5 OS Pleasures in your Day Today part 2

scotrae

1. Getting back into the swing of things with a cleaner kitchen, and discovering that the Astonish paste I'd forgotten at the back of the under-sink curpboard brings black shoe polish :eek: off laminate flooring!

2. A friend phoning me with a hot tip-off about a vacancy that someone's looking to fill temporarily without advertising. I'm preparing a 'speculative' CV and letter thing tomorrow .

3. Having a mid-afternoon shower, washing my hair and putting some make up on before going off to fetch my boys from school. (All mucky from my cleaning exploits.)

4. Spotting a MSE link to a video about a 4-minute chocolate cake in a mug and making it - twice - for my sons. (I think it would be much better with icing or sauce ... perhaps I'm just spoiled and stuck in my baking ways.) The boys loved it though, so they can make it another time.

5. Turning off the TV and putting some Christmas choral music on tonight. DH and I are both tapping away on our laptops now to Michael Buble.

My boys seem exhausted and the fallout is taking its toll on DH and I. One is winding his brother up something rotten and the other retaliates by hitting out, with force and usually in the worst possible place. It really worries me that one day he could seriously damage his brother, who's very slight. We've had chats about potentially awful consequences but DS1 doesn't seem to relate to consequences of actions. I didn't think I'd find myself saying this but roll on the end of term. They need to have a few lie-ins and days out! Ralp the Elf had better have something good up his sleeve for when we get back from their concert tomorrow evening!:rolleyes:

Broomstick

Hiya - my quick five for Monday:

1. Feeling very honoured at being named in Ampersand's post: 'do a Broomstick'.:rotfl:

2. Feeling absolutely exhausted tonight after a really, really busy day out at a conference with DS2 - soooo tiring but full on quality time focusing on an area of interest for him that may well eventually link to his chosen career.

3. Feeling a lot more energised by reading a glut of lovely posts in here - thank you everyone.

4. Feeling full because I treated DS2 and me to a cheap meal out between the evening events we were attending. We went for a cheap pizza (him) and a cheap bowl of Italian haricot bean and veg soup (me). It was absolutely yummy and I think I'm going to be looking up soup recipes tomorrow for something similar - real tummy-filling winter food.

5. Feeling warm because I've 'done a Broomstick' and made my hottie early tonight.

(Oh and thanks for your suggestion about airing the sitting room when we shut it down for the winter Ollie - really sensible idea.)

Hugs to all

B xxx

sparrer

Hello everyone,
Thank you Ampersand, and everyone, for your kind thoughts and pm's. I'm making my way back slowly and hopefully more positively..

1. The water company refunded a £50 overpayment today
2. The above almost paid for a water well in Nepal for my DB and DS-in-L's Christmas present (I buy them one each year, they buy me a similar present)
3. Surveys have paid for presents for 5 people, and provided gift vouchers for 3 more
4. Found an Emporio Armani scarf in a charity shop for £3.75p, still with the tag of authenticity on. Their web site lists their cheapest similar scarf for £85, so DD is going to Ebay it for me
5..Thanks to my winter fuel allowance I can afford a tiny new shed in the spring - the gales took the roof off my existing one.

Wishing you all well and special thoughts to those who need them

Night night, God bless and take care all..
S x

ampersand

Dear sparrer - won't rush at/overwhelm you, but here I am - still trying to head to byes and shut this thing down[can't if I intend i-playing:rolleyes:]
and HERE YOU ARE!:A:T:j.
Oh, I'm so glad to see you back.
CAN go to bed now, happily - and will save AR for petit d!ejeuner demain.
It just is so good to see you again.:D
Terrific scarf find - get it straight on t'bay, pre-Chrimbo timing's perfect!

Olliebeak

Morning all :wave: - doesn't feel quite a chilly this morning (at least not here).

savingforoz - spotted the photos from your meet-up - looks like a great group - awww at the three OH's on the next table - brave guys every one of them to go along to a female gathering like that .
redsquirrel - omg - shifting fireplaces around - what a job :j - lol at your No.5 :rotfl:.
Tealady - good to hear that you unexpectedly enjoyed your concert and wd on putting a smile on the face of a 14yr old female - very often a major event in life :rolleyes:.
Caterina - wd on being the hostess with the mostest despite being 'poorly-sick' over the weekend :j and hope you can both relax and enjoy OH's extra time off work today and next week.
Rummer - awwww sorry to hear that you were (ahem) 'rather delicate' after your weekend partying :beer: - ooops maybe :coffee: would be more appropriate :rotfl:.
nic1lou2 - :T on your competition win - hope you enjoy your evening :dance:.
ACEY - wd to you all on a clean sheet at the dentist but sorry to hear about your shoulder .
bella - for somebody suffering from post-holiday exhaustion, you didn't do too badly :T - that's more than I can manage on a GOOD day :rolleyes:!
ginnyknit - thanks for the heads-up on that Nigella recipe for peanut butter cups - sounds divine :drool:. :rotfl:at baby cravings - obviously going to be a right foodie when it grows up :rolleyes:.
nuttybabe - sorry to hear that dd is giving concern over food - difficult one as you don't want to draw unnecessary attention to it; but on the other hand can't afford to ignore it completely - hope you find the happy balance. Wd to her on her nativity performance though :T.
SunnyGirl - thanks for you kind comment - I just do the same as any other mother does when faced with a problem - try to solve it :rolleyes:! I'm just so grateful that I'm in a position to be able to help out from time to time. Hope your DH and DS3 enjoyed their eveing at the MEN - lovely to hear of a father and son going to something like that :j.
huston_kw - well done on your raffle win and on your yummy roast chicken dinner :drool:.
Kitchenbunny - wtg on your nsd :j - do you have a recipe for your sausage and bacon pasties please - they sound gorgeous!
elizabunny - what a lovely visit with your DM - wd you on spending some quality time with her like that .
ampersand - I haven't noticed any bees/wasps around here for a couple of weeks now - think that must have been the last of them. lol at Mrs Bigboy/Wifey squawking at your for invading her territory :rotfl:.
Kittikins - how sweet of your dd to offer her 'find' to her little friend :A and wd to the organisers/helpers/customers from the Christmas Fayre for raising all that money :T.
scotrae - good luck with the job application :j. Hope your boys settle down soon - my DS1 is 6yrs old than DS2 and I remember very well how difficult it could be when they were younger - ((((big hugs)))) for you all.
Broomstick - well done on the conference for you and DS2 - I'd like to bet Caterina will have a recipe for 'Haricot Bean and Veg Soup' .
sparrer - great to see you again :hello: - great news on the refund and what a wonderful way to spend it again - one of the greatest gifts on earth :T.

