greent's mfw journey

greent

lol apple - am sure he'll find something via the usual websites - although an MSE one would be quite fun He's also only going to be away Mon-Thurs - yeay! - working from home on the Fris - is already creating havoc with plans we have on calendar for the children though - lots of juggling is going to be required and DD may end up doing bedtime for DS3 at times whilst I'm out collecting from activities - argh!


Went to Swindon Outlet today. DD couldn't find anything in Jack Wills, Superdry etc - she is sooooo fussy!! I was tempted by another pair of invigilating shoes in Sketcher (ie: flat, quiet and v comfy - although not the most attractive) but thought I'd wait until the NY when current pair may be properly on their way out DS2 and DS3 were great - and had a fab time in the play area (free) and a go on the mini 'train' (£2 pp - so £6 as only OH went on with them) Other than that we didn't buy much - I couldn't find what I wanted in M&S so will check Glos out. I almost bought a new steam generator iron but decided it was too big to fit on my ironing board. I did buy DD a pair of socks and a pair of knickers from JWills for her stocking (tradition is there is underwear in there) and bought all the choc advent calendars (Cadbury & Lindt shops) - and a bag of mixed lindt chocs which all 6 of us have been munching on. I also bought 2 beautiful Spode Xmas mugs which I love love love and OH bought a gilet from Superdry as he has been after one for ages. We wanted to go to the Levis outlet shop but it must've closed Lunch in Giraffe (kids ate free ) which was all part of the day, Came home (hellish traffic - think there had been a accident) and DS2 and DS3 got ready to go to Cub/ Beaver Halloween disco - except DS3 only lasted 5 minutes there as it was too noisy. DS2 needs collecting at 9pm - good job it's now the holidays! DS1 has not long left for Army Cadets weekend, so he won't be home again until Sunday afternoon. OH will have the day tomorrow with just the smallies, as DD and I are off to Cardiff Uni open day He is hopefully getting their hair cut, as they are very fluffy looking at the moment! I will be taking a book with me, as I don't think DD will allow me to attend all the talks! Thankfully it's only just over an hour away, so we will be home at a reasonable time - am shattered!


On that note - I really must get DS3 into bed - he is currently making DD play at being a horse!


xx

smallholdingsister

Love the Swinetown outlet and had no idea Jack Wills had got there.

greent

smallholdingsister wrote: »

Love the Swinetown outlet and had no idea Jack Wills had got there.

Wasn't there when I went in March (although Levis was) x

PrincessLou

Aww...your post bought back lovely memories of when we visited the Swindon outlet on a rainy day over the summer whilst visiting the Cotswolds. My two little boys had an amazing time in the play area and riding the little train was such a treat!

Pearla*Merle

Ooh, I have Spode Christmas mugs (and a bowl, and cheese knives... I couldn't stop myself :rotfl:). They are soooo beauitful and if you're anything like me you'll be finding an excuse to use them as soon as the weather turns

greent

Update on Oct challenges:

• Keep grocery spends to <£400 - currently at 355.35, so not too bad - plenty of baking supplies in (except brown flour) so should manage to keep the children happy, Will need some cereal, though - and more milk later in the week! (Only bought 20 pints today..:rotfl:)
• Lose 6lb - hmmm - I think it's currently 1/2lb:o
• Increase Florida Fund by £1250- £1772.67 added to it this month :T
• List items on ebay as any are found in decluttering - 1 item currently to list - will look to do this week
• More decluttering! - both here and m-I-l's. Want m-I-l's clear within next fortnight (other than any items which will be used to 'dress' it). Then needs redecorating, new carpets, new internal doors, new heating before marketing it - m-I-l's clear of all unnecessary items except a small pile of books (about 6-8) which OH needs to make a decision on. Table and chairs being collected by a furniture recycling charity tomorrow - and hopefully skip being collected from there tomorrow (filled with old carpets, old internal doors and 1970s storage heater bricks!)
  Small amount of decluttering done here - lots of items sold at NNS, few more found for next NNS and priced and boxed up ready. Box of unwanted items taken to CS. Box of unwanted books parcelled up ready to be posted to Ziffit this week.
• Start Xmas preparations! :santa2: - get spreadsheet up to date and buy/ make presents for at least 2 people who aren't already completed! - spreadsheet done. Two batches of chutneys done towards presents. Advent calendars purchased (along with gorgeous new Xmas mugs:D) and ideas found for a few people, but not purchased yet
• Only 1 takeaway (max!) to be purchased!!! - oops - 2 bought, but at a total of < £25. No family meal out, though for OH's birthday -so money saved on that overall.:p

