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

GFN123

A belated but very happy birthday Gardenia. I'm so sorry you felt sad and forgotten, I hope the virtual cheer and hugs here can go some way to making you smile and feel loved

scrabbles wrote: »

Jackel, everyone's questions and chitchat are valid. Sometimes other stuff does get lost in the mire but I know it's not intentional. I know how you mean when you don't feel like you have anything constructive to say - I feel like that too and I daresay sometimes I'm not all that helpful, but I feel that sometimes knowing people are thinking of you is enough. Hopefully anyway But this is a thread for everyone, and I do hope everyone feels a part of it! I've not phrased this very well have I?

You put that very well indeed! I was going to add similar. I like 'chatting' in my posts but sometimes I feel a bit silly and think I don't have anything very worthwhile to post. But I've learned, despite still being a bit of newbie, that this is one heck of a friendly, informative and supportive bunch and sometimes that's what is most important, being part of that, sharing or just handing out a virtual hug.

Well, thank you for all the thoughts but I have still not heard about the job I'm a little miffed as I think it's impolite to leave people hanging, but I guess there could be all sorts of reasons as to why there's a delay. I'm kind of assuming that means I'm unsuccessful, but you never know so I'll have to sit tight till I hear!

Sunny again here and hopefully now set to warm up this week. I'm still in my dressing gown having just had noodle soup for lunch while OH is banging around in the kitchen trying to make a wine rack

I bought the special offer rib eye steaks from Aldi this week, they look scrummy so am just considering what we'll have on the side with them for dinner.

Moved-In-Friend has now moved out, off to a wedding this weekend and then to start his new life and career in London. Oddly, last week he heard from an ex colleague that the company he has just left has gone into administration :eek: Awful for the remaining employees but an incredibly well timed escape for him (he had no idea it was on the cards despite being a manager). They are a national chain selling fairly expensive shoes, another retailer gone as the recession bites deeper

Interesting the recent chat about sexuality. Half of my friends are gay and I'm very grateful to live somewhere open minded and cosmopolitan. Amongst my friends though there is a mix of how accepted they were by their families on coming out, and I still it find it sad that it's something people have to go through, struggling to be accepted simply for who they are.

Where I grew up in London, there were two gay couples on our street and they regularly babysat the various children from the street. My late dad recalled someone asking him if he wasn't "worried" about leaving his daughter with them, the asker implying of course gay men were somehow deviant. Dad just laughed and said it was the safest place he could think of as gay men had absolutely no interest in girls! Both my parents are very liberal and open minded, and for that I'm truly glad

Just wanted to send my thoughts to those having a tough time at the moment, especially Byatt and PAH struggling with officialdom and bureaucracy in the extreme. Massive hugs to anybody here reading or lurking who is in need.

Smileyt - hope things go OK at the vets.

Maybe I should get showered and dressed now....!

3v3

Thank you to all those kind souls who offered words of comfort two weeks ago; greatly appreciated (hope I remembered to thank everyone who did; apologies if you were missed )

Managed to purchase a selection of Aldi fruit trees yesterday - quite manic it was too! People pushing/shoving/grabbing! I didn't need any more apple or pear trees so I passed on those, but did bag some cherry (sweet and cooking) peach and plum. All at £3.99 each instead of the nursery price of £19.99 each - bargain!!!!

Heating is a big issue here right now - even with the CH on, we are wearing fleece jackets and using hot water bottles to keep warm! The boiler was "checked" in December (6 months over due!) and I fear it may be a thermostat issue: dh is reluctant to pursue it - in the meantime, back to fleece jackets, hot bottles and tight lips over the matter!

