The Fantastic Frugalleers Meander into May.....

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

Thought it was about time I started a new thread

need. Do we need to add pig whisperer to your talents.
That's annoying about the money to school tayto. Hope the meds work.
Cag I'm pleased stuff is going right for you and your seem to have found your niche
Don't ((hugs))
Nsd today, still putting off the supermarket

£58 for an hours accupuncture session. Feel a bit floaty now. Needles went in to help my sleep, stress, anxiety and "digestive" issues. Needles in arms legs head and toes. And have some recommendations re meditation. All good.

Well done on the pig-catching need!
Cag it's brilliant to hear you sounding so upbeat and positive, I'm really pleased everything is panning out well for you.
It was almost an NSD here but we ran out of cat food. Supermarket tomorrow and I need to sort out fathers day for both my own dad and for DH.

dont I don't think I'd feel like celebrating after an op. I hope it works this time.

Tayto Where on earth did the money go though?.

I'm pleased to see you so optimistic cag, it was so bad for you for a while there.

£9 M&S.
£8 threading.
£30 fuel
£2 parking.
£1 work supplies.

Argh stupid tax credits drive me mad.

Have just gone to update online, as you can now, because our expected income for this year is £300 over the max it is allowed to be before we inform them but there's nowhere to tell them this online. I can't be bothered to phone them so I think I'll just write to them, I can do that can't I?

£4.50 Iceland. Knew I'd forgotten something.

Still not caught up here! Caught up on ynab today though after my holiday, should have just recorded as I went and converted currency afterwards

Thanks all!

Got to admit I'm feeling a bit wrung out after the classes. The second was perfect, but the first was a bit crazy due to people (who I didn't know) arriving really early unexpectedly, and each child having a young sibling with them, some of whom were taking the resources we were using etc. My DCs got quite upset TBH as it was very noisy and chaotic. BUT I had said from the start that this was only a taster session, and that in future due to lack of space it would need to be a drop-off thing rather than a parents-staying thing. So hopefully the issue will be resolved naturally. I think I managed quite well considering really, we used different resources and they did learn from them and seemed to have fun. I'm just a bit wired as new people = stress to me as well, and not knowing if they liked it etc. But trying to exercise my mindfulness training and just accepting my feelings as I know it's all part of this process. :)

They probably stayed in case your a child murderer on the quiet

Shattered today. I'll have to catch up with everyone another time, as I'm just too tired to do anything except post my spends: £9.70 travel.

I've gone to bed earlier than this before. I hope you're enjoying being there.

Thanks for the info on transformations in maths Cag I've got it now, not sure I could do them
though and I used to teach maths
I like the idea of the Usborne books. I have got the space ones for DGD for our space trip in the summer hols. Might take her to York for a few days too if I can find some where to stay . The Jorvik Viking museum is great and there is the railway museum as well. Anybody been?

We love the York rail museum. Jorvik we have never done as my DC were too young. Need is your woman for York as she lives nearer still than me.

Is it open? It was shut for ages after the floods. I wanted to go to that.

DS would LOVE a railway museum! I'll have to bear that in mind thanks :)

Yes exactly Fluffy none of them had met me before so I'd said I was totally cool with them staying this time! It's unfortunate that we don't have more space but hiring a hall was so expensive that I'd have to up my fees a lot. Mum had the idea of maybe asking just one parent to stay (as they all know each other) while the others take all the younger siblings, there's a park nearby.

Bedtime. Am feeling very spaced out and sleepy. Wondering if this is the accupuncture. Or just that I'm actually properly relaxed if its this I've forgotten what it's like!

Need to post eBay things tomorrow. And need to also hunt down a lavender candle. I know the white co sell them. And it's right near my work. But I also reckon I can find something much much cheaper.

Going to the library tomorrow. For real books. As good as kindle is as of tomorrow (when I go and pick up my actual alarm clock) all electronics are out of the bedroom. Too much blue light.

DP and I went to Jorvik before it flooded and on a quiet day and it was brilliant. Went to the railway museum years ago and loved it. Think I can get tickets for them through yes I boost. ... will have a look. Jorvik is right next to the castle( and a fab cake shop) and there is the Minster and all those topsy turvy streets. Can't remember what they're called. Easily enough for a few days with a 7 yo. Will take DGD to let DD get some work done.

