I was thinking of going to the Circus this morning, it would cost about $10.00 plus to go, it was at the local school today. It was a proper circus too!

But I decided to have luxury bath instead. Using what I have in my storage from my gifts of the past years. So it was FREE!

I saved the water so that I can reuse it on the front garden to-morrow then I will water my garden.
I will need to bale it out some time today when it cools down a bit! I will need to put into my buckets and my Tuff tub that I have got for Grey water. Oh what fun this is! It’s a learning curb for us all! I will mostly likely fair the best as I am now at next step to next level. Trying to find other ways to save water. Without going to too much expense, like spending a lot of money on rain water tank and new front loader washing machine, even with rebates it would set me back too much expense wise. If the washing machine breaks down then I will look into it. I am talking thousands dollars here! All to save $2.00 on my water bill. I do have the lowest water bill around here as it is now! Unless I buy a water tank 5000L one at that and new AAAAA washing machine I can’t get my water bill lower.

Now its time to work on tiding up the house for visitors. I will try to put notes in this blog, how I am going on that front. It’s very slow going!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 45c
LUNCH Slices of Toast with Mustard Spread, Melted Cheese & Topped Paprika Coffee 50c
DINNER Steak Pork, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $102.95

I got to Chiro this morning just in time for my appointment, as the bus was late today. I did put my annual Chiro bill of $421 for 12 visits onto CC, but it was at zero balance. That will be no problem, as I later went & got my refund for today’s visit of $19.40. Made a special visit to the bank to pay off what was left of my bill money plus the refund off my CC. Balance now is $261 plus DD Internet for this month. All this will be paid by the end of June, as there are three Pension paydays this month. Saving on $131.00 on regular single visit rate of $46.00.

I had to buy a bus ticket today, $10.00 that for 10 trips. Saving $14.00 on normal full price per single trip. (Senior Card Discount).

I did some shopping in the city today, 5 craft wooden signs @ 79c saving $35.00 found on a clearance table. Underwear was on special so got some things that I needed. Costing $17.85 saving $8.00.

Had my usual lunch with my friends, 8 of us today. ‘All You Can Eat Salad Bar’ $11.15 with drinks saving $2.80 with Senior Discount Card they have. My Lotto share with the group $2.00

It's an expensive week for dining out MMMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Meal out *
DINNER Fruit & Coffee 40c

Today’s Full price Tally $656.95*
Today’s Savings - $190.80
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $80.65
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2786.94

When I went for the hearing test I had lunch with DIL. We went to my favourite restaurant that has the ‘All You Can Eat Bar’. I had my usual meal of Soup, Large Salad, Apple Pie and Custard Coffee and Diet Coke. My salad is little of most salads served. Just what I can get on one plate, I do not go back for seconds like some people do. My waistline would be getting bigger if I did. Saving $2.85 on lunch. I had a FREE coffee , saving $2.45

I tried to go shopping today for items that I needed to buy but were out of stock. I will try again next time and keep looking elsewhere. I am looking for a photo-electric smoke detector, we have had a lot of fires of late with bar heaters. And this is the type of smoke detector you need for this kind of fire. I don’t use a heater as my house keeps its heat by 10 degrees above normal. If I am cold then I just put on extra clothes. I use my heater on my Air Con only if goes below 4 C and stayed below 10C all day, which is rare here or I am ill! I caught the bus today.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants with Milk Coffee 40c
LUNCH (Lunch Out) *
DINNER 2 Pancakes with Peanut Butter & Honey Coffee 30c

Today’s Full price Tally $16.45*
Today’s Savings - $5.30
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $79.90
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2594.14

A few weeks ago, a hearing company rang & offered a FREE hearing test. I don’t think I am in needed of hearing aid yet! I found out later that our government is paying for these tests for all seniors. So I had my hearing test today, I will need further tests as well. I had to go to a doctor to sign the papers also, that was FREE on Medicare bulked billed. I know that I may have a problem in the future with my hearing. As I am a bit deaf in one ear now! So I was not alarmed about it! This has been the case for many years. I will get vouchers for these tests and now have them every two years. I am doing well with all the FREE medical tests that we have here! You name it and it’s FREE for Health Card Holder’s and even more when you past 75 years.

I will have to pay if I go into a private hospital, if I need operation done ASAP. Our public hospitals are over crowded and short on staff and funds but FREE. They had too many admin (pen pushers) and not enough medical staff. Like three to one in some hospitals. And closing some wards too make more office space. The top admin guys were lying and covering up too! Anyway it will take a good few years to right it again! That’s my view of what, I think the way it was going.

I have put an offer on a new QB Bed & mattress for $100, if the owner has to leave it behind without selling when she moves. It’s worth around $1500 and 6 weeks old. I don’t hold out on getting the bed, or pay the price she was asking for it, as I don’t need it at the moment. I could also got a 3- month old washing machine for $100 but it’s too small for my liking and I don’t need it. I would need to do 4 loads to my 2 loads, each time I washed & more work.

