The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Good morning, here is hoping for a better day or at least my patience to be better.  Kids kept doing / asking stupid things yesterday that kept winding me up.  Then the dishwasher had an error code on it, and my hand blender broke.  I then couldnt book swimming for today as something is wrong with the system - pool manager has sent it off to head office to look at why, which is lovely but still cant swim today.  We did get to see Nana and she was impressed with the rooms.  She looked frail and was having a few issues walking.  She came on the bus and we met her to bring her home.  On the journey to us, the bus overheated so we needed to wait for the next one to come and pick her up.  Glad yesterday is done.

So today is going to be a good day (I am telling myself this in the hope positive thinking works lol).  Yesterday I turned the dishwasher off and hoping today it might go back to normal as I have had this code before.  May try a different programme on it and keep fingers crossed.  Need to wait a little while as sun is not on the panels yet.  Hoping for a sunny and not cloudy day as I have a few loads of washing to do as well.

DS has a catch-up jab as the school lost his paperwork to say he could have it at school.  Not a problem really.  Need to get DD2 her second covid jab too but the only ones they had available the other day were for the week we are away.  The walk in centre just up the road has now gone back to a community centre so its 30 min away to our nearest one.  Off to the local museum grounds as well to collect leaves etc for DD2's homework projects

slm6002

Having a better day mood wise thankfully.  Unfortunately dishwasher has given up completely.  I have ordered a new one using cashback and a money off code which has made it a reasonable price.  I should arrive fri at some point.  Glad I have the savings pots for occasions such as this.

Homework has been started, DS had 2 jabs (thought it was 1 combined - whoops) and visited the post office.  All jobs done

slm6002

Up early again, don't seem to be able to have a lie in at the moment.  Dishwasher could be here from 7am onwards tomorrow so will need to be up early tomorrow.  My dad is coming over today to help move the old one out.
We only have a trip to the library to do today and DD1 has an extra shift at work  - few more pennies for her.  Hoping to get all of the washing done today, plus a bit more of the homework.  Kids then have club this evening.  Must remember to go this week as totally forgot last time.  That should be the only cost for today and is only £4.50 in total.  Also hoping to get a lot of inherited paint out of the garage as a lady on fb was looking for odds and ends of paint - happy to donate to clear the garage and will only keep the paint to touch up bedrooms

slm6002

Another fun packed day and we are now happy on the sofa all worn out.  Today was the  town family fun day.  There was archery, cooking, crafts, stalls to provide information for local charities etc and a covid bus (we are a week to early so we found out after a 30 min wait for DD2 to get her 2 jab!).  For those of us on school meals we were provided a great packed lunch each and then a token from the ice cream van for a free Mr whippy.  They were full of good food.  Only DD2 agreed to go DS didn't want to come and DD1 was on her way to work at lunch time.  The sun was out and it was just a free jolly day.  
Once home Dad came over and installed the new dishwasher.  It works well and is very quiet.  Also have the pizza dough rising and almost ready.  Homemade pizzas for dinner tonight.  Such a lovely day

slm6002

Well again I have done nothing this morning.  Sun is out and warming up. I have the washing machine going now the solar batteries are full.  DD1 has gone off to work until 4 so a few more £'s for her.  Left over pizza for lunch (used a new pot of yeast and they grew huge lol).  Trying out a 1 pot chicken and rice thing for dinner.  Might be good, might be a disaster depending on what the kids think as it does have a touch of spice in it.  We need to do a food shop again but meal plan required first.  Might get that done later.

This time next week we will be in full swing holiday preparation.  Already making lists, but need to contact the lady to see what is already there - bedding, washing up liquid etc.  The chalet looks quite equipped but you never know.  I hear petrol has been going down a bit so will hunt around for the best price before we go.  I also need to get the money out for the rest of the payment as this is in cash.

A while ago I bought several dresses that I meant to send back but got hidden under things when the rooms were done.  I found them the other day and now too late to return (I did look and try).  I have adjusted them by sewing them up where they were too big and baggy.  I now have several summer strappy dresses suitable for wearing.  Not the best money saving way to do things, but happy with them now and they will be worn so not wasted.

slm6002

Another beautiful sunny day today.  Yesterday was very relaxed and just what we needed.  Not sure if I mentioned it but the buildings regs man came out the other day and spent 2 min (if that) checking the window opened in DD2's room and taking pictures of the fire alarms put in.  I have my certificate to say all has been signed off, so that is that done.

Today we are planning on going to our local museum to try to get more nature photos for DS's art course.  While there we will go on the river walk as there are some great sculptures along it.  I am hoping the nettles have been cut back as my friend went that way the other day and said it was very overgrown.  The kids will moan as it involves walking but hopefully will enjoy a small part of it.  I am hoping we can also see the demonstration in one of the barns where they are making ice pops and hopefully we will get to try them.

Tomorrow we have outdoor cooking (DD2 and myself) and will bring home our box of food to keep us going for the week.  We did a small shop yesterday (using vouchers so no real money spent) just to keep us ticking over, but will need to use the food in the box up from tomorrow.  Hotdogs tonight as an easy dinner.

OK off to make kids get dressed and get enough enthusiasm to get going

dustydigger

Hi there,slm! Finally found your thread,all I have to do now is find agood wodge of time to read 70 pages  of posts about you. EEK.Ii'll do it eventually,but bear with me. You know my crazy life. Very different from you,since my kids are all grown up and left home,we are pensioners,and I'm sure I cant hold hold a candle to you in the frugal stakes,but I'll enjoy nosing around your life

slm6002

Welcome, Not much going on really in the ramblings of 70+ pages really, only support to get me to where I am now.  My more frugal days were in previous diaries I think, but they were different times yet again.  I need to get back onto those frugal ways.  But welcome again

slm6002

Well we had a lovely day today, lazy (again) but also quite productive.  We all enjoyed the walk along the river and only on the way back to the car, the children started to complain it was too hot and they were tired.  We took enough photos for DS's art projects coming up, and they even transferred them to me to put on a memory stick ready to go to the local photo shop this week.  All DS needs to do now is pick a few and start drawing / painting.  We got to try blackberry muffins and an ice pop with nettle and blackberries.  Both were very nice with ingredients picked on site.  What is even better was that as we are members we get in free so it didn't cost us a penny.

slm6002

Another great day.  Today DD2 and I went for our outdoor cooking.  We made spicy noodle soup on an open fire that we made.  We then came home with a box of food to feed us all for 5 days.  As always I am sure we wont make the exact recipes that the ingredients were meant for but all food will be used up.  The soup was very nice, almost like a veg curry and it could easily be adapted to include meat or served with rice.  At least 1 family didn't turn up so their food hamper was shared between the 3 families that did come along, so even more food than normal.  I am a little pink from being outside most of the day even though we were in the shade most of the time.  We had to walk and collect fire wood so I am starting to ache a little and could really use an afternoon nap.  Will hold out until bed time.
This morning i broke a tooth too.  I don't do dentists, but will at some point need to go see one to have an x-ray taken to then be referred to hospital to have it removed (I don't have things done in the chair).  I can do the hospital part, but the bit before I can not.  Until then I will make sure pain killers are on hand in case it starts to become painful and I will eat on the other side.  It's been a while since I have had to worry about my teeth.  Such a pain they are in life.
Ok so tomorrow is swimming with a free lunch in the cafe for the kids, I get a free hot drink.  I need to make more lists for the holiday prep