Memorygirls - Make Do and Mend

earthgirl

Hello all,

I had a bit of time on my hands as I'm on maternity leave, and I came across this thread (thanks chamichelle and courgette on the mortgage free board!). I have really enjoyed reading this diary, and it has really got my enthusiasm going again!

I have managed to reduce our mortgage by about £65,000 or so in that last few years (so not good with details and records, sorry!) and I was starting to think I wouldn't be able to do the last little bit because of going on maternity leave,and wanting to take the maximum time off. BUT just reading your thread and the positivity and focus on life and living has made me feel all energised again! thank you

I will definately be keeping up with your diary, and I have been thinking of '100 ways to make £150' (I've got 30 'slow burners' already!!). I am going to be enjoying the time off with the baby, but also enjoying setting little challenges to keep me on track!

The only idea I have had that may be of a slight interest, is selling smaller ebooks. I am not like you, a great specialist in an area, but I am good at certain things and plan to write little ebooks on those things. I am sure your pot of gold lies in your bigger books though, can't wait to read them!! Earthgirl x

Helen105

For anyone who wants to cut down on food bills have a look here http://http://www.cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/index.html at Weezls 'Feed a Family of Four on £100 a month' website.

There is also a thread on the OS board discussing this and trying out recipes.

Personally there is me & the two teenage DDs at home and I generally spend about £25 a week on food but it fluctuates between £10 and £40.

Memory_Girl

boredofbeingathome wrote: »

Just catching up on one of your other threads as well- i had forgotten you had a Gabriel Byrnes fetish as well I adore him as well and have all of his films. I was gutted when Sky showed his new series on the arts channel- so will just have to look at youtube clips if i can find them

End of message

:rotfl::rotfl:OMG!!!!:eek::eek: OMG!!!!:rotfl::rotfl:

I've just realised who the Footballer reminded me of - OH Memorygirl you are so shallow and transparent;)

Sexiest ever screen kiss - Bridget Fonda and Gabriel Byrne in The Assassin - Phwoaarr!!!

Sexiest ever real life one - Mmmmmm!!! Would like to say the Footballer,:D, but actually was an Actor I was working with in the West End who caught me very much unawares one evening back-stage in the almost pitchblack - a memory that will warm me when I am old, grey, wearing purple and sitting in a nursing home.:T:T

Meanwhile - back in this life .............................LOL

Memorygirl

boredofbeingathome

Memory_Girl wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl:OMG!!!!:eek::eek: OMG!!!!:rotfl::rotfl:

I've just realised who the Footballer reminded me of - OH Memorygirl you are so shallow and transparent;)

Sexiest ever screen kiss - Bridget Fonda and Gabriel Byrne in The Assassin - Phwoaarr!!!

Sexiest ever real life one - Mmmmmm!!! Would like to say the Footballer,:D, but actually was an Actor I was working with in the West End who caught me very much unawares one evening back-stage in the almost pitchblack - a memory that will warm me when I am old, grey, wearing purple and sitting in a nursing home.:T:T

Meanwhile - back in this life .............................LOL

Memorygirl

I love that film too- i always want them to sort of get together then i think- nah she doesn't deserve him..:rotfl::rotfl:

Hmm have you seen him on Little women and also in The End of days?? Phwoooaarrrr:D

Yes- back to moneysaving :D:D:D

Memory_Girl

Mercy Me!!!!!!! I have a couple of busy days at work and I see you have all got along perfectly fine without me - you've even encouraged some of our lurkers to delurk - and I can't believe there are people who have actually sat down to read this thread from the beginning.:eek:

If I'd know so many people were going to come to this party I would have worn better underwear :rotfl::rotfl:

Cherisong - welcome to the madhouse my dear:D

Museumworker - hope you are feeling brighter. Kidney infections are pants but I'm so glad if we can help lighten your mood a little.

ILGPink - you asked questions love, you got answers!!! Now we know where you live (cyberspace-wise) so you cant pootle off and lurk anymore

Lucielle - I don't ALWAYS have good days - but at least now they are fairly productive ones. Kind of getting an idea where my life is heading and that makes things brighter.

Polesalot - Welcome - but please explain your username because my sorry little Ex-Soho brain is running overtime;)

BOB - hellol hun!!! Gabrielle Burne - MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!:cool::cool:

Earthgirl - sounds like you are well organised - any hints n tips are always very welcome.

Been writing my little cotton socks off (in a manner of speaking) - and also had a couple of really interesting conversations with some business contacts.

Here's a way out suggestion - You know how I was looking at Uni's as a target market??, well an Indian friend of mine, quite reasonably pointed out that the "Indian Middle Classes" would probably bite my hand off for such a programme, they have the money, the kids have a desire to learn, they value education .............and they are prepared to pay.

So I've pinned it on my dream wall - that I will meet the person to open the door to the Indian Education System in the next three months.

He then gave me a "gentle telling off" about how I was an International Champion - not a local trainer and I'd better get on a plane and get out into the planet............... and although I can see where he is coming from I now have a monumental case of the jitters.

