If You Fail To Prepare, You Prepare to Fail

[Cas3]

I know what you mean, we were fairly young when we had Emily so was on my own for a little while X Going back to work as probably made such difference to your life- I bet your work friends enjoyed it just as much xx

 

[UKSerena]

I know what you mean, we were fairly young when we had Emily so was on my own for a little while X Going back to work as probably made such difference to your life- I bet your work friends enjoyed it just as much xx

They both said they had a lovely time One girl still lives at home and has quite bad self confidence so has never had a bf. The other girl is a very young single parent who has a 2.5yr old but works full time to show him that his Mummy is doing the best for him. Work has changed my life in so many ways, although it's tiring at times I am grateful for the person that it has made me. I still can't believe I've only been there since Feb 2015, feels like I've come such a way in that time!!!! X

 

[Cas3]

They sound lovely you should try and do it more often, the young mum is very inspiring.
Your doing great with your job, you seem so settled and happy and it's so handy working term time with Poppy -so you still get plenty of quality time. I do hope for you it's worth while financially too cos I know for some mums it isn't which is a shame xx

 

[UKSerena]

They sound lovely you should try and do it more often, the young mum is very inspiring.
Your doing great with your job, you seem so settled and happy and it's so handy working term time with Poppy -so you still get plenty of quality time. I do hope for you it's worth while financially too cos I know for some mums it isn't which is a shame xx

I think we might try to make it a monthly arrangement, it's so much cheaper than going out and means I don't have to find childcare as Poppy is just in bed as normal.

Unfortunately my job doesn't give me much financial incentive, I work 35hrs plus a week and am not really any better off than when I was on the dole However if I kept thinking about that I would never have done it so I just went with it and we cope ok! We might not always have new or brands but we also don't have any debts so I think that's more important. Too many people now have things on tick, I spend what I have and once it's gone it's gone. Poppy knows the value of money and I'm proud of her for that as so many kids now don't. Oops, I'll climb off my soapbox now, bet you wish you never asked now lol x

 

[Cas3]

I agree with everything you just said its so frustrating when you go out to work, work really hard and for very little financial gain! But it's much nicer lifestyle and the job it's self must be very rewarding.
We the same I've learnt the hard way with credit so rather save for nicer things or just go without!
I like my next stuff for the girls but I do buy clothing from supermarkets etc as well xx

 

[UKSerena]

I agree with everything you just said its so frustrating when you go out to work, work really hard and for very little financial gain! But it's much nicer lifestyle and the job it's self must be very rewarding.
We the same I've learnt the hard way with credit so rather save for nicer things or just go without!
I like my next stuff for the girls but I do buy clothing from supermarkets etc as well xx

I think our quality of life is better now as we actually appreciate our time together and I know I can hold my head up high and say I'm being the best Mummy I can possibly be. I need a new Hoover as mine has just decided to go berserk so I've been having a look at the bank holiday deals online. X

 

[UKSerena]

Evening Everyone!

It's been such a lovely start to the long weekend today!

I took Poppy to visit her dad, then we caught up on Masterchef which we both love and then we did some baking It's a Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:



It doesn't look much but it smells AMAZING! Can't wait to try it tomorrow! We are going to my parents for Sunday Dinner so I'm taking it for the afters.

Today's Food

Breakfast-Wasn't very hungry after last nights Indian so I just had some fresh raspberries

Lunch-Went to Wimpy, didn't feel particularly hungry so I had what I fancied but a very small portion. 1/2 Quorn Burger with BBQ Sauce, Tomato, Lettuce, Few Chips, 3 Onion Rings and 1 1/2 Mozarella Melts.



Dinner-Used up the leftovers from last night as I hate wasting food. 2 Small Onion Bhaji and probably about half (?) a tub of pilau rice



I've got one of these to have with a cup of tea later:



My food isn't exactly great at the moment but I don't feel that my portion size is creeping up and I certainly am still mindful of what I eat, I'm just having what I want and eating like a 'normal' person I think!

Hope everyone has had a lovely Saturday,

Lots of Love Serena X

 

[Cas3]

Hiya, hope you manage to get a new Hoover, we in need for a new one - keep putting it off ( being tight) also want to invest in a steam mop.

Your food looks very tasty- liked how you manage to stretch out your meals, your wimpy looks tiny, I do love a wimpy lunch

Your carrot cake looks lush- enjoy your Sunday xx

 

[UKSerena]

Hiya, hope you manage to get a new Hoover, we in need for a new one - keep putting it off ( being tight) also want to invest in a steam mop.

Your food looks very tasty- liked how you manage to stretch out your meals, your wimpy looks tiny, I do love a wimpy lunch

Your carrot cake looks lush- enjoy your Sunday xx

We are going to have a look at B&M in a minute, hoping they might have a deal. We've had our roast but saving the cake till we get back to have with a nice cuppa.

I have a handheld steam cleaner but not a steam mop, it's quite good but it's a faff getting it all set up and I can never really be bothered! When I first got it I steamed everything, novelty factor soon wore off lol!

Wimpy is a bit retro but I love it, I just like good classic reliable food when I'm out, nothing fancy or too pricey! X

 

[Cas3]

Is the hand held much good? I just could with a steam cleaner for the kitchen and living floors.

