Frugaleers Frolick Frugally through February

[Ipsomatic]

Just setting up the new thread for the chatty Frugaleers.

By popular request - copied from an old thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/other_subjects/1324074-For-those-who-cant-afford-to-use-central-heating-this-year-How-are-you-going-to-cope

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1543785-your-top-tips-for-money-saving-and-a-more-frugal-life

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1600030-Small-money-saving-habits-petty-even

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/credit_crunch/1628874-Gas-Elec-Bills-monthly-and-SKY-so-angry

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1911061-NO-MORE-COLD-MUMSNETTERS

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2209167-Slow-Cookers-are-shit

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2224969-saving-money

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2258202-Debt-mutual-support-thread-number-6-start-the-new-year-with-a-clear-purpose-and-keep-moving-forwards-even-by-tiny-steps?

orchard.tesco.com/ Sign up to this.

www.topcashback.co.uk/home And this.

www.quidco.com/home/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/ And this

www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub ditto.

www.checkoutsmart.com/ Plus this.

www.hotukdeals.com/all/deals/new?page=3 Check this daily.

Sorry, seacow crossed wires.

DS is nearly 9 now. In a lot of ways, things are much easier as the understanding is there and he has grown out of a lot of issues or is just able to manage them better. He has said why am I different to all the other boys, which broke my heart. I think it's the navigating the friendship issues that cause more problems now. Friendships are hard enough if they are NT children but if they are ASD, it must be so very difficult.

Yes, I think myself and Life probably did misunderstand. Sorry about that. If I can't lift my head off the pillow, I am really feeling very poorly indeed. I probably applied my logic there. Anyway, glad you feel better.

You feeling tired Mammy? Drink enough water? x

Finally we have decided on our holiday this year. Italy. 2 centre, or Amalfi coast. Lots of glorious food, culture and wine. Will sort this week.

DH has had another good year business wise but has taken a punt on adding another layer to the business, which is a touch risky, but hopefully solid. He's good at risk and spotting opportunity so all will be fine.

Sorry ipso I clearly got you mixed up with someone else.

Wreck, does you boss give the reference or is it HR?
I'm afraid there is no answer to him being a dick as it sounds like he will be whatever. Log it, report it, be his frenemy.

Fell off the end of the last thread. NSD today. Had to get car breakdown cover yesterday £139 (£60 cash back). Bit cheeky as you can buy the same policy for less on the website but you do save about £20 once you factor in the cash back, iyswim.

Valentines for us is low key - just an exchange of cards.

Get well soon need

Nowt for valentine's, it's a hallmark holiday

Does you son have a diagnosis Fool ? (I feel bad calling you that!). Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, I am not looking forward to DS's increasing awareness of friendship issues and his differences. He's actually quite sociable but doesn't really know how (rather than being very introverted, iyswim). I do think he will feel his isolation. Is your DS at a mainstream school? Does he know other kids with ASD?

need thank you for the kind words but I am no saint! I love him very dearly and can handle most things but his screeching fits are very testing indeed!

I'm fine Life. It actually got me thinking when I last went to GP for anything other than 'ladies' stuff. Me or the DC. We are incredibly lucky as I can't remember. I ought to count my blessings for our health more than I do.

Anyway, off to cook risotto.

Sorry seacow I have no advice.

We don't have HR at work, well we do but it's my boss and the senior partner

I'll tell my manager tomorrow and ask her what's best. Thanks everyone.

I'm clearly reading what's not there tonight. Sorry.

£1.29 Iceland, 99p card shop, £12 aldi

seacow Don't worry about calling me Fool as he/she is one of my favourite characters in a series of books.

DS is diagnosed, yes. He goes to a private school and the school has a high percentage of children with ASD and supports them very well. And the children he gets on best with all have ASD but that causes it's own unique set of issues.

Seacow have you read the explosive child? We found the techniques discussed in the book very helpful in dealing with his meltdowns once it actually started - it cut it short. Very effective. I have used it in schools with children having meltdowns, whether ASD children or not.

