make do and mend for tougher times

the_cake

I had a day out with my neighbour this week, and was banging on about the imminent (?) price rises of food, especially tea (I know she drinks a lot of it) and singing the praises of S'bugs 27p Basics teabags ... I did not think she was really listening, until at the end of the day she gave me some money and asked me to buy her a dozen boxes! I have, and also upped my stocks, so we should be able to hold plenty of tea parties round our way for the foreseeable future. Oh, and I got a 5kg. bag of basmati rice in Mr. T's yesterday - it was £6 and looks to be really good quality. I have bought a small size dresser off E*ay to store food stuffs in, it can go in the little gap at the bottom of the stairs .... once I have painted it!
Love all round,
the cake xx

fuddle

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Hi FUDDLE hope you had a nice holiday and some time off to relax. Go back for more blackberries, if you don't pick them they'll go off so quickly they'll be wasted. If no one else has picked them by now I reckon they belong to you!!!!! I know you like baking so do you think you and the family would like fresh blackberry muffins? we love them and they freeze well too so you could have some later in the week.

aha, yes they would. Just about to make coconut and blackberry tray bake to freeze for kids packed lunches but muffins sound brill too Yes I'm going to go back later I have my marg pot washed out (1kg) to freeze left overs to bake with later on in the weeks.

grandma247 wrote: »

price of tea

:eek: pleased I asked. I'm on to it What is the largest stock so far? 32 boxes.. is that correct?

gailey_2

afternoon guys.

got sore throat and chesty cough.

its raining
house looks like bombs hit it.

just been over news agents to get some cheap craft stuff and few essentials from corner shop.

its payday today but depressingly lot to allocate this month.
middle child is 3. so have to fund that small cheap party and some 2nd hand gifts off ebay.

back to school-uniform-again got loads 2nd hand off ebay.

we won a fish tank ebay as hubbys wanted fish for ages.

worries the hamsters going bald.

school hols flown by not done as much as we wanted to.

loving pinterest right now so many idea.
new fabric shop up high street not good but really want to get back into my sewing as felt so down about money this year.

Going to try fuzzy felt and cloth activitity books.

we really struggled month to month and thats with being careful.

Im still looking for part time job.

want to make most xmas presents this year as so skint.

still trying to declutter and not hoard.

still seeking bargain furniture one piece at a time off ebay.

hubbys got week off soon which be nice.

we won nursery raffle again not many enter so 2fetes a year we always win family day out this time won 4tickets to swimming pool but girls doing libary challange reading and that gives them swim ticket each.

we try do cheap or free things.
sadly weathers not been great and 1 of the parks is vandalised 4swings missing.

I made homemade play dough and baked cakes with kids.
I helped eldest catch up on her school work.

The veg patch not produced hardly anything this year.
we will have some sweetcorn.
foraging has been dreadful think the rains really affected things.

Hate days like this when its all dark and gloomy.
sun definaty improves my mood.

trying to stay positive
spend less time on fb as think they just try outdo each other its all too materialistic.

Hows everyone else stay positive?

best go referee world war 3 -my 3kids arguing over dining table.
roll on bedtime feel shattered and hubbys not home until late.

SpikyHedgehog

Sorry about the hamster, Gailey - do you go on any hamster forums? I've had some good advice from the 1 I go on. Sounds like you've been busy!

grandma247

Fuddle I have 33 till later. Still havent got out. Cleaned the oven then kitchen instead. In between reading on here of course

Hippymam

Hello, can I join in? I'm married and a mostly stay at home son to my 10 month old son. My husband is either going to be made redundant or go on reduced hours as from the end of the month so things will be tough round here. I am quite resourceful anyway so I know we will cope, just want more ideas on how to make it as pleasant for us as we can!

Off to read the thread now, I may be some time!

Possession

Hello Hippymam, welcome!
When you have time I recommend having a look at the recipe index as there's loads of great stuff there.

kidcat

Hi hippyman

HJ - thank you

Gailey - I would ask on hamster forums about the ham, when we had hams they were a source of good information.

Have been to doctors this morning, and was dismissed with another prescription for painkillers. I pointed out that I wanted further investigation and treatment options but she was a nurse and not really willing to even consider it. She pointed out that back issues were usually just managed rather than fixed. I took the prescription and tried to make a doctor appointment but the earliest is end of Sept.

I then got a call to say she had reconsidered and having read my notes decided to send me to have a chest xray (err its my back) and have my bloods done as she thinks I am anaemic. Yes I probably am and yes I have had pneumonia three times however I have had a bad back for six years please deal with that - but no I have to do these first then see a doctor to see if he will authorise more tests.:wall:

The only plus being that she has given me better painkillers and they wont make me ill (I ended up being very sick yesterday - OH was not happy to walk into me clutching a bucket) and she did say it was clear I was in considerable pain and that if the new meds dont stop the pain she will have a doctor look into morphine :eek::eek:

Managed to get to Ald! on way back and its stunning to see price rises from just a few days ago. OH has promised to clear out cupboard space in store cupboard for me on MOnday and then we will go do a big stock up.

gailey_2

Thanks guys.

asked on pets forum here and not much advice other than we cant give you advice and take to vets.


How much is the vet?

just been on phone to parents seperatly.

grand dads getting worse really need to visit him soon.

mams nagging me book docs appointment she clearly does realise how hard it is to get one and walking 2miles and dragging all 3kids along not an attactive proposal be so much easy if could buy anti biotics over chemist counter as i nearly always need them.

kids driving me potty every room they destroyed.
I really should start tidying but feel shattered and by time i do some they mess up again plus they argued. 6year olds thrown strop over her pictures not good enough. younger 2arguing over tv.

currently have 2tv differenet floors with different programmes on.

They all grumpy and tired but wont nap.

really going to try get them all in bed at 6pm tonight and fib its 7.

im sure day will get better later just another day of no hubby as shes seeing stepson after work.

I did buy huge a3 notebook.

im going to do a september monthly planner
also a meal planner as need to keep food costs low this month.

found fab idea on pinterest if anyones interested.

Have a monthly meal planner

split into 4weeks

so set up 7days in timetable form.
bluetack, tape or magent to wall.
have little hook next to it.

This is the clever bit

cut up some small cards

one the one side write or type the recipie/instructions
on reverse put the list ingerdiants needed
how many it serves and approx cost.

get laminater and laminate each card, can also laminate the meal planner as then kids cant ruin with market pen or spill food /drink on it.

hole punch the corner of each card and attach to keyring them then hang keyring next to hood by the meal planner.

The 4week rotation stops getting bored.

you could mix and match the meal planners.

so rather than running

week 1.2.34
could go 1342 if easier as have ingrediants for that week.

another thing I might do is make 2/4weeks really cheap meals.

so on week before payday can revert to cheaper meal plan
week after payday can eat like kings.

well thats my plan , wonder if will keep me busy.
we lucky borrow laminator from hubbys work.

its all part of the new organised me.

need to do really good store cupboard shop
need to do batch cooking again as some nights too busy or tired.

mardatha

Just checked .... 41 boxes of Sainsbugs teabags
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: