NST December: Frugal festivities

Calling14

Take care Thrifty know what you mean with kids I am finding it hard now as a Grannie, long day with work and bouncy tireless kid when I get home. I think at least I am not that old and fairly fit, how do people manage? I never had any patience with my own, better now with gs.

Managed a SFD today, tomorrow may not be, need to some online shopping for weird and wonderful stuff my daughter requested for her backpacking trip to Asia and Oz. following in Kat's footsteps in Jan.

Today managed to pay 50 pounds off credit card no1. woo hoo. Going to pop to garage after work and see if I need repairs doing to my car before its MOT. Maybe crying later.

My daughter gave me a leg of lamb clearing her freezer out so that will make its way into my slow cooker tomorrow. Excited don't see that much meat.

Seriously thinking I need to sort dentists out again. The NHS one is useless and my teeth are just getting worse waiting for appt - 6 months waited for one in Jan 2016. May go back to a private one and pay Denplan 25 pounds a mth to be honest wouldn't be any worse off and my teeth would be healthy. I currently pay Medicash but will claim for glasses next year so thats worthwhile to keep this yr.

Happy a friend cancelled meeting me for coffee, SFD in the bag.

Bobarella

Thrifty - I commend your honesty. It is really hard managing kids on your own I think. One thing I see with many of my friends who don't work is that they 'do' the kids and their OH seems to swan around and do what they like because they -work' ha bleeding ha! No matter how hard I've found it working and having a child I've kept it up because having seen my mum stay in an unhappy marriage for 27 years (he was an alcoholic) I always knew I would never allow myself to rely on a man for support. Sounds harsh but it's how I've lived and even after being with my husband 16 years in total I am still the one who knows where the bodies are in our house rant over!

dolly84

Thrifty - a friend of mine once said no parent should ever spend all their time with their children, it's not natural:rotfl:.

chocolatelover93

Hello everyone

No check in yesterday was busy in town and at mums and come home and cracked on with the Xmas cards! Fed up seeing them on the table haha.

Aiming for a NSD today - went to b00ts to get an Xmas present for mum (from dad, he gave me the money) and I did get a drink, packet of crisps (YS) and some sweets BUT I did pay with my points, so does that give me a NSD? I wasn't going to get anything but caved in

Bob - I can't believe the man on the bus so odd

Traveller - I totally understand why you're not going to that meal! A member of my husbands family really doesn't like me (luckily they live up north where he originates from) and I don't think I could stomach a meal with her it's horrible when you feel like that, so I totally understand how you feel.

So as I missed yesterday I've 6 things I'm grateful for:
1. Lay in yesterday morning and this morning
2. Getting all my Xmas shopping done
3. Cuddles with cats
4. Not too long until Xmas
5. 3 days off this week (although it means working longer for 3 of the day's I'm working)
6. It's not snowed here (Hate the snow) and hope it stays away!!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for my hyacinths 'sprouting' and being ready to give as gifts, for dd throwing herself into my arms when I collected her, for combining baked potato + pizza + cake baking, for laughter with my year 9s over their incompetence in cutting up some dominoes, for the satisfaction of finishing off some more re-modelled bunnies.

Bobarella

Well. Downloaded a quiz app on my phone as DS is crazy about quizzes at the moment. Specifically searched for children's quiz apps. Free ones of course. So there we are sat on the bus home from school and we go to take the first quiz. You could have blown my down with a feather when the first question came up and said ' what does libido mean' with options a to d. Queue son asking me in a loud voice what does libido mean mummy?
Face. Palm.

traveller

Hi everyone

Thrifty, I hope the chicken pocks move on quickly. I do feel or you, as that has always been my reality. I had my eldest at 19 and my mum refused to help me out unless it was for a drs appointment or something urgent. I even had to take him as a baby to the dentist :eek:. My exes mum always used to say on her day off (she was a night nurse) she would have DS. To this day she never did-he's 22 now. My younger siblings would be chastised for helping with him. The last straw came when I went for a rare evening out about 8 years ago and my brother offered to have my then 3 children overnight. I rang in the morning, to advise I was on the way. My mum flew into a rage about how she had no idea they would stay and if she knew they were she would never have let them come over in the first place. I was upset as she said this in front of them :mad: They've hardly ever been back since. The only break I get is a few hours on a Sunday when my ex sees them, which is why I went nuts when he chose to do his travelling incorporating 2 weekends on the trot. I may sound selfish, but he knows my situation. I believe everyone does need a break, so I do admire your honesty thrifty :T

Bob, I too have the same sentiments regarding men and money due to my childhood

Choccie,Fmess and CCL thanks for the encouragement

Well the battle axe didn't come because she had a church party to go to :T My daughter did make me feel guilty and I ended up going. Well I'm happy to say there was no atmosphere and I came home happy

I am annoyed my spending feels nuts at the moment, but I'm so trying to limit the damage

Have a good evening every one Oh, today I'm grateful for a good work day, My family being safe and warm and YS bargains in M&$. They are going in the freezer for Christmas

mothernerd

Today I am grateful for sleep, the drizzle (need to move things from the other house but am reluctant to do so - let myself off as walking slowly with a heavy truckload getting soaked by 'get's in everywhere' drizzle is too much) and lovely lamb. I have cooked the leg of lamb to make more freezer room (sliced lamb and stock will take less room and may use stock for something else). It came out of the oven at 8pm and had a small piece. Tandoori chicken was good too (only had tiny strands that were stuck on the bottom of the roasting pan).

Fmess

Evening all,

Hugs thrifty, I'm sure you are doing a fantastic job and I can imagine every mum needs a break, especially when they're ill and your OH hasn't been around.

traveller my heart goes out to you having to bring up your children without family support, but what a strong example you must have set to your children

Today was a SFD but the weekend has been spendy. Also the electrician text me his bill today so I now need to use all cash to pay him and all other expenses are going to have to go on the credit card. The credit card is taking a real bashing this month and it's going to take me a while to clear. I've just had a 0% deal come through so I'm probably going to take that on so that I can avoid paying interest. Grrr increasing my debt annoys!

Today I am grateful for:-
1.) only 4 get ups until the holidays
2.) pigs in blankets for tea
3.) getting lots done at work (my aim is to bring no marking home for the holidays)

crazy_cat_lady

Love to all that are down, ill, tired, overwhelmed or any combination :grouphug:
I'm pleased to report I'm feeling loads better, and much more like my old self. The end is in sight for work, and I'm looking forward to the break. Still a million things to do between now and the big day but once work is out of the way I can focus properly.
Things I am grateful for
4 more get ups
being able to knit so I can make totally unique things for people
My fantastic friends and my mam (who is going to teach me to crochet).