Straight back To The Grind Stone!

After having a few hours yesterday to recover today I returned to work.

Although I am not quite with it enough to drive I have opted to catch the train to Cardiff, rather than even attempt the two and a half hour drive! 

And would you believe that I am yet again staying away from home?!

(I'm sure my hubby is feeling well unloved poor chap!)

I have training sessions to deliver, a meal with one of the top bosses to attend and a store opening to get through tomorrow. (bad planning on my part I feel as wine and jet lag really do not mix)

But never mind I will soon have the weekend to recover and spend a little loving time with the fella to be able to show him that I have missed him lots really!

X x

Jet Lagged!

But well worth it!

Normal service will resume once my head has caught up!

X x

Last Day Away!

Well bugger me that time has flown!

We are on our last day in the big apple.

Today we shall be attending the 911 memorial as it opens its doors for the first time, in order to pay our respects.

Doing far too much shopping, however we will carry it all home is beyond me!

And soaking up the New York life style for one last day as tonight we board our plane to fly home.

(Boo Hoo)

The only up side (other than seeing hubby of course!) is we shall of course have far too many photos to share and for that I make no apologies!

See you all far too soon!

X x

Happy Sweet 16th My Baby Girl

Today my Ashleigh Mae is 16 years old.

It seems unreal as I am sure it was only 5 minutes since she was born!

In celebration we shall be attending a show on broadway, (yet to be decided on time of writing!) going for a fancy meal at the four seasons and over all treating her like a true princess.

And finally retreating to a New York apartment for a night cap with Michael, our very own New Yorker who we are staying with.

And to think I spent mine at home with my mates, my how times have changed!

Happy Birthday Ashleigh Mae.

X x

Today I shall be shopping in New York City.

(all being well that is!)

Ashleigh will be dragging me into every shop known to man, Trying on every item of clothing she can and eating anything and everything put in front of her.

Her main aim for this weekend is to get her prom dress for next year.

No big fat gypsy wedding outfit for her!

Image from womenfashionidea.com

Oh no, she wants a slinky cocktail number that will last her a few years.

(hopefully a little bit of thrifty has got into her veins!)

Wish me luck as I am sure my poor feet will be blistered and sore, but what a fantastic place to be shattered in!

X x

Leaving On A Jet Plane!

See ya!

We are off to celebrate Ashleighs 16th in style. (Ashleigh and I that is)

We've packed warm clothes, checked the passport and tickets and should be, as we speak in the air on our way to the big apple.

The girly adventure has begun.

(Sorry Andy, we shall be back before you know it!)

X x

6th Form colleges.....AH!!!!!

My youngest daughter is now in her very last year of school and whislt she thinks she wants to study medicine she is still a little unsure of where to continue her studies.

The options are 6th form at her own school, 6th form else where or college.

So this has seen me being dragged around many opening evenings so far.

And you know what?

After taking to the tutors I am convinced that I am either very thick or they all speak a very different language to me!

It's a mine field of information, none of which is in English.

(I'm more confused now than I was before, as is Ash!)

But we can't give up yet I still have at lease five more to see in the next month or so.

No wonder teenagers get stressed!

To make matters worse I am having to go to all of these open evenings in work clothes as I have no time to change.

Last night saw me wearing this;

(Excuse the strange quiff!)

 I'll leave you with a quote from Ash as she spoke to a tutor with ref to the subjects she is thinking of studying.

"Well I am thinking of both A level biology and chemistry, but for fun subjects , as we all need a little fun, I am thinking Law and politics!"

Only my child could think those two would be "fun" subjects, bless her!

X x

Shameful Shoes!

My dearest daughter informed me this morning that she thinks its time for some new school shoes.

Nothing unusual you might think, children get through tonnes of pairs, well mine does.

You can imagine my horror when she revealed why!

Only holes in both shoes.

I mean I know we might be being thrifty but I would never expect her to be walking round in shoes with holes in.

I am such a bad mother!

So off we go today to get new school shoes, so she can have dry feet once more!

X x

Guess what???

I'm only away again!

Another meeting, for two days this time.

It's a development course and should be fun to be fair.

I shall be staying here;

In yet another Premier Inn.

(At least it will be a yummy free meal and breakfast too)

To be fair I could do without being away this week as I have packing to do!

X x

Dream Said The Moon Beam As It Shone Onto My Bed... Dream Of All You Love And Cherish.

No I'm not going all soppy, honest. I have just been having the most vivid dreams of late.  Dreams of being back at school, of family outings as a child, of family Christmas fun with my lot and even work.

Strange I know... Anyone up on dreams like to tell me what an earth it means? Cause I don't have a clue!

And just because it has made me feel a little nostalgic I thought I would share a few random pictures from the past with you.  

Enjoy.

X x

Blanket Uses!!!

No I am not really wearing a blanket honest!

I imagine this skirt is just as warm as wearing one would be and very comfy.

It has loads of material and you wouldn't want to wear it on a windy day or you might be flashing next weeks washing if you get what I mean?! 

