From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

I'm the only one up and about in the Greying abode this morn.  

LG had an extremely late night, last night.  But mucho fun was had by all, and they returned safely and jubilantly.  So that was a big 'tick' for a festive activity that was dun brilliant and didn't have school's sticky "we know best" pawprints all over it 😉

DH and I watched that Emma & Matt Willis documentary about smart phones and young kids.  Where's the old-style MSE blue shrieky head smiley when you need it? 😱  DH have differing views on how much access LG should have to our phones, I suspect the documentary was more than a bit of a wake-up call for DH......

I put on a wash last night, and then put DH's work clothes through this morning and have just pegged out.  It seemed to take ages to get light this morning.  It was still only semi-light, but I could see what I was doing, and I was serenaded throughout by the most tuneful Robin.  Such a simple pleasure, and cheaper than tickets to Glyndebourne.  Plus the Robin didn't care what I was wearing and that I was pegging out 'smalls' 🤣

DH is going to do painting again today 🙄 And if they ever get up, I shall offer to take LG to the christmas tree display in a church in the town centre.  I suspect they may want to stay with their beloved papa, and the fact we would walk in will probably be a deal breaker, but I shall offer - and go by my blessed self if no-one wants to come with 🙁

The forecast has changed and it's supposed to stay dry all day (was only for the morning originally), so I am hopeful the wash will dry well, as I have more that I'll need to put through the wash tomorrow, including towels, but I prioritised DH's workwear (still not investigated completing the P87 -? - my bad), just in case I needed the 2 days to get it dry, as work are such sticklers for the 'correct' uniform to be worn.

Stoopid tax paid - we didn't even match 1 number!  I don't get that, I don't get how regularly we don't even match one number given we always do lucky dips.  DH will have to go to work for another week.  

Right, I can't think of owt on an MSE vibe to talk about - other than I still haven't updated my siggie, MUST do that - so I shall shuffle orf and do summat constructive.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Oof, what a good day.

Washing all pegged out and when I brought it in, it wasn't bone dry, and the usual collars and cuffs were still damp to the touch, but otherwise, for a December day, I was chuffed - it was considerably drier than when it went out.  The washing was outside for about 7hrs in total and it is now on the airer in front of the radiator.  I have not used the dehu today.

LG did accompany me to the christmas tree event (which, secretly, between us, de-lighted-me beyond measure 🥰).  There were some lovely decorations and lights.  There was lovely (live) music performances and a tea & cake stall that was heaving with HM cake and they did a great cup of coffee too - with squashes of various hues for the kiddos.  

We did a small tour of the lower end of Greying Town, but spotted that the high street was heeeeea-ving, so we came home.  Nice walk into and out of town, and we had a nice morning together.  

We're having veggie burgers and chips for tea.  

Only expenditure today was a donation to the tea stall in the church, which was all my change.  The donations were being split between a couple of charities, including the town's homeless outreach programme.  

I'm conscious that I'm not 'mortgage bashing' reporting on a daily basis.  However, in trying to live a life within budget I hope that keeping a record here is in line with MFW'isms.  I'm not sure I could go all 'hair shirt' anyway, however, we're parents to a young kiddo, and within reason, we still want them to have as broad a range of experiences with their auld ma & da as possible, so a 'hair-shirt' approach - to raise money for the windows/other home improvements - wouldn't work for us, as a family, anyway.  But I do realise what we regard as 'fun' or a treat would be deathly boring to others.  Although take today - we had a really good cup of coffee and choice of spiffing cakes in a setting that provided plentiful seating, plus live entertainment.  We then went through an area of the town that has coffee shops/cafes a-plenty, and they were all heaving.  People were queuing to be seated.  

Thank you for popping by.  Greying X

rtandon27

GP - just remember that 'mortgage bashing' as you put it is not the only way to be a MFWannabe!  We all have our own paths to the end goal and that's what makes this on-line space a lovely sharing & learning environment.  Some of us focus on the details & some of us focus on the bigger picture & some of us focus somewhere in-between!  If we were all the same in our approach there would be no interesting discussions or shared laughter!!!

Cheery_Daff

Your day out sounds perfect from my point of view Greying, I'm so glad LG went with you and that you had a lovely time 😊😊 I love a cheerful little local event, especially a festive one! 

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks RT - you're right of course.  I'm just conscious we're making progress, but very slowly.  It doesn't always seem I've much of interest to report.

