Woohoo. Looks like we are moving house soon. Was a tense few days waiting for confirmation bt now all the references have gone through and my current Estate Agent was really helpful. Mind you, she may just want to get rid of me... 🤣🤣🤣Apparently, our prospective landlords rang her up as well, apart from the referencing agency. They also rang up Hari's employer. We thought, at first, that it was somebody trying a scam, having acquired our details somehow from Homelet or the new Letting Agency. Now, we need to get organised and start packing. That's gonna be fun. We have so much stuff. Might be able to get rid of some. Have to check whether the washing machine is okay. My friend wants me to get rid of the fridge and the freezer but they work fine. Also, I don't have the money to buy new stuff. Going to be hard enough to pay for the move.

On another note, this week, last year, Adam was off to his Year 11 Prom and two years ago, Tara was heading for Nepal. Where has the time gone?

So, things got a bit hectic in the last couple of days.

On Friday we went to see a house in Lancaster. It was okay but a bit small. I asked the Letting Agent to show us one I had seen on the website. She was a bit reluctant because it was available for 29 June and we wanted to move in around 22 July. Anyway, she took us over and both of us really liked it. There are 3 bedrooms, a loft, a cellar. all carpeted and tons of storage space. Having talked things over, Hari and I decided to go for it. Yesterday was spent filling in forms... And I went to see my friend Kush, whom I haven't seen for about a year, though he lives in Lancaster. He has been flying over to US for work and been really busy. Good to catch up. And moan. 🤣🤣🤣

The next three weeks are gonna be fun. Packing up and clearing out, making sure the cottage is clean. All help will be gratefully received...

Today is Father's Day. Hari gave me a Stephen King book and Adam gave me a blanket... so I can sleep comfortably on the sofa! tara will be bringing summat from Cambodia. 😼

Next week, I have to let my landlords know I will be moving out. YAY!

Stuff stuff

Tara had a good time at the Prom. Lots of happy pix on her FB.

Tara - all dressed to kill!

Life's difficult at the moment. Lots of things need sorting.

I need a new job but there isn't much going now, especially in teaching. I suppose one good thing that happened was that I got an interview at Haverigg even tho I didn't get a job. They were so disorganised. They didn't seem to know what I should have brought with me. Left me at the gate for 20 minutes before fetching me. Not even a drink of water. As for feedback, I am still waiting.

The JobCentre have put me with this company called A4E who are supposed to help me get the skills required to get back to work. The woman looked at my CV and basically said there's not much I can do to help you and I don't know why you haven't got  job yet. Still, she offered to make an appointment for me with the enterprise manager who might get me funding for my proofreading website.

Think I will need to move out soon. Running out of money. Not sure there is anything much cheaper for a 3 bedroom house. Bit depressing.

The BBQ was great. Beautiful day. Everybody who came along had fun and ate lots. So relaxed. R said it was the most relaxed BBQ she had ever been to. C helped get the BBQ going and then Hari took over. Robert arrived an hour or two later and the two of them sat there nattering and cooking with their drinks and lots of food. Most of the food was cooked already and just needed a bit on the BBQ for the charred look - and taste! People brought along salads and I had lots of soft drinks. Two of Tara's friends turned up on bikes and another was brought by her mum. They just chilled on the blankets...... Adam had a couple of friends too. They played football, swingball and boules (!). They did disappear into the house to play computer games for a while (quelle surprise, as they say....) but mostly ran around having fun. Just a very pleasant afternoon.

Me......

Tara and friends......

Boys doing man stuff....

oh well, why not?

Time for a natter......

My neighbour, R and Farmer J

Landlord wrote asking to visit, but I said I was busy and suggested another couple of dates. However he turned up anyway and looked around the outside. Then he wrote a stinking letter through the letting agents, saying I had denied access and there was rubbish everywhere. Not sure how he made out that I denied access and the rubbish was recycling and all bagged up to be taken away so..... I was a little annoyed. Considering that they ignore my comments and suggestions about what needs to be done and the lack of action when things need to be done, I think he has a nerve.

Kids came to see me before setting of for three weeks with their mother. Adam was ill Wednesday night and Thursday - gastroenteritis the doctor said - but feeling happier today. They both looked as miserable as I felt. Hopefully we can keep in touch via phone and maybe they will have some internet access.

Hari and I will be looking after the dogs over the next 3 weeks. Get the garden tidy and maybe get rid of stuff to tip or charity. Make it easier to move. Hmm, August or September?

Looking forward to Leeds Music Festival but the dates clash a bit with Tara's results, though she may come with friends. Should try some sightseeing too. Any ideas?

Last ten days

Life seems to be all about forms at the moment. Forms for the DWP, tax credits, School forms, job application forms etc. Then waiting for people to get back to me. Most people do, just the employers don't - the ones I could do with replying. Need a job before I finally run out of money - or a tenant. Don't think the letting agents want to reduce the rent so I am going to have to move in the next month or two. Bit of good news - got some money from the JSA, having accepted that I did not have any savings hidden away. I could have used that for...... lots of different things. Will just spend it on kids, now.

Feeling fitter, soccer twice a week is good. Long walks with the dog help. House is reasonably tidy. Garden needs work. Tomorrow, maybe - lol.

Tara has finished her exams. Seems happier. Got her prom coming up - 20 June. Her first full day at home as a lady of leisure. Got up late, long, leisurely shower and a hard afternoon of social activity on the PC. Came into the sitting room with a huge grin on her face, saying she was learning Chinese...... I suppose I should start saving money for a trip to China.

Hari has a job at the Library. Well, it's work experience for his University Course. He doesn't get paid for it and has to spend 20 a week on transport. So every morning, we iron his shirt, trousers at the start of the week, Has to do shelving, reservations, packing / unpacking the books...... Sounds boring. Sets off at 7.15, having made his sandwiches and gets back at 6.15. Long day, I suppose. Good experience for the future?

Went through the laundry basket. Pile of sheets at the bottom. :( Made me miserable just remembering who used them last. Seemed like the start of something good but....... Had to make that decision. It's done.

Went shopping and got a brush and scissors for grooming Jill. Poor old lady. She is getting old. Had an accident a couple of days ago. Hope it was because we forgot to let her out when we got up, rather than the pills and drops stopping working. Don't really want to think of having to put her down, though it seems likely to happen in the near future.

Jill on a walk

Life's full of good - and sad.