I finally got the opp to do a reccy of where I may consider living in the future. Scratched a few areas just didn't go for them. Just not me! Others look ok though a tad more expensive to the tune of £50 a month but for being content for three years and happy to leave my house without being concerned or spooked then tis worth it!
I have no news on whether a deferral is possible yet. I may just have to explain and reapply next year.
Sacriston, Witton Gilbert all look ok. Ushaw Moor at a push. Also Bearpark and Langley Park. All fine. Will need to consider child care and do some investigating but that's for later I have Duke of Edinburgh to keep me busy first. I also get my four days per week starting August which is nice.
I have booked a week off at the same time Biggles has a fortnight off. I only have 7 days leave left so am only able to take a week. I may take the other two days during his week depending on plans.
We may go to the Deer Hut if it is free mid week. ( Barrowburn posher camping barn!)
Monday, 16 July 2012
Iceland - the shop not the country!
Yesterday we picked up one of those tex mex enchilada things for ... 45p from the Co op. But this is about Iceland you say! Yes it will be! Anyhoo I decided I needed onions to go with the tex mex. Apparently you could just use chook but I decided I would use up left over bacon and a pepper and needed to add Union of course! I was out of onion and not wanting to park up and go to Morrisons etc or use the super expensive butchers come mini green grocer I trotted over to the land of ice. Now all those terrible adverts for frozen processed food normally keeps me well clear of the place however I was pleasantly surprised by some of the bargains and savings to be had.
Now I live in a titchy market town. We have a Sainsburys, Morrison and Lidl, a Co-op and Iceland. No big bargain shops like Tesco or Asda. Sainsburys is often out of my price range, though if you are picky with what you purchase its not bad sometimes ( stock cubes for 10p for eg ). Normally I find Morrison's the cheapest and most reliable for their prices in comparison to both Lidl and Sainsbury.
Anyway while in Iceland I snaffled half price Yorkshire tea bags, pizza, chicken breast bits and onions all for a rather nice price. The cucumber was 10p more expensive as was the Iceberg lettuce.
However Iceland was worth a gander just for the Free Range Eggs 6 for a pound. There are only caged hen eggs for cheaper in Morrisons and Sainsburys which I refuse to consciously buy. Lots of other deals as well like 10 diet cokes for 2.50. Now I am partial to a diet fizzy drink from a can its got to be a can on the odd occasion - needs to be branded. Normally its a treat form the tiney winey pound shop where three for a pound rule!
A few other bits like a five pack of frutella for £1. Weeny girls likes three for a pound so this was better value. And the loo roll is softer and cheaper by 21p. Only a pound for four rolls of petal soft. The rolls look about the same price and I refuse to purchase expense tissue for wiping ones fudge tunnel! What a waste!
Reduced fat cheese £2 foe 300grams - this is the normal price not the special price.
After all that getting past the party food aisle, ignoring the prawn ring and processed crap its occasionally worth a butchers.
Smart Mums go to Iceland to reccy the bargains not to purchase the processed ready meals!
Now I live in a titchy market town. We have a Sainsburys, Morrison and Lidl, a Co-op and Iceland. No big bargain shops like Tesco or Asda. Sainsburys is often out of my price range, though if you are picky with what you purchase its not bad sometimes ( stock cubes for 10p for eg ). Normally I find Morrison's the cheapest and most reliable for their prices in comparison to both Lidl and Sainsbury.
Anyway while in Iceland I snaffled half price Yorkshire tea bags, pizza, chicken breast bits and onions all for a rather nice price. The cucumber was 10p more expensive as was the Iceberg lettuce.
However Iceland was worth a gander just for the Free Range Eggs 6 for a pound. There are only caged hen eggs for cheaper in Morrisons and Sainsburys which I refuse to consciously buy. Lots of other deals as well like 10 diet cokes for 2.50. Now I am partial to a diet fizzy drink from a can its got to be a can on the odd occasion - needs to be branded. Normally its a treat form the tiney winey pound shop where three for a pound rule!
A few other bits like a five pack of frutella for £1. Weeny girls likes three for a pound so this was better value. And the loo roll is softer and cheaper by 21p. Only a pound for four rolls of petal soft. The rolls look about the same price and I refuse to purchase expense tissue for wiping ones fudge tunnel! What a waste!
Reduced fat cheese £2 foe 300grams - this is the normal price not the special price.
After all that getting past the party food aisle, ignoring the prawn ring and processed crap its occasionally worth a butchers.
Smart Mums go to Iceland to reccy the bargains not to purchase the processed ready meals!
