Safely into a frugal September saving as we go...

[northender]

New thread. Thought I needed to get back on track.

Thank you North.

Went out with friends for the first time since February yesterday. They made me dinner. I stumbled home at 10.30 somewhat tipsy.

I'm going to have a cuppa, quickly gloss a door frame and then tackle some jobs. Might take myself to the nature reserve for a walk and spot of photography this aft before I pick ds up from his dad's

Life I'm very impressed with the speed of your decorating

wolf sounds like a lovely & much needed time with friends, your plan for today sounds good too.
Following on from the end of the previous thread I love my herb/spice cupboard. Dh always complains there is loads of food in the kitchen but very little to just grab & eat!

I thought I needed a fresh start on the thread as I lost track of it over the past couple of weeks. Real life has been tough but I had a good day yesterday. I enlisted my aunty's help to take mum shopping & as dh was doing a volunteer shift at the cricket club, ds was playing & Dd working at the rugby club, I had some time at home alone which was utter bliss. I got my very frugal head on and cooked, using up as much food as I could from the fridge and veg rack. It was really therapeutic. I'm going shopping today but with a very specific list, only buying what we absolutely need for the week.
Dd is back at school which was very rocky on day one, but a bit better day two.
Ds had a final no from his 1st choice uni so is now planning for his insurance choice which may turn out to be better for him.
Dh has a start date in early October for his new job, so lots of change here.

Today both Dc are playing cricket in different places so dh & I will be a taxi service & staying to watch. There's food shopping to do & some more cooking too. Have a good Sunday everyone.

Thanks North!

We are trying to find out what the hell happened in Birmingham last night. It sounds bad.

Thanks North

It does sound awful snuggly. Sounds like lots of violent incidents, but the mayor just said they thought they were linked. That's local to you?
unescorted and Adora glad your dd's uni prep is going well. I'd always thought that would be me too at this point & feel a bit sad that it isn't, but had a chat to ds this week and as I thought, his reluctance to move away is partly due to his health problems & not wanting to be away if something else happens.

It's a small room wolf which needed very little prep.

Happy taxi North. I think first weeks back will be tough for everyone. Get help where you can x

Thanks North

Your DS sounds really sensible - and once he starts he may choose to move in with friends for 2nd year. For many 18 yo getting to uni was the aim of the masterplan and they have now realised that goal. For them it is a time to recalibrate and set new goals to aim for, layered on top of wider uncertainty.

Snuggly that sounds scary. From the witness quoted in The Guardian it sounds as if it was some sort of prearranged fight.

Thank you North 😄💐👏
'prearranged fight' good God l thought that was something that happened a century ago and society had moved on in this sort of savage behaviour. What on earth is going on in the world it's so crazy and saddens me and l am sure everyone here 😓
I don't want to bring us down so let's move on 😊
Went to Asda living yesterday and bought Dd1 a bread bin half price £6, a dinner set she had her eye on forever for £9 a polka dot shade, salt & pepper & a spotty throw 😄 for her house when it finally completes🙄
Will se if l can find links 😄
Hope everyone is having a lovely relaxing day 😄

Yes it does sound prearranged. Fortunately we are past the age of being out drinking in town at midnight but it is still scary to think that happened so close to use. We are about 20 mins away from town by train or car. Will be keeping an eye on the news today.

Have just listed the day's winter coats from last year on Ebay. They are both nice ones and unusually for us "proper" brands, not supermarket ones (because grandparents bought them!) Both are in excellent condition so I'm hoping they will sell well. Have a few nice bits from Jojo to sell too (more generous grandparent gifts!) but I get confused if I list too many things at once.

Day's = dts'

I’ve ironed everything in the wardrobe. Well everything that needed it anyway.

Went for a sea swim this morning then breakfast at the beach hut nearby. Played on the tree swings nearby. Breakfast wraps all round with coffee/apple juice (£20)

Then £43 boots - bubble bath (at ds’ insistance) a black head remover tool, eyebrow pencil and blister plasters - Dh has a ridiculous one from his shoes last night and I’m going back to proper shoes so anticipating blisters!

£14 M&S - milk x3, a extra large chicken, parsnips potatoes and Percy pig biscuits. Doing a roast chicken for dinner on a veggie bake. Yummo.

£70 pub, £11 Aldi, £10 cake, happy pil for golden wedding

The tower of London was ace - we were in the first slot after opening, and with massively reduced numbers allowed... it was fab. No queuing beyond the bag security search. And the sun shone!

