Hello bloggerettes everywhere. Howzit been for you today? It's been a bit crazy here at Tightwad Towers. The phone started ringing quite early and hardly stopped all day. It was one call after another, hardly had time for a widdle and didn't get any breakfast until nearly lunchtime. And then there was the emails coming in which needed attending to. I am not very good at speaking on the phone and typing at the same time, so I had to alternate from one to the other. The newspapers have been going bananas with the story, all wanting a share of it, so it is appearing all over the place. It will die down eventually.
Radio interviews done today - Humberside, Sheffield, Radio Five Live twice, and Scotland. Newspaper interviews - Daily Mirror, Scunthorpe Telegraph. Filming for Calendar in my house this afternoon. . Tomorrow I am on Radio Teeside. Later in the afternoon a taxi is coming for me to take me to Leeds for the teatime news programme, when the film will also be shown. So I'll be on the tele tomorrow, not sure what time it goes out. There was something to do for Good Morning Britain, but that has been put back to Wednesday.
I only got to Crafty Club for fifteen minutes and had to dash back to take a phone call.
On top of all this I have been keeping up with the comments coming in here, and I would like to thank you all for your support. Thank you to those who have commented on the Daily Mail article, and zapping all the positive comments with a green arrow and the negative ones with a red arrow.
I've been checking on Jo's progress, she is now over half way. Such a gutsy lady.
I see I have some friend requests on Facebook, from people I don't know. I am not going down the road of friending everyone who asks, nor will I be looking for friends. So if you have asked don't be offended if I don't accept, nothing personal. I won't be twittering to all and sundry either, I don't need the hassle.
Page views hit an all time high in the 24 hours yesterday, and it's looking like it's going to be a lot higher today. Flippin amazing.
I'm going to wind down now. Have a mug of hot chocolate, and watch the final daily page view figure as it hits midnight and goes back to zero. Then I shall fall asleep with a smile on my face knowing I have had a busy and interesting day.
Thank you for popping in. We'll catch up tomorrow. Toodle pip.
Freedom to speak.
13 hours ago
Oh my word Ilona...there's no stopping you now, putting the good word out there for us frugalites! Lol
ReplyDeleteCan I have your autograph miss.....(tugging forelock)! Haha
Keep up the good work. I love reading it all. You're my guru!
Hello, I am still laughing at what you posted in MSE money savers arms. You are so funny. Well done. I think you need an agent. Bless you for cheering me up tonight after what I thought was a hard day at work.
ReplyDeleteNow that I see how busy you have been I can say I had an easy day. Have a cup of coffee and some chill time. I wonder how many people you have inspired? Bless you for being you. We don't want you any other way. Goodnight ma'am.
Enjoy the fame the article has brought! Ignore the negative comments. We who read your blog know the real story and you are an inspiration for us all who are trying to stretch our limited resources in our own ways.
ReplyDeletewow, you are famous!! Excellent, lol,, enjoy every minute of it,, I still think a book is in the future or maybe a movie,,I say ggo for it, you have marvelous skills, the world need more people like you! You are an inspiration,,
ReplyDeleteYou are in the midst of a media storm. Fascinating how the bring your own teabag was completely misunderstood and became a focus of the article and nasty comments. Just shows are easily things are misconstrued in the media. Just glad there are lots of followers sticking up for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are my Queen Mean Queen, I wrote a post of support and I think you are the best thing since sliced bread ( yellow stickered of course). I do hope you have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteI commented on a blog yesterday that I thought you should be on the telly rather than the spendalotandwasteit brigade. I will be looking out for you.
ReplyDeletegood for you, carry on! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny. I spoke to my Mum on the phone last night. She told me that there was 'some woman' in the 'Daily Mail' who wore three layers of clothing to keep warm and she says that she wearing six! I told her that she'd read about my friend Ilona.x
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona - what a start to my day today - your face (and brilliant shed) staring back at me from Yahoo!! Fabulous, never seen anyone worth looking at up there until today,looks like you're getting more than your 15 minutes of fame. It will be interesting to see how many more people begin to read your blog now they know it exists, you'll be a star Ilona, maybe they'll want you on Celebrity BB next. Ha Ha you'd be a real hoot! Love to you and the furries. Elaine
ReplyDeleteSounds like your world has gone crazy. I admire the way you live. Be proud and share it with the world. If it gets too much lock your doors,unplug the phone and lie low for a bit. Keep blogging though.You are our Meanqueen.:)
ReplyDeleteHi Iliona there was one person on the daily mail who commented that he bet you had no friends what a laugh I put him straight about that one bunch of idiots. I wish I lived closer to you I'd be stalking you lol
ReplyDeleteAlways happens Wendy. When people don't know the truth they make it up. Also I have noticed that they don't even read the article properly before commenting, and their imagination takes over.
DeleteWhat time are you on BBC Tees. I will tune in and listen or catch it on playback as it is my local radio. In fact if they invite you up to the studio I will cook lunch for you. I found a beautiful fresh cauliflower on a grass verge yesterday. It must have been dropped by a delivery man on Sunday night as I saw it at 08.00 and it was still there when I got home at noon. I could hardly leave it there now could I :-)
ReplyDeleteExpecting phone call from Tees at 10.45am, in 45 minutes. Good find that cauliflower :o)
DeleteWell done, Ilona, it makes a change to see a news story which isn't all doom and gloom. Enjoy your fame! We all love you! x
ReplyDeleteYou have just come up on my Facebook page via ITV Calender. I am afraid some people don't understand your ways but suppose that is to be expected if they have never tried to save . Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteSue R
Hi Sue. I've sorted them out, what a cheeky lot. How dare they rubbish my ideas. Go back and have a look :o)
DeleteYou are having a wunnerful time, chuck! Making frugality fashionable, har, har! I just hope these media folk don't want to make a series on TV with you knitting jumpers from discarded supermarket plastic bags, cut into strips, or something as ridiculous as that. You save money - i.e. your frugality - where you can for a purpose: holidays, car, etc, and of course, to save the planet. But it's fun to have your fifteen minutes of fame! Enjoy, as they say!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Went to check my e-mail and there you were on Yahoo front page. I didn't read the article because I read your blog but well done, might bring a few more struggling people into the frugal fold and help them take control of their money.
