Coffee and chocolate

miggy

Freezer complete!

Admittedly the freezer list is a bit sketchy, the menu planning only goes to the middle of next week and above the bottom six inches of the freezer contents are simply hurled back in, but that's as good as it's going to get for now.

Other than that, today was a 'home' day - I give myself permission to stay at home and do home stuff. It gives me a rest even if I get jobs done! Going out is usually both a need and a pressure. It was so windy that I hesitated to put the washing on the line but I got two loads done and dried, and as far as I can see none has ended up wrapped round the telegraph pole at the end of the road. No ironing, but some laundry put away. I did some bathroon cleaning, but the mould that attaches to the grouting round the highest tiles is very determined so I think I will have to attack it with specialist mould remover. Nice to see the bathroon sparkling at me, though (well, not the floor, I dodn't get that far, but the rest looks happy).

I didn't get any stuff done for mum, but perhaps a break from that won't hurt so long as I get back to it soon. At least there's nothing I need to be doing for the Power of Attorney right now.

There was, by the way, a bit of chucking out from the freezer. That leek and potato soup wasn't nice in 2007 and it's not going to have improved now! The bin didn't seem bothered, so that's where it's gone. Yes, it's a waste of resources, but it was also a waste of space and Not Nice, so I'm glad it's no more.

Oh, and even if I'm on days off, I rang work. I didn't have my rota for next week, and I'm finally getting a go at doing nights! I have mixed feelings about this but it gets me out of the 'office politics' side of things a lot more. Night aren't heavy where I work but staying awake is absolutely essential so I am planning food, dvds and jobs to spread out while I'm the only one awake. I know from previous experience that studying tends to get very weak after a while - probably about 12.30 - so I haven't got ambitious about learning languages or anything, and I'm taking tips from other staff about how best to cope.

MatyMoo

Good luck with the nights Miggy, not sure how I would cope with staying awake when it is so quiet.

Loving the tales of the freezer :rotfl: And the horrid Leek and Potato Soup is better off in the bin IMHO

miggy

Hi Maty, you are right about the soup!

Today's been proper March weather: showery and a bit blustery. My oldest set off for a week in Scotland so I gave him some snacks for the journey, and did a bit of shopping for food and a birthday card. Somehow I managed to buy two rhubarb plants which were marked down to a pound each (a saving of about £6 in total).

I really haven't got much done today... stuck to the plan and made a pasta dish for tea, but discovered the sausages in the fridge were out of date and had to get more (a waste, but the surplus of the new ones are safely frozen already).

Some of the little plantlets have died off: I suppose they were too far gone really.

Mum's birthday tomorrow: I still have to wrap her presents but at least they are bought though I would like to find her a plant too. It will have to be something tough to withstand the constant warm air from the heater in her room. I also (ahem!) have to find the blouse, ring and books I have for her, but I have a fair idea where I put them.

Now I have to fit some left-overs into the fridge, which will be a challenge.

ani_26

Just popped in to say hi, even though i don't drink coffee


Are you planting any sweet williams? my second favourite flower. You rarely see sweet peas these days, either. Everything these days has to be so complicated, including flowers, i much prefer the simple flowers, or maybe the old fashioned flowers,if that makes sense.

I know what you mean about one lemon. I hate all the bogof's etc, especially on fresh produce, as i'd rather pay half the price for the one item i wanted to buy, rather than buying more than i need and having to throw food away, because its gone off, before i can eat it.

Better go before i spread the lurgy :rotfl:

miggy

Hi Ani, thanks for popping in, I will make sure I have Earl Grey to hand specially for you.

No Sweet Williams, sorry, but they ARE lovely. I grew plenty of sweet peas a couple of years ago: I love scented flowers. Mum gave me an old-fashioned rose (one of the David Austin ones) for my birthday and I'm looking forward to seeing it bloom and smelling the flowers.
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/Showrose.asp?Showr=3430

I've so far avoided the lurgy, thanks - hopefully it will soon tire of you and go away.

miggy

My sister visited today and helped us eat some of the soups from the freezer, but we went food shopping for tomorrow so I can't claim we have less food. We were sensible, though, and bought small quantities as there will just be three of us tomorrow.

