Two Pennies Left

Fortune_Smiles

:ASorely tempted by lots of kitchen goodies at the party, however, I only ordered the prep bowls as intended. A friend asked me to order an item for her too which meant my order was big enough to qualify for a free measuring glass thingie :T I'm meeting up with said friend on Thursday so she'll give me the cash then.

MS:

• reconciled the bank accounts - all balance. Although I'm still waiting to discover that large amount of cash credit I've surely missed up 'til now :rotfl:
• registered for the free £xp£rian service that comes with our house insurance. I have a very boring credit report for which I am extremely grateful
• researched the discounted services I get with my AA membership
• called the Financial $£rvic£$ Ombud$man to get some help with printing out the 2nd complaint form we have to do. It may be that our printer just doesn't like it so Mr F is going to try and print it off at work today
• filled out claim form for my recent office day
• Bagel with Poached Salmon, Cream Cheese, Capers and Rocket for lunch - in line with my new healthy eating campaign
• replacement foundation arrived
• wine arrived - and was left on the front doorstep in full view of anyone passing! Again!! Cross about that as I changed the delivery instructions to make it even clearer that it should be left out of sight ... and... I was in all day and they didn't ring the doorbell. Humph
• tried a new recipe from the meal plan for supper - Bacon and Swede Pie. Surprisingly good. I ate mine early as I was going out and left Mr F's in the microwave and it reheated very well too. There's plenty left for supper tonight
• lots of freebies at the Pamp£r£d Ch£f party - glass of pink fizz, profiteroles made from yorkshire puddings (I know! But they were fab), baked camembert with a pecan, apricot jam and chilli filling (I know! But that was good too) and cherry chocolates. Not in line with my healthy eating campaign :rotfl:

Neighbour across the lane is hosting a St George's Day tea today so I am going to try baking some Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese icing to go along with the red and white theme. I know there is a signature chocolate cake in progress over there too so another dire day for my waistline. I'm not complaining, it's lovely to have so much going on socially and with us it's feast or famine. Next week I'll be Billy No Mates again :rotfl:

Happy St Georges all

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

I managed to OP £80 yesterday instead of 80p :eek: That's electronic banking for you. I've clawed most of it back from the regular monthly overpayment I'm due to make tomorrow, however, it's left me with £19.00 in the current account. Thank goodness Mr F gets paid tomorrow.

Other MS mis/adventures:

• did the meal planning for the week. DSS1 is staying for the weekend so I don't expect to save anything this time
• popped into the market town to post nephew's birthday present - £6.95. I am not liking these new postage charges at all
• picked up some beer to take over to over-the-lane neighbours
• baked Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing to contribute to the St George's Day Tea
• had the leftover Swede & Bacon Pie for lunch and put some aside for Mr F's supper too
• went over to the St George's Day Tea - lots of lovely buffet food and cakes with a never ending jug of Sea Breeze Cocktails. Mr F popped over after he finished work. We didn't drink too much though as it was a school night. Really lovely to sit out in the garden in the sunshine.

Still no sign of Duckie and something ate one of the eggs overnight so I've given the nest to my neighbours' little girl to take into school. Maybe she'll have better luck next time and nest somewhere more sensible.

Enjoy the sunshine

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

There's no doubt that Spring has arrived now. The hedgerows are edged with white wood anemones, yellow celandine and nodding daffodils - so pretty.

MS:

• went to Zumba
• Poached Salmon Bagel with Cream Cheese, Capers and Rocket for lunch
• sent the FOS form to Mr F to print at work
• complained to Laithwait£$ for leaving my wine order on the front doorstep - again!
• did some filing - Everest is a fraction of its former self now :T
• Prawn Pasta with Green Beans and Sweetcorn from the meal plan for supper. Made with creme fraiche and coriander pesto. This is the first time I've tried this recipe and I think it may become a Fortune family favourite. Very tasty and only took 15 minutes to make
• Mr F got paid today :j so did the monthly money shuffle. I'm hoping I can round the savings up to £4k this month. Progress seems to be very slow on this but I have to remember that we've paid for the holiday and are overpaying the mortgage and paying for home improvements at the same time

Off to town to meet a friend this afternoon and pick up the framed picture of Mr F's relatives which is now ready.

