Memorygirls Make Do and Mend for 2008 Thread

memorygirl

JAN 13

WHOOOPEEEE!!!! Been asked to collect a bag of baby sheets and blankets that some very kind Freecycler is gifting on. DS and I had a run out to collect them this afternoon – and even though it was sleeting we decided to park up and eat an ice-cream cone and have a wee chat.

He is getting very excited about being a big brother – all he really wants to know is if we can get a buggy that he will be able to push around the park. Guess I had better keep that in mind when trying to source one.

The bag of bedding is huge – mostly perfect apart from a couple of very loved blankets that I think I might “convert” into something else to make use of their warmth without having to deal with the bobbles. I hate to think how much I could have spent on this little lot if I had to go out and buy them. Aren’t people soooo kind!!!

JAN 14

Got a little package stuffed through the door today when out doing the school run. One of the “older aunties” at Slimming World has knitted me a baby shawl. (Her words not mine BTW – LOL) It is a fabulous Shetland wool, heirloom piece. She has no idea how much this means to me. Firstly because she took all the time and effort to produce something so beautiful for someone she hardly knows. Secondly because when we left my Dad when I was 8, he gave us nothing, including the precious christening shawl my Grandmother knitted for my Brother and I before she passed.

Feels like the universe is sending little pebble ripples that I am headed on the right track – or maybe it’s just the hormones talking.

JAN 15

Finished crocheting the pale blue baby cardigan I started last week. It is SOOOO CUTE. My mum whipped it off me to sew up and brought it through all pressed and looking beautiful. This baby may not be dressed head to toe in designer labels but everything I have collected so far has a wonderful story behind it that will make me appreciate seeing him in all the more.

memorygirl

JAN 16

Pulled out all my drawers and rummaged through all my closet space and threw all of my toiletries together into one big box. After what seemed like forever sorting through I now have a list of everything I have – and everything I need to take me through to the end of this year (mostly toothpaste, soap etc) I certainly don’t need another scrub or moisturiser. Hands up everyone who can say the same after last Christmas - LOL

Now I am setting myself the challenge of not buying anything in this category until I have used up all of my bits. Even stashed away a couple of the posher bits to use in hospital as a pick-me-up for after the birth. I know it doesn’t sound much but it gives me something decadent to look forward to after all the stress / effort / excitement of giving birth.

JAN 17

Dad was sorting through all the Christmas decoration boxes in the attic and came across a bag of patchwork bits n pieces that he brought down to add to my fabric stash. Thinking I could run up a couple of cushion covers for the nursery using my Freecycle blanket as the wadding IYSWIM. That way I am “making do and mending” rather than running out to the shop to spend on something to complete the project.

JAN 18

Finished knitting the fluffy cream cardigan I started last weekend. I finally finished this by packing it into a bag and taking it to my DS dancing school and frantically knitting away for the whole 45 minutes he was at his Jazz class.

I used to use the 45 minutes to whip around LIDL and do my shopping for the week – but Mother has decreed that she will do the big shop from here on in as she doesn’t want me lugging big bags of veggies etc. So cue me writing out my list and thankfully handing over this one chore to someone else until after the birth.

45 minutes just sitting down felt so decadent after all these months of using the time to complete chores – could get used to just sitting (providing I have something to keep my hands busy)

JAN 19

Finished the control journal that I started earlier in the month. Got all my morning, evening, weekly and monthly routines all written out and all my basic shopping lists and menu plans etc collected together in one place.

BF had a look at it today (because I thought she wanted to make one) – but instead she revealed that what they want to do after the birth is to divide up my chores between our little group (the MOMMY MAFIA). Now she knows where to find the list of what needs doing without having to ask. She figures that 3 – 4 weeks of practical help and home cooked meals would be what I would appreciate most in the world – SHE IS SOOOO RIGHT!!!!!!

memorygirl

JAN 20

Got a call from one of the other SW members. She has a BTL flat whose tenant has just moved out. The tenant has left some baby stuff with a post it on them to say – “Just throw out”. Most of it was only fit for the bin to be quite honest, but I did get a fabulous 3-wheeler buggy with matching cosy toes etc in a black and leopard skin fabric. Really great quality, hardly used – AND FREE.

