When I asked for luck I didn't mean the bad variety!!!

Piquant_2

NewLeaf wrote: »

spending time with people you care about is the best part of the holidays

It certainly is! Well said NL! It would be nice to see a return to more traditional Christmases without all the hype and greed spending.

PinotGrigio41

Piquant wrote: »

It certainly is! Well said NL! It would be nice to see a return to more traditional Christmases without all the hype and greed spending.

Here her NL and Piq........totally agree withyou there !

Backtracking a few days, but we use the Cardboard Box idea all of the time, or if you have enough spare boxes lying around, lots of cardboard boxes one inside the other, all wrapped up with a choccy Santa hidden in each box.

Or...............grab some of the Christmassy wrapping ribbon or even a ball of wool , attach choccy or a clue at one end , put in a big box, hang ribbon / wool out of box where it wont be seen straight away , then trail the wool all through the house for DS to follow, eventually at the end is the hidden pressie. Mine are never too old for that game, we will be doing that with the Pressie from Santa this year, it jsut takes a bit of organising once they are in bed on Xmas Eve. It may not be a big box like the younger ones have , but it will be fun !

Did that make any sense at all ??!!! :rotfl:

Right I'm off now ........................................................

satchmo1

Hi PLMBL, My sister is away until 23rd, and nephew rang in a state as boiler had broken and he was desparate to get it fixed. I live nearly 200 miles away, but FBd several people for plumber numbers. My ex (he of car-accident-related brain damage), who lives nearby, went round and sorted it out, bless him. Said there was air in the pump. Great relief, as no big bill and nice warm house for sis on her return.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Perfect sense PG thank you .

How lovely of your ex satchmo! Massive relief for all involved and great that you still have a good relationship with him, it must've been so hard for you.

Hi mummytogirls and Piq too!

Today we went to the Metro Centre to get the last few gifts I needed and some vouchers for my slimming world consultant (we did a whip round in the group). I had also arranged to meet 2 friends (they are sisters) for coffee so that was nice albeit expensive. DS2 had a bit of a meltdown though so we came home a bit earlier than expected.

Tonight I got weighed and I've gained 2lbs . It was a food tasting night though so I was lucky enough to get something to eat before heading straight to watch DS1 in his cubs Christmas play. I met DH, DS2 and MIL there but I could tell something was bothering DH. When we got home he said his Mum had told him he was fat :eek:. Believe me he isn't. I'd describe him as trim and muscly. DH is very sensitive and it's possible he overreacted, however I really can't see why she would have said anything at all . Hopefully DH just took it wrong.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Just a quick update as I'm shattered and heading to bed.

Wrapped all DS2's presents this morning while he was at playgroup. Will do DS1's tomorrow while DS2 is there again, as that will be my last chance while both boys are out. Playgroup finishes for christmas tomorrow and school finishes friday.

Sister and her partner came over this afternoon to do the present swap which was lovely and I've been out tonight for a meal with the women from slim club (yes really :rotfl:).

So no money making today but a low spend day. Meal was £11 but I'd already paid £5 deposit so just £6 paid tonight. Someone else bought my drink as I gave her a lift and as they offered free refills on soft drinks, I didn't pay for another all night .

please-let-me-be-lucky

Not long in from work as had to work later tonight thanks to Christmas hours. It was busy but manageable, but I'm still super tired after a run of bad nighs with DS2. He's had a cough and cold which keeps waking him up in the night, and then last night he kept shouting in his sleep! He was obviously dreaming about playgroup as he was shouting "NO SCARLETT, GET OFF! THAT'S MINE. I SAID 'NO' SCARLETT" :eek:

Got the rest of the presents wrapped this morning, and then someone came to collect a piece of furniture I sold weeks ago on eb@y. They paid weeks ago for it so no extra funds today, but I'm thrilled it's gone and I get my hallway back. I then got a phonecall from the Job Centre asking why I wasn't there for an interview :eek::mad:. I knew nothing about it, AGAIN!! It boils my pee that they say I have a problem with my post when I manage to get stuff from everywhere else no problem at all, but nothing gets to or from them. Did I mention that I got my missing payslips back from them a couple of weeks ago?? These are they payslips I sent them in August but they've 'never had them' so I had to traipse to town and have them faxed to the relevant department in October and then they posted the originals back in December!! Gawd knows where they were for 4 months! Anywhoo, they've made me a new appointment in January which I'm ok with but it's still a waste of time.

On a positive note, I paid my sister £10 today, so I now owe her £785.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Been to DS1's school carol concert today which was very sweet. Put 50p in the church collection and then paid 50p for 'reindeer food' for Christmas Eve. Tea, coffee and mince pies were then provided free of charge so I felt a bit guilty about not spending more at the sales table as I'd consciously kept my money for buying drinks etc. Secretly pleased to have only spent £1 though.

I then won a ticket to diggerland in the raffle (had already bought the ticket last week). They aren't daft at diggerland though as they only donated 1 ticket as the prize, so for all of us to go we will have to buy more tickets!

Made my final 'Extra Payment Every Week' payment of the year today. Weekly, usually on a friday, I round down my bank balance and send the 'untidy' bit. For example, if I have £123.45 I send the £3.45 to the credit card, or if I'm feeling flush I might send £13.45 or even £23.45. By doing this I've reduced my debt by another £700.71 in 2012 and I can honestly say I haven't missed the little bits of cash. Will be doing the same again in 2013.

poohbear59

I am glad you enjoyed the school play and managed to do it without too much cost. The diggerland ticket is annoying. I don't know why they couldn't donate two. Or is it to try to make more money out of you?

I like your payment a week idea. Next year when we start to pick up a bit I will give it a try.

grannyx2

I was just thinking how PADs don't suit me but your PAW sound like a really good idea. I definitely think I'll give it a try anyway x

please-let-me-be-lucky

poohbear59 wrote: »

I like your payment a week idea. Next year when we start to pick up a bit I will give it a try.

grannyx2 wrote: »

I was just thinking how PADs don't suit me but your PAW sound like a really good idea. I definitely think I'll give it a try anyway x

Thank you ladies but I can't take all the credit. Inamin started the thread and Betty Crumble continued it, I just tagged along. Best thing I did though! It has made a massive difference and kept me focussed and motivated, though I warn you it gets quite addictive! You should check out the diary, though potentially a new one will be starting soon for 2013 (assuming a new one is started rather than continuing this year's).

Was a bit tearful last night which sort of crept up on me but feeling better today. Working 12-6 today and apparently it's mega busy already. Deep joy .