make do and mend for tougher times

Evie74_2

Hello everyone and (((hugs))) to all in need of one

We are back from our little trip to the seaside; it was slightly "bracing" weatherwise but the girls had a whale of a time. We had the whole beach to ourselves so it was lovely to just let the girls run free and play in the sand and the shallows, and so easy to watch them as nobody else about. They collected several buckets of shells which are now out in the back garden ready to be rinsed off. Not sure what to do with them but I'm thinking of getting the girls to stick them to cheapy picture frames. It will keep them out of mischief when we next get a rainy day (not too long away I'm sure!).

The kitchen is so close to being finished: just a little bit more tiling to be done and then the cooker can be connected up - I just can't wait to get my pinny on and do some proper meals again. DH will still have to paint the walls etc and it will need a jolly good clean (as will the rest of the house: dust everywhere! :eek:) but the end is in sight.

DH finally got his letter confirming that he has been made redundant . Not sure when the redundancy money will come through; hopefully they won't make him wait too long. He will be going to the job centre on Monday to see how to go about signing on . He is very down about it all. I keep telling him it isn't his fault and he shouldn't feel bad about claiming as he has paid NI contributions for over 20 years so will have more than covered what he will be taking out. Hopefully he will find something else soon.

I have to go to Mr T in a little while - I have a freezer full of OS-friendly food and no means to cook any of it, so I think another of their pre-cooked chickens is on the menu for this evening and tomorrow - at least I can do the veggies in the microwave!

Can I please ask your advice? We are going to a family wedding next weekend and the happy couple (who have lived together for donkeys' years and have all necessary household things already) have asked for money towards a honeymoon. I would normally spend £25-30 on a gift: does that seem an acceptable amount to give in cash terms? I think I am a little out of touch with wedding etiquette these days as I would never have dreamt of asking for money when DH and I got married (although that was 14 years ago!) - times have obviously changed!

Have good days all

Evie xx

Possession

Evie I think that would be fine, I don't think anyone would expect you to give any more money than that.

Evie74 wrote: »

Hello everyone and (((hugs))) to all in need of one

We are back from our little trip to the seaside; it was slightly "bracing" weatherwise but the girls had a whale of a time. We had the whole beach to ourselves so it was lovely to just let the girls run free and play in the sand and the shallows, and so easy to watch them as nobody else about. They collected several buckets of shells which are now out in the back garden ready to be rinsed off. Not sure what to do with them but I'm thinking of getting the girls to stick them to cheapy picture frames. It will keep them out of mischief when we next get a rainy day (not too long away I'm sure!).

The kitchen is so close to being finished: just a little bit more tiling to be done and then the cooker can be connected up - I just can't wait to get my pinny on and do some proper meals again. DH will still have to paint the walls etc and it will need a jolly good clean (as will the rest of the house: dust everywhere! :eek:) but the end is in sight.

DH finally got his letter confirming that he has been made redundant . Not sure when the redundancy money will come through; hopefully they won't make him wait too long. He will be going to the job centre on Monday to see how to go about signing on . He is very down about it all. I keep telling him it isn't his fault and he shouldn't feel bad about claiming as he has paid NI contributions for over 20 years so will have more than covered what he will be taking out. Hopefully he will find something else soon.

I have to go to Mr T in a little while - I have a freezer full of OS-friendly food and no means to cook any of it, so I think another of their pre-cooked chickens is on the menu for this evening and tomorrow - at least I can do the veggies in the microwave!

Can I please ask your advice? We are going to a family wedding next weekend and the happy couple (who have lived together for donkeys' years and have all necessary household things already) have asked for money towards a honeymoon. I would normally spend £25-30 on a gift: does that seem an acceptable amount to give in cash terms? I think I am a little out of touch with wedding etiquette these days as I would never have dreamt of asking for money when DH and I got married (although that was 14 years ago!) - times have obviously changed!

Have good days all

Evie xx

fuddle

Dh and I escaped to a Scottish Island to get married. Just us and our little girl. We only had one then. Why? Because we didn't have the money to get married properly. This was the only way we could do it without having to fork out the money per head for a sit down meal. Our friends and family must have felt snubbed because we didn't receive any gifts. Not one from anyone. Jeeez, I'm filling up, it hurt. I learned wedding etiquette the hard way. Anything you can give should be gratefully received. I find the amout of cash you would like to gift is more than acceptable.

EDIT: DH has won £25 fishing :j It won't be enough to cover the whole cost of the halogen oven but I've been given permission from the boss to take the rest from the emergency fund on the understanding that I sell some of my clothes on ebay - deal! Off to buy my Andrew James 12 litre :j

Popperwell

Travelled out fo town and spent quite a bit on taxi fares so went around Sainsbury's brought a few bits and bobs but really for the cost of the Taxi it wasn't worth it except it was change of scenary. I thought I had been out for hours but had to do a "Double Take!" when I looked at the clock and it said it was only 3.15pm. I could've stayed in town and gone to another supermarket.