DS has been practicing pushing it around the garden with one of the cats sitting in the “shelf underneath”. How cool does he look.

JAN 21

One of the Mums at DS school turned up today with a cute blue snow-suit for the bump. She was cleaning though he cupboards at the weekend and found this unused and lurking in a corner. She had bought it for a friend (who went on to have a girl) and she never got around to taking it back to the shop.

She hoped I wasn’t offended, but would I like it? YEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

Explained to her that it takes a lot more than kind people to offend me and that I was touched and delighted that she would think of me when she came across it. Ended up trading her my fairy cake recipe so she can make some for her DD>


JAN 22

Got scanned at hospital today. Bump looks like is over 3lbs already so I am really pleased, as I have only put on about 5lbs myself. In my defence I could have done with losing some weight before I got pregnant and have been working with the Midwife and SW consultant to hold my weight steady for the first 2 trimesters. I know one week where I will win Slimmer of the Week – LOL. Now eat much better – because I cook from scratch OS stylee and hopefully I won’t have to buy too many bigger sized clothes after the bump arrives (saving me yet more precious pennies)

Popped into Mr T in the city and got the sleep suits I was after – Bump now kitted out in vests and sleep suits until the 9 month stage. Just the outside clothes to worry about / make now. Down to the last couple of Mr T vouchers now.

JAN 23

Found DS memory box today. DS and Grandma and I sat and pulled out all those precious little keepsakes.

Found his ankle ID from hospital in London. I can’t believe that his ankle was ever that small. Decided to keep his first toy, special coins etc and put them back in the box – but DS decided to “gift” his brother some of the tiny clothes that were in there.

He helped me hand wash them and then folded them tonight to put in our storage boxes before bed. He feels like such a big brother for helping out today.

memorygirl

JAN 24

BAD NEWS

Got letter from the hospital saying that I am anaemic. Here was me thinking that my lack of energy was just about being 38 years old and 7 months + pregnant. Got to make an appointment with my local Midwife for another blood test and to get a prescription. (money saving ‘cos I get them free at the moment – LOL)

Darling Mother has been regaling me with stories of how iron supplements just “stop you up”. Surely in the 38 years since she was pregnant they have some other way of dealing with low iron levels than making every pregnant lady constipated???? Suppose I will find out when I see the MW on Monday.

JAN 25

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SPOOKYCAT.

The washable nappies arrived this morning. They were on the doorstep when I got home having had a horrible, horrible, horrible day at work.

I opened the box and got the wonderful aroma of clean laundry. You know the one where you are folding up washing that has been outside drying all day. Mum came over all nostalgic about clean nappies flapping on the line. Mind you that was before we had a washing machine so it must have been quite a production getting them all rinsed and spun.

Spookycat – I will need you to give me a crash course in folding and sizing the nappies as well as the best way to keep them in as great condition as you have passed them onto me in.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SPOOKYCAT.

JAN 26

ITS FINISHED!!!!!!!

Finally finished the baby blanket and it looks fabulous. Promise I will try and post a picture soon. The blue on blue tones are so cute and even better, the left over wool will be used to run up some cardigans in larger sizes for the bump. Got a feeling this wee boy might be wearing a lot of stripes in the first year of its life.

Still as long as he is loved, fed, dry and warm he is hardly going to complain that I dressed him as a liquorice allsort for the first few months is he??? LOL

JAN 27

Been trawling through FREE online patterns and found a very basic v-necked cardigan pattern in Double Knitting. Goes up to age 5 so I think it will be seeing some use over the next few years.

Not the best knitter on the planet – but I have enough skills to be able to improvise on a basic pattern to keep things interesting.

Off to trawl for basic hat and mitt pattern too – great way to use up those little bits of wool left after other projects. Think this ultra frugal way of life can be taken too far?????????????

JAN 28

Found out that one of the other SW members is pregnant. Whipped out me crochet hook and made the cutest white with palest blue trim baby beanie hat with fancy tassel whilst resting in bed this afternoon.

I bet she gets a surprise when I produce it tomorrow at weigh-in. She has always been so supportive of me over the last few months and I want her to feel the same.

