make do and mend for tougher times

fuddle

Wow, I had no idea. I'm actually cross reading that. That must be why I've been warned from taking a job at the co0p. It's thought that our local co0p won't employ anyone for over a set number of hours. They prefer lots of staff working short hours than having a core of ft/decent pt.

a social welfare system subsidise the profits of businesses. I shall ponder.

kidcat

Fuddle - many of my DD6 school dinner staff also work at Co-op too, they are on 5hr contracts at school and zero hour contracts at co-op. None of them work more than 4hrs at co-op. Not that they do not want too, they all say they would rather work at one or the other for proper hours but just cannot get them. But on that basis even the council is doing it, the dinner staff on 5hr contracts will usually work 8-10 hrs per week but by giving them 5hr contracts they only have to pay them the five hrs if they are ill.

nuttyp

I work within the gamblling industry, and what amazes me is the people who have the funds when they dont work, to play the gameing machines often for hours. Its not a job by choice, it was better than nothing.

We arent able to get tax credits and OH is over by around £20 a year due to having to do % of saturdays a month. Due to this theyve now wrote and said we have to repay nearly £2000 from last year. It annoys the hell out of me, especially when you see some single people who live nearby who have their'partners' stay every weekend from friday till monday and can afford new this and that... Clearly there not that single but they always have plenty of money.

Sorry for the rant, just having a bad day - need payday to arrive soon. Went to the farm and got a 25kg sack of potatoes for £5. They are the lumps - best are £7. Still cheaper than mr t. Didnt see any onions and the field of cabbages has been ploughed over, so thats no more.

Going to move the lounge around to make it winter cozy today

pandamonium

PipneyJane wrote: »

Mmmm.... Macaroni Chicken!

I love Bernie Lawrence's cookbook. Wish it'd be reprinted so I could give copies to friends. It's probably the most used cookbook in my collection. My copy is 20 years old.


- Pam

It's been re released

Just bought it for £3.75 on Amazon.

Sorry can't do link .

katieowl_2

fuddle wrote: »

Wow, I had no idea. I'm actually cross reading that. That must be why I've been warned from taking a job at the co0p. It's thought that our local co0p won't employ anyone for over a set number of hours. They prefer lots of staff working short hours than having a core of ft/decent pt.

a social welfare system subsidise the profits of businesses. I shall ponder.

Co-op here is the same Fuddle. DD's BF has worked for them for 4 years and is desperate for a full time job. He's got a 20 hours a week contract. All requests fall on deaf ears and they tell him if you don't like it get another job. Last week one of the other employees had a heart attack, and will be off for 6 months. The BF got straight into the office to ask if he could pick up his hours. Answer NO. And not only NO....but they will not be taking anyone else on, 25% of the guys hours can be distributed between the other employees - equally. So an hour a week maybe for BF!

It makes me so angry, BF has also told DD that the managers get a bonus if they manage to run the branch without using all the hours. It's WRONG WRONG WRONG.

I may have mentioned that my DD got given a zero hours contract from the cafe to sign. It's a casual workers contract, and gives her no job security at all, not even a minimum of XYZ hours to work around, they can let her go at any time, even halfway through an agreed shift, and not pay her. She is really upset (as is the other girl) as they'd both been promised that they'd keep them on over the winter. I honestly fail to see how they expect anyone who is not living at home with mum to agree to a contract like that??? So basically they are setting them selves up to only ever be staffed by a succession of teenagers, I wouldn't mind, but they expect them to man the phones for the office, make sensible conversation with the visitors and sop up all sorts of insane requests.

I have to go and do something apart from ranting now Fuddle...I've made myself cross :mad:

Kate

D&DD

pandamonium wrote: »

It's been re released

Just bought it for £3.75 on Amazon.

Sorry can't do link .

:j ooh thanks now I can get my mum a copy...it was hers originally and I nicked it lol

http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Feed-Your-Family-Day/dp/0007485654/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351073140&sr=8-1

[Deleted User]

several of the recipes on the spice site will help to stretch the budget. I just ordered some spices and other bits and found the recipes. I have just prepped for lentil vegetable soup, it sounds very nice too and will take 5 min in my pressure cooker. I used some of my 2011 brined beans but it will also be a good one for some dehydrated veg
http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Recipes.html

I am hoping to get some washing done as soon as the weather turns, friday by the sound of it. I may put the washer timer on as it will need to go out first thing and I will have several loads including my cosy flannel bedding. If you are looking for flannel bedding then qvcuk had some lovely sets yesterday.

