Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

newgirly

Happy anniversary Vix

themadvix

Morning all,

Thanks Newgirly.... was a very understated affair, mainly I did washing! :rotfl:

So back to reality this morning... and 6 am alarm calls.... Fortunately ginger cat, who we were a bit worried about after his stay at the cattery, seems to be fine - £40 vet fee saved there! He's dozing on the sofa as I type.... it's must be quite warm in his long coat!

Work emails have been dealt with and surprisingly I'm not (yet) rushed off my feet, which is rather nice. I can still feel the effects of the holiday, which is unusual!

MS things:
* RM survey post posted
* VB and MS rw done
* 2x PA surveys yesterday - £11.25 earned :T
* Signed up to the Ice loyalty card thing that was in the email two weeks ago - interesting, will see how it goes, but look forward to receiving my £10 voucher.
* Kidney beans batch cooked

Gratitudes:
* We seem to have brought the weather home with us :T
* Ginger cat is okay
* Having been away, I don't actually want to leave the house (which is *never* like me!)

Enjoy the sunshine today folks and don't forget the sunscreen!

Karmacat

Hi madvix! Glad you had a good holiday, and anniversary congratulations

themadvix

Morning all!

Thanks Karma

Had lunch out with Mum and niece yesterday - Mum paid . Niece is so cute and her vocabulary is ever expanding - she's such a sponge (and apparently 'belly' is a hilarious word!)

Popped to see Nan last night - she was very sleepy so we (Dad and I) didn't stop long. At least she wasn't cross with us though. Rescued some fairly manky onions from Mum's on way home - will cut them up to find the unmouldy bits and chuck the rest.

Need to pop to town and do some jobs today - cards to buy (baby explosion happening around us!), cheques to pay in and library books to return. DH cooked up a big batch of chilli last night - we ate some then, he's taken some today and there'll be some for lunch tomorrow and then another portion for the freezer. The idea came from the Frugalwoods, but needs some refining to be quite as cost effective. He's away with work Thurs/Fri, so someone else will pay for his food then

MS things:
* Used voucher to buy something from Am - saved £13
* 50p TT
* MS rw and VB poll done
* Daal for dinner tonight - cheap as chips
* Evening class prep all done - feeling very on top of this, which is good as it's expensive and I really need to maximise the benefit
* RM survey post posted
* Porridge for breakfast - eaten in the shade in the garden otherwise I'd be melting!
* Will park for free in town

Gratitudes:
* Gorgeous weather
* Nan seemed okay last night, if not entirely with it
* Caught up with Dad while visiting
* Time with Mum and Niece
* DH cooked dinner

Have a lovely day all!

themadvix

Excellent trip into town this morning - ventured into a greengrocer/ethnic food shop for the first time and snagged 500g grapes, a lump of ginger and 3 oranges for £1.75 and, even better, all plastic free! Was worried that the quality might not be great (there were definitely some dubious bowls of veg around), but what I got seems to be fine - grapes are seedless and juicy and not damaged.

In more concerning news, a new milkshake shop has opened.... these are a weakness of mine and previously it was okay as the only branch we visited was in Brighton and visits were a twice yearly event.... Will power is definitely going to be needed... for plastic-freeness as much as financial reasons!

Library books returned and replaced, bargainous eggs bought in A1di, so a cost-effective trip to town. Unfortunately sending DH to WR for a couple of other bits tonight (guaranteed to be more expensive!).

Lunch is required now I think....

earthgirl

Glad your nan is doing ok.
My weakness is icecreams and its just the right time of year for them, we have a lovely shop in the village and I like to support the local shops as much as I can..

Busy_Mee1

Good to see you back MadVix- it has been very quiet around here. Glad you had a nice holiday.

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Earthie - it is *really* important to support local independent businesses

Thanks Busy Mee :wave:

Had a lovely and frugal day yesterday - spent the morning feeding the ducks at the park with my sis and niece - they came to my town and I walked to meet them (I could have had a lift, but steps, you know) and then went and helped begin the great challenge that is clearing nan's house. Uncle bought us cheapie sarnies for lunch, so free lunch (he's single, mortgage free and very generous, so there was no point quibbling!). DH and I had leftover chilli and daal for dinner - also very yummy and frugal.

This morning I was up and at 'em early, gardening before the sun put in an appearance. I've stopped for the moment, but there's plenty more to do. It is looking better though! We've got friends coming for a BBQ on Saturday, so thought I'd better do something. We're going to visit a new nursery that has similar prices to the one we usually go to (but which is much further away) - so bedding plants will go in on the weekend. Excitingly I noticed that I have one pea plant and one spring onion finally putting in an appearance in the veg bed! :rotfl: We've also eaten the first four raspberries and the redcurrants need picking. Have pulled some more rhubarb for cordial this morning (it tidied up the bed too!)

DH is away tonight so I'm going to Dad's for the evening, picking up fish and chips en route. I've a frugal plan for the BBQ on Saturday (they can be so expensive otherwise) - it involves lots of veg, light on the meat (only for 3 people after all) and some super cheap peaches from my new favourite greengrocers for dessert. Will add in some halloumi (for me) and (because friend is wheat and dairy free) some dairy-free ice cream.

MS things:
* £co £1.91 paid to savings
* Leftovers for lunch again today... finished now but very economical!
* MS rw, VB poll and SBs
* YG and MM surveys done

Gratitudes:
* Garden is relatively small!
* Great family time yesterday
* Normally at this point I'd say looking forward to the fish and chips (one of my favourites) .... but it might be a bit hot for them....

Have a good afternoon all!

shangaijimmy

I've just caught up, and felt it the right thing to do to thank you for bringing the sunshine back with you!

themadvix

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Thanks Jimmy! It has been good though!