I bought a Calligrapher’s pen set just missing the main pen which I have got. Full set value $25.95 less value of pen now $15.95 for 50c Saving $15.45 Stencil value $8.95 for 50c, Saving $8.45, Book on First Aid value $25.00 for $1.00, saving $24.00.

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk with LSA 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 65c
LUNCH Corn Beef and Mustard Pickle on 3 Crackers, Orange Coffee - 80c
DINNER 2 Egg Cheese Omelette and Tomato Pasta Sauce, Apple Coffee -80c

Today’s Full price Tally - $49.90
Today’s Savings - $47.90
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $73.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2540.54

***
Update on the bed, she was able to sell it for near the asking price. Good as she needed the money. As she was leaving in a hurry legally, as her ex -SO tried to murder her last week.

Well! It’s back to work for my DIL, and my DS goes back on Thursday. He arrived at my place after taking his wife to work. We did someone shopping for DF-M and delivered it too her when I was off to his place for the day. We did some work around the yard cleaning area that dogs were kept in. Sweeping and picking up rubbish that was lying around and as they have a pool this was needed to made right for next few months. Then it was doing the laundry, I folded the clothes that were washed before they went away and my DS did a few loads of washing and putting them in the dryer.

We had to go and get Gas for both their cars before next price rise. First stop was they local shopping centre where we had bite to eat as well. Some grocery shopping for my son and getting a gas voucher too! Off to fill up they first car with gas and check the tires, then off to home to finish the washing and pool. Out again too another shopping area to get the pool chemical balance checked, on to another shopping centre. We didn’t buy a thing at, we just pricing for Photo’s for best deal. Then it was off to fill 2nd car with gas and check the tires. Back to his place for more work, to finish the pool with chemicals etc. While we were driving back to my home and to pick up his wife from work. The price off gas had risen by 12c per litre in the past hour.

Later that evening I drove up to they place in my car for dinner and to be given my gifts from they trip. I got an beautiful Jade Elephant Pendant from Hong Kong, a green shopping bag from Harrods in London, A piece of the Berlin wall and a postcard, a small Swiss army knife with my name on it. Hot & Sweet Paprika 50g each and salad serving set hand painted from Hungary and few other small items. I think they had a very good time, now to get the photo printed and see them!

Meals*
Today’s Full price Tally $18.59*
Today’s Savings - $4.80
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $2478.65

Fernberg is the state residence of Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC, our Governor, the Queen's representative in our State. As today is 'Queensland Day' in our State, so DF-D was invited to morning tea and she could bring someone along too! As her husband didn't want to go I was invited to go. Well things didn't go to plan. My friend D had to go Interstate yesterday. But I still went on my own. I drove my car on to the grounds to park, as people with a disability were able to park there.

Fernberg House was built in 1864-65 and was bought by our State Government in 1910. Has been the residence of all governors ever since. It's only open to the public a few times a year. Around 1500 people had invitations for today's event. I wore my dark pink 2piece suit and people did compliment on how nice I looked. If they only knew, I wore it a little differently than I did before as I had lost some weight since I last wore it. It has a blouse-on top with a band around the bottom which I pulled down so it looked as if I was to wear it at the top of my legs making me look a lot thinner around the bust and waist area.

Morning tea was set in the garden area with seating for two hundred people, as this was an all day affair; people could come until mid afternoon.

Tea or Coffee were served in hot water urns and it was paper cups too! Food was not much in the way of variety. There were Scones with Strawberry Jam & Fresh Cream, Lamingtons and Anzac Biscuits. Recipes below.

After I had morning tea, I then had time to walk through the Fernberg Public Reception areas, as there is a formal dinner tonight the table was set up which we were able to see. Seating is for 24 guests. Look at Image Gallery - 26 January 2005/2006 Open days in September -Government House Open Day for pictures. This house has full staff, all in uniforms and as well as the aides-de-camp. If you have ever seen pictures of the stately homes of England then this is what this place looks like. And the flags flying on top of the roof too! Gardens are beautiful and I think they have bore water there. As I walked back along the drive way to my car I met the Governor herself and had a quick chat about the first time I visited Fernberg as a child. I stayed about 3 1/2 hours.

Home made Lamingtons

Anzac Biscuits

Easy Pumpkin Scones

Plain Scones

As a lot people had walked over them, it was necessary to wash all of them. I put them into colour and texture and whether if I needed to use wool wash on them and hand washing the lot.

Now it’s time to iron them up and cull some clothes this weekend.

In the mail today, got a free sample of toothpaste from Colgate’s.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal with Currants & Milk 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 60c
LUNCH Pasta with French Onion Chicken Mixed In. Mandarin Coffee 80c
DINNER Steak, Egg, Tomatoes, & Grilled Onions Dinner $1.80

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 57.10

Most of my friend's ironing is business shirts with long sleeves, I can do a full shirt in under five minutes.

