'supporting each other through really tough times'

VJsmum

I own pudding basins and have made summer pudding in them but never made a steamed pudding.

I have also never made a christmas pudding :eek: This year we aren't having xmas pud at all - I am making Sticky toffee pudding instead. My Sticky toffee is also the stuff of legend. I have bought a couple of miniature xmas puds as i want to make xmas pud truffles for christmas.

In the great freezer emptying quest - 6 pots went in and 1 came out today :rotfl:

I didn't used to go out till 10 of a Friday - and here I am completely sober and tucked up in bed. I just couldn't do it now and have absolutely no desire to. I was in the hairdressers a couple of weeks ago and a woman of my age came in saying she was going out on the razz and intended to get p'd up. Nothing worse than a drunk woman of a certain age. Whoever said "Dignity above all else" hasn't been in our town on a Friday and Saturday night.:p

CRANKY40

I'm so glad it's not just me that doesn't want to go out. I haven't had a night out this year. Most of my socialising is done during the day over coffee cups and cake or if it's evening time at mine or a friend's kitchen tables over a shared takeaway and a bottle of wine from Asd@. Going out at night involves being cold (thermals don't go with dressy clothes), sore feet (dressy shoes not my walking boots) and an awful lot of money. The babysitter is £15 before I set foot out of the door, so it's just not an economically sound move.

thriftyniftyme

CRANKY40 wrote: »

My small son doesn't believe in Father Christmas (hasn't since he was 5 when his dad died and Santa couldn't bring him back), but he does believe St Nicholas is real and looks after children everywhere. He thinks it's wrong that children are told presents come from Santa as people whose mums and dads don't have much money could be in for a disappointment. He's a deep thinker for an 8 year old. We have fun looking for his one small present that St Nicholas hides for him somewhere in the house though.

This post made me cry, in a happy way and a sad way both at the same time. (((HUGS))) to you and your son, sounds like you have a very special boy there xxx

Popperwell

Hi All,
Not been too bad a week for me so far but feeling depressed now...well, down a bit...still not been to a Dr yet or asked for AD's...seem to hit me at weekends for some reason, then Christmas will be difficult I suspect.

Not expecting any cards or few if any for me to send out. Will try and do some festive cooking and try to listen to the Christmas music we enjoyed together but don't see me putting any decorations up and most Christmas goods(food/biscuits)are overpriced especially for one.

Not saying this for sympathy nor because I am feeling sorry for myself others are probably having more difficult times than me.

I'm in bed but though under a duvet and two fleeces, fingerless gloves, scarf, hat, thermals, socks and a fleece on the mattress I am cold and my feet are freezing...

Time for a hot drink and perhaps the use of hot water bottle. May go and make a meal. Something warming even at this time...possibly a casserole/stew in the SC or for quickness on the hob...Turkey steak diced or in strips, gravy, diced vegetables and sliced mushrooms.

I probably will snap out of it again and tomorrow is another day...I'll try and get interested in some of the tv I have downloaded(mainly documentaries and cookery shows)

I quite like QI like Pooky does but will wait for the longer version or catchup on You Tube whilst they are available(amazingly they say it has been on approx 10 years)a new series starts soon.

At least I can sleep when I wish and watch my TV overnight...

Might risk putting the CH on for an hour to take the chill off...

Managed to get some of the tidying up of the house done today so it was not all wasted...

CRANKY40

thriftyniftyme wrote: »

This post made me cry, in a happy way and a sad way both at the same time. (((HUGS))) to you and your son, sounds like you have a very special boy there xxx

Thanks. He's not so bad. He has a friend who is one of four. He was working out what her mum would have to spend if we all spent £200 per child for Christmas. It was a bit of an eye opener that while I would have to find £200 his friend's mum would have to find £800. It stunned him into silence which doesn't happen often. He is also worried that people whose mums and dads don't have much money will think Santa doesn't like them if they don't get good presents. I have to admit I think he has a point. He knows I pay for all his stuff apart from his gift from St Nicholas so there's no point asking for lots of expensive things.

