Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!

Seasidegal58

Today has been mixed so far weather wise. First the sun, then dark clouds and some hail and bright sun again at the moment. I was speaking to a neighbour this morning who said some of roads between here and Inverness are still quite treacherous what with the heavy rains and ice they've experienced lately. 

I've had pate and toast for a late breakfast and currently sitting here drinking a coffee. DD and OH are having friends over tomorrow afternoon so she will be cooking in preparation later and I will be doing housework. OH is currently painting the inside of one of the two cabin style pods they have had built on the croft which will be used as a gym and an office. The Bears (i.e. DD and OH's very large bear like dogs) are currently lounging around in the nice cold garden (they love the cold weather) - Bear1 occasionally barking at any sheep in the lane that come too near to the gate!

MSE SCRIMPY THINGS
Today will be another NSD. 

When I flew in last Thursday we stopped into Inverness for some lunch and luckily were near Clinton's card shop. I wanted to buy a new baby card for a friend and while I was in there I picked up some really nice boxes of Christmas cards, one special one for DD and two Christmas gift bags -  all at half price for next year. Result!

redofromstart

Sorry to read about sad losses. Much sympathy to all.

That sounds like sensible spending - reminds me that I have hardly any wrapping paper left and probably should keep an eye out for any bargains.

EssexHebridean

Ahh SSG I'm so sad to hear about your friend's OH - far too young, and what a dreadful start to the year for her. Echoing what others have said about being glad to hear she has such a great support network though - that will be a help, even if right now it doesn't feel like it for her perhaps. 

Redo I'm there too on the wrapping paper - did look in ThaT supermarkeT but their paper was presumably pretty rubbish quality - as every roll in the several boxes there appeared to have substantial damage to the paper! I declined their kind offer of buying it for a 50% discount deciding that I'd bear in mind that "every little helps" so I'd hang onto my hard earned... 

Seasidegal58

Thank you @redofromstart and @EssexHebridean. 

Clinton's did have some half price wrapping paper but it was mostly children's and I didn't like what was left - looked rather cheap.  I do need a couple of bottle bags for next year but I couldn't see that they had any left at all.  I used to buy my all Christmas wrap in M&S as I always liked their designs and you could take advantage of their 3 for 2 offers. This year in early December when I looked I didn't like their wrap at all - nothing as nice as they used to sell. To be honest I didn't need much wrap - I've been using the odd rolls I still have so instead of each recipient getting their presents wrapped in their own design, they've all had mis-matching wrapped presents this year as I've been using up what I had left first. I think I bought just one roll this year. I have started putting presents in Christmas bags though if someone has more than one as it saves putting tags on each gift!  Anything to save time these days!  Luckily I have managed to buy these half price after Christmas over the last few years. It does mean though that I have loads of tags left so I won't be needing to buy these for quite some time!
DD and OH's guests have just left - lovely people who are very interesting. DD prepared her own blinis, French onion soup and pasta salad accompanied by some M&S buffet bits all of which were delicious and she and OH have now taken the Bears out for their evening walk - head torches firmly in place for the humans and little coloured lights dangling from the non-humans' collars!  I'm here again warming myself by the stove which is very nice!

MSE SCRIMPY THINGS
Nothing spent today apart from a 99p ITunes download. It's the theme tune from the TV series 'Slow Horses' as sung by Mick Jagger. 
I also had a result as Mango have finally refunded me £35.99 for a jumper I ordered back in October and which the courier company who have had awful press lately appear to have lost!  I won't bore you dear reader with the details but the whole scenario has been going on and on........🥱

beanielou

Glad that you get the refund 

milann

So sorry to hear about your friend. That’s no age. 

Your trip to dd sounds lovely as usual. The bears sound real characters.

Seasidegal58

Thanks @beanielou and @milann. 

Today we finally sat down and opened one another's Christmas presents!  😳 One of my presents was a rather nice Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser which I have had my eye on for a while - I can now make lovely mocha drinks!😋 it's quite a smart piece of equipment as well and will look very stylish on my kitchen work top.  The Bears were very interested in all the unwrapping process in case there was something edible inside the parcels that they could have. This is especially true of Bear2 ever since a delivery driver left a package of their doggie treats on the step and she decided to rip open the packaging to get to what was inside. Ever since then she loves to tear open a box to shreds (carefully spitting out the cardboard pieces as she goes)!🤣

OH had to work today so DD and I started watching The Morning Show with Jennifer Anniston and Reese Witherspoon this afternoon. It's one of the best series I've watched in a while and I'm really enjoying it.

MSE SCRIMPY THINGS
Another NSD today. At least I'm saving some cash whilst I'm here!
I feel I'm in limbo at the moment until I go home with regard to organising things. There are a few things I need to sort out like arranging for the new cupboard doors in my kitchen. I had the Howdens man round ages ago to measure up but haven't done anything else to get it going. Still, they may well be cheaper in the sales.  I want to do a few things in the flat since I decided not to move but have procrastinated as usual. If I were making NY resolutions this January DO NOT PROCRASTINATE should be at the top of the list!

beanielou

Lucky you 

EssexHebridean

I had do not procrastinate as a NY resolution a few years ago - needless to say I put it off and eventually gave up on the idea though! (True story! Also the reason why I don't make general resolutions any more - if I couldn't even stick to that one what chance do I stand?!)

Well done on the refund - Martin Lewis had a bit in his podcast this week about the issues with parcel deliveries - I was mildly entertained to hear that even since a particularly infamous one has changed their name, they still seem to have maintained the awful reputation!

redofromstart

I love the idea of the velvet machine but can't justify the worktop space. Envious!