New, New Thirfty Gifty for Christmas and All Ocassions 2011..Santas Challenge...

mum2one

mary-op wrote: »

Hello all :j

candie_gill -you are organised............I'm nowhere near organised at all this year apart from cards for birthdays and christmas all being done.
Health probs have stopped me going to the shops and I've lost the motivation to make much apart from a bit of knitting I'm doing for sons girlfriend.
Neighbour keeps giving me boxes to cover and fill with something or other for either christmas or birthdays but no idea what -did a lot of 'pamper tubs' last year and don't feel I can repeat that. Oh well, something will come to mind.........normally does

Just a thought, but what about a kitchen box, - eg Morrisons do mini jams / honey / marmalade 4 for £1.00

Could add in home made recipie book, - start off a few recipies and then leave space for them to fill in

Mug - from Vistaprint

Poundland - Mini cafateria £1.00 or posh teapots £1.00

if they drink flavoured tea bags - buy a couple of boxes, and split them between the boxes, flavoured coffees,

Shopping memo pad

Called doctor out this morning for OH -he came, surprise surprise !! Now OH is booked in for xray at different hospital to the last one who didn't bother to xray his back at all. Trouble is, it's not till Wednesday then it'll be a week before the results come through which is a bit daft. If the A & E dept had done it when he was there at least he's know what he's done. GP also gave him two more lots of painkillers (more expense) and the hospital have just sent a bill for the tablets they gave him when he went there 10 days ago...........he didn't ask for them and they didn't work so I've filed letter you can guess where !:mad:

Jumped straight to mind def be cheaper for you to get hubby a pre-payment certificate you can go for a 4 month or 12 months, - if you go for 4 month, its value for money if he's going to need more than 4 items in that period. (Attached the link at bottom - gives options, phone, internet, chemist etc - you can backdate upto a month.) So if you pay for the hospital tablets - ask for a receipt theres a special number all on the website, once ur prepayment activated you can put in a claim and get those refunded.
If you haven't got hubbies prescription collected yet, you could do the prepayment at chemist and those would then technically be free as they will be under certificate. There an absolute godsend, I'm asthmatic and use to have to pay for inhaleurs so always had prepayment on the go.

On the plus side I'm getting on with the scarf I'm knitting for sons girlfriend and chappie has started painting the garage wall so least something is being done...............:)

Mary, ur an inspiration, how you bring everything together is brilliant,
Hope you're all ok:)

just gone along through the post, saves me trying to remember at the end!! xx

http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx

Digressing again, have you heard anymore re the downstairs bathroom, we had ours done while away, its amazing........ the contractors were brilliant, no mess, everything all clean and tidy, looks fab. They knocked the dividing wall down, where the loo was in now the shower, - got the full length of the wall, half doors - open in middle each has split section, massive washbasin, and new loo, all new grips etc - they had to block up one door, new ceiling, new flooring - the bathroom now complete wetroom. Just so funny, as the loo now under the bathroom window - your sat there and can hang ur hand out of the window and wave to the kids on the school field.

So glad it was done through charity, as the bill was 6k, it was the best thing ever done. xx

mum2one

gail127 wrote: »

Hi everyone thank you for the warm welcome. im not sure where to start or which thread so i thought id just list where im up to for xmas. I guess i need quite a bit for xmas ive started doing surveys and im on about 8 - 10 sites but dont seem to be getting anything from them . some say my profile is only 25% complete but cant find away to do more. still made about 8.00 between diff sites in a few days.
A big hi, I'm back from my great escape. Survey sites can be hit and miss, some days u can literally do everyone, other days it can feel like you want to pull ur hair out, generally they balance out.

i had a rake around the house the other day and found an old coppers jar i'd forgotten with nearly £50 in it so i was very please what a start.
Thats a brilliant find, - Miss Hoodie (my DD - she has all the change - no luck for me!!)
im growing lots of veg in pots on the patio this year so that should save me a few pounds.Things like sweetcorn, salad potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkins and courguettes carrots beetroot and so on son loves this and he eats like a horse at harvest time. (speaking of growing maryop if you need rid of pots i'll give you postage if you wanna post them to me in in fife always looking for pots)
That sounds a great idea, never thought of pots, might be worth trying a couple for the front garden, as we have a very mad 2 yr old Springer Spaniel, who thinks nothing more of running round Miss Hoodies trampoline 100 miles an hr - daren't put anything in the back.
Thinking of seeds, know its early - but about Oct / Nov time Wilkinson have massive clear out they reduce them to 1/4 price, - use by date is really long on them (did some gardening hampers for xmas).

Going to get stuff together for ebay but im a childminder who works tons during the school holidays so i havent had a chance yet. i notice on the thread somewhere that you guys were starting off with surveys etc for us beginners but could i ask what else you guys do, going on holiday soon and really like to make some more cash before then really skint just now.
For me, its anything and everything, from surveys, ebay, car-boots.


Anyhoo, crafty things, im going to make warm crochet throws for my mum and mum in law they sound fab and preserve hampers with all homemade preserves and things from the garden( hopefully) for my son and baby on the way im hoping to make a fleece throws with personalised characters on them but i havent got round to starting anything yet between having a hard time at only 4 months pregnant congratulations and working so much feeling a bit swamped.going to get sorted soon.
The issue i have is adults i buy for see home made things as 'cute' when theyre for someone else but theyre faces say different when they recieve them. made huge homemade sweetie hamper for each house hold as an extra last year and more of it went in the bin so i was told. that is unbelievable, sorry do any of you have this issue i want them to realise how much time and love i pour into these things but the see it as a cheap way out.
Some people are materalistic,
sorry to moan but so frustrating with baby number 2 on the way and husband on v low wage, my wage tops his up and then im expected to save for all gifts etc as well as days out and treats all year. cant do it all.wow sorry caught me up in a rant there lol i apologise hope ive posted this correctly if its not on the right thread i am sorry i get confused between them lol hope youve all had a good start to the week.

Hope you don't mind me being cheeky and commenting as I went through, have a memory as a sieve when replying, so go that way,

Congratulations on baby 2, sounds like you need that magic money tree, but ur in the best place, between us and the other thread, (basically we spend the money the sister thread gets us to make. Only joking, were here as much for friendship and support, from personal experience, the ladies on here have been one in a million, rant, rave away, your among friends.

Just a thought, I'm the same as you at Christmas it was make hampers, home made jewellery, and a couple of the family members looked on them as them as thou they were junk, never mind the work that goes into it.

Hope you don't think I'm being cheeky by suggesting this, but - your in a brilliant position, to cull ur birthday and xmas list, - just explain with the baby being so young at xmas, that not personal but your not in a position to spend time planning for all xmas prezzies, so for example family with children, just suggest that instead of buying for everyone just do the children.

Another thought if you sign upto Vistaprint, they have a lot of special offers, - they send regular emails and pay postage, on average you could get 4 personalised items - with postage for £8. (99% time cheaper) - and mugs etc you can personalise, - may help reduce the costs.

Don't worry about where you are in the thread, basically on 24th each month, theres a set of challenges, - try to aim for cleaning somewhere house, something towards bday/xmas, tip - eg November time - do a repeat prescription (to avoid the mad rush), treat it as a pick and mix,

You take care xx

mum2one

rufusd!!!2 wrote: »

Sorry to hear the news Mary, hope they can sort something out pretty quick for him xx

Ditto from me as well, really hope they get you both sorted, xx

mum2one

We're back, had the most amazing, if not once in a lifetime holiday, I've come back very tanned, (a few white bits) - one less tooth!! so stalk the dentist!! (someone trod on back of my dress, so as I went to take a step, fell face flat onto a marble step...... but came off a lot better, no cuts, brusies.

The change in Miss Hoodie is unbelievable, she went away a child, but came back as a young lady, she's got a tan, (thou we were using factor 30, and dropped to 20).


Did some bargain shopping at duty free, got dad 2 bottles Johnny Walker whisky for £22, and spent my birthday money brought a handbag should have been £154,
but was £133 (had £100 and 50 euro for bday) was money neutral

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g428/mum2one1/?action=view&current=088.jpg

With the remaining £200 from mum got this Radley bag (larger size - should been £95, got it for £80

http://www.radley.co.uk/Product/77022_Pocket_Bag_Across_Body_Handbags.aspx

Then when out there, got a 14ct gold sealion pendant bouncing an amber ball.

Must say was so nice spending money and not worrying about it.

---

The trip, it was amazing, we did so much,
2 x dolphin encouters - kiss, cuddle, dance, fed it a fish, tickled it, played ball

Royal Dolphin Swim
again the hugs etc, had pull by the dorsels, footpush, jumped over our heads, ride on its belly, Miss Hoodie thought it was hilarious when the one dolphin pee'd in my face - just got my mouth shot in time. It was out of this world the 1st part there was about 9 of us, the 2nd half, was just me and Miss Hoodie, 2 trainers, and 2 dolphins really got spolit

2 x SeaLion Encounters
Got to tickle belly, back, flippers, play ball, have a kiss, a hug, feed it a fish

Shark Encounter
Was an experience, must admit we didn't it all, we were scared witless, but we had a shark on our lap and fed it fish (threw in the water another one got it

Bengal Tigers
Got to feed one - (though big safety glass), swam in the same pool as them

Show-
Las Vegas style show, it was brilliant

This is the link for the place we did all these at

http://www.oceanworld.net/

Then we had a day trip on a yatch, and had speedboat ride, saw Paradise Island, it was amazing

We did a ngt out seeing the local area.

Everything was amazing, when Miss Hoodie 1st saw the dolphins, she was jumping for joy, the smile was from ear to ear, and seeing her being so happy and amazed, I had a few tears, literally tears of joy, everything was once in a lifetime, and everyngt she was saying thank you mum, your the best, it felt like life should be. We pushed ourselves to the limit, with me being stuck with crutches etc admitaddily there was a heck of a lot couldn't do, but Miss Hoodie did everything, the bond we had out there was amazing, it felt like it was just the 2 of us, I could also relate to how I would guess a honeymoon couple would be.

The days we weren't out, we just crashed in the pool, and mucked around, had some fun, and got our seats at the pool bar, she was so happy as they did a kids cocktail menu and she felt so grown up ordering her own drink.
Popped a couple of links to photos (a couple blurry - get some better ones at weekend)

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g428/mum2one1/?albumview=slideshow

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I know I said I need a good man, it was so funny, I've come back with 5 email address, telephone numbers and names (all under 25) - must be me age - couldn't remember my name and email address - wrote what I thought they were!!

and a marriage proposal, that was after 5mins - he was 42, got a gf, but is looking for a good English wife, rich, big house, look after him!!

I also got chatted up one of the security guards at the hotel, which Miss Hoodie thought was hilarious, so proceeded to text everyone in my phone and tell them....(at 49p text!!) she was very mse she used my phone and not hers!!

xx

rufusdog52

Wow, sounds like you had a fab time Mum2one, glad you and Miss Hoodie enjoyed it. Nice to see you back again too, Rufus xx

susan42

Cdsmiler - thxs for link to thead, i just joined in. Wow thats some tent, are you camping or moving house lol

I just come back from a few days in the Lakes (Coniston) The weather was fab, it was a bit of a disaster going, broke down. Got it fixed, went 4 mile broke down again differnet problem, went few miles, broke down again....arrrggg rac man thought it was funny and said he`d follow us up if he could come with us. Got there and had a water leak.....never mind the weather was ace

Rufus - I love vista print, I`m currently saving tshirts and hats for sons friends for leeds fest..

Mary hope you both ok, seems like your cracking on regardless with your presents...how did the scooter go?

Mum2one - love your piccys - looks like you had a fab time and some lovely bargains there, Miss hoodie part made me smile, using your phone, and whens the wedding lol x

mary-op

Hello all :j

mum2one - good to see you back and sounds like you had a fantastic time:T

OH prescriptions are free now as I qualify for Pension Credit thank goodness.

Still waiting on council re Bath being removed and replaced with a shower, plus stair lift -they did say it takes time but I'm chasing it up next week.

MIL had some special teas and jam for Mothers day -turns out she doesn't eat much jam............lol
The other year I got her a mug with her elevenses box and when we went up she gave us a spare set of matching mugs to bring home......by the look of it she's got loads. As for cooking, well she doesn't do so much now she's 90 and disabled. Last year the whole family clubbed together and got an awning to go over the back of the kitchen where she sits so now she's got plenty of shade there. Might have to ring OH's brother and see if they've any ideas for this year.

susan - scooter is still sitting there. Can't go outside on it yet as haven't got a ramp for the back door. OH's having second thoughts as to whether I should have it or now..........thinks I wouldn't get enough use out of it. Must admit at the minute, being shut indoors for so long I don't like going out on my own so it's lovely when cleaner takes me shopping. I feel 'safe' if someones with me. Does that sound daft ? Hope not. I was beginning to think I'd turn into one of those people whos frightened to go out so never does. It's such a sweet little scooter.......cheap and even with buying basket for the front and walking stick holders for it it'll still be a good buy I know.
Just not sure I've got the confidence yet but ringing occ. therapist next week -she said they could put a ramp at the back door for me and now the old porch is knocked down there's plenty of space.

Been looking for garden chairs for the little wild life part of the garden.........and cushions for the new bench and chairs...........getting confused with prices and where the best place is to order them from. The more I look the more confused I get............lol
Finished off sons girlfriends hat :T Not sure whether to put a tassel on or not. OH's gone to the pub to meet his mate so I'll see what he thinks when he gets back.
Least he seems ok in himself and today he was walking better with his crutches. I can walk about the house unaided now and he says I'm his ''inspiration''..................daft so and so...........lol

Thanks for all your well-wishes for him (and me). It means a lot.

Hope you're all ok.............weather is lovely and I should be outside.:)

susan42

Hi mary - no it doesnt sound daft wanting to be assisted when you go out. I never go out on my own. ( If I sneeze I fall over) Embarassing really, first time I did it, I was crossing the road and my mate killed herself laughing, me in middle of road on floor, all the traffic stopped and when I recovered got up and walked away without a care in the world. 2nd time it happened I was walking down high street with my mum, chatting away and when she looked around I was lying on floor. Now if I`m going to sneeze I lie up against the wall. Get some looks I can tell you

Like the idea of a wild life place in the garden, bet its peaceful. What type of chairs you want? I use the cheap and cheerful one in poundstretcher, they`re green plastic, but sturdy to get up from

mum2one

mary-op wrote: »

Hello all :j

mum2one - good to see you back and sounds like you had a fantastic time:T thank you

OH prescriptions are free now as I qualify for Pension Credit thank goodness. thank heck for that, sounded like an expensive job otherwise

Still waiting on council re Bath being removed and replaced with a shower, plus stair lift -they did say it takes time but I'm chasing it up next week.
def give them a reminder call, esp under the circumstances, and with OH, should help.

MIL had some special teas and jam for Mothers day -turns out she doesn't eat much jam............lol
The other year I got her a mug with her elevenses box and when we went up she gave us a spare set of matching mugs to bring home......by the look of it she's got loads. As for cooking, well she doesn't do so much now she's 90 and disabled. Last year the whole family clubbed together and got an awning to go over the back of the kitchen where she sits so now she's got plenty of shade there. Might have to ring OH's brother and see if they've any ideas for this year.

susan - scooter is still sitting there. Can't go outside on it yet as haven't got a ramp for the back door. OH's having second thoughts as to whether I should have it or now..........thinks I wouldn't get enough use out of it. Must admit at the minute, being shut indoors for so long I don't like going out on my own so it's lovely when cleaner takes me shopping. I feel 'safe' if someones with me. Does that sound daft ? Hope not. I was beginning to think I'd turn into one of those people whos frightened to go out so never does. It's such a sweet little scooter.......cheap and even with buying basket for the front and walking stick holders for it it'll still be a good buy I know.
Just not sure I've got the confidence yet but ringing occ. therapist next week -she said they could put a ramp at the back door for me and now the old porch is knocked down there's plenty of space.

Been looking for garden chairs for the little wild life part of the garden.........and cushions for the new bench and chairs...........getting confused with prices and where the best place is to order them from. The more I look the more confused I get............lol
Finished off sons girlfriends hat :T Not sure whether to put a tassel on or not. OH's gone to the pub to meet his mate so I'll see what he thinks when he gets back.
Least he seems ok in himself and today he was walking better with his crutches. I can walk about the house unaided now and he says I'm his ''inspiration''..................daft so and so...........lol

Thanks for all your well-wishes for him (and me). It means a lot.

Hope you're all ok.............weather is lovely and I should be outside.:)

I would go for it with the scooter, I don't personally own one, but do hire them when i need to go into town, and out and about on holidays, they are a lifeline, I know without the hire facility, I would have been stuck on many an ocassion, and where you live you sound close enough to get the benefit from it of nipping to the shops locally. I totally agree re going out, as you spend so much time in the house, and you learn your own way of getting around, that going out, I lose my confidence, and many a time, i've asked dad to nip and get something while he's out, just becuase its almost easier.

Sounds like you have a fab and a very proactive occ thearpist, and that there working to make your life easier. I know our next step, there reviewing as to whether they can do the outside shed to a bathroom or just loo + washbasin, apparently its building on and the cost, (can't complain, our wet rm was 6k, the stairlift 1 1/2k,) but at the other end of the scale, we've got to have half steps for both front and back door.

Re the scooter, get someone to be with you the first few times, it may sound daft but its help you and reassure them that your doing fine, - joke this bet hubby wants it to escape to the pub with his friends!!

xx

rufusdog52

Hi Susan - have you tried out a vista order lately? I still cant get them to go through TCB anymore without them adding lots of the items at full price. I have found this the last few times I wanted to order. I tried this morning to order some free business cards to put in my Ebay stuff and some return address labels but it was having none of it. Was free in the cart until I went through TCB then it put both items at full price. Tried it lots of times through a few different emails but still got the same result.