From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Itty bitty start to the morning, but all good.  

The weather forecast has changed it's mind again 🙄  We had (seemingly) heavy rain overnight, and it was supposed to continue until mid-morning, but now it isn't supposed to rain.... 🙄  I've put a small wash on, and fingers crossed it will benefit from the good blowy breeze.

Tea tonight is going to be 'hot dogs' and wedges.  Not too sure about a pud.  Had I got my act together, we could have had parkin - I'm pretty sure i have all the ingredients.  

Apropos of nothing, are there any users of 'nooch' reading?  I saw somewhere..... peas etc?  that H&B do a big bag of it, which works out cheaper than the flowery m'gold brand, but I happened to spot in MrS that the b osh boyz have brought out their own brand, and it was slightly cheaper than the flowery brand.  Anyone used it?  Comparable?

Can't think of anything else MSE at the mo.  Must go and peg out, and put away yesterday's things off the airer.  We had the heating on for a little while last night, and it's finished everything off lovely.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good morning MFW'rs

Wash is on.  Trying to get caught up with everyday clothing.  The forecast varies - by provider - as to what the next few days may hold, so I'm trying to 'keep up' at the very least.  

Tea last night was veggie hot dogs and wedges.  The wedges were from the maris piper bag, and were nice-ish.  I can never get stuff mega crispy in my oven.  I'm not too sure about an air-fryer, as for one thing I don't really have the counter top space.  But they were good enough.  The rolls were too big for the sausages, but mea culpa, as I made do with YS'd sub rolls, rather than spend more on hot dog rolls.  They did the job and all went down the same way, so no issues.

Turns out that LG will be getting fed at club tonight - which is typical since, for once, I got organised and prepped something for us all to eat 🤣 But joining in is priceless, so I'll jiggle what I have and it will just mean that both DH and I will have lentil bolognese with our baked tattie, rather than me having to sort out baked beans for padding etc.  Must remember club fees need to be paid.  

There were a few fireworks set off last night.  Mostly quiet-ish.  Thank heavens those 'BOOM' ones of several years ago, no longer seem to be available.  And thankfully most of each 'episode', lasted only minutes.  I know it's disturbing to animals, wildlife and some humans, but at least we've had a bit more consideration shown this year - ie earlier in the evening, short 'displays' and nothing too loud.  I expect there will be more again at the weekend though.

Can't think of anything else MSE to add at the mo.  Ta for popping by.

Greying X

badmemory

It was much noisier for Halloween here than it was for bonfire night

Greying_Pilgrim

Oh badmemory - noise is just noise, whatever the cause; poor you ☹️ I'm glad that folk where we live (and it's true for the last 3 places we have lived), take note of the 'no lights/no trick or treaters' unwritten guideline.  From a parental perspective, it seems like the kiddies get enough joy out of dressing up, being out after dark and getting sweetie treats amongst those that do participate.  I'm not a pet owner, so I don't know how affected pets are by the (seemingly) slightly quieter home fireworks, although I read an article about bonfire night and ex-service personnel PTSD, and I can totally see how they would affect humans.  

Shopping done.  I have spent the first of my MrS vouchers from our insurance purchase.  Well, most of it anyway, annoyingly I miscalculated (unexpected 3 for 2 in the frozen food aisle!), and so I've some 'pence' left on the one voucher 🙄I don't seem to have much for my £20 spend in MrS - same comment can be levelled at my MrL shop too 🙄  But I did go to MrAl today, and got several things that are cheaper there than elsewhere.  And dare I say that a couple of the items will come in handy for ...... xmas 😱Anyhoo, total foo spend (vouchers and cash - I'll divvy it up in my siggie figgie), is £46.52.  Total non-food spend is £3.89.  I was lucky that the total in MrAl was such a 'strange' amount (all the figures were the same), and I mentally 'commented' on it to myself, as when I got home, I realised that my 'receipt' was a blank (branded) till roll - no figures on it at all!  I'd be stuffed if I needed to take anything back to the store.  I don't know if it's just our particular store, but nothing endears me to shop at this supermarket, nothing.  