On a plus side, my egg donation/give aways are proving extremely popular (why wouldnt' they be? LOL ); next step will be to offer them for a token cash exchange. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey

Next project? Ducks!!! Need to do my homework (obviously!) but they are next on my agenda

Pitlanepiglet

I've had a lovely afternoon, went to the local jumble sale and it was a proper one with big heaps of clothes on the table to rummage through, I met my aunt and she congratulated me on my rummaging skills! I reminded her that she and my late mum used to take me to the jumble sales and send me in through the old ladies to grab what they wanted as I was the smallest child they had, those were the days in the early 70's when jumble sale'ing was a serious activity that required very sharp elbows! :rotfl:

I bought two tops, one next and one M&S for 40p (gave 60p as was for charity), then bought 9 books for £3 including Call the Midwife which I really wanted to read. I can't get to the library at the moment and anyway our local library has a 50p charge for ordering in books so I was quite happy with 3 books for a £1.

Just about to take the dog for a scamper in the woods while OH watches the rugby then going to crank up the BBQ for steak as an early Valentines treat.

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend x

Byatt

GFN, I know you said before they would tell you about the job by Friday. Was that by phone or post? Did you have a panel interviewing you? It's possible, they are split on the decision. Maybe they feel they have to offer to someone else first who on paper has more quals (you did say I think you were not sure you had enough), but want you as you came over so well. Anyway, as they say, no news is good news but I hate waiting!

Gailey, lovely to see your post here again! What is the uni course? You go girl!!

Want to say a *big* thank you again to one and all, including lurkers for the support and help you've given me over the last few days regarding my DD. I feel much better today and more positive and want you to know that you have all helped me regain that positive feeling and massively improved my mental well being. (Another time I would have been curled up in the foetal position, crying). :A

GFN123

Byatt wrote: »

GFN, I know you said before they would tell you about the job by Friday. Was that by phone or post? Did you have a panel interviewing you? It's possible, they are split on the decision. Maybe they feel they have to offer to someone else first who on paper has more quals (you did say I think you were not sure you had enough), but want you as you came over so well. Anyway, as they say, no news is good news but I hate waiting!

Hey Byatt. It should be by phone. There were 3 people interviewing me. Like you, I feel they may be waiting to speak to their 'first choice', someone with more experience and quals (you're right that I technically didn't quite have enough). Who knows, I could be in the running?!
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm awfully impatient so also hate waiting!

And...

Byatt wrote: »

Want to say a *big* thank you again to one and all, including lurkers for the support and help you've given me over the last few days regarding my DD. I feel much better today and more positive and want you to know that you have all helped me regain that positive feeling and massively improved my mental well being. (Another time I would have been curled up in the foetal position, crying). :A

Lovely to hear you're starting to feel more positive I hope this continues for you, stay strong!

LavenderBees

Fingers crossed, GFN, I was wondering if your lack of post yesterday was bad news on the job front, but, now hope is resurrected .

Byatt very glad you are feeling a bit better today. Don't let the b@st@rds grind you down

Gardenia - belated but heartfelt Happy Birthday to you. I know exactly how you feel as what you described is my normal birthday...I've even had my mam ring me and say she didn't have time to post a card...:(. I told her "oh, that's alright, everyone else has made me feel special", and she's never pulled that little stunt again. Do I still sound hurt...? Yep that'd be right. Wish you'd said yesterday, we could have all tried to cheer you up, but better late than never - you've had singing (out of tune, but who cares...), flowers and more cake than a girl should ever eat...:rotfl:

VJSMum, hope your dad is still improving.

Well, this afternoon was almost cat-astrophe for little Jaspie-kitten. He's very used to next door's softy collie dog, who lets herself be bullied by the confident kitten, but another dog came to visit next door, and I could tell this one was a bit daft/mad...so I thought I'd very carefully introduce Jaspie to him through the fence so he knows to be wary of dogs in general....all was ok to start with but then suddenly the dog lunged, and poor Jaspie shot in the air 20ft! Poor kitten then shot into the house (which is exactly what I want him to do when threatened), but it's taken most of the afternoon for him to regain his confidence. I'm a wubbish mother . He still loves me though .

