Thrifty Gifty Santas Challenge 2014

mum2one

DundeeDoll - Any room in the suitcase.... not that Miss Hoodie and I have itchy feet or anything... xx

Anglea

hi all sorry for being awol, had some very bad news one of the men I know took his life. Not the one I usually mention.

Also been very busy with the MIL house I saw it for the last time at the weekend and brought back loads more stuff - got to stay in all week and sort it at my end as a van is bringing bigger things, typical on same day as not only DS2 arriving but also the road outside being dug up!!.

mothernerd

Could I join you please. I have only joined the forum in January. I think I looked at your thread and decided that having enough cards, giftwrap and table napkins for next Christmas was roughly equal to January's share of the costs.I didn't want to join too many challenges and not be able to keep up (I'm in the craft one and struggling a bit at the moment). I do have 3 rooms and a bathroom which need decorating and some floors to sand (need to down size)so my craft things are probably better off where they are.

I have been reading your thread for most of the night (tired but can't get to sleep) and I like the mini challenge and some of your other ideas - I was feeling run down in January and have been trying a get to bed early/eat properly /daily walk regime for the last few weeks and have added 'grooming' last week. Just trying to avoid the slippery slope (noticed I was leaving my hair unwashed for a day or 2 more than usual and tying it up and leaving it,rather than taking it down and brushing it). So I put hand cream by the sink (washing up/painting/gardening),cut and filed my nails etc (only5-10 minutes a day but it makes a difference).

I am usually fairly well organised for birthdays and Christmas (the 10p a roll Christmas wrap was bought Feb last year and the silver with white snowflakes would do for birthdays at a push). However we can all improve and use each other's ideas. My mother and her partner use nivea and I had noted some prices down as it was on offer in Wilko's last week.Checked how much she had in stock last Friday and will be buying some for the present drawer when I go to buy the paint I need (bought ceiling paint last week and hope the leftovers from downstairs will do the biggest bedroom -2 walls done).

I also try to set off my own Christmas bulbs in Sep/Oct. I also made grave pots for the past 2 years (grown my own holly and this year used teasels sprayed with some copper spray paint, year before pine cones with bits of glitter glue and saved ribbons). My brother always bought flowers for my mother and,since he died 7 years ago,I have started doing it. Would like to have enough home grown flowers for this and cemetery visits (have done it in the past for end of term teachers presents). I do grow and dry my own lavender - I also made a heart shaped wreath before Christmas for a young couple who had just moved into their first home (did lots of crafts with their 4 year old niece, including auntie and uncle snowmen- uncle had a bike and a green cycle helmet,auntie had glasses and angel wings :A- for putting up with uncle).

I don't know if it is too late but each year I look at what is left over after Christmas and make a note for the next year to buy less of x.

When my children were small I embroidered an advent calendar which had curtain rings along the bottom for attaching small presents.The year my husband was made redundant I made little parcels (2 chewitts in each) using colour foil wrap scraps with embroidery thread 'ribbons'.

Any way you are all probably falling asleep by now,so I will sign off for now:)

rufusdog52

Hi mothernerd, lovely to have you on the thread, its always good to get new members to our friendly group. Its good that you are starting to get yourself sorted a bit, it all takes time doesnt it, just a little bit each day helps. We all help each other here with words of encouragement and support so you are in the right place xx

Angela, so sorry to hear about your friend, must be really hard for you xx

My dog has to go back to the vets on Friday, he is seeing a different one this time. We have the new dog coming today (can't remember now whether I mentioned him or not lol what with one thing and another), he is coming from a friend of OH who have been trying to find him a new home.

My dad still isnt doing too well so things are really hard at the moment, some days I dont know whether I am coming or going. Have to ring my doctors secretary today to see if she has my results before I go back tomorrow.

I am going to try to get a bit of sewing done today if I can, need to get motivated.

mrs-moneypenny

morning all
welcome mothernerd, you already sound very organised so you will fit in here really well

angela so sorry to read about your friend, so sad.

rufus sorry to hear about your poor dog hopefully a different vet may have new ideas on how to help. hope the new one settles in well with you. continued good wishes for your dad i hope things improve for him soon and some kind of support can be found for him.

hope you manage to get your sewing done today rufus, ive got so many things in my head i want to do that unless i actually start doing some thing im in danger of faffing about and achieving nothing

mum2one

Anglea wrote: »

hi all sorry for being awol, had some very bad news one of the men I know took his life. Not the one I usually mention.

Also been very busy with the MIL house I saw it for the last time at the weekend and brought back loads more stuff - got to stay in all week and sort it at my end as a van is bringing bigger things, typical on same day as not only DS2 arriving but also the road outside being dug up!!.

