they are home

Today my lovely granddaughters came to visit,it was only a fleeting visit but it was full of cuddles.

Little one told me she missed me and that she loved me which are words everyone loves to hear.They will be back tomorrow for dinner.But here are a few pictures of the visit.


DD was going through some pictures and needed to know dates of certain events so i went back through my blog to give her the dates she wanted,
Its always great to read back at what was going on in your life a year ago.Im so glad i started blogging as i cant always remember what i did last week let alone last year.

Reducing Monthly outgoings

Like many people on a path to pay debts off and live a more frugal life i shop around for the best prices  for all my household bills.A few weeks ago i did a comparison on Building and Contents insurance.I found a company that was offering me the same level of cover but for less than half what i am currently paying.Today i phoned up my current provider and it worked out i would owe them£7 for cancelling early so decided this was worth it and changed.My monthly payment has gone from £47 to £21 and i get free cover for my central heating and electrics.
Looking forward to being able to renew my car insurance at the end of this month as i have checked this and this will also be a lot cheaper.

On a downside,i have just had a ding dong with my OH he is not giving me all the money he earns he is keeping some back for himself.If we didn't need the money coming in i wouldn't mind but when hes not giving anything to me and is coming in with 6 beers for himself i get annoyed he really does think he deserves this and if i don't like it i should work more..This would all be so much easier and quicker if we worked together but i know this will never happen.

Marie Curie

I have finally pulled my finger out and done something i have talked about doing for a very long time.Charity work....
My mum died nearly 25 years ago of Cancer and she was helped at the end by Marie Curie nurses.So when i saw this
http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/en-GB/fundraising-volunteering/great-daffodil-appeal/

I decided to email them,
Well today i spoke to them and was able to choose when and where i would collect.So my day is 30th March (Easter Saturday) and I'm giving 2 hours of my day to collect. Hopefully it will be the first of many things i do.

I have a favour to ask

The daughter of a friend has been shortlisted to win an internship in New York.Could you please vote for her design

here's the link

http://www.facebook.com/nokia/app_134483630049283

Her design is called fragmented by Hattie Wade and is the one on the bottom line far right,when you click on it it brings up her name.

Thanks

Vegetarian....

I have had my 2nd vegetarian meal this week.Tonight i made a Spanish omelette.I have enough for lunch tomorrow ,I'm not turning veggie but as i have said before meat is expensive and i really want to start eating better,using things i have a ready supply off(eggs but hopefully come summer veg).OH will not join in with this so i have prepared his meal just have to cook his meat when hes ready to eat( he will probably cook it)

My darling granddaughters are flying down to visit for a few days this weekend,they are going to meet their new baby sister.My son is paying for the girls mum and the girls to fly down( and home).The girls are staying with my son and mum is going to stay at her dad.Even though this has worked out expensive for my son it is still cheaper than them all flying up to Scotland,accommodation,car hire and finding things to do.This way we all get to see them.Cant wait...

I realise i haven't really spoken about my debt busting lately.When you look at the total figure we owe its not alot but money isn't brilliant at the moment so it seems a slow slog.I looked back at some spreadsheets from 2011 and i know we have made a huge reduction in our debts so i must be patient.

Tesco interview will take place during half term,3 of us are going to be interviewed.More details will be sent out once a date has been confirmed.At least it gives me more time to get DD to do my hair..........

Today has been a dry and blustery day and i wasn't able to get washing on the line.Tomorrow i have heard rumour we are getting snow,i do hope they are wrong.
The weekend went very quickly.Dinner at eldest daughters Saturday which was delightful.Sunday we visited my son and Isabelle and Sunday afternoon we went to the cinema to see Hitchcock,I thought this was a well made film but can see it wont be every ones cup of tea.Anthony Hopkins is completely unrecognisable as Hitchcock .

Haven't heard anymore from Tesco but I'm sure i will sooner rather than later.

OH has been disliking a few of my meals lately.Risotto,potato topped chicken pie to name but 2.Tonight's dinner was going to be Mackerel quiche which when told didn't go down well.So now I'm going to make a cottage pie and he will have one portion tonight and i will freeze the rest in individual portions.I'm going to have risotto one of my new favorite foods.

Just wanted to drop back and say even if i do say so myself my butternut squash risotto was delicious.

Oh my giddie aunt

A few days ago i clicked on a link to share frugal ideas,

Share your tips for frugal living (Photoshoot - expenses paid)

Seeking women who�ve embraced frugal living as a result of being financially hit by the recession.

We want your tips for spending less and living more. From clothes and food to entertainment and travel, how do you make your money work hard for you?

Candidates must be available for a London photoshoot in February. Expenses paid.

Email ...... with a brief description of you and your story (How have you been affected by the recession, and how have your embraced the frugal life?)

well i clicked on it never in a million years thinking  anything more would come of it and the next day i had an email asking if i can go to London .
eek
this is way out of my comfort zone but my daughters have told me i have to do it.
I think it will be w/c 11/2 and its for Tesco magazine.double eek.
I will let you all know if it actually happens .
OMG what have i done........