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

Byatt

fuddle wrote: »

mince and dumplings. All four plates cleared kids wanted more:j and DH didn't have a clue about the lentils just "nice thick gravy tonight" :rotfl:

Found an elderflower on my doggy walk. I was naughty a pulled a bit off. I've stuck it in my garden, if it works it works.

:T:T:rotfl: "nice thick gravy"

jpscloud

Well done sf! So pleased for you.

Thanks bupster, that has helped me too - I'm nearly 50 and I can't remember a time when the economy was so much discussed by everyone and constantly the top story etc.

Then again, we remember things weirdly I suppose - what I do remember is fuel shortages in the 70s, when people had to drive at 50mph max on the motorway by law. I do that now, and it does conserve fuel!

I have been reading and running, for which I apologise. Have followed everyone's news and again apologise for not mentioning all - this thread and the messies make me feel so much better.

Well, we have a spectacularly wet weekend coming up! I think I might actually get round to some housework, I'm running out of excuses now!

kidcat

Grrrr just written long post that was swallowed up so in short

SF - well done

Bupster - thank you

Fuddle - well done, introducing lentils is a big step

Its pouring rain again today which is draining for me.

DS enjoying school at the moment the shorter hours are very attractive and being under the control of the TA who is working on the instructions of the HT rather than his teacher.
Was pulled in with other parents yesterday for discussing the issues at our support group - silly me thought a support group was ideal for discussing issues you needed support with! HT listened to all our concerns and admits there are serious issues with the teacher. She agreed that she actually still doesnt get basic concept of ASD.

The HT has taken a more hands on approach and is definitely watching the situation. SO hopefully we may see an improvement or even better a staffing change.

Am stunned at how much money things are costing - yesterday I took £60 cash out of bank, I paid DS14 £20 I had borrowed when OH had physio and I didnt have enough cash £3 lunch money, DD17 £10 for her college stuff this week, £5 for a trip, £15 to DD6 for a school trip, £2 for the workshop in school this week. Then OH needed cash for haircut so I ended up with not a penny left.

Am off to Lidl in morning to attempt to bet some of their weekend specials - I usually miss them so will need to get there early.

OH had yet another sick note yesterday but on a bright note its only a week this time and he says he plans returning next week - buut I am taking this with a pinch of salt. Cynically I think he is saying this as fathers day is coming up and he knows while he is off he will get nothing but if I think he is going back I will buy him a gift.

Pooky

Thanks for the explanations Bupstar - I feel I can actually talk to DH about it now without losing the plot.

Fuddle - glad the lentils went unnoticed, I chuck a tin into most mince/beef dishes to pad it out.

SF - :j well done on the job

We made elderflower fizz a few years back, the secret is to keep the bottles somewhere like a garage with constant temperature (and the exploding bottles don't make such a mess) and to release the lids slightly once a week to let a bit of fizz out before retightening. I'm not keen on the flavour of it so it was DHs drink, but the elder berry wine was all mine........amazing stuff and amazing to cook a bit of brisket in, in the SC. will be making as much as we can this year and I always have a bottle with Christmas dinner (no - I don't drink the whole bottle myself - it's so potent, think "peapod" wine in the good life)

meme30

Bupster:- Thanks for that, very clear and concise.:)

Abandoning DH today to have lunch with some lovely people. Housework can go and jump...I'm having an away day!!:D

fuddle

meme you do right

I on the other hand have to do something in every room, just to keep on top of it. It's also operation sister's today - the girls have not been getting along with the eldest being horrible to the youngest. Yeah, siblings will be siblings but I am determined to have them grow up at least liking each other. So, after shenanigans last night (eldest nipped youngest's cheek - I was furious) they are to spend the day not talking or playing with each other. They love playing together so it will be an awful day today for them but hopefully they will see that they like to have each others friendship. Wish me luck!

Chicken dinner today. Basically meat and two veg, potatoes, yorkshires and gravy. Also going to be brave and give pup a raw chicken wing as no one likes the wings here. Off to research and oh, since I changed pup's diet his fur is so shiny. It's really nice to see.

