Reining it in for retirement and sanity

RebeccaPAgain

This week has been better. I think I was also just exhausted from the having to clean, entertain, socialise, rinse and repeat. Calmed down a bit now and kids back to school this coming week so in some ways that's easier.

DH keeps buying things for the garden (mainly hose bits - how many of these does he need?!) which is driving me insane. He's given quite a lot away to a family member and she brought us round a bottle of wine today which was very nice of her (she didn't need to) but it was a nice exchange.

One more week at work until a week off. I have taken a half day friday to get my hair and nails done (I only get my hair coloured and cut about twice a year so have tied it in with holiday as think november was last time) and haven't had nails done in ages (probably since last august!) so hands and feet crying out for it. Tempted to take the morning off too but think I won't as there is something I have to log on for friday which only I can do so may as well get paid for it/not use my leave to work. Our flight isn't until 1645 Sat so I do have time to pop into town Sat morning for anything last minute.

Spending is a bit meh but it's ok. Have made shopping list to do fri night which is so small (just want to make sure couple pizzas in freezer for when we get back late the following sunday and enough to get the kids through 1 day of school/nursery before I can go shopping again) so that will help.  Filled one car with petrol today (67) and DH will (hopefully) do the other Weds so that we don't have to worry about it when we get back. Will have DC2's swimming to pay for also but not yet received the invoice.

Think kids largely sorted with clothes now for hols. They both have 2 x UV swimsuits and plenty shorts/t-shirts. Going to pack them some jeans and tops for evening too in case it gets cold. I did a big toiletries shop Sat and got all the suncream/plasters/medicine etc. Need to get some shampoo/conditioner but at b))ts, the prices were ridiculous and think they are cheaper in WR so going to try there. I'm sorted I think - hopefully in day will mainly be living in swimwear (I have 3 costumes but 1 isn't nice so might not take it) and 2 throw-over wrappy things. Then I've got about 5 or 6 nice dresses I can get in for the evenings. Also a couple of pairs nice trousers that I could pair with a nice top/t-shirt and a cardi so should be good. 

Don't you just hate it when you find a great pair of shoes and then they stop making them but the old ones have had it?! I had this recently - they make them still but not in the same universally great colour plus my feet now seem to be half a size bigger since having had the kids and they don't do them in half sizes. 

Tonight I am making a dish from the WR magazine which has minced lamb in it. Was glad to get a yellow sticker lamb mince as otherwise it's almost 8 a pack which is crazy. It's quite nice and light to have for dinner.

Will also be fake tanning Fri night!!!  Wish me luck!

dawnybabes

If I know I like a specific shoe then I hunt them down on Vinted and eBay 😁😁

LillythePink

Good to hear from you and the countdown is on so only 5 more sleeps for you

Depending on where we go on holiday, I try now not to pack a lot of toiletteries and buy locally as it saves on weight - only take enough to see me through the first day or so obviously not if you need specific shampoo or conditioner, we also (sad to say) visit laundromattes and take the washing leaves, colour sheets and tumble dryer sheets with me - flat pack so it means it is easier to pack

Hosting can be challanging and stressful - I haven't had to do it for years but I empathise with you

Try not to stress about budgets too much while you're away, it can be reset when you're back from your holiday high

I also buy a lot from Amazon now in terms of shampoo/shower gel etc as it is cheaper plus I don't have to traipse into town (not that it's far over here of course) but easier to lug a box from the post office counter than bags from the shop and I find that Boots on the Bridge, whilst more convenient doesn't have a lot.....we have an ebox and I am now on first name terms with the blokes in there - they see me coming in and just go and get my parcels!

Have a good week at work and get some nice holiday nails......I have appointments booked in up to September

Take it easy

xx

LillythePink

PS - good luck for your self tan

peb

Is it worth a click and collect at boots or super drug in the airport?  May be more than you want to carry post security but would probably be cheaper and save some of your time 

RebeccaPAgain

peb said:

Is it worth a click and collect at boots or super drug in the airport?  May be more than you want to carry post security but would probably be cheaper and save some of your time 

I did think about this but I think our hand luggage will be pretty full anyway given we need an overnight bag for Gatwick (plus I have zero doubt each child will moan about carrying their bag!!). I'm not buying showergel etc so hopefully its not too heavy in the grand scheme of things.

stoplurking

I hope you have a lovely holiday Rebecca.  You are doing really well managing two young children and working as well, I’ve been there and it’s hard sometimes.  Hope you get lots of sunshine and rest. 

SL 

weenancyinAmerica

Can the kids wear a backpack instead of carrying a bag? If they had a special one that matched their interests, maybe they wouldn't moan so much. I used to stay in Horley whenever I was going in or out of Gatwick. Highly recommend it for the B&Bs there.

RebeccaPAgain

weenancyinAmerica said:

Can the kids wear a backpack instead of carrying a bag? If they had a special one that matched their interests, maybe they wouldn't moan so much. I used to stay in Horley whenever I was going in or out of Gatwick. Highly recommend it for the B&Bs there.

We've given them their school packbacks (which they like) so fingers crossed!

RebeccaPAgain

Fake tan is a bit of a disaster.  I look like a wotsit and have some very obvious white patches - our flight not until later so should be able to remedy the white patches at least by applying more orange!  

We are all checked in and will do bag drop this evening. Need to pack once kids up but shouldn't take too long though I do still need to do one load of washing/drying(!)

Spending went off scale yesterday as I had hair done and needed more clothes. That said, I now have a half decent summer wardrobe so happy with that. We still have budget left for the month. I did a very small WR shop of a ready meal for last night so we didn't have to worry about cooking/mess, snacks for plane to avoid paying the extortionate airport prices and I had a £10 off when you spend £40 which someone had left behind on the till a couple weeks ago so used that to reduce. We have enough to get us through the sunday night when back (got 2 x pizzas for freezer) and first day of school/nursery.

I needed new sunglasses (got some with my reading prescription in but wanted some for general use).  I spent quite a bit on a pair around 15 years ago which are now knackered but cost per wear was worth it. I will still use them for being in the pool as it doesn't matter if they get (even more) wrecked. I tried some ones on in the "posh shop" yesterday - over £300 - nice but not that nice. So went to b))ts and got some for £55 which should last me years (I actually bought 2 different pairs as couldn't decide but have decided now so taking one back). Taking some other bits and bobs back too.

Flight delays here today so hoping we manage to actually get to Gatwick. Craving a very cold beer in the sun!