I've been a very bad blogger and haven't posted for a week or two!!! I feel really bad!! I have been very busy, lost my way on my frugalizing and simple living and my craft mojo has stumbled a bit too..
Normal service will be resumed very soon and you will have a super doopa post very soon!!
Just completed the Census for 5 of us so I'm all computered out!
Have a lovely week ahead all
Love n Hugs
Natalie xx
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Sunday, 13 March 2011
What Natalie Did......
This week has been another busy(ish week)
Monday I joined the local gym....I would like to point out that I thought long and hard and realised that a 1/2hour walk with the dog ain't gonna shift the pounds!!! I paid £310 in advance which meant that I had 12 months for the price of 10 saving myself £62 and I can use all the facilities in my local leaisure centre and three others in the area too so I was quite happy with that! I have been to the gym 3 times this week and went swimming today and Tuesday so I am going to make damn sure I get more than my moneys worth!!
Tuesday was Pancake Day which I love and I made pancakes for my family and my mum and dad came over...they were gluten free as my mum is a coeliac but the were delicious anyway...no one could taste the difference! The toppings available were the old school lemon and sugar, then there was golden syrup, choocolate spread, marshmallows and lemon curd. My youngest daughter went for the chocolate spread and marshmallow combo which looked delicious but I was old school as was my mum and dad!!! It was fun and lovely to have us all together!! It was also my monthly "Open Mic" night with my dad, it was an interesting night with a lady asking us to get involved in digital storytelling and then we all read poems we had written or admired....lush night spent with my lush dad!!
Wednesday was busy but not to bad, started Lent which entails giving up nice food and Facebook and following a daily Bible reading diary....;o)
Thursday my son was singing in a Schools Choral festival so I was running around a bit but it was lovely to here the choir sing!
Friday brought the devestating news of what was happening in Japan and made me realise what a lucky lucky person I am to be where I am, with a healthy family, a house that is still standing and all the creature comforts that we take for granted!!!! My thoughts and prayers are with them all!!!!
Saturday was Karate day(for the 3rd day this week for darling eldest and son) I will take them to the ends of the earth if it means they are getting some physical exercise!!!!) I then tidied my greenhouse and garden which brought some extra colour to my already red face and got a line of washing out whille there was a hint of blue sky!
And finally today was a delightfully, delicious, sunny Sunday!!! What more could you ask for?
I was up and out at 9.30 to go to the second writing workshop with my dad and it was once again a brilliant 3 hours, the poet who is taking the workshop was impressed with the work I had done and that has only stoked up my enthusiasm even more and the creative juices are overflowing at last...there has been a bit of a drought in recent times so I am sooooo glad ;o)))) and this afternoon the five of us went swimming...it was a family fun time with balls, floats, toys, lights and music....the kids loved it and it was very nice to do something together as a family!
Although my heart is heavy for the people of Japan, and New Zealand still...I wish all my bloggy friends wherever you are a lovely week ahead.....XxXxXxXxXxX
Monday I joined the local gym....I would like to point out that I thought long and hard and realised that a 1/2hour walk with the dog ain't gonna shift the pounds!!! I paid £310 in advance which meant that I had 12 months for the price of 10 saving myself £62 and I can use all the facilities in my local leaisure centre and three others in the area too so I was quite happy with that! I have been to the gym 3 times this week and went swimming today and Tuesday so I am going to make damn sure I get more than my moneys worth!!
Tuesday was Pancake Day which I love and I made pancakes for my family and my mum and dad came over...they were gluten free as my mum is a coeliac but the were delicious anyway...no one could taste the difference! The toppings available were the old school lemon and sugar, then there was golden syrup, choocolate spread, marshmallows and lemon curd. My youngest daughter went for the chocolate spread and marshmallow combo which looked delicious but I was old school as was my mum and dad!!! It was fun and lovely to have us all together!! It was also my monthly "Open Mic" night with my dad, it was an interesting night with a lady asking us to get involved in digital storytelling and then we all read poems we had written or admired....lush night spent with my lush dad!!
Wednesday was busy but not to bad, started Lent which entails giving up nice food and Facebook and following a daily Bible reading diary....;o)
Thursday my son was singing in a Schools Choral festival so I was running around a bit but it was lovely to here the choir sing!
