'supporting each other through really tough times'

Ches

I have lurked on this thread since the very beginning so I do feel as if I know you all even if I don't post. Popped out of lurkdom to say, Fuddle if you trust me enough to let me have an address I have some red Aida you are welcome to as I mostly scrapbook these days so it won't get used here. There isn't huge pieces but enough to get you started. I also have some bits of craft stuff your girls may like to play with if you want it. Wish my DD and GDD wanted to craft but no chance so its nice to hear of children who do.

GreyQueen

Evening all.

Well, what a haul, Mrs LW, I would have been bursting with happiness as well. And FairyPrincessK, glad your shopping trip went OK. I must be one of the few people in the western world who's never been to an IK!A but I hear that it's not just a load of old meatballs............sorry.

I'm slightly squiffy as have had a small glass of white wine and it's gone right to my head. Anyway, I was stone-cold sober when I came in from the lottie and decided I'd wet my whistle by finishing up the carton of pineapple juice from the fridge.

Poured the glass standing on the counter (it, not me), turned around with the empty carton in hand to rinse it in the sink, caught the glass with the carton, knocked it over, grabbed glass before fell on the floor but about 8 fl oz of pineapple juice went over the cooker and down the side of the cooker/ cupboard.

As in, less than 24 hours after I'd cleaned all that, put the cooker back in its slot and thought It'll be several months before I need to do that again.:rotfl:

I didn't swear but I had to laugh at the absurdity of life.

SuperGran called and has tracked down the Mystery Explosion; I knew she'd persist until she got to the bottom of it. It was an industrial grade firework set off outside the block just after midnight. By some of our neighbours, a p0x on them. No end of people shot out of bed in fright. At least SG knows now, it was driving her spare trying to work it out (another neighbour saw them do it apparently).

Erf, may have to have an early night tonight, all that fresh air and weeding, plus ironing a few bits and the wine has left me all weary.

elona

GQ

It is called "S*d's Law" or "tempting fate" - any time you make a special effort and then lay back on your laurels - it will get you!!

DD goes off on a business trip tomorrow so managed to find a cabin suitcase that fits the bill as carry on luggage ( it is a smaller limit than e***jet and r***air) and got it a third of the price at T* maximus).

Hopefully it will be useful for any of the family who are travelling on a short break and want to keep luggage close.

We did a shop at A**i this morning and got a brimming trolley for £50 full of veg, fruit. bread, milk. eggs, yeast, porage oats at 75p for a Kg.,chilled pastry etc. It is all what I would call "stuff that will make stuff" - quiches, soups, stir fries, pies. curries etc. for the five of us.

Fuddle

If you need some treatment to keep on keeping on and stay strong then that is no reflection on you - just shows how very hard you try and the effort you expend.

Popperwell

Came in, straight to bed in minutes. Fine night going out...coming home a mile out of Darlington all the way home and for my walk an almighty cloud burst.

Well, I've seen The Mousetrap(Agatha Christie murder mystery)well acted but I guessed the murderer. In hindsight the plot was weak but there was a little bit more I did not guess.

But I will keep the secret as has seemingly kept for sixty years and the muderer asked us to when the cast took their bows...

Ready to sleep and hopefully will have a peaceful one. Sleep well all...

meenlaragh

Hi All

I said hello and then went back to lurkdom but I have a confession to make. I have discovered Pinterest and I think the last 2 weeks have gone past in a haze of recipes and house ideas. I have fallen off the wagon for meal planning - bored with the same old same old - and was looking for inspiration. The key thing now is putting all these ideas into action!

Hope everyone is well and having a relaxing Saturday evening.

M

savingqueen

Mrs LW - wow just wow! I popped to a supermarket with my boys today to get some father's day treats in and they spied some j$ffa c$kes, over £3 they were. I said those aren't daddy's favourites (true enough). When you compare your haul to a box of orangy choccy cakes!

DH asked for a soft cushion to sit on (for his PC chair) for his father's day gift. Boys had great fun test squishing all the cushions in mattyland for softness. Ended up with 2 cushions for 8 squid, instead of £12 each so pleased with that. He also said he would have liked a new dressing gown (his one is ancient) but not to bother as expensive... well I just happen to have a dressing gown in his size hiding in his wardrobe, bought in the sale after Xmas so that has come out too and been wrapped. He will be happy as larry!

Do you think I am being oversensitive here folks? Background: I'm doing a volunteer training course and unusually for me I haven't really bonded with anyone. Several folk have dropped out along the way and the one girl I liked did too recently. So down to 5 of our original 10 and the same number from a parallel group have recently merged with us.

