This week has been somewhat varied, strange varied but mostly just audaciously varied, It all began when i received an early morning phone call on the last Monday in May, now my phone rarely if ever rings, but when it does it’s invariably for news I’m wanting to hear, that day was to be no exception, my estate agent were calling to inform me I was in fact due my annual inspection, (not me personally you understand), but rather the rental property i live in, Now if you have learnt anything at all about me over the months of these missives, its that my tiny apartment maybe on smallish side, but ive always strived to keep it neat and tidy, Mainly if I’m being honest because any more than two things out at any one time and I would have to take up mountaineering, there is absolutely no room for clutter of any kind, even if I were to be predisposed,. Plus cleaning without the aid of electrical gadgets not only is much harder, but takes far more of your time, this taught me very early on to clean up as I go along….Something that is on the whole preferential for myself anyhow.

But even though I clean daily, still that panic button was well and truly hit, for the next three weeks everything within reach was not safe from my ministrations, either i polished the woodwork until it gleamed,bleached thoroughly, or just have things a damn good scrubbing 😁, Jesse watched on the sidelines at a safe distance, somewhat bemused by all the fluried activity, he had already tried to reassure me to no avail,,..Finally realising the best plan of action was no action and just to let me go about my merry way, cleaning up things that really didn’t require it, much less tiring that way😁,as the days grew closer, I became not only more fractious,but industrious in my work, …

Inspector without gadgets..

The morning finally arrived, I awoke stupidly early to a glorious sunny dawn,(least I had that going for me, everything looks so much better in the sunlight right?) throwing open the windows to emit fresh air, trying in vain to dilute the stench rising up from copious amounts of Lavender disinfectant, orange pledge polish, and the peppermint oil percolating away in its change colour air humidifier,. I began running about hyped up further by goodly amounts of gulped down strong hot coffee, I had started the second my feet touched the ground, tweaking last minute things, plumping cushions, putting away things in places I’ve got small chance of finding ever again without the aid of either a pack of sniffer dogs or a Satnav, maybe a water deviner?😁

The Eagle has landed…actually I think it was Walter Pigeon…

I had finally got to a point where I felt everything was acceptable for receiving visitors, or at least someone coming in to check things over, …after finishing up, I take a minute to finally just breathe!!!, It’s as I’m sat staring out the window, that i realise this flurry of activity is just me being pro active,(the need to have control over something (I know full well, I can never like it though, when they go I am left feeling somewhat invaded, my privacy interrupted, I am I’ve discovered over the years a very private sort of person, my bedroom particularly an inner sanctum, a barrier against that outside world, so this fills me full of dread and unease.. I am if nothing else a very good bluffer., when finally the very nice smart gentleman arrives, I do my up most to hide the turmoil i find myself going through,, Manners taught once, very long ago go into auto pilot, I play a good hostess and everything works out fine…

Over the weekend temperatures have soared, and during the day despite lacking air conditioning and loathing to use fans, since the cost of electricity like the temperatures is still soaring , I’ve managed this well enough so far, it’s amazing how far a bucket of ice in your thermal beaker will go to cooling one down, I make sure to also take full advantage of any cross breeze blowing from my living room and bedroom windows, nights I have very little choice in the matter though and am more than a little glad of my tower fan whirring away moving the stuffy warm arm about in an attempt to fool me it’s cool…being on the ground floor means the Windows are shut firmly after dark.

Sunday morning dawned just as hot as it’s predecessor’s, once again I am up with the lark, sleep becomes increasingly difficult with the sun shining through my bedroom window…plus I want to get a start on things early before the sun really gets its dander up…Washing is always first on the agenda, this is mainly because hand washed clothes takea that much longer to dry, . I always soak clothes first over night, cutting wash time, but that morning before I could set to, there was a knock on the door,. I’m only too glad at this point, I had had the forethought to get showered and dressed, because answering the door in one’s pants with bed hair is indeed frowned upon here in blighty…

On answering the door I see stood a delivery driver, in his hands a rather large cumbersome box, he does no more than places it upon the floor, turns and leaves, I’m left saying thank you and bye to his retreating back.😁, first I established that whatever the package contains is in fact for me, I’m not to my knowledge expecting a delivery…but on closer inspection I see yes it is definitely addressed to me, hmmmmmm.

washtub Willy

After breaking two nails trying to peel off the copious amount of tape, I decide scissors are in order..😁, I tackle the tape, many layers of cardboard to reveal a large plastic drum…no I’m not joining a band,(and be grateful I dont ever!!!!😁) This if you can imagine the inside of a washing machine, then make it plastic, you have what I was looking at…Jesse worried about my endless amounts of washing, and the fact my hands would survive to tell the tale, has bought me what I could only describe as a type of hand cranked washing tub, picture a salad spinner…now make it larger, then you have it…😁, I was excited to give this ingenious little gadget a whirl, . Pleased now I hadn’t already begun my washing, I set too.

After a few minutes of cursing trying to set it’s lid on straight, I decide the bath is the place for my new toy, and I’m thrilled with it from the off set..I find washing I didn’t know I had and begin the clockwise cranking , the outter drum is filled with soapy water, while the inner one spins agitating the clothes within, it’s a bit like churning butter must have been, but I love it, . Turns out Jesse had spent an eternity searching through pages on Amazon trying to find just such a thing to aid my work load, and it’s not only perfect for this it’s fun..who knew 😁, like all gadgets it had to have a monika, name..(hence washtub Willy😁..better still batteries and electricity are not required… Anyhow folks enough from me, I’ve my trusty carpet sweeper to run up and down with, take care out there now all ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛.

There are times when life boots you up the backside so hard your unsure while your flying through the great blue yonder in which county you will land in, since February I’ve been forever free falling,

I’m Not sure if you can remember or not but back throughout the long winter months, I took to feeding the wild birds,(I was pleased to see my old friend, white feather was still making his presence well and truly known, I’m somewhat convinced he thinks his king of the bird table) for a Blackbird of no large stature his a feisty wee devil, Scars upon his dumpy body are a tell tale signs his been in more than a few wars and still lived to sing out about it…over months hes plucked up the courage to get nearer, as I sat out on those rare occasional sunny winter days, wrapped up warm against the chills,with a coffee close at hand. i would scatter suet pellets upon the grass for him and my little companion obliging ate while sat ridgedly still watching him feast.