Mum's birthday went well and she enjoyed her gifts and chocolate cake! We had to light the candles with the window open in case we set off the smoke alarms, and I really didn't want to be the cause of them having to evacuate the home, especially as there are some people who can't get out of bed! Mum had us all concerned when she told us she had a kangeroo which she could see out of the window, but when I obediently had a look, it was a peculiarly shaped vent on a roof and I could see that it could just about be taken for a kangeroo after dark! Mum enjoys winding people up.

ani_26

Beautiful rose xx

miggy

Yes, isn't it? Lucky me. I have spent ages pouring over the David Austin catalogue in the past but they aren't cheap and this is only the second time I've had one of their roses. (The first was Boule de Neige and I'm afraid I managed to kill the poor thing).

Spent just over £10 on food today but that included a small gammon and some fish pie mix which have both gone in the freezer, and sausages for tonight's tea - so those were 'good' buys as all were discounted and all will get used.

Other than that - various ingredients for baking (walnuts aren't cheap, are they? But the mighty Weezl uses them in pastry so it must be okay! ).

I needed some toiletries and was going to spend some of a Boots voucher, but what I wanted was cheaper in Superdrug so I went there. That was around £10 as well but at least it included a '3 for the price of 2' and a BOGOF on hair conditioner.

Also went to the pet shop for dried daphnia for the newts (gone up from £1.15 a tub to £1.57) and peanuts to put in mum's bird feeder.

I took some paperwork in for mum's files but I didn't visit as I've spent quite a lot of time with her over the weekend.

The freezer remains untouched today. Even the sausages I meant to use have stayed put as I bought more. I haven't done any decluttering for a few days either. Nevertheless we must be progressing in the right direction as I was able to put the shopping in the freezer without a struggle to find space.

Work tomorrow morning. After a week off, I must rememebr to go!

Also I have been reading about sleep and as I know I will be short of sleep later in the week I ought to be putting some aside now against the tiredness later. In other words, time I got to bed!

ani_26

Unfortunately sleep does'nt seem to work like that, lol , Are you on day shifts or nights? I'm on earlies for the rest of the week. ( very earlies, up at 3.30 am), but at least early starts mean early finishes, ( then early to bed )....................

Night shifts are a killer if you're not used to them on a regular basis, especially if you are working during the day,as well.

Have a good day at work xx

miggy

ani_26 wrote: »

Unfortunately sleep does'nt seem to work like that, lol , Are you on day shifts or nights? I'm on earlies for the rest of the week. ( very earlies, up at 3.30 am), but at least early starts mean early finishes, ( then early to bed )....................

Night shifts are a killer if you're not used to them on a regular basis, especially if you are working during the day,as well.

Have a good day at work xx

My sleep pattern is less than brilliant as I'm a real late-night person and if I'm feeling down this gets worse. I usually do days, with some sleep-ins, so I'm used to being at work any time between 7am and 11pm. I haven't done nights before: that will be from 9pm to 7.30am. 3.30 is VERY early!

Today I was only at work for 3 hours: as I live near work I tend to get asked to do some mini-shifts as I can walk to work in about 15 mins and there's no petrol money involved.

I've had a look at my hours for the next few weeks and for the first time ever I might be getting a whole hour more than full time! Two nights will make up my usual hours but I'm doing some other shifts elsewhere in the week (not the same days) which will bring me over the threshold to get overtime. If I can stand the nights this could help (a little bit) with the finances.

DH went to the review meeting of his money management course last night. Having kept a spending diary, we are supposed to know where the money goes. The course leader seems to be as nonplussed as we are! She suggested the children might be asking for bits of money - well they do, but not to that extent! I think I need to update mum's financial records and see what she owes me (I do shopping for her and she pays me back. Once the Power of Attorney is sorted out this will not be such a big turnover). I think the expenses for Mum have made a very big difference and at the moment I've let it go above £200 so obviously once I've detailed it for her and let her have the bill, our account will feel a bit healthier.

I just keep putting it off along with so many things...!

To do list:
put rabbits out in run for an hour or so Done
tidy kitchen Done
make bed (not done this morning as I was in a rush) Done
take DD's parcel to Post Office Done
do some baking Done

I'll come back and cross off any I actually acheive.