make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

bossymoo wrote: »

Hi all

I've got spuds too, I think they are second earlies, but I know the leaves have been munched. They a not quite dying back but aree drooping somewhat. Is it time to get them out? We only started our own spuds last year, and dh looked after them, he and DS dug them up but I think they were earlies, they did really quick, anyway.

How do I store them? There's only me and two little ones now so they won't get used up quick... They are the only things we've grown this year apart from some cress DS has grown last week on the kitchen windowsill...

I wish I knew...I'd love to help

prepareathome

Well weatherwise today I have to admit its been chilly but so far totally and absolutely sunny and dry - beautiful blue sky and fluffy white clouds, but chilly brrrrr although you still saw a lot of teenagers in sleeveless tops but plenty of others muffled up. Worst was by the river, it certainly looked rough and at one point I honestly thought I was not going to get into Museum as it was so strong.

In one way it was annoying we were out today as would have been perfect day to get washing dried outside, but on the other hand it was nice - car has her new shoes and only £60, less than we were quoted and we found a lovely place to have lunch, very reasonable, yet clean and good portions - hubby had a cooked breakfast, at 2pm which was very, very big and contained everything including tea for £5 and I had the vegetarian breakfast - everything except the bacon and sausages for £3.50 again including tea - not bad for something slap bang in the middle of two of the most expensive parts of the town - with a lovely view of the river thrown in........

We went out around 8.30am and got home just on 6pm and to say I am exhausted is an understatement - I did have blah moment when legs gave way under me when fatigue hit around noon, but hubby managed to get me to a seat outside Museum as although chilly it was just so nice being outside in the sun and we sat and drank a couple of cups of tea until I had a bit of energy to continue.

We didn't do much just walked round very slowly and after a lesuriely lunch went to get bus back to pick up car only hubby got muddled and we ended up on wrong bus so had to get off in centre of town. When we realised this I said to hubs I know there are some discount shops in town but not sure where and lo and behold when we got off right there was a place called discountuk so we had a wander and picked up quite a few bits I have wanted but not been able to buy locally. I got 3 packs of roasting bags - £1 for a pack of 10 and they are very good sized and have the plastic ties to seal them up, got some more ordinary 100wt bulbs as we had run out - 2 for £1. Spend around £21 and was very pleased, so a happy mistake getting on the wrong bus. We then walked to correct bus stop and bus we needed was just pulling in so that was handy - we had bought day passes so could nip on and off buses without it costing any extra and we certainly got our moneys worth.

On way home we went past Mr T so I asked hubby to stop as wanted to check the price of a few bits and ended up spending another £25 but had timed it perfectly as got a lovely big piece of brisket reduced from £7 to £3.03 - odd amount, that is now cooking in sc and will do us three meals easily. Also 5 large pieces of frying steak again should have been £7 reduced to £1.50, diced lamb £4 down to £1.75 plus they have a special on spreadable butter, usually prefer the normal but £2 for 500g, picked up some more long life milk and as their dried was so cheap thought I would give it a try- can use it only in bread making if its horrible in anything else. Treated myself to a couple of bottles of radox, not had that for about a year and am looking forward to having a nice bath or two with it, hubby also enjoys the blue one so got that for him and some fancy one for me £1 each. Cannot remember the other bits but was very happy with my bits. Oh yes a very, very big honeydew Melon on special for £1 - I will happily much that over the next week mmmmmmmm

Then we had to pop to Mr S to collect my prescription and was very good only spent £4 in there on stock cubes, oil and vinegar as need more as bathroom sink needs the magic mixture of bicarb and vinegar to clear it. I just buy the malt as it is 13p where as the white is over £1 and I use the malt for everything you would use white for and never had a problem.

Then got home to find a parcel that should have been signed for was under cover in wheelbarrow at side of house - my friend the one I mentioned to popperwell, whose had like him lived with his mother all his life until she had to go into a nursing home at end, had entered a raffle at Westefield Shopping Cente as first prize was a watch worth £2.5k but he was a runner up and won over £1k worth of womans' beauty products and as I am the only woman he really knows well enough to do so, he sent them all to me...........at a cost of £27 and they just leave them at side of house.

