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

VJsmum

Diolch yn Fawr, Mrs Chip (even though i am only about an eigth welsh!)

I think the year will be harder for most, certainly things generally are likely to get worse before they get better. For us personally, we will enter a period of uncertainty soon as there are likely to be changes afoot with OH's job and mine will change and i don't think i'm gonna like it. We have things in place to protect us if the job situation doesn't work out for us, but we would need to tighten some belts.

This year (nearly wrote last year!) we have been wearing ourselves out trying to be everything to everybody. Dad needs visiting every 4- 6 weeks, MIL needs a lot of support, SIL needs more and that's without our own 2 kids. FOr some reason we seem to be the pillars that support everyone else and it is wearing us out.

The plan for January is to recharge the batteries a little, and then dad's visits will have to be 6 weekly or so and SIL is going to have to call on her own family of 4 brothers and sisters to help. Our DD has GCSE's to sit and we have to help her choose the right A levels in the right 6th form (right for her, not us!).

I seem to have a bit of travelling planned, both for work and pleasure and, whilst definitely not OS, environmentally friendly or MSE, I am really looking forward to it.

I'd like to extend the veggie growing a bit and to get the kids to help out round the house more, so that i don't feel such a drudge. I am decluttering already (but it's a slow process) and will be ebaying and such like to raise money for the "get away from it all christmas" I am planning.

I hope everyone has a lovely evening - we are off to friends although i am not a fan of new year. All that "here's to next year" and you wake up to the same old carp :rotfl: (damn those carp!). And you have to stay up till midnight, when you'd like to go home at 10.30!!

So whilst i don't like New year I would still like to wish everyone a happy one!

lizzyb1812

Happy new year to toughies old and new, may 2012 be happy, healthy and prosperous for you all

I suspect that 2012 will be financially tougher personally but stress wise the really rough stuff in my life from early 2011 is over and there will just be fallout to deal with from time to time. Fingers crossed anyway

On another note, I am a convert to loose leaf tea - so what am I going to do with 320 teabags :eek:

VJsmum

lizzyb1812 wrote: »

On another note, I am a convert to loose leaf tea - so what am I going to do with 320 teabags :eek:

Open them?

lizzyb1812

VJsmum - don't think I haven't thought of it :rotfl:I've even considered opening and sieving them to remove the dusty bits! The flavour of the loose stuff is so much better so I don't want to lose that - I may substitute one bag for one teaspoon of tea per pot (I make a pot at a time and thermos it)

Decisions, decisions :rotfl:May all my/your problems be this big

hornetgirl

Good to see you back Sammy_Kaye. I loved that Extreme Couponing programme too, but hadn't thought it possible to do in the UK. They all seemed to have booklets full of coupons but I've never seen anything like that here? Just the odd one in magazines and papers now and again.

We won't be celebrating the new year in a lavish fashion, we thought we'd treat ourselves to an Indian takeaway. DH is also full of cold, so will get something nice and spicy as it's meant to help colds. We also have a bottle of Bucks Fizz I was given for Christmas, so we'll drink that at midnight.
I always like the freshness of a new year, although it's not yet clear what 2012 will bring us. I have some short term temporary work lined up and there's a big cloud hanging over DH's job as the owners of the business are looking to sell it. I know that we're very fortunate that we no longer have a mortgage to pay, but day to day living still doesn't seem to get any cheaper. Let's hope that 2012 will be better in some way for all of us here. My prediction is that by the end of 2012 the Toughies Gang will be much bigger. Happy New Year everyone :beer:

PS loads of FB pies in Poundland this morning for anyone still stocking/stacking

CRANKY40

Wishing all of you health, wealth and happiness in 2012.

7_week_wonder

2011 was an odd one - the two big events were that I lost my father and gained a PhD: hmmmm.

As for 2012, well the big decision is do I stick with my new subject, which I love, but it is very uncertain whether I can get a job and pretty poorly paid if I do, or do I try and get back into something like where I was before. Well paid, jobs available, but can be stressful and not where my heart lies. Oh well, I can put off thinking about that until at least tomorrow, in the mean time there is a crown of duck to be roasted.

Enjoy Hogmanay everyone.

jamanda

I would like to wish all the Toughies and Trainee-Toughies all the best for the New Year.

I believe 2012 is going to be a horror, but with a bit of fancy footwork and the expertise and goodwill of the Toughies to help each other along, we'll get by.

I'd also like to add my thanks to everyone who has helped me (directly and indirectly) and other people. Most of us don't know each other, but "know" each other sometimes better than people in real life.

Byatt

wen3 wrote: »

Happy new year one and all

Also welcome to the new people (sorry cannot remember everyone)

I think next year will be tough but I am sure we will get through it:)

Byatt - I do cardmaking and scrapbooking and have far to much stuff if you message me your address I will willingly send over some goodies.

Wen, that's really kind of you; I will PM you. :A

Good news and a testament to all those who knew the cat would return; the cat returned. The neighbours took over the care and turned up once they were home! :T

Just popped out into my local town which was dead as a dodo, except for Mr T's where there were quite a few people. I got a whoopsied cream and custard, now need to push them into my small freezer, also a bunch of flowers reduced to 50p. Making baked nectarines (bought 2 packs at 15p a pack Christmas eve), with brown sugar, cinnamon (meant to be ginger but don't have any), lemon and water, meant to be served with creme fraiche or ice cream.

Then I will just watch tv or read or come on here. Not necessarily in that order.

Soooooo, rolling out of 2011 and into 2012...Happy new Year!!! :A

7_week_wonder

Byatt wrote: »

Making baked nectarines (bought 2 packs at 15p a pack Christmas eve), with brown sugar, cinnamon (meant to be ginger but don't have any), lemon and water, meant to be served with creme fraiche or ice cream.

Byatt you have just solved my New Year's Eve pudding dilemma:T What with my dodgy stomach I hadn't got round to thinking about puddings. Do you just peel the nectarines, sprinkle them with everything else and then bake? If so, what temp and for how long?