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Residential in the Cheviots
Just back from Coquetdale - five miles west of Alwinton. Spent the night in a bun barn with teenagers 16-18. Not the sort of thing they would normally do. They debated what they wanted to do, planned it and applied for a young peoples grant successfully and we supported them to do the activity. Weeny came as well. They were ace. We managed a 5mile walk as well over a small hill. and along a valley. Weeny had some help but walked 4 miles at least. She was rather brilliant. The teenagers were good with her too but I dodn't let her cramp their style. We looked for different coloured wild flowers, slugs, tramped over bridges, jumped over muddy puddles, and ahhhh! at views and baa'd at sheep. Northumberland being splattered with history we walked through Murder Cleugh and Thieves Wedder. Murder Cleugh is a spot where Robert Lumsden a landowner murdered his pregnant lower born mistress. There is a cross and a headstone to mark the spot. Lots of Border Reiver tales. Oh the Thieves Wedder is a spot where a sheep rustler pinched a sheep then fell into the deepest part of the River Coquet as it flows through the valley and drowned. Ain't Northumberland lovely.
We stayed at a place called Barrowburn - a bunk barn - stone wall camping. Ace spot. Nothing about at all.. Very basic. Real fire. Cooked together etc etc. They evaluated their experience and worked out how they could improve it, better kit due to the weather ( these are not camping outdoor young people types). We played board games, jenga, parlour games etc and everyone had some jollies. I do believe there may have been well hidden alcohol. However it was drunk sensibly - some are over 18 but college policy is no drinking full stop. No one drunk, annoying, upset, stupid, being sick etc etc. We can't go around demanding that all canteens are sampled, bottles full of pop sniffed. If we saw it then we would have had to confiscate it lol - save it for later ;-) we threatened!
I would go back - excellent spot. The Cheviots are empty unlike The Lakes. Desolate which is how I like hills most.
www.barrowburn.com There is also a deer hut which is better equipped. Maybe we may return but in style.....
Most of all the Yoof had a ball for a mid week overnighter. They want to do it again but bigger and better but may repeat the trip on their own time independently without pesky work supervision.
Times like this I like my job. They will also be doing D of E - well some of them . They liked the navigating bit. We gave them turns with the map and leading the group. It was a dead easy route. Some of it along a well marked path along the valley past farms.
Weeny and I may return for a night all on our own for bonding and fun. Biggles thinks its expensive and prefers tents given the costs involved. He is a yorkshire man after all.
We stayed at a place called Barrowburn - a bunk barn - stone wall camping. Ace spot. Nothing about at all.. Very basic. Real fire. Cooked together etc etc. They evaluated their experience and worked out how they could improve it, better kit due to the weather ( these are not camping outdoor young people types). We played board games, jenga, parlour games etc and everyone had some jollies. I do believe there may have been well hidden alcohol. However it was drunk sensibly - some are over 18 but college policy is no drinking full stop. No one drunk, annoying, upset, stupid, being sick etc etc. We can't go around demanding that all canteens are sampled, bottles full of pop sniffed. If we saw it then we would have had to confiscate it lol - save it for later ;-) we threatened!
I would go back - excellent spot. The Cheviots are empty unlike The Lakes. Desolate which is how I like hills most.
www.barrowburn.com There is also a deer hut which is better equipped. Maybe we may return but in style.....
Most of all the Yoof had a ball for a mid week overnighter. They want to do it again but bigger and better but may repeat the trip on their own time independently without pesky work supervision.
Times like this I like my job. They will also be doing D of E - well some of them . They liked the navigating bit. We gave them turns with the map and leading the group. It was a dead easy route. Some of it along a well marked path along the valley past farms.
Weeny and I may return for a night all on our own for bonding and fun. Biggles thinks its expensive and prefers tents given the costs involved. He is a yorkshire man after all.
Monday, 9 July 2012
A deferral....
A deferral. Yes am considering deferring for a year. I have to go to Durham on the 16th not only to hand in CRB stuff but have to do a work experience check for a student so the petrol is paid for.
Am thinking cash.
Saving is good. I need to have a back up saving pot. Not having a good rainy day pot is probably not a good idea. It will cost to move and there are always extras to pay which will leave me with zilch as a backup.
Also I am unsure and much of this stems from not having a safety net. I am a glass half empty not half full when it comes to cash.
I have happily discounted the PGCE in Health and Social Care. For 15k debt I don't feel the return is there. Also I have been away from compulsory ed for too long. I am unsure I could work in that environment again. It can be very stuffy. Apologies to teachers out there.
I figure a year and a bit of being super frugal and saving is not a bad thing. Fewer weekends away as of September due to school.
Downside is weeny and moving schools. Its a good time to do the move. On the flip side some staying in the same place after moving house last christmas is not a bad thing. Also in a year when she is nearly 6 she will be more independent, understand more and may have better skills for moving, understand why we need to move etc.
