Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget - 2021

helensbiggestfan

Prepareathome......Lovely photo.  Good to see you here.  

Well a good day yesterday.  Boiler service, all ok. Just need a new thermostat valve for one radiator so not too bad.  Dentist appt booked for tomorrow.  I'm not in any pain so I have decided she can just do a temp fix if possible and then I can book a proper consultation to see what needs/can be done in the long term.  I might see more than one dentist to get different opinions and/or options.  

Then hopefully be in a position to start a treatment plan in the new year.  I don't really fancy having to contend with Christmas etc and manage a load of dentist appts at the same time.  

I have got my covid booster and flu jab booked for 0ct 30th so need to work round that anyway. I prefer to get that out of the way first.  

Nice day here, just been to Aldi. Currently just tucking into some cheese and crackers and coffee and will then head off for a walk. Cheese is my favourite food so cheese and coffee is always a bit of a champagne moment for me.  

Yesterday sorted out all my filing and paperwork and organised my desk.  Today I am going to try and set up a temporary hanging rail in the spare room and then make a start sorting out my wardrobe.   I think I can safely put all the summer stuff away now. 😂.  

Nothing very exciting but I'm keeping busy and making headway.  After what seems like months of hard graft with not much too show for my efforts things finally seem to be coming together.  

Yesterday, both my gas engineer, who I've known for aeons, and one of my friends commented on the exterior works saying how nice the house is looking. (And they both said how much they love the kitchen......although I've not quite finished in there yet).

 They both used the term "impressive" to describe the frontage and approach. Without prompting (honest!!!! 😂)  They both said the house really stands out as soon as you turn into the street. The house did look really rather shabby when I bought it, the outside wasn't very inspiring.  The garden was a jungle and that has finally been tamed.  Just need to paint the doors but they will have to wait until the spring now.  It's not just a simple coat  of paint to freshen them up, they are the original wooden doors (1935) so need a bit of TLC before I can paint them.  

A bit like me.....I'm in need of some TLC - teeth need fixing and I need to lose 2 stones.  Time to ease up on the house for a bit and concentrate on me. I look and feel like a decrepit old crone.....time for a makeover.  😂🤣. See if I can transform myself the way I have transformed my house.  

 

helensbiggestfan

Well not a champagne moment at the dentist this morning.😢.  As expected crown cannot be refixed.  So she did a quick fix to tide me over for now.  Two tiny fillings, £124😱.  Quick quote for the work needing to be done, pending further investigations. About the same price as a World Cruise.  

I know which I would prefer but I suppose the teeth will have to win.  I might try a couple of other dentists for second opinions but I'm guessing there won't be much in it.  And probably better the devil you know.  I trust her and that's the main thing isn't it.  

At any rate, I'll go for my usual check up and hygienist appt next week and then shelve my decision until after Christmas.  

In the meantime just crack on with the decluttering.  Managed to set up the temporary hanging rail, bit of a struggle but I did it.  I already have one bag of stuff in the car.  Will load up the car today and do a charity shop run tomorrow.  Just get rid of it all.  

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moments on Tuesday were down to my participation in the Music Appreciation group at Blakcfriars Settlement. It was so much fun. 

My Champagne moments yesterday were taking part in a discussion group at Blackfriars Settlement and then in the evening, I played the game Incohearant and Heads Up games with my son and daughter and there was so much laughter and enjoyment in my home.     

MandM90

Today champagne moment was French class and just enjoying the company of others in real life, practising my French and learning some new vocabulary. It felt like pre-pandemic life.

helensbiggestfan

Ah pre pandemic life. It's seems like a different world doesn't it. It's good that we are inching our way forward at last. I am really looking forward to my cinema trip on Sunday and a lunch date at one of my favourite restaurants in a week or so.  

Although, without wishing to be all doom and gloom, professor Robert Winston was on Question Time last night and he issued a warning that we are not done with covid yet. 

I guess we will just have to wait and see. I've got my covid booster jab booked for 30th October. 🤞

Siebrie

We are off to a weekend in Paris! It's about 3-hr drive from here.

Lemonade budget:

- we drive husband's company car with petrol card

- leave on Saturday morning, return Sunday afternoon (so just 1 night in hotel)

- waited for last-minute booking, all 4 of us staying in 1 room in 3* hotel

- children have free breakfast with 2 adults paying (that's €7.50 each for a generous breakfast)

- free parking (Saturday at hotel, Sunday in city)

- bring plenty of snacks and water bottles for trip there and back, and Saturday afternoon. We will buy new snacks in supermarket there.

- only pay for access to Eiffel Tower 2nd level, by steps.

- carefully calculated how many public transport tickets we need to buy to see if day pass is cheaper (it isn't)

- cable car included in public transport

- lots to sightsee without paying

- hotel room has Nespresso machine; we will bring extra instant hot choc

- if we still have energy Saturday night: games night, maybe reading Harry Potter to them.

- Husband is African, so will do some shopping in the African neighbourhood for things (mainly food) we can't get here; we will also eat there. Husband has asked recommendations from friends.

helensbiggestfan

My Not a champagne moment 😱😁

Last night I had an encounter with some dodgy chicken. Have felt quite rough all day. Had to cancel my lunch date with a girlfriend.  

 

So I pushed myself and blitzed my sitting room, a major declutter and deep clean.  Changed the rug, sofa throws and cushions. Ditched some  overgrown plants. Removed a bookcase and it’s contents.  Changed a few accessories.  Looks like a different room now.  All Smokey blues and neutrals with just a splash of deep purple ad an accent colour.  The rug and throw are made of faux fur in neutral colours so it has a nice scandi vibe going. Room looks bigger and lighter.  

Resting now.  Tummy not happy. 😂. But it’s lovely and warm sat in my sunny garden. 

Tomorrow I shall make a start on the kitchen diner. 😱😂

MandM90

I hope you enjoy Paris Siebrie! My dad is Algerian and there is a big Algerian community there, I've never thought to seek out the food. I haven't been to Paris in years and can't wait to go back but will probably avoid until the kids are older and we can go as a couple. The closest we got recently was Versailles which eldest DD thoroughly approved of 🤩

sugarbaby125

I went to see my daughter Petra, my son-in-law Simon, my Grandson Tyrese, Tyrese's partner Lauren, my Great grandson Shylo and my 2 granddaughters Carmen and Dantaya in Andover today. I had so much fun and laughter with my family. I feel very blessed. My Great grandson Shylo is 8 months old now. 

4 Generations of my family 

Wednesday2000

Have fun Siebrie, sounds like you will all have a great time!

Hope you feel better LL.

What a lovely family Sugarbaby.