My Busy Life

sidneysmum

I slept like a log last night after my hospital treatment and was up nice and early to take her ladyship for a trip to the park. She had been really good yesterday and not bothered that she had to stay in. Called at the shop and spent £1.09 on some milk. Decided to treat one of my sons for helping me out yesterday. He took me to the hospital and waited with me all day, then brought me home. I bought him some straps to repair his piano with. I ordered them off Ebay and I know he will be delighted when they arrive. I also took the opportunity to order some stickers for myself. They are to put on my front door to tell people I don't want any salesmen calling. I am sick of random people just knocking on my door.....so lets see if these stickers do the trick.
I decided to get a bit of fresh air this morning and walk to the nearest sports centre to my home. I went on the running machine for 30 mins then came home. Felt I had done enough. On the way home from the gym I called at a local discount factory and bought some chocolate cakes. I spent £1.20 on a huge bag full. The bakery actually supplies such shops as M&S and has a shop for misshaped / seconds. They all taste the same to me....and are very cheap. Now i have lost my weight the plan is to have a little treat now and again when i fancy something sweet.
This afternoon I had to visit my aunt who is now very poorly in hospital. At the moment we don't know what is wrong with her but she wont be coming home any time soon. I think I am going to be doing quite a lot of hospital visiting.
Stayed in tonight and a friend called round for a coffee which was nice.
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Had a very busy day today. Up nice and early and off to the park with the hound. Did a bit of sewing when I got back.I have got loads of lovely t shirts that I wear for the gym and exercise classes. The only problem is that they look massive now I have lost 2 stone. So.....I spent about an hour this morning making a few adjustments and hey presto, I have 4 t shirts which are now a great fit. Went off up to the local sports centre and did an hours dance aerobics class followed by an hour on the running machine. Felt great.
When I got back home I had some lunch then decided to do a bit more food organizing. I made some tuna, pasta and mayo. That used up the last tin of tuna and the last of the jar of mayo. I also made another Thai green veg curry. That used up the last of the carrots and parsnips. I also made up a batch of sponge pudding mixture using up some of the huge mountain of sultanas I have still got in the house. I cooked a small portion of the sponge mixture in the microwave and it was very nice. I am having to think quite carefully about what food I have got left in the house now but I am determined to used the last of everything up before i do a great big food shop. Think we are looking about the end of the month even though I know I need to buy some cordial pretty soon.
I had a nice surprise this morning. I asked a member of our local council for a litter picking gadget, little expecting to get one....and hey presto, one was delivered for me to use. I intend to put it to good use !
Tonight has seen me at the hospital again visiting my aunt. I think i am going to have to visit pretty much daily until she improves.
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Had a very busy day today. As usual I was up nice and early and took the hound to the park. I then decided to go the gym early as I had a lot of plans for today. I did an hour on the running machine plus walking each way to the gym. I am trying to get my weight to stay stable at the moment as I am happy with myself now. However I did lose a further pound this week so I need to up my calories a bit to compensate for all my extra exercise.
I did a bit of shopping on the way home from the gym. From Aldi I bought 3 bags of super 6 vegetables before they change on Sunday plus some tomato puree (Spent £1.82). Bought carrots, parsnips and new potatoes. Half the veg will be used to make another Thai green curry. That will use up the last of my Thai green paste and the last tin of coconut milk. I am going to use the tomato puree on home made pizza. I have got all the other ingredients so might make a couple of pizza next week. The rest of the veg will be used to make soup. From Asda I bought 2 bottles of cordial and 4 boxes of fruit tea bags. The fruit tea was on offer at 50p per box so I decided to stock up as its usually £1, and I go through a lot of it at work.
This afternoon has seen me at the hospital visiting my aunt again. She is a very poorly lady and I am very close to her so I will probably visit every day.
Things are going well with the £2 coin collection. I think I have about £200. I know I am very lucky to earn a good wage when I only work 2 days a week........so I try to help my sons out when I can. They are very frugal but things are very expensive when you are just starting out in life. I have therefore earmarked some of the £2 coins to pay for my youngest sons car tax in May.
