Sorting through my rubbish

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Ah thank you Mara and PWPS!!

Didn't know anyone was lurking, thought only Trixie read my mad ramblings!!!:rotfl:

We're so happy but he's not looking forward to telling his current employers as they really rely on him, still he's got to do what's best for him and the family. We went out for a celebratory steak last night and a romantic stroll along the seafront, it was lovely.

Thanks again

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All

Had a frugal week so far apart from the celebratory steak!!

DH and I have started the 5:2 diet where you eat normally for 5 days of the week and stick to 500 calories or less for the other 2 days, only the first week so we will see how the weightloss goes, it's supposed to have other good health benefits too. My colleague is trying it too so we are sticking to the same days and sharing lunch in the office to help each other along. So far it hasn't been to bad, black tea and Oats so Simple made with water for breakfast, low fat red pepper pate stuff on 5 crisp breads plus a 10 calorie jelly for lunch and a jacket potato for dinner with unlimited water and black tea.

Quiet weekend planned, as DD has tonsillitis and is feeling very sorry for herself, so I will be cooking, cleaning and facebook selling.

No details of DH's new job yet but he has handed in his notice with his present employers, that went ok.

Hope everyone is ok and having a frugally fabulous time

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi Everyone

Had a lovely weekend. Met friends for brunch on Sunday morning and then cobbled together a yummy roast chicken dinner in the evening, all from the fridge and freezer. Leftovers are going into a chicken and chickpea curry tonight. Saturday we had pitta bread pizzas for lunch and Laver sausages, chips and eggs for dinner (again all out of the freezer). Also made a batch of ratatouille, crustless quiche and my Xmas cake, didn't have to buy any ingredients which was brilliant!! Weighed myself this morning and I seem to have lost 1.5 pounds this week so hopefully the 5:2 diet is going to work for me.

Finally listed some items on Facebook yesterday and have sold 3 things, DD got the bug and sold some of her toys making herself over £20!!. I may have a bash at Ebay again as I have several brand new items that may be good xmas presents for someone, not sold anything on there since they started charging you fees based on postage costs.

Had a good sort out of my linen cupboard and have passed on childrens bedding to previous clients who now have their own families. Put some other bits in the charity bag so made a fair bit of space.

Payday on Friday, haven't managed to pay off as much as I had hoped this month, Vet bills, school trips etc, must try MUCH harder next month. Xmas spends will be kept to a minimum, will make a list of food/drink items and see what we already have and by the rest bit by bit.

Will be back later in week with my budget etc, must fly

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All

DH made a yummy curry last night, so nice to get home and dinner was ready for me!!

Just done my budgets for the next 3 months, not looking good. It is going to be really tight to keep to my debt paying timetable but I will do my best. Just hope that DH can take some of the pressure off once he starts his new job.

I really must stick to my shopping budget etc if I am to clear these bills!

In the office on my own this morning which is quite nice and off out for a visit to a client later, hope it stops raining by then!!

Having a fast day again today on the 5:2 diet, not too bad so far, usual porridge for breakfast, crispbreads for lunch and a jacket potato when I get home, just hope I see some results!!.

Nothing more to report today

321 xxx

trixiepix

OMG i can't believe it's a month since i've been here!!!! - and so much has happened!!!!

My mum has been poorly with flu followed by gastro thingy and inevitably as folks get older it's harder to bounce back , so have been staying with her whilst she recovered (with no internet connection!!! - EEk and my phone 3G was soooooooooooooooooo blinking slow)

This week back to normal, everyone well, touch wood!! - back to work and back to crafting (2 weeks til first fayre and have done absolutely nothing over last few weeks towards it:eek:) - phase 2 of kitchen starting today so the house will be trashed!! - feeling quite worn down by everything at the mo but i can see light at the end of the tunnel

So, back to you!!!! - Barcelona !! - well done you for having the courage to go solo!!, i'm not sure i would be brave enough but i would love the freedom to do just as i wanted - i'm so glad you had a fabulous time! - as for your poor pooch, i'm so thankful the prognosis was not as bleak as first thought (((hugs))) - we're getting a kitten in a few weeks ( my friend's moggy has had kittens, so we chose ours at just a few days old ((cute)) but we now have to wait another 3/4 weeks til we can get on hands on him:D

As for DH's job, you must both be ecstatic, i'm sooooooooooooo pleased for you both - anyhoo - must fly as i'm allegedly working!!!! xxxxxxxxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi Trixie,

Glad to see you back, I knew there must be something wrong when you hadn't been on here for so long, glad to hear mum is fighting fit again.

How lovely to be getting your kitchen sorted. We did a 'quick fix' 10 years ago when we moved in a I desperately want to re-do our kitchen but have no funds available so it's going to have to stay and I will hopefully give it a lick of paint before Christmas to brighten it up, the flooring desperately needs replacing but a rug covers the holes for now!!

Glad to hear you're busy crafting again, think of the much needed money you will be earning at those craft fairs. And how exciting to be getting a new pet, kittens are so adorable and so entertaining, the kids will love it!

Not a lot happening here debt busting wise. Managing to shop once a week and more or less stay within budget. DH knocked up one of his Spicey sausage pasta bakes last night with goodies from the freezer and we are fasting today so the kids are having the leftovers for their dinner again tonight.

