Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone.

I'm reading along but can't really type because of a frozen shoulder. So lots of enforced rest, watching movies. :rotfl:

mrs_slapshot

Morning all - sounds like some fabulous champagne moments have been experienced!

Welcome to all our new posters :wave:

LL - sorry to hear about your frozen shoulder. Hope you recover soon. I am like you - I could quite easily hibernate over the winter - I just want to get into my PJs as soon as I get home from work! And I am glad I have no Saturday night obligations as it means PJs on, fleecy throw and TV!

It's just over a year since you started this wonderful thread and it's had quite a lot of views! Thank you - I really look forward to hearing from everyone, and I have picked up some marvellous tips and moneysaving hacks!

I had a meeting with my financial advisor this week (that sounds posh - it's because I was lucky enough to have had a pension pot from a previous job that I decided to invest). It clarified a lot of my thoughts and plans, and I have decided I only want to work for an employer for the next five years, which would hopefully mean I could 'retire' (I would still do some work though, just not a full time job) before I am 60 (just...). Feeling motivated to knuckle down and pay off my mortgage, save money and generally be thrifty. Am excited about the challenge! (Oh - and I recommended he reads Reset too.....)

In the spirit of moneysaving I had a lightbulb idea this week of using my son's old tv (he has bought himself a smart tv) as a separate screen for my laptop. I have sold some stuff on eBay and have enough Paypal cash to buy a docking station from Amazon, so that is on my list this weekend. I have a problem with my eyes getting very sore and tired (blepharitis) and struggle with my laptop screen so hopefully this will help. I need to give myself a kick up the bum and get on with writing for my blog - I have spent too much time faffing about the edges and now I need to get on with it!

I have the day off on Monday which I am very excited about! First day off in my new job which wouldn't have been possible in my old job due to not being able to have holidays in school term time! Planning to spend time on my blog and also doing some sorting out (garage and loft) plus Christmas prep.

Went to see Last Christmas last night with my bestie - didn't really fancy the film but we go out so rarely I couldn't say no. Was a fab night - we took a bottle of wine and some plastic glasses in with us - my friend was mortified and wanted to buy the cinema own stuff but it's so expensive! The film itself started out quite cheesy and with some (in my opinion) hammy acting but in the end it was incredibly touching, and a real feel-good film! Wonderful to hear the music of George Michael too - I shall be playing him on Spotify today!

Have a wonderful weekend all!

sugarbaby125

LL sorry to hear about your frozen shoulder. I had wondered why you were not posting. I hope you recover soon, but in the meantime enjoy your films

Wednesday2000

I hope the shoulder feels better soon LL.

mrs_slapshot wrote: »

Went to see Last Christmas last night with my bestie - didn't really fancy the film but we go out so rarely I couldn't say no. Was a fab night - we took a bottle of wine and some plastic glasses in with us - my friend was mortified and wanted to buy the cinema own stuff but it's so expensive! The film itself started out quite cheesy and with some (in my opinion) hammy acting but in the end it was incredibly touching, and a real feel-good film! Wonderful to hear the music of George Michael too - I shall be playing him on Spotify today!

I saw a trailer for that and thought it looked quite good.:)

That sounds like a great plan for retirement too.:T

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moments yesterday were going to Odeon Luxe Haymarket to watch the 2 films: Midway and Official Secrets I love watching films in this Odeon cinema as all of the seats are Luxe Recliners. I used my Odeon Limitless card to buy the 2 tickets.

The 1st film I watched was Midway ODEON says...
Midway recreates the tide-turning World War Two battle. Here’s why it’s simply unmissable...

The Japanese raid on Pearl Harbour during the Second World War was the greatest intelligence failure in American history. But a follow-up attack was foreseen: the battle of ‘Midway’.

The American navy may have known the attack was coming, but they were still underdogs with an undermanned fleet. Up against an overwhelmingly powerful adversary, they fought a decisive battle that would be a turning point in the War.

Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson and Aaron Eckhart star in ‘Midway’, a spectacular war film about one of the most important naval battles in history, from the director of ‘Independence Day’.

War films are not a favourite of mine, but this one, based on true events, really won me over. I think it was that despite some truly gory scenes of war, it was about lots of different, very strong and memorable characters both American and Japanese that kept me riveted on the unfolding action. I would give this film 9/10

I watched Official Secrets next:
ODEON says...
The true story of a British whistleblower who leaked information to the press about an illegal NSA spy operation designed to push the UN Security Council into sanctioning the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

One day in 2003, in the lead up to the Iraq War, British intelligence specialist Katharine Gun receives a memo from the NSA with a shocking directive: the United States is enlisting Britain's help in collecting compromising information on U.N. Security Council members to blackmail them into voting in favor of an invasion of Iraq. Unable to stand by and watch the world be rushed into war, Gun makes the gut-wrenching decision to defy her government and leak the memo to the press.

Keira Knightley does a very impressive job in the lead role in this film. There is a lot of tension in watching the impact that being a whistleblower has on Katherine Gunn's personal life and the toll it takes not just on her, but also her work colleagues and her husband. I was captivated by this true story. I would give this film 9.5/10

t14cy_t

champagne moment today was a fantastic jumble sale in Maidstone. only £10 spent between DH and myself!! lots of clothes for both of us, cuddlies for the dogs, 3 bags of gorgeous new clothing for grandchildren, a large thermos flask and 2 a box of smellies. add to that it was lovely to chat in the que, a few hours well spent!!

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment yesterday evening was having a very enjoyable evening at Karaoke, singing and dancing.

I sang 4 songs: Hurt so good, Return to sender, The wonder of you and Can't take my eyes off of you

lessonlearned

Brrrr. It's a cold one. But at least the fog has cleared and now bright sunshine although not much heat in the sun. :rotfl: but at least it is bright and clear, much better than grey and dismal.

Just dropped the car off to see what's going on with the cooling system. Today is decision day. See how much it's going to cost and then decide whether or not to get it repaired and keep it or whether to grasp the nettle and go car free.

Still struggling with my neck and shoulder so the champagne moments have been of the sofa variety, snuggled up with my heated throw and Netflix.

It's a hard life.......;).

I actually had to de ice the car this morning to take it to the garage. Thank goodness I am now retired and don't have the palaver of commuting anymore.

I can wait until the streets have been aired before I venture out. :rotfl:

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moment yesterday was going to Karaoke at Leilani restaurant and lounge bar. I had a really enjoyable evening.

I sang 4 songs: Never Ever with another woman, Fever, Make You Feel My Love and No Matter What

lessonlearned

Some lovely champagne moments today........chatting to friends in the phone, strolling in the crisp winter sunshine, sitting quietly handsewing but most of all getting my car fixed for the grand total of £73. :T. Wahoo.

So the old jalopy gets another reprieve, I still have a set of wheels and I haven't had to break the bank. All good. .

Still bothered with my shoulder so taking it relatively easy. Another quiet evening on the sofa with Netflix and a G@T. I managed to do some yoga today without too much pain so hopefully my shoulder is on the mend.

Very frustrating not being able to do much. But hey ho, can't be helped. I have learned my lesson, no more painting beamed ceilings for me.

From now on I shall delegate the grotty jobs and just pick and choose the nice easy ones. It will be quicker too, so hopefully I can get the renovations all done over the winter and then can relax and really enjoy summer. Get down to some serious fun.....:rotfl: