A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Lindy_-_Loo

Gailey - the politics at my boys school is bad!

We got the teachers a fridge magnet each and one of the teachers told ethan it would be pride of place on her fridge and he was made up.

In the playground lots of parents brag about how much they have spent on xmas - i dint join in as we cant compete, I know some of them are fiddling the system and many have taken loans to pay for expensive gifts.

The boys have had around £120 each - they have got what they asked for. I have sadly been ridiculed for buying them board games, but they are very popular in our house and make great family time just like me and hubby did when we were kids.

gailey_2

whats wromng with flipping board games.

Loved scrabble and monopoly as a kid.

We did try naked twister other week but wasent as much fun as remember it being!

Think I overspoilt my boy he hates being put down.
nearly done with lounge just kitchen next and laundry.
just quickly tidied my room and bathroom.
just about to get pjs on and tea in oven.

watching yet another episode of mickey! but it keeps her quiet and not making mess its good by me.
she loved helping me bake today.
shes 2 maybe old style training should start early.

Wishes playgrounds were easier to navigate.
daughters in year 1 now so know who to talk to and who to avoid!

Chickenopolis

gailey wrote: »

We did try naked twister other week but wasent as much fun as remember it being!

:rotfl::rotfl:gailey- Yeah I have to agree , not so keen on the view these days

BitterAndTwisted

GreyQueen wrote: »

:mad: Having just nipped into Little Mr T for some more butter I noticed that Value Porridge Oats have leapt in price from 75p to 99p in the past 24 hours and I feel free to predict that they will be going on 3 for 2 offer any day now.

I fear you are about to be wrong on the threefer dealio coming up. I couldn't get any oats in Lidl yesterday (usually 39 pence for 500 grammes), the space they usually occupy was filled with something else and they've never not had oats in before. Price-hike coming up.

I know prices have been creeping up of late but some of them are enough to make me cry. Not just by a few pence but ten or twenty pence per item at a time. My food-budget is getting so squeezed the pips squeaked a while back. Something may have to go and I can't figure out what's a luxury that can be foregone. Maybe it's time to send that cat out to work.

Byatt

Does anyone know if slightly off salmon is ok to give to the dog? And can I do anything with completely defrosted frozen peas? I have these weird "senior moments" where I do stupid things. I have a tiny freezer, so removed the above items and put them in a polystyrene (sp) box, and for some odd reason thought they wouldn't defrost so quickly. Why I didn't put them in the fridge is beyond me. Sigh.

prepareathome

I keep a bag of frozen peas in the freezer for sprains etc, they have been defrosted many a time and refrozen but then not planning on eating them. I personally wouldn't give the salmon to any of my dogs but I know dogs do eat all sorts but then they do get food poisoning as well, and if your dog did although might not really harm it, it might mean rather a mess for you, from both ends. Fish can be funny like chicken and really make you ill, I think but don't quote me is actually safer to eat meat that is off than fish or chicken. Sometimes for safety sake I think its better binning things no matter what they say on the no food waste thread.

Byatt

prepareathome wrote: »

I keep a bag of frozen peas in the freezer for sprains etc, they have been defrosted many a time and refrozen but then not planning on eating them. I personally wouldn't give the salmon to any of my dogs but I know dogs do eat all sorts but then they do get food poisoning as well, and if your dog did although might not really harm it, it might mean rather a mess for you, from both ends. Fish can be funny like chicken and really make you ill, I think but don't quote me is actually safer to eat meat that is off than fish or chicken. Sometimes for safety sake I think its better binning things no matter what they say on the no food waste thread.

Thanks, I wouldn't normally give her off food, and I did think of the mess! A good idea about the peas for sprains, just have to not cry over spilled milk...or peas...

kidcat

Well its snowy here today, started off raining then whilst i was in Mr A it snowed heavily. Both boys had school today and it was with a very worried heart I sent DS7 in until lunch for the final day. I felt it important he go back before he built it all up into something he couldnt get over. So I took him in and gave clear instructions that if there was any issues or he got upset I was to be called and that I was only across road in shops.
Thankfully his teacher was off and the other staff were lovely, hugging us both when we arrived.

I did spend the two hours worrying myself silly and was extraordinarily happy to collect a very happy little man who had had a lovely morning. The relief was immense.

gailey - we gave out gifts to teachers today, at DS school hardly anyone bothers - which is a shame because the majority of staff do so much for the kids but the parents dont appreciate it. But at DD5 school its very like yours with a competition for most outlandish gift (one year a parent gave the teacher a voucher to sell her house through their estate agency free!!). DD was off today but I still delivered the gifts - and got some really dirty looks. The trick I have learnt is in the wrapping, I bought mugs (6 for £1 in Mt T sale in summer) added some sachets of hot chocolate coffee etc and a candy cane, each one must have only cost 50p each, but then I wrapped them in elaborate cellophane displays (bought loads off ebay really cheap) with curly ribbon. So they looked really good - and of course the kids all ooohed over them, glaring at the little gift envelopes with vouchers inside - but mum why cant we give something nice to our teacher!!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: works every time. Its a useful gift - after all teachers all need a mug for the staff room, they dont need to carry it home, and they can use all the cellophane for craft projects next year!!

I also bought tubs of sweets one per school to be put in the staff room for all the staff - and I attach a card thanking all the staff (dinner ladies, office staff, cleaners etc) for their input into my childs education. But again I bought them on offer. All in I have spent about £10 and for that have covered two primary school staff, and six teaching staff individually.

Have been trying to finish the shopping today grabbing last minute bits ready for big food shop probably Monday, but have also got organised finishing the trees off, hanging the cards and getting all the boxes to go back into the loft. Even manged to get DS7 haircut and order his new glasses, but blimey I am ready to drop now.
I have discovered since the pneumonia I get easily tired and once I get to a certain point I just have to stop as my body refuses to carry on - its really hard as normally I can push myself on no matter what but this time I cant do it.

Taurus if you are reading I hope you are feeling ok and doing well after your op.

ragz_2

Gailey - I gave homemade biscuits (6 large each, in cello in a gift bag that cost 50p) to DS2's (reception) 2 teachers and one TA (!) this year. Gave nothing last year but rather felt the pressure this year (mainly due to SIL actually but I digress), DS1's (Year 1) didn't get theirs as he was ill of school, so I ate them... Won't bother at all next year though, unless the kids want to make something themselves.
I can't wait to get my DD (nearly 2) into preschool a morning a week, will give me nearly 2.5 hours to myself after driving her there and picking her up! Can't afford more than that really, but it will be worth it! I am lucky to have MIL who is happy to babysit (all 3!) but she works still so I don't like to ask too often. My Mum would help but she doesn't drive and is 40 minutes away.

I too love to do all my own baking and a lot of cooking. I know I make more work for myself but I enjoy it...
I'm young for my situation (26, married with 3 little ones) but I don't feel at all looked down on for my age. I am probably am (small village school, a lot of Mums look like grannies to me!) but I just don't really pay attention. Nor to the playground politics. There are a few Mums I am close friends with and I happily chat to the rest but am yet to feel the 'politics' side of it, only been there 1.5 years though so maybe it will come!

Byatt - I wouldn't run the risk of fishy dog vomit all over my house, but I don't have a dog so maybe that's par for the course... box thing probably insulated a bit but maybe not enough...

Kidcat - Genius with the mugs!

Apparent National Oats Shortage - I noticed this distressing phenomena myself in Aldi the other day (same issue other poster had with Lidl) and had hoped it was an isolated one... reading this thread I began to talk [STRIKE]to[/STRIKE] at DH about the price and shortage... he didn't seem worried, or interested... I told him if we see any cheap I will be making an oats mountain (his fault if he complains, he should have been listening)...

Mrs_Chip

You could make soup with the peas Byatt - fry off an onion and a bit of garlic, chuck in the peas with some veg or chicken stock and simmer until soft. If you have some fresh herbs - mint, coriander or parsley, they can go in as well, or a bit of red chilli. Whizz it up with a stick blender and adjust the seasoning - lovely!

btw, I think you said a while ago your dog is on meds - do you know about getting a script from the vet and buying drugs online, it is much cheaper, I do it for our cat's thyroid pills and save loads.