Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

Hippeechiq

redlady_1 wrote: »

Twinks hob nobs are like the Borg, off star trek. Resistance is futile!!! :rotfl:

hahahaha - that's brilliant! :rotfl: and so true!

jediteacher

Well, I've just finished knitting a scarf for my father-in-law. :j I tried out this really fancy pattern and I must say it does look pretty smart. I know he'll appreciate it and actually wear it. Now my hubby wants one! I'll have to get some more wool but it's not too expensive as each ball was £2 and I only used 2 balls. I know you can probably buy for cheaper but I wanted to give him something homemade and as my sewing machine is still in the outhouse waiting for some room to be cleared knitting was the only other thing I am ok at. If anyone knows where to buy cheap quality wool like aran please let me know.

katholicos

jediteacher wrote: »

Well, I've just finished knitting a scarf for my father-in-law. :j I tried out this really fancy pattern and I must say it does look pretty smart. I know he'll appreciate it and actually wear it. Now my hubby wants one! I'll have to get some more wool but it's not too expensive as each ball was £2 and I only used 2 balls. I know you can probably buy for cheaper but I wanted to give him something homemade and as my sewing machine is still in the outhouse waiting for some room to be cleared knitting was the only other thing I am ok at. If anyone knows where to buy cheap quality wool like aran please let me know.

Handmade shows all the love and care as well as time and thoughtfulness that you have put into it. I'm sure it's lovely.

There are inexpensive balls of wool on THIS site. Some Aran from £1.29 i think

boultdj

jediteacher wrote: »

Well, I've just finished knitting a scarf for my father-in-law. :j I tried out this really fancy pattern and I must say it does look pretty smart. I know he'll appreciate it and actually wear it. Now my hubby wants one! I'll have to get some more wool but it's not too expensive as each ball was £2 and I only used 2 balls. I know you can probably buy for cheaper but I wanted to give him something homemade and as my sewing machine is still in the outhouse waiting for some room to be cleared knitting was the only other thing I am ok at. If anyone knows where to buy cheap quality wool like aran please let me know.

If you'v got a instore/poundstreacher shop have a look there for aran wool, I got some last week, a pack of 2 100g ball's of aran wool for $2.99. hth.

katholicos

Sammy, apologies for getting the wrong end of the stick. Glad you and OH sorted things out now :-)

Charlies Aunt, i think i''l likely have a similar request for a certain amount to be paid back...especially f they take their time sorting it.

Kidcat, good idea! Will get in touch with my bank...don't 'do' telephone banking (get confused and forgetful of security info LOL) so it will have to be when i am next visiting bank in person.

kidcat

Party update - a few of the girls have announced they cant afford to put on a party and it looks as though it is off. One of the girls rang her parents to tell them what she was planning, and they didnt take it too well, birthday girl came into school today with some bluster about her not really wanting a party and how she had asked her parents not to bother. She has fallen out with the girl organising it, I assume her parents have told her off and she is not happy.

Juliethemuse - how about buying your son a charity gift - alot of the charities do ethical gifts, such as you buy a cow for a family in Africa, or pay for a cataract op for a granny in Bangladesh. Realistically with your sons attitude I doubt there is anything you could buy that he would value/appreciate, at least by buying a charity gift you have the satisfaction of knowing that someone will appreciate your gift and that it is helping someone in a life changing way. I try to buy at least one ethical gift a year, usually for people who are having special birthdays and big parties, but really dont need anything. Its usually very well received and appreciated.

gailey_2

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

I have to say that Ben has a DVD/Combi thing in his bedroom that I won about 3 years ago in a work raffle and I think he's watched it once. He does have a DS which is his DS, we have an XBOX360 which was my Xmas present two years ago but the whole family use it and we have a PC which again is for family use. I don't see why Ben would need any more.

His brother on the other hand has a DS, a DSi, a Wii, an XBOX, a PC, a mobile, Sky TV in his bedroom and is now getting an XBOX360 for his christmas present from his mother. Even Owen himself has no idea why Josh needs all that. Although Josh has said he likes coming to see us because we spend time with him but at home he just stays in his room, he even eats his meals there. Whereas I cant get Ben to go in his room here. He prefers being with me and holly in the living room like it should be.

Thats same as my stepson sammy although not sure he eats in his room think hes more tray on laps as hates being at the table!
I cant understand why he needs so much think 2 x boxes in house madness even if he is 12 everything brought over years in promise to keep him happy or amused as failed.

Instead hes deeply unhappy, few freinds, has problems sleeping and seriously behind in school ,part of me blames the consoles.
Did anyone watch last supernanny series parental control one mums son was console addicted I mean several hours a day, couldent sleep as she used it as a form of babysitting whilst she dealt with her younger children, its why im so weary of computers with my eldest think introduce slow and mainly for educational purposes.

We have a wii in lounge but find that good as it encourages physical activity and very sociable games not isolating in one room playing violent games although not too keen on it when it tells me im overweight!:rotfl:

Blimey its been a busy thread today just catching up some great tips from people.

Well had scan today babys fine and shock horror its a boy after 2girls so slightly more expense but going to be frugal.
makes me wish I could knit. Also looking for retro cheap boy toys as feel the need to be all old fashioned!

we went browsing today but did not buy anything was good.
will probably get most of clothes from nearly new and ebay.
Hardest part will be parting with all my lovley baby girl clothes in loft as pretty sure 3s my limit!

