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

gailey_2

Morning guys.

Blimey have few days catching up to do as so busy.

Hope everyones ok.

I have done in all honesty not a lot so far today.

usual sat kids made mess and got bored.
toddler keeps making her toy doilly cry drives me mad as sounds like animal in pain!

Had some drama with my eldest this morning.

Honestly could only happen to me.

Been a month since xmas day and her new mp3 player broken.

Not just dead but when went to plug charger in charger started smoking and elset crying there was fire so glad I was there to upsupervise her as yesterday she charged in in her room.

Was bit annoyed and upset so rang toys r us as taking it back tommorow.
need to find recepit im sure wouldent have binned it.

im reluctant to get same one as bit scared now.
read online but they have very littel range and one we got fails to mentions its smoking fault.
customer service said they send it off as very popular even smells burnt.

So think we going to try refund but need to replace it with something which I fear will cost more!:mad:

I should have learnt my lesson im techni nightmare as had problems with netbook at xmas which still trying to resolve.

Some good news.

car passed mot-miracle.rarly happens.:j

Got to sort out eldests party leisure centre paid for
just need invites out
sort cake and food
party bags.

brought eldest 2nd hand dolls house ebay.

looking for some clothes on ebay as shes got taller again.

also going down poundshop to get some more stuff she needs like hair accesories and craft stuff so seems like shes got quite a bit find it hard birthday so close to xmas.

Im thinking might be brave and attempt cake myself but im sooo crap at baking.

but thinking choc sponge with lots choc icing on top and fairy topper , sprinkles and candles might work?

already keeping food down to £1 per head .

Listing few things this weekend as never ending bills.

pay day not until 15th so need to meal plan the next 18days.
this seems scary as cupboards are running right down.

Thourght would never see the day with no tinned tomato stockpikle but down to last 3! No passata or tomato puree
low on herbs and spices.

but do have 8loves bread in freezer, tea cakes, pancakes and 200+rolls so fine for bread as whenever I see reduced i buy begrudge paying fullprice now.

if was doing 7-10day meal planner seems ok but 18days very scary!
be supernoodles and frozen partyfayre towards the end.

will need to top up on fresh though.

But despite being over my budget for grocery and underspending by about £150 on normal month think we done ok.
i set £170 knowing it be 200 30contingency but have spent £230 by end of month for 5 of us including household, nappies and toilitries!we were spending £350-400 before xmas.

The aim is by april to be even keel and all oustanding bills paid.
santander reletlessly ring hubby 8m then 10pm at night on housephone them immediadtly on mobile hes made reduced payment and expained to them but they wont listen!

got eldest birthday next month
got car tax for car no1

march-car tax no2.

but we have 2month break from council tax and water so that will help ease things.

Made chicken soup for lunch was ok.

need to do some housework sort out laundry mountain
hoover
wash up kicthen
stocktake kitchen.

But we doing ok we getting by.

Hoping my shopping around, being organised and cooking from scratch/stockpiling will pay off this year.

need to plan and organise garden still.

hubbys got week off feb so garden and dcecorating kids room priority no 1.

Hardup_Hester

I'm very pleased with myself today, I emptied last month's budget pots out & there was still £30 in the food pot, so I spent £26.46 at the butchers today without starting on this months money.
I might try a Biobulb for hubby, it's either that or a stout length of rope to throttle him with! He suffers badly with the old BD.
Hester

scrabbles_2

prepareathome wrote: »

Oh not had a cigarette but am cheating with electronic one since the two I had on Wednesday morning and so far ok but not using anything else. At stop smoking clinic they told me NHS are looking into supplying these, but they have to go through all sorts of tests as they are just the same as patches, inhalator's etc nicotine replacement, be wonderful if they did give them out as I have a prepay certificate so would save me a fortune as at moment its still costing me the same as if I was buying cigarettes. As I am using this I still do count myself as a smoker.

I don't consider the electronic one to be cheating at all! You are doing brilliantly, don't think of it as cheating because it really isn't. I had an inhalator when I quit, never even used the first box up but I carried it round with me for months 'just in case'. Someone once told me that ex-smokers are never 'non-smokers' they're just smokers who have managed not to have a ciggy for a while. That's total carp - I used to LOVE smoking, and be quite a heavy smoker, but that feels as though it was a different person. I am ABSOLUTELY a non-smoker now, not one of those awful preachy ones though :rotfl: Have you tried an inhalator? I recommend them, they worked for me when nothing else did.

gailey wrote: »

Been a month since xmas day and her new mp3 player broken.

Not just dead but when went to plug charger in charger started smoking and elset crying there was fire so glad I was there to upsupervise her as yesterday she charged in in her room.

Was bit annoyed and upset so rang toys r us as taking it back tommorow.
need to find recepit im sure wouldent have binned it.

im reluctant to get same one as bit scared now.
read online but they have very littel range and one we got fails to mentions its smoking fault.
customer service said they send it off as very popular even smells burnt.

