'supporting each other through really tough times'

2tonsils

Had a strange day weather wise here, the rain stopped after pouring all night, then the sun came out but we had enormous black clouds on the mountains in the distance. Tonight is forecast to be minus four and force nine gales !

Got the whole house cleaned, I was in the mood for spring cleaning so got on with it. Windows thrown wide open and doors as well to let some fresh air in after all the weeks of torrential rain.

Had the last of the chicken and veg soup for lunch and wondering what flavour to do for tomorrow. My OH likes to have a bowl of soup most days whether its for lunch or just to warm him up. I thought I was going to have salmon for dinner but then decided I would enjoy bacon, egg and tomatoes...and I did enjoy them! Lovely!

Going to a band concert tomorrow night in the theatre in town, only 5 euros to go so a cheap night out really. Not sure what to wear as I have no idea what the weather is going to be like, its so changeable!

Just relaxing in front of the log fire tonight and may well have an early night to catch up on some sleep. Have a great weekend folks!

savingqueen

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear kittie
Happy birthday to you! (sung in my best singing voice )

Fuddle - as well as the school runs, you will also have a bit more time to play with and will be able to maybe visit different shops etc to get more bargains, thinking of food especially and have cheap family days out to different places in the warmer weather. We often go to the woods, beach etc and take a picnic, woulf be too expensive by public transport for 4 of us.

Stiltwalker - impressed to hear you have set up a little business. Not the time of year I would guess to sell much but hopefully in time it will grow. Keep us all posted. A friend of mine sells some craft things, only been doing a few months and is doing well - granted most of her sales were in the lead up to Christmas but her profits are paying to rent a holiday cottage later this year. I don't know where she finds the time with 7 school age and younger children - including a baby and 2 with special needs. She is a real star!

Unixgirl - you will get a job you know sweetie - it's quiet this time of year but hang in there and you'll soon be sharing some good news with us.

No feeling great today, down in the dumps to be honest and feel exhausted and headachy. Not sure what is going on really. I have managed a laundry load, a nice bath and spent time with DS8 doing homework - still loads to do and he isn't keen to do especially after sats this week. DH took boys out for a snowy walk and they built a tiny snowman in the little park near us (we have a light covering of snow) and he has volunteered to make a shepherd's pie. I am leaving everything else today in the hope a rest will do the trick and I can crack on a bit tomorrow. Lucky I have nothing urgent/social on so can hibernate!

On a cheerier note DH and I have been discussing summer hols. We had decided to rent a holiday cottage this year - we have never had a whole week away as a family in a proper holiday place though always rustle up an alternative - last year some wonderful friends lent us their home whilst they were away but even then DH only had 4 days leave left. DH wants to go camping which I'm up for in theory but we have no tent or gear at all and no roof rack etc so a lot of expense. Also have very little room to store equipment if we did buy.

I think its a good idea but still hanker after just one "nice and easy" holiday, I could cook easily in a cottage and take frozen dinners and supplies. Anyway good to have something positive to plan for whatever we decide. We will have to halt the house repairs fund for a bit (which I don't like) to fund a holiday but I want boys to have some good family holidays to remember and we just feel we have to do it this year. Original idea was to go abroad but costs of passports and getting to airports etc on top of holiday is too much to justify spending more of the house repairs pot on.

sorry to ramble as usual. I should set up a Ramblers' Anonymous, not to be confused of course with the other ramblers' association
sq:)

GreyQueen

SQ, I've been tired and headachy all day, too. Don't normally suffer with headaches so I'm wondering if it's something to do with barometric pressure. Isobars are on me head. I deffo react to incoming thundery weather and always have done (feels like my scalp has developed lots of little legs and is trying to crawl off my scalp - ugghhh!). Maybe I'm delevoping "snow head" and you've got the same.

Regarding camping equipment, have you considered asking around family/ friends or posting a Want on Freecycle? Lots of people like camping in theory more than they do in practice and camping equipment often comes up. Also, if you check out somewhere like Go Outdoors, you'd be surprised how cheaply you can buy a large family tent suitable for car-camping (change from £100 in my experience).