After some months he took to following me about the gardens, sitting upon the fence while I went about chores, hanging out my laundry, although he flew away if I became a little too near for comfort, I have in fact seen this plucky little bird chase off one of the many local cats, singing out his indignation at a feline on his manner, the poor cat ended up cowering under a car😁, we had been enjoying coffee mornings together for some time, when I noted him following me while I walked locally, (now I know what your thinking,it could have been any old blackbird right?, but no I know this wee man from the others, recognising a scar upon his cheek, the odd white feather in his wing, plus the way he looks about us in order to chase off rival male birds. I’ve no illusion that it’s because he has formed a bond, hes just protecting his meal provider…😁

But after a while white feather was joined by other diners, he was not amused at this audacity at first, but when he realised they were not in fact interested in his suet pellets or dried meal worms, they all settled down forming a healthy respect, his new Dining companions were none other than my flock of cheeky pigeons. I say cheeky because these guys are brazen😁. I can move about, wave things around and there they sit, heads cocked, for a moment watching me before they carry on eating ignoring me totally 😁…

The flock went from just 15 regulars, then expanding with into growing numbers, now bringing down their youngsters, I could tell each and every one apart by their colouring, wing Patten or in several of their cases their nerve…some willingly feeding about my feet, So of course they now had to have names..😁,

The longer I’ve been feeding my merry band of birds, the more attached to them I’ve became, rarely seeing anyone other than Jesse in phone land, it tells on me greatly at times, solitude is fine in small doses, but it does become tiresome over time, . It is though only what I myself have done, over the years my trust slowly worn away, eroded with abrasive hurt and pain…so my little flock became not only entertaining, but real live sentient beings where previously there was nothing.

I would tell Jesse about how close Dave came to me while feeding that day, or that Red had a baby out with her that looked almost identical, .I don’t gossip about my neighbours as many do.. No my days were filled with stories about my bird friends and their antics..

Well as I started with, over the weeks things have been somewhat overwhelming, I try to keep a positive frame of mind, but some days just are harder than others..(today being one of these days.. Earlier on I sat outside for a while watching the sun set below the local houses estate, trying to pluck up the energy to water my plants, it’s been a somewhat busy day today, Busy days are ok when you have the energy to go with them 😁, and I certainly didnt! So I took the opportunity to relax some while it cooled down, and as I sat in silence, one of the pigeons flew down at my feet, I knew who it was instantly…it was Walter, his bigger and braver than his counter parts, there’s no fear there as his shiny beady eye meets mine expectantly, I talk away to him, his head tilts looking up at me…his not interested in conversation of course 😁, he just eyes the seed bucket beside me, as I reach out and grab a hand full he watches my every move intently, I lowered my hand down ready to scatter his food. He boldly pushes up to my outstretched palm, I feel his soft downy feathers against my hand, he reaches out and takes the proffered seed, I,m holding my breath,frightened that any sudden movement will shatter this moment and scare him off, but over the months he has grown to know me better, trust has been formed unspokenly, a bond betwixt two entirely different species grown.

This privilege never fails to overcome me with emotion and gratitude, from the times Ive worked with young abused horses spending weeks, months, gaining their trust, or sharing my home with a multitude of waifs and strays, Each and every time catches me in the chest, Each time is always precious and that Gift. ❤

Well it’s yet again another beautiful warm sunny afternoon, there’s not a whisper of cloud up in the sky, a real far cry from the bleak grey heavy blanket of cloud this time last week..,Furthermore As you may or may not know the freezers where all down in the shop, I have my food delivered from, so all my usual frozen staple food stuff was unfortunately missing in action, Not being able to just jump in a car and go buy whatever went awry, meant two things for me, either sit in my flat feel sorry for myself and starve or the alternative option which i must say i preferred somewhat, was use my initiative and become inventive with those few things I had left laying about.. As you can imagine I did indeed go for that second choice…

Now I must just say at first I was a wee bit disappointed to say the least, (ok I blooming sulked for an hour 😁, (But after Jesse had me face the wall for half an hour to think about it 😁) I decided that actually this could be kind of fun, a challenge if you will.And no one loves a good challenge like myself, . So first things first, I did a quick stock take of everything that I had left in my freezer from the previous week,(my freezer is small and I usually only shop from week to week ..so infantry all done in two seconds then😁, So our menu options were, six sausages,some pieces of nondescript cheap white fish, well It says it’s fish on the pack anyhow😁, a chicken breast that had managed to evade capture up till now by cowering behind a packet of mixed casserole veggies and some other frozen vegetables..

The store cupboard here also having limited space(this is putting it mildly), although they do still hold a multitude of different stock cubes, that ubiquitous bar of lindt dark chocolate for sweet tooth emergencies only!😁, a mountain of tinned chopped tomatoes,( my excuse,these have been on a sale at the moment), then there’s that battered odd can of soup, whose flavour I’m not so fond of, but i could be persuaded to eat if I’ve run out of every other option available known to woman kind,😁(you’ve all no doubt got this same can lurking in the rear of the cupboard someplace.(best place for it folks) …fortunately though while looking through my staples, I came across a rather large bag of whole meal flour, plus half of spelt(an ancient bronze age flour), Noooooo it hasn’t been at the back of the cupboard that long, I do clean them out eventually😁)both of these i had forgotten about, but with this added bonus find, it a least meant I could set the bread machine to work for its living during the week to make me a loaf if and when it was required,(Bread like cake here is always required plus breads a great filler for hungry stomachs,…

I had decided that very night after giving it some thought, I would cook all six of the sausages at the same time, this not only meant I could infact use them in different things, but save on electricity., For lunch the very next day I made myself a lovely sausage sandwich, I sliced one sausage very finely,(easier to do when straight from the fridge by the way), Added some fresh spinach not just for effect, but it’s healthy I’ve heard 😁, sliced cherry tomatoes, then adding finally a large dollop of garlic Mayonnaise just for good measure, it was not only a delight but very Satisfying. This left me with five more sausages also…For dinner that evening I settled on making a spicy sausage casserole…I used two tins of tomatoes, two sausages chopped, a red onion, garlic, frozen bean mix, frozen mixed veg, garlic salt, pepper, paprika, two beef stock cubes, mixing this well in the slow cooker, I set this on high for four hours…i have to say it all surprisingly worked well, It was thick and hearty plus there was actually more than enough for three more meals,(I could easily have got more but ermmmm I like my food 😁)