Payday tomorrow!!! Don't know why I am looking forward to that, it's all spoken for!!!!

Anyway I am also (allegedly) working so must dash.

Take care hun and keep up the good work!!

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All

Payday today. Have paid the remaining vets bill, £150 off of Next and worked out a 'challenging' budget for the rest of the month!!

Fasted again yesterday, weighed this morning and I seem to have lost 2lb this week but my real weigh in day is Monday so we'll see what damage the weekend does!!

Made some weight watcher marmite and cheese 'scones' last night for when I need something to nibble on. Also made some River Cottage Chocolate and Beetroot Brownies which were delicious, very light and moist. Was given some beetroot and was stuck for something to do with it, will definitely make them again (have enough leftover grated beetroot in the freezer for another batch).

I am out with 'The Girls' tonight, a cheap Mexican has just opened in town so we are going to give it a try, no licence so BYO, will pick up a bargain bottle of wine en route. Grocery shopping with hubby on Saturday, will keep him on a tight reign so we don't blow the budget, don't need a lot so will make up the difference with Xmas stuff.

Must, must, must ebay/facebook all the stuff on the landing, driving me mad now!!

Right must dash, I'm 'working'!!

Have a great weekend

321 xxx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi All

Sorry I haven't been on here for a couple of days.

The weekend was good, the Mexican was delicious and VERY good value for money, went into town afterwards but only bought one drink!!

[EMAIL="Faceb@@ked"]Faceb@@ked[/EMAIL] a few items an sold about 4 (if the buyers ever collect them!!)

Been eating out of the stores as much as possible, thereby keeping spending down and making space for Xmas goodies. Hubby made a lovely big chicken stew to use up some frozen chicken and various veggies, fed us all for 2 days. On Sunday we had a fishpie (all from stores) plus a yummy apple and nectarine crumble.

Got a few nice things planned over the coming weeks. This weekend my company are opening a 'pop-up' kitchen in conjunction with the local 6th form college (along the lines of Jamie Olivers 15) and as staff we have been invited to 'Network' whilst enjoying the food (the menu looks very impressive). I have also got a conference in London later in the month, all expenses paid, finishes at lunchtime on the last day so planning to get a later train back and enjoy an afternoon in London. Our works Christmas dinner has been booked at a local Bistro so all in all the diet will be totally useless!!

Hope the kitchen is going well Trixie, I know it's stressful at the best of times, kitchens and bathrooms are the worst to decorate/update.

Right I'm going to go and check my accounts now, trying to keep on top of the budget! Not heard anything from the Pet Insurance, I doubt they will pay out without a fight somehow!

Have a good evening everyone

321 xxx

trixiepix

Hey lovely lady

Well, to say my head has been in a spin over the last few weeks would have been an understatement!! - what with mum being poorly then the kitchen, lots of crafting (ooh the stress of the first craft fayre!!) and half term, i don't know if i've been on my head or my heels!!!!

Finally this week i can finally just think 'deep breath and relax' (hopefully!!)

First craft fair was last sunday, i've done lots of stalls for cakes in the past but this was the first time i'd put myself out there with the crafts and it went fine and i was able to top up the 'kitchen worktop' fund!! :T- i was sooooooo uber stressed in the week leading up to it though and wasn't sure if i had enough stock and was spending every spare minute sewing, painting, sticking and stressing!!!

It sounds as though you've got some lovely events to be looking forward to over the coming weeks and well done on the Next repayment plan (i've just ordered some boots from them as my winter boots aren't gonna last this year!, not ideal when actively paying off the balance!!) - have jiggled this months budget and at the moment we're looking ok!, have to ensure i rigidly stick with it or it will all go to pot!!

I've managed to do a little ebaying which helped with last months overspend, not ideal as wanted proceeds for christmas but i'd rather it go into the account rather than be overdrawn! - more ebaying this week (as i havent got to think about crafting tooooo much - have ordered to fulfil but have most things already made and next fayre is the 16th, so can start again next week!!!) and may even try bobbing a few craft items on to see how they are received!!

Anyway, take good care and 'speak' soon xx

3_kids_2_jobs_1_dog

Hi Trixie,

Glad to hear the craft fair went well after all of your hard work preparing for it.

How is the kitchen coming along??? My DH has been busy sanding down the bannisters and handrail ready for waxing so that they match the doors. Also getting a new stair and landing carpet as he has managed to scorch the existing one with the heat gun!!!

Didn't do a weekly shop last week as mum had a Xmas bonus voucher she didn't want and we had so much in the cupboards etc that we got away with it.

The Pop-up Restaurant was a great success, delicious French Cuisine, even tried Frog's Legs!! The students all did exceptionally well and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Need to [EMAIL="faceb@@k"]faceb@@k[/EMAIL] some more things this week/weekend as still have loads to move and need the funds for Xmas, looking forward to opening my tin at the end of the month and seeing how much is in there.

DS1 is home for a few days at the end of this week and he has promised to take his brother and sister Xmas shopping!

No pearls of wisdom to add today, no new money saving discoveries!!!

Have a great day, stay warm and dry.

321 xxx