Just looked up the Jorvik and you are right it is closed til Spring 2017!

Em does it particularly need to be a candle? I find oil burners really good - those pottery things where you put a tea light underneath and then put water/essential oil on the bowl at the top. I use lavender a lot, in the bath etc.

Can't sleep so I've written up my classes. I've decided and Mum reminded me to write notes after the group classes (it's really not necessary with individual piano lessons although I do write the odd reminder if I need to look something up etc), remembering things that worked/didn't work, ideas for next time, what needs building on etc.

Need I just read about your pig-chasing escapades! I'm just envisaging everyone watching you on the CCTV with a soundtrack like this video:

The wobbly streets are called the shambles. There are a few nt places too. The castle walls are good for a wander, river cruise, there are often events in the market place too.
There are loads of hotels. Check the race course for fixtures as that make the hotels and trains very busy if it's a big fixture. There are a lot of chain hotels centrally but also along the mount I think it is for Independent and b&b. It's up to a couple of miles out but there are plenty of busses.

cag no it doesn't need to be a candle. I just like them.

I'll look at oil diffusers and burners too.

Forgot to confess yesterday, £20 at Tesco on last few clothing bits for DD. She's wearing new trousers today, and she's just started wearing her glasses full time too. She looks SO grown up. Where did my little baby girl go?! She's not even 9 yet (10 more sleeps :o)! And yet as I type she's playing Transformers with DS. Quite the contrast!

Will be going to a friend's house later to do some Spanish, will also go via town to get a Father's Day present. Normally much more organised than this, but figured also that the choice of presents on FD should now be totally down to the DCs (budget depending of course!). I also got some card yesterday, DD asked to do painting yesterday (about an hour before the lesson was due to start ) so will combine that with making cards for DH.

£11 to post my parcels for the dresses I sold on eBay. I made £30 on four dresses and I am very pleased with that.

Today ds1 has gone to preschool and this afternoon will be having a haircut and then a drive round the zoo I think. Another use of our annual passes. I think we are up to six or seven since April.

I can't account for the €30 so I think I'll just have to suck it up and pay it again. I've no proof that I put the money in the envelope and it's just possible that I forgot to put it in. I don't want to throw wild accusations around if it was my own fault. On a positive note, it wasn't the full €100 as I've been paying it in instalments. It's just annoying as I hadn't budgeted for it and I thought I'd paid all my bills.

Anyway, enough about me.

babs sorry to hear you're feeling a bit down. I hope you're feeling better today. I agree with the other posters who said that sometimes an accumulation of small things can creep up on you. and for you.

needa well done on your success in the horse trials. Your pig chase was very funny. That's one way of saving money on your shopping

Cag good to hear you sounding so positive about the new opportunities that have come way your way as a result of adversity. It put me in mind of that saying about one door closing and another door opening. The first class sounded a bit chaotic but hopefully things will be a bit more structured going forward. The book subscription sounds reasonable at £5 a month.

Girlie I'm very jealous of DD's trip. I 'd love to see 'Matilda' . How long will she be away for?

Don't best wishes for your operation today. for you also. I hope it's a success. Is there any chance you'd qualify for some kind of sickness benefit (I don't know how these things work in the UK)? I hate the thought of you rushing back to work before you've had a chance to recover because you're so worried about money .

Em that was very annoying about Easyjet. Hope the improved diet and reduction in alcohol helps with your energy levels.

cag I think having one parent stay is a great idea as they can help out especially if someone had an accident or was sick or something, you wouldn't want to be dealing with that on your own with a lot of other kids to supervise!
£55 on the weekly shop today. I am so pleased with that, I've fallen into a bad habit of putting extra treats in the trolley and I've really overspent the last few weeks. I normally aim to spend around £50 and am satisfied if it comes in under £60.
We are thinking of getting a new fridge freezer. Ours is a very small one meaning we always cram too much in and then it ices up. I know they are expensive but I'd be able to batch cook more for the freezer and probably stock enough yoghurt etc to avoid doing a top up shop at the weekend (during which we inevitably end up buying extra weekend treats!) so I think it would be an investment. Which brands are good?