February faffing, wig mischieving, pancake stuffing, bargain gymnastics and looking forward to Spring Shenanigans ❤️

[DirtyGertiefromno30]

Welcome to our new thread everyone 🤗. All are welcome to our supportive, kind , frugal thread .

Morning.

Bloomin Chris Pine and his scheduling issues eh @RumBananaSundae Get on that train!

That TGTG bag sounds pretty good @Alwaysploddingon, I’m sure it’ll be fine today.

Another NSD today, apart from paying the guy that now looks after our garden, but I budget for this nowadays after DH’s stroke.

It’s a lot drier and milder here, bordering on feeling spring like, so hopefully you lovely lot have similar.

It's lovely and sunny here, I'm tempted to go and buy myself an ice-cream. And yes, the tgtg bag sandwich made a lovely breakfast.

Afternoon everyone 😊
It is a beautiful day here, which makes a change, let's face it 😁 and we have been to see Mum, who was absolutely fabulous today and it has really lifted my heart ❤️
Mac n cheese (courtesy of the TGTG Greggs bag again) 🤣😋 for din dins and a cuppa . Washing on the line again
today yay! NSD again 😁.
Glad it's such nice weather for you too @needastrongone
You are right, everything feels so much better when the sun shines it's so uplifting and motivating ❤️
@Alwaysploddingon that TGTG bags sounded delicious 😋 l usually stick to Aldus or Greggs but l need to broaden my horizons a bit and try the local shops too .
Hope everyone has this good weather and are having a great day . @RumBananaSundaehope you are enjoying your day off lovely 🤗

Hi everyone,

I'm a fellow big spender on the groceries, around £800 monthly for 6 of us, well 5 and one that I never know f they'll be home or not, which is quite annoying, but DH will take their serving to work for lunch the following day so not too much of a disaster - I just can't stand the waste.

I had an unplanned spendy day on Saturday afternoon, one of those where you kind of spend without thinking, I took DD out on a driving lesson and we went into town to get her eyebrows waxed - £18, I then spent a further £16 in Primark on PJ's for her a body scrub mit and a t-shirt, £7 in McD's (this was to my advantage so I didn't have to cook as everyone else was out) £8 in boots on shampoo and conditioner, and then £10 on a lamp in B&M - I don't go out with her often as she's usually working on the weekends, and we had a nice time together so it's not a big deal really.

Sunday my oldest ds and his girlfriend came over for dinner, so it was nice to see them as they live quite far away - was a LSD as I just picked up a few bits for dessert so spent less than a tenner.

NSD today and yesterday as usual, not visited any shops and no online shopping either.

Weather is looking lovely here right now, sun is shining and the temperature has risen a little.

I started decluttering at the beginning of the year but stopped and didn't get back to it and today I really feel like I need to get back on track, Vinted has slowed down and not much is shifting. I haven't added to it for a while so I should try and list some stuff too.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Last night was spent with DD with suspected gastroenteritis in a pediatric assessment until 10pm last night. She wasn't keeping water down so they sent us there. NHS are brilliant although I could see how stretched they are. She's made a miraculous recovery today, although resting and sleeping (it's half term here) so I'm thinking the homemade sushi she had at a friend's not viral 🤔

So didn't get the chance to spend or do much else! £4.74 on a really vile Asda meal deal (forgot my lunch) and then £1.30 and £1.89 at the coop yesterday and today. Well stocked up until later this week.

Your day with your Dd sounds so lovely and your up runneth over seeing your Ds1 and his GF 😍 what a lovely weekend @Johaanah😁
Oh your poor DD @Lockin26
So glad she is much better today 😁

So glad your DD is feeling better today @Lockin26 that must have been awful.
£3 on the bus to go to the library. Bumped into a pre school mum so had a play in the park and sunshine.
£23 in charity shop on a toy and gift. Toy went in the bin as soon as we got home as it broke (!?)
£10 tonight on yoga.
I won't be doing the total of NSDs I wanted. I'll try again next month.

Love sakshuka @RumBananaSundae. Enjoy!

I did the coconut creamy lentils from deliciously Ella last night with long grain rice and it was delicious. Got leftovers for weekend in the freezer and potato and leek soup tonight for dinner

Oh those coconut creamy lentils sound delicious @Frugal25 😋
Pity about the toy 🙄
No worries about the NSDs you are doing 👍 🤗

£3.25 on some shampoo and a bit more knocked off the Waitrose and Sainsbury gift cards on groceries. Took out cash to cover taxis, lunch and whatever else for Thursday’s work event.

I know @needastrongone. Thank you that made me laugh.

What a way to spend a night @Lockin26. I am glad your daughter is ok.

That’s a shame about the toy @Frugal25. The coconut creamy lentils sound lovely. Will have to Google.

