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Archive for November, 2014

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November 30th, 2014 at 12:14 pm

I love being able to shop online. Other times, it's my downfall. Take last night for example. I went on to my catalogue website to look at jackets for DH. He desperately needs a new one. I found that, then I ordered a few jumpers and dresses for SG. Then I found some novelty Christmas jumpers and outfits. £200 later. I can't complain because it's my fault. I made it a Buy Now Pay Later purchase - which I hate - because I realised I'd ordered too much. Sg really needs some new jumpers and I don't have spare money at the moment.

I will pay this off although I knew the money would be better off elsewhere (credit cards, EF) I am going to stop ordering from my catalogue unless it's up to the value of my rewards which I get every month.

I just wanted to update in the interest of full disclosure and to hold myself accountable.

Today's Spending

November 26th, 2014 at 03:26 pm

We met my mum for a coffee: 7.xx for a hot chocolate, a latte and a gingerbread man for SG.

Then we went into my favourite charity shop where I spent 13 on two Christmas presents for SG, two dresses (one for Christmas Day, the other Boxing Day)and a Christmas top for J. We went up for outfits for the kids but I wasn't planning on getting them from there. It pays to go there first. Then, before we left the shop I found some more toys that SG liked so my mum gave me 5.00 towards that so that was only 1.25.

A Day Off

November 24th, 2014 at 08:02 pm

I didn't focus on housework or decluttering today. Instead, I went for a quick top up shop in the morning, spent 23.xx. When I came home, I got ready and a had a quick lunch then took J to baby group for the first time. He was one of the younger babies there and the other mums commented how good he was on his tummy compared to their babies at the same age. He fell asleep while we were there. I think I will take him back next week, maybe take SG too since the other mums didn't have a problem with an older toddler coming. If I do, DH can come with me. I used to take SG to this group all the time when she was a baby so it will be nice for J to meet other babies.

One of those days

November 23rd, 2014 at 01:59 pm

My alarm went off this morning to wake DH up so he can walk to work (he starts before the buses are running) I woke him up, he wanted ten more mins so I hit snooze. Well ages later DH is hurrying out to work because he went back to sleep, and so did I. He was an hour late this morning.

My motivation has been at an all time low today. I've got a few things done but not much.

Had a bit of interest in my FB selling page so I'm going to add more pics.

This & That

November 21st, 2014 at 01:44 pm

Today I managed to do some more shredding, as planned. I also found the cellotape but I need to buy more. At least I can start wrapping now though.

I made of list of what food (non-perishable) that I still need to buy last night. My mum phoned today and she's offered to bring drink for the meal, even though I told her we won't be having much.

I ordered some things from the catalogue recently. Next year I think my goal will be to only order from it when I'm using my rewards (which will make it free)

Update

November 20th, 2014 at 08:00 pm

I listed some of SG's clothes on FB. No-one's responded but at least it's out there now. I will add more photos soon.

In our block of flats we all use the one skip for recycling. Well that got emptied today, a few days later than it was meant to. Normally we think of the other people who live in the block of flats and don't put too much out at once. Well we're being selfish this time and getting rid of everything we can. Usually the reason that it doesn't get emptied is because other people ignore the rules and put normal rubbish into it. I took out two loads of recycling today, DH did the same. There's a big box waiting to go out tomorrow, which DH will do when he comes home.

I managed to get a good 10-15 mins of shredding done today. I'm hoping to do the same tomorrow.

Today's Plans

November 20th, 2014 at 09:01 am

I've gotten sidetracked lately with getting rid of our paper clutter, rubbish etc that I haven't dealt with SG's clothes. Today I am going to list a few items on FB. I set up a selling page but I'm not sure if I can only add photos using my camera, so I'll check that out later.

Christmas shopping = unhappy mummy

November 19th, 2014 at 02:09 pm

As the title says, I went Christmas shopping with my mum yesterday. Actually, it ended up being her doing all of the shopping because I only went fpr a couple of things. I came home feeling disheartened because I felt like my mum was spending way more on the kids than we have. I think she has. Practically everything she bought was for my kids. I shouldn't complain but I felt like I should have been buying the same. When I got home DH reminded me that we've already spent a lot of our money on the kids.

I was tempted to buy SG a dolls house for her xmas because she really enjoyed playing with one last week. After discussing it with DH we decided that it can wait till March for her birthday.

I thought I was being organised, decluttering etc in the run up to Christmas. DH doesn't think the flat will be decluttered by then. All of the clutter won't be gone but there will be less than there is now. I didn't do anything yesterday because I was out with my mum so I feel as though I've fallen behind today.

Money Out

November 15th, 2014 at 10:14 pm

Well more money went out today than should have. We got pizza for dinner. My idea. There will be no more treats for the rest of this pay period. There;s plenty leftover to have for lunch tomorrow.

Sent hubby to Aldi with a list for our shopping. £71 later

While he was at Aldi I ordered enough formula and nappies (hopefully) for the next four weeks. That was another £71, maybe 72. This was all things that we needed. I got another pound delivery slot so that's being delivered on Wednesday.