It made me laugh that I could have bought a large heavy tent for about the same price as my very small ultralight backpacking tent. Of course, you pay for the tech which makes them ultralight and there's no way I could carry a 10 kg+ tent plus other kit. They've got a Hi Gear Atacama for £79.99 (5 berth) and several more at a whisker above the £100 mark. It's 12 kg which is nothing in a car.

Unix, it's a pants time of the year to be out of work (not that there's a particularly great time for it) but I'm sure with your persistance you'll get somewhere. Sending you all good wishes in your jobsearch.

Righty, need to have some tea. Have noticed that the afternoons are drawing out, even with the overcast and snowy-looking sky. Spring is on its way, folks.

Popperwell

I'm back home but so tired...and I will be heading out to the concert in 45 minutes...Oh well the music(Big Band)hopefully will put me "In the Mood"

If it turns nasty I'll see if I can stay in a hotel...I think there is one nearby...the roads have been reasonable considering...

OK it is small but it was reduced and living alone for £2.99 I found a pressure cooker that works in a...microwave...it might just do the trick. That was in B&M...

I got my vitamins(and some were on the penny sale)most expensive item was the ginger capsules. And as I got so much what I have could last me between six months to a year.

Popped into Poundland too...

Will take some bottled drinks in my rugsack and a packet of crisps which will keep me going until I get home. May take a banana too. Or a couple of cereal bars.

I found a meatloaf yellow stickered for almost half price but the two lovely chicken, spinach and cheese pies in that area I put back. As they had not but a sticker on them and at the checkout as lovely as they were they cost...£5.50:eek:

If I feel like it I may get a bag of chips at the chippy I pass on the way to the theatre. I bought a day bus ticket so getting two journeys probably is like getting this afternoon's trip for nothing.

So far further snowfalls seem to have held off. I was going tp get shaved but my whiskers haven't exactly come through so that will save me some time. I can usually get away with only shaving every three days.

See you soon...

mardatha

Snow upon snow up here and loving it. Gorgeous and light and bright and sparkly - hills all covered in white icing. Bloody cold though - I've had to wear a (sleeveless) cardi ! I dont feel the cold usually. Only fly in the ointment of happiness is that I have no sweeties.
Cos I et them.
again.

Popperwell

I've sweets...but no chocolate unless you count Kit Kats etc...

Hardup_Hester

Unix, I hope you find something soon, I am fascinated by your references to Tarot, would you mind telling me more about it?
Hester

mama67

VJsmum wrote: »

DD has an exam on Monday and they have said the same - the exam will run whatever. Her school is around 10 miles away on country roads, but I'm hoping it will have cleared by then. At least hers is in the afternoon so we will know what the situation is to be able to leave early.

DS2's school have said the same; and we are approx 10 miles along country roads as well; but luckily he doesn't have an exam this next week, but does the week after.

[Deleted User]

Oh MAR that is the biggest emergency I have heard of to date!!!!!! Shall we all send you a packet of sweeties and that would have two helpful sides to it 1) you would get lots and lots of sweeties and 2) the postman would come to your door so often it would keep the road and the path clear whatever the weather did!!! Be brave and eat cake!!!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

savingqueen

Mar, can you make any sweeties? Must be some receipes on OS board.

I am cutting down on chocolate as gotta watch my fat intake with blasted awful indigestion and I'm re-discovering sweeties. Value type midget gems are yummy. Forgotten how many different sorts there are, many I haven't had since I was a kid.

Thanks for camping suggestions GQ. No family we could borrow tents from I think (all live a distance away or not on good terms with unfortunately.) There are a couple of friends who are a possibility but not sure, one set would want to camp with us which is lovely but don't think DH would stand the sharing, actually nor would I tbh, not good at seeing people 24/7. Might try freecycle though, used to use it a bit, more for giving stuff away though. Yeah, I will have to get back into freecycle again - thanks

Pops - (I know you are out now) - hope you had a good eve and got back safely. Post on here later so we know you are back safe and sound.

sq:)