make do and mend for tougher times

Sunshine4

Morning everyone.
Thank you all for the hugs and support.
I guess because it came out of the blue it hit harder.
Smileyt, Thank you will have a look at that website
Fuddle, Take it easy one thing at a time your doing great and a super mum.

At the moment I am going through all the fridge, freezer and food cupboards and writing down everything I have. Then will do a menu plan for the month. Also will do a large online shop for all the basic items I need like Rice, flour, pasta, tea, rolled oats, tinned tomatoes etc.

Still going over the budget and cutting things out.
Hope everyone has a good day.

kezlou

So sorry to hear about your job losses

We've had a massive drop in income too and were struggling.
OH is self employed so no work means no pay. I've been applying for jobs but theres nothing out there.

I have two very grumpy cats sat next to me, they keep looking out the window and shouting at me. Cue me saying "i can't stop the rain, i'm not a miracle worker. ". Yet both of them run through they cat flap into the rain. Then drag a towel into which ever room i'm and cry to be dried.
Yet daftie here sits theres and dries them, swear they more human than cat. Whilst the third one is just sleeping away, can hear her snoring in the next room.

I need to do a big shop but haven't got the funds to do.

fuddle take your time hun, just do one thing at a time, i did the same thing as you and had to run off as everything was getting to me x
I'making curtains for the doors so they should hopefully be up soon. then going to try and get some window sealant as the black stuff inside the upvc door and windows is coming off.
Its really drafty so needs sorting. But we've got time after all it'll be there when were not.

I was thinking of going on a prepayment meter for gas, water and electricity but decided against it. I've a feel real fear of running out, been there and done that before i had the children.


HJ hi!!!! Haven't seen you for yonks you ok chick x

Pops i used to have a slowcooker but to be honest we didn't like it. Maybe it was just me but it stared smelling funny and whatever i cooked smelled off.

PAH enjoy your night out

Kidcat :T:j:T great news , it makes such a difference when the right teachers get involved. x

Well i almost had a go at a good friend of mine, i swear some people. She got married not long ago and i've been helping out with all sorts. Anyway i've been given shoulder and had to bite my tongue with her snotty attitude of your not married so i'm not going to have a laugh with you or associate with you. I'm fuming, yet she speaks to a person who she is barely friends but because they married its fine :eek:. Its shocking, daft thing is she's been with this person 2 yrs and i've been with my partner for 13 years, longer than her previous marriage and other marriages around the country. So angry.

sorry just totally ranted

Next week i've got someone round to help with the statement for ds2 so fingers crossed everything will be fine. I think OH is coming back this weekend, so that'll be good. Hopefully we'll get some alone time together with the sons whilst they at school. We do daft things like walk around the local park, take some snacks,grab a coffee and chat.
We decided to try and go out during the day at least twice a week so spend time together.We hit a point with our relationship where we hardly saw each other and when we did, we just argued. Since we started making time to be together its working out well.

Popperwell

Fervent 37,
Thank you for your kindness in responding about my situation and as I say i appreciate we are all having to face or have this. Bonnie was right what she said.

I forget what I sometimes say so I hope I am not repeating myself...a favouriet song(we had many)was Joe Brown and his version of I'll see you in my dreams played on a ukuele(it's on You Tube)I had it played a the end of Mum's funeral.

I haven't been to a theatre in perhaps 20+ years but I discovered he's coming to a local theatre in October(it may the last chance)so though it's cost a fair bit whilst I can afford it. In the future I may not be able to...I decided I would buy a ticket.

It seemed strange that he should be appearing so soon after losing Mum. it's a fair bet he'll sing that song and I may lose it but I have to go...sadly alone but...at least I have made the effort to go and have a night out. I'll have add taxi's to the overal cost(busses are practically non existant in the evening)and are quite a distance from my home and the theatre, mobility problems will make it difficult to walk.

That's when you miss not having your own transport or friends who may say "I'll take you..."

Though I am alone and have no children, our time together was special and I would not have changed anything.

Again thank you...

grandma247

SD a local company makes the frames and they order the glass panels from another company but I think that must be fairly local because it usually only takes a week and they are here. We completely replaced one of our kitchen windows a few weeks ago and it was the new type with a bigger gap between the panes. It was £150 and dh had it fitted in by the time I got home. I had only been out about an hour. He did the rendering later because they way the window had previously been fitted meant the rendering had to be knocked off to get the old one out and the new one it but even that was done quickly. He has not mended the plaster on the inside yet because we will be re doing the kitchen shortly so it can be done then. I think the window is about 3ft by 5 ft

Edit dh also puts replacement windows in for a couple of friends so he is known to the owner of the business but I don't think he gets mates rates.

quintwins

Kezlou if you still have your slow cooker there's a great tip n thi sit for how to get rid of the smell and tainted food, I had this when I cooked a curry in it, basically you leave it stoking overnight with fabric conditioner or a tumble dryer sheet, now I don't use either so I put laundry liquid In mine it work a treat.

http://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/

kezlou

Thanks for the tip I'll try it if i get a another one. I got rid of it last year as we were so sick of it stinking up the place.

Pops enjoy your night out! Don't apologise if you have repeated yoursef, which i don't think you have. Its good as it helps keep her memery alive and helps you grieve. I have tears in my eyes everytime i hear "Simply The Best" by Tina Turner, it was one of my mothers favourite songs and we played it at her funeral x Take care hun xx

kitschy

Thanks for the explanation, Fuddle!

SmilyT I can't remember whether your interview is today or tomorrow, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed both days just in case.

I had a call from an agency last night who had seen my CV online, asking if I could come for an interview tomorrow (Weds). After reading the job description it is something I think I could do pretty well, and although the salary is less than the one I really, really want, it's still on a par with what I was earning, so I'd be a fool not to go for it. Cue mad panic that none of my formal stuff fits, followed by a huge sigh of relief that (a) the CS had a lovely plain grey shift dress in my size for £4, and (b) delight at the till when I realised it was half price clothes day and I only paid £2 I have some nice shoes (too many nice shoes, actually), and I'll liven it up with a bright scarf.

I don't have much time to panic, as I'm in London for rehearsals all afternoon/evening, and although I don't know much about apprenticeships in engineering (which is what the job is for), I seemed to know more about the industry than the recruiting chap on the phone, so that should see me right!

I think the horrible weather is compounding the tough situation a lot of folk are in - it really does affect your ability to feel motivated to tackle stuff. I'm trying to do the "ad break" approach - every time there's an advert break you have to jump up and tidy/clean/clear something, or in my case, take a picture and list something on my local selling FB group.

The thing I want to make sure is that I don't forget all about being good when I'm earning again - I have eaten all my savings with it taking so long to find work this time, and I want to be very disciplined about building them up again as I really, really want to be a homeowner again one day. So if I don't, you all have permission to kick me up the a*se I have realised that I have far too much carp for one person, so I am addressing that as a matter of urgency *hurries over to hoarding thread*

fuddle

I'd say for anyone wanting to cook a full chicken in the slow cooker, the absolute smallest would be a 2.6L That's mine and can just say fit it in. I have had the smaller version and don't stand a chance. The Tesco ones pops mentioned are larger still http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-sc356-slow-cooker-brushed-steel/100-2168.prd?skuId=100-2168&pageLevel=

I have had a slow cooker for 5 years and it's only recently I've really fallen for it. I think you have to adapt your expectations re: taste/consistency as it is slightly different in the SC I feel. The best thing for me is the lentils I add to mince dishes, it really does thicken stuff up and if something is a bit watery or bland tasting, in goes gravy granules.

I'm alright. Been walking the dog in the rain and now off to clean the bathroom. I wish we could have a dry day as I need to get the bedding washed.

The windows aren't too bad. There's one upstairs that is starting to mist up on the inside. I think the best course of action is to mention it to LL right now, so he's aware.

Oh edited to add: A friend of mine on the school run has told me of a scheme in our community called care in the community. Children's calpol (own brand) is free on that scheme so have some in stock now. I don't know if it's just our health authority who do it bbut thought to mention it incase it's national.

I'm supposed to be lurking :rotfl:

Possession

Good luck with the interview tomorrow Kitschy!

quintwins

Fuddle all scripts are free here now but before that calpol. Nerophen an sudocream were free could be worth asking for more info.