Friendly Frugaleers Festive Preparations and Financial Accountability

[Wolfcub]

New Fred

Aw thanks guys. Just started reading the English book to her, and have made a little quiz for her to do tomorrow :o (essential due to her processing issues)

Wow that’s so awesome wreck! So so glad she’s doing this, I remember when you were deciding on lessons :)

Aw I love the Christmas radio times. My parents always used to get it every week anyway when I was a kid. Pointless now though really with Netflix and stuff! I’ve barely watched anything lately, my attention span is awful in the evening when the meds wear off!

I’m super excited about the snail and the whale, I made sure we got it as one of Cageltini’s advent books :)

Lap she looks so chilled. It is fantastic that she is settling in well.

em I am in awe of your pelvic floor.!

Wreck well done to your DD.

I am missing my dd - but she is already making friends.

I'm also.looking forward to the Snail and the Whale as it's another of our favourites. Dd1 is v excited about both that and the Tiger Who Came to Tea.

I'm so pleased she had a good day lap if you have any tips for helping dd revise let me know! She really struggled processing facts as well, she has a fantastic memory but sometimes finds putting things in the right order or down on paper difficult.

Did you start jury service today wreck? Well done to your dd, that's fab!

I spent £10 in the co op on a few top up bits.

Watched Elizabeth is Missing last night, it was so good, would really recommend if anyone's looking for something to watch (on iplayer.)

So glad your dd had a good day lap
We always get the Christmas Radio Times too.

Good day today. I have cut out the bunting triangles so should be able to get it done this week & posted at the weekend. Christmas tree skirt has been finished, now need to finish a cushion cover and a table runner. It's all from fabric & wadding I already have so no cost.
Took my mum to local coastal town for lunch, a v short walk & a bit of shopping. It was lovely weather & she appreciated getting out. I've got a few more presents sorted, not much more to get now. Top frugal news from me was finding an artificial tree at a charity shop for £10. We have a real one in the living room but I've always wanted to have a tree in our front bay window. I couldn't justify buying a new one so this is fab. Just need to make space for it now.....

In order of importance:

Brilliant news about DD’s first day Lap. She looked very grown up too!

Show us your makes North

Christmas Radio Times is OUT? I checked on Saturday and was disappointed not to find it. Yay.

I am also really looking forward to snail /whale/tiger. I’m trying to resist buying the cute snail and whale plush for DD’s stocking - she really doesn’t need more cuddly toys...

Nice lunch out today as Christmas treat from the boss. Not much work done as I had to leave early for school pick up. I’ve spent the whole evening reading papers for school GB meeting tomorrow. Except for the 30 mins when I was buying yarn . £18.

Ooh advice would be most welcome.... PILS have asked for ideas of presents for everyone and I’m a bit stuck for DD (2.5). She’s easy to buy for in theory but as she’s inherited all her brother’s rather extensive range of toys she doesn’t really need anything. She’s getting a scooter and lots of books from us, Peppa toys and play food from my family. We have a toy kitchen, dolls house, basic duplo, craft bits, magnetic tiles... am I missing any fun stuff?

Ok radio times will be purchased today

I started jury service got called three times and dismissed three times then dismissed for good. A total waste of my time they didn't even supply tea and coffee

Sea why about dressing up clothes? Dresses, superheroes, shoes and even a bag. Dd loved carrying around her 'handbag'

Yes my girls both love having a bag to fill with random items and carry around!

A handbag is an excellent idea, thanks!

I’ve just been to watch DS’s nativity. He was Joseph (no lines to learn but centre stage the whole time and having to move around on cue and sing songs with movements). And he was Absolutely. Brilliant. I really didn’t think he would join in like he did and seem to really enjoy it, crowds and all! I was so happy I cried, as did my mum and his LSA. We were all a blubbering mess at the end! And so many other parents commented on how brilliantly he coped. I was so proud of him ❤️

That's brilliant sea! Well done to your ds

Oh sea how lovely! Well done ds.

Ok. I have spended. £89 in Jojo on leggings a hoody and a llama top for Dd (age 6-12m). I’ll wrap them for her for Christmas.

£17.50 in espirit for dh on the softest brightest blue hoody ever (and one for me too in dusky pink - dh can give this to me for Christmas).

I’ve been gifted three massive bags of age 2-3 clothes for ds. So have to sort this and do a ton more washing but will be able to pack away a lot of the stuff ds is wearing now. I’m planning on doing a massive declutter before I go back to work and car boot sale in the spring.

Had a facial today (paid for by dh for our anniversary with a gift voucher). Booked another for before my return to work. To be paid for with the rest of my voucher.

Waiting for my “interview” with the cleaning company. I’m so glad that I’m doing this. Yes a cleaner is an extravagance but two under 3, both of us working effectively full time its a necessity in my eyes.

Making some more gingerbread biscuits at present.

Wow, Sea that's brilliant! Well done ds!!

Happier have PM'd you

Dh just pointed out that 2weeks today is Christmas Eve. Exciting but also eek!!

Is there only this week and next week before the kids break up? I've still got lots to do!!

Works been busy today.

Spent £17 in the post office, bought 24 2nd class stamps and nearly fainted at how much that came to! Also sent a parcel to a friend for her bday.

£38 on petrol.

Day off tomorrow, final bits of Christmas shopping to do and lots of general sorting out to be done!

Yes Girlie we break up next Friday. Not sure if it's the same everywhere.

We break up next Friday too. At 2pm, can't wait! Six more days at work!

£4.95 for radio times fgs.
£3.50 breakfast.

Ah lovely sea. Well done ds

Do it em. A cleaner is fab of you can afford it.
Day of wrapping Tomorrow between work calls.
I need odment then to meal plan the holidays

Doing it. Cleaner will start in January. They reckon 4 hours initially.

they’d usually start with a deep clean. But they’re all booked in for deep cleans until March. So initial 4 hours a week (where they’ll do a deep clean (including carpets) in one room and a normal clean everywhere else) once they’re in a rhythm and get to know our house they think probably 2 hours a week.

I told dh that it was a cleaner or nothing. I’ve told him he needs to get used to putting his stuff away. And getting organised In the evenings for the mornings.

I told the cleaning man who came round that I was decluttering and that things would be tidier. He got it. He had two young kids.

I have 2 hours per week and I love coming into the house on Thursdays. Mad tidy up Wednesday night though

I really wish I could have a cleaner again. They made such a difference when ds was first born

Sea he is amazing.
North pictures please!

I wish we had a cleaner - but none would do it.

I am wondering what ds has done wrong …. without asking he swapped the loo seat over.
Radio silence from dd..... I have no nails left.

💅🏽 unescorted. When are the interviews finished? Can’t be going on much longer. You never know, she’s probably just pulled so is too busy to call home .

We have 4 hours of a cleaner per week. I definitely wouldn’t cope with almost full time work without it. When I was on mat leave it was just about tolerable to do it myself, but defo not with 2 kids and working and long commutes. But like Life we have mad Monday tidy up. No pain no gain.

Loooong day, just got home from the governors’ meeting. It’s a filthy wet and windy night here. And now I have to call MIL because apparently DH can’t discuss Christmas arrangements with her

She had one yesterday and had a 3hr practical and another interview today. Possibly others tomorrow (if she gets pooled)