FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE 2010, part 2, April - June.

lynzpower

I thing Ro Po said she was to have a elective c/s on 19th if she did not go into labour on her own so I wish her well in greeting her babies into the world tomorrow. I havnt seen anything recently so may tomorrow go wonderfully well Ro Po.

I agree, Rozee, even if you dont note this, wishing you all the very very best xx

Ps, feeling a lot better today have had a breakthrough of sorts-, am trying to change profile - will hopefully be back as the same person with a different cover

Love to all and thanks again to everyone for all thier well wishes, they are v gratefully received xx

cw18

cw18 wrote: »

Just had a quick break for a brew, but am now heading back out.

Think I'll start by sorting the lengths of wood into piles for each box,

done - more or less. Left a few over by the compost, as I was using them as a worksurface-of-sorts

then I'll flatten the area for the second veg box and get that ready to go,

done

then get the one assembled tree one sorted

done, so my 3-in-1 apple tree is now in postion

before I start making a lot of noise out there.

didn't take my drill out in the end. Still having an odd episode of blurry vision in the one eye, so after a lot of careful consideration (even taking into account I've spotted a warning sign of it coming on) I decided to leave raised bed assembly for another day. So I put another one that was already assembled into place instead.

I think it's late enough to take my music out with me now though, as I've missed that this morning (kept me on track yesterday, as I find I do all h/work and such better with a good beat to work to )

and I've thoroughly enjoyed singing along to Dre@mboats & Pettico@ts (both disks from Vol 1, both from Vol 2, and the first from Vol3) - though I have to admit I feel sorry for any neighbours who were in the garden/had windows open :rotfl:


Now all I have to do is convince the dog that the raised beds are not his own personal digging area !!! As soon as he was let out he went to investigate and started emptying one of the compost. A quick yell and he left it alone, but within seconds was starting on another.

After his third digging session he got a good crack which he didn't like He doesn't get many, so has twigged he's doing something really bad that he'll be repeatedly told off for when does get one - but while that kept him from digging in them again this afternoon, I think that was only 'cos I was still out there as he had his beady eye on me while continuing to sniff the box contents. He's also still showing an unhealthy interest in my fruit canes :mad:

phoebe03cat

Hi Frugaldom: I grow bananas down here in Essex. If it's a really good long hot summer, they are now mature enough to give a hand or two of mini bananas; but they are mostly decorative. After the winter you can cut down the stem to where there is no rotting and the leaf pushes through within the hour. If it doesn't you just cut it down a bit further. Will post a piccie of last years bananas when I can track them down. All very hit and miss though.
Have just discovered the barbecue was put away at the end of last year without being cleaned...lovely job for me this week.
Very relaxing weekend for once so not a lot to report. Hugs to all.

Skint_Lynne

Hi folks,

Not got much to say these days, but I'm still an avid reader. I'm just plodding away and trying to be as frugal as possible. I got my dig in seeds yesterday, so I must be one of the last people to receive them.:p

I'll get busy with these soon. My tomato and chilli seedlings are coming on well, I'll need to get the repotted soon.

I've had a lazy day today, I've had a heavy cold for the last week or so, but hopefully I've turned a corner now, I'm beginning to feel a bit better.

speak soon, hugs to all. xx

cw18

Just a quick one to send best wishes to those due into hospital (for one reason or another) today.

My early nights appear to be catching up with me - I was in bed by just after 9 last night, and awake before 5am... a full hour and a half before my alarm! Couldn't settle back down, so decided I may as well use today as practise for going back to work tomorrow (which means up at 5:30) and spend the time looking for 'scruffy clothes' and sturdy shoes (for which I'm assuming my lightweight walking boots are probably best). No idea where OH is thinking of taking me today (weather permitting, and it's actually raining lightly here at the moment), but the instructions I was given last night included taking these with me.

phoebe03cat

Have just had a good scout around on the net as I'm trying to save money on my on-line dieting program. Wow! am really inspired with SparkPeople.com I've come across it before and had a few annoying e mails, but never the time to look at it properly. It's amazing..has far more facilities than ww.tesco diets or sw combined and will break down all your food into any nutritional data you want....well worth a look. Also any form of weight tracking you choose and exercise videos which are not irritating. It's all free,free,free. so that's 60 odd pounds saved every three months. A good start to the week.
Have a great day Cheryl and let us all know where you get to

Erme

Yeah I did spark people a few years ago phoebe and loved it . It's so good. I lost enough (before the ED kicked in) and yes it's US but easy to adapt and the food isn't expensive. :t.

