Today was one of those days where I had to go out and 'do stuff' that involved dealing with people! And it reminded me why I don't go out much!!
I had a dental appointment so booked Luna into puppy day care so I could catch up on all my errands in one day. I had to buy a new puppy pass so that was £140 spent before 9am 😱 I went to Pets at Home as I needed to stock up on biodegradable poop bags. They're changing the whole layout of the store so nothing was where it was supposed to be. Instead of a quick pop in and out, I spent 10 mins looking for them. £3 spent in there. Then into B&Q for silicone mould cleaner (my shower seal is mouldy despite me cleaning it regularly) so £6 spent there.
The dentist took more impressions today and I chose the tooth colour for my plate 🦷 Did you know that your eye tooth is a shade darker than the tooth beside it because it's got thicker tooth enamel? I didn't! £45.16 for today's treatment.
Then I met 2 of my 2 Gin Queen friends for coffee at Costa. Both are currently off work (we taught together in the same school) with work related stress. One of them told me she's decided to retire at the Summer (yeay!) so another good teacher is lost because the system stinks (boo!) Total spend in there £7.35 ☕
Then I went to Sainsbury's to 'spend' my Nectar points. They have also moved everything round since the last time I was in and I had no idea where anything was any more. I was really frazzled by the time I got to the till. But then the till wouldn't accept my Nectar card. The assistant was very unhelpful to the point of rudeness and just said go to Customer Services, they'll sort it out for you. I duly went and they were even more unhelpful! They didn't know why the system wasn't letting me spend my points. Even though my receipt clearly shows I've got points to spend. Eurghhh!! I'll need to try sort it out tomorrow.
When I got home I totalled up my spending and was shocked to see it was £255.61! Mostly planned and budgeted for but still a lot for one day!!! That's the down side of saving up all your errands to do in one go!
I picked Luna up around 4pm. She's always exhausted after a day spent running around with her doggy pals! She likes to sleep with her head on me or next to me for the whole evening 💤
I felt the need for some healthy comfort food so I made stovies using up some sausages and turnip from the freezer. Potatoes, onions, carrots, turnip and meat (usually leftovers) are all cooked together in one pot. Different parts of the UK and even in Scotland make a version of this and it's known by a few different names. It really hit the spot and there's enough for my lunch tomorrow. Doesn't look great but it's flipping delicious! 😋
I'm absolutely exhausted tonight. Apart from seeing my friends I wouldn't say it was an enjoyable day out. I'm getting even more reclusive as I really really don't like going out and dealing with people!!
Love stovies! And love making a meal out of leftovers, so economical.
ReplyDeleteI haven't made it for ages, so cheap to make. Although I did add 3 sausages when probably 2 would have done! :-) xxx
DeleteThe cost of doggie daycare is ridiculous. Is it for a certain number of times? I understand about not going out and seeing people.
ReplyDeleteYes, I should have said that's for 5 full days. They open at 7.30am and close at 6pm. I usually drop her off at 9 and pick her up at 4. It's cheaper to buy a block than pay for each session. She loves it! I only use it when I need to do something without dogs in tow. Emma is happy to be left at home but Luna is still not safe to leave unattended for long! :-) xxx
DeleteI get this - in retirement the pennies count and it can be alarming how quickly stuff adds up! As for unhelpful folk .........😩
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
If I'd been more with it I would have asked for a supervisor or manager to come and sort it. Or just returned all the extra things I got. But I'm out of the habit of dealing with people especially unhelpful ones!! :-) xxx
DeleteI'm with you on the recluse idea!! I've got dentist, eye test, pup's wormer due and 3 family birthdays in February coming up. I think I have the same red top as you - is it a Simone by Fat Face? These are my go to! I had quite a collection bought over the years, but am now down to about 5 as the puppy bit most of mine when he still had his baby teeth and they became irreparable.
ReplyDeleteYes!! It's a Fat Face Simone dress I wear like a tunic as it's short. Well spotted! I had 9 different ones for work. I think I'm down to 5 wearable ones now as they are well worn!! :-) xxx
DeleteIf you spread it out across several weeks it doesn't seem as bad. It's only cos I 'saved' up all my errands to do in the one day! :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, I quite often feel the need to get home and shut myself away from people....shopping in a couple of particular stores always does that to me, I'm sure they're staffed with people who are chosen for their grumpiness or level of unhelpfulness!
ReplyDeleteThey didn't even apologise, just a flat 'it's not working' comment. Really unhelpful!!!! I do love being at home in my own space :-) xxx
DeleteHave you noticed that your nectar points on the receipt are showing a negative balance: probably an issue with promotional balances or computer glitch..
ReplyDeleteGood spot! I did notice when I go on the Nectar website it has a minus sign in front of my balance. I'll chase that up, thanks! :-) xxx
DeleteI meet a friend at your local Dobbies cafe. We both bought their c
ReplyDeleteyearly membership deal which gives 2 free drinks per month (tea, coffee or soft drinks), plus a complimentary drink and cake our our birthdays. Plus 10% off seeds and plants (but unless you get lucky with reductions it's still expensive!). Parking free and not usually a problem. Guess you met your friends in the city centre? xx
We met at the retail park one as it suited where everyone was coming from on that morning. I'm an idiot, I totally forgot I've got a Dobbies card and get 2 free coffees a month!!!!! Thanks for the reminder! :-) xxx
DeleteIt's a help!! I took retired early on health grounds, and things like the Dobbies card helped me enjoy life whilst I waited 31 months for my (delayed) state pension. That extra 18 or so months caused by the second governmental deferment was a challenge! xxx
DeleteI think an e-mail to Sainsbury’s head office is required, because the staff upset you and you were embarrassed to have to return items because of their computer glitch. I don’t think you can have negative points. They might send you a voucher.
ReplyDeleteWe used my members’ birthday voucher for two cakes and a pot of tea at Dobbies yesterday. I pay £10 a year by Direct Debit for that and 24 more hot drinks. It is a pleasant hour, with a stroll round the plants, and sometimes we get some reduced price bargains from the small Waitrose in store.
Dry food for the dog has increased a lot in price in the last 18 months. We buy Arden Grange for Daisy Dog, and I search for the best price and offers before ordering it.
I get a prescription from the vet for her Advocate and buy that, and her worming tablets online, for much less than the vet charges. We got Vacs4Life when it was £100, and though that offer ended, DD said her Vets4Pets in Northants has restarted it at £190.
I wish I'd had the presence of mind at the time to ask for a manager! I have a £16 a month Petplan for worming/flea treatments that gives 1 free vet appt and a vet nurse check a year. I've switched dog food for Emma and halved that cost. Everything is just so expensive when you have pets but they're worth it :-) xxx
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