greent's mfw journey

greent · 18 August 2015 at 1:10PM

Two of them were still awake at gone 6am! They were all awake at 3.30am - I heard them! They were up and foraging for breakfast by 9.30, though, so not too bad. All have now left and DD has promised she'll tidy the room

I think they all had a good time. 2 aren't finishing off 6th form because their results were too bad, so they will see less of each other going forward

Secret_Saving_Squirrel · 18 August 2015 at 1:57PM

Your dd did really well. These results are the crunch time sorting out who is university material and who isn't. I feel for her friends who did badly, but studying clearly isn't their thing and they will be happier out there doing something different.

greent · 18 August 2015 at 6:57PM

Thanks, Squirrel. I'm very proud of her - she's always been very self motivated and doesn't need nagging. She has also chosen subjects for A2 which she not only likes but is good at - which not all of her friends did! I was talking to the Asst Head at the results day and she was saying that AS results are a kick up the bum for quite a few people. DD has chosen her career (English teacher.......) and we've visited a couple of Unis already and she's a pretty sensible girl. I'm torn about her getting a job whilst in Y13 as I don't want her grades to suffer, and she's also doing her EPQ. But a job is a 'good thing' in general and good for UCAS app. We've compromised over the holidays and she's been doing some work for me for OH's company (lots of data inputting and some finance basics) for which she's being paid (through company payroll) which I'm happy to continue doing - but want her to commit to a minimum no of hours doing it a week in term time (I'd be happy with 4 or 5, which is not exactly a lot and she'd obv have no travel time) to make it a firm arrangement. I usually have enough which she could do so it could work, theoretically.....

Beautiful day here. However, old boiler has literally gone BANg and had steam coming out of it - engineer has been and it is well and truly kaput. Good job we've got the new one being fitted next week and are away for a few days between now and then!

muddywhitechicken · 18 August 2015 at 8:46PM

greent wrote: »

Good job we've got the new one being fitted next week and are away for a few days between now and then!

Near perfect timing! Enjoy your break

greent · 20 August 2015 at 3:40PM

Quick update with decluttering stuff:

663. 4 outgrown jumpers and 1 polo shirt donated to school for spares
664. box of books (about 2 dozen) donated to a bootsaler who is raising funds for charity
665. box of books (about a dozen or so) about gardening and art donated to a specific charity stall
666. 'Organised Mum' shopping list 'book' cover - recycled after list notepad used up

667. 2 jars of HM produce donated to neighbour
668. 3 belts (inc one never worn) - CS
669. top - CS ragbag (had a hole in)
670. 2 pairs of socks worn thin - CS ragbag
671. old mascara x2 - bin
672. pair of PJ shorts - CS ragbag
673. card, present and gift bag from stash for DS3's friend
674. couple of DS3's schoolbooks recycled
675. bag of DS3's outgrown/ unloved clothes - ragbag
676. pair of DS3's PJs - CS
677. present and card from stash for DS3's friend
678. Box of 12 books - SOLD - via Ziffit
679. Small pile of DS2's clothes to CS ragbag
680. 2 tins of paint (1 unused but opened and 'split') - chemical recycling at tip
681. Pandora charm boxes (empty) - sold via ebay
682. handpainted (by DD) bowl - binned (DD's idea)
683. over stretched slinky - bin
684. old school shoes and outgrown trainers (6 pairs in total) - recycled via charity
685. DS3's old joggers - CS ragbag
686 - 687 - 2 books - CS
688 - 690 - 3 Thomas trains - SOLD - ebay
691. - 701. - Sylvanian Family toy sets - SOLD - ebay
702. - lots of packaging - used on ebay parcels!

703. Pile of cheap imitation skooby strands - binned
704. Tunic - SOLD - ebay
705. Dress - SOLD - ebay
706. tub of Ant powder (1 of 4 which we have!) used up and recycled
707. card and present from stash used as part of wedding gift

708. LOTS of toiletries used up (space is beginning to appear - yeay!!!)
709. book (from unread stash - now read) - given to my mum
710 - 2 Disneyland Paris mugs - pattern faded and I really dislike how they felt in my mouth (too thick) - binned
711. 4 items of clothing - CS ragbag
712. top - SOLD - ebay
713. 2 unused bottles of body lotion - donated to charity
714. set of hanging planets from DS2's room (broken bits) - binned
715. various kibble from DS2 and DSW3's rooms - binned/ recycled

greent · 20 August 2015 at 3:57PM

School shoe shopping trip done today - successful purchases for all 3 boys (cost £130) but not for DD. She has narrow feet (D) so struggles with a lot of off the shelf shoes, plus I personally like the quality of Clarks for school shoes (they just last the whole year) but their styles for teenage girls leave a lot to be desired. We found a just-about-passable pair in adults but they didn't have it instore except for in wide fit, so have ordered it online (and got cashback too!

