Old Style Diary Archive - APR 06

poppycracker

Well, back again. Just been reading what everyone else is doing . Hugs to everyone who is having a not so good day.

Well, I've done almost everything I set out to do this morning, so I'm feeling very smug! The only thing I haven't done is take the dog out for a walk so will do that later.

enjoy the rest of this beautiful day y'all!

Sweet_Pea_2

Hi everyone,
Elona, I hope its good news about your dad. PP Your dinner has made me feel really hungry!
Havent posted much in the last few days but have been up to lots of Old Style/MSE type activities.
I have listed lots of stuff on ebay and am planning on listing just a few things each week, as I used to leave it to the school hols when I am off work but then it turned into a HUGE job with all the wrapping, listing, holding up the Post Office queue for hours.
I have been getting on with the planting, have now planted, peas, runner beans, carrots, salad leaves and iceberg lettuce so am keeping my fingers crossed that they come up. Then no doubt the battle between me and the squirrels and slugs will start!
After saving up all our coins (50p and under) we raised enough for a family national trust membership, so we took DD's out a few times over Easter. I had half expected them to complain a bit about traipsing around stately homes (which is my idea of heaven!) but they had a great time.
I finally got round to making up my new Old Style cleaning products and I was very pleased with the results, the mirrors are cleaner than I have ever managed to get them before after using vinegar and water on them, the bath was sparklier than before after I cleaned it with bicarb and lemon juice bought the taps up great. I cant see me deciding to switch back. I also treated myself to some essential oils too so it all smells nice.
I am fast becoming a charity shop addict. I returned to work on Tuesday after two weeks off and called into my favourite charity shop which is by the bus stop to work. They had restocked and had a lot of school uniform in, so I went home and had a look at DD's uniforms, and what we already had in to be "grown in to" took down a list of requirements and went back the next day armed with a tape measure. A big sign outside the shop "school uniform half price" so DD2 ended up with two BHS grey school shirts, and DD1 an M+S grey school skirt, for 60p each! All in excellent condition, DD's like them and they fit with plenty of room to spare ready for September, so have been put away for now.
I have also revamped my menu plans for the Spring/Summer and had a clear out of cupboards/freezers. Yesterday I made double choc chip muffins and a sponge traybake (for pud with custard) as this is on my list for next week.
Whilst rearranging the menu plan I discovered the little money diary I started to keep when I first started O/S a year ago (couldn't believe it was that long!) and was amazed at my shopping budget and the things I used to buy.

Its amazing how satisfying all this is really, its obviously a case of "simple things for simple minds" but I heard the other day that the key to happiness is contentment, so maybe the key to contentment is the simple things in life and not spending vast amounts of money?
(Although I probably wouldn't say this if I happened to win the lottery!)

Tea tonight is slow-cooked lamb and mint sauce, mashed sweet potato, cauliflower, carrots, runner beans. Enjoy the rest of the day!

Bargain_Rzl

Gooooood afternoon everybody

Hugs to all those sleep deprived by neighbours, mice, burglar alarms or phone calls!

elona - I do hope your dad hasn't got too much to worry about :grouphug:

Hope Essex-girl is having a nice day in Kensington.

We sang a Mozart mass at church this morning. One of my fellow choir members has finally been told the date for his heart bypass op - a week tomorrow. He's going into hospital next Sunday so we won't see him again for a couple of months. He's not especially worried about the op (he's only 54 and in good health other than the angina) but is quite worried about having 2 months or more when he can't work, as he's self employed and will lose his income while convalescing.

I was supposed to be spending this afternoon/evening at XBF's place watching the snooker, but he texted to say he wasn't feeling well, so here I am - still watching the snooker while in my usual Sunday afternoon vegetating mode.

Spent a few quid on the way home from church but all on things that were either essential or useful - £14 on 20 pairs of light tights for work (now it's no longer black opaque tights weather) which seem to get cheaper every year in M&S ; £5 on this year's Proms Guide (which comes out of my entertainment budget); 55p on some reduced veg (broccoli & rocket) at Tesco, and £2.97 at the Co-op on what looked like a nice bargain - 3 little packs of sliced duck (originally £3.99 EACH!!!).

So for dinner I will be putting the rocket and one packet of the duck to good use - I remember a divine warm duck salad I once had in the restaurant at the National Gallery (I was a poor student at the time so a rich friend was paying!) and would like to go some way towards recreating it. Am thinking rocket, stir-fried duck, potato "croutons", parmesan, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and black pepper :drool:

And will use up the broccoli tomorrow lunchtime as an accompaniment to smoked mackerel :drool:

Have finished topping up my savings for this month, as you can see from my signature but will be writing a large cheque before the day is out, as I will owe my housemate for half of this month's bills - this month we had the quarterly gas bill for the winter months, and the council tax has gone up :rolleyes:

See you later
Rzl xx

elona

Snowy
Thanks for the advice. We have just got back from the hospital. Dad is just having the fourth pint of blood transfused into him and then they will do another blood test.

DDs want the computer so thanks for the good wishes.

sans_2

Hi again. After I got back from my monthly supermarket shop I have hovered hall and livingroom. Swept the floors in kitchen, landing and stairs, given 3 bathrooms/toilets a quick clean. Folded all my carrier bags into a neat bundle inside cupboard. Emptied bin and recycling bag, wiped the glass on patio and kitchen door. That’s all taken me 1 ½ hours.

I still have to do a few dishes then take a few photos for my Ebay listings. I was going to make a spaghetti bolognaise tonight to put in freezer but I think I might just do that on Tuesday and have it then since I have taken the day off work anyway.

Will have to leave the cake making until tomorrow as I have forgotten how to switch on the oven (my OH does 95% of the cooking thus I have never had to switch it on
:-o ). To be fair I do pretty much all the housework though on top of a full time job so I do more than my fair share.

Bye...

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi

OH has sorted out my laptop and had to wipe the old cookies for MSE anyway..all done now!!

Yesturday went well and we all got totally spoilt by my folks:D We sorted out the Will and was told I am having power of attorney and the 3 grandkids are doing well out of it too. The rest is going 50/50 between sister and I. It wasnt nice talking about such matters but they needing dealing with.

Just had dinner and was lovely. DD ended up round her cousins house this afternoon so have tons fo grub left, so will probably have tomorrow for lunch or even dinner again.

Queenie-I bought a Pecksniff's bath set for my Nan last year from TKMax and she loved it too.

Anyway, got to go. Take care everyone!

PP
xx

MushyPeas

Only on 600 words, rest of task list not done Going to my mum's for tea and had storecupboard food for lunch. I have even sqeezed two cuppas out of each tea bag - very OS

jaybee

Thanks for the info about the Pecksniff stuff - I feel a trip to TKMax coming on now!

Glad

PP - your nan sounds very trendy

Queenie - my DD loves this after she read about the teen starts from Hollyoaks raving about it

In fact we're off to T K Maxx tomorrow in Manchester so will be tempted to look for some

nuttyrockeress

Thanks for everyone's messages. I have cleaned the bedroom from top to toe, no sign of Mouse droppings or entry.

Hopefully I won't be to disturbed tonight.

Just made some Lemon curd and Rhubarb jam tarts with SS just taken them ooto and they smell lovely

Still not decided what to do for tea - it will have tarts for pudding though

Washing is out blowing on the line. Try to do this before the pollen is too high as I end up sneezing more when it's been washed!

Did first batch of Easiyo this am, should be ready for 6pm so will let you know how I got on.

Elona, hope you dad is doing ok. It's always difficult when you aren't there when the doctor visits. If you need to put your mind at rest, ask to speak to someone!!