The bank balance is looking better and we are managing. The car needs its timing belt changed which is another big expense if I factor in what I need to move.
I also don't think I have the energy to move again in a rush. Packing. sorting, organising...
The final decision will be made re whether or not I can defer. This is out of my hands.
Duke of Edinburgh brings alot of fun too. Working four days with the option of earning toil as extra for hols with Weeny is not a bad thing. Some time to focus on her for a wee bit.
Long term financial plans - house buying etc I think I need to get real. Not going to happen here and not going to happen full stop unless you can get a 97% tiny mortage - fat chance. I think the pension plan is probably my best bet with some increased savings for the weeny one.
16th July is decision day.
Am thinking cash.
Saving is good. I need to have a back up saving pot. Not having a good rainy day pot is probably not a good idea. It will cost to move and there are always extras to pay which will leave me with zilch as a backup.
Also I am unsure and much of this stems from not having a safety net. I am a glass half empty not half full when it comes to cash.
I have happily discounted the PGCE in Health and Social Care. For 15k debt I don't feel the return is there. Also I have been away from compulsory ed for too long. I am unsure I could work in that environment again. It can be very stuffy. Apologies to teachers out there.
I figure a year and a bit of being super frugal and saving is not a bad thing. Fewer weekends away as of September due to school.
Downside is weeny and moving schools. Its a good time to do the move. On the flip side some staying in the same place after moving house last christmas is not a bad thing. Also in a year when she is nearly 6 she will be more independent, understand more and may have better skills for moving, understand why we need to move etc.
The bank balance is looking better and we are managing. The car needs its timing belt changed which is another big expense if I factor in what I need to move.
I also don't think I have the energy to move again in a rush. Packing. sorting, organising...
The final decision will be made re whether or not I can defer. This is out of my hands.
Duke of Edinburgh brings alot of fun too. Working four days with the option of earning toil as extra for hols with Weeny is not a bad thing. Some time to focus on her for a wee bit.
Long term financial plans - house buying etc I think I need to get real. Not going to happen here and not going to happen full stop unless you can get a 97% tiny mortage - fat chance. I think the pension plan is probably my best bet with some increased savings for the weeny one.
16th July is decision day.
Weekend in the capital, south bank moochings, a pukey oblivion and an sprinting four year old....
It was free ticket time again .. Biggles gets a number of free train tickets being a frequent rail traveller.
Weeny and I trotted off to the big smoke.
We spend Friday just mooching around Clapham and munching happy meals. They are a treat for £2.49. Yes more expensive in the capital! She scored for a really funky 2nd hand black sun dress with colourful embroidery which she refused to take off once she tried it on and a bracelet.
Saturday we took a stroll form Waterloo down the river along the South bank to the Tate Gallery. There is a kiddies interactive bit and some drawing stuff to do as well as piles of bricks to look at. I am a philistine when it comes to mondern art. Lots of the exhibitions looked like poo. Her words not mine lol. The Kandinsky, Dali and Picasso's were cool. We didn't pay for the Munch or Hirst exhibitions. At £15 each I thought not!!! All free other than the obligatory ice cream and the carousel ride. Fantastic old fashioned horse carousel and she is big enough to ride her own horse now which she loved!
There is a rainbow sand play space and skateboarders to watch as well as other arty things going on and a big wooden climbing play frame near the London Eye. We saw the Shard. You can't miss it.
Sunday we ate late again ( Eggy bread) then mooched around Wandsworth common and fed ducks. There are two play parks which keep Madam busy. Oh and I mad the mistake of sitting on the mini roundabout to be spun into a pukey oblivion while shouting ''Biggles you arse!'' A few looks from the nappy valley brigade.. Whoops. I had to lay down after that. Sometimes he is just not funny!
On the way to the train we said goodbye to Biggles ...which she doesn't like. Its not too bad when we say farewell at home as we often go to the park immediately afterwards or have things to look forward to straightaway. She was upset. I carried her away giving cuddles then had to put my heaving four year old down. She is heavy, She promptly done an about turn and shot off back to where Biggles was waving. Crying lots. Proper tears. Ouch. Am sure Mr Officer had glassy eyes as well. You can't come to the train to say farewell at Kings Cross as its all ticketed access now.
We managed to get on the train and sat in the carriage where we had had reserved seats which turned out to have a problem with its heating. It would not turn off. A sweat box on tracks and was intolerable. We are the last stop before Edinburgh. It was a long journey till we moved to first class at the train guards suggestion. Free Wi fi- Yeah!!
Back to the grind and no further forward with decisions.
Biggles not keen on his name anymore. He occasionally drops by apparently. ( Obligatory Rimmer salute given ala Red Dwarf!) Hence will now take suggestions for an alternative! Answers in the comments box below!