Mine for yesterday:

1. Phonecall from DD sounding very positive indeed :j.

2. Lots of little jobs in work but all could be solved with a few phonecalls and e-mails - including making arrangements for a 'loop system' to be fitted for a couple having difficulties hearing their tv set. They're worried about disturbing their neighbours by turning up the volume - how sweet of them.

3. Our organisation has agreed to donate a sum of money to tenants of one of our communal blocks for some garden furniture - they have worked so hard to create a proper garden for themselves around the turf that had been laid originally. The only block who have actually created flowerbeds/containers - 2 of them have cancer, one is partially-sighted and the other can barely walk. We have chosen some sturdy furniture with a collapsible table that can go under the stairs when not in use, 2 benches and 2 chairs that won't look out of place in the entrance hall in the winter months .

4. Defrosted half a pound of Lamb Mince yesterday and cooked it with some 'lurking' frozen courgettes, onions, garlic, packet of dried veg mix, tin of carrots. Half of it became a cottage pie for myself and OH for evening meal and the remainder had chunks of potato added to it and filled 2 x 1kg Margarine Tubs for the freezer (kind of Irish Stew thingy). DS1 visited while I was doing it and was :drool: at the smell, but doesn't like courgettes :rolleyes:!

5. Workmen have started work again at the rear of our house - work stopped about 2yrs ago due to recession. These guys are altering the road layout in preparation for building the new Community Centre. We've all been 'leafletted' about what's going on - so it's now official. Having lived in what amounts to a 'derelict demolition area' for 3yrs, this is such a welcome sight, even though it means noise and mess for the next 12mths.

That's my lot for this morning - need to get off - should NOT be sitting here at this time of the day :eek:. speak again later and hope everybody has a great mse/os day - love Ollie xxxx

((((HUGS)))) where needed

billy858

Morning all! Feeling very low this morning so need to concentrate extra hard on the positives. My recent blessings,
1. Getting my christmas trees and decorations put up. They look lovely.
2. DD2s excitement at getting new cosy pyjamas.
3. Not having to buy new tree lights after all - it was just the fuse bulb that needed replacing and I had one of those.
4. Following yesterdays shopping I have now got and wrapped all my christmas pressies.
5. Looking forward to some lifestyle changes in the new year - I think it's just what I need.
Love to all. X

Tealady_2

Hi

mine for today are:
1. Managing to make a start on wrapping presents
2. Someone's birthday in the office so just had a yummy apple turnover
3. Girly christmas dinner tonight so no cooking for me, dinner in the fridge for OH and DD just to warm up.
4. Going to wear my new Coast top that managed to get for £5 due to tip on MSE
5. Reading through the posts on here when really I should working, naughty I know

Sublime_2

Good morning. Mine are:

1. Just found out OH's coming back from work early. He wasn't due back till next week.
2. I made a start on clearing out the garage. I feel pleased because its a job I keep putting off.
3. I've got a chilli bubbling away in the slow cooker today, so thats dinner sorted.
4. Ran out of bread, so I am experimenting with the ultra fast setting on BM. Hopefully some pesto bread within the next hour.
5. Sitting down at my pc with a mug of hot soup, before sorting out DD's room. I am delaying this one!

:santa2:

yummyhoney

here's mine for past few days,,

1. trip up North shopping with dh and buying tons of stuff in Asda,,was like heaven to me,,we have none down south:rolleyes:
2. buying stardrops up North and cleaning my whole house from top to bottom yesterday with it,,and still looking aorund today to see if i can clean anything else:D
3. doing my shopping in Dunnes for free,,hubby got a few hundred in vouchers for christmas from work,,so spent €100 worth,,
4. getting a lend of my friends account no. for cash and carry and picking up some cheapish candles, that i'll give as presents,,
5. and just feeling very excited today for some reason:cool:

nic1lou2

Evening

Been a hard day at work so more reason to try to look for the good things

1 Had a terrible nights sleep (or lack of sleep) where I ended up getting up and 1.30 and knitting until time to go to work - the good being that I finished one of the scarves I wanted to make for extra presents!:rolleyes:

2 My little old dog coming downstairs with me when I couldn't sleep and curling up by my feet - bless!

3 Being told at work I am a star! (think the word mug might have been more apt though!)

4 Curling up on settee when I got home with an hour to recover before family got home expecting tea - bliss

5 My lovely OH who is working very long hours at the moment and is shattered but after nearly a year on very short time we are very grateful for the work!

Have a good evening all

x