make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

POPS - there is a place in this universe for lost things, but only in ones never in pairs. I have never seen two of anything lost outside, where are all the lost socks that vanish in the washing machine? Your glove is in another dimension by now - until you buy a new pair that is, when it will miraculously re-appear again!!!!!!! Cheers Lyn x.

So true...

Can't see what Aldi's specials for this Sunday are yet but

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/24242.htm?WT.z_src=main

There's a mini-oven coming soon;)and a bedset.

Fervent37

Pops I haven't replied to your posts for a while now but I always read them. Everything Fuddle, ginnyknit, and the cake, have said are spot on. Try and focus on the here and now and do as you have been doing that is having trips out of the house, arranging your theatre trips and shopping for your winter wardrobe.

My two penneth for what it is worth, a new mattress etc are more good to you at the moment than a funeral plan. Enjoy your mum's M&S vouchers you could always treat yourself to a bottle or two of wine with them.

fuddle

You all probably know as you're all a fair few steps ahead of me but just in case I've been looking into how to store veg in the freezer. It's not allotment produce i'll be dealing with unfortunately, but I will be buying my veg tomorrow for the week and maybe a little longer. I didn't know about blanching so sharing this link in case any one didn't know either http://www.allotment.org.uk/recipes/storing-the-surplus-freezing

Freezing strawberries? I guess if I freeze strawbs they will be mushy when they're defrosted? Even so, do you think they will be ok in yoghurts and fruit puddings?

I've smelled my raisin wine this afternoon. It already smells quite alchohol-y :eek: I think my home brew may just floor me :rotfl: I is a lightweight you see

Tired now. I have done far too much and still not tackled the pants pile or bathroom. :cool: girls are watching charlie and the chocolate factory - Gene Wilder one. I do like that version the best

Cheapskate

fuddle I agree with what you say about bringing up your children without airs and graces and to understand about money and what's important. DH and I grew up like that, and did the same with our older children (25, 23 and 20) and attempting the same with our youngest (5 and nearly 3). It's harder this time round; there are so many more insidious influences than 15+ years ago, but youngest DS (5) brought it home to me yesterday that we must be still doing ok. We'd gone to get new school shoes, I asked the assistant to bring out whatever she had in his size and we'd try on from the cheapest upwards. The cheapest ones (£25 from a major shoe retailer) fitted marvellously, he's happy with them - I was so proud of him later when he asked about the price and, after my explanation of why we didn't get dear shoes, said "Well, mummy, I think these are quite good for that amount, I can still play football at school in them, can't I?" Bless....!

However...my oldest 2 are shocking with money, even after their very OS upbringing, so it just shows that even good influences can't always prevent foolhardy behaviour! :eek:

I think between us all we have a perfect system for passing on knowledge, experiences, sympathy, providing virtual cuppas and shoulders to cry on, and boosting everyone's confidence. I can be away for weeks yet instantly feel all at home, despite all our differences, I think we're stronger than a lot of our RL relationships! :kisses3:

A xo

paidinchickens

More rain here.

The contents of the kitchen are now being shifted from the front room (where they have been living for what seems like an age) back to the kitchen where they belong.

The only thing I can say is that it's a good job Environmental health don't do house calls because under the fridge freezer, washing machine and dishwasher was an absolute health hazard

I blame the muck fairies

Tis my birthday on Friday and I will [STRIKE]be the big 40[/STRIKE] 21 :rotfl:

I have been thinking about a lot of things in my life and think I will be changing a few things

I had a carp childhood and brought two kids up on my own while working three jobs in my adult life.

I am still alive, I got through it (just) and have no one at all to thank apart from some good friends.

The kids have grown up to be capable of looking after themselves if I popped my clogs tomorrow.

I have met a lovely bloke and got re married, we are having a rough time illness wise but we will get through it. We work are backsides off every day so when our health is really bad we wont have to work.

I will be changing some of our "suck the life out of you" friends who park their butts infront of games or tv all day, never do an ounce of work and expect everyone to help them out but never do a damn thing for anyone else. The selfish ones are going.

I am going to give something every week to the local food bank no matter how small because if half the people gave something it would amount to a lot. A local farmer takes sacks of spuds etc every week for anyone to have. He has had a bad year but still gives what he is able, I am humbled by this and will try harder.

