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

mardatha

The housing people have offered to send us up some heaters on loan. Which was nice of them really, but we dont want to use them cos they will cost a bomb. Much better to use HWB and fleeces and move a$$ as much as poss.The RV always moaned about the coal fire- although he only had to empty/refill it once every 24 hours, he moaned every time. And now fate has decided, in the immortal words of all our mothers, to "give him something to moan about" !:rotfl:

Pink.

I am sooooooo cross this morning. For some inexplicable reason I woke at 4.00 am and managed to stay awake. So I thought I'd get up early to sort the lunches and breakfasts. Cooked breakfasts including freshly made potato bread (scones, farls or whatever they're called where you live). Lunches duly done and put into fridge.

I bid them all farewell and went back to bed in the hope of an hour of sleep before I needed to get up, only to be disturbed by Mr Pink asking if the chicken wraps in the fridge were for youngest son. This was was at 8.30, an hour after the boys had left for school! Yes they were! Mr Pink's only job this morning was to make sure that they got from fridge to bag! Not much to ask really! At least we realised and were able to phone ds2 (who has just started his new grammar school this week and could do without hassle) and tell him to use the 'emergency' fiver we gave him to keep in his blazer pocket for lunch, but it's a fiver I'd rather not have spent.

Anyway, busy day today, got visitors coming for dinner, doing lasagne with green salad and a mixed fruit crumble for desert, but a bit at a loss for a starter. Will need to go and look at some threads for inspiration.

Haribo thanks for your parcel yesterday....I can't tell you how much he appreciated it. :A

Pink

smileyt_2

Heads up, breadmakers - approved foods have 1.5kg bags of wholemeal bread flour for 70p, useby date the end of this month.

Roseanne, so sorry to hear about your cat. I have lost lots of wee critters to cancer and I know how much it hurts. Treasure the precious time you have left and allow yourself to grieve too, ignoring any stupid people who refuse to understand. I don't think animals fear death like we do, they just slip peacefully into the next stage of life and I believe pets do that on a 'cloud' of their humans' love. Sentimental? I don't care!

Mardatha, hope you are feeling better soon and your heating gets sorted! You sound a bit brighter than you did. Try not to murder your RV in the meantime!! At least it's happened now and not in the middle of December! :eek:

Greyqueen, enjoy your holiday. I hope your tent doesn't blow away in the threatened gales!

It's fine today so I am going to DO THE YARD. My backyard is a complete tip, full of bags of chicken poo and other assorted detritus. I am going to empty as much compost as I can out of the compost bin to put round my little minarette fruit trees, tip as much poop as I can in the top of the compost bin, and sadly chuck the rest as there is nowhere else for it to go. I've offered it on freecycle before now and although people promise to collect it I've been left high and dry so I'm not trying that again.

Ginnyknit is your fabby machine a sissix thing, by any chance? Jealous, moi?! Anyway, I am feeling very proud of myself because I have not bought an extortionately-priced ticket to the Creative Crafts show that is on at the Trafford Centre today and tomorrow. I have enough craft stuff here without buying any more. Although the temptation is immense, I shall just have to console myself with the bags of chicken poo :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Have a good MS, OS day everyone. xx

ginnyknit

Hugs to all especially Mardatha, when my Oh (in his healthier days) drove me and DS mad, Ds would say ' you get the gun and I'll get the shovel, we are off to the patio' (as in Brookside many years ago):rotfl:


Yes Smileyt its a Sizzix machine and its quite interesting, not quite got the hang of it yet but Im sure I will! Im hoping it will add something to my card making though I am being very careful not to spend loads of money on dies or it defeats the object.

Gales???what gales?? I heard there was bad weather due thought it was just rain. Mind you the wind is getting up now despite some luke warm sun. Must batten down the hatches this afternoon, as I don't want to get caught out. Plum jam making tomorrow and just found an old tub of blackberries from last year so am going to try a fruit leather I think.

Memory_Girl

bluebag wrote: »

Try the energy saving trust, they have lots of information about grants.

Second this - they put a whole new Central Heating system in my house - much to the kids delight. Looks lovely - of course we don't use it much:o

MG

Uniscots97

drinkupretty wrote: »

Wouldn't know where to start to look to be honest. My only thought was applying for access to learning fund when I start my course. Its a masters though so not sure if I will be eligible to apply. The broken boiler is a back boiler, for it to be taken out and for a non back boiler to be installed would be £1800! Can't get credit as both of our credit scores are bad.

This might help:

http://www.energychoices.co.uk/what-if-i-cant-afford-a-new-boiler.html

scottishminnie

Pink-winged wrote: »

I
I bid them all farewell and went back to bed in the hope of an hour of sleep before I needed to get up, only to be disturbed by Mr Pink asking if the chicken wraps in the fridge were for youngest son. This was was at 8.30, an hour after the boys had left for school! Yes they were! Mr Pink's only job this morning was to make sure that they got from fridge to bag! Not much to ask really!

Anyway, busy day today, got visitors coming for dinner, doing lasagne with green salad and a mixed fruit crumble for desert, but a bit at a loss for a starter. Will need to go and look at some threads for inspiration.

Pink

Pink - I can only assume that when you and your visitors are enjoying lasagne and green salad Mr Pink will be munching on a chicken wrap for his dinner!!!!
After all waste not want not as they say:D

Margaret54

hi Nuala thank you for asking how I am. I am well and we are settled into our wee bungalow now. Doing all we can to keep prices down, keeping the heating off and baking when I am up to it. Times are certainly tough for people and getting touger by the day.:( Thank goodness for this lovely forum as I always feel I am amongst friends and learn so much.:) Have a good weekend everyone

NualaBuala

Hi everyone :wave:

Hope you're all having a good day/evening!
My poach pods arrived today - they look ok actually and can be used in the oven so maybe I'll find other uses for them as well as poaching eggs. I found a nice looking recipe for a no-pastry quiche - I guess it's more like fritatta but done in the oven. I don't have ramekins but was thinking maybe I could make individual portions in the poach pods and my muffin tin. The Preparing for Winter thread inspired me to treat myself to new fleece PJs today from Penneys (Primark) - I'm delighted to say that last year's don't fit any more (they're too big! :j) and so I can justify that little spend!


Margaret, glad all is well - I would love to live in a bungalow. It sounds so cosy!

Ceridwen - yes, get that positive vibe on girl! No doubt you can achieve anything you put your mind to. I will light a candle tonight and include your wish for a house upgrade in my intentions! Of course there's a lot to be said for being content with how things are but no harm in being open to improvements!


Marie - Thanks a mill - I cleared a little space in my PM folders - sorry about that! I have soooo much catching up to do! Hope you're doing ok? BTW - do you remember The Sock I was knitting last winter? Well it's still there ... who knows, maybe I will finish it this winter!

(((((Madarthur))))) .... that really sucks with the boiler. Hope you get a mild autumn to keep the leccy costs down. But it's so important to stay warm - especially when you're feeling rubbish and can't be lepping about the place being active.

Drinkupretty - sorry to hear your bad news, I hope things turn around for you soon.

Hugs to everyone in need - I tried to skim through so I can keep up and I'm sure I've forgotten someone I meant to reply to!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the links regarding help financing a new boiler, unfortunately we are not eligible for any help as we are not disabled and do not have children