Preparedness for when

BigMummaF

It never fails to amuse me--whether shops, mps or other services--when 'they' get all Marie Antoinette (OK; it can't be proved she said 'let them eat cake' but it's the feeling I was going for, if that makes sense?) & decide that putting the prices up is going to get them out of the mire :exclamati
You can tell it's twassox WITH money who think it a clever move, instead of asking why us mere mortals are not buying whatever it is 'they' are trying to sell us :wall: We're using less gas & electricity because of the cost, using cars less, eating less..when will 'they' realise we don't all have rich parents & grandma's Will to back us up :mad:

I was given a rather posh gift this year--totally unexpected--&, although beautiful, I couldn't help thinking about how that money could have helped with the annual bills that come thru the door between now & end of March Please dont think I'm not grateful; it's just I have to be practical to get us thru to next crimbo & all the crimboes still to come.
The Offspring clubbed together to give me a wodge in voucher form cuz I'm "difficult" to buy for (moi! c'est impossible ) but the best was the new diary insert for my planner :j They were obviously paying attention when I said a certain shop had better prices (Learned Well you have, my Children!) & it means I don't have to buy it for myself

2tonsils

I got up early to go to the bank this morning...good job I did as the queue was enormous. It was full of people paying their car/personal tax installments at the very last minute (deadline is Monday). I left my OH in the queue, went to two supermarkets and he had just got out of the bank when I had finished loading the car up. I was horrified to read that four of the Greek main banks need 40 billion euros just to keep trading....where do they think that money will come from? They can't be bailed out by the EU its against all the rules. They have been selling bonds but I can't see them raising that kind of money. We are still keeping the money in the bank here at a minimum level and paying bills as soon as we get them so we only have limited amounts of cash in euros. Our money is kept in the UK in savings.

The supermarket car park was empty and I thought I had the day wrong and that they were closed but a lady begging for money outside the doors told me they were indeed open . So I got the shopping done in record time and gave her the euro out of my basket and she gave me two packs of tissues in exchange. I managed to pick up lots of meat and yogurt being sold at 30 percent off so well pleased ,as it was well within date.

I got a message this morning about the fancy dress New Year's eve party we are going to....it seems they always take a plate of food to share and use it as a way to get rid of any leftovers......hmmmmmm......... Since I have celiac disease and I am allergic to traces of wheat I have decided that I can't risk having anyone's leftovers as I won't know what will contain gluten and what might have been cross contaminated with bread crumbs etc, besides the risk of food poisoning from leftovers that have not been kept at a safe temperature since Christmas!

So I have decided to take some freshly made food that is gluten free so I can have some of my own to eat. I realise people don't know how difficult it can be but I would much rather play safe. I will make some smoked salmon pate and veggies to dip in it and maybe some gluten free pizza and muffins to take with me.

What do you all think of my plan?

ALIBOBSY

Not been on for a while as been so busy over crimbo. Lovely to read about all the different celebrations people have been having.

Strange christmas here really, being ill for a chunk at the end of Nov/start of Dec seemed to condense the event right down lol.
We put the decorations up alot later than we normally do and the whole thing seemed to arrive so quickly-I don't think it helped the kids finishing school later this year (on the friday before crimbo).

Apart from the illness we had a good one all in all, spent less than normal and got alot of stuff using swagbucks/vouchers. Bought less food, but still had a few treats bought and put away over time (good job really as had about 2 wks where I wasn't fit to shop anywhere lol). Foolishly OH decided he wanted to decorate the front room prior to crimbo-looks great now but made the last few weeks a bit trying . All in all prepping helped me get through the illness and crimbo.

Sorry for anyone who has been flooded/under threat of flooding. Feel so lucky here, we actually had a few cold but sunny days in amongst the rain.

