make do and mend for tougher times

ginnyknit

I think I am losing it, was reading GQ's plans for the bottled water and suddenly though 'is there an expiry date on basics baby bath?' Think I need more tea :rotfl:

WARNING - courgette curd is addictive, easy to make and tastes wonderful -ok I have warned you woa betide any one who complains that they have put inches on their bums later this year :eek:

Hippymam, keep your chin up girl, we are all here to support you. Craftyness will get you through. Sounds like you have started from a good place and are organised.

I friend of mine told me that when she was walking her little boy to school this morning she saw a woman putting a 5 year old and a 6 year old on the bus to go to school on their own :eek::mad: I just hope someone was waiting on the bus and J didnt see that part. I cannot even tell you the scenario's that went through my head. As a health care proffessional I think J may be doing something about it.

Off to clean up ...stomping down in the mouth smiley...

stiltwalker

I'd forgotten how productive I could be with no kids!!!

DS's first time in Nursery today - went in with him this morning to speak to the staff about his Joubert's and they were fantastic - got home about quarter past 10 and so far I have pinned and cut out the material for my wedding dress, I've also marked up about half of it- decided I was peckish though so having some lunch and a read through of my essay before a few last minute tweaks and submitting it. I've also done all the nursery paperwork and had a gas with a neighbour and I've still got over 2 hours before I need to go and pick them up!

Still feels really odd being in the house on my own, I've only ever done that once in this house when OH took the kids to his mum's for the afternoon so I could revise for my first exam in peace.

westcoastscot

jamanda wrote: »

Thinking of Christmas stocks, the new Quality Street tins appearing at the same price are apparently 18% down on the contents. Still the same "half price" £5 though.

I saw these the other day - they look half the size of previous years! They've done me a favour though, as since woolies went with their pick and mix i'd been buying them but shalln't now.

Kittie the courgette lemon curd is in post 5418

WCS

Possession

Sorry to hear your news Hippymam, it's tough. DH has been looking for a job for about 3 months now, and has another interview tomorrow, but nothing so far has translated into a job offer. Fingers crossed for you. I'm part time too and I know the strain it can put on finances.

prepareathome

Twice I have gone outside to start to plant seed potatoes and each time the heavens have opened, then when I come in it stops. Think someone is telling me not to even take them in back as second time hubby went to put rubbish in wheelie bin at front and said it was dry there, only 25ft away, so later will try taking pots to side garden and plant them out there.

I had forgotten I wanted more of the basic rice pud is still to be had, my Mr S has had hardly any basic items last week. So will go out soon to get some as have to go and post the Nella Last book as hubby not working this afternoon so got to get him to take me when he is available and then will pop in to Mr S. I have one nectar voucher so will use that for the Rice Pud as got to cut back as have no spare cash after my spending marathon.

Ordinary rice is now in the pressure cooker in microwave so will see what its like when done and if it does work out the cheaper option than rice pot in steamer as takes 45 mins to cook in that.

I have a book of stamps so will get book weighed then use the stamps for the postage as that will save hard cash at the moment.

Got caught up on my shredding so must remember to ask hubby to empty upstairs recycle bag.

Or does any know if you could used shredded paper to make paper logs?

I have always loved being on my own. As a child I used to get up around 5am so could get time alone ( 7 living in a two bed flat with kitchen only to use as dad used living room as his store room) and mum used to let me have an hour alone in her bedroom every day as she realised how much I needed this(unusual now I think back as mum wasn't usually perceptive of others needs) as bedroom was full with 5 of us sharing. I used to love it when I could be in alone - last year at primary we were on half days most of year due to teacher illness and mum would go out to friends with little ones and I would be left alone oh how I enjoyed it. I loved it when children would be in bed and hubby was out playing bowls and had me time.

Hubby goes away for weekends a few times a year to play bowls and I have to admit I enjoy being totally on my own then, not sure if I would like it all the time as only truely lived on my own for a year after I left home and totally enjoyed that but then married No1 then when he went I gave a home to friend who had left her husband and had no where for her and young daughter, supposed to be temp but she liked it so much (free board and lodgings) she didn't bother trying to find anywhere till I put my foot down as I got rather fed up working to keep not just my daughter but her and her daughter as well and she did zilch in the house in fact was the messiest person I ever met, yet when she got her own place eventually suddenly became a neat freak and got a job and worked hard. She is now in Florida and just broke up with hubby number 4. If she has someone around she expects them to look after her, yet on her own she is great, its a shame her daughter(now in Sydney) refuses to have anything to do with her because of that, so I am treated as grandma to her girls so long as I never bring her mother up.

Gosh am off again down memory lane........right am dry(I tend to have shower then sit in towelling robe till dry) so will get dressed and go out.

prepareathome

Hippyman sorry to hear your news, there is a good thread on eating out of the freezer that might help you stretch things further if you haven't already come across it.

One thing you most likely will find is how much more variety you have when eating like this as you try to make everything go further, instead of the usual meals.

Hugs and Love to allxxx

Sunshine4

Been missing for a couple of days with verdigo, so I have been in bed with the room spinning round for a long time.Feel abit better today but not fully there yet.:(


Ginnyknit the SM I go to has reduced the value rolled oats from a whole shelf the just one pile of about 5,there has been no mushy peas for two weeks they were 6p then jumped to 18p. Rice pudding is very had to get unless you there when they are putting them on the shelf.
OH went for a bike ride today and came back with 3 pkts of tea he found a pound in his bike bag where he keeps his pump and patches, so three more for the cupboard.

Hippymam sorry to hear about your OH losing his job, hope its not too long until he finds another.

Mrs_Chip

Sorry for you trouble Hippyman, you will get lots of support here .

Can you preppers tell me please - is this a good deal, and if anyone has bought from here are these particular lamps ok?

laters! (off to work shortly)

[Deleted User]

PAH - we make logs for the woodburner with shredded newspaper, we have one of those gadgets that makes brick shaped paper logs. We tear the paper in strips, separate them out and make papier mache basically. Soak it for a couple of days and then make bricks. They do take quite a while to dry completely, about a week or so and we only make in the late spring to early autumn and dry them in first the greenhouse on a wrack but now in the polytunnel as it's a bit warmer. We make enough to last us all winter for starting fires easily in the woodburner. I dont see why it shouldn't work with most shredded paper though, probably worth a try. Cheers Lyn x.

Byatt

Hiya Hippymam, I hope your OH finds a new job soon, it's such a worry.

The courgette curd sounds fab, I love courgettes so will be having a try.

I'm decluttering again, trying to keep busy as DD taking pooch to vet again, she's not well and in view of her age and other worrying conditions we feel she may be on borrowed time. I am of course in denial, because pooch is going to live forever. PAH, your healing thoughts would be welcome.