“Just Say NOvember; Batten Down the Hatches 2016”.

Bobarella

dolly84 wrote: »

Bob - everyday this week there has been some sort of bus related issue, this morning DD got on the bus (10 minutes late) then I was about to come home but it didn't move then all the lights went out so I walked back and asked if there was a problem and instead of explaining he had to be a prat and said no. Er why aren't you moving then? Long story short I am very forthright and told him to stop being a funny bu**er and tell me what was going on as my child needs to get to school.

Well done for being assertive. A user on here Ratison reminded me that assertiveness is being kind to yourself. I have certainly taken her advice since then.

Bus driver's can be so rude.

Seasidegal58

thriftylass wrote: »

I really enjoy your little stories about your experience with sewing etc. Can't believe someone would throw out a pair of trousers because the button came off.

Neither can I! I'm not "crafty" by any means and hated needlework at school (yes -we were taught it at school in the dark ages of long ago when I was a schoolgirl!), but at least I can sew on buttons and hem, etc. I do remember a couple of years ago at work sewing on a coat button that had come off and being stared at by a couple of the younger girls in their twenties. I asked them if they could sew and they said no - they either got their mums to do it or bought new things! My late dad bless him used to sew his own buttons on sometimes - learnt it when it was in the merchant navy!

Had a bit of a blip yesterday - my friend in work had a bit of a melt-down so I went with her for a coffee at lunchtime to calm her down. So in for a penny in for a pound! - I decided as the NSD was spoilt I would order a couple of Xmas pressies online and also bought a MAC make up powder brush in House of Fraser for a bestie where I got 10% discount for being a loyalty card holder.

Today is going rather better - going to be a NSD!:)

wit40iwtwan

This week I have managed 2 NSD's since Monday. Not doing as well as I had hoped but have cancelled Netflix before the free month runs out and am looking at other ways to reduce outgoings.

Am also getting clever at comparing prices for items like socks between men and women and having found men's socks a lot cheaper for the same content (cashmere as I suffer with cold feet) I have purchased men's socks and saved myself nearly 50% of the cost of ladies socks! Go figure

thriftylass

wit40iwtwan wrote: »

Am also getting clever at comparing prices for items like socks between men and women and having found men's socks a lot cheaper for the same content (cashmere as I suffer with cold feet) I have purchased men's socks and saved myself nearly 50% of the cost of ladies socks! Go figure

That's a very handy tip. :T

WantToBeSE

Good tip wit40iwtwan, i had never thought about doing that! Is it just socks you do this with, or other things?

I've put myself on the naughty step Thrifty..i am going to be there for the rest of the day while i think about what I've done.

seasidegal58- i wouldn't think about throwing something away if just a button etc had come lose, what a waste of money! HOwever, back in my 20s i wasn't so frugal and i'd do exactly that. I wish i just learnt how to sow!

XSpender

thriftylass wrote: »

No NSD here today as I will need to pop to the wool shop and do a top up shop. Will also keep a few coins a side for the tooth fairy that will visit DS soon. His two bottom teeth are wobbly.

My DS has 2 wobbly bottom teeth too but they seem to be taking ages to drop out. These will be the first baby teeth he loses.


My lovely Mum was great at sewing but her hands are not as nimble as they were. She has tried to teach me several times to make curtains and soft furnishings but to no avail. I can take up a hem or sew a button on which impresses my DH whose mother is not at all domesticated:)

4th NSD yesterday for this week, I think I had 2 last week (was supposed to be military ) so 6 in total. Today won't be a NSD as I need food and tomorrow we need some bits for the new curtain rails and something spotty for DS children in need event. I am hoping not to spend on Sunday. I have a long train journey but will pack some food and maybe a flask to avoid buying tea on the train.

DH is really stressed at work at the minute, to the point of making himself ill and my task this weekend is to help him write his CV and encourage him to apply for jobs. He has never had to job hunt, has only had a couple of informal interviews for internal promotions and I don't think he realises what hard work it is or will be prepared for a knock back.

I am away with work all next week which means I should avoid spending anything until the train on Friday night, everything else goes on the company card or I can claim it back. I am not looking forward to being away from DS and DH for the week but it will fly once I am working.

My new way of eating is going well, this is also helping me not spend as I do not want to eat rubbish so have not bought snacks.

I have taken the dog out a couple of times, done a HIIT session and a PT session (on my own as DH was too ill :eek:) this week so exercise is going well. Packing my cossie and my gym stuff for next week's work trip.

Our boiler went yesterday but is back on now, thank goodness for home cover as it was unbearably cold in here without it yesterday.

Oh and in the kitchen refurb I now has different coloured doors and new handles, have decided the old flooring will look OK and will stick with my old sink and just get a new tap

Toni'sfriend

Really cold here in Scotland today but managed a lovely walk through the park.

NSD today. Three this week, six in total so on track. Going to Edinburgh for a couple of nights on Sunday. Hotel is paid for (15%off their alrady cheap saver deal) and travel is free thanks to bus pass. Meals and drinks coming from our holiday account (hope that's allowed) so hoping that it won't cost too much.

Having an Indian feast for tea comprising of YS pakora and onion bajis which are in freezer plus frozen pakora sauce.

