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

starsandmoon

Took mum shopping yesterday to Sainsbury's, havnt been there for ages as have been going to Aldi/Lidl but thought Id stock up on the basics range. Good grief its all shot up in price and some things have disappeared completely! Basics sweetcorn has gone missing as has the whole Basics babycare range or maybe its just that particular branch. All the basics items had gone up by 5p here 10p there. The milk was £1.50 for 4 pints so I went to Poundstretcher next door and got 2 litres for 80p.

Getting the shopping on budget is becoming a nightmare and involving lots of shopping around. Havnt gone near Tesco for months now.

gardenia101

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Does that bottle of Oblivon list the contents? I think perhaps not or everyone would have asked the pharmacist to make some up for them so it would have been cheaper. I think I could do with that stuff about my person from time to time. I could use something to diminish acute apprehension.

It contains methylpentynol - a hypnotic/sedative that is unrelated chemically to most other hypnotics. Not used in any medicines now as far as I can tell. I wish I could show you all the colour as it is so beautiful - nearest is this but doesn't do it justice.

I remember Victory V's too - wonderful.

SDG31000 wrote: »

katieowl and Mrs Chip I'm glad you had such a good meeting. I'm slightly jealous of that lovely sounding shop. katieowl I'm sorry to hear about your DD's BF's job problems. I hope that changes soon. I'm thankful that my son's have a few years to go before they are in the job market. They are just going to have to deal with all that Uni debt instead

Glad you had a lovely meet up - am jealous that you "really" know each other! I'm hoping to go to the Bristol meet & put some faces to names. Katieowl - shame I don't live nearer to your DD's BF as I could certainly use a man for lots of odd jobs at the moment (& no, not like that :rotfl:). Jobs are too small for a workman to come & do, but too big to ask my friend's OH (again) so they don't get done. I guess I'll have to keep an ear to the ground for a local lad (& hope I don't get a reputation as a cougar :rotfl::rotfl:).

D&DD wrote: »

DS2's genetic tests are still ongoing we had news yesterday and they've found a mutation to the MYH gene which they've never seen before apparently *well they would wouldn't they!!* so they want a huge pot of blood from me and OH each blimey you should see the size of it..:eek:
The gene they looked at re his heart is fine weird considering all the probs he's got with it and the fact he's awaiting surgery 'cos it's knackered!

I hope it gets sorted out for you all soon. While it is grand to have conditions ruled out, it doesn't always give you the answer, does it? Fingers crossed.

Winchelsea wrote: »

The other factor is that I've lost my fitness a bit too - start small is the way I think. At present I get out of breath just walking up the road out of our close!

That is how I'm starting off too & it does get better, honest! I'd love to go walking over fields etc. but I'm a bit too nervous as I'm worried I'll trip over things that I haven't seen. Maybe a pole will help with this too?

Going to have another cup of tea, then head off to do some voluntary work. Not looking forward to going outside....

I'm supposed to be going to a meeting in Birmingham early tomorrow morning, but a bit worried about the snow. Has it reached/is it forecast there yet?

VJsmum

:eek:

Of all days - the dratted boiler packs up on one of the coldest weekends of the winter. Man has been out. Fan has gone, will cost £300 for new fan, or £1100 for new boiler. This will save us at least £250 a year in running costs so it's a bit of a no brainer. Boiler is 11 years old and we knew it was on it's last legs but was hoping we could limp it through to spring. The worst news is that it might be Monday or Tuesday before it can be installed so a bit of a cold un for us.

Downstairs we won't be too bad as we have a gas fire in one lounge and an electric fire in the other, we have an electric radiator in the kitchen. Upstairs will be a pain tho. And no hot water. This isn't going to be fun.

In other news - Dad is looking better and more interested in things around him. He is going to remain in hospital for a while yet though.

Turkey pie for tea made with frozen left overs from new years day. And now it's february it means that tee total January is over, so looking forward to my first glass of wine in nearly 5 weeks. :beer: It is quite tempting just to not drink - haven't really missed it but I don't want it developing into a big issue, so we'll see if I fancy it. I think I look a lot better - and a lot slimmer - for it. Not that i was a big drinker, but I was a regular drinker. I've always said that I wish wine didn't make you drunk as I don't really drink for that reason - alcohol free ones are too sweet, however.

Ah well off to Mr S with my £12 of a £60 voucher - I've got a new boiler to pay for so every little helps, to quote a different supermarket.

