Getting Adl'd in Lildis...

We're trying to budget. or BADGGIT!!!! as the ad used to shout at us...

But where can I go.to save money AND get what I want? Oh no! Now I DO sound like ads on telly,,,


Are you paying too much for your car insurance? (eh.. no)
Are you happy with your whites? (eh... yeah)
Have you had an accident in the last year or two and would you like to sue the living daylights our of some poor unfortunate? (eh... no)
Are you up to your eyes in debt and stuggling to pay an already crippling loan -- and would you like to be even MORE in debt??????? (eh no... comment...)


I could go on but I'll only get upset and I have serioiusly digressed...


But it turns out that Adl (or Lildi -- always confuse them) are between 30-40% cheaper than Dunnes and Tesco. But they wouldn't have everything on my list. Do they even sell houmous and the Metre long pack of Jaffa cakes? I'd have to write 2 or 3 lists! I'm bored half way through one!


The last time I went to Lildi (or maybe it was Adl. -- always confuse them) was when I lived in Wales. I bought 3 bags of flour at 9p each, 7 tins of salmon in lemon juice at 47p each, a chinese rice bowl and chopsticks set at £1.99 and a bottle of cheap wine. For some reason I bought stuff I didn't need cos it was cheap.

I'm afraid to go back in case I spend my shopping money on cheap Christmas decorations and then STILL have to go to Dnnnes and get my houmous and jaffa cakes.

But I plan to give them a try and I'll let you know how I get on.

Did you ever have one of those days???

So you DO read my blog. Well hello to you wiley blog readers who don't leave comments.
You're most welcome. So for today's thought...

Recently I spent a day in my pyjamas. 36 hours or so actually...

Have you ever had a PJ day? Now they are slightly different from Duvet Days. Duvet Days are for slackers who wake up and before they've stuck their toe out of the bed they know they won't go to work. But as soon as they've called in sick and updated their Facebook status to verify their illness, (it's is more reliable than a doctor's cert these days...) they are up, showered and on the sofa with a tub of Häagen-Dazs watching Murder She Wrote and Loose Women.

PJ Days are Saturdays so it is permissable (but not always beneficial!) slacking. Maybe it was buying new PJs that inspired this day, but it wasn't an inspiring day so I doubt it!!

I wish I could say that I spent the day meditating on a Psalm and making a list of things to thank God for and praying through it. But no. I didn't! Nor did I write any Christmas cards, or even start my list. I do thank God for the day though. I genuinely felt unwell when I woke up but know that the rest did me good.

"What DID you do?" I hear you cry. (I really will have to do something about the voices in my head!) Well, I watched a couple of films (4 actually), I played Tetris for a bit (well over an hour), I looked out the window thought deep thoughts (for about 3 minutes). And ate!

AHHHH yeah you were waiting for the food reference weren't you...

Would you believe I was fed all day by my beloved?! Oh yes. He made my breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. I was furnished with drinks all day (Adam's Ale mainly, I mean come on...) And it was wonderful!

But was it a wasted day?

All depends on your definition of valuable time I suppose.

I'll say one thing.. It was a great day and my new PJs are VERY comfortable. Might just have to buy another pair -- but I can't really afford it.

Ah I have an idea!


Dear Santa,
I've been a really good girl this year.......

Anyone for 'stir-about'?

I've just rediscovered Porridge. No, not the old comedy series (I'm showing my age now). But good old Flahavans Oatlets. Hot, yummy, milky with a bit of sugar.

My dad calls it 'stir-about'. Seemingly it's what he had for breakfast every morning for... ever. Brown bread and stir about was the staple breakfast menu in my dad's day. Now has a fried breakfast every morning but that is for another blog...


But porridge is really gorgrous, filling and low in points. I had it for dinner one night this week; trying to save points before the weigh in. I know I'll probably get tired of it. Like I do all healthy stuff. Funny hnw I never get tired of chocolate!!!!


But this whole change of focus food wise.... it has to be a permanant. I know that now. I have lost and gained so much weight over the years. And I have learned that if I am not actively trying to lose weight then I am putting it on. I never stand still weight wise. Since I stopped doing weight watchers at the end of 2001, 7 years ago, I have gained 7 stone. SEVEN STONE! in 7 years. 1 stone for each year I've been off the wagon.

Thankfully I am on my way to the 2 stone down mark; but I don't think losing it is as much of an issue as keeping it off; permanantly!

I can't imagine myself being another 5/6 stone down. I can't look at it in those terms. It's too much. But I do need to look ahead a little. Cos Christmas is coming. And I could do a lot of damage to the weight loss if I'm not careful. Looks like I'll be eating lots of parridge...

Again I can see a parallel in my spiritual life. If I am not actively moving towards God I am naturally veering away from Him. I have always felt that the weight issue is a spiritual one for me. And now I see it as a picture constantly reminding me that I never stay still. I am either moving towards or away from God.

My staple food, my 'stir-about', the Word of God, is really wholesome and filling. I should stick to that really; but I should also remember that chocolate is always calling me away...

Did you miss me? Thought not but here I am anyway :)

It's quite strange to be blogging away here and no one taking very much notice of me. Except you Rich. I know you always read my ramblings (if only to make sure your wife hasn't completely lost it! -- ooppps too late!)

But what's on my heart tonight is not about food. Well not earthly food. Although I've just had coffee with a cinnamon and raisin bagel and some real butter. What a treat!

Anyway; today has been a fab day at church. I was really inspired by our guest speaker Clive Johnson. He was fantastic!! And as rich and me are seeking God for His plan for us and sensing some sort of call on our lives, this guy makes me want to get to know the heartbeat of God as well as I know my own.

For a few years now I have had this desire to speak. (shocked? I thought not,,,) When I worked in Care for the Family I loved going out on the road to work at seminars and events and would have loved to be up the front saying cool stuff. Lots of pride in there I know, but as I have changed over the last year that desire is still there but it has changed too.

I have a longing to encourage, to share the story of my stormy, pain filled, amazing walk with God. I want to tell anyone who needs to hear it... "You can make it, you can do this, it won't always be this bad, I know; cos I've been in the dark place and found the path out of it."

I want to encourage and inspire young people, especially girls, that they are treasure in God's sight, and worth far more love, affection, desire and passion than any teenage encounter will ever give them.

There are so many things I want to say. And as only 1 or 2 people read this blog I guess I'll have to pray about other ways of telling my story.

The other thing that has happened lately is a change in my singing. Well, actually a change in my attitude to my singing. I had this funny feeling after singing a few weeks ago. Didn't know what it was but it was nice. It happened a couple of times and I probably should have prayed about it but didn't.

I went into my boss's office a couple of weeks ago and he has a picture of Eric Lidell on his window ledge. I have seen it loads of times but I picked it up that day and read what was underneath it. It was the (seemingly) famous quote of his. When he runs he feels God's pleasure. I stopped in my tracks. THAT WAS IT. THAT WAS THE FEELING God's pleasure.

I couldn't believe it. I mean I can sing, I know that. But I'm no Kiri Te Kanawa by any means. But sometimes He's deligted to hear me sing and sometimes lets me know.

And it happended again this evening. What a feeling it is. I am so unworthy of His love, it's amazing.

My precious Father, help me abide in you and abide in me that I may be better at serving you. I love you Lord!