Pulling my frugal pants on.

ladybird1106

Yes it has been a bit of a year so far. Diagnosed with LS, eldest applied for phd and then struggled to find housing, mum broke her leg and moved in with us for 8 weeks, youngest has been ill (although not majorly ) on and off all year, fil had major heart op and was very poorly for 6 months before op, dad in and out of hospital and then passed away. I think I have a …… what did the queen call her bad year?????? Anyway whatever she called it that’s been us. It could have been worse. I say this because my LS could be worse but it’s manageable, the eldest was successful and has started their phd , they have housing (although is not ideal), mums leg healed and is able to walk unaided, the youngest is mentally ( if not physically)well this year, fil survived his op and is slowly recovering and dad well he’s no longer struggling ( was on constant oxygen and life was a challenge). So I count myself lucky.
love 🐞

beanielou

Annus horriblis. Not sure of the spelling though! 

KajiKita

What feeds and restores you? 

KK

ladybird1106

Hmmmm good question kk. I’m really not sure, when I was younger I would have said a spot of retail therapy, but that doesn’t cut it these days. Really enjoy walking miss giddychops, but she getting old and spends the majority of her walks sniffing. I enjoy reading but it’s got to be a real book and they are expensive to buy these days even second hand. I love up cycling things and love a declutter.  The things I enjoy require energy and my batteries are almost flat. I suppose what I find really resting is going away with OH. perhaps planning a holiday for next year would be good. Something to contemplate 🤔.
 Almost all my jobs are done except for clean bathroom, apply for holiday refund, start sorting photos and take miss giddychops for 2nd walk.
 Frugalness for today
1.  Meal plan done, shopped from freezer, fridge, allotment and cupboards first.
2. Tea has broad beans, potatoes and cabbage from the plot.
3. Brought back apples, pears and cabbage from the plot.
4. Free exercise- miss giddychops and yoga
5. Allocated budget for shopping was enough. I have about £15 is nectar points. 

Nothing else to report 
love 🐞

KajiKita

Do you have a library near you? I use mine quite a bit. Usually free to join as a council tax payer - take a council tax bill and another form of ID with you and you can typically borrow on the first visit. 

My friend has strong library-fu and is forever ordering books in or getting the library to source books for her before she commits to buying them 😉

Planning a holiday for next year sounds like a good idea - give you something to look forward to. Could it be one just for you and OH? 

KK

ladybird1106

I’m a member of the library, so will go and have a gander kk.

We have weakened and booked a holiday for half term week. We owed the youngest a weekend away (Christmas present from last year- originally booked yha for may but they were ill), but opted for a week instead. It’s in the lakes and was reduced by £300. Emailed horse riding place,🤞they can ride that week. Youngest so happy. Not particularly frugal I know, but it will do us all good to have a break.
 Love 🐞

KajiKita

Is it weakening to do something soul restorative? You’ve been working flipping hard and life is about balance 😊

Hope you find something interesting in the library. I always feel that the biggest luxury is that I can reject books that I don’t enjoy, part read, with a completely clear conscience, as I HAVEN’T BOUGHT THEM! 😉

KK

ladybird1106

Managed to get to the allotment for a couple of hours. Stripped tomato vines and came home with 2 huge boxes. 

Managed to get most of my jobs done, although applying for holiday refund is proving to be hard work.
 Frugalness for today
1. Breakfast - blackberries/apples from the plot
2.  Free exercise- walk with miss giddychops, green gym and yoga
3.  Mum paid for takeaway for tea.
4. Found a full tube of facial wash(discarded by youngest) decanted into hand wash bottle.
5. No money spent
6. Harvested potatoes, tomatoes, pears and apples.
7. Mum has made flapjack will freeze, so I don’t snaffle it all.
8. Added another item to Vinted and reduced another pair
9.  Used nature’s tumble drier.
10. Wm, dw and car switched on for cheap tariff.

Trip to Buxton tomorrow to drop off dad’s sailing equipment to specialist charity shop that cheerydaff mentioned on another diary. Then hopefully get chance to strip wallpaper in dining room.
love 🐞

Cherryfudge

I'm glad you have a  holiday to look forward to.

Idreamofplants

Might be worth seeing if there are any community bookcases anywhere with books you can take or donate to - our co-op has one and a village nearby has a post box full of books that you can help yourself to - just a thought though I too am a fan of the library as so many books I start I struggle to get into so at least with library books I can take a pile out and at least one I finish each time.