Cheery - this is the sort of stuff that I have wanted to do for yonks.  Not slavishly doing the same thing 'because it's Christmas', but picking events that are in the spirit of the season and enjoying time spent together.  Last night a chum told me about an event that is going on around Greying Town this evening. Again, its' something that LG would like, but also it prompted me to look up a similar event in one of the market towns across the way, and that might actually be a better option to go and support.  I'll have to have a word with DH.

I'm just out in a moment to peg out the washing.   Yesterday's load seems to have dried well enough overnight.  

The only (current) change to plan this week is that the school have announced they are putting on little parties (class based probably), for the kiddos.  All that has changed is that I think it's a 'mufti' day and we have been asked to provide a little 'partyesque' snackette.  Nothing onerous, but it just needs factoring in.  

Right, I'm off to peg out and will return if I have anything MSE worthy to report.

Ta for visiting - appreciated.  Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good morning MFW'rs

Wash is on in the machine.  I'm aiming for the bed linen getting washed and dried today 😲  I don't know how it'll get on, although the forecast is for a good breeze.

Tea last night was a ramble through the freezer with different bits for everyone, accompanied by baked beans.  Yoghurt and the last of the tinned pineapple for pud.

DH painted all day.  You couldn't get up the stairs, you couldn't get down and then he took over the kitchen sink to wash brushes.........  I know I should be more grateful, but blessed heck, DIY is a pita.  LG tried to help at one point and promptly stood on the paint lid.....  satinwood does not come out of sock fabric....... 😠

I need to make sure I have finished off any last bits and pieces that require doing without a small following in my footsteps.  I think I am pretty much there.  School are doing their usual trick of leaving it until the last minute to communicate kit requirements.  Frankly if they can't be arsed, then neither can I.  I think I have reached the point in Advent where it's all lost it's sheen a bit - it happens every year.  The trick of course is to get it back, in time for us being together as a family, but 'external Christmas', 'school Christmas', 'commercial Christmas' has already lost me; it's all fake, plastic, boring and demanding - of your time, or money, or jumping to attention just because someone has clicked their fingers - on social media or the school messaging system.  

I need to take myself outside in nature, get a reset.  I wouldn't wish ice/snow on anyone, but I know that if I went for a walk in a totally frosted (with accompanying sunshine for preference), landscape, and it was just me, chosen companions and nature, then I'd get a reset and be in the Chrimbo spirit again.  

Enough of my whanging on.  Dunna get the bills paid, and doesn't make progress.

Snap is made.  LG is not yet in uniform, but everything is ready and laundered, so that's a plus.  Yesterday's washing has dried overnight, so that can be put away.  

I shall push orf and try to come back if I've summat more MSE-spirited to report.

Greying X

themadvix

I think we all reach that point sooner or later Greying, don’t be hard on yourself. A walk in a frosty landscape does sound wonderful - unlikely round here though as it’s forecast to be 10 degrees today!

 Hope you get the chance to take a minute for yourself today outside at least, even if it’s not a walk in a winter wonderland.

Cherryfudge

Your Saturday sounded absolutely lovely. We went to a Christmas tree festival near us a week before as DGD had made an ornament for one of the trees and they were away so we said we'd go and see it for them. The trees and the whole setting were gorgeous and we ended up staying for a carol service afterwards.

I wonder if the current weather (mild and grey here) doesn't help with the Christmas fatigue? I like it being mild, but it doesn't feel 'Christmassy'.  I don't even have school expectations to cope with. I agree with @themadvix, some time out of doors might help.

EssexHebridean

Although not frosty, we did have a lovely cold wintery feeling walk at our local RSPB reserve on Saturday afternoon and like you I am reminded that it does indeed create a sort of re-set, doesn't it. That time just walking and looking, or sitting and looking - and particularly when birds are involved, listening too - we heard Long Tailed Tits, and then tracked down a little flock of them flitting about, and then - joy - a Goldcrest too! 

badmemory

I think you have done extraordinary well to get to mid December before reaching Xmas overload.  My first "oh for crying out loud" was the end of August.  It does seem to be a symptom of those of us who have to shop regularly.  My name really isn't scrooge but I miss putting up the decs on christmas eve & then taking them down on twelfth night  rather than having them up for what seems like months & then taking them down before you even get near new year.