2tonsils

Hi all, just caught up with all the posts. I noticed that many of you have health problems in common, the ones with brain fog, the fibromyalgia and the Psoriatic arthritis. I have noticed them all mentioned (along with others) on the gluten free sites. Have any of you given any thought to your conditions being affected by the food you eat? I thought these links might interest you.


http://www.naturalnews.com/035435_gluten_brain_fog_diet.html
http://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/alternative/gluten-free-diet
http://www.livestrong.com/article/50161-gluten-fibromyalgia-improvement-diet/

As most of you know I have Celiac disease and Hashimotos thyoiditis...both linked by my allergy to gluten. Before I was diagnosed I had horrendous pain in my wrist joints and ankles and the surgeon was planning to operate on my wrist. After I went onto the gluten free diet the pain was gone completely really quickly. I went back to the surgeon and he discharged me from his clinic. I also has a friend in London who gets terrible brain fogs...so much so she can forget the simplest things immediately. Then we noticed that she improved a lot when I went to stay.....and we had to laugh when we realised it was because she was stricter with not having gluten when I stayed with her. She is trying to stay gluten free now as it makes such a difference.

It might be worth thinking about, if it only makes some of the pain or brain fog less its a step forward.

I went for my blood tests for the thyroid yesterday so get the results tomorrow. I can then book with the endocrinologist for the scan next week. I have a large benign nodule on my thyroid that he likes to keep a track of to make sure it gets no bigger. It was caused by the celiac disease being out of control for so long when the doctor wouldn't believe I had it. I feel quite angry about that fact, but nothing I can do now except stay fit and healthy and not eat gluten at all.

The good news is that I feel better than I have for years so some good has come out of it all.

Went to the gym on the scooter today, it was misty first thing and cold in the shade but its now warmed up nicely. It's sunny and all the wild iris and cyclamen are open on the mountain and it looks gorgeous.

Hope the weather man has got your forecast wrong and you all get an Indian summer starting this weekend. I went to a sale yesterday and found some warm trousers (neoprene and shower proof) with a fleece lining that are perfect for on the scooter....for 8 euros and two pairs of thin leggings for thermals for 3 euros each.

Having the pork chops I defrosted tonight with fried rice and peas...my OH took me out for a surprise treat of bbq chicken yesterday so I escaped cooking dinner last night. Not that I mind, I love cooking.

Off to buy some chocolate, my guilty treat for today.....not really, I refuse to feel guilty about something so good.....

lilmisskitkat

Thanks for the links 2tonsils

I have looked into various diets before to help my FM and tried one recommended by my doctor a couple of months ago and did feel better on it but i stopped after a few weeks because it just seemed like too much faffing to be eating different from the rest of the family

I really must try and get back into the 'zone' for it. Even though it didn't help my FM much on it's own it helped my IBS enormously and that had a positive effect on my fatigue levels etc.

K xx

elona

I just ordered the new Bernadine Lawrence book from A****n and also some half price dishwasher tablets with free postage.

Our bedding is washed and on the line outside but it is such a damp and dark day I doubt it will dry.

Had a walk out with dd to encourage her to build up her strength etc after being so long in hospital. Found out her kidneys will not be badly affected by the blood clots and she will not need dialysis but will be on daily injections for months. Her mood seems better and she is eating properly now and having plenty of fluids so very relieved.:j

DH is mithering for me to stew some apples so they are now simmering on the hob. I stewed a huge pot of plums yesterday thinking they would make a dessert for all the family and he scoffed the lot!

I am a low thyroid myself and am hoping dd does not have it as she has a blood test to check for it next week.

DH is stunned to find the ceiling lights in living room make the smart meter light up like a christmas tree so has moved a floor lamp in as well as the existing desk lamp. I broached the idea of solar lamp from Ikea but got "I don't want to drive all that way".
Would it be devious to assume he agrees it is a good idea and just order two and get them delivered?;)

Rummaged in freezer and chicken pieces are defrosting ready for Thai green chicken curry tonight and can use up the baby corn, mange toute and other bits of veg in fridge. The sweet potato and red pepper soup went down a storm last night as did the lamb kofta kebabs innabun! Found a recipe on the Shirley Goode blog for spicy lentil and coconut soup a few days ago and everyone loves it - even the ones who don't like spicy food.

Enjoying a few minutes peace and quiet and a browse on her before I need to spring - er shuffle into what looks like action.

Hugs to all