July spending and savings

It's that time of month, 

whilst my spend this month was low, I was still over budget

It's hard when the sales are on

I'm not the impulse buyer I used to be

I am still on target to save £200 off last years spend. 

I have had these shoes for 2 years, they still look good

BUT the insole has holes wearing in them 

whilst my toes cover the holes they are uncomfortable to wear

so a couple of blister plaster later and these shoes now have a new lease of life

 I got this wooden pot from a local charity shop

Just £2.50 and perfect for my nasties.
Another lease of life. 

 This young Robin is always at the back of our garden

he is not afraid of me, nice to have his company. 

My 52 in 2016 is coming along, I still have 9 lines to fill, and a few which I have not started as yet, but I am pleased, it's making me think on how to do different things, rather than doing the same things over and over.
We are having a quiet weekend at home, with almost nothing to do, I love days at home without any plans, a few years ago we would fill every moment of our days, mainly into our local town center shopping.
I have been working on my 2015 book, I did 212 post last year, normally I do about 150 post, so this will be the biggest book so far. In the week I was reading my 2009/2010 book, it's fun to look back, 2010 was the year we moved to this house.
So this afternoon it will be reading or stitching, the choice will depend on how hot it gets,  I don't stitch too much if it is hot...... or in fact baking

Scones, fruit and plain and yummy cheese straws. 

Now I'm off to stitch, I have August to complete.

List again

It's that time again. 

I overspent by £3.79, which is just under the cost of the thread I purchased last Sunday, but I am still up on last year by £286.39. This coming month is going to be expensive, once the greenhouse is done. The total spend for last year was under £1000.00, which is not a bad sum for all the different things I do. If the greenhouse items push me over, I won't worry as they will be a once only purchase. Hubby is going to make my wooden potting bench himself, he loads of wood which would be perfect to use. 

Not alot of change on this list, but I am keeping up with loads.

Yesterday was wet all day, so in the afternoon I cut out all the fabric.

I am now thinking once these are stitched, I will start making the sewing machine cover. I also have one other task to complete, I dropped my full box of stitched hexagons, which are all now piled on the spare bed, waiting to sort back into their colours and fabrics. 

 Neat work box, 

Yesterday evening I stitched all the ones in the top left pocket.

 Looking into the small greenhouse

it's pretty packed in there, soon I will move every thing to Win's empty greenhouse and hubby will take this to the tip. I am going to check a couple of panels to use as protection over my raised bed, so I can sow earlier next year. 

I treated myself to this tiny spider plant, I have not grown one in years

Thank you for your comments last time, we have not seen MCW since we came home, hubbies strong email to the local police station has not yet gained a reply, but we do have an appointment on Friday.
It was a long day in work today, normally when I am busy the time flies by, but not today. Still we got loads done, which is good because we have loads of staff off in the next few weeks.
Win has gone into a local care home, it's one she has been in before, her hope is to be well enough to come home, but I really don't see that as an option, she does need loads of care, and it would be heart breaking if she had to manage at home. Her gardens are finished, it's just a job to keep them weeded and watered.
I have not done any cross stitch, I'm tired by early evening, so it's best to leave it for now, but I have done loads of reading last month I read 3 books and have started my 4th book.
I have not managed my steps for the past two days, I have pulled a muscle at the top of my leg, so I am being very careful. Can't tell you how I did it, it just started hurting.

Sunny Bank Holiday Sunday

It's list time again

I over spent in April by £13.77

But I'm still almost £300 pounds down on last year. 

Part of the reason I over spent was the purchase of DMC threads on cones, at £14.99 it represents a huge saving, I buy my threads on line for 55p each, at the local shops they are 90p each, the cone works out at 28p for the same 8 meter length.
I have not done anything new on my 52 things for 2016, my walking is an improvement in the past two weeks, but everything else is chugging along. I did not read a book this month, but I have read 6 so far this year, so I'm on target. The list is always in my mind, I'm pleased I am doing it this year.
Our spend list for April is done, we have spent as normal and recorded every thing. We won't do it again in May, I think we are both pleased to how we have changed our spending habits and waste less money.

Look at these,  we had poached egg on toast for breakfast yesterday, afterwards we popped to town for the Farmers market, it's on the 1st Saturday of each month, so you guessed as the last Saturday in April, there were no stalls. Oh well, we did get the new bedding for our spare room, just waiting for hubby to finish painting so I can redress it. We have not changed the wall colours, and it will look as it did before, just cleaner and brighter. 

