Getting my Old Style mojo back

moments_of_sanity

Morning All,

A hectic couple of weeks for me but things are now starting to settle again which hopefully means I can manage my CFS/fibro better. DH had to do a long drive on Friday once he finished work to pick up my Aunt who was 'released' from hospital, she very kindly gave him £40 for fuel even though it probably didn't cost us more than £15, so we put £15 of diesel in the car and have spent £5 on 10 second hand patio slabs (we have been wanting to pave a small area down the side of the house but haven't been able to find good but cheap slabs).

DH tried to tempt me with takeaway last night but I stuck firm and made a Saturday night 'fakeaway', chicken curry with garlic and herb Naans :j. Today we are completing the extra large rabbit run we are making, the wood was free from someone advertising locally (mahogany of all things) and the wire I picked up from a local FB seller for £5 so the total cost will be about £10 if I include the screws used, I will have 2 very happy bunnies when they get to use it

Eldest DD has been away from yesterday morning and youngest DD is away for a week with friends so the peace and quiet has been heaven! (Shhh, don't tell them I miss them so much when they aren't here).

I need to redo our budget for the next month as now DD2 is 18 the maintenance payments stop from her dad so we are £250 down each month but I am sure we will manage. I do appreciate that he has paid towards the childrens care since the day he left but it makes me laugh how he now assumes there will be no further outlay for them....maybe not from him but my costs haven't changed! Oh well, onwards and upwards as they say.

Right, time to get off my behind and head out to be DH's gopher, have a great day everyone.

Tink_04

Afternoon - the bug is back and I've been laid up in bed most of the day! Had a horrendous thunderstorm last night but it cleared the air at least, spent £70 in Clarke's for 2 pairs of kids shoes!!! It's the last of the school stuff that needed to be purchased tho so that is me done.

Got DD birthday next month then we are going to start thinking about Xmas again - both going to be small scale as still hopeful the house could sell - wishful thinking but still need to save.

HOWMUCH

Hello everyone, enjoying reading the thread frugal living is allowing me to take early retirement before my pension age of 66. We've lived on our reduced income for a year so know it can be done, we saved so we have a cushion for emergencies.
Ilona which part of Norfolk will you be walking? We go there twice a year very popular with our age group. We base ourselves at Heacham and use the Coasthopper bus to get around.

pollys

Get well soon Tink.

A busy day here. DH spent the day in the garden, mowing, trimming and generally tidying up.
I've spent much of the day in the kitchen. I've made chilli, bolognese and pizza bases for the freezer. A loaf of seeded bread, chocolate buns and oaty biscuits.
I've also managed to get the washing done and dried before we had a torrential downpour complete with thunder.
I've just mopped the kitchen floor and I'm now having a much needed sit down. We had lamb and mint burgers from the farm shop for tea and DH and the boys gave them the thumbs up. I do make my own burgers, usually from Turkey mince, but I don't mind buying good quality locally made burgers.
Have a lovely evening.

Polly

Caterina

Good evening,

I had a pleasant day, lazy morning reading in bed, had to fnish a book to return to the library tomorrow, nothing like a good excuse to have a long lie-in. I did not even bother with breakfast! I could do this because DH was away since yesterday for his uni reunion.

Then I prepared lunch, tuna egg mayo salad with with home grown salad leaves, tomatoes and cucumber, also for DH who returned around 2 pm.

In the afternoon we all went to do some food shopping as mum needs the ingredients to make a custard cake (yummy, even if I will only have a tiny taste because I eat mostly sugar free) and I picked up a few more items and used the sainsbugs £6 off voucher no. 2.

Also popped into marks to look for YS flowers and found some very lovely freesias, as well as Eccles cakes and cheese scones for the others.

Back home, I had to bake some fish for dinner so decided to bake to use up the oven at full capacity. In went a banana cake using up a manky banana that had travelled to Manchester and back with DH. Also apple and plum crumble with gifted windfalls and plums from the allotment. Baked courgettes also from allotment and steamed green beans, also own production. I love it when I can make most of my meals with homegrown stuff.

Ah, nearly forgot: found an amazing stash of fabrics as well as a beautiful pair of red velvet curtains and a pretty straw hat for my late summer hols, in a skip. I am so pleased!

Good night.

amandaatnumber7

Morning all,

Well besides work, I had a rather busy weekend, we had a bit of clear out for the rubbish collection this week and we went to my in laws for dinner Saturday after work, my FIL had a mild stroke during the week so all the kids (my hubby is the eldest of 4) went round. It was a lovely evening and my FIL is doing well considering.
I did some baking Friday, one cake to donate for the family centre near me who were having an open day on Saturday, some honey joys for the kids - great frugal recipe and a raspberry and coconut cake which I forgot to put the sugar in so it wasn't that nice
Still trying to get ahead with cooking some freezer meals, some days it feels like I blink and its tea time!

Caterina Yes you are right, post when you can/want and don't feel the need to respond to everyone. I love the sound of the museum I cant wait to visit the UK again, this time with my children.

Pollys I also use spelt for pizzas and some cakes, I've found you just need a little more liquid

Well my little ones are quiet - not always a good thing so I better go and investigate :rotfl:

Caterina

Good morning,

Amandaatnumber7 sorry about your FIL's illness, glad he is making a good recovery though. It sounds like you had a lovely family day all together. Please make sure to let me know with some notice if you come to London, we will organise an OS meeting in your honour!

Ilona

Hello. I'm trying not to spend on groceries on the run up to going on holiday. Only going for six days, but would rather not leave a load of food in the fridge. Youth Hostels are paid for, £95 for five nights.

Poorly kitty is hanging on in there, waiting for another test result to come through. Also got a urine sample for testing. She is a bit clingy and doesn't want to go too far away from me.

I went a bit mad on Saturday and bought two newspapers, haven't bought one for years. One the most expensive and the other the cheapest. For research purposes. I read online, but some people still cling on to the real newspaper in your hands scenario.

I go to a craft club on a Monday morning in the village hall, it's a nice way to start the week. £1 well spent for a natter, and coffee and biscuits.

Dug a few spuds up the other day from the raised beds. Not a good crop. I am scaling my veg growing down due to the compost being worn out, and the time it takes to look after the plants, protect from slugs, watering etc. I can buy yellow sticker veg very cheaply so I might as well buy that.

Catch up with you all soon. My mojo is good at the moment, but I need to buy two OS maps for the holiday.
Ilona

PS. Caterina, skip diving, good on ya girl

pollys

Hello

I'm continuing to cook for the freezer and made two lasagnes yesterday. A return trip to the farm shop is planned to buy sausages, burgers, brisket and Turkey mince to make into burgers.
I've spent a couple of days in school preparing for the new term and now plan to spend time getting organised at home. There is always lots to do!
Spending wise we are doing okay only buying needs and not wants. I'm back to meal planning which helps so much. I've just worked out next weeks and will shop according to the plan.
Well must dash, bread just about to come out of the breadmaker. It's smells lovely.

Polly

karren

Im glad I saw this post as ive completely fallen off the mse wagon,
so need inspiration to rein in the spends and save what we can to overpay the mortgage.