The Adventures of a Debt Defying Diva

in_need_of_direction

Sad news about your cousin. When things like that happen I alternate between despair and manic activity to try to maximise the fact that I'm still here. Hopefully you're on a much more even keel. Also, very brave to volunteer and help out with food. I always agonise that my cooking ain't good enough and buy nice breads to go along with it. I work on the principle that people don't go hungry when there is bread. Hope things come together for you today.

sassychick2014

Morning Rainbow

So sorry to hear the news regarding your cousin. Sending you a huge hug xx

RainbowBridgeReturns

Thanks everyone, I pretty much stuck to plan yesterday, so things are still plodding along in the right direction.

I did a few MSE things that I was pleased with:-

1. I discovered a shop called Card Warehouse, near where I work, where they have loads of lovely cards for £0.59p. I bought three, for immediate use, for less than the price that I would normally pay for one card.

2. I bought an enormous sack of potatoes for £3.49, which will last us a month, and a slightly smaller bag of onions for a ridiculously low price of £2.29, £1.00 for a good sized bag of carrots, 18 rolls of Andrex for £6.00 and a big box of Persil non-bio for £5.00 from M*rrisons ..... a grand total of £17.78.

I have stayed within my food budget this month, but I think with more consistent meal planning, batch cooking and a more organised shopping system, we could still eat a lot better for at least £50.00 less. I am going to completely rethink my shopping and eating strategy for May ......

TTFN x.

RainbowBridgeReturns

Morning World!

I am very pleased with the quality of my potatoes and onions. They went into a couple of Shepherd's pies which went down a treat with all partakers!

Dear friend is being very well taken care of by her army of friends, which is lovely to see, as she is a really kind person and I would hate to think that she was left wanting in her time of need. She is still in a lot of pain and can hardly move, but she is in good spirits.

She has quite a few visitors Thursday and Friday, so I have moved my slot to Saturday afternoon, and I am swapping the chicken pie, for a couple of shop bought pizzas and the Diana DVD, which we are going to put our feet up and watch together. That is truly my kind of cooking!!

Here is an update on my frogs legs. Progress has been at a snail's pace since Monday, because work and family have been full on:-

25 - 32 - Changing beds done DS', ours to do - All Done now:)
33 - 40 - Deep clean both bathrooms
41 - 48 - Deep clean our bedroom
49 - 56 - Put all washing away/ironing
57 - 64 - Hoover dust all house
65 - 72 - Clean sofa, wash cushions and sweep under sofas.

I am off to start 33-40 and plan to have the rest eaten by Friday night.

Today I intend to have a NSD!

TTFN x

in_need_of_direction

Not sure if you have a local big mr s but ours does 2 14 inch build your own pizzas for £6 on their deli counters. Might be an idea for Saturday and could potentially also cover off Sunday breakfast! Keep going with those frogs.

RainbowBridgeReturns

Thanks INOD, that is a great idea, I will pick them up on the way over tomorrow.

DF has a friend who loves cleaning and has volunteered to pop in to keep on top of DF's cleaning, washing and ironing (what a wonderful gene to have), consequently DF's house was looking immaculate, which is a real achievement considering she has a young son and two huge dogs. DF also cares for her elderly father who lives nearby and a gentleman neighbour with dementia, as well as holding down a job of her own!!

The hospital evicted her when she was barely breathing, because they needed the bed. They told her not to do anything for three weeks, yet they gave no consideration at all to her circumstances, to determine whether that was even possible :mad:

Today I am squeezing in a few mystery shops which will ensure that I hit my £6.00 a day target. One is at a very upmarket ladies clothes shop, which specialises in white shirts, at prices which make Austin R**d look positively bargain basement. I am going to have to really dress up or I am going to have the words "Mystery Shopper" emblazoned in foot high neon light letters, above me, as I enter into the store. I really can't be bothered but the show must go on.

TTFN xx.

in_need_of_direction

can you smuggle some laundry into DF's house?

sassychick2014

Morning Rainbow

I'm sure you scrub up well so don't fret! xx

RainbowBridgeReturns

The really amusing thing about this is that, when I think about it, the MS company called me directly to do this shop and gave me a premium, because she said that I fitted the profile!!!! It wasn't advertised on the boards.

Here is me wondering what idiot would spend £250.00 on a white shirt and apparently it is ME!! I must tred cautiously now in case temptation overwhelms me:rotfl:.

LOL What a great idea about the laundry INOD! I can't tell you how grateful I am that after tackling my own frogs, I am not faced with doing somebody elses, that would be very unfair karma.

RainbowBridgeReturns

Good morning!

Things are ticking along quite nicely here. I have picked up a little audio job for early next week, which should net another £30.00 to the challenge pot. It happens to be one of the most unlikely scenarios that I have ever done, and I don't know how I am going to keep a straight face through it.

In preparation I was required to read a randomly selected paragraph from a newspaper, and send it to the MS company. I happened to have the Daily Record in front of me for this weeks 'Audi' voucher, and I 'accidently' picked a paragraph that made '50 Shades of Grey' sound like an Enid Blyton novel, it was very explicit. Hopefully I haven't caused any major offence!!

I have also ventured into my treat pot, and I am laying the blame squarely at INOD's feet . On her diary she mentioned a £60.00 bed, breakfast and evening meal for two deal, that she had picked up. I had to have a wee peep on Living Social following that and found a £49.00 deal for bed, breakfast and afternoon tea for two, at a little hotel near Glenshee, and I am now booked in for a weekend away with DH at the end of May. I have to keep up with the Joneses INOD. But, in true MSE style, you have to get the cheapest deal to win. I think you beat me overall ..... this time x.