Dusty's Frugal Fortnights Return!

dustydigger

@Muddy_Walker

Did you get your tree done? I FINALLY did mine yesterday. Its a small tree,only 3 ft high,I got rid of my 6 ft high one a few years ago,it was so much work,even doing it at floor level,it killed my poor shoulders. Now I can do my 3 ft tree even sitting down! Its a white tree,but I dont believe in less is more where tree decoration is concerned.I do it all gold,gold baubles,gold tinsel,gold chains,tossed on with gay abandon till not a bit of white shows. And THEN I add silver fairy lights half hidden in the tinsel. Bright and sparkly,and it all twinkles beautifully. Helps lift the spirits a little.

Each year I save all my most beautiful cards and pin them on the walls around doorways,mirrors,pictures etc,as decoration,as I can no longer climb ladders to put up streamers.

 Got my curtains put up,window cleaned,just have mirrors etc to clean. and thats it for the sittingroom.Except for the chaos on the

unit behind the telly. All the Xmas bags are there all higgledy piggledy,I have to put them round the tree(which is on a table),and then the bottles ,snacks etc can go in their usual place on that unit. Got to sort the toy box below that. Last time GGD3 was here,Mr Dusty ''helped me to put away the toys in the toy box. Turned a wooden box full of alphabet puzzle sideways,and the whole lot,dozens of little pieces, fell into the toy box among the toys and it will take quite a while taking out all the toys,collecting all the bits and putting them back on the trays which slides into the special box. .....sigh......

Auntycaz

My energy company messed up after my fix came to an end. They sent me an email to say sorry you're leaving us and telling me they had sent my credit balance to my bank. When I finally managed to get through on the phone they said that as the new fix I had set up to start when my old one finished was more expensive than the standard variabiable so they had just switched me to that, but it was too late to stop the payment to my bank, so if I wanted when I received it I could send them a one-off payment to put it back. I just sent them half of it and will adjust it later if I need to but I've already increased my direct debit so I will see how it goes over the next couple of months. I'm good at managing my money as I've never had a lot so I can always increase it again if I need to.
I think it is all the uncertainties that worry people too. There we all were thinking our energy was safe for 2 years and we could budget for it and just a few weeks later it's not 2 years it's 6 months. Stay safe everyone.

dustydigger

@Auntycaz

Sorry for all your hassle with the energy company. The trying to get through on the phones is a killer too.And I agree about the uncertainty not helping,nor changing plans every five minutes! You couldnt make it up.

I am so happy to have a smart meter,with graphs comparing monthly usage. I see that I used £50 less in November than November 2021,and despite the much harsher conditions this winter than last!  We tend to focus too much on electricity. Looking at this year the highest I paid ,in January, was £95,the least in the August heatwave was £74.Only £20 difference. Its high always anyway because I have an electric oven,and I use it almost daily. Its gas that is so high,since for health reasons I have to keep warm. Massive difference to my lungs if I am in the cold too long,and in my cr*p bones bones dont like the cold at all!

dustydigger

Whats going on with MSE. I am having to sign in almost everytime I want to get on the site,usually I stayed signed in.Odd.

Now football isnt on the agenda so much we are seeing much more news content,and its very depressing. Those poor little boys who fell through the ice,migrants drowning,landslides in Peru burying campers,fires in various countries killing people,the war in Ukraine,hangings in Iran,riots and demonstrations everywhere,our series of strikes,and the never ending cost of living crisis. Its all so miserable and depressing. When Mr Dusty used to be in his den I would avoid the news as much as possible,but these days of saving energy he is always here,and I cant avoid it!

Off to the kitchen to do the spuds,and defrost the salmon. A family friend just brought me some lovely lamb,but we just finished sirloin steak and I am sick of the sight of meat! We will have salmon,then some veg tomorrow,then the lamb on Sunday.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

dustydigger, just popping in to say that like you I stay signed in but I had the same problem a couple of days ago. However in my case it was just for one whole day. Hopefully you will have the same result 🤞

Mrs Salad Dodger

beanielou

Also had the signing in problem.

sheilavw

me too with the signing in!

Auntycaz

I also kept getting signed out for a full day hope it sorts itself out Dusty

Muddy_Walker

Hello everyone! No the tree is not up….it’s going to be too much faff, what with moving plants and stuff, making sure it’s not within tail height, then it gets taken down 28th. So it’s up and down the attic again. Far too much stress for me.
I have got the lights out of the attic and beads and will try something artful involving holly, small branches from a very small woodland near me and pine cones. Oh and silver spray! I think I said I’m more of a winter solstice person anyway. I do like Christmas trees - just other peoples!
🌼

dustydigger

Muddy_Walker said:

Hello everyone! No the tree is not up….it’s going to be too much faff, what with moving plants and stuff, making sure it’s not within tail height, then it gets taken down 28th. So it’s up and down the attic again. Far too much stress for me.
I have got the lights out of the attic and beads and will try something artful involving holly, small branches from a very small woodland near me and pine cones. Oh and silver spray! I think I said I’m more of a winter solstice person anyway. I do like Christmas trees - just other peoples!
🌼

I deliberately replaced my big tree a few years,it was such a chore putting it up.Now I have this little tree barely3 feet from base to tip,amazingly less work.

I have spent the morning putting up cards etcetera. New blutac still notworking well,and I cant push in drawing pins,its made my fingertips so sore.Wanted it all done fpr this afternoon since some of the tribe are coming,but the room looks chaotic. Had hoped to arrange xmas bags around the tree,but I am so lethargic,and need constant rests because of my back that I progress at snail's pace

. In days of yore,way back when the kids were at school,I would wait till the last day of term,and whizz round doing  the tree,putting up streamers,all the decorations,xmas presents in sacks,big fire crackling in the grate. It was fun to see them eagerly rushing in the door and gaping at the transformation. Xmas officially started then in our house.