make do and mend for tougher times

manchestermargo

Welcome Bigjenny!

Fuddle sounds promising!!

Popperwell, Hope someone can sort out your utility queries, they sound so complicated!!

I know it is difficult moving when you have been somewhere for many years. My sister has just had to sell her house and move somewhere smaller, she is devasted but as she says "needs must". She cannot afford to stay so have moved somewhere smaller.

Easier to heat and maintain and there is a little cash in the bank.
She will get used to the new place and before long it will have become her "home".

MM

Molly41

I got my book of the upcoming series The Wartime Farm today. It is absolutely brilliant :T:T:T

D&DD

Good luck Fuddle
PAH oh no do MrT have the tripods in again..missed them last time and they go for silly money on ebay usually..have you a linky pretty please? *tries to justify splurging on a tripod and dutch oven set now*:o (Well I have to use my cookery books eh):D

greent

Another (late) vote here for the jamjarshop.com - I bought some cute gingham lids from there and matching gingham labels (in the sale) 2 years ago - I use them for presents and recycled ones for us

Gas & electric costs - we live in a (quite large) 3 floor, 5 bed detached house. WM on say 12x per week, DW at least once per day. Various laptops etc on around the house and our combined fuel bill is £120/ month with eon.


Very late intro type post: I'm 42, married to DH 42. Married for 17 years (and 2 days! ) and have been together since we were 16 in the 5th form (although at different schools) 4 children - DD (14, just entering Y10) DS1 (12) DS2 (6) DS3 (3). I no longer do paid work. DH is usually self employed but is just over half way through a year's salaried position with an energy company (he's an HR manager) We have 2 guinea pigs. I like baking and cooking in general (was thrilled when DH bought me a Kenwood for Xmas!) and growing, although this year's harvest has been abysmal. DH has ongoing depression and anger issues, which is challenging. I used to be a corporate banker and retrained as an aromatherapist (and made soaps etc) but gave up after child number 4 which coincided with the credit crunch hitting big time.


And blackberries are in abundance here and have been for a couple of weeks (we just about creep into SW)

prepareathome

D&#8517 wrote: »

Good luck Fuddle
PAH oh no do MrT have the tripods in again..missed them last time and they go for silly money on ebay usually..have you a linky pretty please? *tries to justify splurging on a tripod and dutch oven set now*:o (Well I have to use my cookery books eh):D

Landman Tripod Charcoal BBQ

Its not the stand for a dutch oven but a tripod BBQ that can be used for both cooking and a firepit, another thing I have wanted for ages and easier to take out in car than my normal round one. Just have to remember to buy some charcoal as I don't think I have any as not done a BBQ this year so far, but hopefully at weekend is weather is as nice as they say it will be.

xxx

D&DD

Thanks PAH that was the one I'd wanted well spotted!
I'd be interested to know if it takes the weight of the dutch ovens ok as that was what I wanted to buy it for I know the proper tripod things may be sturdier but I'm sure this will probably do just as well and will hold the 'fire' too

I've used the jamjar shop too for their spotty lids and labels and yet more jars
I got some fab bottles there too for fruit vinegars and flavoured oils,little dinky ones.

Beetlemama

Wow, I was so lost there for a minute.

Before I went out, I read Hard up Hester saying her nasty husband said she was a hooker, then I went and did my shopping, came back and continued to read but I got confused in the conversation between Mrs Chips and Possessions....I thought it was all part of the same discussion, and the conversation was whether you were classified as a limited company or self employed or something, then Possessions was saying you should be registered as a "Sole trader" but be careful if you have a room you use solely for the purpose of the business......

I was thinking "Darn there's a lot to know about being a hooker" LOL:rotfl:


I've read back now and I know what's going on again, hopefully

nuatha

Another late-ish Intro post

I’m male, just short of 50, lurk more than I post and have been avoiding making GQ’s tea (which is a kindness, I make lousy tea). Live with Herself and our 14 year old moggie, been together just short of 12 years.
I’ve always been fairly old style, though increasingly its less of a choice and more of a necessity. I do the majority of the cooking, tend to batch cook/bake, my sewing is adequate rather than wonderful, (one of these days I’ll learn to use Herself’s machine).
Currently working part time due to health issues. (Yet another ME sufferer).

[Deleted User]

Pooky wrote: »

Got asked today why we're not spending some of DHs lump sum on a holiday. Why is everyone so obsessed with holidays? Are they that incapable of relaxing and enjoying their own home?

I get the same from everyone I meet here in the village and am always saying that I like it here and am happy and content so do not need the stress of going abroad. My hairdresser just came back with her family from an all-in hot holiday and she was saying about all the washing she had piled up at home and the money piled on their credit card. I don`t honestly see the point

I need to go back and read properly but just glimpsed `jamjarshop` yes they are very good, I have used them several times. I was sorting shed out today and have actually sorted jars for dd who has just discovered jam and chutney making. I also needed more space for more flour

I spent quite a bit this weekend. Ds has moved to scotland so need to fly but dh cannot sleep where a cat has been so have booked hotel for two nights and all in all that is a chunk of money when you add on airport car park etc. Also ethical superstore had 25% off everything this weekend so tbh my card is now maxed out as I have made four orders. Flours, pasta, grains of different sorts, nuts, soaps etc. First lot came today and is neatly stored. I just could not buy from them as I use them a lot and 25% is a really good saving

Going to cover front door glass with patterned opaque film now, I didn`t like people seeing straight into the living room. We have two doors with a porch but glass in same places on both and it was disconcerting to get postie and delivery men peering in

Byatt

Beetlemama wrote: »

Wow, I was so lost there for a minute.

Before I went out, I read Hard up Hester saying her nasty husband said she was a hooker, then I went and did my shopping, came back and continued to read but I got confused in the conversation between Mrs Chips and Possessions....I thought it was all part of the same discussion, and the conversation was whether you were classified as a limited company or self employed or something, then Possessions was saying you should be registered as a "Sole trader" but be careful if you have a room you use solely for the purpose of the business......

I was thinking "Darn there's a lot to know about being a hooker" LOL:rotfl:


I've read back now and I know what's going on again, hopefully

:rotfl::rotfl: That's so funny.

I did that the other day with the fleas in the ham posts!