OS Tue 23rd Jan

Roz_V

Afternoon all.

Feeling very sorry for myself today as I drank far too much last night. However, I rarely go out so can justify consuming my entire recommended alcohol intake for 2007 in one night

So have crawled back home today (stayed at a friends place in the centre) but had to use the bus, and I think the greenish tinge to my face alarmed the granny brigade that were on there as nobody sat next to me the whole way home :rotfl:

SC is on (first time, very very excited) with Beef Stew (will add dumplings later) as a friend is coming over from Manchester tonight. In future will need to adjust my veg:meat ratio as seems to be a lot of veg for not a lot of meat However have saved all my veg peelings and will make a stock from them overnight. Need to get the flat sorted properly before my friend gets here, so bathroom needs deep cleaning and whole place hoovering to an acceptable level, as well as the ironing tackled (or hidden) and a huge load of paperwork to do.

Don't know if it's the effects of the alcohol from last night, but sat here in tears after listening to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 this afternoon. He was talking about couples who die within a very short time of each other and discussing whether it's possible to die of a broken heart. It isn't something I've had experience of personally as although both of my grandfathers have passed away in the last 3 years, one of my grans has taken on a completely new lease of life (she was her husbands carer for over 20 years and was very isolated and tied to the house), and the other is still doggedly determined to outlive her 95YO sister who is very dependant on her and a complete "pain in the bum" - granny's words, not mine!!! (although when she passes, I believe my granny will pass soon afterwards). The stories that people were telling were so touching and the songs that were played during the discussion just combined to make me a tearful wreck!!

Sitting with a strong cup of coffee now, trying to work up the motivation to actually do something.

Have a good rest of day people,

(((hugs))) to where they are needed xxx

BusyGirl

Hello to everyone and I hope you're all keeping warm! I spent the morning helping at our church drop-in and it was freezing! :eek: Anyway came home to warm up, had lunch and cleaned the house.

dlb I noticed by your signature your success in selling stuff on ebay. I haven't been brave enough to try this yet and I wondered if you had any top tips? I've got lots of CDs and books to get rid of and it will help to clear the cc a bit quicker!

AMIE399

Mmmmmmm my house smells of coconut rice pud thats cooking in the sc

Shez

Ive just saved £65 on my AA membership,after suggesting i might leave after getting a cheaper quote from RAC - just shows what a phone call can do:j :j

Queenie

elaine - :T :j Great news on the computer front!! Wishing you many happy surfing hours

Ros V - Enjoy your Virgin SC Beef Stew with your friend tonight

Shez - funny you should mention that ... (I'll explain in a bit) ... but I use freezer bags which are sat inside plastic freezer tubs or the baking dish I want to reheat the food in; put in the freezer until firm, then remove the bag and continue freezing - that way the food is a nice neat shape and stacks well, but doesn't take up as much space as a tub or bakeware plus it free's up the tubs/bakeware for other things.


Well, I've just made one huge pot of minced beef (with bacon bits and doubled up with soya mince) - one part has been made into a Cottage Pie but with a celeriac and potato mashed topping; another batch has been made into a bolognaise sauce (some of which will make Calzones); another batch has been set aside for making up a beef cobbler. All of those will make double of each so I'm really on a roll and the freezer is looking fuller for my endeavours :laugh:

Beds are now all remade with fresh linen (ironed the lot with some HM laundry freshner) and now my bed is absolutely *calling* to me!! :rotfl:

Still no call back from the school - but I do know they have spoken to the group who witnessed it (I text d12yo to see if they'd spoken to him yet; this was at lunch time). Put bluntly, if the school do not take the assault seriously, then obviously, I have the option to make an official Police complaint of assault, so I'm not overly concerned about the school's response because I'm confident of our rights - I'd just rather not go down that path at this stage, unless I *have* to; by the same token, I'm not afraid of going that route either. Yes, I do find it rather jawdropping that a 12yo girl should resort to an unprovoked attack and punch him with all her might - I dislike the world we live in when those attitudes are displayed - but, when all said and done, I'm still rather proud that d12yo didn't whack her back and if I look at the positives, it was a good basis to speak with him about the whole attitude towards a) retaliation and b) not hitting a girl! Like I said earlier, it's a difficult call

moggins - ((hugs)) Take some time to do some deep breathing and then some serious number crunching! It may *seem* your only option right now, but I hope once the shock wears off, you'll see things in another, more positive, light.

elona

Had quiet day - got prescription made up and did a little bit of shopping. Came home and DH and I had home made soup from the slow cooker.

