Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

ifonlyitwaseasier

katholicos wrote: »

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I don't drink alcohol at all but the specialists etc who i see and nurses etc look positively gobsmacked when i tell them I don't drink. It's because i am and in need of meds so much of the time but in truth i prefer a cup of tea anyway.

ok this made me laugh so much as thats what i'm like with regards alcohol. whilst yes occasionally i'll have a small drink (pimms!!!!) i much prefer a good cuppa and am often the one at parties who start off the tea trend

mambury

Frugal wrote: »

Morning (just) folks

I am at Dads today looking after him whilst SM goes and does a few things in town. I brought them a jar of my newly made crabapple jelly, which I am very proud of, and they were pleased with that. Dad has not enjoyed food since he had the stroke but he looked pleased to have the jelly - I hope he enjoys it. As it was my first attempt, and setting point has always been a mystery to me, its not as soft as the jars my Nana used to make, but i'm sure it will spread if the toast is hot enough

Sadly my 1.5 kilos of crabapples turned into only 3 small jars (I sterilised 8 in my optimism :rotfl:) so, determined to fill all 12 jars from lakeland with SOMETHING, I am making caramelised red onion chutney this afternoon I believe chutney is easier than jams and jellies so fingers crossed this is a success.

After those are done (assuming they are a success) I intend to try HFW River Cottage Chutney, or something similar.

AND when I am more experienced, I am going to try to recreate the "Victorian Chutney" that I buy from the supermarket which I love but would like to be more HM/rustic.

I am still feeling delighted with the fact I will be getting a new boiler to replace my dreadfully inefficient back boiler, from the Gov scheme grant AND it also means I can open up my fireplace and have a real fire or a woodburner. Can wood burners go anywhere that a real fire was previously? Also, has anybody done this who could advise me very roughly on costs.

I am guessing woodburners don't use quite as much wood as an open fire (we used to go thru ridiculous amounts of wood and coal).

Hugs to all those that need them - I do read just about every post but my memory is not good enough to manage personals very often.

Frugal - red onion chutney is sooo easy and really delish! I add a little dried chili flakes to mine to give it a little bite.....

Okay, woodburner.... we put ours in about 6/7 years ago, paid about £500 ish for the fire and then there was the flue liner (to go in the chimney) at about £30 a metre :eek:. We needed that because the fumes were leaking through the chimney (staining on the walls upstairs) but you might be okay without it. Might be worth getting some professionals in to have a look and quote you. I can't compare the burn rate on an open fire v woodburner but I presume it would be less as you can restrict the airflow (both top and bottom) which you can't on an open fire. I wouldn't be without mine now...... being as its the only heating we have at the moment!!

Thats_Me_3

Just a couple of quickies -

Roseanna, re depression (or whatever). I think that sometimes we look forward to something so much that when we actually get it, we find it hard to cope with. Over the years you would have gotten so used to the stress that when it is no longer there you somehow feel bereft. Like someone finally leaving an abusive partner say, but missing them. I am watching myself very closely, as I am being made redundant very soon. Can't wait!! but at the same time, I am quite anxious about it.

ifonlyitwaseasier, re tea. Hahahaha, thats me that is! At a party, who is it in the kitchen making a cuppa? (By the way, I do like the odd drink, its just that I prefer tea.)

Frugal (?, I think?) re woodburners. We've had ours for about 5 years now. we got it 2nd hand for £150. We certainly would not be without it. We buy a double load of wood per year, I think it comes to about £200 but I may be wrong there. Also, anything that will burn goes on it (but can I please ask people not to put nappies in the burner, it stinks outside! one of our neighbours does this, yuk!) i.e. paper and card rubbish etc. With a bit of practice you will learn its "little ways" and by regulating it you can be constantly cosy. We put ours on in November and by controlling it, that is the only time we light it, it just continuously burns. It is the only heat we have, although last year in the coldest weather, we put the radiators on the lowest setting in the kitchen and bathroom. Usually if the sitting room door is left open the heat spreads through the house.

