Jumping aboard!

thriftylynny

Aah bless you for those words, i needed that & sorry for the whingeing,guess i was cold & tired yesterday & yep won't it be nice to have a break next week, i'm counting the days till friday! My dear mum's sent me £50 & insisted i spend it on myself, so im gona have a little treat in the sales i think,a pampering one or maybe.....new bedroom curtains!!

downsizer3

Haha - yes - when its a toss up between a pampering or something for the house. House wins. Curtains last longer than a massage!! Ever made your own? Its not so bad ( but tricky with lots of material lying around.......)
Just found out that ex has lost his job again. I did wonder as he has his son all next week and was on time to collect wee one last few times. He also gets a nervous twitch on his mouth when he's stressed - its been very obvious recently!!! Feel a bit sorry for him actually. He has big debts - and must worry about paying rent etc.
Thankfully not my problem any more. Phew.:D
Got a few things to run about getting today at lunch to make this flamin' nougat - why didn't I pick something simpler? Need a sugar thermometer !!!!!!! Borrowing one from a keen cook at work - phew - £14 online!! Need to make it tonight or it'll be too late to hand it out.
That's my last Xmas stress though - apart from the supermarket run - ugh hate that.

thriftylynny

Curtains yes,saw some actually quite decent ones recently for 9.99 in a cheapy shop,lined aswell, not sure on colour scheme yet tho as i'd like to co-ordinate similar colours throughout house......showhome style you know ....well one day!! I've known my ex since i was 18 yrs old & sometimes he can be nice,sometimes nasty & at times i too feel sorry for him esp when i see how tired he looks working hard for a new family who had nothing before him? When i was considering moving house to a different area, i asked for his advice as he was always good with that sort of stuff, it hurt a lot to hear him casually say that he couldn't give a sh**t about what happens to me? I felt sad that after all those years he could say that to me, makes you think doesn't it,not a nice word about how well i do here with our children & that he's not a being a father to a son who needs his dad?? Can't help but have hurt feelings for the kids & expect you feel same way about your lovely little girl too? Oh dear sorry, im moany again tonight aren't i & you're there struggling away with stirring that nougat?!! Loving those xmas ideas :A

downsizer3

S'truth. Got one arm like Fatima Whitbread today after all that nougat stirring. Its sticky stuff - but tasted pretty good.......its now setting in its baking trays but I've no idea how to get it out. Lined top and bottom with rice paper - but the sides are stuck fast. Chain saw required.........:o
Also my baking trays are a bit old so bound to be little black bits all over them........sheesh. Lots of swearing last night - like working with lumpy glue!

Caw - thats harsh from your ex. No need for that! :mad:
I never understand why people get so bitter. And to offload his family for a new version shows a pretty shallow individual. Your kids know who's caring for them - you wait till you're older - their dad will regret it - promise you. I'm a great believer in what goes around......etc

Last day tomorrow yippeee!! Just got that dreaded final supermarket shop to do ( with list so as not to buy too much rubbish).
Ex has to sign on at jobcentre on Thurs so has his mum looking after wee one for a couple of hours (they finish at 12 and he had promised to collect her from school) Must be grim in there at christmas. This is his 3rd xmas out of work. We may be working hard but at least we have work - unrewarding as it feels I guess I'd rather be working.

Merry berry liqueur is bottled up - and rather nice too. Just got to get santa to bring me a millionaire now ( will settle for moderately rich)...............I've been good - honest :A

PS - good price for curtains!! I normally choose a base colour of say cream throughout and have a feature wall in each room - carries a theme through and yet you get to highlight each room. That'll be pink in my daughters case!!;)

thriftylynny

Oh you have made me laugh DS with your nougat, i now have visions of your xmas guests clamped jaws on the ''sticky stuff'' & a straw for the merry berry!! Definitely giving that a go next year anything to keep 'em all quiet!!
I've just got back from town & yep my 50 quid pamper/curtain treat spent on my two & a couple of other bits, so thats gone but i did get them practical things, pj's,underwear etc ? I've still got the enthusiasm to have a go at my bedroom tho & i'm gona pinch your cream + feature wall theme if you don't mind ?!! Gona add a touch of plum i think?
Aiming to get up early...xmas eve morning to do the awful food in trolley thing as i'm not done at work till friday & writing a list too!!
And you are right who cares about the exes eh? they're the ones with the problems,aren't they just? When mine next comes round i'm giving him double strength homemade nougat? That'll stop any nasty comments!!

downsizer3

Mmmmmmfffff..........nougat lovely but a tad chewy..........
Nearly fainted trying to cut it up but there's a plate in the office here today - lets see what they think!
Top tip on nougat - DON'T make 3 x the amount! You'll be so exhausted chopping it up that you haven't the strength to hand it out. Tastes great AND its a workout - bonus!!
Asda tonight - oh god. Not got a massive list ( not got two teenagers like you!) but will still buy stuff I don't need no doubt. Need some flowers to take to folks on xmas day as we're staying the night. They buy the food - I cook it, so that works OK! :xmassmile

Wee one is hyper now - last day of school and its carol singing etc - no parents allowed! Sadly its also her childcare lady's payday - always painful. She's a semi-retired nanny - very expensive but also fab and I can relax knowing she's reliable. It also covers me as she can step in if I get caught on work travel etc. We have a cash arrangement......

You starting to look forward to the break? We're off till 4th - yessssss ( apart from on meeting on 28th :mad:).
There's a fab paint colour called armanac ( like the drink) you get it in B&Q - think its a crown fancy one (dark tin) - works really well with cream. I had that in my last house and loved the colour - rich and warm.
I'll be painting over xmas - but my bedroom is so small a big picture acts as a feature wall!!! I may stick with the cream on that one.

downsizer3

Was looking again at my spreadsheets - as you do.
Once I pay off my card and tax credit OP - build up my savings, it'll be early 2014 March in fact.
Assuming no disasters and that I still have a job ( small things I know!!) .........I then plough the £300 pm I'm paying to all that, into my mortgage op - I'll be paid off by 2017!! Just over 5 years away! Gotta give that a shot! :j
Still no pension but at least I'd have a home........:)

downsizer3

A stonking cold hit me on boxing day - unfair!
Wallpapering done yesterday and about to start painting. Not been near a shop since my pre-christmas supermarket horror and intend to keep it that way! :A
I'm therefore not doing too badly and hoping to make it through the (long long) month unscathed.
Last council tax payment made - and two months off which will make a serious dent on my card repayments - all on schedule!! Yessss.
Just got to hope these winds don't blow my roof off - its pretty bad out there! That I can do without!
Here's to a frugal New Year and a big start on my savings pot!!

downsizer3

Well here I am 2012 - my year of turn around financially - or so I hope.
If it all goes as per my mirriad of spreadsheets I ought to have debts paid off and savings growing this year. I'm pleased with progress so far - just need to keep it up. No sales shopping for me! Not that I need anything. Just hope theres no unexpected bills coming.
I'm keeping on top of meter readings and sending them in once a month - just to be sure.
My home-made christmas presents went down well - I'll do that next year too. Otherwise - all is calm.
Bedroom decorated and just the woodwork to paint. My wallpapering leaves a bit to be desired but a strategically placed picture and you'd not notice................;)

thriftylynny

Just lost a long post to you DS :mad: took me ages aswell! Glad your xmas & all your goodies went well,hope your little one enjoyed it all! Fantastic that you finished your bedroom aswell,have you added any finishing touches yet, apart from that '' millionaire fella'' xmas pressie you asked for of course?!!
You seem to be right on target for 2012 plans so keep up the good work eh? For my part i'm gona keep paying down mort 2much as i can ,then hope in june to reduce my main mortgage term down to 10 yrs & try going for a bit of savings,as i have nowt,zero for any emergencies & that frightens me somewhat? What rate do you get on your savings DS,instant savers rates seem very low & i know nothing about ISA's, any advice appreciated? Oh & hope your necks ok now, i've been meaning to ask? Right hope my post gets sent now,here goes!!