Eat healthier, exercise more. I do love cake and biscuits though so this may be tough. Drink more water everyday (some water in my case )

Try not to speak ill of others not including ANY POLITICIANS :rotfl:

Sell a load of stuff to make some room and have a good clear out giving me a clearer house and a clearer mortgage balance.

Must stop boring you all, but what changes would you want in your life ??

PIC x

Evie74_2

Afternoon all and (((hugs))) to all in need

DH has gone off to his DWP meeting - I hope they will agree that he can have contributions based JSA at least for the time being while he is looking for something else.

I have a day off work tomorrow - I am leaving the girls with DH (bad mummy) and going to meet my best friend for a couple of child-free hours. I haven't seen her in ages as we don't live close to each other any more, so I am looking forward to the catch up (although we chat on the phone every week - somehow it's dfferent face to face).

I am planning on making a nice big vat of bolognaise sauce in a minute - should feed us for at least three days in various incarnations (spaghetti today; chilli tomorrow; cottage pie on Friday). I might even get a pasta bake out of it for Saturday if I save a little portion and add copious amounts of extra veg and a cheese sauce. I usually pad it out with red lentils but might try the oats this time as I've never used them that way - it'll be interesting to see whether anyone notices. What they don't know... :rotfl:

Right, better get chopping onions...!

Evie xx

grandma247

fuddle the strawberries will be fine for yoghurt, fruit pudding and even cheesecake.
Spray or wash for crusty loaves. 2level tsp salt to 2tbsp water. spray or brush the salt solution on the crust, turn the oven down a bit when loaf starts browning so the crust dries completely.

If you want a soft crust brush with a little oil before baking and dredge with flour if liked.

Pah changes I want are to sort out the loft because its a tip and move house. I just hope the right one comes along quickly after we sell this.

Evie74_2

Ooooh PIC, what an inspiring post. Happy birthday for Friday! All the best people have August birthdays, you know

My changes would/should be:

1. Count my blessings more often, because I think we take too much for granted. I am lucky to have a loving and supportive DH, two beautiful healthy children, and a comfortable home to live in. There are many in this world who cannot say the same, and I ought to think about that when I am feeling hard done by.

2. Eat more healthily (fewer biscuits and less cake), and try to exercise more regularly. I have just over 2 years until my (ahem) "21st" birthday and would like not to be the cliched "fat and forty" !!

3. Try to develop a thicker skin and not take things so personally when people have a go at me

Those are the main ones. I am sure there is still plenty of room for improvement though!

Evie xx

PS Really am going to make dinner now!

Cheapskate

It's hammering down here, PIC, got to collect DS from work soon, but then all in for the night so it can rain as much as it wants!

There are things I want to change, too, some easier than others.

I need to withdraw from most of the voluntary things I do - feel like it's become another "job" and I'm being taken for granted. DH, DS and little DS/DD need more of my time than they do!

I have "suck your life" people as well, but unfortunately they're family, but we have to say no to them for the last time this week - money demands and other selfish issues are causing me too much heartache; I think I'm very close to the point where I give in and finally see the GP about depression and I don't want that. If that means they sulk and won't speak to us, then that's a good thing, as they're not demanding things either! (Am I too horrible to want to insulate us from all that?)

Make more time to see mum, only 10 mins down the road yet it's weeks since we saw her - guilt trip in a big way!

I need to get rid of so much carp in this house - we are slowly drowning amongst it all, and it's adding to my brain being not in a good place.

Sorry to be negative, there must be positive changes I can make, too! :rotfl:

Have a wonderful birthday on Friday, PIC! :j:
A xo

fuddle

Yes, us too. A lovely warm day is turning into a deluge of rain.
Oh what changes?

1) Stop focussing too much on the day I can 'own' my own home again. It enters y thoughts daily and I sit planning the decor etc. It's very sad

2) Not let my family eat me up. I'm getting better, stronger but I fear for my own mental health as my mother gets more and more dependant on alcohol. Try to stop letting my sister get to me as we're going to need each other as things get tough with mam.

3)Relax re: safety with the girls and DH.

4) Never ever give up on my childhood ambition to go skiing. Someday i'll get there, even if it's just Aviemore, Scotland