Was having a relaxing day until an email from ‘the friend’ arrived. I’m a named officer for a group and she is essentially strong arming me into standing down (she’s also a named officer). I have no wish to remain in post as they are incredibly unpleasant but I don’t want to step down as I think if she wants me gone she should remove me. Would welcome any suggestions as I honestly do not know how to respond. Prior to this I would have said we got on but this is a whole different side of her.

@RumBananaSundae
Have you considered putting the email into chatGPT and asking for help to respond?
You might be able to share details with gpt that you wouldn't want to on here at risk of being outting.
My highly intelligent advise would be to respond "screw you sue".

@RumBananaSundae there is a coconut lentil dhal on Google from Ella that I've done before and really delicious. If you want the new one from her book shout and I'll take a photo for you xx

Reg your "friend" I agree with the AI for help. She sounds awful. Id be the same though. I wouldn't step down and make it easy for them even if I wanted to, but I'm stubborn like that. Is there someone else in the group who has noticed and could advise also?

Screw you sue sounds reasonable tbf. But if you don’t like it but don’t want to step down what do you want? That should formulate your reply. What reason has she given for you to step down and is it correct or reasonable? No need to say these are just thinking points to help you reply

sold 5 vinted items. Not for much but I price lower to clear. Off to the post office today. #rocknrolllife

Friday will be a big Sainsburys order as the teens are round. But got free firewood off my lovely auntie yesterday

I second or third @ChipshopPickledEgg screw you sue sounds very reasonable. Seriously though some people are beyond the pale - hope you come up with a response.

Likely will be a spendy few days and then month ahead with four birthdays. After today I have four days off work so am going to try to use the time off wisely. And have fun with DD and a friend for half term! She's 14 now so we don't get many more 😍

£54 disabled rail card.
no other spends planned today

Ps sorry to anyone who is called Sue IRL
😆

My best mate is called Sue! Rum, can you just grey rock the whole thing? As in, acknowledge that you have received the email, and say zero beyond that? Then, if you decide you want to step down, you do it in your own time, thank you very much, and not reacting to Pass -Agg Pat. Or not even acknowledging the email? Who does that sort of thing by email anyway?

NSD yesterday. Dad has been offered more surgery, but he hasn’t even healed from the first lot. So we’ve parked it for a bit and told the Duracell Bunny registrar we’ll come back for an in person appointment in a month or so, but we’ll take a beat for now. I also pointed out the logistical challenges of getting dad to the hospital for 8am and having him stay until at least 5pm which is the proposal for the second procedure. I asked if he could be admitted as an inpatient which would make the whole business less stressful and brutal. She seemed very doubtful.

errands today, which will involve some spends- all my makeup has run out simultaneously. I only use 5-6 items, but I do so daily. Then I am going to collect dog features- a day early, but we want him home.

Haha l could get offended here you know @lifelongfrugaleer🤣🤣🤣.
Rail cards are just excellent buys 👏.
That's not good that your Dad needs more surgery @BigSkies2022 😟. We had to weigh up treatment options for my Mum because of the real risk of her dying from the anaesthetic. Also what were her marbles going to be like after surgery . l hope everything works out ok , your poor Dad and you 💐
Omg 4 days off with your Dd is just wonderful you must be on cloud 9 have a brilliant half term with your Dd@Lockin26 👏🤗
Sorry you have this 'friend' being such a cow @RumBananaSundae.
Like the others have said don't worry about replying you don't even have to reply to them if you don't want to. Let her stew 💐
@FurForksSake did you see. Pottery throwdown this week?
Loved the sculpture can't believe it's nearly at an end 😱
@Frugal25 l agree with you, l would stay put too in Rums place .
Been to see Mum who was good today. l am so glad we are having a few good days 🤗.
Spends were £54 Aldi and £2 Waitrose on coconut milk .
Aldi have cut the price of their limited edition Bilash curry range . It's delicious if anyone likes Indian ready meals . My DH loves this range so l have raided it today for him 🤣

What a glorious day!!!
Went for lunch with a friend but took my own with me.
Did buy brekkie on way to work. I had an awful headache this morning due to stress so couldn't eat when I was at home and didn't have the sense to bring that and my lunch with me. £3.99 in pret.
My lovely mum has bought a beautiful duvet cover for DD and I don't have duvets so bought one off Amazon on way to work too £25.

Sold three more things on vinted so shall post tonight or tomorrow.

Oh your poor dog, did it not go well or just missing his gorgeous face? @BigSkies2022 sorry about your lovely dad. Take your time weighing up options.
So glad your mum is ok @DirtyGertiefromno30. Such a lovely soul.
Enjoy every second of the half term @Lockin26

My watch has broken. I was late back for an important MTG after lunch as it broke whilst I was out. I got it for my 40th so quite upset. OH has said he'll buy me a new one but I've said to wait until mother's day or my birthday or he is just spending money on me whilst makes me feel guilty.