One of the cats came in last night with a limp. Seemed to be sore last night, but he let me have a feel-he was putting some weight on it, no obvious cuts, but definately sore so I assume either a fight or fall onto the leg. He seemed bright enough and ate a load of food and came for a cuddle so left him till today. Still sore, but alot less and now jumping up and down off the beds/chairs. Still eating and has been out a couple of times, but only for a short time. He is still limping but alot less and more weight is going onto the leg so hopefully he is ok. Will keep an eye on him, could do without having to pay out for the vet just after christmas, but if he gets worse again will have to bite the bullet and take him. Trouble is he is a big tom cat who is always climbing and fighting so often hurts himself silly boy.

My birthday on Mon-why does 41 feel worse than 40 :rotfl:.

Have a good new year ev1 :T

Ali x

PS 2T sounds like a good plan to me, I would be tempted to have some before you go as well, in case it all goes quickly and there's not much left you dare try. Have a good one.

maryb

I always feel older on the odd numbered birthdays rather than the even numbered ones, even though the 'significant' numbered birthdays are all even numbered.

(Does what I just wrote make any sense at all?:question::think:)

daz378

had to replenish my stock of fray bentos pies , briliant prepping items usually a quid, usually have 4or5 on standby . had to work all this week , xmas day 3 hour guest appearance, get client ready for day with family and worked boxing day 26 pound in taxis and on shift new years day another 26 in taxis.... thank god for rent free weeks... the seasons felicitations to you all:)

GreyQueen

daz378 wrote: »

had to replenish my stock of fray bentos pies , briliant prepping items usually a quid, usually have 4or5 on standby . had to work all this week , xmas day 3 hour guest appearance, get client ready for day with family and worked boxing day 26 pound in taxis and on shift new years day another 26 in taxis.... thank god for rent free weeks... the seasons felicitations to you all:)

I bought an FB pie today for the stash, quid in the store that Mums go to, IYKWIM. First sighting in months of the steak and kidney version, too, at the one pound mark.

Watched a More4 prog last night which was eyewitness accounts and videos from 6 small towns on the coast of Japan which were hit by the tsunami in 2011. Heartbreaking and makes you glad to live in a geologically stable zone like the UK.

Even if it's not a wall-of-water situation, floods are devastating and water rises scarily-fast. Found myself thinking about those people in the s.w. affected by the floods who had to evacuate at very short notice, some of them in the middle of the night. Guess that their Christmasses were thoroughly miserable.

A grab-bag with some essentials is no bad idea for a lot of people in a lot of circumstances. Because I live beside a river with a serious history of flooding, I feel a wee bit easier for having my bag ready to grab and go.

My plans for 2013 will involve reducing my rear end and getting a bit fitter. Plus marking some contour lines on my city's map. I know the flood zone thanks to the Environment Agency's map but would like to have the highest points marked out in case I need to head for the tall timber at short notice.

Hope everyone is warm and well tonight. GQ xx

daz378

how prepared am i , got a bit of an upset stomach, knew i had some liver salts..... expired 2004.....doh

ginnyknit

2tonsils I think your plan is the safest bet - feed yourself!

We have no leftovers as the turkey thigh (ostrich) got used up on boxing day.

HAve stocked up on candles over Chrimbo but was sad to see that they are more expensive in CS's now and used ones:eek: An doing well keeping spending down just going to work through the freezers till they are empty so I can re-stock in a more organised way. The wind is howling round the house tonight and after 5 days of insomnia Im off to bed with my hoggie (hot water bottle to you:D)

bluebag

ginnyknit wrote: »

2tonsils I think your plan is the safest bet - feed yourself!

We have no leftovers as the turkey thigh (ostrich) got used up on boxing day.

HAve stocked up on candles over Chrimbo but was sad to see that they are more expensive in CS's now and used ones:eek: An doing well keeping spending down just going to work through the freezers till they are empty so I can re-stock in a more organised way. The wind is howling round the house tonight and after 5 days of insomnia Im off to bed with my hoggie (hot water bottle to you:D)

Wind is howling like a scary banshee here too. Might just take the garden chairs in.

ginnyknit

that might be a good idea Bluebag saves chasing them later :eek: