NST December: Frugal festivities

The_Only_Girl

dolly84 wrote: »

TOG - glad you are OK. Re the school, surely they must have booked that trip some time ago as the studio tour is bookings only and packed at this time of year.

GSRcat - hugs to you.

I did some digging and I found out that this school trip is actually organised for the Post 16 (Sixth Form) way back in October but they had very few takers so in order to recoup some of the money the school paid towards the trip, they opened it to my son's class. Not as a requirement but open to those who are willing and able. My son, being an avid Harry Potter reader, volunteered to withdraw money from his ISA so he can join the trip. We decided not to withdraw from his cash ISA but we will not make a deposit next month, That decision might be controversial to some but we need to be consistent and honour the sense of responsibility DS2 has. I think his act came from an understanding of how budgeting works so we need to practice what we preach,

The_Only_Girl

GSR sorry to hear about your troubles with the builders. I hope that everything will be finished by January and you will feel a little bit better. After reading your post, as well as thrifty's and the encouraging posts by other fellow turtles, I've decided to stick around. Having written a few posts , I've felt so much better already, like i have more sense of purpose. I haven't managed to make anymore NsD's and as others have said it's really quite challenging to make a lot of NSD's in the run up to Christmas so instead of beating myself up about it, I'm going to make some when I can and try to be as economical as I can possibly make it when I can't.

I am so grateful to be one of the turtles!

thriftylass

Hello,

Took all the previous posts on board and won't bow out. As Fmess said we're all here in it together and to support each other and talk. Thank you guys :grouphug:

Another spend day today as I posted the christmas cards. Was cheaper than last year as OH made the mistake last year to buy cards that were just a smidgen too big to go through as a large letter :eek:. This year I made sure he bought smaller cards (should really put it in the calendar for next October or so to start making cards for next year :rotfl: as I have materials and ideas just didn't have the time again). Tomorrow I will have to post my parents present but I only finished the parcel this lunch time so won't get a chance to post today.

Will have a quiet afternoon in work so will write a shopping list for the christmas dinner we cook for friends this weekend. Already got the goose so just veg and maybe a small ham needed.

When I come home tonight I might have to go cat p** hunting. Came downstairs last night and the guest bedroom smelled horrendous but the cat litter was clean :eek: Couldn't find it this morning so will see

Tada

EDIT:

Just got my box from the fridge in the coffee room and brought the wrong box this morning from home. Instead of a nice salad I found left over roast potatoes, and they had gone off ! Lunch from the canteen it is

Fmess

thrifty you're not alone with the hunt for the source of the smell game. I can't figure out why but my cat sometimes decides to wee in the house, he doesn't like a litter box usually so I don't have one and he regularly goes outside. Not sure if maybe the fireworks prevented him from going out although they usually don't bother him. So occasionally I can smell a smell and I know he's done it again so I have to crawl around smelling the carpet as none of my carpets show stains too obviously. I must look like an idiot with my bottom in the air and my nose close to the floor, it's definitely one of the least glamorous things I've had to do!

thriftylass

Fmess wrote: »

thrifty you're not alone with the hunt for the source of the smell game. I can't figure out why but my cat sometimes decides to wee in the house, he doesn't like a litter box usually so I don't have one and he regularly goes outside. Not sure if maybe the fireworks prevented him from going out although they usually don't bother him. So occasionally I can smell a smell and I know he's done it again so I have to crawl around smelling the carpet as none of my carpets show stains too obviously. I must look like an idiot with my bottom in the air and my nose close to the floor, it's definitely one of the least glamorous things I've had to do!

Tehe, sounds like us. Ours is getting on now so she doesn't go out anymore since we moved. We don't leave clothes in a pile on the floor anymore. Once I sorted the clean washing basket away and half way through realised she had a wee in it. This time it's p oo not p ee :eek:

Bobarella

Hi All

Have we heard from littleskintdragon this week? She's on her due date I think. LSD - thinking of you & hoping all is well.

Sorry to hear about how you've been feeling GSRCAT. I really sympathise about the building work situation too. It's horrible having to chase trades around to finish jobs they should do anyway.

My cat is due his annual MOT this Saturday. He's 9 now but is slim and in good nick so I'm not too worried. Sorry to hear of the leaky ones you guys have
It brings to mind the story my best friends mum told me of how when my bf was a tiny girl she used to have a play handbag..one day her mum noticed it was smelling terrible so she opened it up to discover a dead fish in it. They had a tank full of tropical fish in the longe and when her mother asked my bf said she'd wanted to take the fish into town with her.....wouldn't fancy trying to fabreze that wiff away

Anyway love to all who need it

Bob

Calling14

Hope you all hang on here for our xmas party.

Stop stressing out folks, Christmas few days, don't try to perfect hostess a few drinks no one will notice. Presents cut down spending its the thought that counts.
GSR hugs sure all the work will get done eventually. Annoyed today paid someone to re re seal my bath and water running down the hall walls today. Doing it myself in future.

Calling14

Apologies for not posting I thought I had been silly busy, read yr posts but forgot to post.

Bob laughing my head off at yr embarrassing moment

Today had a day off,iced xmas cake, attended carol service, went for lovely afternoon to zoo with grandson as he finished school at 1pm. Nice warm weather and great to escape silly season hype for a bit.

Yesterday my car passed its mot which seeing I had been told months ago needed to spend about £300. Did nothing and it flew through it. Happy to say the least. Paid another £20 off my debt yday as well.

Today been given a voucher for a free turkey Iceland or Tescos so will try and get one tomorrow and then work out how to fit it in freezer. Could always defrost it and use it immediately Free!!!! Friend had no room in hers.

I am still eating lamb my daughter gave me for at least another night. Scrummy in slow cooker. Feel that everything seems to be going ok at the moment for me whilst one of my friends everything is going wrong for her. Trying to help out as much as possible.

Tablet will self destruct if I write a long post. Santa I need a laptop!

Bobarella

Calling - you've made me want lamb now. I love it but never buy it as it's such an expensive meat for very little. We always end up with chicken as it goes such a long way. Back in the day when I used to go out for lovely meals I adored a Barnsley Chop which if you haven't had it before is the most lucious big lamb chop going. Now I'm hungry again....

Calling14

Bob sorry it's gorgeous in red wine, redcurrant and mint. The best it was free, daughter clearing out freezer.