make do and mend for tougher times

ginnyknit

PIc, thought provoking post! When I was due to 'retire' to look after OH a good friend said to me 'shake off all the deadweight' meaning friends who leeched off me. I was part of a huge Goth group who used me for support day and night, I cooked meals for 30 at a 'friends house' afetr working hard all week and no one even washed the pots. When they realised I wasnt available and had no money they disappeared into the ether and I was glad. the real friends stayed in touch and though they have busy lives are not far away. I gain more support from my virtual friends than I ever did off the real world ones. I thought the original comment my friend made was harsh at the time but now I realise she was very wise

Just pulled tea out of the freezer, OH was taking the mickey after I said I had better start slaving over a hot stove -'it must be hard watching things defrost':rotfl: he said. I love it :j had a totally relaxed day after doing everything yesterday, but then again my kids are old, well 31 and 29 and only DS lives here. keep dropping him subtle hints about moving out again but TBH Im in no rush as he is so supportive and helpful - I went right somewhere with my kids Im happy to say.

Just been to a play centre with Dd and co, DGS was eating peas out of the pod from my garden, he rarely has sweeties, I did the same with my 2. My Mum thought I was cruel not buying them sweets but I think she gets it now.

paidinchickens

Some excellent changes to be done by all then, positive thinking :T


Opened a birthday gift from my friend (early I know ) and its a money box that you have to smash to get the money out of. It is hand painted and really pretty so I would have to be really desperate to smash it.

Not an expensive gift but really thoughtful as she knows me so well. How lovely to have something pretty and frugal hopefully I will have the prettiest emergency fund ever.




PiC

manchestermargo

Hello everyone!

So nice to hear such upbeat stories from you all!

Had to leave early from work as I am having a new boiler fitted. Really enjoying having a couple of hours to just "be" if you know what I mean.

MM

Possession

Aargh! I have the Great Slug Invasion 2012 on my front lawn. It isn't quite as bad as last year when they were converging on my front door in a Hitchcock-like fashion but there's lots of 'em and they're BIG. Dreading opening the door tomorrow, will have to make sure I don't look anything like Tippi Hendren.
LOTS of rain, which kind of ruins outside summer holiday plans. Hope it will be dry tomorrow so the children can get out.

Popperwell

The one day in possibly six months I paid for my windows to be washed and it pours down.

Got some trainers, changed my theatre ticket, got a nice cook book full of ideas for casseroles, soups and stews cooked in one pot. Some items in poundland and the poundshop but can I get an ordinary pair of black or brown slip on shoes? No...:(

I'm back and having a rest. Had a sweet and sour noodle thing in a cup. Later will do mashed potato, vegetables and diced pork with a sauce or gravy...I could probably use my wok but I'll use the microwaves and the slow cooker...I'm in no rush...

Must watch the Great British Bake Off later...and the Hairy bikers...

Malfiore

Hello all

I love the 'changes'; I too have vowed to 'faze out' not 'fall out' with certain people who only seem to contact me when they want something, or put me down in small ways or are in general giant *****!

I've been thinking for a while about taking up cross stitch. I did it when I was little with an 'aunt' but never kept it up. I've found some amazing designs but I think I might be a little ambitious if I think I can do them already Maybe I'll start with something a little easier...

I'm sat on the settee with a hot water bottle as the pain I get have flared up over the last couple of days. I'm hoping it's just my body having a tantrum rather than anything lasting, but I feel guilty about sitting here doing nothing (although I am actually watching Superscrimpers and looking on ebay for cross stitch things!!). I may attempt to make dinner soon, if I can get up...

Ho hum, hope you're all doing well and big big hugs to those who need them (and those who don't)

[Deleted User]

Evening Toughies, we now have lovely sunshine after a really grey,wet and blustery day. I've just been up and watered the poly and the greenhouse and picked half a colander of assorted tomatoes, 3 cucumbers, a handful of green beans, a lettuce and 3lb 12oz of perfect ripe blackberries. Blackberries now in the freezer and oodles more still to come, it's about the only crop to be thriving this year.

Lots of you are considering making major changes to your lives and I wish you all the very best for a better quality of life. It's not easy to stay positive, particularly when it comes to relatives and friends you've known for a long time but, it sometimes has to be done.

FUDDLE - Frozen strawberries never defrost as whole, crisp berries, the cell structures in them are softened by freezing and they go floppy. The flavour is still super though, so you can use them in things. DH hates them anyway so what I do is blitz them in the food processor while they are still frozen and that makes almost an ice cream, certainly a water ice consistency and it's lovely and really rather calorie light. The other thing they are good in is a smoothie. I believe KITTIE blitzes them and uses that to set a strawberry jelly which sounds yummy yummy yummy!

Have a good evening folks, Cheers Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Eeeek! Scary stuff right now. It's very, very scarily dark... and the rain stinks! Seriously the rain here smells of manure. Pops, stick your head out the door and see if the rain smells. Very ominous and we've lost our sky signal.

Think I missed Hairy Bikers Diet. Has show two been on yet?

I thought so MrsL the bags of fruit I get that are frozen go all a bit gloopy when defrosted. Still, better than waking up on day 2 to mouldy strawbs only fit for the bin.

[Deleted User]

HI fuddle - hope you are all Ok, the rain sounds horrid. Our sky box is playing up at the moment, I cannot get the programme listings up on the screen and they are still telling me it's 5.30. I think there must be some sort of problem with transmission from Sky.

You can still make jam from frozen,defrosted fruit and strawberries are also lovely blitzed and stirred into a yoghurt, or use the puree as a sauce on a sponge pudding. Oh, it's making me feel hungry just thinking of that one!!!

Hope your weather improves soon Cheers Lyn xxx.

Malfiore

It's blowing an absolute gale here!! The rain has passed though...for now...

This is interesting:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2188742/How-modern-parents-childrens-demands-buy-latest-toys-gadgets.html