Have a good day

SDG31000

Morning all

It's a grey and windy start to the weekend in Leicester. DH got in from work at midnight, came to bed at 1am and then the alarm went off at 5.45am so he could go back to Cambridge. He then has a call in Bedford at 1pm, so I've told him not to bother driving home and to have lunch and a nap between calls. The overtime is always welcome, but he is going to be shattered the poor thing.
This means that I have to go into town on the bus to take DS1 and DS2 to Games Workshop as DS1 is refusing to take his brother in. I have a John Lewis voucher so I'm going to see if I can get any presents sorted with that and I'll take Dotty the trolley in with me and get some veg from the market.
I am going to keep telling myself that it will do my good to get out of the house and hope I start believing it.
Time to Marshall the troops and get dressed. It's too cold to go out in pjs brrrrr

Take care everyone xxxx

Pooky

It's amazing how quick a change of diet can have an impact on their coats isn't it. We have 6 cats, three longhaired, 3 short and we've now found a balance of wet and dry food that they'll all eat. We supplement with fresh chicken and fish, oily fish and once a month we add a good splash of cod liver oil to their food as advised by our vet. All of them are as soft and shiny as can be.

I was planning a day of baking and teaching DD2 how to take up her bedroom curtains but she's been up all night with explody stuff from both ends so I shall let her sleep. She's supposed to be at dance rehearsals all day tomorrow but I don't see that happening either.

I managed to acquire a small shelf unit from freecycle to start my pantry/hoarding. Its a great size but wasn't very "wipe cleanable" so I rooted out a left over pack of sticky vinyl floor tiles and covered it! :T. As I'd didn't need much shopping this week I used my left over weekly budget to start stocking up, there's something quite satisfactory in having a little stash of "eeeek the money's run out" food.

fuddle

Pooky, I'm finding that the stash in my cupboard is benefiting my health. Seriously. I am somewhat of a nervous disposition and I'm finding that the stocks are 1) making me feel so much calmer, in control and organised and 2) they help me with the days that I feel a rubbish mum and housewife.

This whole feeling of providing for my family is benefiting me so much. I do have to be careful as not to let it overtake me (hoarding/buying to make these positive feelings continue) and not to panic or worry when I have to use something. I'm all to aware of how I behave (some would say it's good I'm clued into myself, I personally feel it's a curse as I look for problems before they are there) and why and also that I can go to extremes. :cool:

Anyway. For now, I'm feeling good and it's all because of this thread. TY

VJsmum

paidinchickens wrote: »

We have done all of the above but I have woodburner envy :rotfl:

We are looking into which one would suit us best. The plan would be to change the the conservatory into a proper room, bricking up one end and building a chimney or someone said you can buy sections of roof compatible with a flu so looking into best v cheapest way.


Where has today gone its past 3 :eek:

Just check your planning permission situation if you are changing the conservatory.

Phew - just caught up after a busy yesterday. Bupster - thank you, that makes so much more sense than anything else. This Greek election is going to be interesting, n'est ce pas?

Another honours list - still no damehood for moi <<sigh>> someone got something for services to beekeeping - random!! Perhaps we should all get something for services to frugalism - tho not sure i'm qualified enough yet.

OH and his mother have gone away for the weekend - I shouldn't say this but :j A whole weekend off - I love him dearly but he makes me do things when I just want to sit in a chair and read and knit and stuff (not <<ahem>> dodgy things, just walking or shopping or going somewhere). So me and the kids are having the weekend to ourselves. Except that I have to tidy the house and clean it, do the gardening and the shopping and cooking and .. and.. But a friend and i are taking all the kids out to the pub tonight as her OH is away too so that'll be nice.

He is away for father's day so we just did that bit before he went. He really is notoriously difficult to buy for and DD and I spent some time yesterday looking for stuff. He has ended up with a couple of novels, some smellies and a book of walks in Snowdonia. THat is where he has gone as we bought MIL a ride up Snowdon on the train for her christmas present - somehow I don't think he'll be taking her on any walks as she is 80!:rotfl:
Fortunately I think the weather will be alright for their train trip.

<<sigh>> the weather - the papers yesterday were saying rain until September (cue Carol King), I don't think I can cope! Fortunately I am out of the country for a bit between now and then so hopefully will get some sunshine there. I am off to a conference in Montreal a week Monday - it's in the mid 20's and sunny there :T DD is going to be paid to be a kind of housekeeper while i am away. She has her last exam this monday and I don't see why she should sit on her bum waiting for dad to come home and do everything. So I said i'd give her something to do stuff like stack the dishwasher, cook some dinners, run the hoover round, fetch bits of shopping etc. for that week - we will pay her depending on how much she does. She and a friend are going to go to a University open day that week too. On the train to Liverpool by themselves - quite an adventure for them.

I still haven't made the elderflower cordial - I think I might do that this weekend.

I have decided that I won't buy any new summer clothes this year as i have plenty and I don't think I'm going to get that much opportunity to wear them. I'd rather spend it on something nice for the winter when I shall need cheering up. To that end, I found myself looking at the chunky wool in Kemps so that I can start off another long cardi. I don't think I can resist

I'll stop rambling now and hope you all have a lovely day.