Another day I made fish and chips using the cheap and cheerful white fish pieces, Giving it a rather delicious crusty coating using pesto, herbs and spices, then slicing some ropey carrots up for chips, they thought they had escaped my notice by hiding in the salad drawer😁, the whole meal probably cost around £2 max, it cooked up in no time with the aid of my trusty air fryer, you could of course add a slice of bread and butter if your really hungry…

The following night I made fake Kfc, using the chicken breast, Coating it liberally in corn flour, salt, pepper, paprika, basil, thyme, mix, air frying this and serving with corn and veggies, all in all with just my meagre food store there was not one day I didn’t eat, (eating quite well to boot, I’m finding that I’ve come to grips with eating on a tight budget, there’s far less waste these days and as I said in the very beginning I love the challenge.

I’m on week 6 of budgeting my electric usage, those cold showers certainly wake a body up in the morning, between that and my penchant for extra strong coffee, I’m pretty much wired by the time 10:30 comes around. I have though at least been fortunate with the weather, it’s far easier to bake your hand washed clothes dry on the line with the aid of the suns cooperation, it’s not on the other hand quite so much fun running up and down with the carpet sweeper or beating the rugs outside I’ve found, this though too can also be got round if you start that bit earlier. Plus it amuses ones neighbours.

What I have noted from living frugally these days is that I’m far less inclined to spend money, in fact if I’m being totally honest I hate it, I will do anything to avoid it, Amazon that one time best buddy of mine has even fallen by the wayside, Now instead I put things in the basket, leave them there for a week, if I still want it or need it then I can buy it, mostly though I’ve found I delete it, this is a huge turn around for me, I’m no longer that die hard shoppaholic, I believe I’m becoming far better for it, Theres much to be said for living this lifestyle, even if it’s meeting hundred of other people doing exactly the same, swapping stories,sharing recipes that have been handed down for generations, plus ideas on how to eek out your money just that wee bit further, these people are all ingenious at it..search them out on Facebook there’s lots of groups out there…Anyway enough from me for today, take care of yourselves out there folks❤❤❤❤❤💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤x

This week has been what some may call, you know the kind I’m on about, every little thing you try thwarts you in every way possible. I tried in vain to clean off the top of the freezer only for a bottle of dried parsley to tumble to it death, by leaping off it’s shelf not to be content with this, covering all over the freshly washed freezer top, plus the once clean,but still wet floor, myself, and everywhere else within its radius, leaving my tiny kitchen looking as if it has had an attack of the H bomb(herbal bomb), who knew those tiny pots held so much?😁,

This was just one of many many incidents to befall me, I went out while Jesse slept, to cut back the massive waving vine like BlackBerry branches, that I swear were gradually winding their way over to where I hang out the laundry, some had grown as thick as ropes, each menacing hanging branch covered in sharp pointy evil looking thorns, ready to impale any and all comers, I didn’t fancy becoming one of their victims, So my hands incased into two thick pairs of gauntlets, pruning shears sharpened to their utmost lethalness, fuelled with strong coffee, I walked out into the wilderness to lay siege on the thorny undergrowth, . I stood back regrouped, planning my attack, these vines almost sensing their impending doom, waved their arms about in the breeze, using their best threatening manner, banging against the fence, almost drumming out a battle cry… I waged war bravely for half an hour, before admitting to a somewhat bloody defeat, my arms covered in scratches, thorns embedded through both sets of gloves and into my fingers, my t shirt ripped, I had cleared what I thought a goodly patch, but gave in before another vine smacked my face just missing my eye….

Strimmer…..

If I couldn’t Savage the briar patch into submission, I was going to whack these weeds into next week come what may..I had had the strimmers battery plugged in for 12 hours now, the knee length grass, nettles and forestry had better watch out im in no mood to be messed with, adding the battery to the strimmer, I match out to hack down a patch of grass that has been soaking my feet and legs for weeks…I push the button and the strimmer vibrates into life, I rev it a few times to show my intention, I’m ready, in fact I’m more than ready…I face the grass aim my implementation at it with some vehemence, ..it cut a measly two blades of grass and died, ..I pressed the button again, again it fired up, I put it to the grass, another two blades meet their doom and stop…I do this several times, several times the same thing…I have managed to cut down an inch maximum, . Now either I’m going to be out here till next month covering a six foot stretch of grass, get down on my knees with a pair of scissors or something has to give here…I recharged the battery, checked the cutting blade, washed it off with a damp cloth because that always makes things work right?, I polished the blooming thing, it sparkled like new…either it then didn’t want to get dirty again or something was seriously adrift as it still refused to cut more than two blades of grass before cutting out…I had the only go slow strimmer in the country, and I had barely used it..Jesse emailed the company that very afternoon, and in all fairness to them they sent out not only a brand new strimmer but battery pack too.😁

Monday …

Monday I had put in my usual carefully gone over and budgeted shopping order..I meticulously had gone over my that weeks grocery order, until it came to under £50 pounds, mainly by putting things in the trolley, taking them back out again..weighing up what I could and couldn’t live without basically… I checked then rechecked the order, before finally pushing that little check out button thingy.. This was infact Friday, the shop was due around Monday lunchtime,. I Gave it no more thought all over that weekend, . Monday morning came and i set about my usual routine, washing done and blowing out upon the line, I had swept the floor vigorously with the carpet sweeper, beat the rugs half to death out in the front garden(I dread to think what my neighbours make of all this 😁😳), then I sit over coffee, checking my phone for substitutes on my shopping list, great nothing!!!!!, Well that’s nothing until an hour before it was due to be delivered…then I look down at my phone in horror to see half my shop wasn’t coming😳, all the frozen items were now amiss. And that was all my meat, fish and veggies for throughout the week…too late to cancel though as it was on its way …sighs

Rations anyone..