I spent some time in the garden, just doing a couple of tasks, the mint is planted in my Butlers sink, and I planted the Thyme in the top of my chimney, I have tried to grow it in the ground but our clay heavy soil holds too much water for them to survive past the summer. 

 My dark tulips are blooming

Last night I started a new stitching project, I did not stitch for long, we had a glass of wine, I sat watching birds in our garden until the heavy rain drove them away.
Today I have to make a Spanish Omelette to take to our youngest daughter's BBQ, hubby has made a pumpkin seed loaf of bread. We have not decided if we will go early and do a bit of work in their garden, with the bright sunshine outside, I can't see me staying inside to long.
We do need a trip to Ikea, the book shelf in the spare room needs replacing, we have seen a slimmer one in white, so we will pop there tomorrow. The old book case will go in our attic, it's always hand to have storage up there.
Jo from awholeplotoflove has awarded me the Liebster award, I will give my list in the next post.

Have fun what ever you are doing today

March list

So March is over, that's a quarter of this year.

I am very pleased with my stash list, 

Sewing was my expensive craft this month. 

March is another huge saving over last year

I have not spent much on our garden. 

I have spent £303.92 so far less than last year.

 I have added an item to this list, Number 35

I have also made a start on a few more items.

I am pleased with my progress. 

This month we had a 3rd list, it was for food spending, but we have recorded everything we spend it's interesting reading, we are doing it again next month.
It's good to highlight where we are spending, never huge amounts, but those little shops do all add up. We have had two visit's to local Co-op shops to stock up on wine, both shops were selling everything at 30% off, sounds as if we drink loads, which we don't but it is nice to share a bottle on the weekend. Our wine rack is full again. plus we got loads of bread mixes, rice and other store cupboard items, 30 % off is alot. I am finding to save money we have to spend when we see bargains, we got cat food because the brand Grace loves was just £3 a box, so we got six boxes, which will last 2 cats just over a month. So each week our spend is different, we are going to try and spend less in April on food. Most of the other things purchased were one off's, things for the wedding.

It is so nice to get home to light evenings, not spent any time in my garden, it's still too cool. My plants inside are doing well, and will stay in our warm office for at least another week. By the end of April I should have loads of flowers, tomatoes, cucumber and pepper plants to get into their growing spots. From last years coleus plant I now have five small plants, hubby is very pleased.
I have been busy stitching white on Sheffield, it's very tiring on my eyes, but I'm getting there, I have also made the template for the name to go below the logo. I have not done any sewing or patchwork, I want to get as much of the white stitching done, I do have to be finished by June and whilst it's 8+ weeks away, the time does creep up on you. 

List again

My spend for the first two months 

it's a very pleasing start to this year, 

the figures in red are the savings I have made on last years spend

I am on track with 52 things in 2016 at the end of the second month 

We had the car cleaned whilst we were shopping. 

My nails are looking better, they have polish on all the time. 

I have also worked on my 2015 book, it's a long task. 

TV is off at least once a week, and 

reading is good, thank you to those who have suggested different authors. 

I've made a start on my quilting

We are now happy having one or two meat free meals a week
and sitting at the table for each meal

The item I am struggling with is do one charitable thing a month, number 20, last month was just giving some nice stuff to a charity shop, not what I had in mind when I added it to the list, but this time of year is not the best to do things. 

Hubby is getting bored being in the house so much, we had a few words last week, he wanted to go to Waitrose, he required a couple packs of herbs and was going to use our £50 of vouchers, which meant he would pop loads of things into his basket, because he would not have to pay for them. He did not go shopping and we still have the vouchers, we can use them in March when we will need a real shop. I have got him to agree to record all household and food spending, marking how much is spent each visit we make and to keep the receipts, so at the end of March, we can elevate our spending. I sometimes wonder if he thinks I have lost the plot, but I am determined we set our spend to a place where we can have a decent lifestyle and not break the bank. I have always had a well paid second income, and for years we spent most of it, now with reduced income, I still want to be able to save a bit each month, just in case.
Every thing went well at daughter's wedding venue, we spoke to those involved and every thing is on track. I also tried on both dresses purchased on Saturday and now find myself favoring the shades of blue dress, I have seen a nice jacket on the net and have ordered one, should arrive later this week.
I'm off now to do my hexagons, I did not get time to stitch the one's I cut out at the weekend. I did not do any craft Saturday night, we opened the bubbly and had an enjoyable night watching the film 'Sebastian and Belle'

In other news

Not the best photo's

 But stitching is coming along nicely 

I stitched a small amount  most evenings when Logan was in bed. 

