Need to get something off my chest...........

OK, am needing to rant here.

I know I'm not the only person out there looking for work,

but it sure feels like it.

I look every day at the jobs and apply but no success.

What I am doing wrong?

Well I'm looking for jobs that allow me to still be mum,

that means 25hours a week.

Monday to Friday, preferably term time only.

But some out there will say that there is childcare provided.  Yes there is,

but childminders in my area will not take a child over 10years.

I have asked.

Temp work is not practical solution, I have a mortgage to pay.

I need something on a permanent basis.

Retail wants evenings and weekends - a time when childcare provision is not available,

I could ask my parents, but I chose to have a family with the now absence OH.

it is not their responsibility but mine.

I could ask their Dad/my ex, but he lives over 400 miles away,

and is not a reliable person to trust.

Night work is available, but again same as above applies.

Arrgh.... its so frustrating, all I want is a job, 

but there seems there has to be a compromise.

And I should not have to compromise... my children should come first, 

And work should be when my girls are at school.

So enough said. 

Chin up and carry on I guess.

Something right for me and the girls will turn up....

its just a matter of patience.

OK rant over on with the day....

End of a long week, but progress has been made.....

Quite a lot has happened this week in single mum's world.

The pre-planned, and prepared lunches worked like a charm.

Didn't need to think about what was going in the boxes every day.

And gave me more time in the morning to tidy around single mum's world centre,

ensuring the girls were well prepared for their day, 

and made the morning of the day I had a job interview less hectic.  

Which made me calm and collected, hopefully it was enough to get the job.

Well keep you posted as I find out early next week....fingers crossed.

Along with job interview, review with the job centre, and all the various after school activities,

I managed to find the time, with my dad's help to work on the hallway.

This was a UFO that was started......9 year ago.

Then was abandoned as other personal matters needed my attention. Coupled with being newly separated from OH, and adjusting to being a single mum, 

with a babe in arms and a toddler, I am not surprised that it took a back seat.

But it is finally finished, just need to search about to find some pictures, 

frames for photos and prints I had collected ready to dress the hallway & landing, 

my corner unit to display my favourite items,

re-varnish my mirror,

and find some house plants to add life to it.

Corner unit - another thrifty find at a different local charity shop

stairway to heaven!

view from the front door towards the kitchen

the small wall by the Front Door - pictures a find at local charity shop

upstairs landing

Am now very pleased with the way it is coming together....

aka a single mum

Christmas Preparations.....

Ok so two posts in a day maybe overkill,

but this one is so worth it.

The lovely lady, Cherry Menlove has produced a beautiful Christmas Checklist 

to help us all to keep track of our gifts and our budget.

Get yours here

http://www.cherrymenlove.com/christmas-at-cherrys/2011/11/free-download-my-christmas-gift-checklist.html

and then check out her blog, it is full of wonderful anetdotes,

and fabulous home making ideas and recipes.

Well worth the read with a cuppa!

Bye for now

 

aka a single mum

What's been cooking in the kitchen..........

 Well the weekend arrives with the usual swiftness, 

and as always in a single mum's world another busy one.

Saturday sees us out the door to Ballet/Jazz/Greek Style dance class,

where my dear daughter learns her technique and skills.

And where I have bartered my time to help run the dance wear shop

and do some admin for the Dance School.

A well negotiated barter that benefits us all 

and my daughter can still do what she loves for a fraction of the cost.

A frugal single mum....

Anyway once back at the single mum world centre,

to the kitchen I head to feed the darlings, and the cat! Again!

 Whilst the day was bright but crisp, soup was the order of the day!

Homemade Tomato & Rice Soup and Croutons. Yum!!

Followed by Weetabix Loaf Cake...nomnom.....

All the above were enjoyed by myself and the girls.

The cat had just his biscuits.

Really pleased that using up store cupboard supplies has turned up some

fabulous munchies for next to nothing in cost.

You just got to love that!

So the challenge to self was to do the same again, 

for dinner.....the result is below,

Egg Fried Rice and Szechuan Pork Stir-Fry

Another good result!

Already its Sunday, and we are off out the door to join the Rememberance Parade in the local community.

Once back to world centre, its preparation again for another busy week ahead.

To minamise the rush in the mornings, I thought I would trial something to see if it fulfilled our needs,

that's to say it needed to be at least 2 of the following;

• cost effective
• apatising
• time saving

So after lunch was cleared away, the girls and I set about preparing the bulk of the lunches;

Sarnies, wraps  and crisp baggies!

 Crisp baggies set in a box along with the cakes box ready to grab and box.

The sarnies and wraps are ready in the fridge - double wrapped to keep the freshness.

And the empty 2 litre milk carton that was finished at breakfast......

is filled with squash ready made to pour into drink botles in the morning.

All I need to do is grab the various items in the morning, along with 2 pieces of fruit, 

and lunch is in the bag.

Will keep you posted towards the end of the week on the success of this adventure.........

and whether it is one that I'll be repeating!

Enjoy what is left of your weekend, love

aka a single mum