make do and mend for tougher times

Smoosh

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

Wow, I was gone for a few days I think I'll never catch up!

That said, some of you need hugs, and that I can do.


OH and I did some shopping over the weekend, school supplies for him,craft supplies so I can start working on the xmas pressies and a few normal things, plus cold prevention supplies as it is start of term today and I always get Fresher's flu:eek: We were both exhausted as last week was such a busy week and now I'm finding it hard to work today. I have so much stuff from last week still to think about :rotfl:

Smoosh- obviously you have your plate full. Make sure you find out what other support resources your Uni has. It may be worth it to ask about the Uni's counselling service to have someone to chat to as you settle in. There is probably also some sort of advice for students about hardship funds, benefits and other resources available to students. Universities can be hard to navigate, but most of them do have a lot of resources to help with situations like this. In the long run, it sounds like you have made a decision with your future and your partner's in mind. It might be tough for awhile, but you'll get through it together. Just make sure you re-assure each other. Also check the Uni for part time work if you think you can manage it. They are often flexible since they employ a lot of students and work for students is sometimes better paid than other part time work. Check amazon for used version of any books you need to buy, and resell them after term if you don't need them for future use.

I've been in Uni for almost 10 years now, so if you need any suggestions let me know, I'm practically a professional student:cool:

Fuddle: those comments sound hurtful, but possibly well meant. I sort of wish someone had been around last week to make a similar comment. I've a very good friend on my course who has a similar situation to mine, except that she has more financial support from her parents. She managed to wrangle a lot more work this year by complaining that she was broke, and although I never begrudge that as our department helped me out when I needed extra work and people were very kind offering me what they didn't need, she was sitting in our training showing off all the very expensive clothes she has just bought on her smart phone. Now, she has had a very difficult time over the past two years and I know things are tough and she just wanted a treat, but it really got to me. She is always bleating on about how broke she is and then does stuff like that. Sometimes I just wish someone would show her what it means to be really broke--and there were many people around that table less fortunate that I am:mad:

Nice to be back today. Reminds me of what is important to me. OH was rushing around this morning--new schedule and no microwave at work. He'd forgot to make his sandwich last night so I quickly did him one while I was cooking my porridge. Sounds silly, but I'm pleased we've saved the price of a sandwich for him. Also sent him off with fruit and a little bag of nuts I parcelled up from a bigger pack at Aldi. It might only save us a couple of pounds, but I feel like I stuck to what we want.:o

Thank you I will definitely see if there's anything else we can get help with. I know we'll get through it, we knew that moving here and effectively starting it over would be tough, but hopefully after the next 3 years are done, our future will be looking a lot brighter than it would've otherwise. Me and OH have agreed that me looking for work is sort of our last resort as I think I'll struggle with the course having been out of education for a couple of years. Having said that, I do have every Wednesday off, so working 1 day a week could be a massive help without being detrimental - I suppose we will see how it goes!


OH went into a recruitment agency today. They found him a job when we first moved, which he decided not to take and took his current one instead - the woman in the agency seemed very bitter about this apparently. She kept saying she couldn't help him until she knew his availability, even though he'd just told her that he'd be looking for a full time job to replace his current one, so available whenever. So in the end she told him to go away and think about when he'd be available. She makes me feel like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall :wall: Going to go in there again tomorrow as he has the day off work, and this time I'll go in too and stare her down until she does something

Hobsons_Choice

Blimey Mar., do you think that awful Icelandic weather's heading our way...or is it a portent of things to come here? Those poor sheep.

We have bread left over and stale, very unusual in this house, so I thought I'd make some bread pudding. Haven't made it for years but just used to chuck everything in (my usual style of cooking). Today I looked up recipes in order to be more organised (won't happen) but I'm sure I used to put suet in it, no-where did I see a recipe for it with suet.
Did I imagine this?

Smoosh

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Blimey Mar., do you think that awful Icelandic weather's heading our way...or is it a portent of things to come here? Those poor sheep.

