Is this my life???

dumpy

not_so_good wrote: »

Thanks everyone.

Meal planning is def. the way to go - I'm just not really a very good cook so ready meals are ideal - but no more!!

Just popped over to the makesenseofcards website, submitted a few figures and things look bad - will do the proper calculations tomorrow.

I will get out of this mess (eventually!).

I do home made ready meals. If I'm making lasanga, pasta carbonara, chicken curry, HM beefburgers, shepherds pie, or any form of casserole, I cook enough for 4-5 meals, it doesn't take much to multiply up quantities and I use a large stock pot. Spares are portioned and frozen.

There is always a day in a week when I get home and think.... I cannot be bothered to cook tonight and instead of browsing the ready meals at the supermarket I browse the freezer.

If I'm super organised :rotfl: I'll think about it in the morning and get it out to defrost but normally I just throw it in the microwave.

It works out that I do one giant cook one week for say lasanga, the following week for shepherds pie etc etc

not_so_good

kstm - looks like I did lots but didn't take more than 15 minutes but I fell good!! Ended up going to Smyths for the pressie as my local tesco didn't have anything nice (smyths do have a bit of a sale on). I will use the tesco vouchers to start christmas shopping for DS but not sure what to get him - not much this year, firstly I can't afford it and secondly, there's nothing he wants although this may change by chrsitmas!

Dumpy - I'm so impressed by your organisation regarding food cooking - I'm going to try it out. Now the next question will probably make you laugh but.........what do you freeze your food in (and no, I don't mean the freezer!) I wouldn't have enough plastic boxes - do you use those foil tray things??

not_so_good

Better do a quick update on yesterday/today.

Bad day yesterday - dog sick and had to go to the vets. She needs a return visit on Monday night so I will have to settle up then but dreading the cost. My dog is getting on a bit now and costs an absolute fortune as she has v. bad arthritis (sp??) so is now taking 2 joint supplements per day and daily pain killers. Now add to that a five day course of 2 antibiotics and a possible op if these don't work - dog is 14 and probably wouldn't be able to survive an op.

DS had his booster injections yesterday and was a brave little man - didn't make a sound so I'm very proud. He got a new bike as a reward - OH paid for most of it, I just paid the £10 deposit and bought a £2.49 bell! DS was suppose to wait until Christmas for his bike but his knees are now hitting the handlebars of his trike so it is about time - trike will go on ebay as it's like new!

Need to tot up my spending diary but not good over the last 2 days - roll on pay day!

mum2one

not_so_good wrote: »

Better do a quick update on yesterday/today.

Bad day yesterday - dog sick and had to go to the vets. She needs a return visit on Monday night so I will have to settle up then but dreading the cost. My dog is getting on a bit now and costs an absolute fortune as she has v. bad arthritis (sp??) so is now taking 2 joint supplements per day and daily pain killers. Now add to that a five day course of 2 antibiotics and a possible op if these don't work - dog is 14 and probably wouldn't be able to survive an op.

DS had his booster injections yesterday and was a brave little man - didn't make a sound so I'm very proud. He got a new bike as a reward - OH paid for most of it, I just paid the £10 deposit and bought a £2.49 bell! DS was suppose to wait until Christmas for his bike but his knees are now hitting the handlebars of his trike so it is about time - trike will go on ebay as it's like new!

Need to tot up my spending diary but not good over the last 2 days - roll on pay day!

So sorry to hear about the dog not being well, hopefully they might get it sorted without an op.
Its almost the devil and the deep blue sea dilema.

We use to give our dog cold liver oil tablets, evening primrose and garlic, the human variety of tabs, they did seem to help.

Send all my love and hope everything works out for the best, if u need anything just pm, xx

KatieShopstoomuch

Awwww i'm sorry to hear about your dog, i hope she gets better with the anti-bs! And brilliant brave DS! I always feel so sorry for them when they are getting injections! My daughter has to go in hospital over night some date next month to check for sleep apnea I hope and pray she hasn't got it but won't be very suprised if she has would explain a lot of things! Have fun updateing the spending diary

dumpy

not_so_good wrote: »

Dumpy - I'm so impressed by your organisation regarding food cooking - I'm going to try it out. Now the next question will probably make you laugh but.........what do you freeze your food in (and no, I don't mean the freezer!) I wouldn't have enough plastic boxes - do you use those foil tray things??

I use the foil trays for things like lasagnas, then then can just go straight into the oven, about £1 for 11 from supermarket. Other things such as casseroles out of the slow cooker and curries go into plastic boxes and so can go straight into the microwave. I got a pack of relatively robust ones from the supermarket which have been through the freeze, ping, wash cycle a few times now.

Plastic containers I reuse but the foil ones I do throw

Once you get into the swing of it, it does get easier and the lasagna production lines are great fun. One big pot of meat, one of white sauce a batch of pasta sheets and just layer them all up. The old style board will help you with bulking out the meat section as well. Mine conatins carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms to bulk it up, but people on the old style boards put in lentils and all kinds of things. Don't buy pasta sauce either, a couple of tins of tomatos and some herbs is much cheaper.