'supporting each other through really tough times'

Cheapskate

I was just going to post about what I thought were good food bargains today, but it seems a bit frivolous after the last few posts! So many of us seem to have extremes with our families, it's all the more heartbreaking when it's parents and children - those should be the closest of ties, shouldn't they? I count myself amongst this, I wish so much that our relationships with our eldest 2 were better, they may improve, but I'll never get back the "lost" years.

I can't think how to write what I think without it coming across silly, so I'll just offer you all a dodgy Yorkshire hug and one of my special mince pies or simnel buns if you'd care for one! :rotfl:

A xo

fuddle

Cheaps, do the next best thing.. post your food bargains!

Food is right there in a low period for me. Food bargains are a wholly appropriate tool to give in times of need you know

I find it a scary prospect that I get it wrong and my relationship with the girls breaks down when we're all older. When I'm cross with the girls ('cos they are little divvils sometimes you know!) DH says I sound like my mother and honest to Betsy (who is she?!) it cuts me up inside. Edit: it's meant to be Heavens to Betsy, meaning shock or surprise... see, me - dragged up :rotfl:

kidcat

Cheap -please post your bargains - OH is still off work, car failed its MOT and I am flat broke!:)

Cheapskate

OK, then, 1 def a bargain, the other debatable! Bought the M&S mothers' day meal, £15 so a bit dear, but so much cheaper (financially and stressfully!) than going out - HUGE whole chicken (so a few more meals afterwards), big bag of veg, family-sized trifle and 2 bottles elderflower presse. The real bargain was from the butcher - wanted some bacon but only about 6 ounces left that he could cut, but then he chucked in the bits that wouldn't slice AND the last chunk off the end - all for £1! - so balances out M&S. That's another 2 teas cos the bits will make soup. Can you tell I like my food and use it, esp frugal meals, as a retreat when things are hard? :rotfl:

Oh, and some bread off the toastie rack in the local baker - 2 uncut white loaves, 3 currant teacakes and a milk roll for just over £1 - all locally made!

A xo

savingqueen

Thank you Margaret - you are a brave, strong woman and I'm glad you are stronger today despite your experiences. I too have a wonderful DH and children - we are both incredibly lucky in that respect.

Kidcat - well done with the handling of DD's birthday meal! I am really proud of you. :j

Cheapskate - post away those bargains! Can I have a mince pie please?

talking of bargains - Liddlies have 8 decent quality kitchen rolls for £3 something, think £3.49. Too lazy to go and get receipt!

I have had a pretty good day today. A dear friend treated me to a coffee and cake in a local cafe. She is manically busy preparing for her daughter's birthday party tomorrow and I helped out a tiny bit and the cafe treat was a thank you (and a much needed sit down for her)! I am taking my boys to the party tomorrow while DH has his head in books for next exam looming.

I have also hand delivered 2 cards to good friends saying what wonderful friends (and mums) they are. Plan to send some more next week - I love doing things like that. I am a real "card" person IFYSWIM. Actually will get a card or maybe make one for DH too. I don't intend to take those people I do care about for granted.

better get dinner on, making a really simple chicken noodle dish on kids' request, hope it comes out ok as new receipe and they still scare me a tiny bit sometimes.

sq:)

[Deleted User]

Hey FUDDLE well done you, glad they are now happy to carry on with nice homemade packed lunches, result. Cut and come again salad leaves should just carry on producing new leaves through the season. The trick is not to take too many leaves off of any one plant too often, just a few from each one and then they grow on and make new ones. We grew some in the poly last summer and they just kept going for ages, we had spicy leaf mix and salad leaf mix both of which were good, but the spicy ones got tall and leggy, the others didn't, hope that helps. Don't be worried about your relationship with the babbies in the future, they love you and your OH and will see how hard you work for them, how much you don't have yourselves so that they can, you'll always be loved!!! What was the damage to Jaloppy? or don't you know yet?

KIDCAT well done pet, it will certainly have sent your parents a clear message that they would be sensible to heed!!!

CHEAPSKATE your bargains my lovely are just as valid a part of this thread as anything else so you post them with pride, what a bargain with the bacon, risotto,pasta sauce, quiche,soup the world is your mollusc when you get things like that, what are you going to make?

MARGARET Hugs and much respect my dear, you are a brave and sensible woman and I am so glad you have your lovely OH and family to give you love and warmth now, bless you it's only what you deserve!!!

Have a good evening everyone, Cheers Lyn xxx.

fuddle

I won't know till Tuesday Lyn. The garage hasn't had time to fix it today so I'm picking it up in the morning and taking it back Tuesday because I need it Monday for my interview.

I do fancy growing those leaves. I will have a dabble

[Deleted User]

Pity, it would have been nice if they could have fixed it, let's hope it isn't a big job, would your neighbour mechanic have a peek at it and be able to do a diagnosis? Might stop you worrying through the weekend, Chers Lyn xxx.

Peanut2013

Nutty: Not sad at all! My favourite part of decorating is hanging final touches!

On the talk of family I also went through problems where for 6 years I felt like my family no longer cared and pushed me out. On reflection I realise my ex had encouraged me to think that and was not the case at all. Luckily we were able to rebuild and now I have a lovely relationship meaning they see me and their grandson nearly every day if it was with my ex they would have been every few months.

fuddle

It's ok Lyn. I'm not too panicked . I was but now I know the absolute worst I know it will be ok. When we were gifted the money for the car we were also gifted a little extra to put away for when things go wrong. It's nice to have a safety blanket and it's also nice to know that when something goes wrong that I can whip it into the garage and stand a chance of getting it fixed without the panic of where I'm going to get the money from. That sense of calm 'hey ho, bother but I'll get it sorted' has been a long time coming for me. Up until now, if something happened it was 'cwap, panic, what are we going to do!'

We want to keep this fund topped up because the calmness it gives us is worth it's weight in gold... not that it is gold ya unnerstand