I am still in a daze over this as I am sitting here surrounded by pots and lotions of wonderful products - been on-line to see the products as cheapo me has never spent much on such things, usually nivea or aqueous cream does me, and sure enough this pot £103.95, that lotion £99.95. Lots of Dead Sea Premier Products, also Soap & Co Osen and Obey your body and all the biggest sizes of eye serums, body scrubs, facemasks- sorry heat masks, nothing so common as a face mask. The pots and bottles themselves are things of beauty never mind what is in them. This is the most expensive thing, I cannot find a site ofr UK price

http://www.onsensecret.com/index.php/category/anti-aging/tenseless-heat-mask.html

Even in those long ago days when I worked in ATC and was on a great salary I would never consider spending much on things like this. Ok I am lucky even now at 56 I don't really have wrinkles as like mum had I have high cheek bones and so keeps skin up, even doctor on Monday when she reminded me I am due my next smear and where am I in my cycle, and I reminded her I stopped over 5 years ago told me that, her forgetting was a complement as average age is 51 and I do not look anywhere near that, I have always been taken for 10 - 15 years younger than I am, mum up till a month or so before she died was was always being thought of as in her 50s yet she was 81 when she died. Its not care as I said I use aqueous cream or nivea when I feel skin a bit dry otherwise I don't bother really, nor did mum, its just my genes - should point out my sisters go mad as they have not inherited mums high cheek bones and both I admit have quite a few wrinkles and I got mums shapely ankles where as they have the straight ones and youngest sister is always going on how lucky I am...a few times strangers have thought I am the youngest sister when we are together, got to admit that does give me a warm glow - slaps hand for being naughty.
I have to admit part of me thinks I should sell some of the things - especially that mask and friend has said its up to me as I could do with the money but part of me is thinking only time I will ever be able to use things only millionaires use so why not use them.......now this is a dilemma I never thought I would ever be in, hubby is all for me keeping and using them - he told me I deserve them and and he wishes he earned enough to keep me in them. Told him even if we had the money I would not spend that on facial and body care.


Well better go and try and find somewhere to put them all, all on bed at moment then I have to clear shelves as I have bags and bags of tins and stuff for stock cupboard that are just sitting on kitchen floor and getting in way at moment........


Hugs, Love and Healing to all xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Popperwell

Look at this site especially the Nifty Fifty recipes...good variety and...not badly priced per portion...seemingly using many of the Everyday range...I'll be giving them a try.

http://realfood.tesco.com/

bossymoo

Wow pah that's amazing!

Maybe keep a few, sell a few, and if you have any really lovely friends, share a few?

What a fabulous gift!

Even, if you make lots of pennies, treat the gent who sent you them to something more to his liking? As a thank you?

Lucky lady!

fuddle

Popperwell wrote: »

Look at this site especially the Nifty Fifty recipes...good variety and...not badly priced per portion...seemingly using many of the Everyday range...I'll be giving them a try.

http://realfood.tesco.com/

My sister cooks a lot from there. I have to admit my meal plan is heavily mince base and repetitive so there is scope to try something different. We'll see, but thanks pops, i'll save the link for a browse next month.

fuddle

You lucky lady pah

Popperwell

What a lovely story PAH, that is one of those days where life is good.

Its funny my Mum passed for much younger than she was and I was told not to give her aged away but when I have:opeople have been shocked.

Until the last few years when I now realise her illness was taking over our family Dr said something similar to Mum. One day he said "I have to tell you something" and Mum, I think was concerned what he was going to say. Then he said something about how young looking she was and not her age...

She did bother with herself and always had nice clothes.

I hope today is a sign of better times ahead...

katieowl_2

What a nice surprise PAH...how fantastic that he thought of you. :j

Kate

Ellie83

fuddle wrote: »

Ellie, was it you who mentioned you were going to crochet a christmas blanket on the christmas thread? I might be mixed up. So many young'uns are crocheting, it's great.

Yes it's me I only started crocheting 2 months ago but I was an avid knitter before that. I find that crochet goes much faster than knitting and patience is not my forte

These old crafts are so useful. I have not bought a scarf or mitten or a woolly hat in ages And my Christmas blanket is going to be an explosion of colourful Christmassy goodness

And at 32 you're definitely a spring chicken !!!!

Ellie83

Good luck to everyone with interviews, that is so exciting!!!