We have bread left over and stale, very unusual in this house, so I thought I'd make some bread pudding. Haven't made it for years but just used to chuck everything in (my usual style of cooking). Today I looked up recipes in order to be more organised (won't happen) but I'm sure I used to put suet in it, no-where did I see a recipe for it with suet.
Did I imagine this?

Can't help recipe wise, but yummm

Actually, speaking of baking, I have a load of carrots in the fridge that are probably going to turn quite questionable in the near future :rotfl: so I may make some carrot cake or something (OH won't go near it, but oh well, more yumminess for me! )

Possession

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Blimey Mar., do you think that awful Icelandic weather's heading our way...or is it a portent of things to come here? Those poor sheep.

We have bread left over and stale, very unusual in this house, so I thought I'd make some bread pudding. Haven't made it for years but just used to chuck everything in (my usual style of cooking). Today I looked up recipes in order to be more organised (won't happen) but I'm sure I used to put suet in it, no-where did I see a recipe for it with suet.
Did I imagine this?

I've certainly never put suet in it, but that doesn't mean you can't!

FairyPrincessk

Yay Fuddle!:j
You're right about the satisfaction thing, its just so frustrating to watch her complain about how she needs the extra hours and then spend so much more than the rest of us would ever dream of spending on luxuries. We both moved house at about the same time to an unfurnished house. My OH and I had a few pieces and we're slowly buying as we can afford it. We still don't have things like wardrobes because I want to save up and buy quality when we can. She and her OH aren't even planning to stay in the country after she finishes next year and yet they've just spent thousands on a house full of furniture. Mind, they did buy it used, but everytime she complains to me about how much they've spent it gets harder to to hold my tongue. I think I might be predisposed to the odd wind up for her now and then.:D That said, I do feel smug about the things we have acquired thus far, and I know it will be worth it.

That is definitely the spirit Smoosh! Stare her down until she sees sense If you don't think you can handle working yet, then by all means concentrate on your studies. Just a thought for later.

I'm shocked at the price of transport. I know I'm lucky in Manchester--when I moved here several years ago it was cheaper than Cardiff and that was before I applied my student discount. It is still a burden, however, and people who don't get passes, particularly discounted ones must have to think very, very carefully. When I met my OH he kept refusing to get a pass. I took me two YEARS to convince him that £200 a year was much much cheaper than £8 a week, or even worse £3.00/day. That said, it really bothers me when I see people fare dodging. I think public transport is so important in communities, and i know it can be difficult to make it economically viable.

Sunshine, sorry to hear about your shoulder:(

Right. Better go and make the dinner. Its macaroni cheese tonight and a salad made of last week's leftover supersix. I love macaroni cheese, but try not to eat it very often as my recipe isn't very healthy.:o

[Deleted User]

Evening HOBSONS how is the Damsons today? definately not to go into bread pud! Old Bread Pud recipe coming up

8oz stale bread
2oz suet
2oz sugar
2oz dried fruit
1 egg
milk to mixground cinnamon or nutmeg to taste
some marmalade if you like it

soak the torn up bread in cold water for 15 mins. Squeeze dry. Mix bread and everything else well put into a greased baking tin and cook in a slow oven for 1 and a half hours. sprinkle with sugar to serve. Hope that helps Cheers Lyn x.

Smoosh

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

Yay Fuddle!:j
You're right about the satisfaction thing, its just so frustrating to watch her complain about how she needs the extra hours and then spend so much more than the rest of us would ever dream of spending on luxuries. We both moved house at about the same time to an unfurnished house. My OH and I had a few pieces and we're slowly buying as we can afford it. We still don't have things like wardrobes because I want to save up and buy quality when we can. She and her OH aren't even planning to stay in the country after she finishes next year and yet they've just spent thousands on a house full of furniture. Mind, they did buy it used, but everytime she complains to me about how much they've spent it gets harder to to hold my tongue. I think I might be predisposed to the odd wind up for her now and then.:D That said, I do feel smug about the things we have acquired thus far, and I know it will be worth it.

That is definitely the spirit Smoosh! Stare her down until she sees sense If you don't think you can handle working yet, then by all means concentrate on your studies. Just a thought for later.

