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

meg72

mardatha wrote: »

Ahhh you don't want to do the ironing - leave it! Sit here and have a wee cup of tea and talk to us instead!!
Go onnnn - you know you want to ! And you know you're worth it!!
....why not have a wee bun as well ? or open some sweeties.. You know where they're hidden - go onnn, just have one. Just ONE....
:EasterBun

Love it, but you are being very naughty,I for one dont need encouraging,I need someone to say " Get off your fat bum and do it,
But like your idea better, Donut or Chelsea Bun anyone.

Rowan9

Now Haribo, everyone knows you can't drown in ironing so LEAVE it. Walk away from that iron! Ah cake...let's all have a tea party. I'll have mine with 2 sugars today and I'll eat any kind of cake going:j.
Am typing up some stuff this afternoon (well, wordprocessing I suppose!) but have sneaked on here.
Had a lovely coffee with DD and my Dsis earlier. Rang DH and as we were talking, he bumped into DD and put her on the phone. She was nearby so we walked to meet each other and then have coffee, meanwhile Dsis turned up. All the talk about financial troubled kind of melted a bit as I looked at them chatting away and thought - ah family is pretty wonderful isn't it? I gave them each a big hug and will have a HUGE hug for DH when he comes home from work. Feeling v content. Planning to spend more time being grateful for things that don't cost money and the love of dear ones is top of the list.

On an MSE note, have menu planned a fairly straight forward week with no big expenses -an expensive doggie week last week (more hugs for the 2 of them) and we are away for a weekend next month so I'm tightening the purse strings a bit.
On a foraging note - I thought this was lovely - I got an email today with a link to a free foraging map of Edinburgh. The website was saying serious foragers sometimes keep sites to themselves and their 'group' but that peeps thought foraging info should be available for everyone. How heart warming! Just as a poster said above, how lovely if there was more sharing. Anyone in Edinburgh, PM me and I'll send you the link:j.
Ok, typing to do. No cake has arrived, virtual or in RL.
Have a good rest of day folks
W

ed to add -oooh Meg, I'll have a donut yum yum yum - ta:j

shelley_crow

Wow, I've got a lot to catch up on! I've been internetless for 2 weeks now and it's back on today, I've missed this thread!

Had a stressful two weeks, good and bad. My car had it's MOT and was pronounced dead and duly scrapped, the electrics in my house were dicey and had to be fixed, my lawnmower died and to top it off the chicken I bought for dinner yesterday was off, despite being in date. I hope that's my fill of bad luck for now.

On the plus side, I've saved money as I haven't left the house much. I'm looking around for a car in my (very small) price range. Since I cancelled Sky and switched to another company, I'll be saving £25 a month! My youngest was 1 yesterday too, he's full of cold at the moment so not so happy.

The job mrket is dire in my part of the country. I'm looking for part time work in the sector I'm qualified in and there's nothing. I hope all you OSers seeking work find it soon, I've never known the job market to be so terrible.

GreyQueen

oldtractor wrote: »

This is so true. Makes me really stop and think. Me and my DH have only our state pensions to look forward too and will both be 67 before we can claim. We cant downsize as we live in a 2 bed terraced. We are putting away £1 or £5 here and there. Doesnt sound much but it will add up. We need to have savings. Makes me think twice before I buy ANYTHING now. We have even gone veggie 5 days a week,but at least that is healthy.Still, I do enjoy the challenge and being able to manage. Better than the nightmare of debt.

This is so true; I feel like living up to my MSE sig and jailing those pounds and chaining up my wallet and saying Noooooooo to any not-strictly-essential expenditure. I think a fair few are in the same boat. Not going to do the economy any good at all in the wider sense but what can you do as an individual other than try to keep on your feet on a constantly-moving deck in a stormy sea?

HJ; many thanks for the polish details but most especially the pumpkin recipes. I am awaiting the arrival of the Big Orange Monster with some trepidation but it will be good to have a go at something new. Thanks again!

Mum and I will be putting airing cupboard shelves into SuperGran's flat on Thursday and if there is spare time we will go to the lottie afterwards and wrestle with the jungle. The shelves are all cut down from a pine bedstead, carefully sanded and all free, so it will do SG a good turn and free up some much-needed space in one of Mum's sheds (:o she has several).

Happlily, I have leftover chickpea curry and rice which I shall serve with some fresh steamed veggies for tea, so that's a nice and easy meal. Gotta love a leftover. Saw a quip from an American comedian once about his mother- something like she'd been serving leftovers for 40 years - the original meal had never been found.........;)

Chin up, gang, and keep smiling; it'll make the beggars worry about what you've been up to!

Gigervamp

GQ, how is Supergran?

Haribo, thanks for those pumpkin recipe links. I was given a pumpkin last night, so those recipes will come in handy.

flowertotmum

Hello all...hope your all ok..

Mardatha you are a wicked woman..temptress of the choclate...

