Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!

beanielou

Have a lovely evening

Onebrokelady

I've read the book Dune with took me ages because it's massive,it was when I was about 16 though so I cant remember the story. DD 2 wants to go and see it so I said I would go with her if no one else will go, it looks amazing, I hope you enjoy it 😊

Seasidegal58

@Sun_Addict - I did enjoy the film after all!👍
Thanks @beanielou. 😃
@Onebrokelady - DD had also read the book when she was a young teen (although I never have, sci-fi books not being my bag). She also reminded me that I had taken her to see the 1980s film version back in the day. I said it couldn't have been great because I have no recollection of that whatsoever!🤣. She said it did get panned at the time as it tried to cram the events of the large book into one film so it didn't quite come off. The current film covers the first half of the book so there will be a sequel. We both thought it was good with great special effects and I would like to see the sequeI. I still prefer the Alien films though!😃
The cinema we went to was previously an Odeon but had been turned into an independent film theatre. It had been renovated very well and had some good, comfortable bar and eating areas. 

We never got home till quite late and I slept in today. DD has had to work today so can't go out. I was going to walk into town but have decided to have a slob day. We'll both go into town tomorrow as it's my last day up here before I go home. 😢

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
Nothing today - a NSD. 

Onebrokelady

I remember the 80s version of the film coming out but only saw it when it was on the tv,it was rubbish from what I remember. They have so many good special effects now and if they have split the film to cover more books it will definitely be better 😊

Seasidegal58

@Onebrokelady - yes definitely agree about the splitting the film. 😃

I got back from DD's last Monday. The journey went well with no hiccups. I'm going back in early December for my long pre-Christmas weekend. I love her town at during the run up to Christmas - it lends itself to the festive spirit. So I've booked my rail tickets - first class advance the price of which was very good once my Senior Railcard discount had been added. 👍
DSis and I went to see the musical Pretty Woman last Wednesday. I wasn't sure what it was going to be like as it had a completely new score apart from the obligatory Pretty Woman singalong during the finale. I was really pleasantly surprised as I enjoyed all the songs and the cast was excellent. It followed the story in the film near enough exactly. The theatre was full but they were checking you as you went in to ensure that you had confirmation that you had been double jabbed or that you were exempt. We just went for a kebab meal afterwards at a little Greek restaurant nearby. 

I managed to start buying Xmas pressies - pyjamas for DSis and her greatniece from White Company and Next respectively- I had a discount code for White Company. I've also bought a big bottle of Bailey's ready to drink when I begin wrapping (I do this along with listening to my Xmas playlist - I've been doing it for years -  it makes the job a lot easier!🤣). 
Today I met two friends for brunch. The weather was appalling when I went out. It had been teeming all morning then turned into a force ten gale!  Then this afternoon was quite nice and sunny!  I don't like this early darkness in the evening though now the clocks have gone back!

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS 
I've updated my YNAB categories for the month. I've added one new budget category for my hair when the new interlace system has to be replaced in two years time. I've also removed the Netflix category as this is now included in my recent updated Sky contract. 

The big thing though when I got home on Monday was a letter awaiting me to confirm I'll be getting my £200 winter fuel allowance so that will go straight into my electricity budget category (I really feel old now!). My 1 year fixed deal with Octopus comes to an end in early December. Octopus have sent me an email estimating that when I go onto their variable rate it will cost c.£5 more a month. This compares with c.£15 if I choose their 1year fix for existing customers or it will double if I go onto their standard one year fix!😱.  So I'll be keeping to the variable rate like Martin has advised. It's not looking good though for when the cap comes off in April. ☹️

I also bought a new nightie from White Company using the discount code above. I love their sleepwear. It's a bit dearer than some brands but is so comfortable and lasts a long time. 

Happy Halloween to all!🎃

milann

The show sounded amazing. Christmas pjs sound good too 👍

Seasidegal58

Thanks @milann. 😃
I have a Christmas present budget app that I downloaded for free a couple of years ago. It's very useful in that you can set a budget on how much you are going to spend at Christmas and then allocate a gift sum against each of the people for whom you are buying presents. You can then enter what presents you are going to buy and for how much against each person and it subtracts each cost. I just update it each year and it's handy to check on what you bought last year too. I also set a category within the whole budget for things like Christmas cards, wrap, any Xmas booze/ food, etc. 

I have a date later in the month for my long postponed retirement drinks. My friend who works at my old firm is organising it and we have a wine bar booked in the City. My old firm has given me a generous amount for drinks. I have also invited some family and friends but to be honest I really don't know yet how many will be there on the evening as most people are still WFH and if the Covid numbers in London keep rising it may well have to be cancelled anyway.  ☹️

Later in the week I have coffee with one friend on one day and coffee with a woman I used to work with on another. DD is coming down on Friday night as we are off to London on Saturday to see a matinee performance of 'The Mirror and the Light' followed by early dinner with DSis and her OH. DD is going back on Tuesday as we are off to my local theatre to see a Pink Floyd tribute band on Monday evening which had been postponed from last November. 

Today has been a pottering day though I did a thorough clean of the bathroom. 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS 
I transferred some money over to DSis's bank account as she has bought little nephew's Christmas pressie for me when she bought his other presents at Smyth's the other week and will also wrap it for me. I've bought him a pair of skates he wanted plus some extra cash to buy some spending money dollars as they are off to Disneyland next spring - Covid travel permitting. 

Apart from that nothing else spent. 😃

Seasidegal58

Another quiet day today in Seasideville - nice and sunny out there. ☀️

I went through the living room today - dusted, cleaned the glass surfaces and pulled the furniture out and had a good vacuum around the skirting boards.
I've been expecting the last of my monthly cheese box subscription that DD and her OH bought for me. I had asked the company to delay the delivery until last week when I returned from DD's but haven't had any notification of the delivery. When I phoned them they told me they had despatched it last week via Parcelforce who apparently tried to deliver it over two days and then returned it to the depot. Unfortunately they didn't leave a note so I didn't know they had been!😡. The boxes have up until now been delivered by DPD who always send an email on the day of delivery with a time slot - plus you can track the van online.  The cheese company was helpful and they are going to send me a fresh box - hopefully via DPD this time!

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
I ordered another Christmas present - a calendar of the Scottish Munros for DD as she loves them has climbed most of them.  I also got 8.5% discount via Topcashback.  

Apart from that, nothing else bought today. 

milann

It’s so annoying when they don’t leave a calling card - that’s exactly what happened with my birthday pressie from dd. Good of the cheese people to send more out 👍

Seasidegal58

Yes It is an Edinburgh firm and their cheese is lovely!😋. The delayed package must have ponged out the depot though as there were a couple of strong cheeses in there!😂