So think we going to try refund but need to replace it with something which I fear will cost more!:mad:

Blimey gailey :eek: Don't let them fob you off saying you need a receipt. And don't let them make you spend more either. Tell them that as a product they sold could have potentially started a fire or harmed your child they need to do a bit more!!!! Demand a manager - most store managers can offer goodwill gestures in these situations but the normal CS staff won't have a clue.

Good for you Hester it's always nice to be able to stretch the money that bit further. :T My own personal triumph for today is that I bought cheap loo roll from the local pound shop earlier and OH didn't moan. Since he normally insists on luxury Andrex (not even the normal stuff is good enough for his behind) I consider this to be a major victory!

BitterandTwisted, I enjoy chatty posts too I don't know many like-minded people in real life and it's nice to have an extended circle on here

prepareathome

Gailey I think you are doing brilliantly on the household shopping considering you have 3 young children, don't beat yourself up. Even with me being much better this month I have still spent £146 on food and household stuff and that is just for two of us and the dogs and I didn't need to buy a bag of their main food (£23) only the trays for youngest, although like you I have cut down was spending every penny not spent on bills on food, and yes there was waste, now nothing is wasted, but I need to cut the food spend even more.

Stick to your guns with toys r us - they sold you not only a defective product but a dangerous one as well, buck stops with them, even if they didn't know, they are responsible so I would not accept it being fixed not in this case you want a brand new one or money back - if unsure call your trading standards on Monday as I think, not 100% sure there are slightly different rules when something is dangerous and especially best to check if you cannot find your receipt. I know normal rules are if no receipt then you cannot ask for money back but they do have to replace, and they cannot say oh no receipt we cannot do anything.

I took my mp3 player back to argos on Thursday as it will not charge up but they are not selling that model anymore and their policy is to have it repaired rather than just replace as they usually do as to many people were coming in wanting a replacement just before year was up, snag is because they don't sell that model now manager couldn't find where to send it for repair so I have to take it back in a week to give her time to try and find out and if she cannot then I she said she will do replacement or money back ( I do have receipt and ins as fed up with them packing in just over the year, this was 3rd one I bought in as many years and at £60 a go its expensive). I have a cheap one can use just now but snag is it will not play my library audio books nor my audible ones and its audiobooks, any other audiobooks so long as not DRM protected play fine on cheap ones, I use it for hence me having to buy a more expensive one). I could under my insurance get a replacement now, but that to me is a total waste of the insurance and they are getting out of the years warrenty so will not do that. If I end up having to get my money back I want the money from the insurance back as well.

Opps just realised the time have hairdressers at 3.30 and I am not even dressed yet although all showered and hairdresser only 5 mins away.

Hugs to all, love

Pitlanepiglet

Hi all, I'm guilty of becoming a lurker but as I'm sprawled on the sofa it seems a good time to post!

On the BD subject, I have used a SAD light (actually it's a very fetching visor!) for the last 5 or 6 years and it changed my life. I was never actually depressed before but I found I was just surviving winter rather than living it. I was incredibly tired all of the time, I got illness over illness, I physically ached to the point where I could barely climb the stairs at night, plus I found normal everyday problems absolutely unmanageable. I use it for around 30 minutes each morning, I set my alarm early so I have half an hour laying in bed, drinking my coffee (delivered by OH!), surfing and using the light. If it broke I would replace it in an instant, no matter how much of my monthly budget it took!

The other thing I bought at the same time was a sunrise lamp which makes it much easier for me to wake in the mornings, I find it a gradual waking process rather than the drama of even a clock radio.

The biobulbs look good, I might investigate one for Dad, I think he suffers similarly but won't admit to a problem, so just replacing his bulbs with "daylight" in the interests of making it easier for him to see his paper might be an option!

I'm calorie counting at the moment, it's a bit of a revelation - much easier than any diet plan, we're planning pizza tonight though so I've walked for nearly two hours today to burn off the additional calories - the dog a) thinks it's Christmas and b) is slumped in her bed absolutely shattered!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, keep thinking happy thoughts.

Byatt

Hi Piglet

PAH thanks for sharing. I bought a SAD lamp this year, well last year now. I started going downhill quite early in September, and I'm on anti-d's so what would have happened I dread to think. You describe it so well and the lamp. The first time I used it I just loved the white light. I used it daily at first and despite being sceptical, but desperate, it worked. Amazing. I should look into vit d too. I pick up about April time. I had suspected it for a few years as by January each year I was suicidal despite not having anything happen to me to warrant those feelings.

But last September I realised within 2 weeks what was happening.

Don't think I could cope with seeing Warhorse...a sobbing 50 something in the cinema might not go down too well! Has anyone seen the "horses" used in the play? OMG they are stunning. Even though you know they are not real, the way the actors move them just makes you feel totally convinced they are! It's surreal. Would love to see the play, but just too emotional for me.

Gailey as others have said don't be fobbed off. This isn't a simple return of something that isn't working properly but a dangerous fault, and it could apply to many others. Stand your ground. Maybe read online the procedures for such a case.