I couldn’t even reorder another shop, because this would mean I would have to spend yet another £40 to £50 pounds, blowing not only a whole weeks budgeting out the water, but throw out the rest of the month also…so I begin looking into my meagre box freezer, there and then i decide to make do with whatever is in the house, you can call it madness, call it canny, whatever you like, but im this far in and I’m doing ok, it’s meant getting somewhat creative with the ingredients I have here in store, but like the true war time spirit us Brits are known for, I’m doing it, in fact not only am I doing it, but I’m enjoying the challenge of it, it’s going to work because I will make it…throughout this frugality lifestyle I’m learning less is indeed more, just by cutting portions, eating some very odd concoction or another I’ve nearly made it through the week, I know for a fact I couldn’t get by next week without doing a shop, as my cupboards are dwindling fast, but this has been no hardship,. And another plus side to this experience is ive met some wonderful like minded folks on some brilliant frugal forums, full of ideas and recipes to stretch food further..this may just have to become a regular occurrence in my new lifestyle. ( just to keep you up to date, the reason half my shop was missing in the first place was because the shops freezers had broken down, wasn’t their fault at all, but could and would only happen to me lol) well my mother didn’t call me calamity Jane for nothing 😁, until next time good folks, take good care of yourselves out there ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt recently about living within a frugal household, it’s to use what you have more wisely, whether that’s food stores, money, or just plain Savvy(knowledge). Up until the last few years, truth be told, i never would have said I was particularly intelligent, or even clever come to that..but one thing I was blessed with from early age in abundance was common sense, after all its that very basic of know how that’s got me here in the first place,(that and a rather impressive fuel bill 🙄) I explained about that some weeks back, thats how instead of doing my usual head spinning, eyes rolling, panic mode of previous years, I decided to take matters into my own hands and get something practical done about the situation.

So here we are, about a month into my whole new way of life, Im hesitant to say this experience has been easy or at all fun, but for all the extra hardship, it brings about the gift of invention, creation, plus learning, ..where as in the past I would have used retail therapy to see me through a low patch, I set my mind to finding something to do now instead, and believe me when I say living this way, 24/7 there’s always something that needs your attention,

I rarely cook a meal these days that I cannot stretch for at least another days dinner, I also never eat out of boredom, emotion, or because it’s there, giving up emotional eating for me was difficult as I’ve always self medicated exactly this way, this would have only depleted my store cupboard sooner though…I now eat once or twice daily, I could eat breakfast if I chose to, but coffee first thing, is the only basic food group I need turn to😁,

Simple things have bought about the biggest change, like turning off lights after you leave a room, unplugging things not in use, beating rugs outside, then carpet sweeping instead of the vacuum cleaner, hand washing daily, it’s a bind but I keep my eyes firmly on the prize, being debt free by next year hopefully,

Keeping this in mind, this week alone I came up with two new money saving tips, first is simple and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before now🙄, when I finish with my rabbits 5 litre feed buckets, I keep them to re-use, they have nice firm fitting lid and are super strong, (I use these for everything, from soaking my washing, to store cleaning product or simply washing things down…it was to this end, while I sat out in my front garden yesterday getting warm in the afternoon sun, a lightbulb moment dawned on me right out of the blue, 😁,.why not fill one of these buckets with water and leave it out in the sun?, I don’t know why it never occurred to me before then,. It was too late to try out that day, but it certainly wasn’t today, …the sun gets very hot under my front room window, So that’s where I left my 5 litre tub of cold water.

it sat there approximately three or four hours in full sunlight, Low and behold, some time later I retrieved my bucket, bought it in and for the first time in over a month now, I washed in lovely warm water instead of icy cold, this of course will be precarious to say the least, as the UK is not renowned for its sunny weather, but all this aside though, the luxury of washing in warm water even a few days a week will do me fine 😁. Up until recently I had just taken hot water for granted like we all do, now it’s become a guilty pleasure😁, .

So this led me onto idea number two..Solar power, I cannot stretch to having solar panels here, and even if that was at all possible, I’m not quite so sure my upstairs neighbour would in fact be thrilled with this, (even if I could afford it, which I cant) . So I checked out portable panels, singular and multiple..I confess I’m not quite sure I’m ready for all this kind of technical knowledge just of yet, this is one leap too far, there’s much talk of wires input and out, connectors, batteries, meters..nope uh uh this still freaks me as of yet, more research is needed here. But not to give up totally on the idea, I scrolled pages and pages of Solar power banks. This is not a job for the light hearted or easily bored even, but after an hour, a really cheap packet of silver bells slipping into my basket for my demented buzzard(Sage the budgie) I came across something at long last, a power bank that was indeed within my price range, not only was it on a sale, but the small lightweight but tough Ryoko power bank has some amazing reviews, apparent it even still works after one ladies two rather massive hounds set about it…😁 if it has the dog seal of approval, then it’s fine for the needs of myself, one budgie and a darkness phobic rabbit…

So quick smart we purchased two before the sale ended,. they arrived, well packed and promptly the very next day, I have to say I am this far somewhat impressed, I have them now fully charged up on my living room window ledge, just taking a few hours and I’m really looking forward to putting these through their paces…between these and my other power banks, solar fairy lights I’m no longer kept in the dark 😁, .

There is only the over usage of my trusty kettle I have to come up with fiendish plan for next and apart from the fridge freezer I will be virtually electricity free during the day, it is just a Matter of time before I come up with something though, that much I’m sure of, that or go without coffee, (which just isn’t a language I quite understand 😁) Any ideas of your own your willing to share please let me know, im most grateful for any help given, until next time folks take care of yourselves❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Another long week has passed in the 1950s house,And I’m thus far hanging on in there, although once again temptation has tried its damndest to lure me back into the present 2023. Hasnt helped much, what I in the beginning took to be a harmless head cold, turned into “the Franken-cold” or Covid to the less well initiated. It has made the week Novel that’s for sure, .one thing i just have to mention though, is I’ve developed a whole new found respect for woman of this era,. It’s one thing to clean house without our use of the usual 2023 wizardry when your feeling well, but when your fighting off an illness, this becomes a stupendous battle of wills as I recently found out. And in fairness to those heroines of their time, I’m only cleaning a one bed tiny apartment, not a three bed, two floor semi…

