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Original poster

The frugaleers jovially jostle their way into June July and joyfulness

999 replies

Ememem84 · 22/06/2016 22:06

ta da!

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SnugglySnerd · 09/07/2016 18:55

I have beach envy, Em. It's cold and wet here today although we did squeeze in an hour at the park and got some washing dry between rain spells.
Frugal win, my mum is going away for a few days so gave me her leftover eggs.
£26.50 on haircut but that was it for today. Nothing planned for tomorrow, must think of something to do.

Original poster
Ememem84 · 09/07/2016 19:12

Today's the first beach day we've had for a while. So happy.

Feeling super happy and upbeat today. It's amazing what a few hours in the sun will do.

need at my riding lesson today we did complete novice level "mounted games" --nowhere near the standard your Dd competes to. Instructer had us barrel racing, then going through a zig zag course in trot and canter then finally hopping off and racing our ponies (who were very excited and geed up) to the end of the school. Mine tore off and did a couple of laps on her own.

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needastrongone · 09/07/2016 19:24

Grin Em. Did you enjoy it? Dpony has been known to tear off too, don't worry. I have never known a discipline get ponies so excited. Ours is a saint doing flatwork or jumping and becomes a loon in a competition. We are doing a barrel racing taster day next weekend as I figured it would be up DD's street and the pony will be a natural as he's so small and responsive. Smile

Original poster
Ememem84 · 09/07/2016 19:37

need so much fun. Felt like a kid again. Instructed said I did the best canter I've ever done. So feeling really proud of myself. Almost 2 years ago when i hopped back into the saddle I was scared and unsure of myself. It's totally boosted my confidence and I wouldn't give it up for anything (unless obviously we desperately need the cash).

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needastrongone · 09/07/2016 19:59

You might have just been going with it Em, rather than doing it 'right', that's brill. It's such a fantastic thing riding isn't it? They give you so much horses.

DD has gone to her first party tonight at 15. She took one small tin of cider. It's at my close friends house. She's staying over. Still feels weird. There will be boys there.....

needastrongone · 09/07/2016 20:00

You were probably feeling really natural and just going with it in canter. You should be proud. They are wonderful creatures, they give you so much I think.

DD has gone to a party tonight. Her first. I have let her take a small tin of cider. She's staying over. She's 15. She's already messaged to say she's ok. I feel weird.

Original poster
Ememem84 · 09/07/2016 20:17

need they are so amazing. I never really appreciated this before. I just rode and mum paid. Now I'm paying myself I appreciate everything.

I was taken right back to basics and have grown and learnt so much. About them and myself. It's taught me not to be so afraid. The phrase "what's the worst that can happen" has left my mouth a few times. I've also learned to trust my instructor. She believes I can do something, I try it. So far she's been right. I can do it. I remember cantering for the first time again. I squealed and shut my eyes and couldn't go more than 4 strides.

Jumping again meant I shut my eyes and squealed. Now am happy on my own. Jumping and cantering eyes open, no squealies.

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Original poster
Ememem84 · 09/07/2016 20:20

I'm sure Dd will be fine, I remember my first party. I thought I was so cool. I had a couple of bacardi breezers and a cute outfit. Me and the girls sat on a couch and chatted. And boys didn't get a look in.

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Tryingtosaveup · 09/07/2016 22:41

I am trying to imagine barrel racing on a pony?😳
Em I am envious of beach and legs. But I do not fancy racing barrels.
I am imagining you chasing after barrels whilst cantering.

ipsogenix · 10/07/2016 03:42

Cag I haven't heard of those but I'll look them up on Youtube for ds. I think he would enjoy them. He really had a good time playing angry music today and then when he'd got it all out of his system and felt properly heard he was very calm and happy again. I think we will do that more often.

Well done for managing with that party Need. I have no idea what it will be like when ds does that. I never really went to parties, as I found it much easier to socialise by joining organisations and committees and things.

Em The horse riding sounds great. You sound as if you feel really grounded when you're riding, and more at ease than in your work situation. Definitely worth every penny.

DontLetMeLetYouGo · 10/07/2016 06:57

Just checking in. Yesterday bit spendy but spreading out cost of upcoming things.

£19.24 on sweets for DS party cones. I won't even use half of them but I wanted a variety and will use rest as a pretend tuck shop for him and he can learn about money and handling money/change.

£7.43 on half a gammon joint, had it sliced and came out with 11 thick large pieces. Bargain.

£1.49 on 100 plastic cups for party. Will use some of these to make up jelly pots :D.

£6.00 having my eyebrows waxed and groomed. I look less beast like. Yay.

Other spends: £15.00 on Friday for DS ice skating lesson and £24.50 yesterday for ice skating (this is all budgeted for).

Star2015 · 10/07/2016 08:56

Hi all,

A much better day here it rained pretty much all day yesterday.

Spent £3.25 in Lidl on broccoli, cabbage, wraps and bananas.

Also had to pay our big holiday off yesterday...£3200... Flights already paid for... This doesn't include any food, petrol or spending money Blush. We've got some saving to do!! Bad timing with us going away on such an expensive trip when we are moving house but we always did like a challenge!!

Bought a some lamb shanks for around £2 each from Lidl a few weeks and ago and froze them.. They are now in our slow cooker for Sunday lunch later.

What's everyone up to today?

