A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Morganarla

Just had the wonderful news that my mobile phone has been cut off, couldn't afford to pay the bills on time, so it was expected but they did say it'd be 29/12, not today SO I can't speak to any friends or family via my mobile on Christmas Day (kind of a blessing in some respects haha! - I don't get on with most of my family ), will skype those I can and FB/email the others.

So I took a break from work to go and do the banking before the Christmas break, and popped into the local big Asda on the way back (wish it was closer to my house...). Found a photoframe for £3.50 in George for our lodger Ed, as I knew he had something he wanted framing - so that's his pressie sorted nice and cheaply!

Also picked up some bargains from the reduced-by section - 3 x 500g lean Irish steak mince, reduced to 99p each from £2.33 each (cheaper than the not-so-nice beef/pork mince I was going to buy with the next delivered shop!), also some thin frying steak reduced to £1.92 for 5 slices - going to 'roast' them on Christmas Day so we have a mix of turkey and beef, plus the furries can then share a little bit of the turkey as there will be more to go round!

Cheered me up a bit, even if it did mean spending the very last of the cash in my purse On the plus side though, Dan got some unexpected wages from a previous job, so nice little cash influx and might even be able to pay my phone bill

Is everyone excited for Christmas yet? I'm starting to feel it, even though we're poor as sh*t, hoping it'll be a nice day

mardatha

I do enjoy a good ponce, pet, but I'm savin meself for new year ! TY everybody xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

mardatha

Wish I had some pink shrimps actually. But have et all the chocs and am now on the Sangria.

forever_saving

Happy birthday Mardatha :bdaycake:. Hope you have had a good day.
FS x

Rowan9

Mardatha - hope you are enjoying your special day:beer:. I was in a sweetie shop yesterday and saw frying pan lollies - do you remember them? They had kind of apple flavoured ones and treacle ones I think. Didin't buy them but did look at them with fond memories.
Minimal Christmas here in terms of shopping and presents. Feel much more relaxed as a result! Went to Lid! this morning after vet appointment and got gammon, veg, cheese, crackers , gherkins. Have stuff in freezer and fridge. Might have a look for last minute M0rrisons buys or might not.
Off to watch a DVD and put my feet up.
Have a good evening all
W

SDG31000

GreyQueen I did once make a tank cake, so I'm willing to have a go at something to transport us to taurus's bedside.

I am absolutely shattered at the moment. I've made and baked three different batches of shortbread, made two lots of mince pie pastry, iced two Christmas cakes, cooked lunch, done 3 loads of laundry and dealt with lots of visitors. I'm so tired that DH is making dinner and is attempting to cook a proper meal involving vegetables.
Tomorrow I need to make the mince pies, a croissant and dark choc bread pudding and mini pavlovas. At least dinner will be the traditional Christmas Eve ham glazed with mustard, brown sugar and peaches. Yum
Take care and sleep well xxx

VJsmum

I have just filled a huge jar with jelly babies.

Just sayin'

fuddle

Well, just back from the dreaded shopping trip and it was easy. The Morrison's out of town was busy but nothing horrendous. My kiddies were [STRIKE]bribed[/STRIKE] very well behaved and only a couple of stressed out sour pusses to be found amongst the isles.

That is it, Christmas is complete for me and not a bit of debt in sight. It can be done, Christmas gifts and food can be bought with a little planning, careful purchasing and restraint.

I have a bit of mulled wine heating steadily in the SC and a bubble bath waiting. Merry Christmas dear friends. x

prepareathome

Well last scarf knitted so just some dolls clothes to do, but no rush for them - for DGD2 poor dolly only has a bikini - so nearly finished back of one dress, why did I chose one with a massive full skirt, dolly is an 8in baby doll. This year is first one when we have planned to go out Christmas Eve and have the money to do so, no debts, everything paid and everything full of food, I keep thinking I must have forgotten something ( apart from Marizpan - hubby has said he will have cake without it, so that's ok I loathe the stuff). Still do need to get DIL a proper present, at moment she just has a scarf, but she has no idea what she wants and doesn't do smellies so will give her money to treat herself to something as since having the children she has just immersed herself in being a mum and literally never uses anything she used to - used to be mad on her nails but all the nail stuff I bought her last year is still untouched so maybe if she has some money on her when out she might just see something she would love but would never buy, my son is no help.

I am sitting here with nice and easy all over my hair - got to get rid of the grey, I am fat and plain but my vanity is my hair, not that its beautiful or anything and never go near a hairdressers but hate being grey, well not exactly grey more a sandy grey colour as was red. What annoys me more is I have one lock at the front that is a beautiful ash blonde, hair has turned the colour naturally and I would love it all over but so far my attempts have failed to get it exact, even when I dye the rest of it that lock stays the same. I used to touch up to match my actual hair colour but when this appeared it looked so odd against it that now I am blonde and as I said not exactly the blonde I want, but hey ho, so long as grey has gone it will do, I only ever wear my hair up out of the way.

Right its been the 45 mins so will go and wash it off

All those panicking take a deep breath in and let it out slowly - it will be alright on the day, I still have all my presents to wrap ( my least favourite job) and they will be done.

Take care, be safe and warm and RELAX hugsxxx

stiltwalker

Peaches?? SDG, do tell! I usually do my ham just with a mustard and demerea sugar glaze after boiling it with onion, orange, lemon, cloves and black peppercorns.

Popped on to say merry Christmas to one and all, may FC squeeze down your chimneys with fat sacks bulging with cookery books and kitchen gadgets galore - I'm hoping he got my letter asking for HFW's veg book. Off up to spend the festivities with my parental units (thanks GQ - nicked, sorry!) so will probably be to busy eating and drinking to tarry online much. Right must go ad do the last bit of ironing so I can get packing - just hope I can iron straight after partaking in a rather lovely clementine margerita - yum.

Mardartha - Happy birthday - enjoy!