greent's mfw journey

usa1

Well done.
Enjoy Florida, we go every year or so.

smallholdingsister

Hope you enjoy the rest of the fast fading summer hols!

greent

Abrupt end to my post yesterday as OH and the smallies came back from the cinema and the small ones just *had* to tell me all about it right then!


Chucking it down here - has been since it was still dark. What with that and a very disturbed night due to menopause symptoms and two very achy shoulders I gave in and got up at 7am. Smallest one followed - the rest of the household are still snoozing away. DS3 and I will go and wake them after this - after all, school starts back this week!


Still trying to run down freezer slightly - had a gorgeous roast chicken dinner yesterday. Still have another 2 chickens (large ones) in the freezer, but removing that and some parsnips from there has released a little bit of space! Have also made another batch of strawberry jam this morning with the last 3 bags of those from the freezer, along with courgette and tomato soup (2 bags of frozen toms, 1 bag of frozen grated courgette) and made a batch of plum jam a couple of days ago (2 tubs and 1 bag of plums removed) However, I have 2 huge bags (think large bags for life) of Bramleys to process - so any space will be short lived! Decided this morning that I will make spiced apple and pear chutney later this week / poss next week to use some of them up (along with some of last year's pears frozen in halves) Need to get some more jars, though - am down to my final 2!!!:eek::eek: Have found that people have not been returning jars from marmalade/ jam/ chutney given randomly throughout the year like they often do and I rarely buy jarred stuff myself so stocks are at an all time low!


May take small ones to the cinema again today - have a batch of cheaply pre- purchased tickets to use and will take Aldee popcorn and drinks, so there will be no cost today (other than car parking ) if I do. Will see if teens want to go too (although they will not want to see the same film! ) Then a quick pack of small ones' bags ready for Weds and that gives us the rest of the time free DS1 is back to school on Thurs and DD not until Fri!


Ooh - and I won an O2 rugby shirt courtesy of O2 priority moments! :T Should please OH!


BAck to school always makes me think of Xmas preparations - after all, it *is* only 116 days to go, you know! :rotfl::rotfl: My aim this week is to get out everything I already have (not that much) and start my Xmas 2015 spreadsheet. AM totally sorted for giftwrap, tags, tissue paper and general cards and most of the individual cards. Don't have many presents, but want to ensure that I am not adding to people's clutter this year - so may look to buy vouchers for experiences for some. Birthday wise between now and then I only have OH's (always difficult), DD's 18th (Argh!!!!) and my aunt's (have this one sorted already) Oooh - and my sister's little sister's daughter - but as she'll only be 3 she's easy to buy for (and I already have some bits for her)


Just realised it's the last day of the month, so a trip to Staples is also on the cards today - as I have £15 of reward vouchers which expire today - can't throw away free money!!!:D:D


Off to wake the sleepy lot up!


Wishing you all a lovely (if perhaps rather soggy!) Bank Hol!


x

Karmacat

Soggy here too, but there the similarity ends - you're so organised, its brilliant! Hope your day is lots better than the weather

apple_muncher

Oooh, Christmas is coming...

greent

Thanks, KC - I'm not really organised, although I must give the impression of being so, as that's what people tend to think! I think I appear like a swan - reasonably calm to the outside world but frantically swimming away underneath!




4 of us went to the cinema - to see 3 different films! Took sweets, popcorn and drinks, so didn't have to spend there (I think the prices are outrageous!) - gotta love large handbags!


Had a quick wander around the local outlet centre after our film finished waiting for DD, but didn't buy anything - had a quick look in Next & M&S outlets. Nothing in Next but did see a couple of items in M&S which are genuinely on my 'would be good for work in the colder months' list - so will pop back with OH maybe on Weds (small ones not about then) and maybe buy them - they are already in the Outlet shop, so cheaper, and I have some M&S reward vouchers from my credit card available to spend to help towards the cost We also have a new Hallmark outlet shop there, so will take a list of any cards which I need between now & (including) Xmas so I can see if I can get those bought


In money news I have signed up for a co-op bank c/ac (thanks OCC!) for £100 switching bonus. I may switch another account to M&S for their £100 switch .


finally dry here, so we may go for a quick pootle along the canal path!


x


ETA: started pouring again just after that, so walk postponed!


Staples was duly visited to use vouchers - new file bought for DD, new maths set for DS1 (he gets through one a year!), Hello Kitty colouring set for 3 yo's birthday next month (bargainacious £1!!!!), yet more paper - and 2 'Really Useful Boxes' (on offer at 2 for £18) - company account bought the latter boxes - we have all co paperwork from previous years in the garage loft in standard cardboard storage boxes, but they do ultimately break - and rather than replace them with more cardboard I thought that I may as well get strong plastic ones (in funky colours ) - they will also be easy to identify in the loft, should we need to access them.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Completely agree re cinemas and snacks. I too take a capacious bag and our own drinks etc. When I see the queues to buy stuff I rally do wonder how people can afford it.

I'm going to google M&S outlets now

Tilly x

apple_muncher

Dd is off to see a musical with her big big sister on weds so I shall send thrm with a sackful of food!

smallholdingsister

Sounds like a plan.
I have a fond idea that I may one day be organised.

greent

Up reasonably early (7.15) with DS3. Washing on, washing up done and pottering about before leaving for fat club @ 9 (lost 1lb - amazing result after London!! ) No-one put washing out whilst I was out - even though I said about it twice as I was leaving. Popped into Tosco on way home for f/f yogurt, Frubes, bananas, naan bread and butter. Keeping track of food spends in Sept - I have a feeling they've been creeping up - today was £6.04.


Have now hung washing out, put another load on and am just about to start making a loaf. Need to get some chicken out - making a curry for dinner tonight - yum


DD is doing an essay for Eng Lit (talk about lastminute.com - grrrr), have just made DS1 check his bike and take it for a 10min ride (hasn't been used all Summer), DS2 is 'tidying' his room (has managed to trash it in last couple of days) and DS3 is playing nicely - he's sounding very cute making his toys talk


Sun is currently out - but we are predicted more rain around teatime - so I need my washing to dry before then!


x