There were no boxes today in MrS nor MrL.  Nothing caught my eye as especially discounted or VFM.  I did get some YS'd rolls in MrL - 50% and they are the ones I normally buy. 

My n*ctar points are now only a sniffle away from £20, so hopefully I will have those to fall back on to purchase groceries towards the end of the month.  I'm not doing this challenge to be all sack cloth and ashes, but I will be pleased with myself if I could come under with a lowish total - I'll be able to show DH too.  And yes, I suppose in theory, the slimmed down pay packet will come at the end of November, but because I've been here a long-time, and have managed to get us back on an even keel, December expenditure isn't reliant on November's pay, and at the risk of sounding entirely humbuggy, C'mas doesn't really cost our household that much.  I realise that makes us sound like scrooges - and I'm sure compared to some social meeja starlets and influencers, we are.  But we just funnel our expenditure on a few key bits.  Presents for LG - of course, and they're getting older, so the prices are going higher - a bit of 'special' food for a day or two, a few 'special' drinks - although we got one special bottle on holiday - and food for the rest of December.  And perhaps a consideration to have the heating on a big more if we're all in the house during the day.  Those are our priorities.  I fully realise others are different, and prioritise different expenditure - for December and other times of the year too.  None of us are wrong, are we?

And I have to say, having had 2 little holidays away this year, I've been bitten by the 'vacation' bug. Whilst LG is still a bit young to be involved in 'family' gifts, I do think that little adventures, particularly those that involve overnight stops, are gifts, that I'd like to keep giving.  DH and I haven't bothered with pressies for many years now, but then we save our money, and have (for example) a new-to-us-car and new DG on the way.  If we're warmer and more comfortable at home, and able to get from A to B, those are wonderful presents - beats a pair of socks, any day of the week 😁

Greying X

Watty1

I love your attitude to Christmas.  My mum was very clear, if we ate good food all year, even if it was simple, there was no need for expenditure in December just because  - has always struck me as a very sensible approach

Greying_Pilgrim

Watty - I never know if we're being mean or just vaguely sensible.  In my home growing up, Christmas wasn't really made anything of.  Dad was a bit too bah-humbuggish if I'm honest, and didn't believe that decorations should go up before Christmas Eve, and then more or less wanted them taken down on the 27th etc...... ☹️  I'm certainly trying to move away from that viewpoint!  But I prioritise heating, eating, clothing etc etc for the other 364 days of the year, as well as the 25th I guess.  I wouldn't stop LG from taking part in Xmassy things, and to date, there has been enough boogeying, partying, singing, munching sweet treats, etc etc in the run up to the big day to mark the season, without gilding the lily.  That may change of course.  One event that LG has enjoyed now for the past 3 years doesn't appear to be going ahead this year ☹️

But as far as I know, LG would still like to do our advent calendar - which is a perennial fabric one. Last year I moved away from chocolates every day, and interspersed more things/activities/to do - and I think LG liked that, so we'll aim for that mix - or something like, again.  

We're very blessed with our child - they said again over the HT break that they loved being away on our little trip, and that they loved being with DH & me, more than anything else.  Given that DH and I closely resemble a pair of miserable, luddite, auld fossils much of the time, I was incredibly touched by this unsolicited comment.  We don't get things right all the time, but sometimes LG gives us such encouragement - even though they don't know they do.  

Anyhoo, I just had to take a pootle across town to recover LG's boots that had been left in the car following our little break.  I said to DH this morning we needed them - but he whizzed off to work without remembering to take them out.  I also took the opportunity to call into the big box outdoorsy store and got LG some activewear and a new coat for school.  The CHB was lasting well, but it's taking a hit this month...... ☹️  It isn't as if LG has worn out their school coat, it's just got too small to wear with school pullovers underneath.  

Fingers crossed the new gear will fit.  