We always enjoy a nice wimpy but it's more of a treat as it can work out quite expensive for us xx

 

[UKSerena]

Is the hand held much good? I just could with a steam cleaner for the kitchen and living floors.

We always enjoy a nice wimpy but it's more of a treat as it can work out quite expensive for us xx

The Handheld is really good, it comes with loads of tools and gadgets. It came from Aldi on their special buys, was £39.99 I think X

 

[UKSerena]

Evening Everyone!

I've had such a lovely day with Poppy and my parents!

The weather has been FAB, managed to get both our beddings washed and dried!

We had lunch at my parents house and then we popped to B&M, I wasn't sure what sort of cleaner I wanted so I've gone for something totally different:



It was only £39.99 and as we don't have any pets and there's only two of us I think it will do just fine!

We then came home for coffee and cake, yum yum! Then we took a drive to the local beach and went to my brothers bench, it was glorious down there!

Today's Food

Breakfast-None (Wasn't hungry as I had my Turnover quite late last night)

Lunch-Mums Sunday Dinner HM Mushroom Roast, HM Roast Potatoes, Aldi Yorkshire Puddings, Cabbage, Carrots, Green Beans, Gravy and Mint Sauce



Mid-Afternoon Snack- 1/12th HM Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting



Dinner-Will be the other Tesco Fresh Cream Raspberry Turnover as they need using up.

Before I sign off I wanted to share with you all an old pic, it was taken in Oct 2000, I'm 15 nearly 16 and it was taken at Butlins with my parents and now deceased Nan:



Hope everyone has had a great Sunday!

Lots of Love Serena x

 

[UKSerena]

Evening Eveyone!

Today has been a very busy Bank Holiday Monday, I think I'm going back to work for a rest!

We've spent about 7/8 hours in the garden with my parents, it's been a good work out! We've been mowing/clearing/cutting/sweeping, I'm exhausted! Both gardens look soooooo much better now, just hate having to do it!!!! Least it's all done and nice ready for next weekends heatwave! The only time we stopped was for a tip run, on the go the rest of the time! Clocked up over 12000 Steps!

Today's Food

B-Cadbury Brunch Bar Peanut as I just wanted to start the garden

L-Cheetos Flamin' Hot as we didn't stop for lunch

D-Asda Cheese Pasta Salad & 1/12th of the Careot Cake

And that's it, not a lot of food but I'm exhausted now and not eating for the sake of it!

Hope everyone's had a great Bank Holiday, have a good week everyone.

Lots of Love Serena X

 

[Cas3]

That's a lovely family pic when you were younger X

That's a super busy day for you all- did you manage to get your Hoover?

Is it really a heatwave next week, do you know when most of school break up for the Summer holidays this year x

 

[UKSerena]

That's a lovely family pic when you were younger X

That's a super busy day for you all- did you manage to get your Hoover?

Is it really a heatwave next week, do you know when most of school break up for the Summer holidays this year x

I just got the handheld compact vacuum, there's a pic a few posts back I think it's meant to be early to mid 20s next weekend which will be just lovely if they don't change their minds again! We break up on Friday 22nd July, I'm not sure if that's the same for most schools but I would expect so? X

 

[Cas3]

I must of missed it, looks nice though, hope it works well.

I was thinking around 22nd, the girls school are so unorganised with dates etc. So is it the following week your be off on your holidays xx

 

[UKSerena]

I must of missed it, looks nice though, hope it works well.

I was thinking around 22nd, the girls school are so unorganised with dates etc. So is it the following week your be off on your holidays xx

We leave in the early hours of Tuesday 26th Only 83 Days to go!!! I've not tried the new Hoover out, the old one decided to work again which was just typical!!!! X

 

[UKSerena]

Evening Everyone!

Today at work was quite uneventful, the weather just made me feel so happy that even work couldn't change my mood! Me and Poppy enjoyed the garden after work, it was so lovely out there and great to spend quality time together! We got all the garden toys out and had lots of fun, we also planted some tomato seeds so hopefully we will have some plants grow!

Today's Food

B-Crumpet, Beans, Egg & Plum Tomatoes (Will be the same every day)



L-Homemade Lentil Dhal, WW Garlic & Corriander Folded Naan, Strawberry Fromage Frais & Apple (Will be the same every day)



D- 2 Crispy Pancakes Cheese, 3 Potato Croquettes, 3 Battered Onion Rings, Carrots/Peas/Sweetcorn & Tomato Ketchup



I've clocked up over 18,000 steps today, working in EYFS is a work out in itself!!!!

Hope everyone has had a great Tuesday,

Lots of Love Serena x

 

[Cas3]

A great day! Well done on your step count thats a lot- Poppy must be looking forward to the holiday too that's quite a nice time to go away xx

 

[UKSerena]

A great day! Well done on your step count thats a lot- Poppy must be looking forward to the holiday too that's quite a nice time to go away xx

She can't wait She's only been on a plane once and that was when we went to Lanzarote when she was 18 Months Old so she can't even remember it! My legs are definitely telling me this morning that I did that many steps yesterday!!!! X