Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 3

cw18

nykmedia wrote: »

(DD's wedding is 5th Sept, rellies arriving 4th as most are too far away to arrive on the day).

That's my parents wedding anniversary....

Also the date my wedding was originally booked for - but then a close friend announced he was getting married a week later (ie. while we'd have been on honeymoon). Some of the things he (and his wife-to-be) had already booked couldn't be moved, but all ours could - so we brought our wedding forward two weeks, which meant we were home from honeymoon 6 days before their wedding,


As a side note, I'm not sure how much I'll be around on a couple of days later this month....... 22nd should have been my wedding anniversary, and 27th would have been DH's birthday.

Kittikins

Cheryl - we'll be thinking of you xxxxx

BigMummaF

Kittikins wrote: »

Hi BigMummaF, are we nearly neighbours? We're only about 10 mins from the campsite

"Nearly" for most folk I guess; I'm right down on the coast. We moved here when I was 8mths old & I've never strayed very far from home My dad came from north Devon so we spent many family holidays there with my grandparents while Mum is from Hampshire so we could [& can] do that side of the family in day trips throughout the year.
I was very brave a few years back & drove us all to Hickstead for an open day for the Fire Services Benevolent Fund--an excellent day out if ever they do it again, I've not seen it advertised since --& me muvva was supposed to be navigator the year her & I went to Camber Sands :eek: [Let's just say it's a good job she doesn't drive :rotfl:] Apart from that, I don't know much about getting around my home county as I should
As for the birthdays...having three children in less than four years meant a built in rent-a-mob so I began the tradition of the celebratorer choosing the evening meal & no-one else allowed to complain! The eldest has been fairly predictable with a roast & the youngest a lasagne whereas the middle one varies twix sausage rolls/ bangers & mash or toad-in-the-hole. As you can see, we have a certain class to our menu choices Actually, thanks for reminding me--No2 is a Virgo so best get a shifty on for the final gift ideas. When the proud father phoned the family to announce the safe arrival on Sept 3, my BIL commented on it being the anniversay of the Day War Broke Out....never a true word been spoken :cool: as my middle child & I battle on a daily basis about everything :doh:Actually, I must have been a closet mser even back then as the birthdays are March, June & September so howzat for family planning

Kittikins

We used to do favourite meals for birthdays as well when I was growing up too DD has her favourite meal about once a week.....class bird that she is, fishfinger, mash and baked beans!

Savvy_sewing

Bumped into my neighbour out on the drive. Her dog comes up for a bit of a fuss.
She has 2 plum, 2 apple, and 1 pear tree in her garden, and I can help myself to the fruits!!!:j:j:j
Ready at the moment are the dark purple plums, so I have a tub full of plums that need making into jam or something? Fast. Then of course there is the opportunity of making more if its successful.

jtb2412

Afternoon frugal chums

Back from our shopping trip and did really well. I must admit I thought I would end up spending nearly £100 for a dress for DD :eek: but she found a lovely one in TK M*x for £24.99 :j :j :j. No shoes as yet but going looking for those tomorrow. DD2 got a pair of sandals for £10 so very pleased with that too.

I was a bit naughty and bought a new bath mat set but it was reduced from £40 to £12 .

Also popped to Mr T and got DS some new polo shirts for school - I left it a bit late last year and they'd sold out :rolleyes:.

Nothing bought for me, I did try quite a few things on but decided to go with the Jasper C*nran top I found in a charity shop for £4.99. I've already got black trousers and shoes for the wedding so I'm sorted. Just need to get DS a pair of trousers. DH already has shirt and trousers so nothing new needed there.

All in all, very pleased with what I managed today. Usually would have spent loads and not batted an eyelid

Having our first lot of homegrown sweetcorn tonight for dinner with some chicken and mash. Need to do an easy dinner as I have that blasted tummy ache that us ladies sometimes get :mad:.

Hopefully shouldn't have to do much food shopping this week. Still have enough in from before we went on hols, might just need some bread and milk. Being fed most of next weekend too so food bill should be pretty low this month :T

Mooloo you lucky so and so !!! Plums make a lovely crumble. Good for Jam also. What about in syrup for xmas pressies?

CW will be thinking of you on 22nd. My sis birthday but also the day my grandad died, sending hugz xxxx

NYK and SM - inspired by both of you so will be looking out for some homebrew equipment on freecycle/car boot over the next few weeks. Raspberry wine is on the menu I think - I already have a few lbs in the freezer and picking more every day ! Got 17lb of rhubarb in freezer too so might try some rhubarb wine.

Grandma hope you're not in too much pain today. Take it easy xxx

Right off to start dinner, have a lovely evening everyone. :beer:

cw18

Mooloo - I used a load of Whoopsie plums last year to make several jars of 'Old Dowerhouse Chutney'

It's a tad sweet for me on sandwiches, but I can manage with it. Great with cold meat and salad though. If I get some more Whoopsied ones this year I'm going to try it with a bit less sugar.

(Haven't bought any Br@nston Pickle this year, and though I did have a couple of jars in stock they've long since gone!)

grandma247

Branston pickle recipe here

Frugaldom

Hello to all.

Quiet day here, been round to inspect the neighbours' handiwork as they construct the new chicken coop and we'll have our normal walk tonight but, other than that, nothing exciting.

CW, thinking of you as special dates can mean so much to people, especially anniversaries and such like. You have been a pillar of strength throughout the past 10 months and more, I am glad you joined us here. I hope our little frugal community has helped you (and continues to help you) along your way.

JTB, I'm considering doing more champagne as it's delicious and well worth the sugar it uses. The elderflower stuff has a lovely bubbly fizz to it, just like the 'real' stuff. Tempted to do some rhubarb as it came out like pink champagne last time I made it. I wonder if anyone has tried blackberry champers? Now there's a thought!

cw18

Thanks Nyk


Was just popping in to say....

You know who your friends are WHEN.....

an ex-colleague you've not seen in 8 months (I had a coffee with him just after we were both laid off) sends you a text message to let you know a shop you used to frequent in your lunch breaks is looking for staff


Guess I'm heading into the City Centre tomorrow -- on the basis that nothing ventured, nothing gained. I've no relevant retail experience (last did shop work in 1983!), but it's a craft shop so I have experience with a lot of their merchandise. At worst the person I need to speak to won't be in and I'll have to go back, but at least I'll be able to register my interest (and hopefully find out about hours they're looking to fill)