Greying X

Blackcats

I was chatting with MrBC about our respective childhood Christmas traditions and celebrations.  We both realised how hard our mum's worked to give us a yummy but very traditional turkey lunch with all the trimmings.  He comes from a much bigger family than me so I reckon the trimmings were made to stretch.  Neither of our households supped bucks fizz and munched smoked salmon in our matching pyjamas on Christmas morning, nor did we have shining golden platters of "party" food on Boxing Day.  There's still a delight for us of a cold turkey sandwich and a piece of Christmas cake on Boxing Day afternoon.  My Nan hosted a New Year running buffet (not sure why this was always its official title) but I remember queuing up in her kitchen and hoping that the ritzy crackers with a squirt of cheese spread didn't get eaten before I reached them.  Since it was a running buffet the crackers did get replenished but once the box had been used up it was back to the cheese and tinned pineapple on cocktail sticks  ✅ or a slice of gala pie 🤢
i loved getting a Christmas annual and playing board games and cards with mum and dad.  Of course I loved the presents too but it was one big pressie and a few smaller gifts.  I shudder at the pile of gifts our grandchildren receive - I want them to get nice things but it does get very OTT.
anyway this is a rambling way of saying how you do Christmas is exactly right for you and yours.  Memories of happy times linger long after the toys have been discarded.

Greying_Pilgrim

Yes, it is funny what memories linger.  

Would you have had ritz crackers (or cheese in a tube for that matter) at any other time of the year Blackcats? Christmas - such as it was, did involve some things that we just didn't have any other time of the year - a cracker (savoury) selection box, a cad-bur-ys selection box (when it was an actual box), in shell nuts......... 🫤

I had to look up what Gala Pie was - but it's that one with the reallllllllly long egg the middle, isn't it?  

Whilst we don't have the 'traditional' Christmas lunch or dinner (as an adult I prefer a big evening meal), I am with you about the 'buffet' (running or stationary), and 'picky teas' and sandwiches with a slab of cake and a hot drink.  And we definitely crave a curry after a day or two of living it up - even though we've no turkey carcass to utilise.  

I'm finding that LG likes the simplicity of our Christmases, and always seems grateful that Santa has remembered them - and yes, luckily, values time together as a family.  As that will change - probably within a few short years - you can bet I'm trying to capture all the good times that I can 😁

Greying X

Baileys_Babe

Our Christmases still resemble the ones @Blackcats described 😄 The best bits for me are the time spent with family playing board games, doing jigsaw puzzle. I would never turn down boxing day turkey sandwiches followed by a slice of Christmas cake, yes to a slice of pork pie but a big NO to gala pie. I know this isn't the Christmas lots of people want but it is what my family enjoys.

Greying_Pilgrim

Baileys_Babe said:

 I know this isn't the Christmas lots of people want but it is what my family enjoys.

Baileys_Babe - many, many people would love such a Christmas  - or insert any other festive/holiday/celebration/coming together.  I never have my head turned by the glossy TV or magazine ads anyway (thankfully), and have never sent myself (or my bank balance) into any sort of contorted shapes to achieve it.  I stop reading the minute 'must haves' makes an appearance.  

Having said that, pre-LG I would have loved a Christmas with DH in an isolated country cottage - with sufficient food and drink, maybe with TV maybe not, maybe with snow maybe not.  I only achieved that once, when I was a lodger in a draughty farmhouse, and the people I was renting with weren't very nice, and nicked the firewood a friend had dropped off for me as a gift....... ☹️  We walked through the fields to the local pub on Boxing Day, but it wasn't very busy/atmospheric, so perhaps my ideal wouldn't have worked anyway.

I was listening to Sarah on the way to club, and she was talking to Austin, as part of CinN.  Gosh, what an absolutely cheerful sounding little lad he was.  I tried to keep dry-eyed as I was driving.  And then today I was reading about the inquest into a young tractor mad lad from Barnsley who got bullied at school, and....... well.........

Let's just say, Christmas or no, I'm so satisfied with my lot.  But I do worry for our young people.

Greying X