Hobsons_Choice

Snow is forecast for the Birmingham area tomorrow, up to 4" - but that's a bit like Sales (up to 50% off) so you never know. It's my day out with a friend, so hope they've got it wrong.
The Norovirus seems to be doing the rounds here. I've a few friends/rellies that have gone down with it..so I'm being extra extra careful.
OH's diverticulitis has flared up the past couple of days, so I'm upping the amount of fibre he eats. He's usually so hale and hearty it's a bit of shock when he's poorly, and then he gets wussy and whiny. Still manages to meet his pals for a drink though and swears alcohol has nothing to do with it!
We were in Birmingham yesterday and had a lovely day. A matinee concert at Symphony Hall, a look at the Da Vinci sketches and a bit of the Staffs Hoard at the museum and on to M&S for the first day of their "flash" sale. Didn't find anything I needed to spend my £30 Xmas vouchers on, sadly - but did get whoopsied food from the food hall. I find that more exciting, how sad. That's what comes from shopping in Charity Shops, everything else looks so expensive.
Anyhooo...I've had enough culture for this week, so I'm off to the flicks tonight.
Stay warm everyone, heat your houses properly even if you have to cut down on something else. Breathing in cold air is not good for anyone...most of all, ME!
eta: Sorry to hear about your boiler VJsmum. (We cross posted) Happened to us Xmas 2010, bloody cold and bloody awful.
Glad your dad's a bit better though.

mardatha

Still baltic up here too, but the hens are a lot easier to clean out etc when the ground is frozen hard. We got sun again today and I managed a walk again today. Totally bl**dy knackered when I got back though.We are noticing the Basics stuff going up as well. Is a pity that Aldi is 20 miles in the wrong direction for us or i would go more often.
Is anybody here on coal heating ? I was wondering how much you all pay for it.

scrabbles_2

starsandmoon wrote: »

Took mum shopping yesterday to Sainsbury's, havnt been there for ages as have been going to Aldi/Lidl but thought Id stock up on the basics range. Good grief its all shot up in price and some things have disappeared completely! Basics sweetcorn has gone missing as has the whole Basics babycare range or maybe its just that particular branch. All the basics items had gone up by 5p here 10p there. The milk was £1.50 for 4 pints so I went to Poundstretcher next door and got 2 litres for 80p.

Nope, same at my branch too. Went OOS for ages and now there's not even a gap. Haven't seen a value baby bath in any other supermarkets either, although I haven't tried Wilkos yet. Blooming everything is blooming going up! Still, OH went to Mr S yesterday and picked up a load of lamb from the counter reduced to £3/kilo. The lady said she had more out back and got it for him, then asked why I wasn't with him! And - get this - she said she always thinks of us when she does mega-reductions and gets disappointed if we don't come in that day He got some duck breasts for 50p each too. AND used a free points when you spend however much at the counter :T He's learning...

VJsmum wrote: »

:eek:

Of all days - the dratted boiler packs up on one of the coldest weekends of the winter. Man has been out. Fan has gone, will cost £300 for new fan, or £1100 for new boiler. This will save us at least £250 a year in running costs so it's a bit of a no brainer. Boiler is 11 years old and we knew it was on it's last legs but was hoping we could limp it through to spring. The worst news is that it might be Monday or Tuesday before it can be installed so a bit of a cold un for us.

Downstairs we won't be too bad as we have a gas fire in one lounge and an electric fire in the other, we have an electric radiator in the kitchen. Upstairs will be a pain tho. And no hot water. This isn't going to be fun.

In other news - Dad is looking better and more interested in things around him. He is going to remain in hospital for a while yet though.

So pleased to hear about your dad. Not so good about the boiler. Have you got people nearby you can go to in case it gets too cold? TBH I would be inclined to get everyone snuggling downstairs instead of going to bed upstairs - it's easier to keep warn than get warm IYSWIM. Especially if no hot water.

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Snow is forecast for the Birmingham area tomorrow, up to 4" - but that's a bit like Sales (up to 50% off) so you never know.

I'm not far from you. BBC says up to 5 inches, weather app on phone says 5 to 9 inches :eek: I do think that app is a bit of a drama queen at the best of times though! Sounds like you had a fab day - there's plenty of cheap and free culture in the Midlands if you know where to look! Your OH has my sympathies. I have crohn's disease, which is a bowel disorder too, and it's awful. one of the things they thought it might be before my diagnosis was diverticulitis. It's not just really painful, but embarrassing and undignified too. Make sure he gets plenty of fluids as well as fibre!