Friday brought the devestating news of what was happening in Japan and made me realise what a lucky lucky person I am to be where I am, with a healthy family, a house that is still standing and all the creature comforts that we take for granted!!!! My thoughts and prayers are with them all!!!!
Saturday was Karate day(for the 3rd day this week for darling eldest and son) I will take them to the ends of the earth if it means they are getting some physical exercise!!!!) I then tidied my greenhouse and garden which brought some extra colour to my already red face and got a line of washing out whille there was a hint of blue sky!
And finally today was a delightfully, delicious, sunny Sunday!!! What more could you ask for?
I was up and out at 9.30 to go to the second writing workshop with my dad and it was once again a brilliant 3 hours, the poet who is taking the workshop was impressed with the work I had done and that has only stoked up my enthusiasm even more and the creative juices are overflowing at last...there has been a bit of a drought in recent times so I am sooooo glad ;o)))) and this afternoon the five of us went swimming...it was a family fun time with balls, floats, toys, lights and music....the kids loved it and it was very nice to do something together as a family!
Although my heart is heavy for the people of Japan, and New Zealand still...I wish all my bloggy friends wherever you are a lovely week ahead.....XxXxXxXxXxX
Sunday, 6 March 2011
One Weird Week!!!
I have had quite a busy week again this week but it has been enjoyable....
My two younger children went back to school on Monday but my eldest was off so she stayed with Nanna and Grandad, she went to town and had her hair cut in a "Jessie J" style bob and she looks absolutely gorgeous but about 3 years older than she is ;oO. It is amazing how a cut and blow dry can give someone a bit of confidence, so it was worth the money just for that.
Tuesday was St David's Day so my two younger children went to school in their welsh costumes and I did a Wales inspired singalong in work...so I had a wonderful day...once that was out the way it was time to think of what to wear for World Book Day!!! To add to it the primary school wanted it to be a character from a book that they had read in school...easy you might think but my children go to a Welsh Medium School!!! Luckily they have read Harry Potter in Welsh so that was my son sorted and to my delight my youngest daughter wanted to go as a character I cant spell but it turned out they were a black cat!! Marvellous!!! Ears on a headband, eyeliner on the face and a tail made out of strips of leather I had-Phew!!
In between all of this I had volunteered to deliver "Yes for Wales" leaflets before the referendum(500 to be exact) that kept me fit!! Thursday was the actual referendum day and Friday the count...I was asked to be a counting agent by one of the councillors in the area I live...I didn't know what to expect and it was very interesting....the Yes vote went through at about 65-35% in favour ...only time will tell what difference it will make to my life...I don't pay for prescriptions which is marvellous and as I type University and college fees will remain cheaper for students studying here or in England because they will be subsidised.
And today I went to a creative writing workshop with my father and my daughter. It was amazing and I feel like it was the little shove I needed to start getting into writing poetry on a regular basis! I feel like I have my creative writing "Mojo" back...there are another 3 workshops so I will keep you posted!
I didn't stick rigidly to my meal plan last week as the children wanted chicken curry instead of fajitas and pasta yesterday instead of pizza. I was fine with this as I had things in the cupboards so didn;t have to shell out for more food.
Anyhow here is this weeks menu:-
MONDAY: BEEFBURGERS AND CHIPS(ALL OVEN COOKED)
TUESDAY: TURKEY MINCE AND SWEET POTATO SHEPHERDS PIE AND PANCAKES
WEDNESDAY: MOTHER IN LAWS FOR TEA(YAY!!)
THURSDAY: BEEF CASSEROLE, POTATOES AND VEGETABLES
FRIDAY; CHICKEN FAJITAS
SATURDAY; PAELLA
SUNDAY: LAMB ROAST DINNER
All I should need to get for next week is the lamb and some chicken for the end of the week...so it's all good!!
I am hoping to be doing some planting next week too!
I start Lent on Wednesday which entails me giving up cakes, crisps, sweets, etc as well as not going on FACEBOOK.. I am also going to be limiting my time on here to 30 mins a day!!! Talk about cold(ish) turkey!!! :o)))))
I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.
xx
My two younger children went back to school on Monday but my eldest was off so she stayed with Nanna and Grandad, she went to town and had her hair cut in a "Jessie J" style bob and she looks absolutely gorgeous but about 3 years older than she is ;oO. It is amazing how a cut and blow dry can give someone a bit of confidence, so it was worth the money just for that.