SnugglySnerd · 10/07/2016 09:25

I went to bed at 8.30 last night and DH got up with DD so I slept until 7.30. I feel like a different person!
Weather looks a bit dodgy so might do some baking and things at home.

WreckTangled · 10/07/2016 09:31

We've got to go and see bil and his gf as its their sons birthday then I need to get some new work trousers and shoes, we need cat food and litter and to go to tesco to get what we couldn't get yesterday at lidl. Boring. It's raining too.

Original poster
Ememem84 · 10/07/2016 09:35

ipso true. I feel as if I'm two different people. Work Ems - has to be professional, respectable, sensible, serious. Has to look a certain way (smarter clothes, nice make up and nails and hair) it shouldn't be true but sadly the scruffy ones done get the opportunities. People who look good do. Hence why I make an effort.

Outside of work am more laid back, a bit more "scruffy" (yesterday I had no make up hasn't washed or brushed my hair and was wearing old shorts flip flops and a tshirt) more care free. Today I'm off to the beach again. Am renting a surf board and am going to give it a try. It's been years since I last did it.

I have absolutely no shame in admitting I do my job for the money. I'm good at it and I'm well liked so get paid well and have been given all sorts of opportunities. I'd love to have an outdoorsy job but unfortunately it wouldn't pay the bills. I like nice things want a nice house (nothing over special -3/4 bedrooms with a nice garden) but over here the minimum well have to pay is £600k. Sad

Ive told Dh that unless absolutely necessary I won't give up the riding. Obviously £100 a month is a lot to spend but it makes me happy and keeps me sane - it's boosted my confidence no end. And has improved my posture and also helped me on the way to getting a rock hard ab. But if that £100 a month meant not being able to afford our dream home, I'd choose house over horse.

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Original poster
Ememem84 · 10/07/2016 09:37

So today's spends £20 surf board hire. It's warm but grey today. Hope the sea is warm...

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babsmam · 10/07/2016 10:13

Going to look at dining room furniture today. Dh wants to go to decathlon. Will probably end up at a retail centre spending ££££.
Looking at an outdoor theatre event but it's £60 for tickets, but a once in a lifetime thing and should support my home town. Can get DM to babysit and park at her house so not so bad

Cagliostro · 10/07/2016 10:24

Sounds totally sensible Em. Stuff like that is well worth it for mental health as well - and sounds like the confidence boost it gives you makes you even more successful at your job too. If it really comes down to it, maybe you could just cut down as a compromise instead - would you be able to just ride every other week or once a month or something? Although obviously hope it doesn't come down to that. Enjoy surfing! :)

Cagliostro · 10/07/2016 10:27

Outdoor theatre sounds fun babs - we went to a Roald Dahl outdoor thing last year and it was amazing. :)

Original poster
Ememem84 · 10/07/2016 10:35

cag yep I could cut it down if I had to. Just don't want too!! Haha!!

Love roald Dahl. Am looking forward to seeing the bfg when it's out.

My fave will always be Matilda though.

We're looking forward to outdoors theatre here too. Oddsocks are doing Macbeth in the park in August. Must get tickets.

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needastrongone · 10/07/2016 11:14

Agree Em, keep the riding, good for the soul. I know this is a small thing but I always keep up with having my nails done. If I look down and see they look polished and professional, just makes me feel better overall than when they are bare and dirty from the yard. It essentially covers the dirt, but looks better.

Sorry about the duplicate posts, I think that I thought I had lost one, and retyped it Smile

DD came home after all, she decided she wanted her own bed. She walked home, the party was in the village we live in, 5 minutes away. But she did call in at my friends (where I was) to see me. She's more sensible than me, it's me feeling delicate today... stupid.

Anyways, I will carry on doing my organising, just a touch more slowly, but might treat myself to the tennis this afternoon.

Badders123 · 10/07/2016 11:26

£5 today having my nails done (my sister does it)
£15 for ds1s dinner money for the week
£27 on a new school coat for ds1 for next term
£4 on new white socks for ds1
Lots to do this week to get ready for hols on Saturday!
Self catering do we take as much as we can with us

Original poster
Ememem84 · 10/07/2016 11:38

need I also get my nails and bikini and eyebrows waxed. All in all total self spend a month inc riding £150. Makes me feel "normal" and more "me" none of it is really necessary. All totally luxury. But it's good for me. So until it has to go. It stays.

I am still decluttering. Am trying to wear everything in my wardrobe to see if I really like it. And am only replacing things if necessary.

I've got 10 things listed on eBay at present all finishing tonight so hopefully some will sell. Wardrobe is looking neater. And house feels a bit tidier.

If only I could persuade Dh to tidy up after himself. I've taken to just moving his things from the living room and dumping on the floor by his side of the bed. Or in "his" clean laundry basket. There's stuff in there he hasn't put away which I washed a month ago. But hey ho. More wardrobe space for me...

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ipsogenix · 10/07/2016 11:48

Em Definitely worth holding on to the horse riding then. Gardening gives me a similar outlet. Smile

Need You're dd sounds like a very sensible soul. Well done her, and well done you for the parenting milestone. Smile

ipsogenix · 10/07/2016 11:51

Cag I just listened to Holst's Mars and O Fortuna. Yikes! I think I'd better save those for when he's older. The piano would be destroyed. Smile