To be honest I was ready to come home...

I fell asleep soon after getting home...

Perhaps Fuddle heard it, we had a few loud claps of thunder but it's a sunny day here...

Quick meal later Sweet and sour chicken in the microwave and I'll do some new potatoes with it...

Couldn't find any electric blankets though:(

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

DH has won £25 fishing :j It won't be enough to cover the whole cost of the halogen oven but I've been given permission from the boss to take the rest from the emergency fund on the understanding that I sell some of my clothes on ebay - deal! Off to buy my Andrew James 12 litre :j

Well done Mr Fuddle and well done you:)

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

Dh and I escaped to a Scottish Island to get married. Just us and our little girl. We only had one then. Why? Because we didn't have the money to get married properly. This was the only way we could do it without having to fork out the money per head for a sit down meal. Our friends and family must have felt snubbed because we didn't receive any gifts. Not one from anyone. Jeeez, I'm filling up, it hurt. I learned wedding etiquette the hard way. Anything you can give should be gratefully received. I find the amout of cash you would like to gift is more than acceptable.

Not as planned but you have memories and in the end you are the winner. And it's important for people to realise that not everyone can spend what it costs to put on a wedding nor should you have to, It's still special and I am sureit was for both of you.

You chose somewhere special and that's what matters...

kidcat

SDG - how hard, its hard to even imagine the pain they are going t hrough ((hugs))

Fuddle - well done, all the talk of halogen ovens is making me curious I will admit, as for the whisk, I would go for the balloon type, I have five all different sizes and they have never let me down. I also have two electric whisks, the first was a wedding present to my parents that mum gave to me as she never used it, its still going strong. The second my mum bought for my birthday the following year - no idea why!!

Evie - I always find it difficult, as when we gift I often manage to get an expensive gift for a cheap prize which looks good, but money is so visible as it were. I would be only able to offer £25 and no more however recently there was a thread on here somewhere which suggested the gift should cost more than the meal - which plainly horrified me, and has made me more cautious. I suppose it depends upon the relationship etc

prepareathome

Evie I to would stick with £25 if they want money. I think any couple who have lists or tell you what they want are cheeky. If you know them well enough to be invited to the whole kit and kaboodle then you know if they have everything and if you are only invited to the evening you still must know them in some way so (work, sports team etc) and again can find out.

Well we had the full innings bouncing rain, thunder and lightning which lasted about an hour and lots of dirt has been bounced up on to my door which was still wet - cursed I am with this door cursed - and to achy now to repaint today even if it did stay dry.

Blue sky and fluffy white clouds out there now all innocent looking as if the weather gods are saying us cause the door to get dirty naw not us..........

Didn't sleep as had a phone call from our stranger - oldest son, had texts and messages on facebook but he had not called for a month and when I tried phoning they were never in. So had a nice catch up.

Right just asked son if he will go with hubby to collect the electric recliner, that is if it will fit in the car.

I am amazed with Freecycle at moment as basically everything I have asked to have my name put in hat I have got or the two/three things I asked for someone had them, like the brand new portapotty,that still amazes me. Just goes to show always worth asking no matter what it is. I know I offer things regularly but usually I get about 2-3 things a year if I am lucky.

Pooky

Do you know, I'd never give cash as a wedding gift (or vouchers) to me a gift is just that, a gift. I much prefer to give something thoughful and unique and homemade if possible. When my best friend got married I made her invitations and place settings for her as my gift and then I framed one of each to give to her as a momento. She has them hanging on her living room wall and everyone comments on them.

prepareathome

SDG31000 wrote: »

Afternoon Everyone

katieowl

I have an upset and exhausted DH today. He spent hours talking to a friend yesterday and didn't sleep last night. I posted about her DH who is 42 and has cancer a few months ago and it seems like life has been throwing everything it can at them since. The Drs have said that they can't treat his cancer and all they can do is give him as much time as possible. He is 42 for goodness sake, it's so f*cking unfair. Their 6 year old daughter is asking to go to different churches whenever anyone asks what she wants to do, so she can pray for her Daddy. It's times like this that I wish I had faith in something, but I can't fake it and pray no matter how good the cause.

Oh the poor family and you. Bless his little daughters heart - I feel just like breaking down and weeping reading that, eyes are full of tears and I want to hug the little one for ever- give her a hug from her aunty debs next time you see her please and her mum also and am sending you on now (hugs).

You don't need belief to wish in your heart that he is one of those that suddenly over comes it, it happens any doctor will tell you that, so just wish.

I will to and do my thing for him and for his family.

Hugs and Love xxxxxxxxxx