Tuesday was St David's Day so my two younger children went to school in their welsh costumes and I did a Wales inspired singalong in work...so I had a wonderful day...once that was out the way it was time to think of what to wear for World Book Day!!! To add to it the primary school wanted it to be a character from a book that they had read in school...easy you might think but my children go to a Welsh Medium School!!! Luckily they have read Harry Potter in Welsh so that was my son sorted and to my delight my youngest daughter wanted to go as a character I cant spell but it turned out they were a black cat!! Marvellous!!! Ears on a headband, eyeliner on the face and a tail made out of strips of leather I had-Phew!!
In between all of this I had volunteered to deliver "Yes for Wales" leaflets before the referendum(500 to be exact) that kept me fit!! Thursday was the actual referendum day and Friday the count...I was asked to be a counting agent by one of the councillors in the area I live...I didn't know what to expect and it was very interesting....the Yes vote went through at about 65-35% in favour ...only time will tell what difference it will make to my life...I don't pay for prescriptions which is marvellous and as I type University and college fees will remain cheaper for students studying here or in England because they will be subsidised.
And today I went to a creative writing workshop with my father and my daughter. It was amazing and I feel like it was the little shove I needed to start getting into writing poetry on a regular basis! I feel like I have my creative writing "Mojo" back...there are another 3 workshops so I will keep you posted!
I didn't stick rigidly to my meal plan last week as the children wanted chicken curry instead of fajitas and pasta yesterday instead of pizza. I was fine with this as I had things in the cupboards so didn;t have to shell out for more food.
Anyhow here is this weeks menu:-
MONDAY: BEEFBURGERS AND CHIPS(ALL OVEN COOKED)
TUESDAY: TURKEY MINCE AND SWEET POTATO SHEPHERDS PIE AND PANCAKES
WEDNESDAY: MOTHER IN LAWS FOR TEA(YAY!!)
THURSDAY: BEEF CASSEROLE, POTATOES AND VEGETABLES
FRIDAY; CHICKEN FAJITAS
SATURDAY; PAELLA
SUNDAY: LAMB ROAST DINNER
All I should need to get for next week is the lamb and some chicken for the end of the week...so it's all good!!
I am hoping to be doing some planting next week too!
I start Lent on Wednesday which entails me giving up cakes, crisps, sweets, etc as well as not going on FACEBOOK.. I am also going to be limiting my time on here to 30 mins a day!!! Talk about cold(ish) turkey!!! :o)))))
I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead.
xx
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Sunday, 27 February 2011
How was your weekend?
I had a nice weekend....my nephew had his 6th birthday yesterday which, with 24 6 year old biys and girls was eventful to say the least...then I went to do my shopping....I spent £150....I got loads including the usual school stuff, juices bread, fruit etc and this should mean I haven't got to do a big shop for at lest two weeks so its all good.
Meal plan for next week:-
MONDAY: VEGETARIAN MEATBALLS(THAT COMBO NEVER MAKES SENSE!), SPAGETTI AND TOMATO AND MASCAPONE SAUCE.
TUESDAY: BACON, POTATOES AND BEANS(HEALTHILY COOKED!)
WEDNESDAY: MOTHER IN LAWS FOR TEA!!!!
THURSDAY: TURKEY CHILI(LOADS OF "HIDDEN" VEG IF POSSIBLE!)
FRIDAY: CHICKEN FAJITAS
SATURDAY:TUNA & SWEETCORN PIZZAS, WEDGES AND GARLIC BREAD (ALL HOME MADE)
SUNDAY: PORK LOIN ROAST DINNER
I am going to try and make some bread throughout the week as I have a cupboard full of flour etc, I have three v large and v ripe bananas that are feeling sorry for themselves so I intend to make a gluten free cake for my mum and one for my family as they are low fat and extremely tasty(recipe in a previous post) and there is a yoghurt that has just finished being made going in the fridge as I type so its all good at the moment!
In my wisdom today I purchased a mushroom growing kit from Aldi's as well as an early crop strawberry starter kit. My intention is to get some fruit trees that have been grown especially for pots and wont grow too big...the ones in Aldi's stated that they would grow to between 5 and 25 ft!!! I did look on the internet and found some and I will try and purchase them over the next few weeks, eating apple, cooking apple and plum ;oO....I also have some poundland spuds and that need to be chitted and shallots to be planted so I better pull my socks up!! Also I have been inspired by Keepapi Creative to make some sort of preserve, marmalade, hopefully!
