The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

savingqueen

Thanks Mrs Chip for coke info. Actually we do buy Mr T/A own brand diet coke already but get the caffeine free as DH is prone to migraines and I worry about the caffeine in ordinary cola. Stuff we buy is only 57p a bottle but even then if you drink a bottle a day its still £16 or so a month.

I know I sound a tightwad but feel constantly need to tweak the shopping budget to keep up with food prices. I probably sound annoyed becuase I get fed up lugging bottles about every week and won't let DH buy them because he buys lots of extras, things he thinks are cheap as on offer and still more expensive then Allydees.

sq

savingqueen

Enjoy your evening jem - good idea.

A tray of tea and biscuits for the decorators. Hats off to you, I need a kick up the derriere to do some, been years since parts of our house have seen a lick of paint.

Had a mini-adventure this afternoon. I had planned to go to 2 different supermarches as had vouchers to use and then maybe a foray into town to mooch about in charity shops etc. Couldn't get going today for ages and eventually made it into Sansberrys in torrential rain. That's as far as I got today.

People were arriving in store soaked to the skin, one woman told me she had to buy a top as it was plastered to her. Sensibly I had me mac on and big umbrella and headed to the babychange loo (empty of babies of course) to take my trews off and dry under the handdryer.

Anyway mooched about for a while making up the spend to use the voucher, several announcements requesting people move their cars. I thought people had parked in naughty places to avoid getting soaked so didn't take much notice. Eventually found out that about half the car park was knee deep in water, some people had to be pushed out and some had to bail their cars out. Fortunately I had parked further away so fine. Then the police arrive as the mini-roundabout on the road outside was flooded badly and again people being pushed through etc.

Ended up sticking it out in the cafe with few other customers and staff - others were blissfully unaware I think doing their shopping. Emergency coffee and choc muffin were purchased. When the police left as the water had dispersed a bit, I hotfooted to the car, all safe and sound. As taking trolley back, annoucement said lots of fresh food going cheap - cars were being stopped before they got off the main road to turn round so they would have had a lot of food going to waste. Thoughts of lots of bargains and nearly tempted to go back into store when it started raining again so left car park there and then.

Had to drive through deep water at roundabout, deepest I've ever had to drive in, scared me a bit and boy did I breathe a sigh of relief to get through. Residents the other side of roundabout couldn't drive to their homes, felt so sorry for them.

I knew I should have stayed home today but ignored the feeling as getting cabin fever. Making sweet and sour pork, veg and noodlessoon and then watching lord of the rings with my boys and that's my lot for today.

sq:)

moments_of_sanity

savingqueen wrote: »

Thanks Mrs Chip for coke info. Actually we do buy Mr T/A own brand diet coke already but get the caffeine free as DH is prone to migraines and I worry about the caffeine in ordinary cola. Stuff we buy is only 57p a bottle but even then if you drink a bottle a day its still £16 or so a month.

I know I sound a tightwad but feel constantly need to tweak the shopping budget to keep up with food prices. I probably sound annoyed becuase I get fed up lugging bottles about every week and won't let DH buy them because he buys lots of extras, things he thinks are cheap as on offer and still more expensive then Allydees.

sq

We used to drink Mr T/A own coke but found Lid!s just as good and it works out at 42 p a bottle, might be worth a try?

We went to spend the night at the Ferry Meadows caravan site, we have our own van which gets used by family more than us but we took it there for my Aunt and Uncle as they are both disabled and taking the caravan to various sites is the only way they get a holiday, however........after 5 hours of trying to get running water in the caravan we discovered the filter needed replacing AND the water pump so it cost us £54 to replace them. This week is turning out to be very expensive, I was as suggested going to have 2 beans on toast and blow the consequences but looks like we are back to 1 bean!

Why is it when we have teenagers and DH's in the house we never get anywhere near as much done? I can't wait for DH to start back at work and for DD's to go back to school, I find I can budget better and get the housework that needs doing done, or at least pace myself with this CFS a little better!

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend, we have had heavy rain and thunder storms over night but it is just drizzly now.

savingqueen

thanks MOS - will investigate Liddlylee's cola. I get far less done with DH here and kids, kids understandably as they are 6 and 9 but with DH as he sits about a lot, I get into the same mode. On my own I do far, far more, will miss them when school starts but have soooo much to do at home.

Sorry about your £54 bill and all that work trying to fix it. There's always something that needs fixing. Our letterbox flap has come off today so we will need to get that sorted and just remembered when the car was serviced last month, it needed a couple of extras doing that I decided to leave (as weren't urgent and didn't want to dip into bank account) and we are mssing some wall tiles, they will need replacing and .... well our list is very long ..... so best stop there!

sq

stiltwalker

SQ - glad you got back safe - I hate driving through water so you have my sympathies.

