From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

in_need_of_direction

I was fortunate enough to get a Paddington.  His mothercare size 3 wellies are still here

thriftmonster

All I ever wanted was a white acrylic cardigan like the other girls had (1970s). I had beautifully hand knitted ones from my gran

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Blackcats, I love that you got an etch-a-sketch for your 50th 😁

badmemory - I would be with you on the 'no dolls'.  Unfortunately my rellies took it to extremes and didn't bother with presents at all, or bought cheap, too-small clothes, or plastic tat 🙄 And yet they wouldn't dream of giving you the money equivalent.  My gran had a 'a present isn't a present unless it's a physical gift' mentality - I had an ex-in-law who had the same mindset.  Never mind it was utter landfill that they gave you, it was a 'present'.

inod - that was when mother care stuff was really good quality.  I still have my baby blanket - which is as old as the hills - that came from there 🥰

Thriftmonster - I'm sorry, but you made me laugh out loud.  It always boils down to the 'fitting in' doesn't it 😁And shame - I did have one of those white cardigans, I got given it in a bundle of clothes from an older girl.  I hated it!  Way too girly for me!  But I can remember having to wear it, and was even wearing it when I got pictured in the local newspaper 🤣

Here we go again.  Lovely start to the day.  I won't put a wash on though as there is insufficient breeze, and the garden doesn't get enough sun now to dry the washing without a good blow.  

Lunch and tea yesterday were utter cop-outs.  We had a cup soup (tomato), a cheese sanger and bag of crisps for lunch and oven chips, qu0rn nuggets and baked beans for tea.  Needless to say, the troops approved and every morsel was munched, but it was a bit too UPF for my liking.  Not so bad that we don't eat like that all the time I guess.  Still - who is it that buys this stuff?  Although in my defence, the cup soup was bought for our hols away for an easy prep purpley hotel tea.  And no, I didn't have to 'use them up' - they're probably 'good' for the next 5 years 🤣 but time was marching on, and I just wanted to get something on the table.  

I need to move some money about to cover recent purchases of stuff for LG that comes from the CHB.  I think I'll do that through the PO.  I will also buy some stamps for Chrimbo cards.  I still send a few cards - mostly to more senior relatives.  Unusually I have seen most of them at some point this year, but they do appreciate knowing we're all OK etc.  No, it's not very MSE, but this is one thing I don't argue with myself about.  Even in lean times we've sent cards, and I'd prioritise it over much 'Seasonal expectation' expenditure.  I'm lucky, we don't have to attend an 'office party', and although DH's work does appear to do secret santa - he didn't say 'no' from the start, so has to fund that out of his own money.  Christmas cards are going to be self-limiting anyway, and the point where we don't send any, will come soon enough.  Which sounds a bit more bah-humbuggy than I'd intended to be this morn!

A very kind MSE chum 🥰 has prompted me to think about FB donations in Advent, and I remember from last year, our local FB had a day when they were open 'all day' - say from '8 - 8' - for donations.  I will look up to see if they are doing the same this year, and if LG doesn't devise a FB parcel that all comes from one SM (I'm trying to make them a canny shopper!), then we will take the Advent donation directly to the FB on that day.  If everything comes from one shop, then it can be popped into their collection box.  

Right, best get on with things. Ta for popping in.  Appreciated.

Greying X

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - have a look on the Action for Happiness Do-Good-December calendar!  Monthly calendars are free and printable.  They also have a free app which in the sea of consumerism apps is a welcome change!

Greying_Pilgrim

Progress made.

I have done the banking and bought the stamps. 

I wrestled the xmas paper/cards box out of the cupboard.  Annoyingly, the Christmas Card list isn't with the cards - and I can't think where it is off hand.  But I've drawn up another, cross-referencing it with the address book, and I think we're good, and I have nearly sufficient number of cards to use.  I know some people don't like to send cards, and I never worry if we don't receive one because they don't like to, but I hope people don't feel obliged to send one back.  

I've checked on the FB website, and there is no mention of a drive for 'specific' items for food packages at Christmas time this year - and there is no mention of any 'open days'.  Perhaps I've peaked a bit too early.  I always try to give foods suitable for 'all year' anyway, but I'm sure the FB must have something in the pipeline, as for one thing, the 'opening hours' for clients are likely to be affected by the holiday closure days this year.  

The weekend's wash is folded and put away and I've added more to the chazzer donation bag.  I need to get on with moving that out of the house, as it'll be in the way for the DG workmen.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks rt - I've had a look.  Good ideas. 

I've paid for LG to go on a school trip prior to Christmas 🙄 Wish it was optional.  The headteacher always claims to be 'listening' to feed back, and yet 2 of the things that cost money, prior to Christmas, that have received the most 'moans', still go ahead......🙄  Still, compulsory school goes past in the blink of the eye (although I appreciate it never seems like that when you're a kiddo), so we'll plod on.

Greying X

KajiKita

Just clocked the comment about needing to move a donation bag out of the way of the DG installers ... 🤔
Does this mean an order has been placed and we are all systems go?? 😁 Which windows are you having done? I need vicarious window excitement!  

KK

Greying_Pilgrim

Kajikita - we're having all the house done - we have saved enough, and figure we may as well have all the mess in one go.  Yes, by December we should - fingers crossed have new windows, and I'm hopeful it will improve things.

I have just made cowgirl stew for tea in the SC.  Made up recipe, but using smoked tofu, lentils and black beans in a tomato sauce with spices and veg.

I have also made green lentil burgers using THIS recipe, with inspiration from THIS vlog - specifically the latest edition talking about using green lentils.  I used grated smoked tofu in my burger mix though, as an experiment.  The mix is currently chilling in the fridge, and I'll see if LG wants to help me shape the burgers later.  

Greying X

EssexHebridean

That's extremely exciting about the windows Greying - how ace that it came in at less than you initially feared! I can pretty much guarantee you'll be amazed at the difference!  I take it that you have specified trickle vents as standard? 

thriftmonster

So exciting about the windows  . Just having mine all replaced atm and I'm really hoping for a difference