Santas challenge 2017

crazy-cat-lady_2

First challenge. Woo. Thank you.

Feeling slightly organised..so far.
Got a million birthday (and thank you, baby, congrats..cards thanks to card factory. The 29p ones are quite nice so I always stockpiled) and got one of the card organisers with monthly pockets. I’ve written the first few months worth of cards and got them all tucked in ready to give or addressed ready to post.

Also got a budget planner book where you write outgoings (lots) and incoming (very little, sob). And receipts and all other bits.

Got going on cashback sites and got my first £14 from topcashback. Meaning some Christmas jumpers from Asda for next year for my daughter we’re free! Also back on surveys and competitions. I did the joining bonus in the MSE email and got £15 of Amazon vouchers.
Also ebaying some old bits and bobs I don’t need to make some extra cash. I’ve said it before and I’ll always say it. I do NOT miss my old job but I do miss my wages. I wouldn’t swap having the time with my daughter for anything though. So it’s a good job I can cope on next to nothing 😂.
Any pointers on that receipt scanning would be appreciated please. Heard bits about it but no clue what company or how it works. Or any similar ways to earn a bit extra. I have a regular peep through the forum on here about boosting income. So much it’s hard to know what’s any good or reliable.

Ohh. Freezer is also organised as I started slimming world. Just by myself from home. Being very strict though and making extra of everything so I can freeze meals down for lazy, can’t be bothered days.

chanie

I’ve ordered a few bits and pieces online as Xmas and birthday gifts. I hope the items are okay when they arrive:

2 blankets with sleeves: one for OH for now send one as an Xmas gift for a relative.
A travel jewellery case - it’s coming from China, so will take a month.
Peshtemal towels - these are birthday presents and I’ve also bought some restaurant vouchers. Reading this back, it does sound like a weird combo, but I do buy practical gifts!

I bought Dsis a travel mug for Xmas from TK Maxx, so thats the first person I can cross off my list.

Happy_Kitties

CCL-I have also been ebaying some bits. I don't do ebay alot but I am determined this year that more bits are going to go out of the house rather than come into the house. It is very satisfying to slowly(snail pace!)be sorting things out.

I have been plodding along. DD has had most of her birthday presents. Even though her birthday isn't until the middle of Feb I know that she won't open them and it has saved on postage. A couple of presents are still here and wrapped up in her room-things like t-lights which she can't use at uni.

Still have to get some cards-that is next on my list as I need to pick up a thank you card. Can't believe it is the end of January, it has gone so quick, usually it drags.

Hope everyone else is plodding on okay

Anglea

Hi everyone.

Thanks for the first challenge of 2018 mum2one.

Oh no, not the freezer again. I'll have to pass this month as mine is chocker block and I'm not taking everything out.

And to finish off a project !!! I've still got projects from over 15 years hidden away.

Last year I started a number of new hobbies but I feel they are losing their appeal so I may think about something new. Thanks mum2one for giving me the green light lol that's more appealing than finishing the old ones.

Crazy kitties - wow you've already got virtually all of your presents for the year.

Blanket wear - I recall showing mum a photo of that in a magazine years ago but she didn't seem interested even though I thought it would be an ideal present as she's always cold.

In the end I crocheted a blanket for her and she was pleased with it.

I've dealt with the January birthdays, I no longer give my parents an anniversary card because my dad always forgets (and can't get to the shops himself) and get's into a state about it so mum said to forget it.

Before dad went to hospital I started cross stitching - I was making up my own Valentine design possibly for a card or to fit into a small frame but had to give up as I can't do it with so much going on. I've got a possible plan B but depends on what happens with dad, he's supposed to be coming out of hospital soon.

This week has been out of sync as I became ill Sunday night and ever since so had to cancel my hospital visits and I've not felt right all week, and there's been a fair bit of upset too with various things, you know where everything happens at the wrong possible time.

Happy_Kitties

Anglea I hope you are feeling better and with upset with various things it just makes things hundred times worse with stress levels making u feel worse aswell, hopefully things have settled down for you.

Needed to get a thank you card today so got some birthday cards today. Completely forgot to get ones for immediate family but the cards I did choose are all for specific family.
One chocolate present I got for a relative for their birthday, they now cannot have due to health reasons so now going to use for Easter instead. I think they will go down very well with DD BF who despite the big box will probably trough them all in 5 minutes flat!!