It’s funny though, as I work about here during the day memories of our old council home flood back to the fore, the sounds, smells constantly interupt my thoughts, crashing through my mind, like so many unwelcome visitors at a function, .. Take a Sunday for instance, I find it difficult to imagine any woman cooking that full Sunday Roast dinner for a family, getting it plated up quickly enough, before it went cold, I find this hard enough for myself, but woman like my mother had larger families back then,(five or six children being the norm) . Most weeks after dinner mum would normally produce some kind of dessert or other, after all this though there would be the inevitable sink load of washing up to face,(no dish washer in existence back then) all this done with the aid of kettles and pans of boiling water(we grew up in a home without the luxury of hot water on tap, working instead in a steam filled kitchen, not only tedious but thankless, I hated when it was my turn to do the dishes….it was nearly always my turn 😊, my siblings choosing to disappear magically the moment dinner was eaten…

As I delve deeper into the lifestyle, I have realised things take that much longer, (even for a small flat with just myself), Even making the bed is no longer just a matter of pulling over the Duvet, No now there’s sheets and the three layers of fleece blankets to consider, all have to be straightened out, after my fight with them in the night, it’s a bind, but I keep in mind All the while I’m worth the extra effort, plus the comfort of a well made bed is a must,(not up to hospital corners as of yet though😁).

Through no fault of my own, I do have to make use of my air fryer, microwave and small one ring electric hob, this is only because the stove here is obsolete and probably lethal it sits in its corner untouched, I mainly use the oven part of it as much needed storage 😁, I’m still trying to stick to my weekly budget, which I’m finding easier as the weeks pass, occasionally I go slightly over when I treat myself to some fresh fruit or need detergent.

Apart from more time consumption, and putting in more hard graft one things for sure when the weather changes, so do your days, trying to get your washing dry for instance can take three or four days, just in time for the next lot, here’s where I get all inventive and open a window, stick the airer in front of it, which is fine but when it’s wet and chilly outide, then of course inside, I sit about huddled hiding under numerous blankets around a solitary hand warmer while it merrily blows a gale throughout..😁,

Whether or not to match the era or I just felt so inclined😁, I had a fancy to play 50s and 60s music, as I dash my trusty Ewbank carpet sweeper up and down the carpets, somehow songs like working on the chain gang almost feels appropriate in its own way, ..as time goes on though I would like to find ways be more energy efficient or actually self sufficient, I’m still unsure how or if I can manage this, I have to believe there is a way forward…I cannot use solar panels as I would dearly like to as this is a privately owned property, I am however extremely inventive and will come up with more ways to cut corners and more importantly these ever rising bills…Once more before I leave I really would like to give a shout out to all those woman who kept house without the aid of gadgetry you have my new deep found respect…Ladies you were all heroes, as are the many parents of today who not only raise families, keep house but then do full time jobs, …Anyhow enough of this, I’ve carpets to beat, and sofa to attack with the dustpan and brush…take care all and stay safe out there ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

So here we are embarking on yet another week of living virtually 1950s styleee, this will of course now mean my first full month, it hasn’t been all plain sailing by any means, but my routine is a least sort of set up, there have been those days where I must admit I’ve strayed off that somewhat straight and narrow path, specially this week, a couple of days I didn’t just stray, I went right off the beaten track into the undergrowth…it’s ok living this way until your body begins most vehemently to protest,which mine began in the week, somehow getting up faced with its usual icy shower, going down to the river to beat the wash against an obliging rock (ok slight exaggeration there on my part) the sink😁, just didn’t fill me with the joys of spring,

Confession

Saturday on waking I was in fact more than ready to go turn on the water heater, fling my clothes in the washing machine and drag out the now dusty Vacuum cleaner from its hiding place in the bedroom cupboard, (swear these gadgets are having an easier time of things than I am, I think actually their all off enjoying a holiday someplace, and any day now I’m expecting a post card from them “saying glad your not here”) back to being serious though this thought filled me instantly with guilt and remorse, I had started on this journey to fulfil a commitment(pay a large bill) …and the word commitment is the name of the game, usually when things get tough and rocky, I waver in my course, I hear those doubtful nagging voices of my past, saying ” you know this is too tough” your only going to give up halfway, why not now, you never commit to anything….this infact instead of making me feel defeated, it put my determination foot to the peddle, things in our world never are meant to be easy, life certainly isnt, but where life’s concerned I’ve never been ready to give up, so I will face this challenge head on with that same bloody minded stoicism it deserves….

By Saturday afternoon I had discovered why everything seemed to take that bit longer, like trudging through Manuka honey(would say Molasses only I don’t like it). Friday night I had suffered long bouts of chills, these alternated with fevers, when my nose began dripping, I knew either I was allergic to my new way of life(no Treez that’s not a legitimate way out😁) or I had in fact the beginnings of a cold, nice!!!, I suspected something a miss, but as you know I not only live alone, I don’t socialise at all either, So where it came from I’m not going to try and guess, but it’s here now and though it’s not conducive with cold showers and doing chores without the help of electronic gadgets I’m determined to push on …

There have been a few mishaps along the way here and there,(or as I like to call them laughingly, learning curves😁) like when I hit on the brilliant idea of cooking up a whole chicken instead of frozen pieces, the idea here being, chicken for the whole week,(keep this in mind)All the while only using one lot of electricity, plus I love cold chicken, so no heating it up again once done., But what I didn’t bank on and really should have, was I do really love cold chicken….I hate to say it and it’s with some embarrassment that I do, the chicken only actually lasted two days 😳, this in the world of budgeting does not make economic sense at all, if I could have eeked out said chicken for the week it would have been more cost effective…but that’s not taking me into account😁, so it’s back to frozen chicken pieces for me, which are cheaper than fresh chicken and help someone without portion control manage😁 ….lesson learnt.

Remembering to remember….