Top - Cashmere jumper M & S (Gift a few years ago)
Skirt - George at Asda (years old)
Boots - New Look

Yet again another outfit shopped from my own wardrobe and not a penny spent.

I even have my glasses on so saving on my contact lenses too.

X x

Freebies And frugality Of The Week.

This week has with out a doubt been a painful one.

You know the kind I mean, the ones smack bang in the middle of pay day?

Heres how my week panned out.

• Petrol claimed. £90
• Parking claimed. £24
• Parked car away from hospital and walked in. Saved £3
• Parked for free at a local supermarket and walked into town for my meeting. Saved £8! and had a little extra exercise too!
• Free lunch at 2 meetings. Saved £7
• Fab freebies received courtesy of Laura. 
• Packed lunches taken in for days lunch not provided. Saved £9
• Borrowed a book from the library rather than buying it.  Saved £6
• Given lettuce, cucumber, chilli etc from our new friends at the allotment, bless em. Saved £5

Again quite a positive week with a saving of  £152!

I'm well chuffed.

(now if only I could get my water heating fixed for free!)

X x

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly....

The Good

Freebies!

A huge thank you once more for the great freebies after winning Laura's competition.

The Bad

Hubby scratching the side of the car!

Thankfully ours isn't  this bad!

Just one of those things.  He has been working so hard and was so shattered that he just judged a gap incorrectly.  Thankfully it was in my banger and isn't to noticeable.

The Ugly
Having a broken immersion heater!

It looks like it may have given up on us as we have no hot water and we have tried changing the fuse.
Thankfully our shower is electric so we have been able to have a hot shower.

X x

Ok So Now I Really Really Like The Postman!

The reason being is this;

Part two of my giveaway from Laura at the wonderful A Daisy Chain Dream.

Once again thank you.

(I've been like a child at Christmas!)

X x

Beginning To Like The Postman Even More!

Yes I do...

Usually it's to sound of bills hitting mat, but today it was the ringing of the door bell to receive a nice brown box.

What was in it?

Well this;

A full size conditioner, baby shampoo samples and numerous feel good tea samples too.

The reason for this parcel was the delightful Laura over at A Daisy Chain Dream as I won her resent give away.

Thanks Laura, you brightened up my day.

X x

Restoring Faith

Today I attended a meeting at a store I don't often visit.  In my usual fashion I parked at the local car park and tried to work out my bearings. I usually see people carrying bags that give me a good idea where to head but today I saw none, instead I asked a lady to direct me.

This kind lady rather than direct me actually walked with me to the store even though she must have been 200 yards from her car, as she didn't want me to get lost!  How kind is that!

One good dead deserves another as they say and this lovely lady restored faith in human nature of me today.  Thank you for being so kind.

Heres what I wore for my meeting.

Trousers/Jacket - River island (years old)
Top - River island (thrifted)
Shoes - New look.

(Trousers are never my favourite but it felt rather chilly and I needed to keep warm.)

So what good deeds have you either received or given of late?

X x

Freebies And Frugality Of The Week....

It has been really interesting keeping track of what I have saved over the week and whilst it started off really well it has slowed down some what over the past week.  

That said heres what I have saved this week;

• Milage claimed back for work.  Claimed £70
• Parking claimed back for work. Claimed £22
• Parked away from hospital for Physio. Saved £3
• Meal out and wine. Saved £20
• Free cooked breakfast. Saved £6
• Lunches made for all of us rather than buying. Saved £45!
• Free teas/coffees from stores and mince pies/ biscuits. Saved £6, but ruined the waist line!
• Free pair of walking boots for the allotment. Saved £35
• Free raspberry bushes for the allotment.  Saved £6
• Yet more free potatoes this time from our garden.  Saved £3
• Wearing my glasses on days off/admin days, saving on contact lenses. A simple yet effective saving technic.

Total saving £216

Unfortunately we have had a big spend week too. 

• Greenhouse for allotment. £70 (although new would have cost us £200, so still saving £130)
• Repairs to a leaky garage roof £12 (but if done professionally would have cost £70+)

So to be fair it could have been much worse!

Well lets hope I can have a none spend week next week instead.

X x

The Good, The Bad And The Ugly!

Yet another week gone!

Scary thought.

Heres my list for the past week;

The Good

Recieving a beautiful gift through the post.

Thanks again Victoria, its beautiful.

Snuggling up under blanket watching tv.

Image from visualphotos.com

Ok so it might not be everyones cup of tea but I have really enjoyed the dark nights getting toasty with my hubby.

The Bad

Having to spend more than I wanted!

This is a bit of a double edge sword.

We bid for a greenhouse for the allotment, brand new and never been used so would have coast around £200.  Our bid was excepted as the highest but now means we spend £70 more than anticipated this month.  All for a good cause and come next year when I have stunning tomatoes I will be very pleased indeed.

The Ugly

My speeding fine dropping on the mat.

An £80 fine and a speeding awareness course to attend, better than 3 points though.

So how has your week been?

X x

Never Forget.

They shall grow not old

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

X x