'supporting each other through really tough times'

Byatt

RPP, you know more about beet than me! :T

Thanks for all the beet leaves advice and link.

VJsmum

Byatt wrote: »

VJ'smum, I'm inspired by your proposed visit to Glastonbury and with the thought in mind that I might do it with DD next year, can oyu tell me more about the family camping part and when/how you get tickets, please?

You might want to wait until I'm back first

i will PM you.

nuttyp

hi everyone, haven't posted in a few days as basically all ive done is work. I am tired beyond belief but the money is really needed. Today my mum and my girls plus eldest fiance joined us for a bbq. Was lovely to sit and chat. DD has announced they are looking to move, more into the countryside. Well more like a village.

I painted the shed this morning, and OH cut the grass so we are all smart in the garden.

Its taken me a while to catch up, I didn't know you could eat beet leaves....... all the talk about alcohol is a lot like many people have experienced. My dad often went to the pub for a pint or 3. Me I don't drink, and yes im scared too. Its like truth serum and lands me into loads of trouble, I also see plenty of under the influence people. Friday night isnt called it for nothing!!!

well must watch the f1 end, its the only good bit!!

kidcat

Evening toughies Byatt that pic of polo is adorable, my DS15 was all for coming and "borrowing" him for a quick squidge!!

I dragged the BBQ out earlier intending to clean it and have lovely BBQ with the kids, only to discover it hadnt survived the winter. I had all the food ready to go and had promised the kids so dashed to shops to look at BBQs, was stunned at the prices, the last one has survived five summers, some really heavy use, three houses and OH who is very heavy handed and cost me £20.
Of course the other issue is which gas they take as we have a full bottle of one type of gas here.

So I ended up with three disposable BBQs to use today - I will look for a better deal this week. But oh my how hard they are to use, I missed my little gas beast

savingqueen

Evening all,

Had a fairly good weekend, though still struggling with DS9's behaviour, he is like a mini-teenager (no offence to teenagers ) and I am finding it difficult to keep my calm at times.

Yesterday after dance class and lunch, persuaded DH to come with me and boys to our local hospice summer fete. Had a lovely time but the prices of some things were quite high. We were happy to support a very good cause but our budget ran out quite quickly. Nearly £8 for 4 icecreams and £2 each for 4 slides in a bouncy slide thingy at the beginning. Couldn't afford to do that sort of thing too often. Boys did a couple of games and won a couple of little prizes on one of them which they loved, we bought a couple of second hand books and a pot of homemade jam (that I can't get the lid off! grrr).

We saw some alpacas and a dog training display and bumped into several different people we knew. One of DS9's favourite school friends was there and he came round with us for a bit and then DS was invited back to his house to play and have dinner. He was over the moon but DS6 looked crestfallen not have been invited or have his big brother to play with back home. Nice to have some special time with him so made sure we did that.

Today DH was desparate to finish off some more work at home and wanted peace and quiet (really wished he got paid for it ) so I took the boys to the coast for the day. Hadn't planned it as I usually do, fancied just seeing where we ended up. Well we ended up at a road closure so couldn't get where we wanted but I found a parking spot somewhere we had been before, not a free one unfortunately as on the seafront.

Packed everything expecting sun but it turned chilly. Wrapped boys in picnic rug to eat lunch on a park bench. Was still nice amongst the plants watching the boats and listening to the birds. Had a long walk (probably a bit too long for DS6 but I needed a loo!) along seafront and on beach until we came to some fountains, lots of little sprinklers that go on and off. Lots of children were running in and out and my two (despite my warnings) got drenched! DS6 didn't care at all but DS9 moaned and groaned for ages, you would think he was 99. Had to sit them on the towels (to go with the trunks....wishful thinking) I had packed, going home in the car as still soggy. There was also some kind of scooter rally, a couple of hundred scooters, many classic ones from different scooter clubs, we picked out our favourites, some were really funky.

Promised myself an earlyish night so will log off I think, busy day tomorrow as usual. I have an extra training session for my volunteer training and will meet a new trainer and new trainees. Also have the dentist first thing and some errands to squeeze in somehow before 2 different school runs.

night to anyone still up and good morning to toughies reading in the morning!

take care
sq

grandma247

Dandelion syrup recipe

taurusgb

savingqueen ref jam jar with awkward lid, stand upside down in a bowl of very hot water for a few minutes. That usually fixes jars with stuck lids for me.

ginnyknit

Another fab recipe Grandma, we have a lot of dandelions this year and hubby wanted something to put on his cheap plain ice cream but shop bought stuff was too dear. I think I may wander off and pick some now.