“What comes around goes around” after all.

Just realised I have just made a present that previously I would have gone out and spent money on. Wonder if it will be possible to make most of the pressies for people this year as part of my challenge rather than spending out for them.

Memorygirl heads off for control journal to look at whose birthday is coming up first……………………….

JAN 29

Definitely not a NSD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Transferred £14K to my solicitor today for the deposit on our new house – and it hurt loads.

Last year I got completely out of all consumer debt and on a fairly even keel financially by being OS and ultra frugal. Even so I have sweated blood and tears to pull together every penny of this deposit.

The house is in a terrible state d!cor wise – so with an investment of a little money, lots of time and copious quantities of stardrops I will be able to turn it into a 5 bed, 2 recept, dining kitchen, home office and allocated parking in the centre of a historic town. Definitely the worst house in a great area.

Plan is to stay in the house until we can sell it in the summer and then look for another refurbishment or our “foreverhouse” but carrying forward a much lower mortgage (one that a single mother can manage to pay would be great). At that point I might wander over to the Mortgage Free in 3 thread and start building our financial future security.

JAN 30

Got my iron supplements today. Turns out to be sachets of iron rich water that you mix with OJ.

To be quite honest it doesn’t taste too bad on its own. Kind of like water that has gone a little bit stale in a plastic bottle.

To be on the safe side I will up the fibre content of what we all eat slightly to make sure I don’t suffer any “unwanted” side effects. OS coleslaw anyone???

Hopefully I will start to get some energy back in a few days – more energy to devote to my “make do and mend” challenge. Off to trawl the net looking for inspiration for my next craft project.

JAN 31

MOVING DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turns out previous owner has left over £400 of debt on the gas and electricity meter and emigrated to Egypt (no really you couldn’t make that up could you). The Estate Agent has gone around to get readings on the meters and solicitor has insisted that the vendor pay these bills by Debit Card.

So now the debt has been cleared – unfortunately the Utility companies will not come out until next week to zero the meters, unlock them and enable new accounts to be set up in my name. Turns out these meters haven’t been read since Nov 06.

I could have moved in today – BUT - would have had to physically pay over £400 into the meters with no way of getting it back before I could even turn a light bulb on.

Solicitor put his foot down and reversed the settlement funds. He told the vendors solicitor that there was no way he was going to let a 7 month pregnant lady and her 7 year old son move into a property on what is forecast to be the coldest weekend of the year.

So back at Mums for a while (no bad thing) with my DS and ITS SNOWING!!!. Good thing we weren’t sitting outside the Estate Agents in a van full of our stuff ready to move in or we would have been in a right pickle.

UPDATE: My solicitor says that we are in no way liable for any financial penalties on this screw up – instead he will be claiming back the mortgage interest from the vendor between now and period when we can actually take possession. Not sure if that is Money Saving or not but at least I shouldn’t be out of pocket.

The only thing that can possibly go wrong now is that we don’t actually get vacant possession and the rooms/ attic are still full of the vendors furniture – Maybe I shouldn’t put that out into the universe.

1 FEB

Today was my last day cooking at Children’s House (My DS school is a Montessori School and they are referred to as Children’s Houses)

Parents take their turn cooking lunches for the children (about 30ish on any one day). This is all good OS from scratch cooking – no turkey twizzlers get over our threshold.

Today we had:

Wholemeal pita bread made into Garlic Bread
Wholemeal pasta with HM tomato sauce and cheese for those who can eat dairy
Fresh fruit salad and organic yoghurt

Always a favourite menu with the kids (and adults). I must be getting really good at this portion control lark because there was precisely 1 cup of pasta left at the end and not a pick more. The head’s husband came to collect the scraps to feed into the wormery and was complaining that if I cooked every day his worms would starve - LOL

For the last couple of years my turn has been every second Friday. Of course although I haven’t put on loads of weight during this pregnancy I now have a fairly prominent bump. Makes getting near the cooker and sink interesting. So the parents have decided I have to be retired for a while – so I’m moving into a fund raising role whilst the bump is finished baking and for a while afterwards.

I will miss hanging out with the kids though.