During the day apart from boiling the kettle for coffee, and my fridge freezer, which is on permanently of course, I try not to use any electric, hence the ban on gadgetry..(I wasn’t sent to my room and banned from its use) . What I do have though at my disposal are four power banks, these of course do have to be charged, this in theory should be achieved at night, when the tariff is somewhat cheaper😁, I say in theory here, because by the time I haul my tired body into bed at night, guess who forgets to hook them up to the electric?….this is an area I have to improve on and very quickly, …

There has been the odd discovery along the way, as you know on waking I put all yesterday’s clothes in a large bucket of cold water, that I have pre swirled a cap of bleach and small drop of detergent in, you leave this to either Marinate over night, or if not while you have a cuppa and play ludo online😁, the bleach won’t effect your wash if you’ve mixed it well, what it will do though on the other hand is kill of bacteria and leave your was smelling beautiful, specially if you line dry it, ..And in the spirit of none wasting, this bleachy detergent mix then gets poured down my Loo, give it time while you rinse your wash, attack it with your trusty brush and tahdah, you have a sparkling throne fit for a king, works brilliantly….

All I need is one of those funky cross over aprons(pinny) a headscarf, few curlers underneath and I really will be in the spirit of the fifties, Apron may keep my clothes clean too, this venture is a lot harder than when I first thought about it, and I guess if I’m being honest …if I really had thought it through in the beginning it would never have got off the ground, but I am here now with a crazed determination to see this through, even if it’s just for the duration of paying the bills, ..forgot to mention there is one rather large plus side on this…I have lost 8lb in the past week alone, whether it’s through the extra effort of cleaning or dietary budgeting, likely a bit of both, this part of the experience I like a whole lot ….Anyway folks back to the grindstone, I’ve washing to get in off the line and floors to go over with the carpet sweeper….yet to take the rugs out to beat, but that’s not saying it won’t happen😁, take care out there all, and hope your enjoying the sunshine..❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Getting turned off

Living within the frugal lifestyle as well as it’s erm interesting upsides(mainly cutting back on living costs, I will think of more along the way honest😁) there are those Disciplines you really just have to adhere to..like turning off those lights when you walk out of the room(do you remember your parents screaming at you to do this when you were younger?, I do and remember also as soon as I had my first flat, I left all the lights on all over, just because I could😁) I’ve now grown over the months not only respect this, but learnt the hard way why my parents were indeed right.(I have the bills to prove it), Unplug those things when not in use, yeah I hear you, (but your going to use them in a moment right!?, Wrong! As much of a bother as going round switching off things are, it’s far better to expend that bit of your energy, than pay some large corporation for the use of theirs, especially when your not using the item at the time.

Handwashing(wearing clothes is the bane of my life…..

On waking up, Ive become most grateful for these wonderful lighter mornings, not only does it mean I do not need to switch on lamps to avoid stumbling into objects, that I swear have moved about in the night, but I find I’m waking up that much earlier, I’ve fallen into this kind of routine, one my mother must of had over some fifty years ago…up until three weeks previously, my first thought on waking was always coffee!!, my mind normally just refuses point blank to function without its strong caffeine infused fix, But that was yesterday, now my first thought infact is, is it raining?, if not, I will look out of my window up into the sky to check out the cloud situation…it really doesn’t matter anyhow though as that washing “Will be done”!!!!, (No matter the weather), when you hand wash everything, the last thing you need is to let it build up until you have a mountain of dirty smelly smalls,(who am I kidding) And believe me dirty socks have a life of their own and will at any opportunity grab you by the throat in the night,. So each morning as the sun rises, the dawn chorus begins in earnest, (I throw open the Windows and sing oh what a beautiful morning!😁😁 ..No no what actually happens, is I fumble my way out into the kitchen and grab “the Soakinator!!!!!”, Sounds brilliant doesn’t it?, Almost like a new invention…But folks what this actually boils down too, is a large bucket I fill with cold water, a cap of bleach, cap of washing detergent and swirl with and old wooden spoon like crazy thing, (for other recipes😁)..to this add yesterday’s clothes, and leave to soak for two days,(sorry ok mean an hour or two,) then and only then you actually get chance to not only boil the kettle, but do anything else you can think of in the whole known universe before finally facing up to the dreaded “icy cold shower torture”, suddenly the thought of the upcoming washing, rinsing and repeat doesn’t seem near as bad…

Becoming rational

One of those highlights I was going to mention earlier,(no honestly there are some😁) you get excited by those things that until this point in life, Had become mundane, like tomorrow my rations will magically appear, via the Morrisons grocery truck(Morrisons is a grocery store), I never would have believed that having a few groceries delivered would become exciting, (hang on to your hats guys things are gonna get ultra thrilling now😁. Theres Nothing more magical to a frugal shopper than half price Falafels, no I’m not swearing at you I promise😁, their these little balls😳 of herby chickpeas goodness(how does one say Falafel I wonder?) I’ve no clue myself, but what I do know is they are on offer this week, their easy to use plus nice and filling…So of course I bought three packs😁, cottage cheese was another bargain, …shopping no longer is just a necessity, it’s a art form, one i am becoming increasingly good at, I plan my meals strategically, no more just spare of the moment flung together cooking for moi, oh no, it now takes care and forethought. My meagre budgeted rations now get stretched out throughout the week, Ive taken to eating those left overs,I would once have carelessly tossed away,, plus i make my portion size much smaller, I have learnt if I’m very hungry to pile up extra veggies on my plate(frozen veg being the cheapest form to do this).

We are though now into week three,and even I have adjusted to the changes, it’s not been all fun and roses, there have been mornings, like today, when .1. I didn’t sleep well so prising myself out of my bed to begin the dreaded routine took vast amounts of nagging at myself(this invariably never works) then much bribery of the coffee variety.. .2. Today was also a very high pain threshold day, pushing one’s shoulder back into its socket may be a great party trick and earn you free drinks all night normally😁(it has in the past) but not quite so much joy when your faced with a large bucket of cold wash to get through, … Then there’s the Cold showers when it’s taken you all night to get warm, this is also quite the experience believe me!, But what this does make you realise is the amount of things one wastes or has taken for granted, my recycling and rubbish bins are now both only getting a quarter of the use they had previously, this surprised even myself, I will from now on in be much more mindful…

Tips..

