It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

Rosanna79

Hi Nuala!
Often thought of you in these last few months so it's great to see you back on the forum (( )) look after yourself.

We're both noticing how cold it has suddenly become and am making a mental if not physical list of all there is to do in the garden before winter sets in. We only just managed to turn over the beds/ manure etc the DAY BEFORE the snow last year so will not be risking that again by being so poorly organised, Ther onion bed has been dug over already this year and I've sown a green manure, which I've not managed to do previously.

The front of our house really looks good after yesterday's workmen finished. Just got to find some attractive plants for the border. It was a very competitive price and a job we've been talking about for years. So parking OH's car now will not be causing bald patches on the lawn.

Only thing is it's our wedding anniversary 2 weeks today and we've hardly thought of what we'll do to celebrate. We used to book a cottage for a week but really the landscaping job has taken the cash for a proper holiday.

There's a four day free entry to about 100 heritage places from 8-11 September so we can have a sort of minibreak locally for the cost of the petrol and packed lunches around our county. Does anyone else find themselves relatively content to stay at home these days?

I keep thinking I've become really unadventurous in being so content since retiring. I really loathe flying and react badly physically to very hot weather so preferring terra firma, the more firma, the less terra does seem to be the case these days. It seems safer to be in the UK with my health problems... I do get out a lot locally, however

Some friends (and family) seem to be forever going on cruises and the like- not sure it would be my thing if we could afford it but willing to be convinced if the funds were ever available! But I can't help wondering if their £s somehow stretch more than ours...?!

My oldest friend often says this as well- it's as though their pound stretches to four of what most of us could afford?? .. Probably up to the eyes in credit I guess. So glad that to be debt free and able to sleep at night.

Well must get on our cat needs weighing at the vets. She's become awfully thin despite eating quite well so we're hoping it won't be bad news as she's a much loved pet.

Hope everyone had a productive day

SDG31000

Good morning everyone

DH made me cry buckets this morning, but in a very good way. It's my birthday and for ages he has been asking me what I want. I told him that the only thing I wanted was a Kitchen Aid mixer, but that if he brought me one I would batter him with the dough hook and then make him take it back. That's because there was no way I could justify the cost of one. I contented myself with going to John Lewis and stroking them. Yes I do know how sad that sounds lol.
So DH turned devious and plotted with my family and friends. He has been winding me up about it for weeks and making me paranoid. I didn't sleep that much at all last night wondering what was going on. The alarm went off at 7am and DH gave me the present from him and then DS1 and DS2 came in with a big box. DS1 put it on my knee and I started crying as I just knew what it was. DH had co-ordinated with everyone and put together all their Birthday and Christmas presents and got me a cream Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer! :j:j:j:j :T:T:T:T:D:D:D:D
It's now sitting in my kitchen and I keep going and stroking it. I don't want to use it as I don't want to get it dirty. I have a lot of cakes to bake as thank you presents and DH is safe as he didn't put any money towards it. Everyone was so kind and generous and I'm still in shock about it.

7_week_wonder

Happy Birthday SDG31000:j:j:j

What a lovely OH you have! Not only have you got the toy you've been dreaming about - but every time you use it you will smile thinking of all the friends and family who it contributed!

I've got a loaf of bread in the breadmaker, there's pastry dough in the fridge ready to be used for a quiche later and a half batch of softstuffs muffins are cooling on the kitchen counter ready for when OH gets back from the dentist.

I'm going to spend the rest of the day cleaning as tomorrow first thing we're off down to my mum's for the weekend and then back to work on Monday. Rosanna I know what you mean about being unadventurous. I've had a lovely two weeks' holiday just pottering - but everyone at work always asks why I haven't been away anywhere!

Have a good day all.

PS Have just googled on "Kitchen Aid Artisan" and am now drooling!

Kittikins

Aaahhhh that's so lovely of your DH and family, what a really thoughtful thing to do. Happy Birthday, and hope you make a nice cake for yourself too

Margaret54

Hi Nuala lovely to see you back again. i listen to R.T.E in the afternoons and I really feel for people how difficult so many are having it, and still to come too.:( Take good care.x
What a lovely present SDG31000 Enjoy using it.
Have been enjoying all the interesting posts as always.

smileyt_2

Aw, happy birthday SDG31000 and at least now you won't damage your dough hook battering your husband lol!

Roseanna79 I hope your cat is OK.

It's a lovely day here so I'm off to do my errands and I MUST NOT buy any craft magazines from Asda whilst I'm out!

Kimsmum

Happy Birthday SDG31000 have a lovely day Enjoy your present.
7 week wonder I made some of those muffins from softstuffs recipe they were so yummy.

Well its cool and windy here so washing has been on the line early this morning.
Going to start knitting another scarf for winter as I have found some more wool, also going to try to knit some socks.
Have a nice day everyone.

scottishminnie

SDG31000 wrote: »

DH had co-ordinated with everyone and put together all their Birthday and Christmas presents and got me a cream Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer! :j:j:j:j :T:T:T:T:D:D:D:D
It's now sitting in my kitchen and I keep going and stroking it. I don't want to use it as I don't want to get it dirty. I have a lot of cakes to bake as thank you presents and DH is safe as he didn't put any money towards it. Everyone was so kind and generous and I'm still in shock about it.

SDG - I too had always wanted a Kitchenaid but felt the cost was just not justifiable then my grandmother died and left me a small sum of money (£500). As a child I'd spent many happy hours with her baking and cooking and having discussed it with my husband we agreed it would be a nice way to remember her. So I too am a very proud owner of an identical cream Kitchenaid (after much drooling over the coloured ones I decided to be practical).
It's been well used in the 18 months I've had it and I even dug out some of granny's old recipes to bake. I'm sure she would be happy with my choice (the rest of the money is still there, thinking I'll buy fruit trees with it) and would appreciate the amount of use it gets.

I don't measure things on their total cost now, rather how much per use if that makes sense, which means I can justify it better to myself (not that I should need to).

Enjoy using your new gift and have a happy birthday:bdaycake:

Rosanna79

Just got back from the vets. The nurse must have thought it better for her to see the vet, a lovely young woman who has just diagnosed our little princess with abdominal cancer. She's not in any apparent pain and is to try some steroids to see if it can be suppressed for a while. Trouble is being a retired nurse I had a far better idea of what was going on and when OH asked me if I thought we'd have her until the end of the year I had to say No. Poor little thing's gone down from 2.72 kg to 2.28 kg in six weeks.

She's a rescue cat so we think she's about 12 years old but has outlived her brother by about 2 1/2 years so far- and as I tell OH they both have had very good years with us when we took them in after being abandoned.

It's OH's first ever pet - he had an appalling childhood and never had a lot of what most of us take for granted in my generation. So they adore each other and I think when the reality hits him he's going to be gutted. I'd like to find him a rescue kitten eventually and we have a contact whose wife does local cat rescue.

I know they're messy, dropping hair everywhere and whilst dogs have owners cats have staff but I do love cats. It won't seem like home without one....

Charis

Rosanna79 wrote: »

I really loathe flying and react badly physically to very hot weather so preferring terra firma, the more firma, the less terra does seem to be the case these days.

Love it! :rotfl:

I do wonder what the attraction is in sitting on hot sand getting sunburnt. I never get bored at home but I'd get very bored on a beach.

Have a great time on your days out. Some people have to fly to get to our heritage places. Aren't we lucky?