I also have a DH home full time for a week and a half, mind you as he finishes at 2 anyway it's not such a big difference as he clutters the place up a lot anyway!!

DD had her riding lesson today and did really well again - we are definitely going horse mad in this house, will be worth it though as she's doing her physio without realising it - ha ha ha! and it will be good for her posture and balance.

Then we went off to her favourite farm park where she regaled everyone with her tales of riding and showed off her special trousers (jodhpurs) and had a big long chat with the shire horse - she didn't neglect her favourite donkeys though and they got there usual amounts of strokes and attention.

Right must go and make tea for my tired little horse rider and her little brother - she has asked for omelette tonight so will make a mushroom one as DS loves his mushrooms then everyone will be happy!

Take care all - hugs where needed X

[Deleted User]

Very successful trip to town today and have managed to get most of what I needed for the hamper. Didn't find waxed cheeses but Mr,T had some really nice cheese in the finest range with use by dates into November including Jersey Milk Cheddar. I also found Jersey Milk Butter in M&S and all the tapas type things I wanted in jars in olive oil rather than from the deli counter. Got some lovely Beetroot Relish, an up market jar of pesto, a big block of Parmesan,some De Cecco linguini and carnaroli rice so they aren't going to starve!!! oh and also a large stash of chocolate to keep them sweet!!!

Have just chopped up 3 more large bags of apples and He Who Knows is blitzing them and pressing them outside where it is very waspy so Doc and I are indoors ready with the vinegar just in case. Am absolutely zapped today, don't know why but very achey and stiff so I'll have a bath and an early night I think and feel better tomorrow. Take care, Cheers Lyn xxx.

lillibet_dripping

Hi savingqueen!

Also in Essex:wave:

Where's this mini-heatwave then? We also have torrential rain and flooding and no sign of it letting up!

We were planning on going to the Essex Dog Day at Hatfield Peverel tomorrow (been before, fantastic day out) but wonder if the fields/parking areas will be flooded?

ExOH and I managed to put on a civilised, united front last night and took DS (a maths resit) and DD out for a meal to celebrate their GCSE successes. DS has a show on the local radio station and told us that he has just been offered their prime time, Saturday evening slot as well. Next stop, Radio 1......

I have been watching Keith Floyd Around ..... on the travel channel lately. He's my type of cook :beer:. Realised that I didn't know much about him, apart from his drinking, so ordered his autobiography from the library. Off to read a bit more because the rain is so loud here that I can't hear the television:eek:

Hope those of you camping this weekend are having a drier time than this part of the country .....
Liz

PRINCESSX87

Evening everyone.

Its been slightly chilly here today. Been very grey & overcast.
OH managed to get the chest of drawers and has been putting them together all afternoon. Nice large, Chunky drawers will make a change from being scared stiff of opening one in case they collapse.

We’re on babysitting duties this evening for a few hours so, DB & SIL can go to the local carnival & fun fair for a few hours of R&R. Not the best of timing because I feel like I’m coming down with a cold of some sort. I feel cold, achy, grouchy ect. But buba will make me feel better with her smiles.
I really don’t have the energy to cook anything for diner, So, OH suggested a takeaway. I’m doubting it though. I don’t want to spend on extra’s that could pay the bills off quicker but OH believes we deserve a treat as we don’t have one often.

Would it make me a terrible OS-MSE‘R? Lol I hope not…

fuddle

Pleased you're all back in from your jaunts

We've been to MILs . Remember I told you money is really tight for her that she was having to look for work which meant she couldn't look after her daughters little girl for free anymore and that if she could even give her a little amount to help her finances out she would be able to continue looking after the little girl? It turns out that MiL plucked up the courage and asked would it be possible if she could earn £20 per week as that would cover their food for the week. MiL was turned down because they are struggling too. Came into MiL in tears after she read on Facebook that they have bought a BMW. MiL feels used and abused.

A sister with a 5 bedroom house that she doesn't need and a sister in law with a BMW that she doesn't need. Were they oblivious to what happened to us? No sense at all. I'm passed worrying now. Going to focus on my own affairs. I feel heartily sorry for MIL though.

The good thing is MIL was given some freshly caught mackerel. She's passed a couple onto us. 'tis in the freezer. I love mackerel!

ArthriticOldThing

I feel for your poor MIL fuddle. She must feel totally used and abused. I have family like that but I keep as far away as possible. Hope she feels better soon.