I'm making a roast for dinner tomorrow. I'm expecting to get three meals out of the huge chicken that DH bought.


Payday

November 14th, 2014 at 10:58 pm

Today was payday. There's not much to report. I paid some bills. We went to the local shop and bought some groceries and formula, that was 19.xx. I'm waiting on my credit cards updating so I can make a payment.

I've still got some presents to buy for Christmas. They're in shops that don't take my vouchers. The plan is to not go crazy. Next year I think I'll have some cash savings for Christmas.

I was really tired and wanted to order a takeaway. But I didn't.

NSD

November 13th, 2014 at 08:33 pm

Today was a NSD. I haven't had one in a while.

Yesterday I posted MIL's birthday card. It was a homemade one from SG, which hubby helped her to make. We also included copies of professional pics of the kids - J's newborn photo shoot. These have been sitting gathering dust for months and technically aren't really a present since she was meant to get them ages ago. Hubby still isn't talking to her. I missed the last post so the card will be late, but hubby's was late from her. I wanted to make it at the start of the week but it was SG that needed persuading. In the end we gave her the new crayons and pencils that were meant for Christmas to use.

Links

November 12th, 2014 at 03:04 pm

http://www.flylady.net/d/flyladys-kitchen/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-menu-mailer-part-1/

Turkey Talk:

Menu and Grocery Lists:

http://www.flylady.net/d/flyladys-kitchen/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-menu-mailer-part-2/

Gravy Train:

http://www.flylady.net/d/flyladys-kitchen/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-menu-mailer-part-3/

Recipe Roundup:

http://www.flylady.net/d/flyladys-kitchen/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-menu-mailer-part-4/

Thanksgiving Timeline:

http://www.flylady.net/d/flyladys-kitchen/thanksgiving/thanksgiving-menu-mailer-part-5/


An email that might help someone get organised

November 12th, 2014 at 02:57 pm

I've been subscribing to FLYLady to try to get the flat organised. I get emails everyday. This one was about Thanksgiving. I've tried to copy it in case it will be of help to someone.

Here it is (hopefully):

Six Tips for Stress-Free Cooking


Do you need help with Thanksgiving Dinner? Is this your first year to prepare Thanksgiving Dinner. We can help you put this meal together and be stress-free. Leanne and I have a cute video for you. Get your Free Thanksgiving Menu Mailer by going to Leanne's Website.

Thanksgiving Tips with Leanne Ely and Marla Cilley

Spend a few minutes and get Leanne's Thanksgiving Menu Mailer.

I have used her Thanksgiving Menu Mailer since 2002! She helps me get rid of the stress. Print it out and place it in your Holiday Control Journal. I keep mine in a red office in a bag.

FlyLady

Dear Friends,

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holiday meals to prepare. We always have a pot luck meal and this saves me from trying to kill myself. I will do the turkey and the ham, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls. The rest of the family will bring their favorite things to cook; angel eggs, broccoli salad, cranberry salad, stuffing and gravy. Oh and I almost forgot the desserts. They are in my freezer right now. We will have enough food for an army and everyone will go home with the leftovers. I have a secret. When we put all the food up, we bag it into Ziplock bags and everyone takes them with them so I don't have all those leftovers go to waste in our refrigerator.

If you have never cooked a big holiday dinner then we are here to help you. Leanne has put together a Menu Mailer that is up on our website. If you don't won't turkey then substitute ham. It has the grocery list and the timeline. All you have to do is read over it WELL, before you go to the grocery store. All the information is there for you in the timeline if you will not panic. So go print out the 5 parts of her Menu Mailer. You will be the hostess with the mostest! Here are all the link in case you have issues with this email and its links.

Part 1 Menu and Grocery List
Part 2 Turkey Talk
Part 3 Gravy Train
Part 4 Recipe Round Up
Part 5 Thanksgiving Timeline

Angel Eggs This is my way of doing eggs. Test a few first.

Leanne and I joke that I help you get the kitchen clean and she helps you put dinner on the table. There are a few little tips I want to toss out to you before you start cooking your head off.

1. Put hot soapy water in your shiny sink before you start to prepare anything. Get out clean dish cloths and towels.

2. Make sure the dishwasher is empty before you start. Hand wash as much as you can and run the dishwasher and empty it before you sit down to eat. This way you will have an empty dishwasher to put the dinner dishes in. Oh and you can run the good china in the dishwasher if you don't put any dishwasher detergent in it. You can wash your good silver in there too. Just not the hollow handle knives.

3. Now this is a hard one for us, since we love to pretend to multi-task. The truth is we don't really do it well. You know what happens in your kitchen when you try to do several things at once. Your kitchen looks like a bomb went off in it. Only prepare ONE recipe at a time and when you have put it together; CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF.

This means getting things ready to cook not necessary putting them on the stove or in the oven. You can do things a head of time and put them in the refrigerator to wait till its scheduled time to pop in the oven or put on the stove. Leanne's timeline will help you a lot. I actually make appointments for my oven.

4. And this is the most important tip. Put on good supportive shoes with laces. Don't try to stand up all day and cook in cutesy shoes. Your legs deserve better than this.

