Resourcefulness: The budgeter's friend

Suffolk_lass

It's awful when an animal is MIA. Our dog ran off on Wednesday while DH was checking the bee hives on the farm. He was on his fixed lead and in his harness but did not come when called. I received a distraught call from DH, jumped in the car and drove to the lane, in case he was on his way home in the road. I met the WFH policeman with his dog and asked him to keep an eye open, and then, as I started to drive before shutting my window, I heard my name. The newly retired chap in the big house had been sitting by his patio doors and was distracted by a large squirrel or fox, only to see the blue lead and wagging tail of our dog. Lots of yipping and kisses (for me, by the dog) as we met by the drive to the Hall, and a quick call to DH. All is well and I was able to pass on a jar of honey last night to the neighbour (he used to train dogs).

A little postscript - the neighbour called his still working wife (asking for my contact details) and she was with a client so said later, he insisted, the client insisted she take it. He said x (my dog's name) is here without his Daddy and she told him to walk to our house or carry him if needed. The client of course assumed it was a child on reins. She was too polite to say it was a dog. Well I had tears rolling down my cheeks when I heard this. So funny. And SO relieved. I might tell this tale on my thread too, as I realise I have not (still revising!)

foxgloves

@Suffolk_lass - They really are little tinkers, aren't they? Glad your dog hadn't gone too far astray. 
F

foxgloves

Hello Saturday Savers,
Quite a gentle day. Went to town first thing & kept the March budget faith thus:
*Treated ourselves to breakfast at village farm shop cafe. Budget-neutral as paid from Personal Spends.
*Collected our new specs from opticians - already paid from Optician/Dentist Pot.
*Found a nice selection of Easter cards inc a pack, which was obviously cheaper than buying 7 individual ones. 
*My gardening magazine comes from Personal Spends so more budget neutrality there.
*Quick visit to village garden centre for Mr F to buy his shallot sets. Also bought a huge sack of the previously discussed wood pellet cat litter as it is the best price available locally & supports a much valued indie business.
*Made a big pan of apple sauce & froze several containers. I so miss our dear old apple tree for this kind of thing.
*Enter competition....not done the crossword yet, but this is imminent.
*Did 2 Annoying Jobs from my list despite the fab sunshine having been replaced by more Wet Grey & getting soaked - my fault for being so determined to get these tasks done that I did them in my poncho!
Job-wise I'm done for the day apart from a joint effort on washing-up later. Mr F's cooking night & he is roasting a pork loin. And yes, I AM eyeballing it for at least 2 further meals on Mon & Tues! 
I am going to crack on with my current library find - an Icelandic crime novel - "The Prey" & get used to my new specs. I tested them out earlier on some piano music. Oh my life.....it was literally like there was some goblin sitting on the music rest hurling notes at my eyes!! Amazing difference! 
Well I have nothing else to impart so will get this (non-cryptic) crossword done & look forward to the prize I almost certainly definitely shan't win.
Keep your pence in your purses, m'dears,
F x

marionmgcars

Started a most annoying job on my list.  We recently had a lift ladder installed and am busy emptying lots of things we do not need from the attic.    Asking family if they want it, good things will be cleaned checked and off to the charity shop, and the rest recycled wherever possible. A busy morning but good to get a start on it.  

foxgloves

@marionmgcars - That is a massive Annoying Job. We did the same a couple of years ago before our upstairs was painted & re-carpeted. If I remember rightly, Mr F made 6 trips to the tip, we left a pile of scrap out for the metal man & the better smaller things went to the charity shop. Hard work, but so satisfying when it's done. 
F

milann

Lots of Saturday productivity happening on this thread 👍

Sun_Addict

I was in the midst of garden tidying when it started raining but was determined to finish what I was doing so got a bit wet.  Such a shame as it had been a lovely day until then. 

foxgloves

Well, there's a result for the cardi knitting. Just watched such a stressful film that I have knitted a whole armhole almost without noticing!!
F

themadvix

Just catching up after being away - thanks for the courgette soup recipe FG! 

EssexHebridean

That’s a good way of making big knitting progress then! 

We were fortunate enough to have a dry day yesterday. Not so much today though so far - some steady drizzle first thing, and a couple of short sharp showers, in between grey gloomy but at least dry. 

I hope you are settling into your new glasses OK - I always find the first few days with a new prescription quite tiring as my eyes and brain get used to everything being so different!