Angela, so so sorry, hope your ok.
Good luck with the stuff from MIL house,
You take care xxxx

susan42

Hi mothernerd welcome to the thread, we don't move too fast so I find it ideal for me keeping up. You sound very organised. What type of flowers do you grow to make xmas flowers and where do you grow them, I wouldnt mind a go at that

angela - so sorry to hear about your friend. Good luck with the house moving I know how stressful moving things to yours can be without the roadworks!

Rufus - you be kind to yourself and dont stress too much, I'm sorry about your dog, and welcome to your new addition. Hopefully your dad will pick up, springs coming and it`ll give us all a much needed boost I hope

Dundee doll - i`ll come too if theres any room

mothernerd

Angela,my thoughts are with you.

Rufus,sorry about your dog.The cat (last of 4) died in her sleep 2 weeks ago -keep telling myself it was a blessing (she was 18 and had been ill every now and then for the past 3 years)that I didn't have to decide when it was time to let her go.

I have had a bit of sleep but still rough. DS3 is also not well but may be as his gf has just gone back home (over the pennines). She used to come fairly often but is now working full-time (2 years since leaving college) so didn't come before Christmas and they have only seen each other for one day this year,up to this weekend.

Keep trying to find things to do that make me feel I have achieved something without making much effort. Just looked at a bag that DS1 left behind (temporary housing crisis brought him back -he and his gf now sharing a rented house so cleared 2 bedrooms of his things weekend before last). Still a few boxes to go and now have to decorate 3 bedrooms and bathroom.

Bag contains 2 rolls foil gift wrap,5 unused 10m rolls of foil ribbon (+ part used gold and silver), more Xmas cards,sheets of purple and mauve tissue paper, unused gold tissue paper and tape on a dispenser- Iam happy bunny.:j

Also got a £2 voucher from a local department store(signed up before Xmas,don't buy much but they have proper walking gear and want to get back to hill walking this year - if I can get a coat at sale prices within my clothes budget that would give me another voucher in Autumn). Decide this £2 can go to my Christmas budget + £1.03 (15% discount for prompt payment of a bill -had already argued the package down to save approx £90 during the year. Bill was £6.86 (£5.83 with discount) this month compared to usual £20:money:.

Need to think about Mother's Day-eyes aching so don't want to sew -may go through ideas book and see if I can decide on anything -or look through part-finished stuff to see if anything suitable. Put sheet from bed and towels from bathroom in machine (Try to concentrate on what I have done,not on the things still to be done -can't save the whole world (ok to keep trying).:)

Anglea

Hi all,

welcome mothernerd, I loved reading all about your life and those grave flowers and everything else.

Thanks all for your support re the friend, I'll elaborate another time.

It's panic stations this minute as I had been expecting to finish all my sorting tomorrow and on Thursday ex would be arriving with the house clearance people to supervise what I was getting rid of and what I was receiving.

However I just got call from ex they are not pleased that I am getting rid of a large sofa and king sized bed on a day they are only doing deliveries so are bringing my stuff round tomorrow but may not have room in the van to remove anything as it will be full of stuff destined for the tip from the other house - this is a very big house too so they will have lots.

Ex is coming in a few hours to help me dismantle my table to put in the garage as the new one is coming, possibly will be too big for the room lol.

If they won't take away my king sized bed and large sofa I'm going to be in problems as no room in garage, so think I'll keep the sofa (as DS loves to chill out on it) and ask if they'll take either one or two armchairs instead. That means I'll have room in the front room for the arriving wing chairs, and 2 tables - one is mahogany, round, with small shelf beneath. Another is on castors and has unusual flaps which open up on top as well as underneath. I'm only putting that temporarily in front room until I decide if it fits anywhere upstairs.

On Sunday we brought loads of stuff back and it's all in DS1's room or the garage.

Tonight I will have to clear all the surfaces in my bedroom (currently piled with paperwork) in case they get knocked off whilst moving the bed as there is a cupboard right by the door.

I think them coming tomorrow may fit in better with the roadworks outside as so far only dug up the opposite pavement and that it won't clash with DS2 arriving but am concerned if they can't take the bed away.


Rufus really sorry to hear everything you've been going through lately I hope you have a good experience with your new dog.

Mum2one, I'll read the new challenge once the furniture drama has ended. I never realised it was such a palaver to get a visa.

Mrs M - I really like your cards, it's always feels good to finish a project not matter what size.

Susan - how did your meal go?

Dundeedoll - I hope I've got the right person re Eton mess. I'll have to try that with yoghurt. Doing a Spanish hamper sounds great.

DundeeDoll

anglea very sorry to hear about your friend.
rufusdog hope things get easier soon
mothernerd welcome welcome. Love the 2 chewits idea
Haha re room in my luggage. Was invited to do a workshop in cayman islands. Still want granada or prefer the caribbean? Need to check with my boss but woo hoo.
Up to square 10 of dr who blanket for dd2. Oh and mum2one colleague wants to knit little stockings to fill with sugar almonds for a wedding but didnt have a pattern. I have passed on yours