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

savingqueen

one potato, two potato, three potato four........ 20kg is an awful lot of spuds monna. I am in awe.


Feel the same as you fuddle about being able to do the school run, it's a privilege and I am lucky I have the chance to do it. I do feel shattered by 9am some days as I get up and going at 6.30am too. I had the reverse guilt on and off for years at not earning!


I know it would be difficult to leave DS7 with a childminder to get him to school these days - today he went in very reluctantly and only with careful handling. He isn't too well and went in coughing and spluttering which didn't help matters. Today is Dreaded Weds for him and he has missed one and been sent home early for two in last few weeks so felt I had to send him in poor thing. If he gets too bad the school will phone so ok really.


Braved All-dees after school run with my 2 new vouchers (BIG THANKS to whoever spread the word) and it was busy busy busy but had good banter with fellow customers and staff as I usually do. One snooty woman tried to push in front of me and I sent her packing to the back. She protested but went because she knew she was in the wrong blooming cheek! Then to put karma into practice I then let 2 people with very small shops (both looked vulnerable as well) in front of me. Maybe I am wicked but it sure felt good!


Just eaten early lunch, still a ton of shopping (non chill/frozen) left to pack away goodness knows where this eve. Boys room is currently doubling up as a storeroom until I have time to do a proper inventory and put away properly. I am prioritising buying Xmas stuff - food and pressies and getting my winter stocks in place but not putting all away or wrapping. I know the shops and parcel deliveries will get crazier so next week can concentrate on jobs I can do indoors as well as attend the carols, nativity etc at school.


Right off to brave retail park to collect a reserved item, another supermarket to return something and Hally-fords as I need a new fog light. It's non stop at the mo same as everyone I guess. Keep thinking of watching a Christmas film with some choccys on the sofa over Xmas to keep me going!


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mardatha

I will admit here that I can't make roast potatoes. I wish I could because I like them. I can't make tablet either - which is just as well because I would just eat it
Been busy all morning decorating the bathroom with the RV. I don't think both of us will live to see teatime, that's all I'm saying!

fuddle

Is it possibke to blacken electric hob plates and if so, how? Thank you!

Been to the very expensive food store for eggs, milk and veg. Now I know i've paid iver the odds but help feel happy that I supped a free coffee in the way home. Now that's the way to treat yourself! I lost my barings and had to ask for directions. "Pardon, my dear? Once I said 'weight-rowse' all was fine.

It dawned on me that I'm so pleased youngest DD has learned all her phonics the way we speak because trying to learn them the southern pronounciation would have probably knocked her progress.

Big Issue sellers? Could any of you explain what they are, why they are there, are they kosher, is it expected we take amagazine, would I offend jilust giving a token gesture. I kniw they are to di with homeless but just want to understand more. I gave 70p and feel like I should have given more. I didnt take a magazine and dont think i ever would but I don't want to offend.

Apologies for all the typos - fat fingers and phone keyboard

[Deleted User]

MAR I'm just of to walk the hound, when I get back I'll post you the fail safe method for crispy roasty spuds, Lyn xxx.

rosieben

I was told a long time ago (don't know if its still the case) that selling the Big Issue is one of the very legitimate few ways a homeless person can earn money - its almost impossible to get a job without an address - and that its the first step to rehabilitation for most of them. I always buy and read the Issue and at this time of year I always try to give a little on top of the selling price.

fuddle

Thank you rosieben. How much is an issue?

Im all ears over roasties

kezlou

Big issue give people a certain amount of magazines to sell. once they have sold them they get a commission. I know a few people who sell them and aren't homeless, while I others who are homeless.

Any extra money people give them is theys. I used to buy the big issue but the price is just to much. last time it was nearly £3 and I, just couldn't afford it.

Got ds2 off school he didn't get to sleep till half two, been, sick and coughing all night.

Sick of all the bugs

maryb

Mar, you've got a Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker haven't you? Put the cut up potatoes on the trivet with just enough water to come up to the level of the trivet, bring to full pressure for three minutes. Release pressure and drain the potatoes. Shake them up a bit in the colander then dump them in a roasting tin of hot fat that has been in the oven while the oven heats up. I use lard but oil will do. Give them a shake or turn them over to get them coated. Then bung them in the oven for 45mins to an hour depending on how big they are. Oven should be fairly hot but doesn't have to be mega hot. Gas 6 (you're on Calor gas aren't you?) should do it. Give them a shake or turn them over after about 20 minutes.

I used to parboil my potatoes for 6 minutes in an ordinary pan but sometimes they would start to fall apart, others they wouldn't get nice and fluffy. 3 minutes in the Kuhn Rikon guarantees they are just right but still hold together

savingqueen

just back for 10 mins before school run. Busy car park with people all over the place cutting through where they shouldn't to get the elusive space. Errm I did the same and somehow ended up the wrong way down a one way lane... didn't realise and got stuck with 2 people parked both trying to reverse out and a very disgruntled looking man coming down the lane in the right direction. Only the Head (insert embarrassed smilie as mine ain't happening?), hoping he didn't recognise me. I least I don't look flustered as I thought I was the one doing the "right" thing. Ha ha


Then after all that malarlky into Hail-fords to get a new fog bulb to be advised that my car only has them one side at the back.... seems silly to me but at least it saved another extra expense so all good


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cornishchick

mardatha wrote: »

I will admit here that I can't make roast potatoes. I wish I could because I like them. I can't make tablet either - which is just as well because I would just eat it
Been busy all morning decorating the bathroom with the RV. I don't think both of us will live to see teatime, that's all I'm saying!

Oh I just made my first batch of tablet today, it's sitting cooling as we speak. My SIL is visiting from scotty land and gave me a lesson.
Listen you can hear it calling me..:cool:

ETA do you have a Patio? If not you are going to need some big sheets of plastic, duck tape and an old carpet to sneak the body out of the house;)