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

EssexHebridean

Well done on the job - absolutely agree about giving it a try and seeing how it goes. That is quite long hours though so remember to make sure you get some "you time" in the evenings as well.

On the motorway driving thing it sounds like you may need to enlist OH's help to rebuild your confidence if you're OK driving with him in the car too? So when you go places that are a bit further afield and need a motorway drive, you drive there, he drives back perhaps? You could certainly do with knowing you have the confidence to do it allowing that you want the flexibility for job hunting and have family members living away from home too, I guess. (Plus think what a boost to your confidence generally it would be to beat that fear!)

Spendless

I agree it's long hours but my last f-time job was 8-4 and until the customer sold off part of the business (the beginning of the demise of it) it was rare I adhered to my finish time. This will be a deal breaker though if I start early and don't get to finish at my set time. I'm prepared to give it a go though. What I picked up on is this is a peak trading time for them and will drop off at some point in January, so quite possible the job will end then anyway.

savingholmes

Congratulations on your new job

EssexHebridean

I used to do 8 - 5.30 a few years ago and really disliked it - that early start in winter was a killer! (That was also one that frequently saw me being expected to work through lunch and/or stay late as well - but then again the entire company had a pretty toxic ethos! The sickness policy needed to be witnessed to be believed! 

Spendless

Well I survived the day and will be back tomorrow lol - The morning is a long slog as I have the later lunch but afternoon is very short because of it. It's about a 15-20 min drive from home and when I do get in the evening is mine. That's a stark contrast to when DD was here as from being 10 she was out doing various performing arts classes and as recently as the beginning of last year (before lockdown 1 changed things) was out 4 nights a week with acting/singing/dancing/musical theatre classes.

The job was lots of take in, nothing difficult but a lot that's 'fiddly'. However the permanent member of staff I work with comes from the same village as me and has a later start time! There's also another temp coming in to answer calls. I also couldn't fathom out Christmas there seem to have a long closure but with some departments still open, so was told wouldn't know what they'd be doing with me. For now, I'm just going to concentrate on the wages, that it'll  update my skill set and update my CV and see what happens.

Ds and his gf were given a very generous cash gift towards their wedding yesterday from a friend. Summer last year DS fetched 2 uni mates home and they camped in our garden. One Uni mate became DS girlfriend, the other  whilst at our house got news that a close relative had passed away without making a will and he was sole heir. This relative had been awarded a large compensation claim years earlier and there was a large chunk still left. The lad hadn't seen this relative for some years following his parents divorce and was estranged from the little family he did have. I found him one morning in a bit of a state and he confessed he'd had a breakdown in the early hours over it all. Me and DH gave him some emotional support and guidance to help him. I'm so touched with the generosity he's shown, it's certainly going to help things. 

EssexHebridean

Glad to hear that today went well - and yes, a good idea I reckon to just focus on the guaranteed stuff, wages, skills etc and not worry about anything else for the time being.  That’s a really lovely thing for your DS and his GF too, how wonderful that their friend has thought of them like that! 

Coxy11

Hi Spendless, glad your first day went well, really good news. Also glad that you have time in after work for yourself. I found that really tricky when I was commuting - used to phone DD and DS2 from the train asking them to chop veg etc, so I could get on with dinner as soon as I had my coat off. Also used to lay out my clothes the night before, so I didn't have to mess around in the morning. WFH has solved both of those issues, but should be going back to the office from April. 

How lovely of your son's friend to gift him some wedding funds. You were obviously there for him in his time of need, which shows how much he appreciated the support.

Hope day 2 is as good
Coxy

EssexHebridean

Coxy I have literally just emailed MrEH to ask him to chop onions ready for chilli tonight as he is wfh today and I'm in the office!  

Coxy11

Excellent EH! 

Honeysucklelou2

Congratulations on the new job. I hope that today has gone well. Lovely to read that your son has had a gift towards his wedding.

Is your DD in good health again now?