The Crown Jewels were very sparkly. Ds said they were pretty, but then she was wowed by a new spiral pasta shape yesterday, so... . She wore her tiara and all the beefeaters talked to her about it

£30 in the gift shop on Christmas decs and a snow globe for DD’s stocking, £6 for ice creams, £40 ish for tower entry (DD and I go free, as I got a carer’s ticket), £20ish for the river bus, £14ish for lunch toasties for the DC in Costa, £12ish tube. Gosh, it does add up!

Sounds like a fab day sea

That looks like a fab day Sea! I love visiting the Tower. I think the dcs would enjoy it now too. Maybe we should go while London is a bit quieter.

Whitened the grout in my kitchen. Looks ace. Rock and roll in the life house

It’s definitely the time to see things if you are confident to go out Snuggly. Everything can be booked in advance and is much less busy.

Hopping back on. We’ve had a funny week or two as I tested positive for Covid and had to isolate for a week and DP for two. It was very strange, glad when it was over. However I’ve had three negative swabs since so my Mum is staying with us now for a month. She lives up North and we were seventeen weeks without seeing her during lockdown. I’m trying to think of nice things to entertain her. DP took her out to NT Polsden Lacey yesterday while I was on a late shift. They had tea and club biscuits and crisps for a picnic while there and on coming home devoured ham, pork pie and salad with home made chips and then finished up with two cornettos each!
Today I was working an early but we managed an hour at Wakehurst Place and then had an early dinner at local pub, our first since lockdown. We had main courses, fish and chips and a soft drink each, Mum’s kind treat but are now home and stuck into the wine and cider and contemplating ice cream. It was so good to have a meal I hadn’t cooked myself.
I’ve had a clear out of books and am waiting for another NT place to email a drop off date for them. Still got wardrobe and a suitcase of clothes to do but local charity shops look really full so am waiting.
Have donated to food bank, all stuff we realistically won’t use, but I think others will, tinned potatoes, meat, veg etc, nice to see the back of my cupboards for a change.

The pictures of the Tower look beautiful, Christmas. Obviously a lovely day.

Nice to see you Duchess

I'm happy being out and about Sea but don't really fancy sitting on a train in a mask all the way to London. I suppose we could drive to somewhere nearer (High Wycombe?? Gerrards Cross??) and then get on a train. Will give it some thought.

sea did you wear your tiara too?! 🤣

Kids In bed. Bags packed for tomorrow. Lunch made. Am vowing to spend no money on lunches this month.

I’m also a week into my no booze time.

sea that looks amazing.

Life what did you use …. and did you come across tile paint in your search for grout whitener? Operation Crack Den is now turning into operation Tate Gallery …

Unescorted I have it on good authority that Frenchic is the paint you need to look for for tiles

Duchess that is lovely you have your Mum with you bless you all
Sea that looks lovely love London ahh so sweet your Dd wearing her tiara
Em well done on the ironing am vere impressed
Well done Life great job!

direct.asda.com/george/home/lighting/ceiling-lighting-shades/white-polka-dot-lamp-shade/050097075,default,pd.html

direct.asda.com/george/home/cushions-throws/monochrome-spotted-super-soft-throw/050012143,default,pd.html

direct.asda.com/george/home/tableware/art-deco-fan-dinner-set-12-piece/050795220,default,pd.html?cgid=D26M08G08C14
that was £9 which was brilliant as Dd had her eye on it for ages but it was 25 before , however it isn't d/washer or microwave safe but she hasn' t got room for a dishwasher & will use a different set if she needs to m/v something so this is for POSH visitors
Hey ho have a good night sleep everyone

Were you unwell with covid Duchess?
sea sounds like a great day out
Good day here. Both dc played cricket. Dd did okay & really enjoyed her ladies games. Ds had an amazing day, playing a big role in a 1st team semi final win. He has just come home, pleasantly drunk chattering incessantly about it!
I managed to cook a big batch of curry, enough for one in the fridge, one for the freezer.
Shopping done, list stuck to. £83 which is almost half what I have been spending. Should have everything we need for the week now

Have finally managed a nsd!

London looks fab Sea I've not been for a couple of years and can feel it calling to me again! Watched Strike tonight and wanted to go and have a mooch round Camden.

Had a quiet day today, dds been up and down but I finally chucked the scales away and she was surprisingly calm about that. School tomorrow 😬 am crossing everything that it's good for her.

Horrible hearing about Birmingham on the news Snuggly ☹️** what's the matter with people??