Went to Cardiff Uni with DD yesterday for the Open Day. She likes it. Think she's placing it ahead of Leeds and Newcastle so far. Visits to Liverpool and Swansea (insurance choice) to follow later this week. Can't believe that this time next year my baby girl will have been at uni for over a month!


DS1 has been away at an Army Cadet weekend - came back this afternoon, absolutely shattered. He thoroughly enjoys them, though, and they're really good value at £15 for the weekend, which includes all the travel and food

PrincessLou wrote: »

Aww...your post bought back lovely memories of when we visited the Swindon outlet on a rainy day over the summer whilst visiting the Cotswolds. My two little boys had an amazing time in the play area and riding the little train was such a treat!

Yep - my small two had a great time

Pearla*Merle wrote: »

Ooh, I have Spode Christmas mugs (and a bowl, and cheese knives... I couldn't stop myself :rotfl:). They are soooo beauitful and if you're anything like me you'll be finding an excuse to use them as soon as the weather turns

They're beautiful :smileyhea- I think it's a 1938 pattern on the ones I have. They had some plates and bowls and a 'Cookies for Santa' plate to match, but I resisted (for starters, it's 'Father Christmas' and it's also not cookies!;)) I shall try and last out until Dec 1st - when I shall put them to use! (Eek - that's only just over a month away!!)


x

CathT

Reading your thread GreenT reminds me how unorganised I am this year! You have been so productive. Have a fab half term with your smalls.

Karmacat

Great update, greent, and your budget sounds like its been spot on. Bit worried for you that you bought 20 pints of milk today, tho :rotfl:

greent

Found another receipt whilst sorting through some paperwork (house has become rather chaotic whilst we've been sorting m-I-l's) so I have about another £25 ish to add on to current total. Should *hopefully* still squeak in around budget - although I do need more milk!


Woke up in a wide-awake way at 7.10 so got up, have moved washing around on radiators to catch remaining morning heat, caught up on MSE (always a good way to start the day along with a cup of tea or two:coffee:), emptied the dishwasher and written a to-do list for today. Includes a quick trip to town (banking, some new trousers/ joggers for DS3 - he has 3 pairs - we got rid of ones which he didn't like wearing and it's hard work on just 3 pairs!) and to get some wax - I have a (male) friend coming here tomorrow to get his back waxed! Will hopefully use Boots points on wax - and then friend can give me cash in exchange Also need to pop to Outlet centre to get the item which I was dithering over in Swindon (figuring that if I still wanted it after several days I'd try Glos) and a quick trip to Sains (if they have money off on clothes and/ or toys on) and Tesco (for milk and cereals - going there instead of Aldi as they very kindly sent me a voucher as I don't shop there much nowadays )


This will require DD keeping an eye on small 2, so can't go until she is up and fully awake. Should only be for max couple of hours, as I have a plan of action, written in order of where to go She has also promised that she'll have some time to do some work for me today (as in company paperwork/ financials) so will need to sort her out a pile of that to work through That depends upon how well she's got on with her UCAS statement though - although I have told her to use my sister and b-I-l to help with this - she's an English teacher and he's head of VIth form - so they've seen a lot of them before! There's no way that she'll let me see! Teenagers!! :rotfl:

Karmacat

greent wrote: »

Woke up in a wide-awake way at 7.10 so got up, have moved washing around on radiators to catch remaining morning heat, caught up on MSE (always a good way to start the day along with a cup of tea or two:coffee:)!!

Thats what I've been doing Even nowadays when I have the outside washing line, at this time of year, they still need finishing off inside, so to speak. I want them to be squeaky dry before thing go into storage.