Mammy please can you report back on whether the flask works and what sort it is? I need a new one, mine only keeps drinks warm for about an hour!

Posted on the end of the last thread, clicked link to new one (thanks ipso) and we're 2 pages in already!

After checking with an ex neighbour, I called 101 about the woman who swore and threatened us on saturday, I just wanted it logged. The police called back and have booked an appointment to talk it over with me, eek. Apparently she is very well known for this behaviour.

Place marking. Will catch up soon

Brief catch up.

I love rereading the Enid blyton books. I reread Malory towers and st Clare's a while ago and the adventure ones.

May start rereading famous 5.

need where abouts on the amalfi coast? Dh and I went to sorrento a couple of years ago. Beautiful. You can get the train from there to Pompeii (about €4 each way) and then do the walking tour of Pompeii. Amazing!!

Best dinner I ate there was tagliatelle with fried sorrento lemon peel and olive oil lemon juice and a fuckton lot of black pepper. Yum.

I've always enjoyed the nat history museum for the dinosaurs. And the British museum.

There's a great dim sum restaurant near Baker Street (I think) new world -yummm

And the last time I went we had afternoon tea at the shangri-la at the shard. If it's a special occasion (which this was) it's great. £45 a head for unlimited pretty muchChinese buns, sandwiches and savouries, scones and beautiful cakes a glass of champagne and tea and the view. We worked out its £30 to go up to the viewing gallery on its own. So afternoon tea thrown in was great value. Plus you're up higher.

Also if you're after views I think you can go up the "walkies talkie" building.

Seacow I think you are doing a great job. I am 23 and was only diagnosed a couple of years ago. I had a hard time as an adolscent in particular and to this day my parents are adamant that there's "nothing wrong" with me and won't accept my diagnosis. I am sure if I'd had earlier interventions/ appropriate understanding and support my mental health would have benefited greatly from it. I'm sure your DS will be just fine because he has an understanding mum. Meeting DH has definitely changed the course that my life was bound for, it's so important to have someone close who understands things (as far as someone without ASD is able) and knows just what to do when you're struggling. Also with regards to dirty hands would DS try wearing disposable gloves? It depends what is for me, with some things they have limited effect but other things they make the process practically painless (picking up guinea pig poop comes to mind). Obviously he might hate the feeling of them anyway but it's just a thought if he doesn't mind them it may mean he can do things he otherwise would be too stressed about as the 'dirty' thing won't come in direct contact with his hands.

We are going to see Sing tomorrow and go for dinner afterwords. I agree technically about "hallmark holiday" but I like to celebrate everything we can so I don't really care what it is haha.

About London, DH and I are both very nerdy and like everything in terms of museums really! We both like history and he is a scientist although I'm not super enthralled by a lot of science lol.

mammy love the floating flask !

I study law and French, I can't remember who asked.

Need Sounds lush!! Never been to Italy, my family went a couple of years ago to Rome and loved it but it was summer and the heat was difficult for them especially as they wanted to do lots of sight-seeing.

Well knitting it's kind of nice to know that it's not just you that she takes exception to!

Fool that's really interesting. I had discounted private schools on the basis that I have been told they are not usually as good at accommodating SN as state schools unless v high functioning (and they are less well plugged into the therapy support via the borough etc for those who need it -and I think DS does). Unless they are specifically private SN schools. My DS is neither high- nor v low functioning but right in the middle. Pretty bright but language delayed and v socially challenged and rigid. It sounds as though your son's school is a good mix. Hmm. Well I will see how he gets on in the local primary with an EHCP but I will look more into private options as a backup, though I am not aware of schools like that near us here.

I had that explosive book recommended to me and just bought it a couple of weeks ago - I've not read it yet but must do so next, as you are the third person to recommend it!

Need Italy sounds lovely . I don't think we'll be going anywhere this year due to inconveniently timed baby. I don't fancy spending ££££ to be exhausted and disoriented with a newborn, but in a different place! I guess we will get a lot of use out of our garden at least.

Cross posted there Meadow. I am sorry your parents don't get it. It is hard to really understand the ASD mind from outside (I find!) but I do try. DH is brilliant too. My parents are very supportive; PILs love him but don't get it at all. They think he will grow out of it - obviously he will change but he will always have ASD! Whenever MIL rings me she asks whether DS has started chatting yet - as though she is just waiting for him to suddenly become 'normal'!

I am not sure about gloves - can you even get them for mini hands? I bought waterproof trousers for wearing in the rain and they haven't stopped him wanting new trousers whenever we go out! He tolerates some dirt on his hands very well though - for instance he eats with his hands and gets filthy! But felt tip, paint, toothpaste ifcegatevee sends him into orbit. As you say, he will get better at regulating his response to things as he gets older. We plough on!

I am going to start that Explosive Child book now. The Island of Adventure can wait till afterwards!

(Ps for all the Enid fans -yy to Mallory Towers, Famous Five and the brilliant faraway tree books, but the Secret Seven were pants).

Snuggly Thermos will report back on what he says. Reviews says they have had hot tea after a day at work from it
Need I've been tired since I had flu at beg of Jan or since I got pregnant with ds who's 3

I drink 2+ litres of water religiously daily, probably easy because it & alcohol are the only beverages I consume . Alcohol only really once a month though usually.

Agree with valentines being a Hallmark holiday but dh is sucked in by it & I just appear tight if I do also give to him.

I'm definitely getting Aldi flowers cos dh went to Aldi this evening without telling me he was going & bought two blocks of cheese & instant rice

Just because i think its a hallmark holiday and everything is too busy and over priced - that's my opinion. You lot crack on if you want to.

I can't join in the ASD chat i'm afraid as the nearest i get to it is once a week at scouts.

seacow Most of the private schools I know around here are pretty pathetic when it comes to SEN and some can just about manage with dyslexia and, in fact, children have come from other private schools that could not even manage dyslexia . If you look at private schools, really drill down into not only their SEN policies but what they actually do on the ground to support children.

Your DS sounds quite like how my DS was at 4 and a bit. With support at home and school, he has made so much progress in terms of language, social interaction and being less rigid and more go with the flow and I can barely remember the last time he had a meltdown. He talks about his feelings, is able to handle disappointment more often than not (except when he is tired and/or hungry) and is very playful and funny. Everyone, and I mean everyone, says he is such a lovely boy. I am so proud of him.

Happy to talk about it more, if you want to PM me.

Thanks for the new thread ipso
need that holiday sounds fab, I'm a little but really looking forward to our holiday too. Getting quite excited as we are going to Cologne for the weekend in 3 weeks time. I have a German friend from school days and we're going to stay with her and her family. All we've had to pay for is flights (£65 each) so we'd be silly not to. Dd is doing German at school so it'll help her. My friend has also said dd can go over to stay on her own in the holidays in the future to help with her German which is an amazing offer.

We had a pub lunch with all the family today and then had a lovely, fairly strenuous walk on Dartmoor afterwards. The dc have had some fab baby cousin time & lots of cuddles & giggles. Usually when we stay with the PIL I drink quite a bit of alcohol (stress management!) but I haven't this time and I actually feel much more rested. Going swimming in the morning with dd. ds & dh playing pitch and putt (all postponed from this morning). Then dd wants dh to show her where he grew up/went to school etc so that's a good free activity. Dh & ds are going to the footy tomorrow night & then we'll drive back, aiming to get back at 2.30ish ready for a lie in in my own bed on Wednesday morning.

Fool I'll do that, probably tomorrow. I'm interested to know more if you don't mind. In the meantime I'll stop derailing the thread!

I was so busy chatting earlier the bolognese burned a bit. I stuck it in a clean pan and gave the other one to DH to scrub. He looked like this

Cologne is meant to be really beautiful, North. Enjoy, you lucky thing.

Thanks for the new thread, Ipso. Glad to see you're feeling better.

I'll catch up with the new thread later.