5. After you put together each recipe and you have cleaned up after yourself! I want you to sit down at your table, drink a cup of tea and check things off your list. This is not a request; this is an order to help keep you from looking frazzled for your guests. You need to take breaks and drink your water!

6. Set your table the day before and cover it with a clean sheet, if you have a cat. This way you can have fun with the pretty things.

You can have fun preparing a holiday dinner; if you will just pace yourself and take breaks. It is really just a piece of cake if you will take those babysteps.

Are you ready to FLY through a stress free holiday?

FlyLady


Links to follow because they didn't work.

It's freezing!

November 10th, 2014 at 08:36 pm

I went shopping today, spent 6.83 at Aldi on fruit, bread and some meat. It was freezing. I had my warm jacket on but I was cold waiting on the bus. Hat, scarf and gloves next time I think.

I sorted out some of J's clothes today that we were given. It didn't take too long and now there's more space in SG's room. I also tried some of the clothes on him while I was doing it. It's so nice to have a willing model; SG is a different story.

I paid 30 to the new credit card yesterday. It will take a few days to update though.

I'm starting to think about next year's goals.

More Clearing Out

November 8th, 2014 at 07:07 pm

Today, as usual, I devoted 10-15mins sorting through paperwork. I noticed a large gift bag in the kitchen that was full that hubby had left there (it was on top of SG's wardrobe). My new wrapping paper and tags arrived today too so they were waiting to be dealt with too. Well, I decided to sort through the bag. I thought I'd find old wrapping paper, cards etc.I found a couple of pieces and old cards that I recycled, but it was mostly bank statements and unopened mail. It's all been sorted through now and my new wrapping paper is sitting proudly in the bag now waiting to be used.

Next on the list: shredding, and wrapping presents.

Free money

November 7th, 2014 at 03:07 pm

Our electric company sent us 12.00 to top up electricity today. It couldn't have came at a better time (week before payday) I've been to the post office and cashed it already.

This & That

November 6th, 2014 at 09:12 pm

I made sausage casserole in the slow cooker today. It's all gone now, and so are almost all of our dishes (the slow cooker is still waiting but will be done tomorrow)

I'm using a ham hough for the first time in lentil soup tomorrow. So I guess it's really lentil and ham soup. I had to search for a recipe because I've never used it before; I only bought it because it was so cheap. Actually, it was hubby who bought it because he couldn't find a pork shoulder joint.

On Saturday I'm making a tortilla bake. I would normally only make one using the Old El Paso kits - a box with tortillas, sauce and seasoning, you just need to add mince, peppers and cheese I think - but I ordered a lot of tortillas from Approved Foods and they're sitting in my freezer waiting to be used.

I watched a Christmas cooking show on the Food Network. They made a mixed berry cheesecake and it looked amazing. I've decided to make that for Boxing Day.

Tomorrow after work I've asked hubby to buy a new pack of blank cards and envelopes. We agreed that SG will make a card for MIL even though they still aren't talking. I'll also include a few professional pics from J's newborn shoot that have been sitting here for months. We were supposed to give them to her ages ago but they fell out. I want the card made this weekend so I can send it second class on Monday.

I've been thinking about my goals for this year. One of them was to get CC1's minimum payment to 25. Well that's the minimum payment for my new card. Does that count? I don't feel as though I've earned the right to cross that goal off my list because all I did was do a balance transfer.

Exhausted!!

November 5th, 2014 at 09:03 pm

I'm exhausted after officially starting my Christmas shopping today (using my vouchers) It felt like we spent all day shopping but it was really only three long hours. I need to get hubby's gift still, something else for my mum, J's stocking and my two cousins but apart from that I'm basically done. I also need to get a birthday present for my cousin. I'm going to check the box of stuff I won from the charity though and see if I can use anything.

I spent roughly 170.00 and I was 2.00 OOP so not bad.

I've invited my mum over for Boxing Day. The three of us discussed it - me, hubby and my mum - and they would both like me to make turkey (even though we're having it on Christmas Day) and have crackers too. I only agreed on the basis that I will make two different recipes and have different starters and deserts. I'm also going to use a turkey crown for both days and cook it in the slow cooker.

Update

November 2nd, 2014 at 09:11 am

It's been a few weeks since I've updated. I can't believe it's November already.

Payday came and went. We are plodding along as usual. I ordered from Approved Foods, got free delivery this time. Almost everything has been put away from the order. This is a first, normally there's not enough space in the cupboards.

I'm going to start meal planning properly again. I'm taking a whole chicken out of the freezer tonight so that will last us three meals.

I've registered my new credit card online, I had to activate it too. I got a letter from them saying one of the conditions of my account is that it has to be activated. If I didn't then I would need to discuss how I was going to pay off the balance. When I phoned, the adviser ended the call by saying "Happy spending!"

Our Christmas vouchers arrived, so I'm going to write my list and go shopping soon.

I've been keeping up with Fly Lady, well trying my best to. I'm slowly noticing a difference in how the flat looks. There's still a lot to do but we're getting there.

I'm going to invite my mum over for dinner on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) I need to start planning my Christmas and Boxing Day menus.