This week has been all over the place, with lots to do in preparation for today and our holiday.
This week I've been hand watering the garden early in the morning.
The washing machine water has been redirected to the back lawn to keep it green.
I've been catching tap water in the kitchen and bathroom and using it to water the pot plants - they've really needed it in the heat and wind this week. The sun and wind have been harsh, especially on the hydrangeas, and they were so pretty. I've been moving the pots into the shade each afternoon to try and protect them.
The self-sown zucchini has some tiny little zucchini on it. I'll be watching them today and tomorrow so I can pick them before they get too big.
Used some stewed apple from the freezer to make crumble. There was enough for two, one for us to eat and one to share with a friend.
Timing hospital visits for first thing in the morning and later in the evening to avoid paying parking fees ($5 an hour!). If I haven't been able to find a free parking spot I've been timing visits for under 20 minutes to get free parking undercover. Mum isn't up to more than a quick visit anyway so it has worked out well.
Made a quick trip to the airport on Tuesday morning to drop of my aunty and uncle who have gone to Wyoming to spend Christmas with my cousin and his family and combined the return trip with a hospital visit.
Found a surprise waiting for me at the Post Office on Friday morning, a beautifully wrapped parcel of individually wrapped presents. Thank you Tania, they are all gorgeous.
Splurged on Friday and bought 5 kilos of potatoes, then made potato salad (yum!) and kept 14 aside for roast potatoes today and during the week. Turned the rest into wedges and froze them.
Cooked all our meals from scratch or used up some freezer meals.
Hung the washing outside to dry.
Recycled wrapping paper and gift bags to wrap Christmas gifts.
Downloaded some free e-books from Hundred Zeroes.
The loungeroom looked like a paper store had exploded this morning as we opened our Christmas presents. Wayne gave me a set of cargo trunks and a garden hose that reaches from the tap to each corner of the backyard - no more dragging and swapping hoses to water. AJ gave me a scoreboard, Thomas a cutter with fancy blades and Hannah a new handbag and wallet and some die cuts I've had my eye on. And they all gave me lots of chocolates so I'm set for quite a while. I'm itching to get some time to play with my new craft tools too.
And that's about it. Most of my time has been spent going between home and hospital and trying to arrange respite for Mum when she is discharged.
What have you done to save money, time and energy during this especially busy week of the year?
Sounds like you had a delightful Christmas Cath. That lounge room scene looks very similar to mine on Christmas day! I think I have received twelve months supply of chocolate too!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you received the present before Christmas, I was a bit worried it wouldn't make it in time. Thank you also for your beautiful gift :)
I do hope your mum is doing well now and that you are enjoying your holiday.
xTania