make do and mend for tougher times

kidcat

SDG - ((hugs)) I think we all have days like that - I know I certainly do, the whole meal thing is so irritating I can really understand that one, I can end up cooking one meal for OH, DD17 and I and three others for the younger three. BOth boys are so difficult to feed its exhausting
As the pork has gone off do you have any meat you can use for your roast that will be quicker/easier? I sometimes will use turkey steaks as they are really quick and make a lovely roast!

Have planned a BBQ today and got all the stuff out of the freezer that has been hanging around, BBQs are great for using up bits and pieces I find. Then OH gets up and has a big moan about how hard it will be for him as he will have to clean the BBQ! I have chosen to say nothing and walk away - its becoming my theme lately - maybe I need a theme tune to hum whilst I am walking away.

[Deleted User]

MAR - Point taken about peoples reactions to admitting to being a prepper, and it was Smiley who asked me, so I thought she might be an enlightned one!!! I think we are coming to a point where the sniggering may just have to stop and prepping be taken seriously if we are to have any quality of life in the future. I wouldn't like to set anyone up for sniping however and can fully understand that you and PAH and SMILEY and anyone else with prepping experience might not want to be in that position. For myself, it would be a very, very useful addition to my knowledge to have guidance from those of you with experience and understanding of what is involved. Cheers Lyn xxx.

SDG31000

Kidcat how about humming the theme tune from The Great Escape? That should worry him

I have found some ribs in the freezer and some sausages that need cooking so I will do those with some homemade chips and corn on the cob with chilli butter for dinner, as DH has to be out the house again soon. Hopefully he will be back for dinner. Lunch will be something simple on toast I think.
I have some ys strawberries to use up so might make Nigella's strawberry and almond crumble to make DH happy. He is definitely a man that believes that the way to this heart is through his stomach. If he ever left me it would have to be for a Michelin starred chef or he would be coming back for dinner every night and would want weekly cake deliveries.

I'll be back later, time to feed DH and to think about how much the overtime money is needed.

Xxxxxxx

Mrs_Chip

Pops - there are no rules about coping with loss, so do not feel bad that you are able to have some peaceful thoughts, they are all good.

We lost MiL to colon cancer in 2008 and considering she had been under a consultant for IBS for years and has had a major knee op the previous year (privately as she could not wait for NHS as it was her only good leg) we were devastated that a series of blunders and delay by the hospital led to her cancer not being diagnosed until she had to have an emergency op as she literally could not pass anything, including wind - this apparently should have rung alarm bells with the GP but didn't. She had constant blood tests, transfusions and no one spotted what was staring them in the face. We could have taken on the NHS but it would not have brought her back, and we just did not have any fight left after the battles we had had whilst she was alive. But we do not beat ourselves up about it with ifs and buts, there is no point, they would not bring her back and would make our lives much more miserable. But that does not mean you cannot grieve for your loss, and things will still be raw for a while yet. Time will heal if you let it,
and acceptance of your loss is all part of that.

I don't think I'm organised enough to be a prepper - can I be an un-prepper? :rotfl:

Byatt

SDG, just want to give you some virtual hugs, (((((SDG))))))I am not surprised you feel like you do with your friends going through such a difficult time. I am sure you are wanting to be supportive to them all but at the same time need to grieve also. It's difficult being strong when you feel so gutted yourself.

grandma247

I have started buying old TV series on dvd from @maz0n for just a few pennies or a pound or two. I got the original version of tinker tailor soldier spy recently and dh and I watch one episode a week. Tv is mostly junk now so we find this is good for the times when in spite of having so many channels there is nothing we want to watch. If it were up to me we would not have tv at all. I would be happy with dvds and the internet.

I have watched some things on this site too.

elona

SDG

I remember the feeling when whatever I cooked someone would complain! I now decide what I feel like cooking and try to make what is at least two people's liked dish and if anyone else does not fancy it then I have leftovers for DH and my lunch next day and I offer the moaner a quick toasted sandwich or omelette etc. Byatt has just put things better than I have and I agree with her. Gentle hug and wave.

Apple crumbles did not materialise as dd reminded me we have had them a lot. Wracked my brains and got a jar of cherries, the AF batter mix, sugar eggs and milk and made cherry clafoutis for the first time and used individual dishes to bake them.

Served with cherry juice and ice cream they went down very well so I feel pleased with myself for once.

DDs did not fancy lamb casserole so they had salmon parcels (frozen YS salmon fillet topped with finely sliced veg, lemon juice butter and black pepper wrapped in foil and baked in oven).

DH can have the lamb tomorrow for a hot lunch which he will enjoy.

Still have dishes to tackle and DH will give me a lift later to get more milk and bread. I usually walk but large containers of milk are just too heavy.

Forgot to mention that there is a site called Ludlow Survivors that is a preppers site and could be worth a look.

Mardatha

I had three miscarriages one after another then finally had youngest dd just before an early perimenopause.

fuddle

Im in the car and not read properly but im another one that would be very greatful of prepping advice.

valk_scot

fuddle wrote: »

Saw in Halfords today a wicker basket that clips onto a bike for shopping. When I can get my bike (it's looking like ebay) I'd like one of these for the 6 miler butchers trip.

Get panniers every time. With a front basket the weight is high up and over the steering end and putting anything more than very light weights in it can destabilise the bike horribly. With panniers the weight is low down over the axle and held by the frame of the bike so it doesn't affect handling at all. You can carry 22lbs in each rear pannier if they (and your legs!) are up to it, for a front basket the absolute maximum is six pounds including the basket and frame, and you'll still feel it affecting the steering.

(Says she who used to go cycle touring in France in the years before kids, full up load including the tent. Weight distribution on a bike is important!)

Shropshirelass

Hi everyone

My word but this is a lively place. i haven't time to catch up on everyones news, so excuse me if I speak out of turn.

SDG I do sympathise I often feel I could scream if I have to think of another day of meals, and there are only hubby and me to look after, as Doggins eats (very healthy) complete food. I do a planning menu most weeks and sometimes look at old meal plans and just copy the whole week. Not been found out yet.

Pops I dont know how long it is since you lost your Mum, but I'm sure you have realised that we dont get over losses like that, we just learnto live with them. Serious grieving problems would be if after 2 years, eg. you still left all clothes and room un-changed. It is 17 years since my Mum died, and I still get tears in my eyes sometimes, thinking of things that happened. And I know she would be telling me to get on and enjoy life.

Prepping advice - yes - some of these prepping blogs are for people planning to go out into the hills to survive in a cave - I'm afraid that wont be us, our combined arthritis/bad backs would prevent.

The Olympic blanket I've been knitting is getting on well, I decided to knit long striped scarves, the same colours on each one, then sew them together to make stripes across. I started the 5th scarf yesterday.

Warm and breezy here in Shropshire, rain on the way this week, so plan is to blitz the house, as grandkids are coming following week so wont get much work done!!!