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

mary-op

Hello all :j
Thanks for the advice re scooter........might have another go round the kitchen with it this afternoon..........lol I know I can't use it yet to go out till I've got a ramp at the back door and I'll have to suss out where the dips in the pavements are going down town to plan a 'route' and see which shops have easy access. Though could leave it outside and get a thing to put my sticks in that fixes on it.

mum2one -think you're right about the bag......it was just a basket would be handy if I buy anything. Somewhere to put stuff.

Not so hot today -relief ! -not too good with extreme heat like yesterday. Outside would be lovely but we've got a bit of wind today that takes the pleasure away............so its on with knitting baby blanket..........lol

elysia2003

Waiting eagerly for the challenge - I'm being good. (well trying to be). I really need something to focus on - other than surveys. :rotfl:

Susan - I had a brainwave (ouch that hurt) - how about little boxes, I know you have that machine thingy, it should be easy. You can fill them with dried rosebuds or even crepe paper cut out with punches, in a heart shape or something - confetti. They should sell well with all the spring summer weddings.

I hope you are all having a good Easter. We went to Leicester today to a country park where deer roam. It was lovely, no sun, but it was warm.

mum2one

Its thats time of the month, Santas challenge - and will try to be gentle with you all, espically those who been eating all the Easter Eggs!!

One for the mums - if you've ended up with a stockpile of Easter Eggs, and can persuade dd or ds - try and get creative with the chocolate - whether its the tradational cornflake cakes or something posher!

We have the Royal Wedding and another lovely long weekend off, so if you have any plans let us know?,
The challenge - design something for the Royal Wedding, whether its a bookmark, painting the date on a plate, keeping a copy of the weekends paper,
lets have our own mse gift idea....

Suntan Lotion / Aftersun
Not trying to jink the weather, but may be worth start looking around for suntan lotion offers, - I always try and keep a few different factors in the magic cupboard in the shed.
(Just with me and Miss Hoodie going through 10 bottles - reminded me to restock)

Aftersun lotion - As you all know we've just come back from Dom Rep, me with some bad sunburn, despite doing the suntan lotion etc still got burnt. I was advised by the nurse at our local surgery, - don't necessary bother with all the posh aftersun, - go to any chemist and get a tub of AQUEOUS - about £3 to £4 massive tub - does everything aftersun does and is good for the skin. - If you can keep it cool same with suntan lotion.

(little tip from us - we brought a kids lunchbag - (£2 from homebargains) and stored the suntan lotion in there, - didn't use icepacks, - it certainly helped to cool it down.

Become a tourist - in your local area
How many times have you been into town, or out locally and just gone from A to B, for us use Chester (1hr train journey) - I'll go there and look at the oldie worldie buildings, the narrow shuts, yet I have exactly the same in my own town, yet I don't see the building as a Victorian Building, I just see it as Costa Coffee etc... So be a tourist, pack a picnic, find a park, chill and relax (be careful with the wine, as lot of parks have non-alcohol restricitions).

Your love this Tidy Up challenge - best to date!!
You get to sit down with a coffee, (or even a glass of wine), - go through the mp3 players, the ipods, computers, memory cards on the camera, check files, empty the recycle bin, chuck the photos

Follow on from the Photos
Don't forget that if you need photos processing, that a lot of companies will do introducy offers
eg
Trueprint - 40 photos free (pay 99p postage)
Snapfish - 20 photos free (99p postage ) (thou snapfish is joined with trueprint, so you will need to use a 2nd persons email address in the household)

The Garden
Now don't panic me and gardening do not go together I have a grass allergy!!
Thinking nows the time to check the garden furniture, the bbq, and equipment etc, a lot of shops have the early offers so get if there 1st.
sure keen gardeners will know what need to be planted and what jobs to be done.

Picnic Equipment
Ditto - see what needs replacing, - don't forget after next Friday all the cups, plates etc with a royal connection will be reduced!!

Birthday / Christmas Lists
ladies how are these going, have you anyone that you have no idea what to get for, then shout away, and sure we'll try and rack our brains
Just double check the lists, how are you doing budget wise?

£2 challenge
Ladies shall we have a bit of fun, now the car boot season coming into force, lets see who can get the best bargain for £2.00, can be absolutely anything that you buy, can be more than one item - the only catch - it must be something that you can use, (whether that in the house, garden, put up for a present), pop a pic on, and get Miss Hoodie to choose the best and we will get a little surprise for the winner!