I have been naughty, been shopping on the internet

I had to order a pack with pattern and fabric, a tea towel, which I will not stitch on, I have loads of different shades of pale fabric here to choose from, I also will have to order the DMC threads, but I should have most of them already. It is coming from France so it will take a while, but it has already been dispatched.  

I went with youngest daughter for her wedding dress fitting, the dress fitted perfectly, just a bit long, it needs all five layers to be shortened by a couple of inches, it is being done at the shop, I could do it, but there are a couple of chiffon layers, so I am happy for them to do it. The wedding is just six weeks away.
Su looked stunning her smile was beautiful, I would love to show you, but she would do something awful to me if I did.
Hubby and I went into town looking for my outfit, but nothing jumped out at me, I am hoping the spring lines will be here soon and I can choose something with loads of colour. I did go to Sainsbury's to get some trousers for work, they are a style I like and at £14 a pair, they won't break the bank, plus this week they have had 25% off clothing, so they cost £10.50 each.
I have not started anything new in my 52 list for 2016, but still ongoing with lots of things, I did not walk as much as in previous weeks, it's hard to take Logan too far, so in fact I have put a few pounds on in the last week.
But I have sowed seeds for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers a bit later than others, but my little green houses do not have heat, so I can't bring them along to early. Hubby is complaining about the gardening stuff in our office, but I am managing to keep it all on my side.  I am enjoying being in my shed again. Counting down the days until the real fun begins again in the garden.

Green fingers

Our poor Magnolia tree

it simply does not know what season it is

it should recover it has in previous years

 We have a bit of colour in the garden

Daffodils are in bloom

 Hubby has requested more Fuchsia's in the garden

so these were £1.99 each, I will grow them on

plus a couple sneaky Geranium's

 Coleus is another favourite of his and mine

I should have 3 great plants by the summer 

 African violets are doing well

just need to see some buds soon
 I don't have anywhere to start too many seeds inside this year,
 but I am hoping to start chilies and cucumbers soon.

The weekend was very restful, we popped to a garden center, we did then go to Lee on the Solent, but it was breezy and cold so we did not go for a walk. A brisk walk to the village and post box, made up for the walk we missed.

So 1st of Feb, great news on my craft spend, last year £122.06 ( to be fair a Christmas present of Xyron cutting machine gave way to purchases of dies at reduced prices) this year £24.29 so I spent £97.99 less than last year, a great start.
I am on target for 52 things in 2016. I got the car washed yesterday for £5.00, just too cold for the bucket and sponge. We have been for our walk this evening, so I'm feeling good.
I have not done much stitching, I have started reading The Angel Tree by Lucinda Riley, I'm enjoying it, it was lovely to curl up in a chair most of yesterday and read, plus lovely hubby made scones, with cream and jam.

1st month on 52 things

So January is almost up, and how am I doing, 

I have two items to sort this week and weekend, 

1st wash my car, 

but it's cold so I will take it to a local, loads of guys who wash it for you place, 

2nd do something for charity,

 I have two bags to go to a charity shop, 

but I would like to do something different. 

I have completed number one visit godson and hope to see him a few more times this year. On the plus side, we eat sat at the table every night for our dinner, we have had one meat free meal each week, and our recipes are growing, trying this tomorrow

Given to me from the 12 days of Christmas swap, hubby is doing a vegetable curry,  I have never eaten chick peas. We are sticking to seasonal fruit and veg, and no snacking. I walk each evening after work, just 10-15 minutes but it feels good. I am taking time each week to ensure my nails have polish on and they look good. I have finished my good book and have a couple more lined up. I have been looking at making my own design in cross stitch, one to share with every one, and I have done some card work, cutting templates ready to make cards.

 So I am pleased, it's a good start, 

I still have 18 left to fill, but they will come later in the year.

