The Thrifty Gifty Girls 2009 (Organised & Money Neutral for All Occasions) #3

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Hi to everyone new especially you lurkers :rotfl:.

I'm so sorry about your job goochie - fingers crossed things will sort themselves out but it must be a huge worry for you.

Hugs to you shelley pets are really another family member. The last time I really sobbed my heart out was when my mum had to have my dog put to sleep. He was just old but had lived with my mum since DD was tiny as he was really jealous of her and used to growl when we went out without him. As he was a German Shepherd cross they were about the same height at the time and I couldn't risk anything happening.

I also sat beside the pond for 4 hours one day last summer when Frodo disappeared. He surfaced eventually but we were all so relieved.

Great pics plm - we already knew that you were all fantastic wonderful people but most importantly what did you buy? :rotfl: :rotfl:

According to the Wii fit I have lost 2 pounds this week (after it told me I put 4 on last week ) but I have take 6 years off my age so I'm now a year younger than I am really still has a big 4 in front of it though . Maybe you could use that as an excuse rusty :rotfl:

paddingtondoo

Don't worry about spending your voucher Mellika. I did this last month with an M&S voucher as OH needed some new shirts and some Boots points as they had Lynx deodorant on offer.

I've made a note in my trusty notebook and will attempt to nick it back from somewhere during the year. As long as you bought something you need I presonally don't see it matters. So if you make it back from Ebay for example you can spend it anywhere rather than being tied to Boots so might get an even better bargain . And we so love bargains on here :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Shelley3774 wrote: »

So sorry to hear about your job loss Goochie you must be gutted!! I hope you find something soon xxx

I'm going to make this really quick tonight as I had some devastating news earlier about my dog - she does have cancer and its the most aggressive form so we are going to have to put her to sleep
I haven't stopped crying all night and I'm dreading it sooo much. She has been my loyal and gorgeous companion for 14 years and I will miss her terribly. I have to go now there are teardrops dripping on the keyboard but here is a little pic of my dog and how I wish to remember her:

Oh, Shelley I am so sorry to hear about your dog, she is gorgeous, I don't know what to say as I know how devastated I will be when my boy's time comes. Thinking of you, I am getting tearful just typing this. (((HUGS))), puts my little problem into perspective, the only think that matters in life really is the health of your family (and pets are very much part of the family) and friends. Lots of love, Goochie. x

[Deleted User]

Love the photos PLM, it is so nice to see what some of you look like - and that is GORGEOUS.

Well, we're off to the country for the weekend, really looking forward to it, catching up with friends and eating and drinking lots.

Have a lovely weekend all of you, and THANK YOU for all your good wishes, you are all :A .

I can't remember who asked, but I have 5 weeks notice period to work and have lots of contacts at recruitment agencies (as I was in HR for 5 years), so have already emailed them all and told them I will be coming in next week once I've updated my CV. It's just really bad out there at the moment especially in Financial Services where I have worked for many years. Ho hum, won't know until I get out there, I'll bounce back it's just a bit of a shock and I am worried.

rufusdog52

Shelley - You have had me in tears too about your beautiful dog, she is so gorgeous, I'm so sorry about your news. I have two dogs and the eldest "Rufus" is 15 this year and is getting on and I'm dreading the day he goes, I had him since he was a pup beofre my daughter was born and before I lost my Mum. My other dog Harvey is 6 and is a cross german shepherd/labrador.

Goochie - sorry to hear about your redundancy, seems to be never ending doesnt it the amount of people losing their jobs. I hope you find something even better soon, god luck to you.

All you ladies who had a lovely day out, I am SO jealous, lol, glad you had a nice day.

Have updated my list for the year red si finished, green is started but not finished and black still to do.