ReplyDeleteWell done Ilona, you are an inspiration
ReplyDeletemanaged to hear you on Radio Tees. good interview.
ReplyDeletejust been on Radio Tees in your support - not that you need it
ReplyDeleteYou kept popping up everywhere yesterday, and my Mum sent me an email to say you were also in the free paper she picks up on the bus in Manchester!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going back to the Daily Mail site to carry on with my ticking, there are some proper idiots out there as you say most of them don't even read the article properly. Quite a few thought you lived in your little summerhouse for instance .. now that made me laugh ;-)
Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame (or it could be stretching to fifteen days at this rate).
Great interview. You came across confidently. Debbie.
ReplyDeleteDanneke here, Looks like you have made the big time Ilona, hope you are charging all these media people , you could use the funds for your next walking trip or some tasty bits for Rocky & cats. I shall be watching the TV during Look North tonight, saw the clip at 1pm news flash & they said you were the " Stingiest pensioner in Britain" those of us who know you know different of course.
DeleteHi Ilona, I've been reading your blog for years but never commented until now. I just wanted to say I really admire you and your way of life, you've helped me to live a better life which I enjoy much more than when I was spending money all over the place. I hope to teach my kids these values as they grow up!
ReplyDeleteI've also been onto the daily mail red arrowing the nasty comments and liking your comments to the trolls on Facebook, and I'll be looking out for you on tv tomorrow :)
You popped up on my Yahoo news bar and I thought I recognise that face. It was a shame they carried the inaccuracies from one news company article to another. Surely they meant there was no need for you to take a shopping list because you always bought what was available. You carry on being you. I think you are an inspiration for a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteI just listened to you on the radio too and you were brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWow, Ilona, this sounds like a media storm! I don't think I want to read the articles, because they'll probably only make me frustrated.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and all your beautiful artwork, especially the new flower-covered hanging basket. I'm in awe of your frugality and your creativity and your kindness to animals, and the reporters who are covering your story are probably just as clueless as a lot of the people reading it. It's the entire picture you present, not the little dribs and drabs that the media choose to put into a story, that is the real inspiration.
Brilliant interview Ilona. I thought you came across really well and looked good too. I hope the idiots who are trying to rubbish you don't wear you down. Just remember you have loads of fans and admirers who support your lifestyle. Kristel
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid the bad comes along with the good, that is the way of the world. Attention doesn't need to be courted and then feelings will not be hurt. No one deserves the horribleness of the Daily mail readers, which in my view is why I would just go to earth. I am not sure why the need for more publicity. It seems the opposite of enjoyable. Celebrity is often not a nice thing. I hope you are able to continue your nice peaceful lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI love your spirit and that you share all your money saving ideas. Although I live in the US, I registered at Daily Mail just so I could make a comment and set straight the fools that disagree with your lifestyle. Your blog is the first I read every day. Love your kindness toward animals and Rocky is so fortunate to have found you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the fuss, you're doing a good job.
ReplyDeleteNorma
Saw you in the Express today too, Ilona! Well done. Gosh it sounds fun but exhausting being famous, though! Anne(Glos) x
ReplyDeleteI have just read the article about you in today's Express, I was pleased that the columnist explained about the tea bags and how your frugalism allowed you have a decent car and enjoy lots of holidays and times away, having read your blog for a few years now it seemed to me to be a much more balanced article. A great photo showing you and your fridge packed to the gun whales with fruit and veg too. More power to you Mean Queen.
ReplyDeleteLoved the widdle bit. Best wishes. Natalie.
ReplyDeleteMade sure I commented too on the Mail on Sunday though I never have before. Really what is wrong with some people?
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, fame! Should I be asking for an autograph? :) Go girl, you tell 'em.
ReplyDeletexx
I feel like I have arrived late to a party! Your story just made me smile. Your lifestyle should not be something that folk feel the need to comment on as far as I am concerned your lifestyle is normal! Good to hear a happy story in the news for once. One about a happy lady just getting on with it. If you are ever in the north east, you have a place to stay at my home. Jules
ReplyDeleteWell done Ilona,a great interview on look north.
ReplyDeleteHi.Holy schnitzel!This media blitz is going to reach people who might be despairing and struggling,I think.You are cheerfully giving them hope and a "can do" attitude.If they visit your blog and start at the beginning they are going to learn a heck of a lot and that is a very good.Well done,Mean Queen!By the way, I have been keeping decaf tea(bags) in my purse, in a pretty little container for decades now,so that I always have them on hand :-)bye for now,D.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! It's a pity that more people don't follow your example.
ReplyDeleteWow Ilona, you are popping up all over the place.
ReplyDeleteHave just read the Express article and it`s so much better than the Mail. You are certainly causing a media frenzy.
Enjoy yourself and have fun.
Can`t wait for further updates.
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