Building The Burrow!

Pearla*Merle

Yesterday was v. non-eventful, worked and got home late. Slumped onto sofa and then had an early night.

Today I had a day off, woo! It was mostly spent sitting on the sofa - oh, and getting some recipe inspiration from Frugal Queen's blog. Cue roast gammo, veg and yorkshire puds for dinner, delish. Oops, am supposed to be spending my days off working on other projects - daresay that'll come eventually.

Spare room got tidied up (ie. boxes piled up on top of each other in the corner so there's now space) for the inlaws visit at the weekend. Actually - that needs to be tidied up for working on self-employment projects so a step forward there. I now have a big !kea bag full of stuff for the charity shop and another huge box of stuff to eBay (whenever I manage to work up the nerve).

The mountain of laundry has nearly been conquered! For the first time in... several months?! Oh. Em. Gee.

Mr M had some good news at work that may develop into Very Good News. Crossing all fingers and toes for that, time will tell

It's become a little nippy here, I've unearthed my fleecy blanket, socks and draught excluders - no hint of the heating going on yet. :T


:www: MFW Wonderment: ...umm? Didn't spend anything? Became more acquainted with my storecupboard which means lower food spend for while? Ooh - am now armed with lots of super cheap recipes thanks to Frugal Queen's blog.

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: delicious tea in a quaint teapot with suitable tea cosy, cup and strainer to go with it. A tea party for one that lasted most of the afternoon. :T

:heartsmil Burrow Building: we actually managed to look at our possessions together and select a few to give away - so more room in the house, yay

Pearla*Merle

An unexpected day off today, but does mean I have to go in tomorrow. Ah well. Quite glad of another rest day to be honest, and I got some diary reading done :T along with another obligatory laundry load.

Freezer finds for tea - oh, and lunch! It's amazing what can be put together from random dregs into a delicious meal, and how quickly it can be done too (anything other than opening a packed so often seems tiresome, but I really must remember that whipping up a cheese toastie takes no time at all )

:www: MFW Wonderment: kicked 1Poll into action again and did my tax return thus avoiding any late fee if the first class stamp does it's job. Didn't spend anything today - but I've only put off the trip to the shops for another day as I do need to pick some things up but I think I spent my afternoon in a much nicer manner as...

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: ...I had a beautiful autumnal walk along the river, said hello to all the geese & swans and watched some moorhens lark about. I'd forgotten how much I need peaceful walks, I must try and get myself out and about first thing on my days off, they're so grounding.

:heartsmil Burrow Building: did a little more organising and tidying up, we're slowly starting to get the house ship shape (still miles to go though - I just don't understand how I managed to accumulate so much stuff! I'm really going to have to start being utterly ruthless :cool:)

Pearla*Merle

Totally knackerooed today. Heard about some possible new developments at work today which would ultimately mean more pennies for me *cross fingers!*

Really not much else to report; another cheap freezer tea and I'm about to treat myself to some sleepy time tea & an early bed.

Got to clean the bathroom for the inlaws coming tomorrow though and then try and think of something cheap/free to do during the afternoon. Tomorrow may, or may not, (hopefully the former!) include a trip to Costko. Hope they're giving away free Lindors again! ....oh no. Bad. I'm sans sugar at the moment. Damn, damn, damn.

Pearla*Merle

A rather nice day out and about in the countryside and walking by the riverside. We did hit a garden centre and some shops though. I've now got a billion ideas for planting next year, I'm not sure my small balcony can sustain it. :cool:

We nipped into Costko and along with picking up some much needed coat hangers (on offer!) I grabbed some vacuum packed chestnuts (autumnal casserole ahoy!) and an over large tub of almond butter which I shall be putting to good use (smoothies & all sorts). They've got their Sherpa fleecy blankets back - cosiest blankets ever. So tempting to buy another so I can be fully cocooned this winter...

Had to buy emergency tights in Tesko (cotton ones, hopefully these will be rather kinder on my feet during my 11 hour days ). I also found a little post-it note collection in the clearance section which will be a present for a friend (60p) and two gift wrap paper twine trio thingys (charming pastel colours) at 38p each which will tide me over for a while, though one might end up being a present (one of many, I hasten to add!) for a friend who also appreciates such things.

Also must confess to buying some Halloween-themed tea from my now-favourite tea shop. May also have bought another delish-scented one. Only got 50g of each though...


:www: MFW Wonderment: was very restrained in all the various shops today, could easily have gone mad buying teddy bears, elf-themed fleecy hoodies and coconut water (why is it so expensive?!).