I think the January blues have caught up with me, it's probably all the chatter in work, we had our meeting yesterday, we knew more than the bosses were telling us, all they would say is the department would not be in the building after 31.03.16, they could not say if we would all go over, or if we would have to apply for a role with the new company or if we would all lose our jobs. By saying nothing, they would not comment if there were other roles we could move to. I am resigned to us going at the end of March. I have put my CV out and have spoken to one agency, time will tell. The issues have started in the office again, loads of work all with problems was found in the back of a drawer this morning. Also some of my printed emails trying to resolve problems was found on Dickies desk, no one put them there, lucky Dickie knows the problems I had before, I am expecting work from my pending file to go missing again. It's so childish.
Josh and Sam came after school, and we all sat down to a fish and chip meal, which was lovely, both boys are so very happy at this time, so we had loads of fun.
All I have done this week is sit and stitch, I am still stitching with red and white thread, I will go back to finishing my cushion over the weekend.

Here it comes

Our Amaryllis is opening

it's grown really high

I used the flash on this photo

Looks good

 More diamonds 

 This will be finished soon.
I think I might have found another stitch along.

 Who loves a bargain

I have been looking for a thick Aran cardi for ages, almost everyone I see the sleeves are knitted in stocking stitch which makes them feel thinner.
So I kept looking,
This black cardi is 100% what I wanted with patterned sleeves and the bonus,
 cotton mix, machine washable, from M & S and down to £7.00,
1st January sale item purchased and no plans to get anything else. 

I'm still smiling.

Had lunch with a friend yesterday, I worked with Ann for just over a year before my role was made redundant, I still miss working with her, we went to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, I have not been there for years, but I do love some of the stores are outlets. Looking at what was on sale, most of it I was just so happy to walk past, a few years ago I would have had a spending frenzy.

Almost at end of week 2 and nothing spent on my crafts!

Did a quick walk around the garden tonight, the daffodils are about to burst and we have primroses, our Magnolia tree has buds which are trying to open,  but it is turning much colder, so the tree won't last.
We also went for a walk after work, I am trying hard to keep it up, not missed a night this week,  I have a copy of my 52 things list on my desk top just to keep going with it, I am working on a few, on the plus my nails are looking much better.
I'm not on a diet, we eat so very healthy and when starting a diet I find loads of things you should give up we already do not eat, so it's about portion size and exercise, it would be nice if by beginning of March I could be a little less round across my tummy, at that time I will be looking for an outfit for daughters wedding in April. I feel in the right frame of mind to sort my weight out this year.
Tonight I am visiting my lovely neighbour Win, she has had another fall and is in hospital, at 101 she is starting to lose some of her confidence, which is a shame she knocks spots off loads of younger peopel.

List's

 I finally worked out how to post this list,

 I find it interesting  to look back on my spend in 2015, 

Cardmaking was £253.18,
will be a lot less in 2016, my stash is looking good

Sewing was £40.00,
could be more if I get going, but I do have some stash

Gardening was £395.15,
no surprise how much I spend, should also be less this year as loads should regrow.

Cross stitch was £260.17,
who knows, it's my greatest love, so if I see any thing, it will be mine

expecting my spend to be about the same,
my stash of fabrics and threads is huge. 

I should add a section for wool if I want to knit and crochet.

I hope to loose £200 off my spend next year.
The red and blue figures were one off purchases

The third corner is finished, I got it done last night

I hope to have a finish soon, so I should be looking at what's next. 

 This is ticking all my boxes,

 I love the colours, the design, 

it's my one off original stitching 

 Popped to Tesco this lunch time, I had to get a few birthday cards

these marked at £4.00 rang in the till at £1.50

love the colours. 

My 52 in 2016 list so far.

I have loads of spaces to add things

number one has a line through, it's already completed.

So a good start to January, my hope is no spend on stash this month, the only let down will be if I see a real bargain, but even then I will have a think before parting with my money. 

I have already started working on my 52 in 2016, a few of them have been started, and hopefully will be ongoing all year. Much more fun than resolutions, which always are hard work in January.

I have started reading The Saffron Trail by Rosanna Ley, 1st book of the year.

Our first week in January is soon over, we had Josh and Sam for tea Tuesday, a cuddly time together. Last night we popped to see Su and David, I now have my instructions for the Wedding evening invitations, they will we out within a week, not so many parts. They are at the point where they are paying for every thing, so money is flying out, but they are also excited, as are we. 

Tomorrow we are away for our Christmas present to each other, back on Sunday, with Monday off, so a restful time ahead.