make do and mend for tougher times

fuddle

I've no desire for one either and would hate for you to get something that you didn't need/want just to try to get your electricity/gas cgarges down but if you really want one then this is £14.99 with free super saver delivery http://www.amazon.co.uk/George-Foreman-2-Portion-Compact-Silver/dp/B002MRS1GE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343512030&sr=8-2 hope to help.

Popperwell

meme30 wrote: »

Popperwell:- http://www.darlingtonu3a.com/index.php?p=1_4_GROUPS

This is U3A in Darlington, don't know if you are near Bondgate Methodist church. They have Classical music and Easy Listening groups.

Approx 7 miles away...Thanks!

Popperwell

mcculloch29 wrote: »

Haven't caught up with all the postings yet after my week away. I had a lovely time though arthritis did limit me a bit. I bought a second stick for walking around Bowness on Windermere, and it's a lightweight one that will be good for trips away in the future.

McCulloch, Did not know you'd been away but glad it was a fun week.

Popperwell

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Pops - I really honestly don't think you need one of those? I have had them in the past, they can be a pain to clean, and I really didn't like how meat came out of mine (steak for example just seemed to steam and went grey?). For one person you have all the cooking kit you need for now I think. Why not save the money you would spend on this toward some of the things you have said you might not be able to afford?

I also meant to say that when the Aldi opens near you, their chocolate is delicious and so much cheaper than the brands, so you will be able to have treats!

It's really coming on leaps and bounds...McColloch will get a surprise, the steel frame went up, the next minute I saw some bricks, the other day lots of breeze blocks...

meme30

Sorry if this sounds a bit daft Popperwell.... the building of Ald* is so like life, building bit by bit until we are whole without realising it!

I found this in the Da*ly M*il, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2180004/Mum-sandwiches-imaginary-friends-thought-little-girl-trapped-radiator-Martin-Slevin-lifts-lid-living-Alzheimers.html

We lost my wonderful MiL to this disease and this is a very good article about one persons experience.

stiltwalker

I have very sore fingers now as I have just finished making OH a case for his phone which will go on his belt - he's had 2 or 3 off ebay but always broken them as they were made of cheap stuff so I got some proper leather and some waxed lined thread and dismantled the last one to make a pattern. It looks fab but was an absolute s0d to stitch - am now trying to think what treat I am due for shredding my fingers to make him a case that won't fall apart !!! :D:D

Pops - by the sounds of it you have more kitchen gear than me already and I am a well know cooking maniac and have had many cooking stuff pressies over the years plus I did Jamie at Home for a while and got loads of kit for very little money! If you are worried about the costs from cooking fuel costs do you like Chinese food? as due to the scarcity of fuel in China many recipes are really quick to cook and are actually much simpler than they would appear. Any culture which is traditionally poor or food scarce such as China or India are often a good source of cheap recipes. Traditional British food can be very cheap - think stew from cheap cuts - however as we always had lots of wood available (back in ye olde days) many British cooking techniques are long on cooking time for cheap cuts. Chinese (for example) is quick on cooking time as they had little fuel available plus, if you look at traditional recipes, they'll eat anything as they have always had a large population compared to arable area.

Going to set the alarm and get up early tomorrow so we can take the kids to a play barn. DS will be up anyhow as he's teething but DD will take some more convincing to get up - she's only 3 but a teenager at heart already!!! Seriously it's because she works so hard al day when she's awake that once she goes to sleep all bets are off and I'm not complaining!

fuddle

Just caught up on the Gardeners World section on pruning blackcurrents. Thanks so much for pointing me in that direction. I'm clear of what to do now.

Going to prune and take 2 cuttings tomorrow. One to plant on in the garden for a new bush and one in a pot to take with me should we move, the idea being I have 1 of everything I invest in to replant on, when we leave.

Tax when self employed. In my shopping I have bought two containers so I can begin collecting toys to childmind and a folder, notebook, highlighter for keeping accounts.

I'm unsure whether to make a note of these and put them down to start up costs. They have been bought for child minding but I don't know whether I can include them in my accounts before I'm even registered. Can anyone shed any light on it? The girls are going to go through their things and donate things to the children who come to play. Whether they can bring themselves to part with such things remains to be seen but I'm pleased they are thinking about giving.

Also, my children have a piggy bank and save any pocket money they get in there. I'm keen to teach the girls about good money decisions and bad and thought about opening the eldest daughter a savings account for her 8th birthday. What do you think? Too young or a sensible idea?

smileyt_2

Fuddle - never too young for a savings account.

Gotta go to bed ..... am falling asleep as I type ..... sleep well everyone xxx.

Popperwell

It's funny I have never had so many kitchen gadgets SW and yet eat less these days and most meals hot or cold are so simple. How easy was that...just reheating the portion of the meal I had from yesterday...

Popperwell

smileyt wrote: »

Fuddle - never too young for a savings account.

Gotta go to bed ..... am falling asleep as I type ..... sleep well everyone xxx.

I'm always doing that...had lots of sleep today though...nothing nicer than hitting the sack.

I may not be far behind everyone...