Happy Thursday all

Fortune x

beanielou

Happy Thursday to you too

Fortune_Smiles

I may have spoken too soon - it's certainly not very Spring like out there this morning :rotfl:

MS:

• Waitr0$£ delivered. Lots of free stuff this time - 2 packs of broccoli and carrots, 2 bags of fresh parsley and a small pack of grapes. £1.65 under budget instead of the expected £5ish over :T
• went into town and met up with my friend. She paid for coffee when we arrived. Superfood Salad for lunch with a glass of Prosecco, some sparkling water and a Cappuccino - £16.94
• there was a sale in Hou$£ of Fra$£r so I bought some facial sun protection for my holiday. 10% off so £14.40
• tried on loads of summer tops but couldn't find anything quite right
• popped into M&S for bread and pasta which I forgot to order this week. £9.06 but that included some coffee my across the lane neighbour asked me to pick up so I got £6 back
• picked up the family portrait. They've made a fabulous job and only charged me £50 instead of £53.16 "because it's a sunny day"
• Mr F gave me his pay slip. Sadly his pay rise has been consumed by the new tax regime. I've double checked all the calculations but couldn't make the figures any more positive. At least we're not getting any less!
• Mr F received a letter saying he was owed more money on an investment he cashed in a couple of years ago. It'll be about £23

Off to Step this morning and DSS1 will be arriving later so I'd better spruce the house up.

Let the weekend begin :j

Fortune x

beanielou

Have a happy time

Fortune_Smiles

beanielou wrote: »

Have a happy time

Thanks Beanie - you're so good at popping in. It always makes me smile when I see you've made a comment. How are things with you?

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

DSS1 arrived last night for the traditional Sausage & Mash supper. I made the mash with wholegrain mustard and served with a red onion chutney gravy and peas - nom, nom, nom. Red Velvet Cupcakes for pudding

Not much MS going on but sprucing up the house did distract me from spending anything so an NSD at least.

I've put Mr F and son to work in the garden this morning. They've got to earn their keep :rotfl:DSS1 has a new company car so will be taking dad off to PC W0rld later so he can show it off. Mr F has a new company iPhone 5 so needs chargers, a case, etc. All can be claimed back on expenses. Our anti-virus is running out so we need a new one of those and I've been wanting a car charger for my phone for ages. So not an NSD but, hopefully, a LSD - if Mr F can contain himself in that treasure house :rotfl:

There is a craft fair at one of the local schools today. My across-the-lane neighbour has a stand so I will pop along to provide a bit of moral support.

Let's hope the rain keeps off for a bit.

Fortune x

beanielou

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

Thanks Beanie - you're so good at popping in. It always makes me smile when I see you've made a comment. How are things with you?

Fortune x

I'm plodding, thankyou.

Fortune_Smiles

I'm feeling particularly mellow after a weekend in the sun. Just sent DSS1 off and have nothing planned for the rest of the day - except perhaps a nap in front of the telly later.

MS:

• went to the school Craft Fair yesterday and spent £0 :T In fact, I came away with more than I went in with as a local spa had a stall and gave me lots of free samples
• Courgette Carbonara for supper
• met up with some friends for drinks and tapas - £45ish and we didn't get to bed until 2.30 am :eek:
• breakfast in the garden after a long lie in
• Teriyaki Salmon with Sweet Potato Mash, Baby Carrots and Tenderstem Brocolli for lunch followed by Saucy Lemon Pudding and Cream. All washed down with a light red

Now to catch up on some zzzzzzzs.

Enjoy your Sunday

Fortune x