Moving on

rtandon27

Agree 100% with that assessment of energy vs capacity!

Cherryfudge

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82068564#Comment_82068564

Yes, it just took someone putting it into words for the penny to drop!

DH has a day off today and we have childcare responsibilities, but not till after lunch. This morning DH had some landlord responsibilities at the flat (used to belong to his Dad and is now jointly owned by various people but DH manages it) so in theory I should be doing that application. That's also why I'm doodling about on the computer, though I'm pleased to say the table around said computer is slightly clearer today so in theory I should have more headspace (a quick further tidy wouldn't come amiss).

Cherryfudge

We met the other grandparents and the girls for lunch - nice to have a catch up and compare notes! They kindly paid, then we went back to the house for them to finish packing to go home. DH had a couple of errands to run so I had the girls half the afternoon.

DH sent his best shoes to the mender, which cost something like £37 but he's not entirely happy with the result. I've not seen them so I can't comment.

It turns out DS1 has already started his new job and it's in the same office so I think he's metaphorically swapped chairs and taken responsibility for something he had been involved with for a while.

I was so tired when I got home that I dozed for an hour or so, but since then I've been trying to apply myself to the forms for the restructure. I'm most of the way there and DH has had a read through and thinks I've acquitted myself with what I've got so far. Incredibly, I've still not received the job description and person spec, and closing is tomorrow, but at least it can't be much different from my present post so I'm basing it on that. (If there's a problem, I can appeal to the Union).

Cherryfudge

Application is sent - at 10 past 2 this morning, and including a line to the effect that it was written without the benefit of the necessary paperwork, which never arrived. Nevertheless, I think I did a reasonable job.

I thought DH had today off and he had requested annual leave but has still been scheduled - though he has a bloods appointment and an Occ Health appointment so work isn't going to get a full day out of him. The plus side is the leave day should still be available for use later.

Today is forecast to be 23C and sunny, but again, we have cloud all over which will burn off as the day goes on. I'm going to have to go back to my post of the other day to see whether I'm planning anything - though I know I'm at work from five.

Cherryfudge

The cloud stayed till lunchtime and it's been pleasant but not too hot since.

The job description was finally uploaded and my manager sent me a link. I also went on Teams and asked whether people who had submitted an application without access to the JD would have allowances made. I had to explain myself but I've been told I can re-submit if I think it's necessary when I've investigated.

I then got a message to say the building work at church is about to move to over the room the pre-schoolers meet in, and would we like anything brought out of that room as we can't use it for a while. I ended up going down and retrieving various things, then had to hurry back to make the promised meal for the family with the new baby (I nearly forgot!) which I had to leave ready for DH to take to them. Then I had three hours at work but by then I was pretty tired so I don't think I did as much as I might have done.

£6.34 spent on groceries, dinner was salmon (I don't know how much DH spent).

Cherryfudge

I have three daytimes off! No real plans for them though as ever, there are things I ought to be getting on with.

DH is away till Sunday and I am working in the evenings today and tomorrow.

There's not a great deal I can get on with for the children's work: we have another two session and because of wider changes, I don't feel quite in a position to write the rota, but I'm itching to get it done before other teams use up my staff!

I've got a birthday card to write and send which was due four days ago, so I'll try to put an actual handwritten letter in with it.

The review of the job application needs to happen - first a read of the JD, which I'm putting off.

There is still a mound of ironing and the thermostat on the iron is a bit dodgy but it was originally a good iron so I'm avoiding spending out on a like-for-like replacement. I don't know if this is damage or a fault, but it's working and as such, useable, so I'll keep it going and resign myself to what always seems like an expensive replacement nowadays. I always need one that switches itself off if neglected, as I forget I've got it plugged in and that's unlikely to change (an ADHD thing).

There's plenty of general tidying and cleaning and I could list some more items on Vinted while the sun shines and I can get good photos.

Plants want watering and some need to be potted on.

Really I should email the people about solar: I put it off as I've found some more questions to ask (expected levels of maintenance) but if won't do itself.

I've been saying for ages that we need to get the carpets cleaned professionally, so there's that to organise.

At some point but not today I've to get paint for the back fence - and also finish painting the bench now DH has done the wood filler.

This is far too many non-urgents so I will just start somewhere and report back. I need to be answerable when I don't have a sense of urgency to drive me!

badmemory

The only maintenance they told me my solar would need is washing every 6 months. As I haven't found anyone local to do it yet it is a good job the roof is the right slant that the rain washes off the bird muck. Almost 3 years now.

Cherryfudge

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82071242#Comment_82071242

That's good going! I wonder if it's safe to jet wash them?! I was thinking about cells failing but I would imagine the warranty would cover that.

Actually, @badmemory, the window cleaner who does my son's house has some gadgetry that enables him to do the sloping ceiling windows which are about first floor height, so there may be someone with similar in your area.

How have you found your solar performs, if you don't mind me asking? And what questions do you think a beginner like me should be asking? (I know this depends on whether you go for the full kit and caboodle with a battery, or whether it just feeds the houses' electricity needs, but I'm interested in all insights).

badmemory

My installers wouldn't fit without batteries thank goodness. In bad weather I fill them with cheap rate electric between 2 & 5am. If it bad in the daytime I top up with medium rate electricity, enough to cover the expensive 4 to 7pm rate. Those are the practicalities that I just didn't get at first. If I could just stop DSs 30 minute showers I'd be laughing The minor problems are the batteries will only absorb & give out power at a certain rate - not enough for the power shower.

I'm a big fan & it is one of those quick decisions which I did not come to regret. I think greenbee is more knowledgable than I am. That is looking at it as a "normal" person not someone whose job it is.

Cherryfudge

Thanks @badmemory - I'd not thought about how fast the battery would recharge: we don't have a power shower but we could still drain a battery by switching on too many things at once.

Does yours run off an app, and do you get to choose the time when you draw down off the grid?

A friend locally said exactly the same thing about her son's showers! Perhaps showers should be powered by some sort of treadmill so they only get what they work for!