We are lucky that he gets a pension from the MOD until he is 18 because of his dad. I save half of it for him and the rest pays for his karate lessons, school shoes and uniform, clothes and allows the occasional bit of pilfering to buy things towards special occasions.

Popperwell

CRANKY40 wrote: »

I'm so glad it's not just me that doesn't want to go out. I haven't had a night out this year. Most of my socialising is done during the day over coffee cups and cake or if it's evening time at mine or a friend's kitchen tables over a shared takeaway and a bottle of wine from Asd@. Going out at night involves being cold (thermals don't go with dressy clothes), sore feet (dressy shoes not my walking boots) and an awful lot of money. The babysitter is £15 before I set foot out of the door, so it's just not an economically sound move.

I have managed to have some nights out lately but haven't for years and I suspect these will become rarer as income reduces and things change for many of us in the coming years...not out boozing just a couple of theatre shows on locally...but I can see shops struggling for business, theatres and cinema's with empty seats, bus and taxis costing too much and the bus service infrequent and many services stopped so you can only travel to a limited amount of places and unless you come home early you may be stranded.

Many pubs and clubs are empty and closing early. Most of my neighbours are in bed by 9pm. It could be because they have work to go to the next day, they may be watching TV/listening to the radio, reading a book etc...but I bet most are bored so going to sleep early or are saving on the heating as usually it is warmer if you are in bed...

So like you, I am in bed too...

thriftyniftyme wrote: »

This post made me cry, in a happy way and a sad way both at the same time. (((HUGS))) to you and your son, sounds like you have a very special boy there xxx

I agree you have a special thoughtful boy and I am sure he will continue to be so as he grows up. Sounds a bit like me TBH, I always thought of others. Mum and Dad were that way so I guess you take on some of the traits of those who meant so much to us...

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Evening all

Have not caught up with the old thread but have read all of this lovely new one.

DD1 is back from uni for a couple of days tomorrow :j. DD2 has arrived back from her 4 day college trip today and I have just noticed that she shaved the side of her head herself before she went, I usually do it for her. The shaved area is now considerably bigger :eek:.

Went back to work this week after my annual leave last week and boy has all of the sitting at a desk aggrivated the back injury I got in the car accident 2 weeks ago. Ended up at the GP's this morning and have come away with painkillers and anti inflamatory meds. Worryingly the GP has prescribed more than the recommended max daily dose of anti-inflamatories. It is a good job I know what I am doing but think I will let the surgery know about it on Monday.

The tutor has shown us how to make lovely tote bags in the sewing class this week. Have bought some lovely material tonight to use to make these bags for hubbys aunties and my sisters as part of their christmas box.

Off to a firework party at a neighbours tomorrow. The three families have got together for the last 12 years for hot food and a few fireworks. This year I am on baked spuds and apple crumble with custard for 13. Have got apples from my godmothers tree in the garage just need to get some decent sized spuds tomorrow.

I have to say the evenings are so cosy now that the nights have drawn in, with the curtains drawn and the candles lit. I am really enjoying the season change .

Enjoy your weekend

Mrs VP

thriftyniftyme

(((Hugs))) Popperwell. I do hope you feel better soon xxx the clocks changing doesn't help one little bit, I don't think. I don't think anyone should have to apologise for their feeling low or justify it. If you can afford it put the heating on or have a nice hot bath. It'll warm your bones and maybe help you feel better.

Christmas is such a fraught time for many. We are all sold this perfect picture but it's not really like that for many, for every person I know looking forwards to Christmas I know people who are dreading it. Even those of us surrounded by people can find it a lonely and isolating time. A first Christmas alone is bound to be tough. Could you arrange to go and do something completely different than be at home?

thriftyniftyme

Cranky, financial awareness and empathy with others are two gifts that will always help him in life. I'm so sorry for both of yours loss, I am sure his Daddy would be very, very proud of him.

CRANKY40

thriftyniftyme wrote: »

Cranky, financial awareness and empathy with others are two gifts that will always help him in life. I'm so sorry for both of yours loss, I am sure his Daddy would be very, very proud of him.

Thanks. I didn't mention it for sympathy though. Three years down the line we're used to our lives being how they are. I was just explaining how a 5 year old had come not to believe in Santa.