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: daydreaming about my future garden :smileyhea

:heartsmil Burrow Building: there will no longer be fights over coat hangers.

Pearla*Merle

I was working today so no spends for me but Mr Merle picked up some food bargains - we won't be running out of beans for a good long while. Had a bit of a tidy up this evening, unearthed the Christmas decorations and will try and extract the cards from the boxes soon. I'm busy at the end of November so might try and make a head start with those before too much time passes.

I really need to start spending 30 mins/an hour in the evening doing odd jobs - it's easy to do on Sunday as I have much more free time but this coming week shall be a bit of a test, cross fingers I'll succeed! Just need to remember to turn the TV off, that's what usually gets me.

I'm flagging now, darned clocks, time for a bath (avec scented salts) and anarchy bed methinks!


:www: MFW Wonderment: awesometastic day at work, if my work today gets processed properly then I'll have made an extra £70 to add to the pot, eep! In just one day as well, so chuffed!

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: watching a pair of red kites hunting almost right above my head (thankfully they weren't keen on me for a meal)

:heartsmil Burrow Building: finding even more bits to dispense with - this place will be tidied up by hook or by crook!

Pearla*Merle

Literally the most Standard Issue day ever. Nothing in the slightest to report. I did have bean casserole from the freezer though (yum). (When it was warmed up, obvs).

So excited about tomorrow though! A day off and I have lots of plans for organising and Aldee shopping! ETA: oh, and self-employed projects too.

:www: MFW Wonderment: looked into NISAs, think I've decided which one to go for, so will get that set up tomorrow.

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: getting straight into PJs when I got in from work. Can't wait to just roll into bed in about twenty minutes time...

:heartsmil Burrow Building: plotting & planning some future adventures! Hurrah for pay days!:rotfl:

Pearla*Merle

I've just realised - I've been on MSE for over three years now! Yikes. And it's saved me hundreds and thousands. Thank you :money: ! And you lot out there too! xx

Pearla*Merle

Managed to get loads done today. Forgot about opening the NISA though, oops. Oh well, don't have anything much to put in it yet anyway. :rotfl:

Organised the house like a demon, not that it looks like much has been done but at least it's heading in the right direction after several weeks of looking like a tip.

£18 has been handed over to Aldee and I came away with a trolley-load of vegetables (& various cheeses, mmm halloumi). I have grand plans for how to get all the veg eaten which includes batch-cooking soups & various roast/stew dishes for the freezer. That's a job to get started on tomorrow methinks.

Three days til payday :dance:


:www: MFW Wonderment: 1Polled, £32 amazon voucher from £co, kerching! :T

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: beautifully warm, sunny weather! Shorts & tshirts again today, gorgeous. When the sun finally started to fade I treated myself to a huge pot of tea and half an hour dedicated to reading my book (Gift From The Sea - inspirational ponderings on simple living) - utter bliss.

:heartsmil Burrow Building: fun chats with Mr M this morning/evening, much laughter had. :smileyhea

Pearla*Merle

I've just counted up the kitty bank... pretty much so I could add a little extra to the signature he's at £7.46 :T

Must keep my eyes peeled when walking about town, I haven't found any silver pennies for a while...

Pearla*Merle

My Doing Of Stuff In The Evening hasn't really worked this week, last night I came home cold and migrainey, immediately got tucked up in my PJs and a cosy blanket on the sofa with a huge pot of tea and didn't move until bedtime.

Had some nice feedback at work yesterday though, so all on the right track there, huzzah. Payday tomorrow - I wanted to stay up and check my account tonight to see if it's all come through ok (overtime monies etc) but I'm super sleepy, could have gone to bed an hour ago, oh dear.

Put together another bag of charity shop stuff today, another armful of stuff to eBay has been added to The Box and a whole binbag of recycling has gone out. :T

Updated the spending diary, and my budget spreadsheet - all the various pots are ticking over nicely.

I was going to apply for this NISA this evening but too knackered now... can't decide between postal account with bonus interest or online account with no bonus. Online obviously more helpful and I'd probably use it more than the faff with the postal stuff. I suppose I'd just need to keep a close eye on the interest rate...

:www: MFW Wonderment: 1polled, put £40 into the freedom fund.

:coffee: Simple Pleasures: clear surfaces about the homestead - at long last.

:heartsmil Burrow Building: plotting a few money things together for the future, it's nice seeing our money work for us - it's been a long time since we had that.