misscousinitt's MF Diary

misscousinitt

gallygirl wrote: »

I've got some Philly light - may tuck some of that in :T.

mmm....sounds good to me.;)

MCI

misscousinitt

I have just been reading the FB thread that Martin Lewis posted yesterday about what he should say to George Osborne in his debate with him.

I feel quite humbled. I feel I have been extremely lucky with my windfalls and my lack of mortgage. Neither DH or i have had a payrise for a long time (think the last time I did was 2006!) But our cost of living is low and we have no dependants.

Rising prices are a worry, but we don't have it bad. I have friends who are really struggling. My one friend works part time and can barely make ends meet - she has a job, but not enough to live on. Another friend has been unemployed for about 3 years, he is 52, trying to get another job, but really finding it difficult. He lives in a 2 bed flat (the 2nd bedroom is tiny), but still he has to pay bedroom tax! My god-daughter's father got laid off after Christmas - they were struggling anyway as they only paid him apprentice wages (even though he was 25!) and now they are having to have food parcels while they get their benefits set up again...(I wish I'd know earlier as I would have helped them out - but they seem to be ok now!).

I try not to be political, but when I see this happening to my friends, I really wonder how we are going to get out of this mess - it doesn't matter who you vote for - the Government still get in.

Rant over!

MCI

misscousinitt

Sorry about the rant.

MOT was £180. Had to get the break pads, wiper blades and a bulb replaced. At least I have the money put by for this.

Tea tonight is Chicken & Prawn Satay Skewers with Noodles (adpated from JO 30 min meals).

MCI

Pearla*Merle

Thank you for the rant(!) It's always a relief to hear someone talk sensibly and openly about these things, rather than the usual din of loud & vicious nonsense so frequently exhibited in the media etc. It's certainly a worrying time, and the way people are being squeezed can paralyse them (I see so many friends in the same boat, and have been there myself), I hope there's a let up soon.

The one blessing is that there are places like this where we can all come and educate ourselves into a more secure future. Three cheers for Martin & all the MSE-ers! :money: :beer:

misscousinitt

Thanks PM and definately cheers to :money::beer:.

The weather is absolutely terrible here. Chucking it down and the wind is getting up too (apparently red wind warning in place for when we leave at 5pm!).

Have eaten my sandwiches, but have asked my colleague to get me a tin of soup while he's out (driving to the supermarket to get lunch!) - feel like I need something warm and won't cost much.

Tonight's tea is Slow Cooked Brisket, really looking forward to this - the slow cooker should be clicking on in just over 1/2 an hour!

Curling up infront of the fire and the TV tonight.

Hope everyone is keeping dry and warm against the weather.

MCI

misscousinitt

Happy Friday...really wished the weather was better, but still, what can you do!

Was really busy with meetings and reports yesterday, was really fed up and DH took me out for some dinner last night.

Spent £12.17 in Herr A last night and just a few things on the list for tonight at Mr T (going to the big one near to where I work as they have the duck legs I need for tonight's meal).

So cooking up scallops and king prawns with a pancetta and fresh tomato sauce for starters; Slow Cooked Duck Ragu and Pasta Ribbons for main course and Chocolate Fondants and Ice Cream for pudding.

With all this dreadful weather outside I am really glad we made arrangements to stay in tonight.

Hope everyone has a nice evening and a good weekend whatever you are doing...

MCI

misscousinitt

Had a lovely Valentine's Meal - all went down very well. Even had some ragu left and put in the freezer for another time.


Cooked a large Beef Pasty last night using the LO Brisket and onions from Wednesday and adding a few mushrooms. Encased in barginous puff pastry.

Haven't felt very well today so haven't really done anything I intended. Has been a good day outside - the glowy yellow thing in the sky had returned, but I haven't been well enough to go out.


£2 something spent in Mr T on Friday and DH got the duck legs from Mr W for £4 as Mr T had sold out! So £18.50ish spend this week. May have to buy some bread rolls mid week, but I think that will be it.


Landlady from next door knocked on the door earlier and it appears (although we knew really) that our Eucalyptus tree is leaning heavily and with all the bad weather (and more to come) - there is a possibility it might up-root itself. DH is looking into ways for taking it down (don't want to as I love the tree, but if its going to potentially cause damage to other peoples property its going to have to be done). Lets hope for a nice weekend, next weekend so we can get it done before the next bout of bad weather hits.


Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend.


MCI

misscousinitt

Monday again and its raining here on and off.

Office was freezing when we got here this morning as the MD had come in over the weekend, decided it was too warm and turned the thermostat down to 10 degrees. What he doesn't know is that its always warm in the office at the weekend as its all shut up and we need that to keep the place warm. Only just got back up to temperature (spent most of the morning with my coat on!)

Charity meeting later in advance of our AGM on Thursday. I am going to give out paperwork and then be quiet! (Long story which I am not going to bore you with as it will not only bore you but wind me up again!)

Counted up Penguin Pot yesterday and we have £20.50 in 50ps - so an excuse for a walk to town later in the week to pay in £20!

Flavoured chicken and rice for tea tonight - something simple after meeting tonight.

Wishing everyone a good week.

MCI

misscousinitt

Couldn't keep quiet in the meeting last night. Definately got stressed again. But now taking a calming attitude and putting people in a bubble!

Tonnes of stuff on at work and having a day sorting all the carp and bits and pieces so I can focus on everything else without the little bits coming to the surface and throwing a spanner in the works.

Got alot on my mind at the moment - but that's a tale for another time.

2 more 50ps into the Penguin Pot today (courtesy of DH) and looking forward to payday next week when I can shuffle the money and hit our first target!

Sausage Meatballs and Pasta tonight (ala Nigella - but using Toulouse sausages instead of italian ones - got to use what wheve got!)

MCI

misscousinitt

Here am I advocating to use what we've got and I've decided to go completely away from meal plan and buy a chicken to roast tonight!Really fancy a roast meal and I have nothing I can use.

Tonight should have been Fish Tagine - but going to do it Saturday night instead.

So quick shop at Herr A tonight for a chicken and some lemonade.

The Grocery spends are looking quite frugal for this month though - currently standing at approx £105. I reckon the month will come in at £125-£130 in total which is £20 under my £150 target (and there are still things in the freezer).

Next week I will do a freezer inventory and decide on some dishes for March, out a few times as we have things planned and its both our birthdays.

Happy hump day everyone.

MCI