Dashing December Savings (frugal chatter 2014)

[macw1960]

Well, I've officially decided that I can barely get done the "regular" things of a day - I literally have no time for Christmas! The list I made today - has NO check marks on it - except I received a card from a friend whose new address I had lost - so got a card off to her.
I DID get the Christmas tree decorated last night. I got the presents that we have to mail off to the states organized today. We were to have delivered them in person but now we will have to "zip" over the border to mail them tomorrow so they'll get there for Christmas. You can't disappoint little kids!
I made appointments for vision tests for myself and my dh so that we can get new glasses before the end of the year - then we'll be eligible for another pair by January of 2016 if we need them.
ALSO - we got the phone call to book dh's much awaited surgery!!!! Feb. 9! So not long now! We're so happy!
So I guess the day DID have some achievements. - just not the ones I had planned on.

Great news about your DH's surgery.

[jasperandchar]

Productive day here after a slow day yesterday dealing with headaches. Woke up with headache again but just kept moving and now it is more manageable. Made a loaf of bread, two dozen buns and 15 cinnamon buns. Have a turkey cooking in the oven - I'm going to use the meat for sandwiches (sick of deli meats), make a pot of soup for a crowd on the weekend, and shred most of the meat for the freezer so I have it handy for casseroles. Also did two loads of laundry and am about to make a batch of jam....cheerio

wowzers momof5boys do you want to come to my house

I normally don't get headaches but this week I've had one most days, hoping you get some relief

[jasperandchar]

saundyl take it easy and dragon's your dog right?

[jasperandchar]

I just paid $312 to have the starter on our tractor fixed today (my husband puts a plow on the lawn tractor to plow the driveway in the winter). So depressing. My husband has been off work since June (on short term disablility). He was pleasantly surprised to find out he got 25% of his attendance bonus, which works out to $478(before tax). The excitement didn't last long. He is taxed at 40% on bonuses so it will almost cover the cost of the tractor repair. I am thankful that the bonus money came in time to at least help a bit.

Hope things ease up for you soon

I hear ya every little bit helps, we always must be thankful you are correct

[jasperandchar]

avon great news on the surgery date which is not too far away. and you got more done than I did...geez...really needing some energy and motivation or maybe some chocolate

[saundyl]

saundyl take it easy and dragon's your dog right?

Oups yes dragon is my dog

[saundyl]

Great news about your DH's surgery.

I second that!

[saundyl]

As it turns out neither of the boys had a part in the Christmas concert it was k-5 and they didnt want to go. So we stayed home and made poppycock. Ok bf made it i made the popcorn.

[saundyl]

Productive day here after a slow day yesterday dealing with headaches. Woke up with headache again but just kept moving and now it is more manageable. Made a loaf of bread, two dozen buns and 15 cinnamon buns. Have a turkey cooking in the oven - I'm going to use the meat for sandwiches (sick of deli meats), make a pot of soup for a crowd on the weekend, and shred most of the meat for the freezer so I have it handy for casseroles. Also did two loads of laundry and am about to make a batch of jam....cheerio

Headaches suck!

[saundyl]

I just paid $312 to have the starter on our tractor fixed today (my husband puts a plow on the lawn tractor to plow the driveway in the winter). So depressing. My husband has been off work since June (on short term disablility). He was pleasantly surprised to find out he got 25% of his attendance bonus, which works out to $478(before tax). The excitement didn't last long. He is taxed at 40% on bonuses so it will almost cover the cost of the tractor repair. I am thankful that the bonus money came in time to at least help a bit.

Hope things ease up for you soon

The taxes in bonuses is depressing. Glad the plow is getting fixed.we are getting the coolant fanon the quad fixed come january to do the same thing.

[lilo0003]

Wow, so much to catch up on.
Saundyl: I was reading that thinking... Is this the nickname for the ex, but what a great name for a dog.
Lizzie:what an awesome trip.
J&C: my dad just went through the same thing and the cost of getting the plow ready was crazy. He is really too old to do it, but loves it. I wish he would just pay someone else to do it.
I took a vacation day today and had great plans of wrapping. That did not happen, but I did bake up a storm. Sausage rolls, shortbread, magic cookies bar squares and chocolate chip cookies. I thought I had everything I needed only to discover I had no coconut and was already in the middle of the recipe. I dashed to metro which is my least favourite store but happily it was on sale. I also found a gift on sale that sadly I had already wrapped but is was 20.00 less than what I paid, so I am unwrapping the one to return it and save the $$.

[saundyl]

Wow, so much to catch up on.
Saundyl: I was reading that thinking... Is this the nickname for the ex, but what a great name for a dog.
Lizzie:what an awesome trip.
J&C: my dad just went through the same thing and the cost of getting the plow ready was crazy. He is really too old to do it, but loves it. I wish he would just pay someone else to do it.
I took a vacation day today and had great plans of wrapping. That did not happen, but I did bake up a storm. Sausage rolls, shortbread, magic cookies bar squares and chocolate chip cookies. I thought I had everything I needed only to discover I had no coconut and was already in the middle of the recipe. I dashed to metro which is my least favourite store but happily it was on sale. I also found a gift on sale that sadly I had already wrapped but is was 20.00 less than what I paid, so I am unwrapping the one to return it and save the $$.

Lol well his ex is following us down to sk.....her parents live 20 min from my mom so we will be sharing the boys.

[Ciel]

Mrs Sunshine, my horoscope yesterday said something about my preferring research over heeding advice of others. Mom & I were not agreeing on how to handle pinch pleats on the curtains, so that much was accurate. Watched videos on Youtube and learned one hand sewing way (tedious but doable) of getting pleats made. Fascinating watching a short video on curtain hooks and discovering the pleater hooks are totally wrong for the old drapes-they should have been pointed tip pin hooks. Will deal with that matter when curtains are done hopefully by tomorrow! Well, at least I saved some pin hooks and other drapery hooks and maybe just need to some extras.

[avoncallingu]

Aha! Finally caught up reading posts!
Over to the States tomorrow to mail the Denver gifts.
Then MAYBE I'll make it to a choir presentation at a nursing home that will acts as a final practice for us before our presentation of our Cantata at church on Sunday.
DH gets to see our GP on Thursday about his dizzy spells. I personally think that he jogged his inner ear when he fell on a wet floor here a couple of weeks ago. My db suffered from the same symptoms and they used a very odd but effective physiotherapy move where they hold your head and flip your body over and then the dizziness is gone - as it re-positions you "hairs" in your inner ear.
Speaking of db. He has Cerebral Palsey but lives on his own. It affects his balance, eye-sight and mobility. He goes to an association where they run day programs for people with various disabilities. They have a woodshop there. Well, I asked him not to spend money on us for Christmas - as he is always overly generous and he can't afford it. Yesterday he asked me to come over to pick up our gift that he had made. It brings tears to my eyes to know how much effort and time that he put into making us a very thoughtful bookshelf. He picked a colour to remind us of Florida and used a computer saw to cut out a dolphin pattern on the sides. We have put it in our "Florida" themed ensuite as a towel holder and display shelf. I'm so grateful to have such a thoughtful brother.

[Natalka]

Wow, everyone is so busy, sure wish I could be!
Ah, to be young and healthy again! Enjoy every moment!