Well, keep your fingers crossed for me today guys, cos Scrabbles is trying to go back to work! I'm being a bit naughty really. I've put my doctor's appointment back to Monday so he can't say stay off as I'll have already gone back. OH is furious with me but I've got to go back sometime. Anyway, I'm not in pain with these pills. Just spaced out a bit, so I'll have to work a bit slower but that's got to be better than not working at all! I always feel as though I'm between a rock and a hard place. I get moaned at for coming in to work when I'm unwell, but they don't like it when I'm off, either. During my appraisal I asked my manager what I was supposed to do. She said, nothing, I just wish we could have the old Scrabbles back. Me too, I told her, but unfortunately we all have to accept that the Scrabbles with chronic pain and health condition is the only one we've got Idiotic comments don't help anyone, and I have had to involve the union in the past. I really don't want to get sicknoted out of a job in this economic climate

Byatt

My pole has arrived...it's really impressive and for less than £6 I am amazed at the quality. It's one that can adjust to height etc and has a handle.

Winchelsea, I am not at all fit, but will start slowly. The walks I have found are around 2 -6 miles depending on which one I chose and are a circuit. I know it doesn't take long to build up stamina/fitness as I've done it before.

As for the bread pudding; it's almost gone now,

Missed out again on a freezer from freecycle. Just can't seem to get the timing right.

It's frosty here and bird bath frozen over!

VJ, sorry about the boiler. We had the opposite once where the heating stuck to being on...people must have thought we were mad with doors and windows wide open. Glad your dad is feeling better.

lizzy, glad to see you.

Was going to go out, but don't think I will now. Might have a cuppa and some bread pudding.

I am also watching a Danish film (subs) on the laptop about the partisans in WW2. Fascinating and a really good film too. Can only watch it in chunks as it is so intense.

edit; Scrabbles I understand where you are coming from regarding work. I had a period of long term sickness and my dr sent me back too early as they were badgering her about my health and she thought it was for the best. It wasn't. However, on a funny note (kind of), I broke my knee and my line manager asked why I couldn't come into work as he had done when he broke his arm. I explained patiently that the plaster was from my foot to the top of my thigh and I wouldn't be able to reach my desk!! Despite being an office worker there was a lot of getting up and down, walking about too. The image of me sat at my desk made me LOL.

BitterAndTwisted

20 miles on a motorcycle isn't that bad or fuel-spendy, is it Mardatha? Bit chilly and you can't get much on with you, I know. Maybe the RV needs a side-car? Why is it that you never see those any more? When I was a kid I always wanted a ride in one and now it appears that I've lost my chance. I bet they have loads of them in places like India

scrabbles_2

Forgot to say: regards the cheap vodka, if you strain the vodka through a coffee filter before you start, it'll take the harsh edge off it, makes the finished product even nicer I'm a bit less sophisticated than you lot, I flavour mine with pear drops though I can't drink much anyway.

Also, you know when people hide cheapo products in posh packaging? OH thought I was doing same in reverse. He asked me why I was hiding nice liquid soap in the value packaging and accused me of trying to look more hardcore than I really was :rotfl: It was just that I got some of the nice Palmolive stuff down to 20p a few weeks back 'cos the squirters were bust, and I thought I'd just use a different squirter (I always save these, they're really useful). But the bottle necks were a different size so the squirter didn't fit, so I had to decant the soap into an old basics shower gel bottle that had the right size neck for the squirter! Anyway, probably you had to be there but drug-fuzzled as I am, I found it really funny...

scrabbles_2

Byatt wrote: »

My pole has arrived...it's really impressive and for less than £6 I am amazed at the quality. It's one that can adjust to height etc and has a handle.

Winchelsea, I am not at all fit, but will start slowly. The walks I have found are around 2 -6 miles depending on which one I chose and are a circuit. I know it doesn't take long to build up stamina/fitness as I've done it before.
...

edit; Scrabbles I understand where you are coming from regarding work. I had a period of long term sickness and my dr sent me back too early as they were badgering her about my health and she thought it was for the best. It wasn't. However, on a funny note (kind of), I broke my knee and my line manager asked why I couldn't come into work as he had done when he broke his arm. I explained patiently that the plaster was from my foot to the top of my thigh and I wouldn't be able to reach my desk!! Despite being an office worker there was a lot of getting up and down, walking about too. The image of me sat at my desk made me LOL.

The beauty of using walking poles is they make walking easier and less strenuous but actually exercise you more, even though you don't fell like that.

My doctors are of the attitude that money / job concerns shouldn't send you back to work any earlier. It's a nice idea but sadly I live in the real world! They are very good when it comes to sticking up for me if they need to though. They've had to a few times. My work are idiots. I expect a row this afternoon. I wonder if I'm allowed to record the conversation?