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[northender]

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Hi everyone! I've lost track of the thread again but I do feel a bit more back on track frugally than I was a few weeks back.
I've been spending a bit more on the weekly shop so we've always got stuff in for a day out/picnic and I think it's helping as I no longer nip to the expensive Spar for last minute lunch stuff. I've also been buying even more fruit and veg and using it for snacks to avoid nipping out for chocolate, biscuits etc. Healthier as well as cheaper.
Sorry I've been MIA yet again. I'll try and catch up a bit this evening.

I haven't got a kindle em and didn't think of marketplace, it's quite a specialist book so would be a surprised to see it there (am now too scared to look!!)

Am seriously thinking about getting a puppy, is that completely mad?? There's no suitable dogs in the rescues but there are some very sweet Yorkshire terrier x jack Russell puppies for sale. Dd cried herself to sleep last night as she wants a dog so badly, it feels more doable now my job is more flexible and my mum is semi retired (she's agreed to help!)

Girlie I’d go for it you’ve been doing borrow my doggy for a bit and you know the up and downsides. I am nagging my parents to give me two days a week dog care so I can get one. The alternative is that I need a substantive promotion to afford dog-care

girlie I checked both after I posted. No luck.

Lamb koftas in the bbq tonight. Yum. Cold rice salad, pittas slaw.

Tidied kitchen and have watched 2 episodes of killing eve.

Now in bed with catface.

Baby is moving around like crazy and I can feel what I believe is known as “lightening” absolutely cannot wait for all this to be over!

Girlie! I was looking for that book just a couple of days ago - my private SLT (ASD specialist) highly recommends this approach and says she uses it for everyone from preschoolers to young adults, it’s completely adaptable. I baulked at the cost and tried a couple of places (abe books, Amazon marketplace, couple of academic book shops) but didn’t find it cheaper. I held back for a bit while hoping i would be hit by inspiration of where else to look but... nowt. So I bought it this morning. Are we spooky expensive book twins or what??! I am planning to work my way through it over the summer hols when I’m taking a bit of time off and hopefully ds will be more receptive to any discussions about... well, anything.

More spend - £51 on a pair of fitflop ballet pumps. Exactly the same as the ones I wear a lot to work but as they are in the sale I thought I’d grab and stash a pair because mine are getting quite a hammering! Comfy enough to walk a good way between sites at work, smart enough for a meeting, not too hot for summer, so I rarely wear anything else right now.

And I am considering a splurge on a handbag .

Still haven’t been paid. HR chap said he could sort it in a couple of days but no word. He also still hasn’t answered my query about how much annual leave I am entitled to. I’ve been in post for 2 months now.

Love I’m so sorry to hear about your dad - the worry is awful. Fingers crossed it’s something that can be treated easily like a UTI. I was staggered when I realised how they can affect the mind.

Hope dS is feeling a bit better Life!

Girlie from what you’ve said over the last few months a dog would be a huge help to your DD. If you’ve got the offer of help this could be the time.

Glad you are still with us Snuggly. And impressed your little people will let you replace biscuits with fruit and veg snacks without rebelling (to be fair, in the right mood mine would do fruit but DD’s pester power is really ramping up and she knows what she wants ). She announced yesterday ‘I like a toasty hot cross bun. Wiv butter. I say PLEASE!’ And then sat patiently and stared at me. It’s been months since we’ve even had those in! I really fancy one now though

Dh is out tonight so I’ve watched crap telly all night. It’s been ace. Just had a good snivel at a DIY SOS I found on one of the random channels deep down the sky menu 👍🏻. Now off to bed. Non-working day tomorrow but as always I have a few urgent bits to do...

I'm on my own with the dc for the weekend as dh has gone to Devon to spend a few days with his parents. Ds is going to the cricket in Leeds with some older cricketers. I know he's going to be drinking, so am just a tad worried, but will wait and see. The toddler years were tough, but this is mentally/emotionally tougher! Can't believe he'll be 18 in just a few weeks.
I need to do a top up shop today, but no other planned spends
Did 8 more quilt squares last night.
Dd went to the school sports awards evening last night & had a good time. She wore a jumpsuit handed down from a friend's daughter which we dressed up with shoes, belt & jewellery (total £36). She looked very understated, but stunning, I was proud mum.
Have a good day everyone.

Sea my kids luckily love fruit. Especially the girls. Dd1 will happily munch on a big tomato as a snack! I've never given them much sweet stuff anyway. It's me that gets peckish in the evening and ends up getting chocolate. I'm trying to have lots of tempting healthy stuff in and prepared in advance so it's the more appealing option!

The quilt looks lovely.
Welcome back snugg
I think that's a good investment if the shoes are in the sale and you wear them. I have boots that are discontinued stashed.
A puppy is not crazy if your can dedicate the time to settle and train it. It's not like you are blind to a dog's needs.
Not long now em.
DS is feeling better thanks. No more episodes. Unfrugally I think my sofa is beyond repair. Hoping the sun gets rid of the smell

I'm still using my tumble dryer for towels today too. I have hung out what I can and left it to get darked on.

Spends yesterday:
£2 in charity shop on Lego Movie DVD, DS will be very excited when I produce it some rainy day.