Went back in kitchen and water pouring from ceiling!

Think shower may need more silicone and is seeping behind sealant!!!:eek:

Fed up now but determined not to resort to chocolate.

Pooky

Shez - I normally use a 500gm pack of mince, pad it out with lots of tomatoes, peppers, kidney beans, grated carrots, onion, sometimes a tin of baked beans, celery and a good generous couple of handfuls of breadcrumbs - add a couple of packs of passata, a beef oxo, a splosh of redwine and whatever herbs I need. That forms the base of lasagne, bolognaise and chilli for the 4 of us - so 6 adult sized portions and 6 kids sized.... HTH


Queenie - Hope you get everything sorted with the school - like you say sometimes it can be a cry for help on behalf of the bully - great that you can see it that way.

Hugs to all those in need.

It's been snowing on and off - wind's really strong too so it's brrrrrrrrrrrr....it's not layed though but I expect the ice will be nasty in the morning. Have just made DD's a big fat hot choccy each and they're toasting their toes infront of the fire - both cats are fighting for optimum heat spot too - amazing how a log fire brings everyone together.

I popped into Asda for some bits and bobs, ended up with sledges and 3 fleece jumpers (only £3 each - and they're lovely and cosy)....forgot the cheese and milk but hey ho!

Just finished cooking all my soaked beans and pulses - they're all bagged up and ready to go in the freezer - will save lots of time in the next few weeks.

Don't seem to have achieved much today - my heads a bit wooly - had some very vivid dreams last night and woke several times as they were getting to bizarre. I shall try a drop of lavender oil on the pillow tonight - normally works.

Hope you all have a great evening

dlb

Hi all.
Busygirl my top ebay tips would be, a good picture or more than 1 photo if needed, description has to be good,as much detail as possible, measurments ect. Also state condition and any faults, its best to be honest than risk having upset buyers.:D
Also realistic postage cost, i know as a buyer too that high postage puts me off.:mad:
I now only sell to uk as have had bad experiences with overseas buyers not all but some, and most of all keep your buyers informed to what is happening regarding postage payment recieved ect.
And do not be put off if you have a bad experience as there are some idiots that you may get buying from you;) , just dust yourself down and keep going.;)
I too was worried when i first started ebaying over 2 years ago, but it is worth it, it has paid for my car tax every year and help loads toward xmas ect
Give it a go and please feel free to pm if you have any problems.

Good day here loads done tea all prepared chicken breast with roast veg and leek gratin (thanks for that idea queenie), house tidy and feeling positive.:T
Hope you have all had a good day
Donna
xx

joannasmum

Afternoon All

Have had to have a lazy day today as DD is not to well, wouldnt sleep last night unless she was proped up in my arms on the couch and hasnt been asleep all day today. I'm hoping that she will have a early night. Once again I have my MIL insisting that she needs antibiotics, I dont think that she does although her nose is running her cough sounds more like a bark than a chesty cough.

I'm exhausted and cant wait for DH to come home but hes just phoned to say hes going to be late. Never mind Toad in the Hole for tea and its all prepared just needs to go in the oven.

Hugs to all

Bargain_Rzl

I bought a bike :j :j

Yes I know I could have asked for one on Freecycle, but I am clueless and needed some advice, plus I haven't had a shiny new bike since I was 10

Anyway it was just about what I was prepared to spend, reduced 1/3 off and with all the other stuff I needed (lock, helmet, hi-vi jacket, lights, pump, gloves) it came in over budget but by less than £1 (edit: just checked my receipt and in fact I bust my budget by a mere 26p )

It will be ready on Saturday :j I could have had it for Thursday but there's no point, really - I want to be able to get it home in daylight.

I am hoping it will pay for itself over time - if I am brave enough to ditch my bus pass when it comes up for renewal it will pay for itself by December, but realistically I don't think I'll be cycling everywhere - it should more than pay for itself over its lifespan though.

Also went to Asda and picked up a cheapie duvet and pillows (on standby for when the sofa bed is in use) and the duvet was marked £12.50 but scanned at £9.37

THEN I managed to find my way home through the back streets - both previous times I've tried this I've got lost!

So I am now feeling like I'm having a better day in spite of the broken washing machine