I could do with some collective words of wisdom on my lasagne, if you don't mind. I have my parents coming tomorrow and have made up the lasagne ready for popping in the oven. Unfortunately, I've only just realised that the pasta sheets should have been soaked first. I have never pre-soaked lasagne sheets. Didn't know you had to! Does this mean the lasagne will not cook? I can't dismantle it or it'll just look a horrible mess. Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely evening everyone.Hope there's something decent to watch on tv....

xx

anguk

LavenderBees wrote: »

I could do with some collective words of wisdom on my lasagne, if you don't mind. I have my parents coming tomorrow and have made up the lasagne ready for popping in the oven. Unfortunately, I've only just realised that the pasta sheets should have been soaked first. I have never pre-soaked lasagne sheets. Didn't know you had to! Does this mean the lasagne will not cook? I can't dismantle it or it'll just look a horrible mess. Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely evening everyone.Hope there's something decent to watch on tv....

xx

I've never pre-soaked lasagne sheets :huh: I always just use Asda or tesco value sheets and make the lasagne up with those. Does it say on the packet they need to be pre-soaked?

If you've made the lasagne up today and you're not cooking it until tomorrow I guess you could say the sheets are getting soaked overnight in the tomato and bechamel sauce? I'm sure the lasagne will be fine.

Byatt

LavenderBees wrote: »

I could do with some collective words of wisdom on my lasagne, if you don't mind. I have my parents coming tomorrow and have made up the lasagne ready for popping in the oven. Unfortunately, I've only just realised that the pasta sheets should have been soaked first. I have never pre-soaked lasagne sheets. Didn't know you had to! Does this mean the lasagne will not cook? I can't dismantle it or it'll just look a horrible mess. Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.

Have a lovely evening everyone.Hope there's something decent to watch on tv....

xx

Have you got plenty of liquid in the lasagne? It should be ok, especially as it's all made up so will soak overnight. Maybe add a bit more liquid as it will soak up when cooking. It will definitely cook if it has liquid. Make sure the top bits are covered.

Glad Jaspie is ok, you're not a bad mum, and it is good because he will be careful in future; his instincts are very good and all intact!

Did he fluff up like a porcupine?

Watching the rugby at the mo' but will listen to the radio (on laptop) later. I have discovered the joys of radio and really get excited about listening.

edit, ditto ang, we were posting at same time.

LavenderBees

anguk wrote: »

I've never pre-soaked lasagne sheets :huh: I always just use Asda or tesco value sheets and make the lasagne up with those. Does it say on the packet they need to be pre-soaked?

If you've made the lasagne up today and you're not cooking it until tomorrow I guess you could say the sheets are getting soaked overnight in the tomato and bechamel sauce? I'm sure the lasagne will be fine.

Yes, I'm afraid the packet does say to pre-soak them for 8-10 mins in boiling water. I usually use the cheapo sheets, but these are "organic" sheets (would have been on very special offer or I wouldn't have bought them months ago). If it was just for me, I wouldn't worry too much as I'll eat anything (within reason). Shame the parents don't drink or I could just feed them after the point at which they just won't care...

Perhaps I should just drink until I don't care....:rotfl:

LavenderBees

Byatt wrote: »

Have you got plenty of liquid in the lasagne? It should be ok, especially as it's all made up so will soak overnight. Maybe add a bit more liquid as it will soak up when cooking. It will definitely cook if it has liquid. Make sure the top bits are covered.

Glad Jaspie is ok, you're not a bad mum, and it is good because he will be careful in future; his instincts are very good and all intact!

Did he fluff up like a porcupine?

Watching the rugby at the mo' but will listen to the radio (on laptop) later. I have discovered the joys of radio and really get excited about listening.

edit, ditto ang, we were posting at same time.

Thanks for the tip on adding a bit more liquid, I'll do that. I'm also planning on cooking it covered for the first 20 mins or so (tip from the grocery challenge)

Yes, Jaspie's short hair stood on end. So did mine! :eek::D Charlie-old-boy came out to see what was going on, and for a second looked like he was going to take the dog on, but then 14 years experience kicked in (he can be a little slow these days), and he also ran back inside. Jaspie hid behind old-boy, who was not impressed at being used as a [STRIKE]human[/STRIKE] cat-shield. It was chaos! Glad we're all inside safe and sound for the night.:)

xx