POOPED and need to go for a lie down before taking DS to his dancing tonight.

memorygirl

2 FEB

Did a batch cook today to fill up Mums Freezer (You’d think after all the faces I fed yesterday I wouldn’t want to go near food today)

Mum sat in the kitchen and sewed up all the craft bits I have made – incl putting on all the buttons. We’ve made a plan that we will work together to make the bits for the boys new rooms – I sense a few quilts on the horizon. That way when we come to stage the new house (if I ever get into it) the house will look pulled together and coordinated.

I’ve explained how tight money is going to be – but how what I want to do is draw my horns in and manage on what we have. That means OS and “making do and mending”

She would love to go out and splurge on the new GS – but instead I’ve asked if I could have some of her time instead. I would far prefer that we spend some quality time together crafting and chatting than receiving a bundle of gifts.

SHE IS DELIGHTED THAT I WANT HER INSTEAD OF HER MONEY – IYSWIM. She won’t be around forever and I’d rather spend real time together in the months after the birth.

FEB 3

Another wonderful result on Freecycle.

Picked up a single bed for DS new room. It is one of those that has another single bed that slides underneath. So DS can’t wait to move so that he can have his best friend come for a sleepover. It is in fabulous “as new” condition and he is so pleased. I figure that if a member of my family gave me the bed I wouldn’t be bothered about it being “new to me” so that is how I am going to regard these gifts from Freecycle.

So far no luck on a cot bed but I will keep sending out positive thoughts.

Also have a plan to freecycle some bits once I get moved – it’s the instant “what goes around comes around” karma thing. I’m sure when I start gifting my bits someone will come along with a cot bed. It will all balance out I am sure.

DS has been looking at one of my quilting books and has chosen a pattern that he loves (Bear Claw) so it looks like two matching quilts may be in the pipeline.

memorygirl

FEB 4

Talked to one of the guys at work today about selling my car. Going to be getting a van to use through work so seems to be the most Money Saving thing to do is get rid off all of the expenses of running and maintaining a personal car – especially as I will soon be living in the centre of town and can pretty much walk everywhere else I need to be.

I will have the van instead so for any emergencies I will still have access to a vehicle.

He has advised holding it until the better weather to get a better price. It is a 2 seater red convertible (no finance, saved up and bought for cash 4 years ago). He used to work to a car dealership so is going to take the car and polish it inside and out ready for selling. He promises me it will look like brand new by the time he has finished with it. In exchange he’d like me to prepare a posh dinner for his new GF on the 14th. Fancies himself as Gordon Ramsay but can’t really cook for toffee - LOL

I will miss my pet car – but can’t really get one Mum and 2 kids seats in a two seater can I – LOL

FEB 5

Had to go and get DS from school late this morning – his turn for the cold that has been doing the rounds. He’s in bed now with a hot beany bag, a large glass of water, box of tissue and a cat purring in his ear.

Still not settled on the house – although one of the utilities have been out to zero the meter so that’s progress.

I guess this is all happening for a reason. For the moment I will be grateful we have warm beds, good food and central heating. Seeing as I will confined to barracks today I am off to get the knitting pins out and crack on with another cardigan I think.

mary43

Good to see you back Memory Girl...............my word you are doing well.
So organised ! Puts me to shame..............best I'm doing is organising Christmas pressies in advance..........................lol

People are kind, given half the chance to be. Thanks to freecycle and other places like that they have re-discovered what it's like to 'give' . Long may it continue.

Keep it up.............can't wait to read the rest of your 'ramblings'.,,,,,,,xx:j

rosieben

Good to hear your updates MG :hello: You have such a great attitude, and so aware of what's important in life - taking the time to sit with your son to enjoy an ice cream cone, and wanting time with your mother rather than money spent :T

I'm sending out postitive vibes for a cot bed for you too!

candygirl

Aww MG I just love reading your blog, you really are such an inspiration:j :j :j Keep it coming:D

metherer

MG - just wanted to say WOW!!

I have zero motivation at the moment, so am hoping some of yours will rub off on me! I have no particular aim other than to save some money on my day to day life, and get some debts paid off.

Good luck with it all - looks like you're doing brilliantly.

Metherer