Three of our original group seem to go out a lot together, to the gym and eves out etc. Not sure about the other one but she is very self sufficent/super confident, not on my wavelength at all and not chatty (i've tried). I only know what I can hear them all chatting about. They never ask me how I am or include me in any invitations. The previous week we had to do something about identity and my family (outside my household) came up and I got teary. Not one of them asked me after if I was ok though I have done the same for them.

Yesterday there was the 3 musketeers and me on a table (others on another table) doing a training session. At the break they sat and discussed their night out that eve. I wouldn't have wanted to go out drinking like they were and fine about them all being friends BUT I thought they could have discussed it all outside the classroom when it is obvious I am not invited. If it had been me, I would invited the only other person in our "group" even if I thought it wasn't their thing and also maybe arranged something neutral like a coffee together as well to include everyone. Are they excluding me on purpose or just plain insensitive? I nearly wished them a good night out as we left but bit my tongue as I will have to "work" with them all as a volunteer. I am going to sit with the other group members from now on. I made a point the first 2 weeks of merging to sit with new people to mix, none of my lot bothered. I am a bit worried that the other group have also bonded and I will be billy no mates on my ownsome. I have put so much into the training, I don't want to let it go to waste.

sorry to ramble on, I am more upset about it than I realised. I have already had a big chat with the tutors so stuck with what else I can do.

sq:)

meenlaragh

Hi SQ

I completely understand why you feel upset but if it's any consolation I imagine they are just so wrapped up in their own lives they aren't thinking how anyone else feels in their company. I have often been the "outsider" in these kind of situations as I am quite shy but have come to realise that I go to these things to get the results of the training.

I really don't think it is personal. In these situations people always stick like glue to those they already know and it can be difficult to break into these groups. Also a lot of people find it difficult to speak to others on a personal basis - it's easier to talk about nights out than real things. From what I have read on the thread, it is they who are missing out on having a genuine and sincere friendship with you. Is there anyway you can switch to another group in the training session?

I hope it doesn't put you off the course.

M

FairyPrincessk

Morning All---desk legs were successfully attached last night. Its off to Ald! first thing this morning, then a few hours work and friend round for cuppa. This is a strictly no biscuits or cakes cuppa since friend needs to avoid those things and OH has promised to tidy a bit so I can get some work done.

Mrs LW Had a look at the Chatsworth, what a lovely dress! Sounds like your haul was very successful.

Princess Well done!

GQ Very funny! To be honest, I do love to have a look round a couple of times a year. I see ideas for using things differently and it always makes me want to go home and have a nice clear out and rearrange. But, as OH pointed out, it can be a real trap. For us, and I suspect many others, it can be an ordeal to get to the meatball kingdom and then once there, people feel they must make decisions on the spot. I see a lot of people doing what looks like impulse buying. I try to pick out what I need online where I can do price comparisons and then go out with only a tiny bit more cash than needed. It helps that I travel on the bus and can only carry so much. There are some good deals to be had, but it isn't all good deals. I had a look at their plant today and was horrified. They wanted £7.50 for a hydrangea, and £7 for a very small tomato plant with less than a handfull of green cherry toms on it.:eek:

meenlaragh I've got a minor pinterest habit! It can be very useful for keeping recipes and other ideas. I actually sit down to my pinterest board when I start to make my menu plan for the week. I start with anything I know we have that needs using and look for recipes with that. Then I consider anything that would benefit from the supersix. I've usually managed about 5 by that point, then I run out of steam and faff around until I finally just pick two more.:rotfl:

SQI've been in situations like that. It isn't nice, however, I seriously doubt they mean it in a personal way. They may be wondering why you don't join in and invite yourself--not how I would think about it, but I have discovered others thinking that way before! Nonetheless, it doesn't sound like you're really into similar sorts of things anyway. If they are being catty, well, then treating them professionally and keeping them at arms length is probably for the best, and if they aren't you'll be giving them the benefit of the doubt and still come out looking professional. I think it is great that you've tried to mix with all of the groups, and if you felt less welcome with one, well then no need to push that one further, you've done your best. Big hugs, and I hope the other groups are more welcoming.

mardatha

GQ seriously - Ikea is the kind of place you would LOVE. It's full of fabulous ideas for living in small places, and has all these wee "rooms" you can wander round - like a dolls house for big girls ! You peek round corners and there's an entire bathroom in a cupboard-type space. I love Ikea

mardatha

We went up to Edinburgh yesterday and spent 4 hours wandering around. Not just shops but also right up to the castle, then over to Greyfriars, round the Museum, down the High St, and then down to the Waverly.
Anybody who knows me will know that's unheard of for me! I could hardly walk the length of Asda car park before.
I was totally knackered and felt like my hips had seized and my feet were killing me - but I was SO HAPPY because the ME has backed off a bit and I might get my life back! :j:j:j
Now plotting my next day oot