March - Grandson 2s birthday - Bakugan toy won in competition plus hoody bought with £10 bonus from a catalogue
Ex MIL birthday - knitted waist coat, all finished and money neutral
May - Sons birthday - 2 t shirts money neutral
June - Daughter 2s camping trip to be paid - ALL PAID OFF AND MONEY NEUTRAL :T:T
Fathers day - usually just send a card which I will make
July - daughter 2s birthday - Some nice make up money neutral
August - OH 30th - scrapbook bought and started, want 30 presents so far have 7
Grandaughters birthday - 2 short sleeved cardigans, have wool and patterns
September - Dads birthday - 2 cardigans already knitted
November - Daughter 1s birthday - knitted cardigan,
Grandon 1s birthday - cardigan with soldier on the back, have wool, plus army helmet and accessories from pounland
December
Dad - new winter coat not sure where from but looking
Christmas - OH - dont know yet
Son - Knitted jumper have a pattern and wool, nearly finished
Girlfriend - dont know yet
Daughter 1 - Knitted cardigan have wool and pattern
Boyfirend - dont know yet probably wont be around by then lol
Daughter 2 - probably a basket with make up etc
Grandson 1 - Knitted jacket have pattern and wool
Grandson 2 - Knitted jacket have pattern and wool
Grandson 3 - Knitted jacket have pattern and wool and castle book
Grandaughter - 3 knitted cardigans all finished
4 nieces presents - knitted dolls all finished plus patchwork bags and altered note books
5 Godsons (OH's) - knitted picture jumpers have pattern and some of the wool
Other child relatives - selection boxes

Catch you later xxxxx

pinkladymel

I had a great time yesterday and I can't even tell you what I bought!! There was tons of it! The show was aimed more at beginners and cardmakers so it was hard for me to find anything that I really liked but I was really happy to just be in the prescence of such wonderful friends.

I forgot to say on my blog as well that Sarah (Rainmac) made us all rocky road and it was AMAZING. She made it with dark and milk chocolate with smarties and berrys and marshmallows and biscuit in. ARGH It was so nice!!

Furrypig turned up with a bag full of gifts and then thanked us for making her bag empty.. THANKED US for letting her give us gifts!! I was so happy because she went through a lot of thought and got me NBC things which you know I love Then she presented these pyramids and said they was 'homage to Rusty Flange as she couldn't be here'. It was so lovely.

I am not a photographer but I am nifty in photoshop.. that is all I can say LOL I am glad you liked my blog because the only reason I do it is for you lot!!

Have a great day today.. I'm off to Telford later!! xx

Mellika

pinkladymel wrote: »

Furrypig turned up with a bag full of gifts and then thanked us for making her bag empty.. THANKED US for letting her give us gifts!!

My mum always says giving gifts is a blessing. When someone tries to refuse a gift from her (whether planned or unplanned) she always says 'please do not deprive me of the blessing of giving you this' I miss my mummy

pinkladymel

Mellika wrote: »

My mum always says giving gifts is a blessing. When someone tries to refuse a gift from her (whether planned or unplanned) she always says 'please do not deprive me of the blessing of giving you this' I miss my mummy

She sounds so wonderful. It is not about the gifts but the thought.. and the feeling of being loved. Your mum must have been so special and that kind of person makes life worth living xx

Mellika

She is, she's got so many little 'pearls of wisdom'. Thankfully she is still among us (and will be for many years!!!). I miss her because she's home in Argentina and I haven't been back in over 3 years. Really miss her big-boobed cuddles

SugarSpun

I'm sorry for everyone receiving bad news and I hope you're all doing ok. Jealous of your NEC trip....

Anyway, an update.

The only gifts I have yet to buy for this year are (pending surprise weddings) Christmas gifts for my OH and my current occupant, who will be making an appearance in July/August and probably only getting a couple of books from me because (s)he (we're still not totally sure) will only just be figuring out how the neck muscles work and will be far too busy to waste time on presents. That and we're considering travelling to the UK and family will no doubt shower gifts on the newest member so we won't have to.

Most astonishing bargain so far was the spa day I bought for my mother in the lastminute.com giveaway - a tenner with 80p Quidco. Second most astonishing is my husband's birthday gift. It's a children's book from the 1960s that he really wanted. Saw it at $75 on a specialist retailer's website; bought it for $12 from ebay. All its popup things work, too.

My main problem is that I put all the gifts in my mother's loft and wasn't allowed to climb up there last time i was there so I've very little idea what's there and who it's for. The shopping (mostly online) was done with strict regards to lists of people though. Total spend was just over 140 for the whole year (and included some random non-gift extras).

Quidco is currently serving me wonderfully with about 85 quid due back from booking flights and hotels, and I've just ordered 20 in amazon vouchers for Pigsback, which I intend to put towards a Dyson.