Move over on the naughty step. No alcohol is not going well but at least it's already in the cupboard so not being bought. Absolutely no excuse though.

Calling – Sorry to hear about BF but I'm sure you've weighed everything up and decided on what's for the best. Think a glass or two of wine is allowed (Sorry for leading her astray, Thrifty).

Bob – Hope the party goes well. Children just enjoy themselves so I woldn't worry about it. They will all have a great time.

When I was working I used to get stressed about everything being perfect and, one day (when I came home in tears), my son said to me “Are you getting paid enough to worry about this or is it someone else's responsiblity?” Never looked back. All you can do is your best.

With those words of wisdom (or not), the chaps are watching the football tonght and after dinner I'm off to watch Midsommer Murders with a pot of tea and an apple tart.

It's the week-end. Have a good one.

greent

Spend day today - had afternoon free after volunteering this morning. Quick trip to Tesc0 and spent £43 and used a double points voucher. Resisted temptation of lunch out and instead made Jack Monroe's carrot & kidney bean burgers and had one in a HM roll with salad. OH had sausages in a roll. We then nipped into town, paid for just the 1 hour of parking and managed to get the following:

• Harry Potter PJs and socks from Primarni for DD for Xmas Eve
• Weird Fish top for OH from Debenhams for OH from my mum for Xmas - 20% off and paid with Deb CC to get points My mum will give me the money back
• Slippers from Debs for OH for Xmas (his old ones are wearing through on soles) - 20% off used £9 reward voucher and paid balance with Deb CC for points
• M&S onesie for DS2 which he really likes (will be for Xmas) - used £4 reward voucher and a triple points coupon. Paid with M&S card to get the points

Whilst it is shopping, it's all for Xmas and my allocated money and I had money off/ used vouchers etc where possible and was on the lists of wanted items.

As we've spent out today on food/ Xmas/ parking I'm going to write a cheque for DS1's Xmas camp with cadets (£15) and order a couple more items for Xmas from Amazon (have money in my amazon acct from cashback sites) Tomorrow should hopefully be NSD and then Sun will involve more food shopping (I cant do it all in one go - but I try and limit it where possible to 2 trips a week)
x

jojitsui

Well another naughty day for me!! £9 spent on lunch (I know!!) and then £22 spent in sainsbury!! I am going to have a NS week to make up for it!!! Really annoyed with myself

mothernerd

Another NSD. Spent the afternoon making a pair of long fluffy ears for Beloved's character costume for tomorrow's anime event, bit like spaniel ears but white and very fluffy (my black dress is now covered in white hair. Apart from that have done several domestic things - washing, collected recycling and pots from their room, tidying odd corners.

Feeling very relaxed and peaceful, one or two niggles (not said anything) but DS3 and Beloved are very easy to live with.. I have not had the talk about food/ ingredients and going to keep quiet for now- they ordered £38 worth of food online and had it delivered. Most of it isn't actual 'food' - cakes, drinks and sweets. The food things again were mostly things I had in stock. If DS3 is paying and Beloved is cooking, it should cost less than his takeaways and he will be eating much healthier so wins all round.

Unpacking and getting straight is happening slowly (not my problem).

I am obsessed with the craft group atm, loads of ideas and not enough time. Lots of Christmas crafting but mostly for other people so no extra clutter here (once it is completed, I am knee deep in clutter for now but have use up and pass it on plans).

Both the young women non-sewers have health problems that dominate their lives (in one case her carers may not have thought giving her needles was a good idea) but it's such fun to show them and their delight at being able to 'do it' is wonderful.

I can sew and embroider. I started making dolls clothes when I was about eight - I have always been able to look at something and make a pattern or cut to fit as I go along. I did try knitting but didn't really get past knitting a scarf for my brother's teddy and have tried to learn crochet (from a book) as an adult but couldn't get the hang of turning round so can make 'posh string'.

My grandmother's were both knitters and crocheters but I've always taught myself although they encouraged me in things I was interested in - they both passed on their embroidery supplies (made something at school when I was 11 then tried for myself, making up the design as I went along at 13) and my mum's mum would give me seeds and cuttings for my garden (small front about 15 ft by 4 ft) and a book on paper flowers when I tried making them.

Mostly it comes from never having any money and having to make things out of nothing. People were talking about pva glue at crafts 3 weeks ago and looked askance when I said we had to make do with flour and water paste. Grandma worked in a sewing machine shop (I had the job of Saturday girl when I was 15) and would bring me pattern books and my favourite thing was an old wallpaper sample book.

The geography teacher was amazed when I made a whole (4 desks worth) model of an Australian sheep station (mainly using cigarette and matchbox cartons, with sheep from cotton wool with matchstick legs) for a display at our school's 50 th anniversary.

On the subject of being totally clueless, I read something on here about a year ago, probably on a thread about having friends who weren't of the mse mindset. One poster had helped a friend who was bemoaning the fact that her toddler needed new trainers. Said child had been given (£60 branded) trainers for Christmas and and in March 'needed' new ones. On enquiring the poster found that one of the laces had snapped - she received her friend's undying admiration when she produced some laces from a drawer and replaced the broken one.

Today I am grateful for lovely weather, for feeling good and appreciating my ability to think creatively and tackle nearly any problem.