Struggling along as best I can

joedenise

@nannygladys - I thing a small freezer in your spare bedroom would be a good idea as you grow so much fruit and veg.  It would mean not having to eat it or give it a way as and when it's ready and would probably be enough to not have to buy any for most of the year.

I'm another who always gave money to the parents for the grandchildren especially as they got a bit older when dolls or cars were no longer wanted!  Now that the grandchildren are grown up they get the money direct into their bank accounts but they have to wait until the last working day before Christmas.

I'm surprised you still can't drive after your cataract ops.  I was told I could drive after a week as long as my vision was clear even though I was still using drops 4 times a day - I was on 4 times a day for the whole 4 weeks after the first op but on a reducing regime after the 2nd one.

Baileys_Babe

Both sets of grandparents have given us money for our and the children's presents for many years. We have mainly used the money to visit places beyond our budget some of which have involved needing accommodation, I have combined the money with my MSE knowledge to make the most of it by using special offers, voucher codes, and cash back. If we haven't used all the money one year we roll it forward to the next. Amongst other things, we have been to theme parks, safari parks, the theatre to see a wide variety of live performances, and a UK holiday all paid for from money from the grandparents and survey vouchers, the children have each had a large Lego set as a joint gift from both sets of grandparents.

As a parent, I appreciate the grandparents giving us money to buy gifts and experiences that our children will enjoy and we always make it very clear that it has been paid for by our grandparents' Christmas money. The children make a point of telling them about our adventures. 

Both sets of grandparents like to give each of us something to open, from the inlaws this is usually sweets or chocolates or something suitable picked up at a car boot sale or a charity shop. From my parents we usually receive a book or something practical like a winter hat, or thick socks.

nannygladys

Cherryfudge- I’m feeling much better now but I half expected my ankles to have swollen as that’s another side affect but thankfully they haven’t yet 🤣

I’d rather all daughters use it for experiences but it’s up to them to how they use it, they always say I shouldn’t give them anything but you know me I have a pot for everything so it’s saved for all year round along with their birthday money, and they all get the same so there’s no favouritism 😀
Nannyg 

nannygladys

joedenise - that’s why I’m thinking of a small chest freezer, it would come in so handy and then have just an ordinary fridge/freezer in the kitchen. I think it would work well and also any heat generated from it would take the edge off quite a cold room that isn’t used very often.

I think the driving thing is perhaps different to which clinic you go to. A friend of mine was told the same as me but someone else was driving as soon as the first one was done but used a different clinic. It’s certainly saving me money on fuel but the inconvenience is a little annoying sometimes, especially when it’s raining and I don’t seem to go far at the moment, I go to the clinic at the end of next week and then back to the optician and then back to spending far too much on petrol 😂

nannygladys

Baileys_Babe - I glad you appreciate the money and do special ‘things’ with it, both my dds who live over here do the same, it’s got to be better than buying toys that they open and never play with? I also save 2ps for the smaller dgc so they have some for the amusement arcades when they go on holiday or days out🤣, which the littlest appreciate🙂
I also buy a token something like your parents, usually favourite sweets, chocs, crisps or the suchlike, oh and I try to find the advent candles!!

Sun_Addict

Good idea about the second freezer. I’ve got one and keep it outside in a covered area where Mr SA keeps his mobility scooter. 

nannygladys

Today, youngest came for a visit whilst dgs was at nursery and bought the new dgd to see me! She is so tiny but was over 8lbs born and dd looks really well. The baby only wakes for feeds in the night (at the moment) and is a happy little soul, chilled and seems quite content with life in the day 🥰

After they had gone I took the pup for a walk and got talking to a lady whilst our dogs got to know each other and started playing, had a lovely conversation and all the world was good and then it started raining so we hot footed it in differing directions back home!,

So no money spent, I made leek and potato soup with a leeks out the garden, potatoes from the garden and carrots from the garden everything else came out of the cupboards and for tea I had a tagine and and rice from the freezer. So another cheap day, tomorrow I’m hoping to visit the food hub (depends on the weather) and putting the bread maker on for a small loaf. I think this week has gone quickly and the big ‘C’ gets closer and closer. I love the time just before Xmas, the lights, the music, all the activities put on for the children, the pantomimes, advent calendars and carol services. And then after Boxing Day everything seems back to the ordinary!

Last night I fancied something sweet, so I made a small bread and butter pudding for one, in the air fryer, using one slice of bread, egg, sultanas, hm butter and honey and it was lovely, hit the spot and I thoroughly enjoyed it. First time I’ve used the air fryer for anything like that and it won’t be the last!

Anyway going off line line now to do a bit of reading, if I don’t turn it all off I end up watching something and not reading 😀

Nannyg

cbsexec

The bread and butter pudding sounds delicious 😀

Cherryfudge

Now I want leek and potato soup followed by bread and butter pudding.  

Glad you're feeling better.

nannygladys

I’m going to have a go and make a lemon cake/pudding over the weekend to see if that’s works in the air fryer, I have a lemon and lime to use so I won’t have to buy anything special! I’ve had the rest of the leek and potato soup for lunch today and a jacket potato for tea, followed by fruit and yogurt.

today has been a slow one, it’s all this rain lol, it’s not conducive to wanting to go out anywhere! Still I did go into the back garden to brush some of the rain water away as my next door neighbours house it about seven/eight foot higher than my house and I get a lot of their drain off, so to help I was sweeping water into the drains and bailing away the water coming down my driveway, so I did get some exercise and the pup was running for England around the garden and we were both very wet when we went in🤣

my eldest dad came for a visit, she’ll be 19years before the end of October and has been called up for Jury service!!!! I’m 71 years and never been up in my life!!!!!  I don’t think she’s looking forwards to it but it is was it is I suppose.

that’s about it and I hadn’t  realised what time it is, I started reading a new library book a few hours ago and got carried away, so I’d better put pup out for a quick jaunt around the garden, mind you he’s spark out in his basket so I think I’ll leave him asleep and go up 🤣🤣 

nannyg