Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

jue

Loving reading everyones champagne moments. My champagne moment yesterday snuggling up with my dog on the sofa after a long and difficult shift, and a warm homecooked shepherds pie out of the freezer :-)
Today has got to be laying in bed listening to the wind knowing I didn't have to get up early :-)

Timor

Hi Lessonlearned

What a brave lady and so resilient!

Might I suggest looking to see if you have a U3A locally? Their motto is live laugh learn, and they run all sorts of interest groups for retired or semi retired people. Our local one has about 45 different interest groups which run at minimal cost. A very good way to meet new people, new ideas, outings etc
Also a good source of local knowledge and recommendations.

Best wishes for the future

MadamMim2013

Been having a not so fab time here.. DS2 caused ‘yet another’ ruckus and this time it just floored me emotionally, physically and mentally.. Still, we have worked through it, I stuck to my guns re grounding etc and things are looking up.
This week though I have put myself first on a few occasions when really needed.. the good word ‘NO” came out without the usual explanation or guilty feelings.. that’s a huge improvement for me, I’ve also taken time out, slept for 10 hours last night and done just what I’ve wanted to this morning.. I’ve picked up a book I’ve been waiting for at the Library and shall dig in after my extra special treat is delivered in a bit..

Reading this thread has given me a push to treat myself in the same manner I do others.. I shall be kind and caring and less critical in the future.. Thanks for the encouragement..

sheilavw

My champagne moment today was a lovely afternoon tea with a friend whom I worked with 30 years ish ago! She left after her second child but we keep in touch!

ancientmum

Thanks for your comments LL. I feel now that I have made that decision I am free to enjoy all the champagne moments life has to offer on my beer budget, for as long as I can. Like last Sunday watching Cirque de Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall with my sister, amazing and fabulous. We have another outing booked for August.

MadamMim - Sorry to hear of your problems with DS. My eldest was a difficult child who got easier as he got older, my middle one was a delightful child who turned into a nightmare as a teenager. (think Harry Enfield's Kevin). All I know is that teenagers find which buttons to push. They have turned out to be wonderful men, husbands and fathers.
My youngest was a bit of both, he is yet to settle down, still at uni.

Off now to get everything ready for my holiday. Bye for now!

lessonlearned

Good morning everyone.......

Well my champagne moments will be lunch with my eldest son and his family, including my 7 months old grandson, who is just gorgeous....of course.:D.

I am doing salmon wellington with lots of nice healthy salads and vegetables, with a New York cheese cake for dessert. I will light the fire in the dining area and dress the table in its finery, candles etc. I will wear something nice.

Timor....yes I'm going to look at U3. Thanks for the reminder.

Ancientmum.....the Curque Du Soliel is fantastic isn't it. I loved it. Enjoy your holiday.

MadamMin......one of my sons was a bit of a Kevin - he was really hard work as a teenager. Now he is now a delightful 32year old man, mature, caring, hardworking, funny, handsome and charming......and he loves his mum!!!:D:rotfl:

just keep faith and have lots of patience.;).

And definitely......treat yourself with the same TLC and respect you show others. You are soooooo worth it.

Never forget .......the way you treat yourself sends out clear signals to the rest of the world as to how you expect to be treated. The world follows your lead, especially family. The sad fact is if you allow people to treat you like a doormat......then they will walk all over you. When people treat us badly, it is often our own fault because we have allowed it to happen.

Adopt a red velvet rope policy.......google it, to see how it works. But basically you just refuse to engage with people who don't treat you right. You don't allow them into your inner circle.

You don't need to be aggressive or bossy or loud and obnoxious. Just state your case quietly but firmly. Be charming and polite and your son will learn from you. Use humour and remember the carrot is more effective than the stick.

However, It's ok to dig your heels in sometimes - people have to learn to respect your boundaries. Just be sure to do it with charm and grace, no need to shout, rant or rave. The word "no" is a complete sentence. You don't need to give long garbled explanations or justify yourself. Your son (and everyone else in your circle of influence) will get the message in the end.....

Always remember

1. You don't have to show up to every argument. You can walk away.
2. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. .

Time for breakfast......

Have a great day and keep those champagne moments flowing.

inkie

Im loving reading about everyone's champagne moments.
My champagne moment this weekend was discovering some lovely newborn toys at 50p each - one of them being an IKEA rattle that we had been after, but has been discontinued. We are preparing for our first grandchild in the summer. On Friday I went to pick up a lovely baby play ring for £2 off our local selling site and whilst I was there there gave me a mamas and papas baby seat in to the bargain

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moments were at the family party last night. I had jerk chicken, curry goat and plain rice at the party and I bought home jerk chicken, southern fried chicken drumsticks and 2 small whole fried fishes. I left just after 2.15am this morning.

I had a great time dancing and was told by one male admirer that I was the best dancer at the party, including the young ones who I was putting to shame. I smiled at him and said thank you.

mrsmac10

Hi LL it was an adaption of Swan Lake. I have seen another production which everyone could have identified as Swan Lake. this one was "different" but ok

Ok My champagne moments were buying reduced dresses/tops for an upcoming cruise. Wallis online sale to be exact . I am keeping 3 dresses and 2 tops. The other 4 which I would have kept do not fit . My final bill for 5 items £65 I am very happy.

Ok I will not wear them often but they are very smart and 2 dresses have sleeves:)

Take care and enjoy your day.

candygirl

To add to the joys of Firegate, my heated throw stopped working last night:( I ordered a new one from Argos this morn, n it arrived at my local Sainsbury's at 3pm.It was £50, so deffo need to be on lemo this week:rotfl:
Hopefully my fire will be sorted tomoz, watch this space