Sometimes the tumble dryer just has to be used life

Spendy morning
£57 M&S- 5 short sleeved shirts for DP (he only had one so is wearing long sleeved ones ) and a summer work dress for me. Had 20% off from my birthday.
£28 H&M on a couple more dresses. One or both will go back.
£14 Sainsbury’s on DD1s birthday cake and bits

Need to do the food shop this afternoon too

My dad appears better today. We will see.

Childcare is still being a nightmare too but not my childminders fault, it can’t be helped. We might be saving childcare money, but having to call in a lot of favours at work as we shouldn’t be taking time off in termtime. My boss will hold it against me. Summer holidays can’t come quick enough.

36 week midwife apt done. Meant to be meeting friend for a drink dinner catch up. But nowhere has space. So I’m loitering outside her work which luckily is shady. If only I’d gone straight to the bar instead of bumbling around town killing time....!

38 week appointment booked but midwife is optimistic and doesn’t think I’ll need it!

Just seen a lady clopping along the street in a leather pencil skirt and ridiculously high louboutin stilettos. And a leather jacket. She must be sweltering. But a slave to fashion!

Jeez Em she must have been cooking. Unless she’s a perpetually cold person

I’m watching the tennis and thanking god Nick Kyryos isn’t one of my team members

£4 at the ice-cream van 🍦 😋 ☀️

Who wants to wear leather in this heat??
That'snot I live the Lego movie! I always look for children's films in the charity shop but never fi d good ones. I think people must hold onto them.
Nsd.

I had a very long 3½ hour workshop at work yesterday. But on a positive note, there were really good pastries. And we all got a lunch voucher for €8 for the canteen.

I treated myself to a day off today to get my hair done. A cut and colour (masking) - €35. And a lovely handbag for €40

The TV licence bill arrived also. I've to pay €160 by the end of July. How much does it cost in the UK?

Dinner will be pasta carbonara using leftover ham.

Seacow your paella looks fab. Would you mind sharing the recipe?

Love I'm keeping my fingers crossed re: your Dad. Really hoping it's nothing more serious than a UTI.

em well done on getting your assignment finished.

life hope DS is better now.

Girlie congrats. on your new position as Company Director . I'm sure the salary increase will come in useful! The book for DD was expensive but hopefully the expense turns out to be justified.

Laputa glad the therapy session went well.

Seacow hope they sort out your pay a.s.a.p. And answer your query re: AL entitlement.

north fingers crossed DS doesn't go too wild.

em 36 weeks! Your pregnancy has flown by!

🤣 @ book twin sea selfishly I'm glad you couldn't find it anywhere else cheaper as that would have been very annoying!! Hopefully it's going to be worth it.

Tayto 😁 I know right, I'm waiting for the money to start pouring in.... 🧐🤣

36 weeks em?! Not long now, do you think ds has any idea what's about to happen?!

Thanks for the thoughts re a puppy, I'm still not 100% but not sure I ever will be, think it's probably a bit like having a baby in that you're never completely prepared for one!!

Just seen on fb that dd can wear her PE kit tomorrow so have had to put a late wash on, it will be getting darked on as well!!

Have started watching Stranger Things 3 tonight, it's scary but good! Dd also obsessed with a Netflix show called Zoo which is a totally ridiculous show about animals reclaiming the planet. As dd pointed out if this happened we should probably just let them get on with it 🤣🤣

I’ve hired a gardener for a few hours tomorrow, I need to get on top of it as it’s going mad in the sun and I don’t have the time or energy. I need to mow the lawn first thing and I need to pick up my ring from the repairers and pay for that so all in all it will be an expensive day.

Where is @Unescorted? I miss her. And @lonelyoversharer, @Jam, Fluffy, Quite and others

@Girliefriendlikescake @Taytocrisps it has flown by for the most part. I think ds is blissfully unaware of how much his little world is about to be turned upside down. Poor babboooo.

I got home at around 8. £13 for a taxi as I cba to get the bus. Ds was sound asleep by the time I got in. Just come up to bed now and have him a pat and a kiss good night. He woke up a bit looked at me and said “ello mubbi” then dripped back off to sleep. 😇

Cannot wait for baby’s to arrive. Seriously. I feel under prepared. But unbelievably ready.

Last day at work before my holidays. Yaay!

I watched 'Bohemian Rhapsody' last night with DD. It was brilliant. We both enjoyed it so much. Now I want to watch Live Aid again. Anyone else old enough to remember Live Aid? I was more of a Wham! fan back then .

I forgot to say that we have a resident hedgehog in our garden. I spotted him about 2 weeks ago but he's been keeping a low profile since then. He re-emerged yesterday evening and had a bit of an amble around the garden.

Nsd today as got the bug.
I remember live aid. Keep meaning to watch Bohemia raphsodi too. I know I've spelled both of those wrong too

I remember live aid.

Massive pile of ironing done. Ds’s sports kit in the wash and stuff packed for scout camp. I’ve realised a lot of his pants are on the small side. Must have a trip to primarni for more.
Need to bottom the house, mow the lawn and pick my ring up.

When I’ve got ds off to camp I’m just going to crash - so knackered

Life I hope you feel better soon

Who Tayto last day joy, when do you fly?

Was live aid ‘84 or ‘85? I was born in 84. So either way I don’t remember it. But I’ve seen it and it would have been awesome to be there.