The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

Pooky

Morning all

SQ - Happy 10th birthday to your DS - sounds like he had a fab party.

It's DD2's 16th birthday today. She's off out this afternoon with a big group of friends and we had a lovely meal out last night. My parents will be here for lunch so she gets the best of both worlds with family and friends but without me having to shell out for a party

Need to whizz round with a hoover and make the house presentable, I've got a leak behind my dishwasher that Dad is going to fix for me and he wants to service my sewing machine (he likes to keep busy when he's here bless him). Mum will just want to trawl through my fabric stash for her next quilt

Dinner last night was just at a chain pub/restaurant but one we've not tried before - the food was lovely and very reasonable. DH and I had the carvery which was delish. All main meals were 2 for £10 so it made dinner out for us and DD's BF's affordable.

silvasava

Mrs L - right behind you with the receipts! DS2 when he was about 6 was with me in Wrose one evening after school when I'd popped in for some bits. We went through the checkout & when i went to pay he said 'Mum that's wrong it should be xxx' There were a couple of older ladies behind me but I asked the cashier to check - DS was right bless him - he'd added up in his head as I'd gone round! Bag of sweeties awarded but it did make me check my receipts and I always ask for them now.
Had a lovely evening last night - DS1 & partner & DS2 and partner all came round - DS1 with a couple of bottles of wine. We don't often get the chance to all be together & it was so nice.,more so 'cos DS1's new partner & DS2's partner really get on well together so lots of laughs & I went to bed a very contented Mummy

savingqueen

Morning all


Happy sweet 16th to your DD Pooky, Sounds like a brilliant birthday without the party costs. Have a lovely day today.


Must admit parties are expensive and we usually do a DIY one or just a family day out (with clubcard rewards However having lots of the boys' mates together works brilliantly for all concerned and covers up the lack of wider family presence. We have a couple of family friends who come along so they have other adults who care about them there as well.


Your evening sounded lovely silvasava


Today I will attempt to get the house back on track - a mountain of washing up and laundry included. Need to pop out and collect a late birthday parcel from my side of the family. DS10 has been invited over to a friend's this afternoon and staying for dinner so DS7 and I will spend some time together too. oh and nearly forgot - need to sort out the blooming tablet for DS10.


Have a good day everyone, grey and drizzly here so dehumidifier will be dragged out and put into action to dry wet laundry.


sq

kidcat

morning all

SQ so pleased the party went well.

Pooky - happy birthday to DD today

receipts - I add as I put everything onto the till, so will know before I pay if its wrong, but I still always check the receipts as well. I stand with hand out waiting for it to be handed over and so far it works

Its horrid weather today, really depressing, thankfully we used our zoo passes yesterday and the weather was perfect, we even managed to spot the bear that DS16 has spent a year hunting

Today we are off to see Postman Pat at the cinema, then shopping and a nip to Ikea for DD19 wardrobe. Really need to do a costco run as well but I can't see us managing it all today.
Its orange wednesday and bargain cinema day, so its the cheapest day to go - probably means it will be busy though.

Still eating mainly freezer stock - strangely though there isnt that much space - am beginning to wonder if someone is sneaking food into them

Ironically OH has worked flat hours for the last two weeks and been home fairly regular hours, leaving just after the kids get up for school most mornings.
This week he has been on long days and early starts again - so kids haven't really seen him while they are off.

Sunday we went to see the Sooty show, (one of DS10 favourites) and the whole thing was very well run, at the end they set up the guy and Sooty in the foyer and everyone was allowed a chance to meet Sooty and take pictures. DS10 was totally thrilled and gave sooty a huge cuddle, what was really lovely though was the guy chatted with DS10 about his dancing and managing to do stuff during the show. He really took his time and gave DS10 a big hug as well. Brought a tear to my eyes as he went well over the norm to make DS day

fuddle

Ironing mountain here too sq. Must, must get up and do it. Day off today and no plans. It's actually quite a nice feeling.

Weather is drizzly here too. I am putting off washing till tonight as weather is meant to be a bit nicer tomorrow so I will get to use the line to dry it.

DD's doggy head is complete. On to the nose and eyes later. She's giving up one of her teddies for the stuffing so I don't need to buy any. I always feel cruel about the 'teddy thing' my two seem to have affection for all of them somehow. She volunteered a character from a program she has outgrown. It really made me think how superficial TV advertisements are. Kids go crazy for the latest stuff etc but when it came down to it she gave up the character over all the other things that meant something to her. It really does add weight to 'easy come, easy go'

DH is part of a group of 10 going out on a boat fishing this afternoon. Fingers crossed he catches something! So pleased we have a freezer. Oh, I hope he catches. Apart from dabbling in beach casting on our days out DH hasn't fished since we moved so I am pleased he's doing this.

mcculloch29

Forgot to mention another £12 saved yesterday- Tuesday - when I cut my hair and DD tidied it up with the help of a comb with a cutting guide. Took less than 5 minutes in total as my hair is so fine.
It really isn't worth paying £12 at the hairdressers for literally 3 minutes of work for them.
I wouldn't do it for a complicated, layered style but my hair doesn't do layers any more.

paidinchickens

I find pony tails a good money saving style for me

DHs car is in for surgery today so hopefully they won't find owt else while it's under

PiC x

Pooky

Morning all

Thick fog and drizzly mizzle here - whilst I don't want full on summer heat a little blue sky and dryness would be appreciated, I've got washing to do!!

My sewing machine is very poorly and has gone home with my Dad to undergo major surgery, it's fixable but will need some new parts, it's just working out if the new parts are worth buying when you can get new machines so cheaply now - whilst I hate to throw stuff out when it can be fixed I do need a reliable machine as I've got a couple of orders for patchwork memory quilts.

My runner beans and courgettes seem to have doubled in size overnight again, the peas are looking very healthy too, wonder how many peas will make it into the kitchen....my DD's do like to eat them straight from the plant.

Got a chunk of gammon left from yesterdays lunch so will knock up a broccoli, cheese pasta and gammon bake for tonights meal - might even be able to get a couple of portions in the freezer if I don't scoff it all first

ArthriticOldThing

Good afternoon to you all. I don't post much but do read along though it's been very quiet on here.
We've had 3 wet & miserable days here but weather seems to be breaking this afternoon.
Just as well - I've washing to do as am going away at the weekend for the first time since late OH died in 2010.
Am going to Turkey with a friend who has an apartment there - so excited but had forgotten how much work there is in preparing for holidays - think will need a holiday to recover from packing - as well as all the rushing around making sure house is tidy for return.:rotfl::rotfl:
Hope you all have a good afternoon.

kidcat

AOT - I always find going away really stressful with the preparation - but I am sure you will find it worth it when you get there

McC - I find hairdresser really stressful, so only go a couple of times a year, in between I will chop my fringe myself

Pooky - hope the sewing machine comes home soon

PIC - hope car is ok

After doing the cinema yesterday I decided we would have a quieter day today and get some chores done, headed to !kea to buy wardrobe frame and then off to Costc@ to replenish some stocks. DD19 and DS16 stayed here and tidied around for me. So now we are all sorted and ready for our theme park trip tomorrow using our passes.

Nice quiet afternoon to chill and recharge, and then a mad dash tonight to get everything sorted and packed to go in the morning
The passes have turned out to be a really good buy, we bought them in the offer in New Year and so far have used them so much we have had twice what we spent back already.