We were supposed to be visiting Mum on Thursday, but when we got there we found that the care home was in lockdown ... again!! This time flu is doing the rounds with two of the residents already having been sent to hospital. Mum is currently okay we were told, and we were able to hand in the things that we had taken for her. Poor Mavis was very confused ... 'What no Granny, no special doggy treat'.
So, rather than just getting straight back on the motorway we detoured to the local little M&S Food Shop as I had a couple of vouchers to use up. Does anyone else find that vouchers for any decent amount of money burn a bit of whole in their pocket and just have to be used as soon as possible. 😄
I had £9 as you can see from the top photo ... and I spent £9.05.
I'm happy. 😀
It might not be a 'challenge year' as such, but it's definitely the year that I make the best use of everything and collect as many 'freebies' as I possibly can.
Then Alan asked if I wanted to go with him to Aldi this morning, and I did. Wine, Pringles and a few other bits that I sort of needed.
I knew I didn't actually need rice, but it had gone down in price and the shock of a price actually going down made me pick up a bag.
I really didn't need any rice!!
I knew I should have cracked on with my cupboard tidying, it's been a slow process as I just can't get in the mood to get everything out on the worktop all at once. I've now sorted through all the rices and put them back in the lower cupboard with them all stacked in date to be used in order.
Oh well, that's another little section done. 😄
I asked Alan not to buy me any flowers for Valentine Day this year. Every year for the past few years he has really splashed out on expensive flowers, and as awful as it seems I just hate the thought of all that money going on flowers that die just after a week ... and his taste is completely different to mine, so it's sad when I actually feel relief at stuffing them into the compost bin when they die.
There, now you know I'm an ungrateful wretch!!
This year he printed me out a card ... and a poster of some flowers. Now in my book that is the most perfect example of Valentines Day thoughtfulness.
We also went out for breakfast at our local fancy garden centre ... and I came away with some freebies. To say thank you I have bought us tickets to see the new Bridget Jones film tomorrow night. It's been a good couple of days.
I hope you have a good weekend. 💖
Sue xx
After my todays post I'm so glad your shopping wasn't a shopping haul!
ReplyDeleteGosh I HATE that term, and it's bandied around so often these days isn't it. :-(
DeleteI'm the same with flowers, except daffodils, I love them this time of year they do cheer me up. I 'spent' my vouchers this quarter on a new 100% cotton duvet set which was half price and with the vouchers it feels like it was free.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do love a nice simple bunch of flowers, fancy bouquets do nothing for me. Give me an Aldi £1.99 bunch of carnations any day.
DeleteI am the same with vouchers, but it is usually because if I do not spend them quickly then they can become forgotten and hurtle at speed to their use-by date. (Also the same as you with flowers - might as well put money straight on the compost heap.)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your opinion/review of the M&S Kyivs. The 'Good Life' ones I have been buying for ages have changed and are now just stodge, I won't be replacing them when the freezer supply is gone.
The M&S Kyivs are delicious, they have stayed consistently tasty from their inception. I'm a bit of an addict, so they are one UPF that will be staying in my diet. 😁
DeleteA bunch of British daffodils, perfect for my birthday and Easter. Spray carnations are cheerful too. I forgot to plant any pots of hyacinths last autumn.
ReplyDeleteI used to have some flowers for the bees and some for cutting when we had the allotment.
I used to hate the smell of daffodils in the house, but one upside ... and only the second one that I've found ... is that as I can no longer smell them I might treat myself to a bunch or two over the next couple of weeks. :-)
DeleteThat IS a lot of rice, and I thought I had plenty! I had to google speculoos, I'd never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteSpeculoos biscuits are just like Biscoff biscuits. Sadly, not so many coffee shops give you free little biscuits these days, but I always appreciate it when they do.
DeleteYour little biscuits reminded me that I have a large packet bought from Lidl for Christmas and have now retrieved them from the top cupboard where they had fallen out of sight. Catriona
ReplyDeleteA happy reminder then. I keep my little packs of individually wrapped biscuits in a jar on the shelf in the kitchen, so I can grab a pack when we go out.
DeleteFirst, hope Mum stays flu-free.
ReplyDeleteAnd second, ooohh, jam tarts! On my M&S grocery list when I head over the Pond next month. Might try one of those Kyiv's, too. :)
We have our fingers firmly crossed, but she's very weak at the moment so she's very susceptible. It's funny I've not had a jam tart for a long time, but when I had just over a pound left to spend on my vouchers and I saw them on the shelf I just had to have them. :-)
DeleteI thought I had a lot of rice, but you have me beat. I do have lots of lentils though. Really need to get using those. I hope Mum does not get the flu.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I most likely have everyone beat!! It's a bit of a ridiculous amount of rice, and weirdly I have less pasta for once.
DeleteI hope your Mum continues to be well and not get the flu.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to find some goodies to buy with your vouchers. :)
The care home are doing their best, everyone is confined to their own rooms and the whole place is in lockdown for visitors. I'm VERY good at spending vouchers. ;-)
DeleteBless him, that's such a lovely and living thing to do. Sending hopes that your Mum remains well and is coping with the lockdown situation.
ReplyDeleteI find myself wondering how to spend that £11.40 on the gift card too. I guess it won't get me far but every little helps. 😁. xx
He's a bit baffled that I think this 'free' Valentines gift means so much to me. I've actually glued the poster to the picture that is behind it in the photo now, so it's a permanent feature until it fades. :-)
DeletePerhaps you should get yourself some tasty treats for Easter with your little surprise 'windfall'.
i also collect freebies wherever i go and can't wait to spend vouchers, it's so exciting to get something without having to pay! x
ReplyDeleteI am trying to document all my freebies this year, just to see how many I can pick up over the course of the year. It is a buzz to get 'something for nothing' isn't it.
DeleteM&S Food is delicious..good idea to visit there, hope your mum will be alright.
ReplyDeleteIt's usually really good quality isn't it. She's being well looked after thank goodness
DeleteMy homemade card from Jon - well, I'm assuming it's from him - was made from an old pizza box!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, just as I was reading this my phone pinged with an email from Monsoon reminding me that i had a birthday voucher to spend....so I bought a new hat (like I need one!)
I'm craving jam tarts, now. xxx
PS Hoping all's well with your Mum and the other residents and staff.
DeleteAlan is so thoughtful. I got...nothing!...lol... Alan's thoughtful gift was more precious in my view that a bouquet of flowers.
ReplyDeleteYes, regarding any vouchers, I have to spend them immediately just in case they go out of date!
Hope your mum is ok.
I loved the thought that went into it. I'll have to up my game next year. 😄
DeleteI love the printed flower pic & homemade card. That took me back blast from the past lol to when we got our first pc as kids, me and my brother were always designing and printing out cards. Good memories 😀. Re: freebies, I found a mini glass jar of jam in my bag other day & one in the car lol. When we go to spoons for breakfast I order jam on toast along side my breakfast, I'm technically paying for it but the price ain't too different from buying just toast which I was ordering anyway so I bring the jam home. I just need to remember to actually put it in the fridge 😂
ReplyDeleteThe little jars of jam are great aren't they, I can't resist bringing even the virtually empty ones home. 😄
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