Monday 28 July 2014

Influencing others

I had a wee cheer to myself this afternoon whilst chatting with my aunt.  She had visited in the week before the funeral with my cousin and cousin's husband and I had sent her away with some pickles for my uncle, from the FH's stash in the garage.  She came out there with me to see which pickles he might like and was impressed with my two back-to-back wardrobe store cupboards.  She came back today with my cousin and in the conversation over a cup of tea, we were chatting about shopping.  I have been encouraging her to try Aldi, and asked her if she had been yet.  She shared some of the bargains she regularly picks up in Farmfoods and encouraged me to have a look in there too!  Then she said it - she has been inspired by my storecupboard and has started her own wee stash in a little cupboard in her bedroom - woo hoo!!!


Thanks to our cupboards, and stashes, I still haven't done a "big shop" since the FH died.  We have veggies aplenty in the garden, and it is no hardship to get our five-a-day from the variety we have there.  The two fruit baskets we have received have kept us well supplied in that respect, and I am going to have to make apple sauce with the last of the apples so that they don't go to waste.  I am going to go to Lidl this week, as there are a couple of things we are running out of, but we don't need an awful lot.  There was a £5 voucher for when you spend £40 last week in a newspaper which I saw quite by chance, so I shall endeavour to make use of that, but I may go on Wednesday afternoon and take UJ along for the ride in case he wants anything too.

Azura
[image from simplonpc.co.uk]

Life without the girls here is definitely quieter, but I am doing OK.  I have had lots of phone calls and texts from them, and they are having a lovely time - they were in Stavanger today and it was HOT they reported!
Life on the ocean wave seems to suit them, and they are doing their own thing a lot of the time and just meeting up with my dad and MB for meals.  Dad is happy that they are having a holiday and he gets to see them often, but he isn't actually having to take them places or amuse them, thank goodness!


5 comments:

Cheapchick said...

"Stashes" are exactly what times like these call for. I am sure you haven't felt at all like shopping for the last several weeks. So nice to rely on what is in the cupboards. I need to build mine up a bit. I do have a very large supply of rice and pasta to make due in a pinch as well as lots of meal makings in the freezer.

Bridget said...

Glad your girls are having a good time and I had to laugh at your comment on your Dad not having to amuse them!

Lyssa Medana said...

Sending big hugs. It is reassuring having a cupboard to fall back on. Thinking of you WS xxx

Sue in Suffolk said...

I think one of the Amish/Mennonite groups in the States always have 6 months supplies( or it maybe more) in store. They share with family and friends in case of emergencies.

Buying up HUGE supplies of things when they are cheap might be the secret to cutting costs overall.

I'm not sure where I would keep things safe if Polly keeps bring mice in the house everyday!

Morgan said...

@SSS - I think it is the church of the Latter Day Saints [Mormons] which recommend that their members stock up with a year's worth of goods for their families. They go to great lengths, storing wheat in sealed cans, for example, in order to be able to grind their own flour in the days to come. It is inspiring, sure, but I will never be in their league!