[Deleted User]

I have to share my high spot of the day with you all - a friend came to visit unexpectedly with her 3 year old Grandaughter because little one loves the dog as much as he loves her. We are currently looking after my younger daughters tortoise as Douglas isnt quite the right size to hibernate yet and DD's house is quite cold. Little one had never seen a tortoise before and I will never forget the look of absolute wonder on her face when the 'Rock' in the corner of the cage sprouted legs and a head and walked towards her. She was enchanted and spent the next 20 minutes on her tummy nose to nose with him. She was even brave enough to hold him and said he felt just like a Seashell! It was just one of those moments........

D&DD

Firstly a big
to all those persevering off the cigs :T keep it up!

Lizzy aw don't feel bad just keep working at it Rosies recall is 99% there but sometimes (yesterday was a prime example!) she gets a deaf 'un.. I'm lucky in some ways as she totally ignores people outside the family so never have worries about her chasing people..dogs is another matter she wants to be friends with everyone

Kidcat I do doze off sometimes usually mid catch up on MSE when I'm sat comfortably only to wake up with a stiff neck and the kids laughing as the computers still on my lap

After my rather dire expedition to MrT's this week I'm off to MrS tomorrow any bargains about??
I bagged 4 packs of cheerios from amazon for £4 (in bags in a large box in case anyone orders them) and 48 whiskas for £10.
I might get some more of the harpic if its still on @ 99p *grimy men in the house*

Two loads of washing done and dried one more to go today then I must start on the baking

SDG31000

Afternoon all

gailey you are doing wonderfully. I spend a fortune on food for the four of us, but as my sons are now 5'10 it counts as having four adults in the house plus an extra one as teenage boys are walking dustbins. I must start using up the contents of the freezers and cupboards instead of adding to them.

Smileyt Just adding my best wishes for you and your dog to the pile. Take care and good luck

softstuff I hope you get a proper diagnosis soon and feel 100% again

MrsLurcherwalker that is so sweet and such a lovely image It reminds me of taking my monsters to Syon Park when they were little and them hand feeding the huge koi carp that were the same size as them. I used to make them wear dungarees and I would hold DS1 while my DMIL held DS2 by the straps to stop them from going swimming with the fishes. I recommend a visit there especially if you have small children. The tanks are arranged so that the children can sit on the floor and the fish can swim up to look at these strange creatures peering into their homes.

I survived a trip to M&S to buy sausages and to Sainsburys for a mega shop. Sainsburys 3 for £10 deal gives you 30 sausages while the same deal in M&S gives you 60 sausages that taste much better. As I'm cooking for 10 tonight I went to M&S. One thing I did get in Sainsburys is their casserole packs of chicken pieces. It costs £4.49 and you get around 6 drumsticks, 4 chicken thighs and 2 chicken legs weighing approx 1.8kg
I'm making ChocClare's Chinese Chicken, sausages, mashed potato, carrots, peas, roasted sprouts and fries for dinner and turtle pie thingy for dessert. I got the basic idea off another forum I read and thought I would give it a try.
I'm using a digestive biscuit base topped with chopped roasted pecans and chunks of dark and milk chocolate. Then you spread on condensed milk that you have boiled in the can for three hours to turn it into toffee. Finally you finish with a layer of whipped cream. I think it works out as 10,000 calories per molecule.
I scoffed at the thought of buying a cheesecake for £7 from M&S and then worked out that this is costing a lot more. :eek: I am making a double batch however. This is why we switched from once a week to once a fortnight for having everyone for dinner. It adds a good £25-30 to the shopping list as I buy the good ice cream and fizzy drinks/alcohol and make puddings that I wouldn't normally do for the 4 of us. DH is surprised everytime by just how much food gets eaten. They are good friends and I know I can call them at 3am and they would be here in a shot, so I consider it a cheap repayment DH, DS1 and DS2 don't complain about getting a proper pudding either.

Time to go and see if I have toffee. Here's hoping it has worked and that I avoid covering the kitchen in the stuff.

(((((((((((((((((((((((hugs to everyone)))))))))))))))))))

shegar

smileyt wrote: »

Good morning everyone, am I the first up? I'm off on a 'big birdwatch' starting in an hour's time, so just popped in before I walk the dogs. Very sorry to read of all these black dogs and of people feeling so poorly.

My own real black dog (well, black with a white blaze down his chest) has to have an operation on Tuesday to remove a couple of lumps. He is also losing weight, and is at the lowest weight he's ever been, so it's not looking good, but I won't know for sure until his lumps have been to the histology lab and his blood tests are back. As I type this I am quite calm, but last night I was in tears for a good part of the evening. I am terrified that he might die under the anaesthetic (he'll be 14 in a week's time, but he is extremely fit for his age) or that the vet will say the x-ray has revealed tumours internally and it would be kinder not to wake him up. Oh bum I'm crying again. Sorry. I know when you get an animal you are inevitably setting yourself up for a broken heart but it doesn't make it any easier!

Anyway, I'd better get going. I have my thermals on already .... :rotfl:

How did your bird watch go.? we doing it sunday, been busy again today, we have lots of diferent birds here all the time, so lovely to see, I adore wildlife and all things to do with nature,espeically love to find big diferent spiders in the house,in my wildlife pond we have great crested newts, I hope they spawn this year and the frogs.........:D