make do and mend for tougher times

kidcat

:j:j:j:j:j:j we passed :j:j:j:j:j

Am so relieved - I may need pyschiatric intervention

And it was cheaper than normal, apparently they are now getting 15 MOTS a year from my recommendations so gave me it cheaper:D:D

Considering taking mum and two littlies for lunch somewhere - am looking for ideas.

catznine

Big (((Hugs))) Softstuff x

PipneyJane

Good morning everyone! Hope all the sickies are feeling better.

Possession wrote: »

Yay, DH officially has a job and has accepted - it's the second one he was offered and its a 12 month contract in our home town so no big commute.
Much relief to be able to stop the interview process - they guy today barely let him get a word in edgeways and told him the company were in financial trouble and unable to get bank funding so alarm bells there!

Yay!!! That is good news.

On cold callers, the Telephone Preference Service only goes so far and doesn't appear to have any teeth behind it. DH routinely tells them he's dead, that he didn't survive the car accident, etc. It's hysterical to listen to - sometimes it takes a while for the cold caller to catch on.

2Tonsils - good news about your thyroxin levels. Am also glad you didn't get caught out by the banking strike.

Kidcat - good luck with the MOT.

Softstuff - so sorry about your Dad.

savingqueen

Morning all

Possession - many congrats (to you both!) on the job news

Smiley and Mrs Chip - belated birthday greetings! Many happy returns.

Sunshine - hope you are feeling a bit better today?

2tonsils - good news about you test results

Softstuff - thinking of you and sending hugs.

Anyone else who needs a hug... some here and all free!

Kidcat - yay on MOT. I always feel v nervous when ours is due partly money and we also rely on it. Ours is due beg Jan - what a time eh?

Had a very up and down week, yesterday felt very tired and low though guess some of "lowness" was due to tiredness. Stopped myself posting as didn't want to sound negative when others are struggling more. Feeling a different person today, bit tired still but more energy and very positive. :j

Have tons to do round house (as ever) and also need to be out and about buying bits in different parts of town. Decided to concentrate on errands outside as school hols next week and my two don't 'do' shopping. Will try and give house the once over at the weekend whilst simuntaneously being referee/cook/general slave to two mini-lords and his lordship. :rotfl:

Not long back from school dance production - it was very good, a post Olympics theme with each class representing a different country and doing a national dance. Lots of singing too. The littlest ones in nursery and reception did the Samba and they were so cute I had to stop myself crying (terrible at these things, always fighting back the tears.)

Quick porridge question - I usually have a certain ready made porridge breaky, a comfort thing from childhood but want to try the real stuff as cheaper. Made it the other day according to packet instructions and it was 'orrible - a big solidy lumpy mess - pardon my ignorance here - do you reckon it was undercooked or overcooked? Any savingqueen proof receipe? I'll be asking how to boil an egg next (joking )

Oke dokey sitting here isn't getting stuff done is it?! I have had my lunch on here though as was starving and don't want to be tempted to buy lunch out.

Have a good day everyone - hang in there as someone said earlier, we've made it to Friday!

sq:)

[Deleted User]

ooh a lot of catch up reading to do later, it is like reading a novel and I need to take my time later

Been busy this morning after skimming a thread on stockcupboard stuff and had a reality shock, I mean stocking up is the easy bit and using it is harder. I have been through one cupboard, which is in an awkward position and have done a great big sort. I have 16 tins of various condensed soups for a start :eek:, doh that is a lot of pies and casseroles and not to mention the baked beans, tomatoes etc and what I find hardest to deal with are all the various jars of this and that condiment. Anyway I decided that I am making a start on using it, well I had a flashback to when we had to pack for moving and that gave me a kick up the backside. So a beautiful big allsorts lasagne is now ready and waiting to cook for tea (and for tomorrow) and I have made and marinaded fish masala for lunch. Half the problem is deciding how to cook the stuff

Shropshirelass

Saving Queen - make my porridge in the microwave.

For one person - half a cup of porridge oats, half a cup of milk, half a cup of hot (from the kettle) water.

Mix briefly in deep microwave dish, microwave for 1 minute on high, stir, microwave another minute or until it boils up, done!

Sprinkle with brown sugar/cinnamon, cool with a little cold milk :j.

You can increase the amounts to feed more people, but you will need more microwave time. If you like runny porridge, use a bit less oats.

maryb

Saving Queen, I make my porridge on the hob and use a third of a cup of oats to 1 cup of half and half milk and water per person. I bring it to the boil and cook until it is as thick as I like it - takes very little time.

If I am rushing around and leave it on a low heat it does get thicker than I like so I just add a splosh of water and heat it, stirring, until it is the right consistency again.

If I had more time I would do it with more liquid right at the start and cook it slowly until it thickens enough but, hey, this works

nuttyp

Morining everyone, glad some of you are feeling better. Its grey and raining here. Just taken mum shopping, since my dad suddenly died last year I try and take her every week. That way we know she has losts of nice healthy food to eat. We went to aldi as yeaterday there was a £5 voucher in the newspaper. I even got a gammon joint for half price.

Popped into mr s, to but the cheap mince. Also OH wanted pork pies. Happened to go down the toy isle, got a couple of gifts half price. Will have to do this year, its the thought that counts.

Treated myself to a bar of chocolate for later.

DD has invited me to her work this afternoon for a beauty treatment, for free.... Mite have a facial for a treat. Have work all weekend, so have planned monday to take both DD to kings lynn. Need to get winter boots and a jacket for the youngest - may have to try primark or matalan.

Thinking about putting the heating on for a while, OH rang to say he has the heater on 'flat out' in his work van, when I said I was thinking of putting the heating on he asked why I was only thinking! Maybe because we have pre-payment meters and they are so damh dear.

oldtractor

I make my porridge in the microwave. jumbo oats with water only. 3 mins per bowlfull. when its cooked I add a little honey and milk.

mardatha

3 cups water
1 cup porridge
some salt
Bring to boil -stirring all the time- and then let simmer 6 mins
Steep pot in cold water for a couple hours then rinse clean.