'supporting each other through really tough times'

fuddle

Pudding will be ready in about 45 mins can you make it up in time

Is it possible to make home made cider? I guess you would need a whole host if apples.

Sun is shining and I just fancy a nice glass of cider. Haven't got any but

fuddle

Yeah Lisa, I looked for a childminder when I started working. They are like gold dust - so either not many and full or non because its not worth it.

There are two nurseries near me who charge extortionate amounts so there must be a childcare demand.

I know what you're saying though and thanks for making me aware that its not easy to get the work.

Lisa have you done the 12 week course that I'm starting on Monday?

mcculloch29

Been busy, and I'm really sorry I missed your birthday Pops, it was my intention not to.

I'll be with you early Friday afternoon as a witness for the HA's visit.

Pops, I do know you were a bit anxious that the guys shouldn't see into the garage because it was so cluttered. They picked up on that.

The whole point of their visits is to focus on health and safety. Garages can contain highly flammable materials and they will want to check that the garage is essentially safe.

The guys were really pleased with the progress you'd made, I could see that; the letters have to follow a formula and be written in fairly formal language.

Every so often, as happens to us all, I'm sure, I hit a cycle of things breaking/breaking down and we're in the middle of one of those.

Thank goodness for insurance and guarantees.... The latest mishap means that I now have a new kettle - and having had the posh M*rphy Richards kettle leak all over the cooker top and short that out, (that's insured) I've gone back to good old Argo*s Cookworks kettles.

They may be flimsier overall, but I've never had one leak. The last Cookworks one didn't even break, but the plastic casing got very battered and grubby over the 10 years that I had it. The MR one was 2 -3 years old and had a RRP of £50 (got it at under half price).

Ah well. Worse things happen at sea...

Pooky

When I did the childminding course I was lucky enough to know a childminder in the area and she passed my number on when she got calls. She was full constantly and I had 2 part time under twos and 3 before and after schoolers lined up before my registration came through. Would be worth finding a local minder and asking about any local childminding groups, I was a member of the local network which also passed business my way. It's also a good idea to find out what the local rates are so you can price yourself competitively. Good luck with it, the course was very laid back and all very much common sense.

I've been decluttering in a major way, everything's getting cleaned, washed down, polished etc. waxed all my wooden furniture too so the house smells lovely at the moment. Store cupboard dinner of veggie burgers, tinned pots in a honey marinade and a tin of spicy beans....yum yum!

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE we make cider every year from our own and other peoples windfall apples. Yes you are quite right it does take lots and lots of apples but is really simple to do. Basically you chop up the apples (I use an old food processor) and then put the apple mush through a fruit press to get the juice out (I was lucky enough to find a second hand press for under £5 at a boot fair) then you let it ferment out , we add a sachet of specific cider yeast and a little sugar, he who knows has a formula for how we like the cider to taste. Then it is a case of letting it ferment out fully and settle in it's container as there is always sediment from the process. At the end of all that you syphon it off, bottle it and cap the bottles and store it for a few months until it is ready to use. It takes a bit of effort, and a bit of space as it is a reasonably long process but for us it is a very good use of waste apples and a very useful end product. If you want a go I'll get him to write down the whole process and send it to you. Cheers Lyn xxx.

mcculloch29

Just another thought Pops, if you got shot of the car in the garage it would make life a lot easier and you did say you had no intention to get it on the road again.

There are various organisations that will collect the car for free; the proceeds from the car going to charity.
http://www.giftmycar.org/ is one http://giveacar.co.uk/ is another.

'We buy your car' companies require you to take the car to them and that's not practical. It's an idea.

mcculloch29

Fuddle, putting my old hat on, childminding networks and NCMA groups (membership is an excellent investment) are a really good way forward for you. Many former nursery nurses go this route, as you know.

kidcat

Pops - you have a car in the garage? If you have no intention of using it then as McCulloch says getting rid would be a good option. The HA will not want to see a car rotting away in the garage. However if there is a chance you could get it running again, maybe its worth considering, you often comment on your travel difficulties, a car would make things incredibly easier for you.
If you are in receipt of high rate mobility you would get your car tax free.

We have had another lovely day, after dancing we took a wander to a country park for a while and then stopped at the ice cream farm on the way home.
I managed to stop at Ald! on the way back and get the shopping done too. Arrived home to the smell of pea and ham soup in the SC which is gorgeous, thank you lisakay for the recipe

Tomorrow am considering popping to see Thomas the tank in Wales with the kids, it will be a busy one for the kids but I think we may manage it

Popperwell

Nothing flamable thank heavens...still wonder what they allow and is seen as a normal level of "Stuff" to have a home that is seen as your own.

In person they said they were happy. In the letter they say "You have made progress" that is different.

Another neighbour is shocked today and sees an over reaction.

Well, we'll see what happens...this weekend I'll continue dusting and polishing as I always did. Then on Monday I'll start again...and see how it is by Friday afternoon.

Sorry about your problems...will take the v.cleaner apart this weekend and see if I can get working again. Otherwise its probably easier to get a new one...perhaps the filter is blocked etc...

kidcat

Pops I bought a vaccuum this week - a refurb from B!ssell - we have had few refurbs from them and have always been impressed at the service.