What do I want?
This may seem a weird title, but is there something that you want, are you saving up for something speical, (need help from the sister thread and Elysia - to come up with a wonderful money making ideas).
This can be as much or as little as you want it to be, its not a month only challenge, its till you get the sum of money / vouchers etc.

As usual gone for the pick and mix approach, do as much or as little as you want, but misy of all have fun!!
xx,

mum2one

mum2one wrote: »

Its thats time of the month, Santas challenge - and will try to be gentle with you all, espically those who been eating all the Easter Eggs!!

One for the mums - if you've ended up with a stockpile of Easter Eggs, and can persuade dd or ds - try and get creative with the chocolate - whether its the tradational cornflake cakes or something posher!

Miss Hoodie has decided shes making some rice crispie cakes, shes going posh, she's adding some glace cherries into them!


We have the Royal Wedding and another lovely long weekend off, so if you have any plans let us know?,
The challenge - design something for the Royal Wedding, whether its a bookmark, painting the date on a plate, keeping a copy of the weekends paper,
lets have our own mse gift idea....
not sure whether Miss Hoodie wants to watch the wedding, - let her do the design idea.


Suntan Lotion / Aftersun
Not trying to jink the weather, but may be worth start looking around for suntan lotion offers, - I always try and keep a few different factors in the magic cupboard in the shed.
(Just with me and Miss Hoodie going through 10 bottles - reminded me to restock)

Aftersun lotion - As you all know we've just come back from Dom Rep, me with some bad sunburn, despite doing the suntan lotion etc still got burnt. I was advised by the nurse at our local surgery, - don't necessary bother with all the posh aftersun, - go to any chemist and get a tub of AQUEOUS - about £3 to £4 massive tub - does everything aftersun does and is good for the skin. - If you can keep it cool same with suntan lotion.

(little tip from us - we brought a kids lunchbag - (£2 from homebargains) and stored the suntan lotion in there, - didn't use icepacks, - it certainly helped to cool it down.

Become a tourist - in your local area

Got to replace some of the stock, see if Avon have some offers on, and Aqueous is on the list - currently raiding mums E45 cream

How many times have you been into town, or out locally and just gone from A to B, for us use Chester (1hr train journey) - I'll go there and look at the oldie worldie buildings, the narrow shuts, yet I have exactly the same in my own town, yet I don't see the building as a Victorian Building, I just see it as Costa Coffee etc... So be a tourist, pack a picnic, find a park, chill and relax (be careful with the wine, as lot of parks have non-alcohol restricitions).
Plan is to be a tourist, we have a boat trip, and this is the kick up the rear to take a trip, (only been there 3 yrs) - they do special events, may do a ghost tour



Your love this Tidy Up challenge - best to date!!
You get to sit down with a coffee, (or even a glass of wine), - go through the mp3 players, the ipods, computers, memory cards on the camera, check files, empty the recycle bin, chuck the photos
Def have the glass of wine, got stuff everywhere

Follow on from the Photos
Don't forget that if you need photos processing, that a lot of companies will do introducy offers
eg
Trueprint - 40 photos free (pay 99p postage)
Snapfish - 20 photos free (99p postage ) (thou snapfish is joined with trueprint, so you will need to use a 2nd persons email address in the household)
Just got 40th bday and hol photos to do, - Miss Hoodie wants her own personal set, then we have to do extras for the grandparents in Ireland!! (so glad there be freebies)


The Garden
Now don't panic me and gardening do not go together I have a grass allergy!!
Thinking nows the time to check the garden furniture, the bbq, and equipment etc, a lot of shops have the early offers so get if there 1st.
sure keen gardeners will know what need to be planted and what jobs to be done.
Our last BBQ went to the tip, it was 21yrs old!! - only got a gas one really cheap in Argos - need to purchase a gas bottle (on the list to do).


Picnic Equipment
Ditto - see what needs replacing, - don't forget after next Friday all the cups, plates etc with a royal connection will be reduced!!
Def need to get a few bits, more drinking cups.


Birthday / Christmas Lists
ladies how are these going, have you anyone that you have no idea what to get for, then shout away, and sure we'll try and rack our brains
Birthday list sorted - no bdays April to buy for, just got to find May's presents.
Normally mother is the most arkward to get for, as she never knows what she wants - shes now decided she wants a new handbag - the catch one like I got with bday money off her (the Radley one £95 - she can go on wanting!!)

Just double check the lists, how are you doing budget wise?
Birthday were doing spot on, really cheap as we had a lot of carry over, Christmas start again looking at in June


£2 challenge
Ladies shall we have a bit of fun, now the car boot season coming into force, lets see who can get the best bargain for £2.00, can be absolutely anything that you buy, can be more than one item - the only catch - it must be something that you can use, (whether that in the house, garden, put up for a present), pop a pic on, and get Miss Hoodie to choose the best and we will get a little surprise for the winner!
Sounds daft, but can't wait, - try and get the best i can.


What do I want?
This may seem a weird title, but is there something that you want, are you saving up for something speical, (need help from the sister thread and Elysia - to come up with a wonderful money making ideas).
This can be as much or as little as you want it to be, its not a month only challenge, its till you get the sum of money / vouchers etc.
Just glad its not Miss Hoodies I want list, as we're already thinking about what were going to ask Santa for!!
Mine,
1st - I want to say vouchers as need to get new wardrobe and furniture for bedroom, - seen set in Argos £190. have £30 so far.

2nd - Need to save £120 by mid June - remainder of Prague, then look at spending and trips,.


As usual gone for the pick and mix approach, do as much or as little as you want, but misy of all have fun!!
xx,

Just popped my reminders on the list,
Wardrobe - £30 / £190
Prague - £0 / £120

NickyBo_2

One for the mums - if you've ended up with a stockpile of Easter Eggs, and can persuade dd or ds - try and get creative with the chocolate - whether its the tradational cornflake cakes or something posher!
My DS didn't get too much chocolate, I think he's had 3 eggs and then a few mini eggs. We'll just limit him to a little bit a day. Some of the people that buy for him got him little gifts instead as they knew he'd end up with too many eggs. There's only so much chocolate a 3 year old (and his Mum) can eat!


We have the Royal Wedding and another lovely long weekend off, so if you have any plans let us know?,
The challenge - design something for the Royal Wedding, whether its a bookmark, painting the date on a plate, keeping a copy of the weekends paper,
lets have our own mse gift idea....
I'll be watching the wedding with DS. At his nursery they all made little crowns to wear, it's so cute! I'll try to take a picture of him wearing it and put it on here. Because he's been hearing talk of wedding and getting married, he asked me what 'married' meant. I told him that when two people love each other and want to stay together forever, they get married. He then said he wanted to marry me! My eyes filled up as it was so cute


Suntan Lotion / Aftersun
Not trying to jink the weather, but may be worth start looking around for suntan lotion offers, - I always try and keep a few different factors in the magic cupboard in the shed.
(Just with me and Miss Hoodie going through 10 bottles - reminded me to restock)

Aftersun lotion - As you all know we've just come back from Dom Rep, me with some bad sunburn, despite doing the suntan lotion etc still got burnt. I was advised by the nurse at our local surgery, - don't necessary bother with all the posh aftersun, - go to any chemist and get a tub of AQUEOUS - about £3 to £4 massive tub - does everything aftersun does and is good for the skin. - If you can keep it cool same with suntan lotion.

(little tip from us - we brought a kids lunchbag - (£2 from homebargains) and stored the suntan lotion in there, - didn't use icepacks, - it certainly helped to cool it down.
I bought some new suncream last week (1/2 price!) so I'm okay for that. I do need aftersun though so I'll have a look for the aqueous cream. DS had it for excema and it is good stuff.


Become a tourist - in your local area
How many times have you been into town, or out locally and just gone from A to B, for us use Chester (1hr train journey) - I'll go there and look at the oldie worldie buildings, the narrow shuts, yet I have exactly the same in my own town, yet I don't see the building as a Victorian Building, I just see it as Costa Coffee etc... So be a tourist, pack a picnic, find a park, chill and relax (be careful with the wine, as lot of parks have non-alcohol restricitions).
Good idea! The village where I live has a lovely canal and nature walk, we've only been down there a few times so we'll make more of it this year.


Your love this Tidy Up challenge - best to date!!
You get to sit down with a coffee, (or even a glass of wine), - go through the mp3 players, the ipods, computers, memory cards on the camera, check files, empty the recycle bin, chuck the photos
Now that's a tidying challenge I can definitely manage! I've been thinking I need to clear out my memory sticks as they're almost full but a lot of the files are not needed now. Now it's part of the challenge I will make sure I do it!


Follow on from the Photos
Don't forget that if you need photos processing, that a lot of companies will do introducy offers
eg
Trueprint - 40 photos free (pay 99p postage)
Snapfish - 20 photos free (99p postage ) (thou snapfish is joined with trueprint, so you will need to use a 2nd persons email address in the household)
I think I've used both of these already, but always on the look out for other ways to get free photos. I like the little photobooks that Vista sometimes do for free. They're small enough to go in my handbag but they're sturdy as the covers are plastic.