XX
Weeny and I trotted off to the big smoke.
We spend Friday just mooching around Clapham and munching happy meals. They are a treat for £2.49. Yes more expensive in the capital! She scored for a really funky 2nd hand black sun dress with colourful embroidery which she refused to take off once she tried it on and a bracelet.
Saturday we took a stroll form Waterloo down the river along the South bank to the Tate Gallery. There is a kiddies interactive bit and some drawing stuff to do as well as piles of bricks to look at. I am a philistine when it comes to mondern art. Lots of the exhibitions looked like poo. Her words not mine lol. The Kandinsky, Dali and Picasso's were cool. We didn't pay for the Munch or Hirst exhibitions. At £15 each I thought not!!! All free other than the obligatory ice cream and the carousel ride. Fantastic old fashioned horse carousel and she is big enough to ride her own horse now which she loved!
There is a rainbow sand play space and skateboarders to watch as well as other arty things going on and a big wooden climbing play frame near the London Eye. We saw the Shard. You can't miss it.
Sunday we ate late again ( Eggy bread) then mooched around Wandsworth common and fed ducks. There are two play parks which keep Madam busy. Oh and I mad the mistake of sitting on the mini roundabout to be spun into a pukey oblivion while shouting ''Biggles you arse!'' A few looks from the nappy valley brigade.. Whoops. I had to lay down after that. Sometimes he is just not funny!
On the way to the train we said goodbye to Biggles ...which she doesn't like. Its not too bad when we say farewell at home as we often go to the park immediately afterwards or have things to look forward to straightaway. She was upset. I carried her away giving cuddles then had to put my heaving four year old down. She is heavy, She promptly done an about turn and shot off back to where Biggles was waving. Crying lots. Proper tears. Ouch. Am sure Mr Officer had glassy eyes as well. You can't come to the train to say farewell at Kings Cross as its all ticketed access now.
We managed to get on the train and sat in the carriage where we had had reserved seats which turned out to have a problem with its heating. It would not turn off. A sweat box on tracks and was intolerable. We are the last stop before Edinburgh. It was a long journey till we moved to first class at the train guards suggestion. Free Wi fi- Yeah!!
Back to the grind and no further forward with decisions.
Biggles not keen on his name anymore. He occasionally drops by apparently. ( Obligatory Rimmer salute given ala Red Dwarf!) Hence will now take suggestions for an alternative! Answers in the comments box below!
XX
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Duke of Bloody Edinburgh!
The award that it not the old chap!
This it the bit that is pulling me in.
We are startng as a directly licenced cetre offereing D of E and I am manager for my sins. IE at the heart of setting this up.
I want to as its fun and I like D of E ... if it wasn't for D of E then I woudl be off like a bat out of hell.
Its good for the college and good for the yoof I work with and I like da yoof!
Hmmm ahhh bugger maybe I need to defer!
This it the bit that is pulling me in.
We are startng as a directly licenced cetre offereing D of E and I am manager for my sins. IE at the heart of setting this up.
I want to as its fun and I like D of E ... if it wasn't for D of E then I woudl be off like a bat out of hell.
Its good for the college and good for the yoof I work with and I like da yoof!
Hmmm ahhh bugger maybe I need to defer!
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Should I stay or should I go...... this indecisions bugging me...
Reasons to go!
Opportuity for a new career!
Moving to a cheaper area for rent, house prices - though am not in a position to purchase at all!
Good time for Weeny to change schools
Takes three years to train needs to be done sooner rather than later
Better prospects
To be employed is to be at risk to be employable is to be secure
Reasons to stay!
Money - I can save money here and pay my bills
No risks - roof over my head - life is ok
Job is ok -
Paying a pension
Will be working part time
Some suppport locally from friends in the area and further afield though no one particularly close or family
To buy a house in this area I will need to save 10k at least.
I could save this money for weeny for the future. Chuck it in an ISA or something
In three years assuming that I get a job straight away I will be on the same salary as I am now.
Its a risk and hard work.............. indecision indecision......
Opportuity for a new career!
Moving to a cheaper area for rent, house prices - though am not in a position to purchase at all!
Good time for Weeny to change schools
Takes three years to train needs to be done sooner rather than later
Better prospects
To be employed is to be at risk to be employable is to be secure
Reasons to stay!
Money - I can save money here and pay my bills
No risks - roof over my head - life is ok
Job is ok -
Paying a pension
Will be working part time
Some suppport locally from friends in the area and further afield though no one particularly close or family
To buy a house in this area I will need to save 10k at least.
I could save this money for weeny for the future. Chuck it in an ISA or something
In three years assuming that I get a job straight away I will be on the same salary as I am now.
Its a risk and hard work.............. indecision indecision......
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