Righto!!!! 15 minutes (by the timer) to panic and then knuckle down to some more work. You may think I'm mad - OK Strike that I know you think I'm mad:cool: but if I give myself "permission" to really wallow in a non-useful emotion for a short period i bore myself pretty quickly - then I get up and do something else. Before I did that I would be up all night running "what-ifs!!" and running myself ragged.

Slimming World Plan starts in the morning - DFW stylee (thats on a budget from my storecupboard) - so I will keep you posted of any really good recipes I come up with.

Off to put DS2 into his bed. Repeat after me "its time for sleeping, night, night"

Memorygirl

ILGPink

Vandamfc I think thats a very good idea; I shall challenge myself to reduce by £10 per month and see how I go (one can only try :rotfl:). Having said all that I have tons left in freezer/cupboard after this months frugal finds and eeeking everything out 2the hilt; so I may manage to come well under the usual :j

boredofbeingathome thanks for your reply and suggestions . I do have a homebargains I get all toiletries/cleaning prod's nd baby things appart from nappies their (been using asda own brand nappies as they've had a good report from mother&baby). Think i may try the wipes you mention tho; as at the mo im using Huggies Pure at 99p a pack. I'm also lucky enough to have a Makro not 2far away and get all washing powder/conditioner from their.

Was very good today and had a NSD. Went to my mums and we ended up going for a lovely long walk near the sea with DD in the baby carrier. Best part is all that sea air has knocked her out; which im very greatful for as shes been teething and very upset last couple of nights (poor lamb). Have also decided to start walking a lot more to shift the rest of the post baby bulge.

MG sounds like you have found the perfect niche and I hope
your dream wall soon turns itself into a reality (with a little help from the universe :T)

boredofbeingathome

ILGPink wrote: »

Vandamfc I think thats a very good idea; I shall challenge myself to reduce by £10 per month and see how I go (one can only try :rotfl:). Having said all that I have tons left in freezer/cupboard after this months frugal finds and eeeking everything out 2the hilt; so I may manage to come well under the usual :j

boredofbeingathome thanks for your reply and suggestions . I do have a homebargains I get all toiletries/cleaning prod's nd baby things appart from nappies their (been using asda own brand nappies as they've had a good report from mother&baby). Think i may try the wipes you mention tho; as at the mo im using Huggies Pure at 99p a pack. I'm also lucky enough to have a Makro not 2far away and get all washing powder/conditioner from their.

Was very good today and had a NSD. Went to my mums and we ended up going for a lovely long walk near the sea with DD in the baby carrier. Best part is all that sea air has knocked her out; which im very greatful for as shes been teething and very upset last couple of nights (poor lamb). Have also decided to start walking a lot more to shift the rest of the post baby bulge.

MG sounds like you have found the perfect niche and I hope
your dream wall soon turns itself into a reality (with a little help from the universe :T)

We get the pudgies ones and they are hypoallergenic- very comparable and nice on the tush too:D

ILGPink

pudgies it is then! lol
Thanks again

vasseur

Memory Girl - yes I do poledancing but not for money (OMG that sounds worse!!) but for keeping fit. It's honestly the best exercise I've ever done (and I've done a lot in my time ). I went through a bit of a bad time last year, lost all my self-confidence and 'fell' into it by accident and now I absolutely love it. It's done wonders for my self-esteem and I have toned up all over too. I would definitely recommend it so long as you don't mind getting covered in bruises and feeling battered most of the time. Seriously, it's great.

I've been off the last 3 days so me and my 6 year old DD have been having days out - trying to do it in a bit of an MSE (or should that be Memory Girl?) kind of way. Went to Leeds Castle on Monday - expensive to get in (£27.50 :eek:) but our tickets are valid for the year and as it's only 20 mins from us we can go back loads of times in the next 12 months. Same for Museum of Kent Life bought yearly tickets so we have always got somewhere to go. If we take a packed lunch with us it can be a totally free day out. Speculate to accumulate....

Today was great though - we drove to Whitstable and I introduced the DD to the joys of charity shops. We had a good rummage through, she bought a couple of bits that she loved (I call them tat) and I bought a couple of skirts as I am seriously lacking stuff for work. We had a quick paddle in the sea and walked along the seafront for a couple of miles. It really was a lovely day. I think I'd like to live in Whitstable....

Your influence must be rubbing off though because as soon as we got in I cleaned the bathroom, cooked dinner, put DD to bed then tackled my HUGE ironing pile and looked out a hummous recipe. I eat it everyday, it seems silly to buy it when it's so easy to make.

Must get to bed now though as I am completely shattered!

workinmummy

Inspired by your energy and decluttering, I have booked this afternoon off work and I am determined to go home and sort out the spare/junk/chinese laundry room.

It makes me depressed everytime i go in there. It houses all kinds of junk, a spare bed, the dryer and clothes maiden. I must go straight home and start doing, and not be tempted to grab a few hours sleep.

I have no idea how you get anything done with two small children. I have to do stuff while mine are out. So whilst they are at grandmas today I WILL make the effort. May even attempt to sort out my clothes/ wardrobe / draws, but that will take way more than the four hours i will have