Alway work with unbutton shirt. Starting with the collar then the sleeves, I just do the cuffs and then flatten the sleeves at the seam and press for both sleeves on the two sides, left sleeve first then the right. Then around shoulders part and across the upper back after that you just press around the shirt,and hang on a coathanger. That's my visual picture of ironing a shirt and sleeves.

Well my washing is update and everyone else ironing is done! I got another pile ironing last night to do. Now it's mine to do and what’s left of mine ironing will just have to be done at later date.

I had quite time in the afternoon resting and working on clearing out the junk out & downloading what I need to taken off my computer emails. I do this about once month working on downloading information. That I would like to keep and read when I am resting. Now I am finished for another month.

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants Coffee 35c (Breakfast at Neighbor’s 2 Toast & Jam, Coffee – Free)
LUNCH Crackers with Cheese & Chutney, Mandarin Coffee 65c
DINNER Omelette with Cheese, Sweet Chilli Sauce Apple Coffee. 75c

Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 49.70

~ Have my credit card at Zero balance by end of the month.
~ Come under budget. (But for Car it’s to come out of Bill A/C.)
~ Open online account.
~ Pay All Due Bills on pension days.
~ Have my car service and rust proofing installed ($600.00 plus service.)
~ Have my termite inspection & pest control done (estimate $180) (Had termites a few years ago) annual check.
~ Chiro visit (one every 4 weeks)
~ Doctor Visit & Hearing Test for June.
~ Five known outings to budget for in June. (Morning Tea, Lunch, Picnic, 2 Dinners.)
~ Live off my Bulk Food Assets.
~ Make up another eight meals OAMC. Out of Bulk Food Assets.
~ Downsizing my guestroom & living areas and clean these areas
~ Visit by a relative in July.

Today I had my hair styled $13.00 normal price here is around $25 - $65 mark. Saving $12.00.

While I was up the street, I stopped at three of the Thrifts shops there. One is having sale on Thursday until Saturday in an empty shop that has it rent paid until the end of the month. It’s my kind a Sale too! Fill a Bag for $2.50. I will limit myself to just three bags see, what I come up with. I finish up with a cookbook today $1.50. Saving $8.50

I had another coffee & ice cream cone 30c. Saving $2.40 (senior discount). Bought the paper today $1.00. Some items at the supermarket on the away home, as I had to buy jar of jam for my neighbor there. 2 Sewing Items discounted for $1.66. Saving $1.06 Tomatoes 50c saving $1.00

BREAKFAST Muesli & Milk Coffee 45c
LUNCH Chilli Tuna Salad & Crackers Apple Coffee 80c
DINNER Poach Fish & Vegetables … $2.50

Today’s Full price Tally $42.92
Today’s Savings - $24.96
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $ 47.95
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1441.50

I went to see the movie ‘THE DA VINCI CODE’ today. What did I think of it!

In having read the illustrated collector’s edition of the book. It has historical facts yes, but it needs to be remembered that this is a novel not Fact!

The movie should be viewed in the same way as any novel with a Hollywood makeover. Thought it was around 90% consistent with to book plot, but not for the faint hearted or very young to watch. I did enjoy the sets & scenery, which were a great joy to see.

I do suggest that you read the book before you see the Movie, as the changes are fast that it is sometimes is difficult to make sense while watching. The characters were wholly believable. View it as a good yarn worth watching more than once. I would give it four stars.

I also made it a day out for myself which is a rare these days, and took myself to lunch as well! I don’t remember the last time I went out to the movie & lunch, I think it may be when I saw a Jane Austin Movie base on book ‘Mansfield Park’ a few years ago now! I went to the restaurant that I go to with my ex co-workers for lunch. So I got my senior card discount and I didn’t buy the drink package also. I drank water. Saving $ 6.90. On the movie ticket I saved $6.00 on that too! Regular adult ticket price here $14.50.

I paid my CC in full yet again! 24 months in a row paid in full! No interest in 2 years. WOW!

My annual CC fee was due on this one, to have the reward points on your card, the fees are $59.00 and no reward fee $26.40 saving $32.60. Why paid extra $97.80 over three years for reward points that are cancelled before you can get enough to use any. This way I still get my interest-free days for a lot less. I don’t need 0 % as I am not using interest. I wonder, how long before the banks start charging you for paying your CC account in full? MMMMMM!

BREAKFAST Oatmeal & Currants 2 Toast & Jam Coffee 35c
LUNCH Dine Out $9.00*
DINNER Creamed Sweet Corn on Toast Coffee 50c

Today’s Full price Tally $129.35*
Today’s Savings - $45.50
Bulk Food Replacement Fund - $29.25
2006 Total $-t-r-e-t-c-h Savings Tally $1271.96