DDog was fine - walks, play sessions in the soft play ball pit with an assortment of young women ready to cuddle him - I’m afraid we were the softies. I told a lie about family errands cropping up, but I am pretty sure the owner saw right through it. I did pay in full- don’t want to nickel and dime someone I’m trusting to look after my precious!

anyway, he is home , happy and not throwing shade in my direction, as I feared he might.

Spends: £108 in Space NK, £3 on parking, £15 in Marks on chicken for DDog, a big tub of blueberries and an extremely undersized chicken and black rice salad. Was ravenous by the time I got home and have fallen upon a slice of sourdough toast, half an avocado (ALDI- best ones around atm imo) and some dark chocolate. Just going to finish this cup of tea and the I’m off to the dry cleaners and to get my steps in.

Caught up with brother while out and about and he agrees that it’s right to take a beat or two with dad.

@Frugal25 aw bless you feeling guilty about your DH treating you . l am sorry your watch has broken especially with the sentimental attachment you have to it . Re your Dh buying you things and treating you generously . He obviously loves you very much and to give you something that will make you happy makes him happy. Bless you sweetheart you are so lovely & so is your husband 😍.
Thank you re my Mum l am so grateful for these good days 🤗 .

Glad your Ddog was ok @BigSkies2022 👏
Great news that your DB is in the same page with your Dad too that is so helpful 🤗

Oh, and £84 on dog kennels of course.

Evening.

Nowt’ wrong with the name Sue, imho - there are some pretty decent ones around 😊.

@Frugal25 we’ve chatted before about how fabulous Deliciously Ella (Ella Mills) is haven’t we? I’ve yet to find a sub par recipe. She has such a sensible ethos around health and nutrition. And time taken to cook. I make a lot of her dips at the moment, couple of minutes in the blender and they last a few days, so easy. I make a lot of her recipes in truth!

@RumBananaSundae- I sort of agree with the others, but then I sort of think if you want to step back anyway, who gives a shit how it happens and what folk think of you - let them. You’d be done with it.

I’d be a great big softie too @BigSkies2022 re the dog. Especially if I was at home, because his presence, or lack thereof would be like a huge hole in our ‘normal’

Spent too much today really
£170 Ocado. We are having guests twice this weekend they also had big trays of the Oakham chicken breasts on their ‘flash sale’ section so I bought loads and have portioned into twos and frozen (we tend to only use two per meal and bulk out with beans and veg anyway).
A silly amount of money on very technical running kit, that’s blown my running budget for last month and this, but I will look the part, even if I won’t quite live up to my previous fitness levels.

Aubergine and black bean parmigiana and tender stem broccoli for supper.

Ooohhh that's what I was going to do this week, make her dips! Thank you @needastrongone. I need to go now and find a couple of dip recipes ready for the shop tomorrow. :) I'm the same, none of her recipes disappoint at all. Been a fan since I found her blog (right at the beginning for her) and my love for her hasn't dimmed yet. I bet you live up to the part too as well as look through part.
Thank you @DirtyGertiefromno30. He is a good man. He is paying for a new kitchen ceiling for me next week which isn't cheap as it comes with new lighting and painting. Such a good man and I'm very lucky. He has said he will buy the watch for mother's day as he loves buying watches and couldn't wait any longer!
@BigSkies2022id be completely the same with any animal tbh and go and get it early!! They are our babies and part of the family. Houses are so quiet without them. So glad it was "you" and not him! Best that way around!

Veggie stew tonight for dinner. Simple and tasty.

I seem to have got out of the habit of posting but have been reading everyones' daily posts - it's been a busy time. Had a few NSDs this month and have dented a few CC debts some of which will be gone next month! 🤗But did spend around £30 in Home Bargains and Lidl today. 🙄
We have been having thoughts on the next house project which is working on our bedroom and trying to work out what to do and in what order.
We've had a quote for the plastering and he could come tomorrow! Eek!! We've put him off until next week. So now we need to empty our room and sort out clothing into charity and vinted, call a charity for some furniture which is going, find a new light fitting as we are moving the light, order the new bedroom furniture which will take 8 to 10 weeks for delivery and while that is going on re-decorate, carpet our bedroom plus buy a new bed as our bed will go into the other room. The wardrobe will be scrapped as if we keep it for the other room - we are just going to fill it with clutter that we really want rid of. But DH wants to re-purpose some of the wood for shelving in the shed and his man cave.
The smallest bedroom is still full of all sorts of detritus but we are considering doing a boot sale when they start up again if we haven't already dumped a load on the charity shops. We have lots of camping equipment which is just taking up space but no tent and not sure if we will ever camp again as it seems to be something that family have moved on from and into caravans.
All of sudden what was a busy time is about to go madder still!! 🙀