Our DMP Adventure or We Don't Have a Clue!

miggy

Not useless in the slightest - it's just a skill you haven't used yet.

Lentils - I echo DFW321 - red lentils (the orange ones ) take about 20 mins, other colours take longer but it will say on the packet. when done they go mushy and disappear into whatever dish you're cooking.

Stock - just bung the remains of the chicken in a big pan and cover with water, add some mixed herbs or any veg you need to use (maybe half an onion, a chopped up carrot and a chopped piece of celery) and simmer (not boil) for ages. I give it at least 40 minutes but it can be longer if you're busy elsewhere. Strain and use in soups or casseroles.

My favourite lentil soup recipe is an onion, a stick of celery and a carrot, all chopped up and cooked in 2 tbsp oil for 5 mins. Then add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 150g red lentils and a litre of veg stock (I tried it with chicken stock and it didn't work as well). Simmer for 20 minutes then blend. Serves four as a starter or two as a main course.

I think I got the recipe on here and I love it - but I used to give myself enormous portions and had to cut back because it has more calories than I realised! (Good calories though).

Oops, sorry, digression there! Don't feel you have to use it, it's just an idea of what you can do with lentils. I never cooked with them until I discovered this site either!

BlushingRose

Well tonight I had a crash. We went to Aldi and then tesco (using the giftcard to buy some groceries) and I just burst into tears at the injustice of it all. It's unfair that we have to use a free £5 on groceries, it's unfair that a nice (but not huge or flashy) bag in Tesco costs £12 and it's all too expensive. Everything is just too expensive - it's unfair and I'm cheesed off about it.
Mr BR came home yesterday with his bike but today took it back to Halfords as it was having a hottid noise and wouldn't change gear (This is a pedal bike). Oh yes, they said, that's because we weren't able to do 'this bit' and you'll need to take it elsewhere to get done. So that's £30 they've been given and they were unable to do the whole job, we've rung elsewhere and the cheapest it's going to be to get this bit removed and replaced will be £40 - so that's £70 min just to get the bike back to a usable state!
It's so annoying - where's all this money supposed to come from?? We've already used more money than usual cos he's been having to use the car all last week to get to work.
Why do I bother even trying? I'm so fed up with the whole thing.

BlushingRose

...and, we've yet to have one day in March where we've spent no money!

*fume*

BlushingRose

Just had my sister (younger, working part/time, no debts, still lives at home) nagging me about 'looking for work'. like I don't do that every day! She has stuff she can do, experience, I don't..
Now I just feel like a big fat failure at life.

PinotGrigio41

Oh BR, just been catching up and you seem so sad again .:group hug:

Keep persevering and you will find some work I'm sure. How about volunteering while you are looking for paid work, it might be good for your confidence and also keep you busy and keep your mind off of the money worries ?

You are not a failure by any stretch of the imagination. Look how you have stepped up to the challenge of paying off the debts, organising OH and dealing with the CCCS and the creditors. Im sure you have some great skills that an employer would love, they just haven't found you yet, or you them.

You are trying to lose weight, give up the chocolate. There are so many things that you are doing and achieving, don't beat yourself up please xxx

Verbatim

What Pinot said!

debtfreewannabe321

aww BR i echo what has already been said! You are not a failure, we all have these days. Best just to draw a line under them, pull yourself together (easier said than done, i know) and see tomorrow as a fresh start. These things are sent to try us! And we can get through them big hugs xxx

miggy

Just catching up - sending you a great big {{{hug}}} because it's such an uphill struggle and you just deserve the system to cut you a bit of slack.

I expect you needed to cry a bit to get rid of some of the stress. (Another {{Hug}}... )

Wish I could help. Is there anything?

...I'm no good at mending bikes I'm afraid. I wonder if you asked on Freecycle if anyone has a 'spares or repairs' part needing a home? A bit of a long shot but plenty of people have bikes they don't use. It's a bit of a cheek that Halfords accepted the money and didn't tell you they couldn't complete the job.

Pinot's idea about volunteering is a good one, and don't underestimate skills you just acquire as you go along. I mean, you can use a computer, for a start. Plenty of people still get freaked out by that! You're also a self-starter (I know that because you've taken matters into your own hands dealing with the debt. Yes, you had to - but you've done it - evidence of problem solving skills, planning, ability to work independently, probably even project management. ) That's just from the little I know of you from this forum.

The jobs market is tough at the moment and your sister clearly doesn't see the whole picture. It must be so disheartening to have to put up with her going on at you and I hope she leaves it alone now.

Have you worked before? Is there a particular type of job you're looking for?

Also (you have probably looked at this already), are there any free training courses that might help? Directgov has some links - scroll past the basic ones as there are various things further on even if you just use them to keep up skills. You could also see if there a College local to you that runs any.

My own field - support work - is often open to people with no previous experience. Not the highest paid and not for everyone but at the same time it can be very satisfying because you know someone's quality of life is better because of your work.

Time I stopped waffling, but I'm thinking of you and sending a virtual :coffee: and Lent-proof biscuits (whatever they may be) to help you along.

BlushingRose

Thanks everyone - it's nice to know that there are people reading this and caring x

I find that the gloomier I get, the less motivated I am and it spirals into a vicious circle of doom and gloom. I'm also just coming out of this cold/cough/flu thing and on the one hand am raring to go and on the other feeling feeble.
I get the impression from the link, Miggy, that one has to be claiming benefit in order to go on these free courses. Alas I am not claiming anything and seem to fall through the gap for things like this, too poor to pay but not getting benefits.
My sister also suggests voluntary work from time to time and whilst I'm sure it would be beneficial, I;d rather *work* and get paid, selfish probably but it's how it feels right now.
I have indeed worked before, usually in customer service type roles, be it on the phone or customer facing and I enjoy working with people, it's what I'm good at. I also have a degree and yet I've never been able to use it.
I just feel like I'm wasting my life.

miggy

I have a degree I've never used too.

Could you claim Job Seeker's Allowance? Sorry if you've already addressed this and I missed it, also it's been a long time since I was in this position so I don't know what's possible.

I can understand you would rather be earning - and you wouldn't want anything to get in the way of starting a job at once either.

Eek, talking of work, nearly time I was off! Catch up later.