Familiar Friends in Frugality(Feb 24>)

[Happierwithouthim]

Frugal Friends Facing Forward with Fortitude http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/costoff_living/4957140-frugal-friends-facing-forward-with-fortitude

New thread

big it’s so hard with elderly relatives. Dmum was adamant that Ddad was staying home with her. But when we hit crisis point, and sadly gave her 20 minutes notice before he was taken to hospital (with the expectation he would go onto a care home afterwards), she did adjust well. She also admitted it was a relief to no longer be the carer, and really the decision was taken out of her hands and perhaps that did help. She was horrified at one point, when she thought they were suggesting he’d return home.

Thanks, Time. Dad is so robust in some ways, he could go on for years. I am horrified when I hear of people living to 100 - 103 - 106. The prospect of another 10 years of this sort of life is just awful, for both of them. But, yes, perhaps there will come a point where matters are taken out of their hands.

The chest infection has returned but doesnt so far seem as bad as it was so that's positive. However I am in the dressing gown of doom.

@northender it's satisfying but hard graft! But trying to get better at doing the jobs we can do. Trying to keep on top of the house and garden is almost a full time job. Hopefully we can motivate each other!
Brittany sounds lovely - hoping you get some better weather.

Hope dog gets better soon @Girliefriendlikespuppies

@Happierwithouthim sounds well worth it.

@BigSkies2022 that’s really hard. We went through it with FIL in 2021 and then MIL in 2023, she was 97 and had no quality of life at the end. It was hard to get her to accept any changes or help, even when she was essentially bed bound.
I had a big set back today with my leg swelling up massively so back on the sofa and elevating it. Sigh.
we are getting off the scene for the viewings tomorrow - going to see some friends for dinner and stay the night. Hopefully low key enough that I can put my leg up when needed!

@Happierwithouthim definitely sounds like money well spent. I’ve always coveted curly hair - sadly mine is just fluffy.

Frugajobs: list 2 chairs and a pair of curtains no longer needed, pot up planters (using existing plants from the garden), perhaps start digging out area for path/stepping stones, put new shelf up. Look through the wood pile and see if we can make a mud kitchen for dd2.

Chile - great work on the frugajobs! I did our loft insulation, have done lots of painting, sanded, filled and painted floorboards, DS and DH built the patio and path, we do quite a lot of small jobs. If I could do electrics and plumbing, we'd be quids in!

However, when I survey the new bathroom, the gap between my (hitherto quite reasonable, I thought) efforts and those of the proper, experienced trades becomes super-abundantly obvious!

Chile totally agree about house & garden upkeep feeling like a full time job. We've had a problem with this rain, with water pouring over the gutter. Dh thinks the down pipe is blocked so is going to have a go at unblocking it....

Thanks @BigSkies2022 sounds like you're doing a lot too. I do leave most to the professionals but trying to do what we can. After our big renovation we're glad to not have trades in the house daily - although far too often still!

@northender we had similar. It was the downpipe which had a blockage of moss. Hope that solves the issue for you.

Frugajobs: shelf ✔️ but that's about it. Illness preventing much more than that. I filled one pot but still needs plants and another five to go. I guess will try and do the curtain listing.

Spends
Will be a couple of pounds on milk later
Maybe at the club although not feeling great so might go straight home

Ins
1 selling

Cc -2304

So, my new fridge arrived. Except it didn't. When the delivery men took it out of the box, there was a piece broken. So they're taking it back to Currys. After getting up early to empty out my old fridge, I may put everything back in again .

Tayto how annoying!

@Taytocrisps how annoying!!

We had a lovely dinner with friends but wine has reacted very badly with me so won’t be drinking again for a while, my body clearly can’t deal with it as well as healing from surgery.

Please send book/Netflix recommendations to poorly me!

I player. Our flag means death. Stick with it though
dead boy detective on Netflix

@Taytocrisps how annoying. Hopefully they'll prioritise you for a replacement

@Gensola are you looking for easy watching/reading? Queenie (the book) in advance of the tv series coming soon. Derry girls? Fleabag? Books - how about rereading Austen? The go between?

Trying to enjoy the sun but both of us not feeling great. Set up the paddling pool but need to fill it tomorrow if the weather stays good.

Frugajobs: all pots started but none finished, pulled up a bit of bindwind, but otherwise nothing really except moving money around. No suitable wood for a mud kitchen.

Cc1 -2250

@Chile1978 love a bit of Austen - either the books or the TV versions 😄
I just read the new David Nicholls novel You Are Here and really enjoyed it.

Meal plan:
tuna nicoise salad

almond satay bowls with tempeh, spring greens, new potatoes and carrots

baked tofu with roasted garlic sweet potatoes, buttermilk salad

pea and charred spring onion fritters with mint yoghurt and herby salad

prawn and tofu pad Thai

@Gensola to paraphrase : a lady in possession of a large brain must be in want of a good book. 📖

Spends
£35 takeaway. It's not in budget and wasn't truly needed but there was below zero motivation to cook or even think about cooking. Bed time soon - paracetamol and water

I did a bit of gardening this evening, so I'm tired but feel like I achieved a lot. I've regained the zen I lost earlier . And my lovely brother-in-law called in and fitted a new toilet seat.

I'm happy to report that two of the plants I bought last year at Bloom (garden festival in Dublin) are flourishing. So that was money well spent. The trick seems to be to plant things that slugs don't like. And large containers. And endless rain.