I'm shocked at the price of transport. I know I'm lucky in Manchester--when I moved here several years ago it was cheaper than Cardiff and that was before I applied my student discount. It is still a burden, however, and people who don't get passes, particularly discounted ones must have to think very, very carefully. When I met my OH he kept refusing to get a pass. I took me two YEARS to convince him that £200 a year was much much cheaper than £8 a week, or even worse £3.00/day. That said, it really bothers me when I see people fare dodging. I think public transport is so important in communities, and i know it can be difficult to make it economically viable.

Sunshine, sorry to hear about your shoulder:(

Right. Better go and make the dinner. Its macaroni cheese tonight and a salad made of last week's leftover supersix. I love macaroni cheese, but try not to eat it very often as my recipe isn't very healthy.:o

Definitely something to consider once I've started the course

Ooo, yum, I love macaroni cheese - I try to avoid it often too for the same reason

Popperwell

lilmisskitkat wrote: »

I feel sorry for families who have to spend such huge amounts simply getting to and from work It's worried me enough knowing that a monthly bus pass for DD1 next year for high school will be £56.

K xx

Possession wrote: »

When DH was working, his transport cost us £12 a day. Good job I work from home isn't it?!
Much sympathy re. the bus pass, we are in the same situation it's going to be £650 per year per child.

The JC now expect people to travel up to 90 mins in either direction to/from work so how long will that take if using a bus and assuming theire is a regular service and not much "Hanging around!" between bus times, changing buses.

I don't know if a monthly ticket is cheaper here but a weekly one that allows travel across the county is £25.50(still cheaper than a taxi)a daily return ticket is approx £7 but a one way ticket for an approx 7 miles journey is £4.80. But if you are on a state pension or low wage that amount to find weekly is quite a lot of someone's wage.

Hopefully if you are on a pension there will be a cheaper ticket or a free pass but you never know what is planned. I heard after the next election the pass for pensioners is to be withdrawn or the age that you qualify will be put back still further to match the new retirement age of 67. They can and will keep putting that age further back.

Smoosh

Popperwell wrote: »

The JC now expect people to travel up to 90 mins in either direction to/from work so how long will that take if using a bus and assuming theire is a regular service and not much "Hanging around!" between bus times, changing buses.

I don't know if a monthly ticket is cheaper here but a weekly one that allows travel across the county is £25.50(still cheaper than a taxi)a daily return ticket is approx £7 but a one way ticket for an approx 7 miles journey is £4.80. But if you are on a state pension or low wage that amount to find weekly is quite a lot of someone's wage.

Hopefully if you are on a pension there will be a cheaper ticket or a free pass but you never know what is planned. I heard after the next election the pass for pensioners is to be withdrawn or the age that you qualify will be put back still further to match the new retirement age of 67. They can and will keep putting that age further back.

I fully except that by the time I reach retirement, they will have put the age up to about 95

GreyQueen

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Woo hoo - I have damsons - Mr & Mrs OG went away for a few days and she brought me back a pound and a half, so will be jamming them this afternoon...

:eek: Another damsons sufferer! Gawdelpus, there must be an epidemic.

I'm pleased to say I don't have damsons but I do have a kidney infection, prolly one called pyelonephritus. She offered to write that one down so I could look it up on the internet. I'd not even mentioned the web but I obviously look the type who would look it up, anyway.:rotfl:

So my poor kidneys are bleeding and they've started me on anti-biotics, with a sample sent to the lab for definate ID, then I call them in 2 days to check that I have the right prescription. No wonder I feel a bit bleugh. Plus we've had a real headbanger of a day as t'office with IT systems falling over left, right and centre. Only the New Fingy was OK (that broke last Friday):p

Tis the Curse of Monday...........

Thanks for the muffin recipe, Softstuff, I have taken it into protective custody. Or was that custardy?

Oh dearie me, having to wait for about another hour to take my first anti-b as it mustn't be taken within 2 hours of some of my other meds. Or with milk. Which mean.......black tea.:(

OK, got to get a laundry load racked. Catch ya laters, GQ x