The plan for tonight is to have a good rest as I am knackered with all this walking about and exercise. Might have a bit of a read.
I hope everyone is having a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Today has seen some lovely sunny weather here in the North West. I was up really early again and off with the hound to the park and collecting my bags of recycling......grrrrr ! However I feel better actually doing something about the state of our streets instead of just complaining about the mess. Went off to zumba with my friend this morning and had a good chat whilst we were walking to the sports centre and back. Off again to the hospital to see my aunt this afternoon. She is a very poorly lady and I think myself and my cousin are in this for the long haul. Being realistic I think we are the only people who will be visiting my aunt as we have a very small family. Anyway.....
My cousin gave me some black patent M&S wedges which are like brand new. Apparently they cripple her but they fitted me like a glove. They are lovely !
Not sure what I will be doing tonight but I think wine and chocolate might be involved. I deserve a treat !!
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Today has just flown by ! I got up a little bit later than usual and went to my belly dancing class before taking the hound out for her walk. This afternoon has seen me at the hospital again visiting my aunt with my cousin.
Since getting back from the hospital, there has been a flurry of activity. As the weather has improved, one of my sons helped me move the chicken coop out of the garage into the garden so the ladies can have some fresh air. From experience I know they are better off in the garage over the winter as it gives them a lot of shelter. Now that spring is here they will be fine in the coop in the garden. My son also brought a load of leftover vegetables for the chickens to eat this week. They love it !!
Did a few other chores - Moved my wheelie bins to the side of the house. I am sick to death of looking at them out of my kitchen window. I want to look at my lovely garden not at 4 hideous bins. I know they are a bit further away from the back door but at least I am not looking at them.
Completed my book last night. Not picked a new one yet but I will do soon. Also used up a roll on deodorant so only got about 5 deodorants in the cupboard to use !! What was i thinking. At least I am using them up now....and its saving me money.
Submitted my meter readings to British Gas this morning as is my usual Sunday routine. Also made my weekly payment. Had a bit of a shock though. I am the proud owner of a tortoise that has to have a heat bulb to keep warm. Anyway I changed it last weekend to a low energy bulb.....and my electric consumption was reduced by a quarter. I couldn't believe it. I know its not a fluke because I have been taking my weekly utilities readings for years so I know what to expect. I was flabbergasted. Low energy bulbs for me from now on.
I hope everyone is having a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Decided to post today's diatribe a bit earlier than usual as I will be setting off to visit my aunt in hospital soon and I dont think I will have time when I get back. Its work tomorrow so I have things to get ready so I can get out of the house quickly in the morning.
I was up extra early this morning and was in the park with Sid before 7am. Decided I didn't want to have another belly dancing class again this morning so just went to the gym and did an hour on the running machine which I really enjoy once I have got my iPod on !! Spent a couple of pounds in the pound shop on my way back from the gym. Bought some light bulbs and some batteries. Also called at the library and got the 2nd of the prison Diaries by Jeffrey Archer which I had reserved. I have started it already. I made a quick call at the hairdressers on my way home to see if they could fit me in for a quick dry cut. Hey presto....it was done straight away and I was charged £8. Very pleased.
This afternoon I have been doing a few chores - 2 loads of washing. I am lucky that I have an outside wash house just outside my kitchen door. I keep my washer, dryer (unused) and freezer in there. I also have one of those old fashioned Victorian ceiling airers.....so that's where my washing goes as soon as it comes out of the washer.
I also did some cooking. I put the oven on and made 2 huge fritattas, 2 pizzas and a bread and butter pudding. Everything came from my store cupboard which is now looking a bit depleted. I have cut the pizza and fritatta into portions and will eat them over the course of the next few days. I still think I have got enough food to last to pretty much the end of the month but i will be scraping the bottom of the barrel !
Setting off for hospital visiting soon so -
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Yesterday just flew by. I was at work very early and had a busy shift. I called for some LPG on the way home from work and spent £20. Decided to go to the gym and did 30 minutes on the running machine. If I hadn’t been in a rush I would have done longer but I had to get home to take the dog out for a walk. After a quick tea it was time to set off to the hospital to see my aunty. When I got back after visiting time, I just wanted to go to bed…tired out.
