This time last year we'd had so much rain and everywhere there were floods and the weather had been chilly too. Thank goodness this October has been much, much dryer and milder and the heating oil is lasting well although will need a fill up in November.
I finished painting and got started on garden clearing, but my garden helper has opted out so I really need to get on with it, especially out the front. In the back garden the vegetable beds are not too bad but I need to spread the compost from last years bin and turn this years bin into it - hard work which is not a favourite job.
Not a frugal month as I finished off the living/dining room re-furb with a new table after looking all over for nice second-hand one with no luck. It's circular but extends to oval and has made the room look so much bigger than it did and still room for visitors - although not all 11 of us, but as cooking for too many visitors now makes me very nervous it doesn't matter.
My October income was the usual - State Pension and County Council Spouses Pension. The usual outgoings of Council Tax, Phones and Broadband, monthly Electric bill, Charity, Diesel for the car, food and household bits.
There were three family birthdays and a dentist visit, a haircut and I had to buy postage stamps again.
Christmas shopping for everyone except immediate family is finished but shopping for the 3 children and SiL and the 5 grandchildren hasn't even started which is very worrying. DiL had half Christmas pressie for her birthday and I know what I'll be getting her for Christmas and BiL has given me a pair of jeans he got for himself so I can wrap them and give them back! that means 9 things still to sort - Oh dear. And the 4 presents for the Surrey family need sorting early as they are off to Thailand for Christmas.
I got myself my food treats for the dark days of January. Have to have something to get me through the worst month alone. My choices are dark chocolate liqueurs and Opies peaches in brandy - I don't normally drink but love both these and they will be the only bits of alcohol I shall be imbibing! Just need a large bag of mixed nuts to make spiced nuts - another favourite thing.
No point in writing frugal month notes - it would be hypocritical - although I still do my best to save pennies where I can.
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I went to the village over 60's meeting yesterday afternoon - my friend Val, who goes to Keep Moving exercise group too, said from where she was sitting she saw two men fall asleep! It was a lady talking about making 3D Fabric flowers, it wasn't That boring (although it wasn't exactly riveting!). These are the same old men who generally interrupt the speaker when they think they know more. I'm glad they were kept quiet!
Back Soon
Sue
Thanks for the laugh nana in Horsham Australia
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteThe mystery of the disappearing garden helper. The plot thickens.
ReplyDeleteNo plot, just too busy elsewhere
DeleteWe had one gentleman in our Historical Society who would drift off then snore loudly. Whoever was sitting next to him had to keep elbowing him in the ribs! I recall him, having been asked to give the vote of thanks, going on for thirty minutes, it was like we were having a second talk that evening and I think many people dozed off!
ReplyDeleteFrom experience of old men at the over 60's I would say they all like the sound of their own voices!
DeleteA greeting comes to you from Viola... I also like eggnog and chocolate liqueur - I don't buy it often so that it retains its beauty and rarity... but it has to be for the Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteWe are still in the most beautiful autumn here, the leaves will last a few more days before everything is bare.
I wish you a good time.
Thank you - happy Autumn to you too
DeleteYes-we have those men in our groups too although there are a couple of women who like to give there opinions too! We tidied all the front garden but now it’s all covered in leaves-good for the hedgehogs to hide in. Well done on buying some treats-mine is a cake of 85% dark chocolate from Lidl. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThere was one lady at the village WI who liked to explain everything far too much. |I don't know if she still goes.
DeleteI like to have something nice to eat to cheer up January
Treats for the dark days are an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteI used to dread January but some good treats makes it a bit easier
DeleteYes, shovelling compost is a hard job, husband and I do it together but it wears us both out! Must be a nightmare doing it on your own. We rarely go to our Sheltered Housing residents' meetings, they're full of very loudly opinionated old people!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if |I will turn out to be loud and opinionated when I get old - I really hope not!
Delete"dark chocolate liqueurs" - very tempting.
ReplyDeleteRule 1: don't interrupt the speaker.
Such a odd treat for someone who doesn't do alcohol but there isn't much in each.
DeleteI couldn't believe how rude they were when I first joined - put me off for a whole year! Then I rejoined and they are still there!
The idea of planning ahead for January, treats not tasks, is a great one I'll copy. I loved the old guys sleeping at the meeting. Now you know a subject they don't get into is the answer to their taking over!
ReplyDeleteSomething tasty to enjoy for the worst month of the year is the way I get through it now.
DeleteNext month the speaker is talking about fireworks, guy fawkes and bonfires - hope they don't interrupt too much
That did make me laugh about the old guys nodding off!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice idea planning ahead for treats in January, I'll take that tip on x
Alison in Wales x
It's my plan for surviving!
DeleteYou've had a busy month! I'm sure the new table looks great. Sometimes you just have to go that way but you got what you wanted. I'm a little envious your holiday shopping is done. I've done a bit -- but not much and with having to mail much of it, I'd better get busy!
ReplyDeleteI wish it were done but still 9 gifts left to get for family and no ideas!
DeleteI guess better that they snore away quietly through the talk rather than interrupt and be obnoxious. I once fell asleep during a talk at our Gardening Club in Llanrwst, it wasn't surprising really when the speaker was talking about all the hundreds of different kinds of Snowdrops there are AND showing us slides of them.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I can imagine that once you've looked at a dozen snowdrop photos that's probably enough!
DeleteLike you, living comfortably is my intent. It is the small things that make things work...chocolates, nice meals, productive garden and spending to make the home lovely. Your new dining table is fantastic and will be greatly enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is coming fast and I'm about half-finished purchasing gifts. Our stores are filled with holiday decor and it seems early. Even so, I had a wonder down the holiday isle and bought a small copper house with a wreath on the door. The little house made me smile and now it sits on my table.
The copper house sounds cute.
DeleteTreats on dark days sounds fantastic. Good luck with your Christmas shopping.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I shall have to get thinking and asking soon
DeleteThe whole point of being frugal is so that we can splurge on these little happies!
ReplyDeleteExactly Right
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