Settling in for the long haul

Dakota_Rose

Thank you both. I won’t let it ruin my weekend! Weekends are normally my non-negotiable non-work time, but at occasional times of the year, it just helps me keep my head above water. I have two ridiculously busy weeks left at work and then a lovely long holiday to look forward to.

Saying that, with five 12-hour days scheduled next week, and already feeling on the edge of burnout, I’m conscious that I need a rest too.
I have slept well, but had very intense work dreams 🙈.

Little Miss is away for her residential next week. This will be the longest she’s been away from home, so I’m a little anxious about that. She won’t know that though - we’ll be building her up and keeping her positive. This weekend’s main job will be packing her suitcase and making sure she has everything she needs. I’m determined not to buy anything new for it though as I’m certain it’s all bound to get drenched/covered in mud looking at the activity list.

We have planned a home day today. Depending on how we’re feeling tonight, it may be a family day doing something tomorrow. Mr D has been really enjoying our days out but I’m happy to save any pennies for the summer holidays now. Whatever we do, will need to be low cost.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Hope she has a lovely time at residential… my youngest has just got back from his and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He was exhausted though 😂

Dakota_Rose

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82058046#Comment_82058046

They need another week to sleep it off! 😂

Dakota_Rose

Of the three items I listed on Vinted this morning, 2 have sold. This will be a welcome few pounds once cleared. Funny how things go sometimes, I had listed the same three items on eBay a couple of weeks ago and have had no interest at all! They say clothing is best on the v site, and listing in threes seems to be a good recipe for a sale too.

Little Miss and I prepped her residential things today. A couple of cheap items to pick up tomorrow such as toothpaste and sun cream, but otherwise we have managed to get everything on the list from what we already had in the house. We also filled a black bag with clothes for the charity shop as we sorted through her drawers.

I spent a very disciplined half an hour working on a document and managed to tick something off my work to-do list.

Ofherwise, it’s been a very chilled day. Mr D has worked in the front garden for most of it and has done a lovely job of tidying it up and putting it back to best.

And it was almost a no-spend day today. Little Miss has asked if we can make a leavers shirt together as her friends have bought some personalised ones this year. We have used the power of AI to create the design (I’m not a fan in general but by gosh it’s good for creating posters/designs in seconds), and ordered transfer printing paper online. £6 spent, but then around the same again saved for a personalised transfer from Etsy or elsewhere. She’s thinking she might use her craft kit to add a bit of sparkle to it.

Hoping everyone has had a relaxing Saturday!

Baileys_Babe

Doh, I wrote this Saturday morning and forgot to press send 🤦

I didn't read it as whining, vent away, team Dakatoa Rose will be here to support you.

I think you should only do any work this weekend if you block a set time (and stick to it) and if it is going to have a real benefit to your week overall especially as you will be working a huge amount of hours next week.

I encourage my children to go away as I want them to have new experiences but I still miss them and get anxious, like you I don't share it with them 🤗

Dakota_Rose

Aw @Baileys_Babe thank you. Getting the balance of work right is important. I did a small amount of time yesterday and felt the benefit of it. Not sure if I’m going to do an hour or so today. I should for the workload but am reluctant because it’s the weekend.

Today will be mostly about getting Little Miss feeling ready to go away. We need to borrow a bigger case for a start off and do something about her wild curly hair so that she can manage it for the week herself. We could straighten and plait it, but she’ll be doing lots of water activities - the straightening could be an hour of my life wasted by tomorrow lunchtime 😂 maybe just curly plaits!

Baileys_Babe

Curly plaits are the way to go.

Blackcats

another vote for curly plaits! Has she got any of that spray in detangler or just a squirty spritzer type bottle with water in it to dampen the curls before brushing?

Baileys_Babe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82059063#Comment_82059063

My daughter uses both of these (not at the same time) on her curly hair

Dakota_Rose

We have it all 😂 the water spray really is the best thing but she is still finding her way with managing it herself and relies on lots of creams and oils. Her hair is absolutely beautiful but really is a handful!

In the end, we went for straight plaits and a trim. I think she felt extra special but it will no doubt be curly again by tomorrow. At least she had her princess moment today.

Little one smashed his smash and save pot yesterday and we counted over £18.50 in there! He had a great time picking his treats and I was very happy to support that as each time he helps his daddy with a job, he gets a coin so it’s been well-earned. In true 5-year-old style, it went on a small Lego set, squishy superhero figure and a selection of treats to share with his siblings.

Little Miss didn’t want to miss out so took her bag of shrapnel to the coinstar machine. Mr D is sure that it declared it would take 10% of the amount but actually took more than £1.50 of her £4.80. I think that’s quite shocking really. Anyhow, she managed to get a little bit of spending money for her purse.

All in all, it’s been a quiet weekend. I’ve been feeling lethargic and not sure I’m yet ready for the week ahead. Each day done will be a relief though and I’m telling myself it’ll all be downhill after this week so just need to keep swimming.

We will miss Little Miss this week, and eldest is spending a couple of days with my mum to help her out a bit, so the house will be extra quiet for Mr D and youngest while I’m putting in some long days.

Here’s hoping for a calmer than expected week ahead!