Anyway I hope everyone had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Today has flown by with a whirl of activity. I went to work very, very early and had everything done and was on my way home by late morning. I called off at the library and picked up some books I have been waiting to read - The 3rd of Jeffrey Archers prison diaries (still reading the 2nd installment) and also the second book by Les Pringle about the life of a 1970`s ambulance driver.
After the library I went to the gym and did an hour on the running mahine, something I really love as I am away with the fairies once I have got some music on. Took Sid out to the park when I got home then we got on with some chores. I have to smile because she trails round everywhere after me. She supervised whilst I washed the car (which now looks fabulous) and then she deputized whilst I made my last pan full of vegetable Thai green curry and vegetable soup. I have now used up the last of all my fresh veg and the last of the Thai green paste. The veg soup is still cooking in the slow cooker and I think it will be done later tonight.
As my freezer is looking quite empty, I decided to fill it up with water filled milk bottles to keep running costs to a low. The plan for tonight is to visit my aunt again who is very poorly. I think I will be visiting everyday for the foreseeable. She has been lovely to me all my life and I am considering it a privilege to be looking after her after all the love she has shown me over the years.
Anyway I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Had a very eventful day so far..........I decided to weight myself to check if I had managed to maintain my weight as was my plan. Lost another 2lb. At least I hadnt put 2lb on ! That's the good new. The bad news is that I went outside and 2 of my chickens had disappeared.....presumably gone on a little holiday with Mr Fox. Never mind. Ordinarily I would be gutted but because I am so worried about my aunty, I have had to put it into perspective. So......poor Audrey is sat in the chicken coop all by herself.
Took Sid to the park for a quick run round then did a bit of food organizing before I went to the gym. I decided to attempt a bread and butter pudding in the slow cooker. It seems a shame to put the oven on for just one thing. Anyway it was lovely. There were no crispy bits like when its made in the oven but it was lovely non the less.
Went off to dance aerobics this morning then had 30 minutes on the running machine afterwards. Did a small amount of shopping whilst in town. Bought milk £1, two sachets of microwave rice to go with the Thai green curry £1, jar of powdered sweetener 87p.
This afternoon I decided to bite the bullet and go and buy some new sportswear as my current stuff is hanging off me. I bought some black jog pants, navy jog pants, a fuscia coloured fleece and a navy and white fleece. All in a size 10. I was delighted at being able to buy a 10`s as I am about 5ft 6ins tall and I haven't been a size 10`s since my mid twenties when my children were little. Also I am glad I waited till I had lost a couple of stone before I started buying any new clothes. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for some new summer clothes now.
I also called at the local bakery factory shop and bought 5 M&S Swiss rolls for £1. Admittedly they are 2nds but they taste just great. I will dish them out to my sons when I see them next.
The plan for the rest of the day is.....an early tea, followed by hospital visiting again tonight. I think I will be having an early night tonight with Jeffrey Archer - if you see what I mean !!
I hope everyone is having a great moneysaving day x

sidneysmum

Had yet another day full of activity.......but not tonight. I am hopefully going to have a nice rest and read my new book - Call the ambulance by Les Pringle. His first book was hilarious so I managed to get this at the local library. I hope its as good as the first.
I was up nice an early with Sid and we went to the park. I then walked to town and did an hour on the running machine. Back home and did a few chores. I put a piece of gammon in the slow cooker. Its now cooling and I am going to slice it with my electric slicer when its cold. Then put it in the freezer to eat on other other days.
My friend came round at lunchtime and did my nails for me which was a nice treat. I then went to the hospital to visit my aunt this afternoon. I decided to do that so I could have a night at home and just relax.
Yesterday when I was in town I got some cotton mens handkerchiefs from Prim@rk. I used a gift card I have had for a while to purchase them. I will not be buying tissues any more but washing hankies !
Not much else to report.
I hope everyone has had a great moneysaving day x