Just done 4 weekly stats...not good. NEED to get below the £400 mark asap...Please pray.. I don't think it's so much my weekly budget as my whoopsies...

Hope everyone is well....Just got breadmaker on as is now normal for Mondays and washing in. Work this pm for a delivery. Caught up on sleep over weekend but like am paranoid now about election though think it's more anxiety re Ma's visit cos one thing I know she's FUSSY and EXPENSIVE and unwilling to compromise....

And I thought the microwave died but realised it was just the fuse box so with a mega leaky kettle think I'll be going to Mr S for a new one soon (they have them quite cheap)...

So yeah....another 'month' begins tomorrow...more skinniest...might as well get used to it LOL

E

grandma247

Erme I am presuming Ma is your mother? Could she not bring some of her favourite food with her? I would not put a burden like that on any of my kids. Sorry if you think this is out of line and just ignore me if so.

Erme

Well what Ma doesn't realise (even thought she's offered pay for all the food) is that I menu plan no later than tues (till the tues after) and shop on the Wednesday. There is just no possibility of us going food shopping together. Shopping with Ma is never easy. I'll be quicker by myself. She turns up at tea time on the thurs and leaves on the tues. I have to get organised.

I don't mind buying her Yakult in (I think she could get probiotic in cheaper but she's elderly) but I'm NOT prepared to get her packet porridge in cos it's expensive and like is far too sweet (I hate the sweet smell)...

As for what she'll eat. Who knows..I've told her I get a lot of the saver stuff. She will just have to like it or lump it. She eats a lot of kiddie food so she'll have to without out that. But it's just the food shopping and you can't send her out to the local supermarket cos she'll have a panic attack with not being familiar with it. Though I guess if she gets some whoopsies so long as it's not my money will be okay. SO LONG AS SHE DOESN'T BUY CHOC BISCUITS. I can't stand the amount of sugar she eats...is not good for her. Okay at her place. NOT okay @ mine. And no, I'm not prepared to make biscuits every 2 secs for her. She'll just binge on them. Pointless.

She can eat what I eat...simple.

To resolve my anxiety I'm going to have a few days break from phoning her. This anxiety is normal for us to before we meet but it's just a question of management. I mentioned to her my budget and how I do it and she was like 'too scared as to what I will find out to do that'. I'm like 'try living on my money with my debt and you'll have to'. I don't use anything fancy for the budget spreadsheet - just microsoft works (though you could use open office)...I like that

Anyhow re powdered milk many thanks to all who suggested this one last week. Got some from Mr Al last food shop (cos was just across from Mr As) and like yep is fine...doesn't make as much as Mr Ld but was only 99p so think that was okay. Is really creamy and I can use it for low fat ice cream (sometimes I need a sugar fix though not often) and also breadmaking so well worth getting in. So yeah....think the consensus is Mr Ld or Mr Al or if you're no where near either then try the local budget place (I'm thinking T or As)...

Need a new kettle...sure the leaky - I put too much citric acid in mine on Sat eve - one is causing the fuse box to go (initially thought I'd need a new micro :eek: so refusing to buy second hand and going to Mr S to buy one. Had too many disasters with second hand :P).

And got paid for first work order :t so will have to get organised and get the second one dropped off soon (in town and it's FREEZING). which is big ish but I forgot one item. Offered her the air crystals for free but she said no so am rounding down to make it easier for both of us...

Blessings

E

Erme

PS. Had work start up fees this four weeks so that's where my overspend has gone...such an encouragement - ...though I'd done useless and was quite downcast earlier...phew