The Garden
Now don't panic me and gardening do not go together I have a grass allergy!!
Thinking nows the time to check the garden furniture, the bbq, and equipment etc, a lot of shops have the early offers so get if there 1st.
sure keen gardeners will know what need to be planted and what jobs to be done.
Now this will be our big job! This is our first Spring in our house and it's been lovely to see what plants and flowers we've got as they've all started to appear. Unfortunately we also seem to have a HUGE number of weeds and neetles. The garden had been very neglected by the previous owner and now it needs a lot of work. We have a BBQ but need a patio set and a new mower as ours broke in the move. I'll check out the offers.


Picnic Equipment
Ditto - see what needs replacing, - don't forget after next Friday all the cups, plates etc with a royal connection will be reduced!!
Got all of this


Birthday / Christmas Lists
ladies how are these going, have you anyone that you have no idea what to get for, then shout away, and sure we'll try and rack our brains
Just double check the lists, how are you doing budget wise?
I've just checked and updated my list, it's even better than I thought! I'm actually money neutral for all gifts bought so far :T I wasn't expecting that!! It won't stay like that but it's a good start


£2 challenge
Ladies shall we have a bit of fun, now the car boot season coming into force, lets see who can get the best bargain for £2.00, can be absolutely anything that you buy, can be more than one item - the only catch - it must be something that you can use, (whether that in the house, garden, put up for a present), pop a pic on, and get Miss Hoodie to choose the best and we will get a little surprise for the winner!
I LOVE car boots but don't get to go often as I need DH to take me and he doesn't like getting up early! Can we include charity shop bargains as I go there more often.


What do I want?
This may seem a weird title, but is there something that you want, are you saving up for something speical, (need help from the sister thread and Elysia - to come up with a wonderful money making ideas).
This can be as much or as little as you want it to be, its not a month only challenge, its till you get the sum of money / vouchers etc.

There's a book I really want, it's the third in a series and I loved the previous two. It isn't released until the end of June and it will only cost about £7 on Amazon. I would like to make extra to cover the cost rather than dip into the gift vouchers I already have for Amazon as I've got those marked for presents.

As always, thanks for the challenges! There's a nice mix and I should be able to have a go at all of it.

mswan

Hi, I am still here lurking away lol, hope you dont mind.
I am changing my job so sorting out everything at the old one, as soon as I have settled I will be more comited....... honest
Thanks for the challenges they keep me going

Half_pint_4

Think OH is thinking not just of the cost -its £80 -but then there's cost of adding on thing to put my walking sticks in


Mary - there is a lady on one of the other threads (Mooloo) who has just made a bag for holding walking sticks. Maybe you could send her a PM asking how much it would cost for one of the bags (she also makes shopping bags.)

rufusdog52

Its thats time of the month, Santas challenge - and will try to be gentle with you all, espically those who been eating all the Easter Eggs!!

One for the mums - if you've ended up with a stockpile of Easter Eggs, and can persuade dd or ds - try and get creative with the chocolate - whether its the tradational cornflake cakes or something posher!
We didnt get many eggs, daughter got 4 and they mostly all gone lol, I got one but havent started it yet, have two bags full for grandchildren, not all from us I might add, hopefully they will come round today to pick them up.

We have the Royal Wedding and another lovely long weekend off, so if you have any plans let us know?,
The challenge - design something for the Royal Wedding, whether its a bookmark, painting the date on a plate, keeping a copy of the weekends paper,
lets have our own mse gift idea....
OH is on nights all weekend so wont be doing anything special over the weekend, wont even be able to do my sewing with his asleep upstairs in the day so if its nice I might take myself out in the garden and sort out the Ebay stuff I have and do some nice photos. OH's Mum coming down Weds till Fri so she can watch the wedding on out big tv so will have someone to watch it with.

Suntan Lotion / Aftersun
Not trying to jink the weather, but may be worth start looking around for suntan lotion offers, - I always try and keep a few different factors in the magic cupboard in the shed.
(Just with me and Miss Hoodie going through 10 bottles - reminded me to restock)
Have sun tan lotion in already.

