make do and mend for tougher times

mcculloch29

Did anyone hear Jeremy Vine chatting about the expansion of Ald* and L*dl on the radio, earlier? A listener who had never been inside an Aldi went in - her thoughts are here
From her picture on Radio 2 FB, she's a smartly casually dressed lady in late middle age, she's also a walking stick user like me. I actually see a lot of women like her in Ald*
Overall, it was brilliant PR for Ald*, they are preaching to the converted here, but I'm pleased for the company. My daughter works for them so we want them booming, not busting.

Kleopatra

GreyQueen wrote: »

:o My bucket list for this incarnation includes, but well down the rankings, Grow a Decent Carrot. The old boys on my lottie site, some of whom have been gardening there for 50 years and their old Dads before them, say No one can grow a decent carrot on here! as if stating a universal truth.

I want to be the first. I could happily eat carrots every day and often do so, but alas these were Super 6.

You shall be the first :j They said that about our allotment too.

Use the crowbar method to ensure straight carrots on fairly stony ground or otherwise difficult ground. Use a crowbar or stake to create a hole and fill with sand, sow seed direct as this avoids moving plant which carrots don't like.

Hubby uses this method and gets brilliant straight carrots - shame he can't grow much else;)

emalou88

*is now looking forward to having a garden so she can tread on slugs*

mardatha

Got held up at docs for 45 mins so by time I got in I was too knackered to care about the bloody broccoli and I made bacon & eggs. Will do a fancy bake cheesy bacony thing tomorrow, many thanks all xx

katieowl_2

GreyQueen wrote: »

ETA elona haven't got Beethoven but I do have Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. That sounds great at full blast. Trouble is, in these high-density flats, you'd cause suffering to innocent bystanders. And I wouldn't bang on the mare's bedroom window or her door. Too well-behaved, that's me.

Maybe it's time to practice with your hammer drill GQ?

After all PERFECTLY reasonable to put up that set of 75 prints you just HAVE to have on the wall, during daylight hours....

Kate

fuddle

I have jeyes fluid, I use it for swilling the yard down where the dog has been. Bin is off along the A19 for a good wash then I'll keep on top of it with the Jeyes and get a brush specifically for the bin (I bet the brush will cheaper than the bin bags!) Edit: £2.00 in wilko's

DH is at his committee meeting tonight so I'm going to get to grips with my meal plan. It's ever changing but I need to look at less freezer space/increasing prices/more vegetable/bean based meals.

Sausage, onion gravy, yorkshires and peas tonight.

katieowl_2

Afternoon Toughies....

Surprisingly busy at the market this morning, considering the weather, and I came home with very little. Was a bit gutted to sell the last slice of my baked German cheesecake, as it hung on ti'l the end and I was really looking forward to it for lunch Has been requested again for next week which is nice.

Also had a phone call from the woman who drew the short straw to look after my mate in London, and it seems all is not well. She is calling again tonight, and putting my friend on the phone. Apparently I have to convince my friend that she has no option now but to declare bankrupt. Short Straw lady (SSL) has discovered, that my friend who I will call G. to simplify matters, either had a total brain fart when she was delegated to deal with the estate agent re letting her flat, or is deluding herself. G also told me last week she HAD found a job, but needed her CRB check to come through, and SSL says that's the first she's heard of it. Apparently the flat is not in a fit state to rent, and the letting agents haven't even taken the pictures, as it's not tidy enough. The problem dealing with mental health problems is that they can't be trusted to deal with stuff - complicated, emotive stuff - like a normally functioning person. SSL is at the end of her tether, and is 'just' a neighbour at the end of the day. G is quite manipulative, in a draining, if non toxic way...and it seems SSL has been drawn in to the drama. SSL has just found out that G's flat was bought under a key worker scheme and £50K of the sale value goes straight back to the Govt. She also says that she's not sure if she's ALLOWED to rent it. I said I suspect not, but that I thought it unlikely anyone would twig. Apparently the flat is now in £50K's worth of negative equity. G owes £K's back mortgage, £5k to the bank and has no job or prospect of job. SSL says she's not fit for work, and all her benefit has been stopped because DL say she is able to work. I told SSL to call Mind and also Shelter, as she's now saying she's not sure she can face her living with her - and she can't come here (for a number of reasons - one of which being my sanity, which I value surprisingly highly)

Fuddle, can you remind me what it was she mustn't sign??? I know you told me before, but I'm not sure where I saved it.

Kate

monnagran

Mrs LW: What's this about Dec 22nd? I thought it was Dec 12th. Have I been reading the wrong prediction?

WE'RE GETTING AN ALDI. WE'RE GETTING AN ALDI.:j:T:j:T:j:j:T:j:T:j:T:j:T:j:T:j:j:T:j:T:j:T

Byatt

Fuddle, use pegs to hold bin liner in place.

Hi Emalou, I am so sorry about the loss of your dad in such an awful, unexpected way. You all must feel devastated. Hugs.

ginnyknit

What really worries me is I understand the doggy talk that you write Mrs LW :rotfl:

OH's op went well he is now home in his own bed :j and I am freed from the tedium of sitting watching poorly people on trolleys. We were treated really well and the surgeon came and took the mickey out of me again - he knows me too well now

Am sat eating coco pops straight out of the packet cos I cba. made a lamb stew last night so just finishing it off so it falls off the bone. the hospital is near the university so whilst Oh was in the theatre I wandered off to buy my monthly cross stitch mag and found a new Mr M -OMG its specially for students and is full of lovely cheap things and cheap exotic things too. Nothing like our Mr M which is in a very poor area and full of junk food. i will be visiting again at whoopsie time.

Monnagran, feel free to get stuff of your chest, it has obviously been bothering you and now its out in the ether and not banging about in your mind xx

off to put my feet up and make something pretty. thank you all for your kind thoughts, it a good feeling to have so many friends who care -special thanks to smileyt who offered to meet me for lunch despite having lots to do today