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

fuddle

Ah, the string bag was my first project It doesn't take as long as you might think

jackel

Byatt- My computer was acting awkward yesterday so sorry it's belated but much meant HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes. Hope your life gets happier and less stresfull (now that you're a year older!)

Littlecal Well done to your son on exam results and job and oooh ! congratulations on the house purchase. It's so exciting
when you have something to "build on"

Well done Fuddle reducing your utility bills - once you make a start it gets easier .

Popperwell. I really feel for you. I really cannot add to the wonderful advice you have already been given. Just can add my thoughts and prayers are with you.

jacxx

Sunshine4

Hi, Hope you dont mind me joining in.

Been lurking for awhile and have now decided to join in.

Things seem to be getting harder, so it would be nice to have somewhere to to beable to talk to like-minded people.

Most of my family and friends seem to have their heads buried in the sand
which I find quite sad.

[Deleted User]

Hello SUNSHINE4- nice to have you with us, come on in the water's fine!!! Cheers Lyn.

fuddle

Welcome sunshine lovely to see you joining in with us.

ETA: I'm going to post my final monthly meal plan. It's took a lot of tweaking to get it right for us but it's finally very nearly there. I'm posting because I'm cheating... I would like it saved somewhere in case I lose my piece of paper.

1) mince & dumplings
2) gammon, fried egg & chips - pudding
3) pizza, garlic bread, coleslaw
4) chilli & wedges
5) chicken dinner
6) chicken curry, rice & naan bread
7) pasta bake, garlic bread

8) leek, bacon & potato soup
9) mince cobbler & peas - pudding
10) burger in bun, salad, coleslaw
11) mince, onion, gravy, carrots, broccoli & yorkshires
12) fish pie, peas - pudding
13) sausage, onion gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots
14) chicken casserole - pudding

15) stewing steak, gravy, carrots & mashed potato
16) spag bol, garlic bread - pudding
17) cottage pie, steamed veg, yorkshire pudding
18) mince & onion pie, peas, mashed potato, gravy
19) sausage casserole, mashed potato
20) pasta bake, steamed veg
21) hotdogs, onions, rolls - pudding

22) chilli, wedges
23) toad in the hole, steamed veg, gravy
24) mince cobbler, steamed veg
25) chicken dinner
26) chicken curry, chips
27) broth, crusty bread - pudding
28) quiche, chips, coleslaw

mardatha

O god I'm starving!!

Possession

Fuddle that sounds really good. hope you don't mind me asking, is much of that pre-prepared and frozen, or is it all freshly prepared? I'm still struggling with meal plans and I know I cannot do something freshly prepared every night but I could manage if there was crossover with, say, the mince meals being mostly pre-prepared and batch frozen.

Popperwell

Evie74 wrote: »

The DDs were up bright and early this morning - we are supposed to be going to see the Olympic Torch a bit later as it's passing nearby so I'm going to have to summon my energies for that.

Afternoon:)

Not feeling too bad(not that I am doing any special or different)Weather is bad outside...again:(

Chicken and the trimmings tonight I think(quite simple and quick)I'll cheat, frozen veg in the microwave, gravy granuals and boil a few potatoes...listen to the music programmes I used to with Mum. That's what Sundays were...sometimes I managed to have a record played on the radio for her...:D

Hope they do the torch relay better than in my town...I saw the big lorries with the names of advertisers sponsoring the Olympics(Lloyds TSB, Coca Cola and Samsung)some police on motorbikes hi fiving the spectators, some people selling cheap souvenirs(flags, whistles etc...)but the relay was so quick(some carried it in other locations)and you had a good view of them but here the person ran but was surrounded by so many people, a lot of spectators missed her/him.

So I waited for an hour and saw...nothing!:mad::(:rotfl:

I may as well have stayed at home and not bothered! Quite a few were disappointed.

Possession

Taking mine to see the Olympic Torch too shortly so hope it's better than that!

Popperwell

jackel wrote: »

Well done Fuddle reducing your utility bills - once you make a start it gets easier .

Popperwell. I really feel for you. I really cannot add to the wonderful advice you have already been given. Just can add my thoughts and prayers are with you.

jacxx

Utility bills worry me at present, you've seen what I have done to try and get around that, I should look for a deal but get confused. Still paying quarterly(cash or credit card)British Gas and NPower. Switching off the electric all the time. Hardly using the CH and as soon as the water is hot, off it goes and still I think my bills will be high. I'm obsessive. When Mum passed away and I was back in my home it was like an ice box.

That was why I started eating lots of cold food or invested in a slow cooker, a halogen oven and a combi microwave to try and avoid using an electric oven and save energy. I feel like I've stepped back decades, there's being frugal and thrifty and living as though it's the 1930's. I often dive under the duvet to stay warm even during the day or wear jumpers, PJ's and/or adressing gown now...

Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers xx