Aftersun lotion - As you all know we've just come back from Dom Rep, me with some bad sunburn, despite doing the suntan lotion etc still got burnt. I was advised by the nurse at our local surgery, - don't necessary bother with all the posh aftersun, - go to any chemist and get a tub of AQUEOUS - about £3 to £4 massive tub - does everything aftersun does and is good for the skin. - If you can keep it cool same with suntan lotion.
I get that cream on prescription as I get really dry skin due to my thyroid condition, youngest daughter has just found out how good it is so good job I get a big tub lol

(little tip from us - we brought a kids lunchbag - (£2 from homebargains) and stored the suntan lotion in there, - didn't use icepacks, - it certainly helped to cool it down.

Become a tourist - in your local area
How many times have you been into town, or out locally and just gone from A to B, for us use Chester (1hr train journey) - I'll go there and look at the oldie worldie buildings, the narrow shuts, yet I have exactly the same in my own town, yet I don't see the building as a Victorian Building, I just see it as Costa Coffee etc... So be a tourist, pack a picnic, find a park, chill and relax (be careful with the wine, as lot of parks have non-alcohol restricitions).
This would be good for me if I had someone to go out and do it all with lol, youngest daughter wouldnt be seen going anywhere with "parents" anymore, and OH isnt into this kind of thing, thinks it waste of time.

Your love this Tidy Up challenge - best to date!!
You get to sit down with a coffee, (or even a glass of wine), - go through the mp3 players, the ipods, computers, memory cards on the camera, check files, empty the recycle bin, chuck the photos
I must have read your mind lol, I emptyed the recycle bin this morning as was looking for a file I deleted yesterday and found stuff in there I had deleted before Christmas lol, it saves my recycle bin on a different drive so doesnt waste the space but emptyed it anyway.

Follow on from the Photos
Don't forget that if you need photos processing, that a lot of companies will do introducy offers
eg
Trueprint - 40 photos free (pay 99p postage)
Snapfish - 20 photos free (99p postage ) (thou snapfish is joined with trueprint, so you will need to use a 2nd persons email address in the household)
I dont really print out photos these days, we put them all on our digital photo frame

The Garden
Now don't panic me and gardening do not go together I have a grass allergy!!
Thinking nows the time to check the garden furniture, the bbq, and equipment etc, a lot of shops have the early offers so get if there 1st.
sure keen gardeners will know what need to be planted and what jobs to be done.
This is one job that I will enjoy doing and have already started, they had some nice plants in Wilinson on Friday so we bought a few for out pots but need some more.

Picnic Equipment
Ditto - see what needs replacing, - don't forget after next Friday all the cups, plates etc with a royal connection will be reduced!!
Dont need this as dont go on any pic nics these days

Birthday / Christmas Lists
ladies how are these going, have you anyone that you have no idea what to get for, then shout away, and sure we'll try and rack our brains
Just double check the lists, how are you doing budget wise?
Mine is going well, posted it a few days ago

£2 challenge
Ladies shall we have a bit of fun, now the car boot season coming into force, lets see who can get the best bargain for £2.00, can be absolutely anything that you buy, can be more than one item - the only catch - it must be something that you can use, (whether that in the house, garden, put up for a present), pop a pic on, and get Miss Hoodie to choose the best and we will get a little surprise for the winner!
This sounds a good one, I will have a look in the charity shops as doubt OH will take me to the boot fair

What do I want?
This may seem a weird title, but is there something that you want, are you saving up for something speical, (need help from the sister thread and Elysia - to come up with a wonderful money making ideas).
This can be as much or as little as you want it to be, its not a month only challenge, its till you get the sum of money / vouchers etc.
I want a kindle lol, but I have been hinting every time that ad comes on the tele so think OH might get me one for Christmas

As usual gone for the pick and mix approach, do as much or as little as you want, but misy of all have fun!!
xx, [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the challenges xx

rufusdog52

Just a thought, any of you up on computers, when I reinstalled Windows last time it didnt take off the old windows so I have a folder called Windows.old on the computer. This was handy as I managed to get all my songs and photos back but can I delete the whole folder safely? I did it months ago, some time last year, the folder is loads of gb big so would give me some room on the hard disk again.

If no one knows I'll ask on the techy thread but know we have some knowledgable ladies on here who are ace at computers.

susan42

Hi rufus - does depend on which windows you have, but I have done it many a time. But a sa back up I usually create a restore point in the control panel. I then delete windows old and make a note of the restore . Then in the future if something goes t***s up, you can restore to the good one. I like to be safe

thanks mum2 one. going to print challenges out and have a good read

elysia - your a star, good idea. I am actually sat here with my machine thingy making boxes for cards and gift bags - they`re so expensive. I`m also trying to make a gift box for my vista pens ...lol