Macgirl's "Stop Procrastinating and Get on with it" Diary

macgirl

Hi IMD, yes we had a lovely day thanks. It was freezing though - I always forget how cold it is. Luckliy though, we managed one of their gorgeous Christmas dinners to warm us up
I managed to bypass all the shopping heaven and didn't buy any tat. We met friends and all the kids had a great time, so feeling very festive. The tree is trimmed and smells divine! :xmastree:

Off to make a Chicken casserole for tomorrow as Mum's coming for a Pre-Birthday dinner. We've spent the last couple of hours frantically cleaning and so once that's made I can relax.

No wins for DH on BB - I've been 1 away from £100 twice - all gleeful with my hand hovering over the "Claim" button!! Not to be today though - but an item sold on Ebay for £9.50 :j
I won't have time to list anything else this week as the party prep is full steam ahead...

Have a good week to anyone reading this, Mac xx

In_my_dreams

Oooh you sound very festive!

chops22

I have alwaysplanned to go to Chatsworth, yet never made it. Is there much their for little ones to do?

Also on BB it never gives me a chance to claim...it whips on and claims for me...am I doing it wrong?

macgirl

Hello :hello:

Yes Chops, it's great for little ones at Chatsworth. They have a farm - with a nativity play at this time of year - so cute! A craft tent, where they can doing a bit of gluing and glittering, making Christmas Decs. A brilliant adventure playground for older kids and swings, climbing frames etc for younger ones. Plus, the best bit are the little mini-digger seats set into sand and water drilling equipment.

Our kids are 3.5 and 5.5 and our friend's are 4 and 7 and they all had a ball.

It's not MSE though - £49.50 :eek: for a family (2 adults and up to 3 kids), but if you buy online it's cheaper and if you donate to gift aid, you get a voucher worth £6.65 (to spend in the shops or fabby restaurant in our case), which knocks another couple of quid off.

The house is lovely and very festive, but last year we didn't go in and personally I'd save the money and not bother. But they have Santa milling about, Carol singers and loads on, so it is a really lovely day out!

As for BB - if it "Claims for you" then you're not doing anything wrong in my book - you're winning!

In money news, the OD has been switched to Virgin :T (though I am still £220 overdrawn :mad:). This will be rectified on Friday as I get paid, but will most probably get eaten up by the party budget for Mum's do :rolleyes:

I will be on the biggest mission come the NY!

chops22

Ohhh it sounds lovely , I think we will definately be going. Will have to check the opening times along with OH shift rota.

Thanks for info. Good luck on the overdraft..mine is like a sneaky dragon...grows at an alarming rate unless constantly watched!!!

In_my_dreams

Well done on shifting the overdraft, I'm sure I'd feel better if I moved mine but nowhere to move it too.....ah well.....

Think we are all on huge missions come the New Year

macgirl

Just a quick :hello:

Been really busy planning recipes, shopping lists and receiving last minute replies to Mum's party. It's full steam ahead now!

Last night I worked late, then spent the whole evening sorting laundry and cleaning my bedroom, as well as wrapping presents with the kids for their friends, teachers, ballet teacher, nursery teachers, After School club people etc etc. Is it any wonder I am skint :rolleyes:

Tonight, I am working for work. There is so much to do before Christmas - I am still working next week - so I feel like I have my plate full this week.

Tomorrow I have Ebay stuff to post and then after the food shopping has arrived I'm off to buy even more food!!! I'm so excited for the party, but it is alot of work - I'm really looking forward to Christmas Day so I can do nothing.

In money news - I Won £10 last night on BB for OH :j But other than that, the only movement on the debt total is upwards Roll on January....

Hope everyone's well and coping with the snow, money and festivites

macgirl

Hi Hopeful - hope all's well with your new little man and hope you're feeling ok too

I'm V. tired today. I worked late last night, but didn't get as much done as I'd have liked and doubt I'll get much done before Monday due to the party :rolleyes:

All the food is now bought. I've got a fair bit to make tomorrow evening:

• 2 x sherry trifles (Nigel Slater's recipe - it is YUM!)
• 3 or 4 Veggie tarts with butternut squash, feta, leeks and olives
• A wild rice salad - I don't know quite how as yet
• Coleslaw - never made this before, but a friend assures me it's easy - let's hope so

The fridge is packed to bursting, so I've had to put things in my plastic greenhouse shelving unit thingy
Everything is sealed or in cool bags with the plastic greenhouse cover zipped tight and secured with plant pots around the base. Hope it will be ok - do I sound mad doing this?! But luckily is is below freezing, so it's the perfect place!

I am worried about leaving food outside, but I keep telling myself that we don't have bears in the vicinity, so we should be ok! :rotfl:

chops22

Gosh your food sounds lovely...I could just munch a yummy slice of quiche now.

Think the food outide will be fine, its cold enough..as long as nothing can nibble at it, the wheather is perfect for it. Very resourceful.

Have a great party, I am sure your mum will be over the moon and thrilled. All your hard work will pay off x

macgirl

Thanks Chops. The nibbling is what is bothering me....

Yes, my Mum will be thrilled. She has no idea and we have invited relatives from all over and old friends of hers that she would never have expected us to have contacted. I can't wait to see her face, the temporary increase in debt is all worth it