flowertotmum

Hi all hope your ok...
Roseanna..my oh went thru the same thing when he got made redundant...i found that him having a routine helped him tremendously..i gave him a list of jobs to do..poor chap;)..when i stopped working i found myself a bit lost and tbh lonely too...i went to the library and met up with others it was hard but sooo worth it...
Ifonlyitwaseasier..my family think i'm strange because i do not drink whatsoever...i know a stick in the mud but thats how i am...i would rather have a cuppa or a good coffee tbh...
Gailey..i second what hellsbells has said about thrush..my baby had it too when she was teething and by crikey she was a mess..i got some hydrocortizone from the gp for her..and bingo it went in 2 days...
:hello: to all the newbies...i love the ladies on here...as someone said it might be virtual but i would truly be lost without them...:A..
Got to go having probs with internet again:mad:..only seems to work when it wants to:mad:...nevermind oh is going to have a look at it now..he is a whizz with my old laptop...:)...
take care all of you

Kitcaboodle

Have just discovered quinoa... I'm converted!!

I picked up a pack in Tesco a couple of weeks ago & as DH is home this week I thought I'd take the opportunity to just cook some of it to see what it was like. I knew if I didn't that it would just sit in the cupboard until it went off as I would avoid it because I didn't know if I'd like it. So, I took the plunge and jumped in the deep end!

I gave it a rinse & cooked it in the bottom of the pan for a couple of minutes to dry it out. Then, when it started to stick to the pan I added twice as much water (actually, I added a bit more than that and had to sieve it when I was done!) and a sprinkling of salt.

I put it on to simmer with the lid on and then came back in ten minutes and it was nearly cooked, so I took off the lid and kept an eye on it until it was transparent (I didn't want it to go mushy, which I'd read could happen if you cook it too long).

I knew it appealed to me when I realised I was picking up and eating the grains that fell on the (clean!) worktop! I'm now eating a small bowl of it with a dash of soy sauce & it's making me crave brocolli, carrots, etc. to go with it. Anything that makes me want to eat healthily is a bonus, so I will definitely be cooking this again!

jediteacher

I've been very naughty today and went to the sainsburys half price toy sale and spent a fair amount. In my defence I had saved up the money for it and mostly only bought things that were on my list for my little girl for birthday and christmas and my nieces. Was absolutely packed and met some very rude people one of whom barged her trolley into my daughter! :mad: Luckily, my little one yelled at the top of her voice, 'NAUGHTY LADY. SAY SORRY.' I also said a few choice words to say and we did get a very embarressed apology. Anyway thats me all done for christmas gifts.

I am now going to cut up the pork fillet that I got from the butchers for £2 and make a casserole with it. I love my slow cooker.

gailey_2

All those talk of woodburners made me sad as always wanted one but we have no chimney and have small useless electric heater which im sure uses up tonnes on power.

Thanks everyone for suggestion of thrush never even considered that as felt odd she getting rash on her thighs and not just her bottom.
Was going to go hv today but just too tired walked miles and looks like more rain here.

had another hectic morning walked least 3miles to swimming but worth it as eldest doing really well and so happy.

Then had to pay barclaycard annoyingly they wont accept paypal top up card despite money being on it and paying other bills with it so had no other option than to go barclays which is few and far between so walked 2miles to retail park and then they said couldent make immediate payment like said I could and would take 2days.

Went in sainsburys wish I hadent is was huge toy sale got so busy they shut toy ailse off, looked like bomb had hit it and people were buying tonnes.
wish sainsburys did basic 3pack juice cartons like morrisions as their cheapest is 65p compared to mr m 37p.
I still get funny about self serve as they always seem to go wrong.
The lady in front of me was buying lots of toys cashier said ohh what bargains.
noticed some starwars toys were going through at 25p each!
Asked lady was there much there she said there was alittle she dumped some in trolly as dident need them all. But she said it was very busy and people were frantically picking up bargains by that time eldest wanted her donut and juice and baby was crying in buggy.

Anyway bless this lady I finished paying and she had 2 in her hand said went back and got you these, they last ones left and they shut down toy section due to overcrowding.

Its my cousins twins birthday this month so thourght would be ok with bag of sweets each so brought 2 for garnd total of 50p!If I hadent had kids with me maybe I would have braved it maybe but lovley acts of kindness always touch me especially in sale sitution when some people can act very selfish.

