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

kidcat

we have a window cleaner which I begrudge but OH insisted last year, he only does the front though as I wont leave the back gate open for them. He charges £5 for once a month, which covers 5 windows and the front door and windows, and the balcony doors on DS15 bedroom.
He uses a long hose and stays on the ground and my original feeling was that in the long run buying the hose and attachment would be more cost effective, however Oh would never wash them now so its probably for the best.

And for organisation I use my phone calendar which syncs up with g@@gle so I can see it from my laptop.

fuddle

In the new build last year we paid £6 every month for a man on the ground spraying the windows and not even drying them off. He soon came every 3 weeks and was given short shrift by moi.

My neighbour here said her window cleaner charges £6 and comes every 2 months. Much better frequency wise but we only have 2 windows downstairs and 2 upstairs so if its a pole spraying water job I wont keep it up and get myself a large extendable cleaner. I dont mind paying a fair price but the work and effort has to be fair too dont you think?

Can I ask about HM veg soup? How long would a batch last in the fridge before going icky? Would I get 3 lunches out of it? HM soup with a bit tarragon is tasty and my plan for weight-loss.

savingqueen

Hideehi folks


Glad you are ok Mrs Chip, thank goodness for the sandbags eh?


Princess, well done on the savings. Likewise nutty on the generous tip!!


Feeling far more positive the last couple of days (probably because the festive season is over.) I hope I keep to my vow to get organised for Christmas in advance from now on. I have never like doing it too early but I can't handle the added stress any more. I have nearly a whole year so no excuses!


Yesterday took an extremely reluctant DS9 and his brother for haircuts which were very overdue. Then a burger lunch out (spent zilch the whole holiday apart from tiny amount of petrol so happy to pay for a treat ). Meet one of my mum friends and her son in the park afterwards as the only dry day this week and then back to their house for a play/cuppa (or 3) