beauty pot to pay cos my healthcare plan I've already received the full amount back in the last 12 months.

After that I picked up my (former) wedding dress. Oh it is beautiful. I am so glad I didn't have the lace taken off of the front cos that is what makes it. It doesn't look like a short wedding dress (which was my fear) but like a formal occasion dress which is exactly what I wanted. It cost £65 for the alterations. An absolute bargain. I called to show parents and Mum offered to run a light iron over it, I can't blame the dressmakers for the creases it had spent several years folded up in a bag in the attic. Mum also ran some elastic thru the too baggy armholes of a dress which I bought discounted at work for under £5. 2 dresses for under £ 70 and thanks Mum.

Later I went out for lunch with a friend, I don't know if it was the local anaesthetic not wearing off, or just being overwhelmed cos so much still to do, but kept losing my stuff and feeling agitated over it. Friend asked what was wrong but I couldn't give her an answer I didn't know. I got better after numbness had worn off and we ate. By chance some 40% off main meals had come thru the door for a nearby pub so we went there.

Today I HAVE to pack. I don't even know areas I'm lacking and still need to get. DH suit needs picking up from dry cleaners. I think he's wearing that to the formal 'dress up' presentation evening the same day I wear my former wedding dress. I'm eating at parents tonight so once tidied up I don't have to stop to cook and clear away. I am taking the pooch with me, so they see their Granddog before we go away

The HMRC cheque cleared. I have moved it into a Monzo pot for house refurb. I've also moved some money for our forthcoming trip. Unsure if Mr S has underestimated how much is needed. It's hard to guess cos some or all meals/drinks are covered for both of us, some just him and some days neither of us. Also doesn't take into account if I go off sight seeing whilst he's working or just sit by the pool. I have got contingency money we can use just in case.

Right best start cracking on.

Spendless

Friday and Ive paid £7 into Xtra rent making it £176.33 plus my usual friday fiver savings.

We set off yesterday after my work shift. We fly tomorrow. Inbetween is DD's show.

DS rang us en-route. Ive said he lives near water, well yesterday Daisy Duck went and built herself a nest in his garden, the furthest away from the water. He was hoping to move her on as he didnt think where she'd selected (an open garden space not fenced off) particularly safe, but then he saw she'd laid eggs so he can't. The council grass cutters had been out earlier mowing down long grass and Daisy must have considered this ideal building material.

RSPB was closed for advice. I googled and read an article that in Spring, the water areas can become very crowded and too much attention from the male ducks may lead to the females going and making a home a short distance further away. I can understand Daisy's viewpoint, overcrowded housing and males bothering her, so she's moved herself and her (unborn) kids out of the area.

Grandcat due to his breed is a housecat so wont be bothering Daisy but there's neighbouring cats/animals who can get to her cos her nest is quite exposed. Hope RSPB can suggest something.

One day, my kids will message me about normal things instead of stuff like 'my chimney is in dire need of repair' 'my ex has written a musical about me' and now 'a duck has set up home in my back garden'.

badmemory

Hopefully they can suggest some sort of smelly stuff (like olbas oil) that will repel the mammals but not bother the ducks.

At least with this sort of messaging you aren't going to get bored.

kayannie

When I worked in a garden centre, a duck made a nest & laid eggs in a pot of flowers on a bench full of plants for sale. The river wasn't far away, but we think she felt safer among people than other ducks. We had to put a cordon around the area to prevent her from being disturbed!

Spendless

Hullo there - logging in from Stateside. Got here yesterday after a 9 hour flight in economy! Not the comfiest of journeys but the price was just too high otherwise. We paid same for my ticket as we did for PE back in Jan, decided it just wasnt worth it.

Being picked up from the airport, literally as we walked out of passport control by car and chauffeur for the very last time is a lovely memory Ill always have of our time.

Dropped off the hotel, we saw some of DH's colleagues and after a quick nip to our room to dump suitcases and change tops we joined them for drinks and were eating a bar meal at the equivalent of 3am in the UK.

Back at home, we watched DD's show the day before we came here. I found it very emotional in places. We took her for food inbetween shows as wed watched a matinee and got her back (just!) in time for her evening performance. She has a few workshops and industry seminars to attend next week but performance wise that is it, her training is over. A journey that originally started when.she was 8 and taken more seriously from age 10 onwards. From her being 18 her progression has been detailed on here. Now she has an ad hoc job at an entertainment venue where she can select her own hours whilst we try to sort out her enhanced dbs so she can teach (proving slippery each time she thinks shes within reach another curveball turns up - purely to do with the application process), has an agent who is sending her auditions so fingers crossed something will stick and has 3 months left on her tenancy for her to sort the next stage of her life out.

After watching DD's show we made our way to the hotel nr the airport, found we'd had our room upgraded and it was decorated with balloons and rose petals on the bed. Dont know if there'd been crossed wires and they thought we were celebrating an anniversary or just a cancellation from someone who was after the room had been decorated but the complimentary drinks and snacks provided were appreciated. We've received the same here from the organisation. A box full of local treats.

Tonight there is a presentation evening that I am wearing altered (former) wedding dress to. DH however has to start work at 8am! Thats the thing here yes they play hard with lovely meals, drinks and entertainment but theres incredibly long hours to work too (and bear in mind this is a voluntary role).

Update re Daisy duck situation. DS thinks she may have abondonded the nest as he didnt see her at all yesterday. Fingers crossed she returns.

Newstartforme

lovely update Spendless , your DD has come so far throughout your diary , a big well done to her and good luck for the future . Enjoy every moment of your trip

Yankee24

I’ve followed for years. Well done mama. The ds wedding, the daughter’s arts training. We are at the theatre weekly in London, so if she gets anything, do let us know! I am vested. My kids are a bit older than yours, so I have enjoyed the parenting adults reflections. You are only as happy as your unhappiest kid is very true. My son is in the USA living, we are visiting him in 10 days. Just dumped by gf. I am sad for him. (But at least we didn’t pay for another dinner for her!). Enjoy my country.

Sarahwithlove

enjoy your trip stateside. its crazy to think DD's training is almost finished, feels like thats flown by quick, well at least to me lol, probably not for you. I hope she manages to get the career she wants from it.