Jedi teacher- well done xmas shopping your sainsburys sounds like mine.
Bristol has 12 stores mind and monopoly if I had car would have gone to other branch as lot quieter.

walked 2miles home so walked about 7miles today luckily beating the rain.- Things i do to save extornionate bus fare!

But been so tired since getting home trying to summon up energy to make tea.

typically got home to nice cheque from inland revenue but unfortunatly bank with barclays which is least 2miles away so will have to bank it tommorow.

Hubbys properly reveiwed is finances and is not as skint as he first thourght.
hes got enough to see him through until next week so when cheque clears can help him out as hes paid for floor, stuff for house and cartax extra this month.

We off out somewhere cheap for 6year wedding anniversary sat nite as mams babysitting.
place he wanted to take us I feel is bit pricey as money tight.
I have voucers for bella italia so thinking that might be ok , most of restaurant vouchers I have seem to exclude sat night or thinking pizza hut be ok I just want to spend time with him not bothered about fancy meals.

Trying to work out how to spend money.

have outstanding bills need to be paid.
owe dad small amount as he fixed my laptop.
give hubby some to help him out.
think want to pay maybe 3months worth of all my bills to give me some breathing space until feb.
have daughters classes to pay for.
Feel i should fund xmas reckon i could do everyones presents and wrapping for under 100 as planning on going primark and all the cheap shops down town

Am worried about pram but was going to wait until after xmas but then mate said pram prices rise plus vat im better off buying now but that would be half money gone want to spend it wisly maybe even get longed for slow cooker and few bits for house.

Also worried about possible job offer as hubbys been asked back for 2nd interveiw but not at the company he really wnats to hear for they still dragging their feet saying job still open, they want to 2nd interveiw him and feel hes right fit and will be in touch.

The offer possible offer on table is for company im not sure if they will survive long term as they reckon 2011 will be bad year and im sure home diy market will suffer.
its lower turnover so step down when he needs to be moving up ladder with each role to either regional level or very high turnover store manager.
He explained this at 1st interveiw and thourght he probably scuppered his chances by being so honest so was shocked to be phoned yesterday for 2nd stage.
As I said to him what you got to lose be good practice as just getting interveiws in current market is good going.

But then he drops a bombshell someone we both know when we worked in food retail together my old regional works for this company . just the name gives me creeps.
He got sacked over inappropriate behaviour and would have sold his granny to get ahead, he wasent very professional, backstabbed a lot of people and generally rubbed people up wrong way so was not pleased. Anyway this person has given hubby glowing reference. hubbys worked alittle with him and is aware if his reputation and does not feel he got much respect from him back then so us puzzled even more as to why hes made it through.

retails small world like they said on aprrentice you fired you never know when you will meet these people again one day hence my reason to retrain different profession as have no desire to meet up with past bullys.

Big hugz to everyone who needs it.

sammy k-hope you ok hun not seen you in ages.

mardatha

I keep my stove going all year That'sMe, just turn it down to zero most of the time. It means we have unlimited hot water and baths and if the livingroom gets too hot then I just open doors or windows. I think stoves are much more economical than open fires - had one of them for years -and the stove is much much easier.

icelandic_queen

Hi Roseanna, I was made redundant this year and still feel a bit down. I had a weird dream that I was at a works Christmas do but it was only for the people who had been made redundant!! I went almost straight away into being a carer so didn't have a chance to 'grieve' if you know what I mean! I was planning on instigating some structure but with half-term this week that has gone out the window! I've had my parents plus my kids today and I'm totally frazzled. My Dad is 'regressing' and my kids are 'progressing' so I hope they mean in the middle some time soon before I go mad!! By the way, where would I find the recipe for the red onion chutney?

witchwoopiggy

hi all
ever wish you understood wieghts better lol i went shopping at bbrands and umm im not sure what im going to do with 12.5 kg of suet i thought it would come in seprate boxes but no it comes in one big box :eek: so mil got a empty sweetie tin full , ive filled a large sweetie jar and ive still only took about 2 inches off the top :rotfl::rotfl:wish there was more than just me to feed:o suet anyone?:D