Innocence of Youth, or How to Emotionally Scar Your Nephew for Life!

I had the great good fortune this weekend to look after my 4 year old nephew “M”.

His parents (my sister and brother in law) were invited to a wedding in Brighton so these few days had been booked in the diary since last year.

My friend “S” has a little boy “J” of the same age, so we arranged to meet up and went to a local farm.

It was great fun.

My little nephew always has a lot to say for himself, I think every 4 yo does. He can spend hours watching pigs, feeding goats, riding ponies and generally doing everything…twice. He also believes that walking is for wimps, and running is the only way to get around.

The whole of his day comes with a non stop commentary, which generally you are expected to listen and contribute to as required. It is always peppered with references to Batman and Spiderman whatever the general location / activity.

I think it is all a hoot and just decide to give dignity a miss for 48 hours. Going down slides, playing on playground apparatus and cheering on racing pigs. I am also famous in focus groups of 3-6years olds for my ability to find lost toys and repair Lego Batmans.

“M” makes friends easily and him and “J” got on like a house on fire.

S & J stayed over with us on Saturday. After breakfast we all went off to get dressed.

I helped “M” get ready first and then he sat on my bed chattering as I got ready to face the day.

He heard “J” (3 years old) outside my room, and shouted,

“J”! Is that you? Do you want to come in and watch Aunty Abigail get dressed?”

Now isn’t that an offer? It appears my reverse striptease is now a spectator sport.

Poor little mites, how to emotionally scar them for life, looking at my fat bum being shoe horned into the Sunday denim.

I am always so grateful for these times alone with my nephew, when I do not have to share him with anyone, but can read rhyming books and tuck him in and generally enjoy time with this wonderful little boy.

I think he enjoyed it too, as he said sleepily at bed time “Aunty Abigail, please do not get married and have a baby, as I always want to be your little boy”

Frugally yours

Abigail

x

I Rattle!

I have had a headache since Monday, today is Thursday. It is not fun.

Not a migraine, just a dull ache that starts at the back of the neck in the morning, and slowly investigates the rest of the skull during the day. I have taken paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen, they work for a limited time.

Sitting hunched over a PC clutching a phone between shoulder and ear whilst listening to people bemoan the state of the economy, does not help.

Whinge over...

The result of this headache, is that I have got home every evening this week and done nothing. Yesterday, I sorted out the ironing then went to bed. If I was an American, I would say "It sucks" as I am not "This is just irritating, what what" :o)

I have restocked on bread, making two loaves on Tuesday.

I really wanted this week to cut out my new dress for work, look everything is ready to get started.

I love this fabric and think it will make a beautiful dress. Hopefully this weekend I can get started.

On the plus side it has been a low spend week, £3.80 spent since Monday not including petrol. Which is very helpful as the bank balance is starting to look a little low since paying for the car tax.

I visited my parents this evening on the way home from work. They are going off on holiday tomorrow, so I will not see my Mum on Mothers Day. I dropped off her card and we had a nice chat. I really miss them when they go away.

She took the opportunity to empty the fridge of fresh produce, so I have come away with 'free' goods. A pointed cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber. All destined for the bin. Brilliant!

Looking forward to the weekend, and spending some time on my hobbies. I want to cut out the new dress, go to the library, and order the book for April's Book Club. All very pedestrian, but I enjoy it and now in my 30s, stuff it I like my pursuits. I get a lot of pleasure from them. My work is not my life, it merely facilitates my other interests.

What do you get pleasure from?

Frugally yours

Abigail

x

My Mummy x

Today has been a No Spend Day, and I am not happy about that at all.

Today is Pay Day and I should have been tackling bills and debt repayment, but for some reason, my salary has not hit my account. I was assured it would be there by the end of the day.

It is not.

I had no cash, so I just went for a walk around the block at 12ish, then back to the office to eat a frugal lunch – tomatoes on toast with a packet of skips.

I had been looking forward to blogging about how much had been paid off.

I feel like I have just dropped an ice cream sundae. Very disappointed.

However, I do have so many things to be thankful for and one of them is my Mummy. She, along with the rest of my family are such rocks in my life. After work today, I went to see her and she cooked me the most delicious dinner, Yum!

There is nothing ever better than a dinner your mum cooks. This weeks menu plan has gone out of the window. But, I do not care. When I am with my Mum, I am always happy.

Frugally yours
Abigail
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