) so we can hopefully get them next week. We did pop into the local Brantano (also a Clarks stockist) and found the correct size but in patent, so tried them on for fit - fingers crossed the ordered ones are ok! I also bought school trousers for DS2 from M&S (and DD £40+ worth of underwear - sadly I have taught her well and she only likes decent bras with matching knickers (preferably in a couple of styles, to suit all occasions!) whereas her friends are all happy with Primark ones. Still, it's worth it - they look good (although finding M&S bras which she likes can sometimes be tricky) and fit well) Haven't tried the trousers on him yet - will do that tonight - way too much hassle to get a 9yo to try things on in the middle of the day!) Also made the mistake of being in town over lunchtime so had to buy 2 x Happy meals and 2 x pasties and drinks - and then hit M&S food hall for pastries!

Still, it's over and done with for another year (and DD is joyful that she never has to do it again!) I do still need some cheap trainers for DS2's PE bag though... will have to sort asap!

Plan on another ebay attack when they return to school - Florida fund needs a boost, and another burst of decluttering before Xmas won't hurt! Have sold our old coffee machine today for £20 (OH has now got a 'pod' style one), so that'll be added to Florida fund when it's collected

Will re-attack my clothes in a couple of weeks - will just be for CS, not to sell, but could do with checking on what gaps I have in the run up to Autumn/ Winter. I know that I could do with another couple of jumpers at least, and another pair of 'smart' trousers for work, and poss some flat boots for work (mine are all heeled and not suitable, due to noise when walking around during exams) DS2 could probably do with a new coat, too. It's all money, money, money.....!

x

greent · 30 August 2015 at 3:10PM

Had 4 days/ 3 nights in London for a long weekend (Sat-Tues) Did Madame Tussauds (freebie vouchers for all 6 of us from Clubcard to apologise for an error - just had to pay £3 each for the Star Wars bit). Harry Potter Studios (3 of us - but I must've spent £150+ in the shop (inc stuff for Xmas and bdays) but did take a picnic (called in Tesco for sandwiches)), London Eye (the other 3), Tower of London (mostly paid for by Clubcard reward vouchers - cost me £11) and the Science Museum and Natural History Museum (DD also popped into V&A and wandered off to Harrods whilst we were all looking at stuff in the Science Museum) Spent a lot on food and all came back feeling bloated and craving healthier foods. But we had a good time

Came back and my mum gave us money for our anniversary to go out for a meal (last thing we felt like doing!:D- so that is currently sat in kitchen)

New boiler fitted Thurs and Fri - we have hot water!!:j Couple of snags along the way which created some issues - and a few more which OH needs to take up with the fitting co before paying them the balance (we've only paid a 10% deposit at the mo) It does mean that we had to remove the 3 large cupboards which formed my pantry, though - so all the food is in boxes in the family room, which is a nightmare.

I need to put some shelves in the space temporarily to at least have SOME things back in the kitchen! I also need to chase the window guy on Tues as to coming and getting full details form us and hopefully getting a date - and OH needs to chase the kitchen guy yet again

My sister and her OH moved house on Fri. OH and DS1 went to help, as they did it without a removal co :eek: and I stayed with smallies and supervised boiler (good job that I did, too, because of snags!) I then went along at tea time for a few hours to help. It's the 2 of them and then his 2 children at weekends - they have WAY too much stuff!! (I did consider buying her a moving in present of Marie Kondo's book, but I'm not sure she'd appreciate it! :rotfl:)

Goldiegirl · 30 August 2015 at 3:27PM

Wow, you sound busy, busy, busy!

But a great trip to London by the sound of it - and great use of vouchers too :j

apple_muncher · 30 August 2015 at 5:49PM

Awesome Lunnon trip - sounds like you had a fantastic time!

Pearla*Merle · 30 August 2015 at 8:18PM

Fabulous voucher usage :T & glad to hear all has been ticking over nicely in the greent household.

But eek to the Harry Potter gift shop o' temptation.. I'm heading there (oh, and the tour thingy, lol) in a couple of weeks; my credit card quivers at the thought of all the lovely things that lurk therein. :rotfl:

greent's mfw journey

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