My two younger children are back in school tomorrow, my older child is in the comprehensive and has a teacher training day...so not only have I got to beg, steal and borrow favours for the school holidays I also have children with different teacher training days to add in to the mix...fun fun fun! They have had a nomadic week with a different person including my husband and I having them each day of the week but they had a couple of chill out days(which equals staying in the PJs all day!), we went to an arts and crafts session and Abergavenny, my mother and father in law had my three and my niece and nephew(don't envy them..3 of them are 11 + and were happy with ipods, laptops and doing nails!!), my dad took them to see the Neslon museum and then my mum took them to the pantomime on Friday....They'll be going to school for a rest!! My oldest child went to a creative writing workshop for young people 11+ with my dad today and they were the only ones there so she basically had a 1-1 workshop with a poet!!!! Lucky girl, she loved it and learnt loads, wrote some poetry that is going to be displayed in the art gallery in Blaenavon..I'm so happy for her, I am going over the next few weeks as it is more geared to adults but they are encourging N to go to those too!!! Three generations writing creatively together....what an amazing and special memory we will be making!!!
I can't believe that March is quickly descending on us.....St David's Day on Tuesay!!...which I absolutely love, daffidils, welsh cakes, singing (loads of welsh songs ready for the singalong in work), my little ones in their outfits(photos will be posted!!)...I am so proud to be Welsh!!! and the referendum on Thursday!!!! Yet another busy week...but I shouldn't complain as I have my health, my family and friends, a roof over my head and I live in a democracy!!!
May you have a blessed, fruitful and enjoyable week ahead of you
Nos da
Natalie xxxxxxx
Meal plan for next week:-
MONDAY: VEGETARIAN MEATBALLS(THAT COMBO NEVER MAKES SENSE!), SPAGETTI AND TOMATO AND MASCAPONE SAUCE.
TUESDAY: BACON, POTATOES AND BEANS(HEALTHILY COOKED!)
WEDNESDAY: MOTHER IN LAWS FOR TEA!!!!
THURSDAY: TURKEY CHILI(LOADS OF "HIDDEN" VEG IF POSSIBLE!)
FRIDAY: CHICKEN FAJITAS
SATURDAY:TUNA & SWEETCORN PIZZAS, WEDGES AND GARLIC BREAD (ALL HOME MADE)
SUNDAY: PORK LOIN ROAST DINNER
I am going to try and make some bread throughout the week as I have a cupboard full of flour etc, I have three v large and v ripe bananas that are feeling sorry for themselves so I intend to make a gluten free cake for my mum and one for my family as they are low fat and extremely tasty(recipe in a previous post) and there is a yoghurt that has just finished being made going in the fridge as I type so its all good at the moment!
In my wisdom today I purchased a mushroom growing kit from Aldi's as well as an early crop strawberry starter kit. My intention is to get some fruit trees that have been grown especially for pots and wont grow too big...the ones in Aldi's stated that they would grow to between 5 and 25 ft!!! I did look on the internet and found some and I will try and purchase them over the next few weeks, eating apple, cooking apple and plum ;oO....I also have some poundland spuds and that need to be chitted and shallots to be planted so I better pull my socks up!! Also I have been inspired by Keepapi Creative to make some sort of preserve, marmalade, hopefully!
My two younger children are back in school tomorrow, my older child is in the comprehensive and has a teacher training day...so not only have I got to beg, steal and borrow favours for the school holidays I also have children with different teacher training days to add in to the mix...fun fun fun! They have had a nomadic week with a different person including my husband and I having them each day of the week but they had a couple of chill out days(which equals staying in the PJs all day!), we went to an arts and crafts session and Abergavenny, my mother and father in law had my three and my niece and nephew(don't envy them..3 of them are 11 + and were happy with ipods, laptops and doing nails!!), my dad took them to see the Neslon museum and then my mum took them to the pantomime on Friday....They'll be going to school for a rest!! My oldest child went to a creative writing workshop for young people 11+ with my dad today and they were the only ones there so she basically had a 1-1 workshop with a poet!!!! Lucky girl, she loved it and learnt loads, wrote some poetry that is going to be displayed in the art gallery in Blaenavon..I'm so happy for her, I am going over the next few weeks as it is more geared to adults but they are encourging N to go to those too!!! Three generations writing creatively together....what an amazing and special memory we will be making!!!