Feel like another day where its run away with me not been as productive as I would like.

last week either me or hubby have been to bed by 8 and asleep hubbys constantly tired. I have school runs and clubs which break up my day and by time get kids fed,bathed, bed and eldest nightly homework done im shatted and just want to collapse in front of the telly. Keep carrying over stuff to next day.
planning a no spend and no going out at all tommorow want to focus on housework and cooking.

Been sunny and dry but bitterly cold here today.
They said on news extra berries on holy bushes mean very cold winter best pump up 3wheel pushchair tyres in case theres snow.
Could do with few more blankets and hot water bottles.
Got plenty of food in house so not too worried about nov.

Having security of 2cars makes hubby feel more secure as always the danger the bmw of doom will fail!

No news on hubbys job yet they said tue/wed this week hope they keep to their word hubby said will waitand see and ring on friday just wnat to know either way as feel sick with worry hubbys keeps thinking the worst.

Well been watching tv tonight kirstys homemade home makes me wish I was more crafty and could knit and do cross stitch would love to make pretty pillows like they did tonight. Sometimes wish I had more time for personal hobbies feel I should make time but stuggle some days just with housework, kids and cooking.

Back to high street makes me wish we could go back when life was simpler do wonder which generation the ovecompetiveness started was it the 50,s,60,s or 70,s?

I was an 80s child but remember reguarly going in natiago the sewing/knitting shop with my nan or great aunt.
My nan would do framed tapestrys and knit me and my cousins school jumpers /cardies no days has to be expensive emblems ones.
Then after August she would knit everyone a jumper for xmas.
My mam used to buy these rug kits where you would pully the wool through with what looked like pliers.

There was an established family bakers pinches with best pasties.

The toy shop well ironmongers was much less commercial and exiting compared to toy shop these days we used to play with our marbles/bubbles.

The annual medival market was wonderful.
The indoor market was great and outdoor huge.
My nan would take me to cattle market as I just liked to look at animals.

Nan had no washer so we went to launderette.
The local shop has lots of sweets in jars behind the counters and coke came in glass bottles.

The town had least 2-3greengrocers and few butchers now its virtually no existant no greengrocer and one butcher.
the sub postoffices shut ages ago.

My nan used to go to most old fashioned dress shop remember how conservative and prim it was.
How the 2local italian cafes knew all their customers by 1st name and market day was coffee and treat from 50p stall at market.
I still miss wollies seemed to be heart of the town my aunt used to work there behind fag kiosk.
We had the most wonderful outdoor swimming pool and picture house.

Over the years since I grown the town has died, its depressing place to go now seems beyond recognition super expensive homes, few jobs, hardly any good local amenities and shops are all shut.

I think the high street can survive if done well but its hard work but maybe easier in rural areas.
When I tell hubby whos 8 years older than me he thinks its seems very old fashioned maybe wales was bit behind city life of bristol but got fond memories.

Being parent myself and all this talk of xmas makes me think about my parents and what a good job they did despite being seperated.

When I was young me and my dad used to go pick a real tree
for xmas. I now get hubby to do that with mine as even though his parents older then mine they never had real tree.

Due to dad being hit by recession we did cheap activities like foraging and walking all year round.
My dad would also ensure educationally we dident suffer and had entire set of joy of knowledge encyclopedias and take us to libary.

My dad loved presents we could share and learn.
I realised the hornby railway was more for his enjoyment than mine.
Same with keyboard.

My mam always picked us up and took us to primary.
she did peoples ironing from home.
she was a hopeless cook mind and not very oldstyle but nan was.

We were not spoilt with many daytrips, rarly went on hols or had flash toys and parties but we were happy , had freinds, went to clubs ect and sometimes church.

Want to bring my kids up in oldstyle down to earth way and give them financial education that sorts them out for life so hopefully they will never know debt.

Anyway enough waffling about times past must get to bed.

re reindier meat said on wright stuff due in lidls soon at 5.99.
I personally have no objection meat is meat although wouldent eat horse. But Lids quite good at offering speciality stuff at reasonable prices at xmas had lovley goose crown off them as free range turkey so pricey can get lots of other things instead.

I was vegetarian for 13years its hubby whos total meat lover so surprised how horrified he was when I mentioned reindier!

The berry jelly you on about not sure of saw hugh make it on rivercottage autum series was some time some long forgotton berry but ikea swedish supermarket has few interesting finds.

kidcat

Gailey - a boy!! Congratulations!!! Maybe you could arrange a baby clothes swapping party/event, where you could trade your girls stuff for boys and others could swap different age ranges etc? Its possible school or pre school would be interested in using their hall and they could sell refreshments or even hire out their tables.

gailey_2

Local toddler group had nearly new sale last week so too late there.
All my online mummies also expecting boys so competion for boys clothes on for sale board feirce.

Im not going mad think 8-10 sleepsuits in newborn and 8-10 in 0-3 as seen few nice inexpensive multipacks love bright colours not wishy washy pastels.
Will get 12vests in each size.
wont need a snowsuit but will get light jacket and few cardies.
Gots some neutral stuff in loft from 1st as worried just incase she wasent a girl and the scan was wrong.

Will get mum to knit a blue blanket.

The last nct sale in areas b4mxas is on sunday but cant make it as hubbys taking out stepson so bit gutted and carbboot sales ended but still tonnes on bargains on ebay.

Cant believe its a boy as was expecting another girl.
Hubbys very pleased of he could just get job it be icing on cake!

katholicos

gailey wrote: »

Well had scan today babys fine and shock horror its a boy after 2girls so slightly more expense but going to be frugal.
.

Wow, what fabulous news! Here's wishing you a continued healthy pregnancy