Greyqueen..our pumpkins are monstrous..and we don't even like it..going to try some of the recipes though, i am not going to let it go to waste..and also your are so right about folks falling through the cracks..it happened to us..13 wks we went without anything..and when we rang they claimed to know nothing about our claim...and even when i provided proof of the evidence i sent it still took another 3 wks..and then they refused to back date it...i can only thank my lucky stars i had some money saved and mum and dad helped us out...terrible really..and i was made to feel like a scrounger every time i rang to chase it up..

So what have i been doing...

Preserving just about everything i can get my hands on..and i have got a book called "a freezer for all seasons"..its amazing..i have lots of lovely tomatos at the mo..i have made pasta sauces and bottled it..tomorrow i am doing tomato soup that can be frozen ...sounds easy and delicious..i have also dried some of them and popped them in olive oil with a couple of chillis..i absolutely adore tomatos...and will be gutted when the season ends..

Today is my beautiful fionna's 23rd birthday...i made her a cake all choclate with whipped cream ..talk about a walking diet exploder..she got lots of little presents and was so pleased with her recipe book i wrote out for her and the 2 knitted dishcloths i made...

I have discovered my husband has a secret talent...he is an excellent bread maker...he has been making bread and rolls ...he is going to try a plaited loaf tomorrow...but he is an untidy baker..nevermind i'll forgive and retire my bread-maker...

We have been working hard making sure our house is all set for winter..i got extra throws and have popped them in a pile in the living room..if your cold help yourself...have got the tots some all-in-one sleep suits..fleecy and warm ...got myself some thermal socks and hubby and ds..also got some new boots as mine have got holes in and i got wet feet in the rain...

I have done a shop on approved foods and stocked up on tinned goods and pasta and rice..got quite a bit of flour too..also sugar..
Me and fionna are going to do a huge meat shop and then split it between us..delivery is free for first time orders..so i'll do it this time and she can do it next time..

I have also cut down my internet time ...and i'm finding i actually look forward to it..half an hour a day and thats it...its amazing what you can find in the time allotted..your all on my favourites list so i find you easily..

right have to go..times up..will be back
anyone heard from choc-clare or gailey...hope they are ok...
love ftm

ginnyknit

When OH got worse and I had to give up work it took 3 months to get all benefits in place and I actually feel sick remembering it now. The council decided they wanted our house back and Oh collapsed with the shock. 25 minutes later after a call to a friendly housing officer it turned out our benefits had all fallen into place and we were safe. The problem was all the different departments wanted the official papers at the same time and you could not send a photocopy. I never want to go through that again.

Paid in chickens you could not really choose between a pregnant lady or a horse rescue could you, so first come first served made the choice for you. Maybe you have some plants you could divide and pot up to donate to the rescue centre next year, or help them with their next raffle then you will have done your bit - thats what I did with my local donkey sanctuary, of course I probably have more free time than you as I don't work.

Smileyt you (as is paid in chickens) are a kind generous soul and help loads of people on your way - don't get down, just keep doing what you do and give the dogs a hug from me

HariboJunkie

wmf wrote: »

Now Haribo, everyone knows you can't drown in ironing so LEAVE it.

Erm ok. I should have been more specific as I genuinely feared asphyxiation or crush injuries if the pile fell on me. :D;)

'Tis done now and I am feeling smug. Even though it's only me who appreciates it. :rotfl:Am thinking of making the family go naturist while indoors to save on the ironing. OH will need to chop down some more trees to give us free fuel for heating though. :cool::D;)

I know what you mean about counting your blessings WMF. It's so easy to take family for granted. I'm not lucky enough to still have my mum or grannies around but I concentrate on the lovely family I do have and wonder how on earth I'd get through the tough times without them. :A

Hardup_Hester

Found out today that although I'm not being asked to take a pay cut, I will no longer be paid for the 10 days I work during the holidays, but I can still work the days if I want so I can 'keep on top of my job' hmm, I don't think I'll bother somehow!
Hester

SDG31000

Ironing??? What is this "Ironing" of which you speak HariboJunkie? When the iron comes out in this house DH threatens to take photos as evidence. I view my lack of ironing as a rebellion against my DM who irons everything, up to and including tea towels and socks. Her irons give up in shock after about 3 months of almost constant use.
Today has been a lazy day as my friend invited me around for brunch and to watch Bridesmaids. It was exactly what I needed and I recommend it if you aren't easily shocked. It's sort of like the female version of The Hangover. I'm making meatballs for dinner out of YS minced pork as penance for not sorting out the kitchen cupboards and putting away the tins I brought on Saturday.
Tomorrow will be spent dealing with the 3kgs of organic Bramleys I brought at the Food Fair yesterday. At £1 per kg I couldn't resist, but I didn't quite realise how many that would be. I now have a carrier bag full of them. I view a future filled with crumble and apple cake
I think I might have a Jumble Sale to go to on Friday morning, so will be sharpening my elbows in preparation.
Take care everyone and stay safe and warm xxxx