I can't believe that March is quickly descending on us.....St David's Day on Tuesay!!...which I absolutely love, daffidils, welsh cakes, singing (loads of welsh songs ready for the singalong in work), my little ones in their outfits(photos will be posted!!)...I am so proud to be Welsh!!! and the referendum on Thursday!!!! Yet another busy week...but I shouldn't complain as I have my health, my family and friends, a roof over my head and I live in a democracy!!!
May you have a blessed, fruitful and enjoyable week ahead of you
Nos da
Natalie xxxxxxx
Friday, 25 February 2011
FRUGALICIOUS MARCH!!!!!!
As I have stated earlier in the week my frugalising mojo faded a bit in February and that has annoyed me!!! I was still pretty good and on spent approx £450 for the whole month on shopping...everything* 2 grown-ups, 3 children and a labrador!!!)!!! So I am not totally lost, however I have bought(YES bought!!) cards and pressies for birthdays etc when I have cupboards spewing out all manner of crafty stuff begging me to find some time to get re-acquainted with them and millions of toys that should be re-gifted to new owners!!
I have also slipped on the old weekly menu and cost posts that I started, which I found therapuetic and helpful and someone out there may find them helpful....I have also slipped on the recipes etc. Bad blogger!!!!
As I have stated before I have changed my career path, which I absolutely love but I am half the money I earned this time last year...I therefore need to start car booting, to clear my chocablock garage so that maybe, just maybe, a car could squeeze in there and to ensure that my aching creeking attic doesn't fall in on me in the middle of the night. I also need to start making and selling my cards, "Cloth Cupcakes, Nappie Cakes, Jewellery and other homemade items to generate money......a plan must been drawn up and steps taken ;o)))
I also have to plan what I am going to grow in my postage stamp garden to become ever so slightly more self sufficient which I hope to do this weekend and attempt to become a bit greener to boot too!!
So, we can safely say we have a couple of things to getting on with over then next few weeks!!!!
Fun Fun Fun
I will draw up next weeks menu on Sunday for the week ahead and then give you the low down on how much was spent.
Have a simply divine and delightful weekend XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I have also slipped on the old weekly menu and cost posts that I started, which I found therapuetic and helpful and someone out there may find them helpful....I have also slipped on the recipes etc. Bad blogger!!!!
As I have stated before I have changed my career path, which I absolutely love but I am half the money I earned this time last year...I therefore need to start car booting, to clear my chocablock garage so that maybe, just maybe, a car could squeeze in there and to ensure that my aching creeking attic doesn't fall in on me in the middle of the night. I also need to start making and selling my cards, "Cloth Cupcakes, Nappie Cakes, Jewellery and other homemade items to generate money......a plan must been drawn up and steps taken ;o)))
I also have to plan what I am going to grow in my postage stamp garden to become ever so slightly more self sufficient which I hope to do this weekend and attempt to become a bit greener to boot too!!
So, we can safely say we have a couple of things to getting on with over then next few weeks!!!!
Fun Fun Fun
I will draw up next weeks menu on Sunday for the week ahead and then give you the low down on how much was spent.
Have a simply divine and delightful weekend XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Do you ever get that feeling?.............
I don't know what it is but for the past 3 months or so I have had an overwhelming feeling I should be doing more with my life.....I NEED to get involved in my community, bring a bit of sunshine into lives of people less fortunate than me....it is a feeling deep down in my stomach and it is constantly there...maybe it's a "turning 40 thing" I don't know but it just wont go away....
Don't get me wrong, I love my job, it is amazing to me still that I get paid to do my job, singing, dancing, crafting and gardening with a group of people who have lived long, varied and wonderful lives but I believe I need to get out there in my local community and help.
How, where, when is another matter but I know deep in my heart this feling won't go away!
I am so glad I have got that off my chest ;O)
Thanks for listening..reading....oh you know what I mean!
Love to you all xxxx
Don't get me wrong, I love my job, it is amazing to me still that I get paid to do my job, singing, dancing, crafting and gardening with a group of people who have lived long, varied and wonderful lives but I believe I need to get out there in my local community and help.
How, where, when is another matter but I know deep in my heart this feling won't go away!
I am so glad I have got that off my chest ;O)
Thanks for listening..reading....oh you know what I mean!
Love to you all xxxx
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