Princess, you now have a good incentive to pay off your debts and buy a house. I hope it helps you get focused then Im sure good health will soon follow. You are taking control and thats a great start.

I have DGS staying for a few days but he is at his childminders during the day today and tomorrow - she still gets paid even if he doesnt go so I may as well take him so OH can rest. His health is on a fast downward spiral but he still wants to be as well as he can when the boy is here and as DD says he cannot sit in a chair going over everything so he may as well be worn out from playing with his beloved boy - happily exhausted instead of miserably weary.

Picked up over 2 lb of mushrooms for 99p this morning, they are okish but wouldnt last till tomorrow so have saved some for tea and popped the rest in the de-hydrator - or my best toy as OH calls it. Off to pick dandelions now then make scones as we are short of nibbly things which is a serious state of affairs

fuddle

Sorry to read mr ginnyknit isn't doing too well but the young one will certainly cheer his spirit up even if he is struggle physically. I hope you're ok ginny. I can't imagine the worry associated with an ill loved one.

Grandma super recipe ta muchly

Beet root scares me. I just don't know what to do with it other than the vacuum packed per cooked variety in salads.

It's the end of the month for us DH pay wise so being uber careful. I have been to LIdl this morning to stock up on milk, packed lunch items etc and have admitted to treating us to rhubarb for crumble tonight. I am at my childminding course til 8.30pm but will look forward to mine when I get back in small treaty pleasures eh? I would love to grow some and kicking myself that I left a crown in the garden of the old house!

I failed at the savvy shopping game today. I needed hair spray (girls are wearing their hairs up high and wrapped in buns what with the was lice issue, so it is a need) and paid £4.99 for a big bottle in Wilkos, same bottle £2.49 in home bargains. Thought I was doing the right thing! Dame as paracetamols - 19p Lidl but 15p in Wilkos. So true what GQ says about the cheap shops not being cheap and to shop around! I think my answer is, as I shop in a small town with all cheap shops together, is stay brand loyal and suss which store has it cheaper. Up until now I've bought in super markets what is on special offer but even their offers seen to be scarce now.

Does anyone know where sells picnic blankets? I'm thinking an asda fleece at £2.97 will do. What do you think? We're now a cool bag family that goes wherever we do on a weekend complete with picnic.

Wilko's had tea lights in 100 for £3, is that the cheapest?

So, today. Clean out understairs cupboard. Take shoes of rack, move rack to back and begin a little winter store of tins and household essentials. It's a hobbit hole but need to do something. Still keeping in minding I'm moving in 6 month but can't imagine it any smaller than here anyway.

Also can I please ask how you clean your toilet? I have always used flush able wipes and I don't like that I do. I'm iffy about toilets so the wipes suit me yakky wise but not environmental or 'overpriced chuck away piece of cloth already covered in solution for ease'. Any suggestions OS?

savingqueen

Hi everyone

thanks taurusgb - DH managed to get the lid off (I must have loosened it ) but I will keep your tip for next time!

brilliant news on the money princess - hope you can see a little light at the end of the tunnel now, over time you will be blinking in the sunshine.

Dentist over, nothing needed doing just a little scale. Lucky me, my teeth look like this now .... . My hayfever was terrible this morning. I think stress makes it worse (and I was pretty stressed out with various things earlier today) and I sat coughing away in the waiting room before I was called in. The lovely receptionist bought me some tissues and a big glass of water over and the dentist told me to take my tablet before bed rather than in the morning so will try that tonight. Little acts of kindness mean so much don't they?

Got all my bits of shopping and other little bits done except return a library book due back today, forgot the library shuts Mondays, doh!

Just had an early lunch as off volunteer training soon, nervous as an external trainer and some fellow trainees I haven't met before. I will take my rescue remedy, say my mantra "I can do it" on the way there and a few deep breathes and walk in with the biggest smile I can manage. Should do the trick especially with my shiny teeth .

I am on a mission to reduce any food waste further, pretty good nowdays but always room for improvement. Had a strange lunch eating bits nobody else seems to want and I am not buying fresh stuff until the fridge is nearly bare! I also have lots of tiny pots of leftovers in the freezer so will make an effort to use them all up one way or another. To think I used to throw away all that food in a previous life. :eek: I need to up the OS stuff as well, once I get used to something new, I try and stick to it all the time and find a new aim.

Hope everyone's ok. I know I haven't posted much in response to others lately, my brain is like candyfloss not sure why? My apologies... I am reading and thinking of you all me hearties.

right gotta clear up the kitchen and get ready to head out

onwards and upwards toughies
sq