I’m open to suggestions from my fellow frugalers out there, anything from recipes, bargains, things you have found to work for yourself, like finding the winning lottery numbers 😁, no seriously though if you’ve come up with some good practical ideas please share them, ones never to old to learn…well speak with you all again soon, take care out there folks, look after you ❤

The boring bit: budgets.

Shopping on a budget can be bothersome, if not somewhat trying. That said, it does make one become inventive with household accounting. My budget is currently at roughly under £50 per week. (I can see Mr Saville, my old math teacher, tutting and giving me yet another C here, telling me I must try harder. 😁.) I know of some people who quite successfully have halved this and I hope with time I can, too. If halving, at least take off another £10. Each week I start off my shopping by adding things to my online cart without checking out. This gives me the chance to add or omit items that i think I can live without. (Like cake! How I miss cake! 😁. Even the word is gorgeous, right?) But as fabulously delectable as it is, it’s no longer on my list of essential foods. Well, it is, but I just can’t bloody have any. 😁. Same goes with chocolate, crisps and chips. All essential food groups I’m convinced (😁.) just not if you want other foodstuff in your cart. (sighs.) I just have to be sensible. (Oh boy!)

Vegetables.

Using a great many and a wide variety of veggies in my diet, I find it not only bulks up my meals but, let’s face it, they are boringly good for you. Now that’s all well and good but they’re not quite so healthy for ones bank balance. I’ve watched the prices rise substantially over the months and was left in some what of a quandary. I was getting to that stage of either eating fresh veg or meat. Here is where I compromised. After much researching I found my store sells veg quite cheaply in frozen mixed bags. Not only is this a much cheaper way of shopping, it’s great if you’re lazy like me: a cut-corners kind of cook. Takes minutes in the microwave. No chopping, no washing or mess or waste. It’s quick, easy and just as good for you,. The biggest plus is there’s no time frame for usage. Over the months this has saved me an absolute fortune.

Bargain hunting.

Do you ever get that buzz like I get from finding something half price? I have to admit, it gives me a real thrill. (Something has to these days. 😁.) Searching for those cut price items is just like going hunting, scouring for those on sale items (with just my trusty weed-wacker to hack back the undergrowth of lush temptations, slathered in cake repellent) until… there it is in a clearing! Those wondrous tins of thirty-six pence whole tomatoes. Those are definitely going in the cart. Not just one but two! That’s the budget blown. 😁. Kidney beans, lentils… all jokes aside, folks, these are a cupboard must have. I’m a huge chili fan, so cut price kidney beans are of real excitement in my house.

There’s also the obvious, like buying store home brands which most of us have been doing for a while now. Before giving chocolate the big heave-ho, I discovered (quite on the off chance, you understand, harmlessly checking out, er, other stuff on that shelf) store brand bars of chocolate. Firstly, I must say I cannot remember getting any bar of chocolate for 36p since my childhood. 😁. (That being back in the day when there was fire-breathing dragons and unicorns roaming Tesco.) But out of sheer desperation I clicked on it, not just once but twice! (Oops!) 😁. (Yeah, I know. In all fairness to me, though, chocolate had not passed these lips in over a month. Okay, it never passes my lips ever, opting rather to just open my cake hole and shove it in.) 😁. I did, however, wonder some time later… well after I had already clicked on it of course… how can this bargain basement chocolate taste halfway decent? I mean, how can they afford to sell it at this price? Does it, in fact, taste of those really cheap pet shop dog chocolaty drops? (Remember those?) How do I know what those taste like? (Ain’t telling! 😳.) But we all did it, right? Then imagine my shock and most pleasant surprise when, after the first tentative bite, it was actually okay! No, not Cadburys, Galaxy or Lindt you understand, but if you find yourself craving something sweet, it’s definitely worth giving it a try.

I have to say though, rather than becoming depressed by all this austere economic budgetary wizardry, I find myself rather enjoying the challenge. Admittedly there have been times I’ve faltered, nearly straying off my path via some evil temptation on Amazon or another. (I have heard their stocks have gone down in recent times. I knew I had issues but really!? 😳. 😁.) I even had one regular driver pull up here outside last week just ready to knock before he realised his mistake. No, seriously! This bad habit now broken though is a lifetime one for me. I mainly did it from boredom or bouts of depression anyway. I didn’t really need half the stuff I bought over the months at the time. (But only now is most of it coming into its own. Now I no longer feel that overpowering urge to splurge.

Each evening I sit and, as the light slowly fades away and dusk makes its presence known, I’m grateful for the lengthening days. My two lamps sitting idol until around 9pm most nights now. I do, however, make full use of some solar lamps I bought last summer (another Amazon purchase now fully coming into their own) as are my four power banks. One keeps my phone on the go during the day so I can still be in phone land with Jesse. I charge them up after midnight when it’s a cheaper electricity tariff. This lifestyle I realise wouldn’t be for everyone. It can tell on you at times. I have to be extremely disciplined (something, I might add, I’m really not) but by next year I want to be bill free, solvent, in the black… whatever form achieving this takes I’m willing to give it my all. I’m lucky though, I know. I have the full support of those around me. They cheer my efforts and make something that could have been so damn miserable an adventure. I know I have learnt, once and for all, the things worth having in this life cost nothing, but are indeed of immeasurable value. Take care of yourselves, folks, till next time we meet. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💛

It was on one of our many conversations of late(that’s of course myself and Jesse’s) I realised with a start that I had no clue who or what I am,(yes I know the important basics like I’m human, love Jesse and my children) But there I am heading rapidly toward yet another landmark birthday., And for instance at one point I didn’t even have a clue about my likes and dislikes,. Horses, dogs, music, reading, classic films etc were another massive factor throughout life, but what then? …. Take reading for example:, All my adult life I have read the same authors, there being a sort of safety net in that one particular Genre, like returning home after an upset seeking comfort in the familiar surroundings.

Most of the books Ive read were what’s laughingly I suppose called chic lit, (I hate using those words or admitting to it even) Every book without exception began the same, Girl met boy, girl hated boy in the beginning chapter’s, then it switched she fell passionately in love with him, he of course was a rich a playboy, helpless woman flocking round him ect ECT ECT! … My mother bless her heart loved these type of books, she also had two favourite authors whom she read virtually every book bought out by,. Therefore i read them also, doing so with a view that we could share them and discuss as we read rapidly through the pages ..it gave us something to talk about,shared interest!

But pretty sokn with each new book by either author I found myself recognising a set pattern,. before long I knew the plots by the first chapter,but I continued down this known route for many years though, with each new book I was left wanting, empty, This in fact actually went on until the death of my mother..losing her was not only a blow and massive shock, but with her went my passion for reading, one of the main reasons there for too I suppose,. I would intermittently try to pick up the odd book and funnily enough I still found myself to buying them , .each time I visited charity shops, supermarkets, I find myself looking down the endless rows, almost searching for something to jump out at me, provide me with that escape between the ink filled pages I had previously sought and found..now though the words somehow looked jumbled, they wouldn’t sit in their orderly lines, spoke in an almost foreign tongue, and i was left feeling instead of lost in comfort, just abandoned, ..So as years flew by, I tried my hand at many hobbies desperate to fill the void left by previous characters and their adventures..But they didnt excite or capture my imagination.

Try as I may, books had indeed lost their magic and I had to face up to the fact, I did not have the first clue how to recapture it… that was until one Christmas some time later, there under the small but well appointed, glitzed up glam tree sat numerous boxes and intriguing wrapped gifts, I love Christmas with all the excitement and almost a child like passion…it’s a big deal in my house, my Son Andrew that year handed me a square heavy object, I knew instantly by its shape and recognisable weight what it was, my heart sank, not because I’m ungrateful for the thought entailed, but it was a gift, therefore special, especially from a loved one…

As I removed the last vestige of shiny jolly faced Santa wrap, the cover created a surprising feeling, one unfamiliar, I felt a spark of interest, I loved also that new book smell, it’s weight, the feel of it in my hands…that book was by C J Sansom, it was in fact a Genre I had never attempted before,. I knew though without doubt I would read it, even if was for the fact it was a thoughtful Gift bought with me in mind, A few days later I set out on my new voyage of discovery,. The first pages admittedly seemed almost a chore, but as I turned each and every new page, something happened without my note, I in fact had become immersed, I found myself waking up early, (4am to be precise) making a steaming mug of tea(yes bc, before coffee I was a tea drinker 😲, I know shocking!, there sat under my bunch of soft fleece blankets curled up on the sofa I read, not just read though, Now i devoured each page, each well written line and sentence,. Time seemed a traitor, the clocks hand spun round at an alarming rate, the sun crept up into what was surely just minutes ago, that dark star filled sky..I hated letting go of the books hold over me, 1: because i was scared the magic spell it wove around its words, it’s hold over my imagination would be instantaneously lost forever once more, 2: I know it sounds weird, but I thought by the simple act of closing those dust covers together, the books characters would carry on their lives without me, I felt excluded…so it was with regret each day I put in my book mark, signed and carried out my days tasks…

Coming to the end of that book was almost as traumatic as it’s beginning, at the same time as needing to find out the conclusion, I wanted it to go on forever, it was a bitter sweet moment as I turned the last chapters pages, I wasn’t just finishing a book, but it felt like the end of a relationship, which of course in an way it was. After I tried with little success to read what were much loved old favourites, what had once been familiar, safe, loved, treasured, now in fact lost all appeal, And with them I lost my way, my love of the written word..

It didn’t take long though before I discovered more of Sansoms, books, And with each new title, also a renewed hunger returned, I couldn’t work out why at first, but looking back of course I know now..his writing was new and fresh, Gone was that same old Genre of love betwixt the lines, in its stead, a refreshing mix of history fact mixed with fiction, I love learning anything history wise, Andrew had cleverly known this when choosing that very first title…very

Over the years since those early days and first books, reading has come and gone like friends have,. Sometimes almost coming to a standstill (never forgotten now though) .. the last five years in fact I have barely picked up a book, life since I met Jesse, fell in love, all the fun of the immigration battles, moving house, health issues have been adventurous enough thankyou!, Even with those long lonely hours to fill, I just couldn’t concentrate, my mind seemingly too full to concentrate… that was until the beginning of this year,. while without any real concentration I flicked through books in my ever growing library on my tablet..despite not reading still, that need to buy books hasn’t grown any less😁…one title stood out from all the others …spoke to me if you will…That book is called The reading List by Nisha Adams, again it’s a different style of story than my usual, (although what am I saying now I know longer have that “usual”. ..It starts quite sadly with a bereavement, A wonderful spritely 70 year old gentleman loses the love of his life, (his wife) it’s also about a voyage into the love of books, unlike my own, this is in fact new to him, along his path though he meets wonderful new people, he befriends a 17 year old troubled teen whose caring for her mother, a man recently broken up from his girlfriend. and with this a discover of a book his wife had loved, then theres a list of books she had distributed about before her death, with the words in case you might need it..each of them wants to complete the list, …as you read the book you find yourself compelled along the way too.

So here I am on my own new path, not only reading the titles on the list, but along the way discovering different and exciting authors, One had been so enthralling I hungrily trawled it’s pages all that day, only stopping for bathroom breaks, that even was in truth hit and miss😁, the book a page turner was in fact, The kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini..never had I read a more beautiful but tragic indepth book…when an author can change your whole way of thinking about a subject while leaving you wanting more, you know it’s been a worthwhile read….

Since January I’ve read 12 or more books, each one leaving me with a parting gift..a hunger for that next title, then more over the next, I want to make this truly a journey of discovery, one finding new and exciting authors, thus finding out more about myself, my likes, passions, and with them myself…I’m not sure how long in fact this hold over me books will have …but while I undertake this last few chapters of life I intend fully to make it the best chapters yet…..the end

ps…To keep you up to date on mine and my new bread machines adventures, yesterday I made another perfect example of a loaf of bread…it was a sight to behold and not a fluke like the first success, this one was in fact though an experiment in nerves, I was daring folks, adding a mixture of dried chopped herbs, parmesan cheese and garlic pepper…the first slice I ate warm and just as I cut it, naked(that’s the bread) I do spare the neighbours where I can, take care of yourselves folks stay safe out there…..

Pps..if you have come across any books you have read that have created a real impact, why not share them with me let’s share a new journey for a while😁😁😁😁😁😁😁xxxx🍞