I have been looking at plants online though . But I've lots of containers and also compost. So maybe just €20 on a plant or five two.

Jobs that needed doing yesterday
Grocery shopping
Trip to Tip
Returns Dunnes
Returns Zara
Washing
Putting away clothes
Spray weeds
Mow Lawn
Hoover & Mop Floors

Weather put paid to outdoor jobs
Returns Zara
Hoover & mop floors left to be done today

Ds is back wetting the bed, I thought it was because I was away for a night but it's happened twice since too

Spends yesterday
€10.50 tip
€91.38 Dunnes (had €18 vouchers to reduce it to this) this included €33.50 on cropped jeans, 5 pairs of socks & 5 pairs of knicks for me- should have bought the bra I was admiring too because another one lost its underwire last night

€130 Dunnes returns

I planted some seeds for poppies & night scented stock during the week and the night scented stock is peeking through already.

I'm meant to take part in a local 10k at 10am it's not meant to rain until after 11 but it's raining now, I'm a fair weather runner though

Been missing in action this week. Not sure what happened really. It’s been draining and I have spent to match. Have caught up but apologies to those I miss.

Quite jealous of your rhubarb North. I love the stuff.

Rubbish about the sale falling through Gensola. The system here is bad. Glad you’ve had more viewings and hope you’re on the mend.

Sorry about your father Big. In the end I stopped trying as it became utterly farcical. He was in and out of hospital, sometimes on the same day, with carers and nurses round the clock.

Is the dressing gown of doom on its way-out Chile? I hope you’re starting to feel better.

Bugger to the not-new-fridge Tayto. Good you noticed.

Spending hasn’t been good. It’s a little more revealing looking at it over a whole week.
Groceries: ~£47. £12 of that was yesterday in a panic after a TGTG bag. Have put some bits in the freezer. Including six slices of cherry and almond cake.
Dinner out (twice): £52.
Odd holiday things: £204. This includes a hip bag in place of a handbag. My credit card was £75 in credit so I spent a bit less than that. Really need to find some underwear. Not sure why it is so elusive.
Gift for my friend: £11

My hydration bladder has arrived. I have put it together and know how to get into my sack but can’t work out how to fill it. The T-shirts I ordered had to go back as they were too big so I will get a refund for them. Will also get a refund for the gift card I bought last weekend as they were unable to supply it.

Not sure what to do today. Shelved plans to go into town for an exhibition as there were meant to be thunderstorms all day but now it’s forecast to be dry but its raining. Have life admin to do but why do it today when you can do it tomorrow. Think I might be in denial. Seven weeks until my holiday and I’m not feeling as prepared as I think I should be.

tackled the garden office today - so much paper gone, plus 4 large boxes of books and a box of miscellaneous items for charity. Also did the cupboard in the living room getting rid of dvds and games we no longer use. Probably about a full car load in total, feels good to get rid!

I did 10k run, there was some mist but no rain while it was on. Had a lovely hot shower on my return using the lovely goodies that came in my May look fantastic box.
Dd and ddog came out to see me pass top of boreen on my second loop, bf was there for the finish.
Met some neighbours too
I suggested going out for lunch, dc weren't interested, bf paid, so I bought icecreams for dessert. I also fessed up about losing chain he got me for my birthday.
€10.50 icecreams
€15 race entry

Returning cropped jeans to dunnes they're a bit too snug €15
Returns to Zara will net me €32.90
Will print returns label for Zara tomo, also going to print out my park run barcode

Gen for someone who hasn't been feeling well that's a lot of work done

My goodness you've all been very active this weekend, I'm put to shame. I've not done much all weekend except a bit of cooking and socialising.

We had a guest from Friday lunchtime, went home today after lunch. So bought some extra food on Friday AM so I could feed said guest, because I forgot he was coming when I shopped on Monday. £53 and £1.32 on a pot of cream today so I could make a strawberry gateaux for a special pud. Really pleased with the sponge, its ages since I made a fatless sponge cake, but it turned out really light. I think its only right and proper to make the most of British strawberries when they are in season and most delicious.

Well done on the 10k happier that's amazing!

I've had a busy wend trying to catch up with myself a bit, spent £96 in Aldi but that was the first shop in two weeks and we needed lots.

Also spent £64 in a garden centre, half on stuff for me and half for my ddads bday present.

Filled dds tank up £46, have told her now she's finished college (😳) she can pay for her own fuel so last time I'll do that.

Dd is working at a kennels place which she's enjoying and can pick up as many shifts as she likes so that works well.

Today I'm starting to prepare for decorating my bedroom, it's a big job as there's so much crap I need to sort out and heavy furniture to move. It desperately needs doing though so I'm cracking on.

Budget for my room is around £200.

Busy times here. Life has caught up with me. Kids activities assemblies school trips work trips etc.

payday today. Phew.

been to charity shop which was SUPRISE open. So dropped off a boot full. Win.

Well done on the run Happier.

Spent £40 in Mango on two t-shirts. I’m not sure of the size so at least one will go back. Bought a new GORE-TEX as my as yet unworn one doesn’t fit. Am going to not try anything more on. £3.49 on a TGTG bag from Starbucks. It was rubbish and went into the bin.

Work is giving me a headache even more than usual. That place. The people. Arghhh.