Anglea

Hi everyone,

Mum had to go to hospital yesterday and my friend went with her (and called into see my dad at the same time whilst mum was having a procedure) then driving back their voluntary driver knocked down part of mum's fence!!

Meanwhile I was at mum's going through their paperwork because dad's coming home tomorrow and I might not get another chance, luckily I'm feel much better to earlier in the week. Friend and I stayed about 6 hours to make sure mum was ok before we went home.

I've been think about Valentines and had a few ideas eg a bottle of that wine that's advertised on tv although I've forgotten the name C...de diablo as over Christmas I spotted it for the first time ever and recognised it from the adverts and I know my friend also made a comment about it and we haven't had any wine since Christmas.

Another idea is liquer coffee (to go with a meal at home) friend has suddenly become partial to tia maria coffee with cream on top after our hospital visit when we went to a lovely restaurant to unwind before taking a 2nd bus home.

What is the best cream for this? It's been years since I've done it in glasses so can't remember how it's done.

I don't know if you recall a while back (before December) I mentioned 'open when' letters, I think I overcomplicated matters when I attempted them before (and had to give up) but I may try a simplified version this week.

I've had to give up with my hand made card idea as I'm not in the mood as I'm too busy.

Moneysaving - last Sunday about 4pm I went to Co op and returned home with 2 carrier bags of shopping - only £0.90p in total.

mum2one

I use double cream

Warm the glasses with hot water whilst coffee brewing.

When ready empty water, put in sugar ( if required), add a little bit of coffee, allow sugar to dissolve, add tia Maria, top up with coffee,

For cream part, stir coffee, use back of teaspoon out the spoon just on top of the coffee, pour the cream on..

Relax and enjoy xx

Anglea wrote: »

Hi everyone


What is the best cream for this? It's been years since I've done it in glasses so can't remember how it's done.

.

Anglea

Thanks mum2one, I've bookmarked your post.

Today whilst I was at the Co-op again looking at reduced stickers after visiting MIL at the care home, I had a look to see if they had any CD Diablo wine as I'd previously seen it elsewhere.

They only had red in the large bottles similar to the tv ad and only had small bottles of white they were ordinary looking rather than the distinctive looking ones of the red so a bit disappointing. I looked around for Tia Maria, but none on the shelves, sometimes you have to ask for certain drinks, I forgot by the time I reached the till.

chanie

Angela I hope everything is okay with your family now. I’m very impressed with your CoOp haul.

chanie wrote: »

I’ve ordered a few bits and pieces online as Xmas and birthday gifts. I hope the items are okay when they arrive:

2 blankets with sleeves: one for OH for now send one as an Xmas gift for a relative.
A travel jewellery case - it’s coming from China, so will take a month.
Peshtemal towels - these are birthday presents and I’ve also bought some restaurant vouchers. Reading this back, it does sound like a weird combo, but I do buy practical gifts!

I bought Dsis a travel mug for Xmas from TK Maxx, so thats the first person I can cross off my list.

My first blanket with sleeves arrived this weekend. OH has barely got to use it as the DC have taken it over themselves. It came in a zip up plastic bag, which I’ve kept, in case I can use it for something else eg regifting.

My restaurant vouchers arrived and my Mum was really pleased with them as she wasn’t expecting it. At least I know what to get her for Xmas now.

Anglea

Hi again,

My last trip to co-op wasn't as successful as the £0.90p one, barely anything reduced. We've now decided to go on a trip out of the area for lunch that day so not having a meal at home and I can forget worrying about getting some T.M as I don't think I'll get a chance before Wednesday in any case.

We went out to lunch with DS2 today after a drama when I couldn't get hold of the friend from last night onwards to confirm times and I really thought something bad happened and was about to take the spare key after DS arrived and I was thinking ahead about paramedics etc, as they're prone to blackouts, luckily friend turned up, phone problems.

Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can make a card and possibly even a present I've got something in mind I was going to make earlier in the week when I went to my craft club but couldn't find all the bits and pieces so I'm really hoping I can on Friday.

Chanie, I know what you mean, those large zip up bags are good to keep. I've got one full of scarves, hats, shoe inner soles etc near my coats and shoes.

How are you all getting on?