How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

GreyQueen

:j Softstuff's got an oven! Yayyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!! Great news, I'm chuffed for you, gal. Don't wear it out too quickly with baking your thank-yous, tho!

Ceridwen It would surprise most people who know me as an adult but I was a cripplingly-shy child and adolescent and still have my moments. However, I moved from one part of the country to another at 18 and made a consicous effort to leave the baggage behind as no one in my new life knew I was shy, so I could fake it til I made it, IFSWIM. What I came to realise belatedly is that shyness often comes across to others as hauteur, stand-offishness and rudeness when it's nothing of the sort and it's a rare person who isn't "shy" at least some of the time. My tactic is usually to get people talking about themselves/ the weather/ admire their dog/ jumper/ earrings/ bag and it it flow from there. I'm definately an introvert but a gabby one with good interpersonal skills.

As to managing the drug addict (the whole contact took 1.5 hrs thank goodness for flex credit because I ran well past knocking-off time). For my job, as part of the recruitment process and long before you got within sniffing distance of an interview, we had to do lots of psycological tests. I'm an excellent psycological match for the kind of work I do but would be useless at marketing f'instance. We have to talk to people in extemis every day, sometimes many times a day, and you have to be very empathetic to handle what we handle. I'm proud of my colleagues; quality people doing a difficult job for not overmany beans (but better than some by a long shot, one must remember that).

My finest hour in the motormouthing dept was calling up a chambers and persuading a barrister who I'd never met in my life to take one of the CAB's client's cases to the Court of Appeal for overturning a murder conviction. I had a file stuffed into my hands a few mins before and was perched on a cardboard box with the phone on my knee as furniture was being carried out around me (they were moving offices to another building btw). If I'd been given time to think about it I'd've been terrified but as it was just had to rise to the challenge and sell him the case. He took it pro bono but sadly it didn't go in the client's favour but we all did our best.

Still no sign of tradesman but at least I'm decent......:rotfl:

mardatha

The courgette was ok. Didn't really taste of anything. Which with green veg, is a good thing !

maryb

Plain courgettes are definitely a bit boring but courgette souffle is luurrrvvvellyyyy. Otherwise I cut them into small strips and bung them in a stir fry. Stir frying can make most green veg taste nice.

What surprised me was how nice cabbage can be with salmon. I did small salmon fillets for supper recently and normally I would have served peas with it but I'd run out and didn't have any other veg in other than some left over mashed potatoes and cabbage to use up. So I made bubble and squeak and did it in those metal rings to make individual cakes so it looked a bit more meant. It was yummy, a real revelation - the slightly bitter taste went really well with the richness of the salmon and the pale green colour toned beautifully with the pink.

Maybe this would be one to try chicory with?

sammy_kaye18

maryb wrote: »

Plain courgettes are definitely a bit boring but courgette souffle is luurrrvvvellyyyy. Otherwise I cut them into small strips and bung them in a stir fry. Stir frying can make most green veg taste nice.

I use to love Courgette in a stir fry with that garlic sausage you can get.....you know the 'U' shaped one.....cant think fo the name now. doh! but either way very yummy and the courgette goes nice and sweet which for sweetie loving mardatha is a good option.

Shegar - take care of yourself honey! and hope you have your hubby at least home with you again soon. Wish I lived closer and I would pop round and give you a hand. x

Well big yellow ball is back in the sky, I'm waiting on my washing rinsing before I can get it hung out, babe is snoozing so can get on with a bit of tidying up - although my father just came on-line on facebook so cleaning is now looking doubtful.
I do need to go and do some bill paying today but need to watch my spending carefully and figure I get a little bit today and my main bulk of money tomorrow so may go tomorrow instead and get all the bills paid in one go and then I know they are done and its all out of the way plus it leaves my wages all to me then too.
And its meant to be horrible weather tomorrow as well so it will get me out of the house
Am going to re read a few starter threads for OS as well - really need to get back on the OS wagon and making/mending/baking and cooking again. Think emptying the freezer is maybe a good option first though as want to make some quick freezer type meals as now Ben is out 2 nights a week with rugby training (Monday) football training (Thursday) and I work Wednesday night, plus he has a match on Saturdays (football) and a match on Sunday (rugby) and when I get home eventually I am getting ready fro work at 3 so I think quick, easy, home-made nutritious food is a must - which reminds me must buy tubs. Plus these will be handy for Owen coming home late when Im off for work considering he has baby and ben to watch, and if I can find a few mini tubs I can make my own baby food again.

off to do some more cleaning and planning. Enjoy the sun peeps

cat_smith

I always fry courgettes with onion. Just chop, add some salt and pat dry after 5 mins. Fry off onion and add courgettes. Fry until soft. Delish.

laineyc_2

GreyQueen, I have my fingers crossed that IB gets his marching order today.

It is still sunny but not as warm today. I enjoyed my long lie. (was up at 6am to say bye to DH who is away on a business trip then pop back to bed.)

I have a few things to do in the garden. I have some flower seeds I want to sow as well. My potatoes are coming along really well. I am making great progress in reducing food waste. My cooking is much more imaginative! Some things work better than others.

gillst_2

I have just bought some whoopsied turkey mince,but have absolutely no idea what to do with it. I know someone on here will know what I can do, so would really appreciate some ideas. Have put it in the freezer for now, until I know what to do. Thank you.
Grey Queen - hoping that justice will be done and IB will soon be out of your life ..

purpleheather2810

Hi gillst - any recipe where you would use beef mince, ie bolognese, cottage pie, meatballs, burgers etc... HTH!

THIRZAH

Chicory, orange and walnut salad is nice. We've been having that quite a lot lately as we have walnuts from our tree to use up. I make a french dressing with lemon juice instead of vinegar .

lalapalooza

Hi guys, not been on for ages and ages, so thought I would pop in and say hello! Loving some of the ideas on this forum! WHat does OS stand for though?

We both work, but I would rather be a stay at home but no kids so no excuse to.... I should have married a Farmer I think! I have 6 persian cats, one chicken (had 3 but other 2 died) and live on the edge of an estate...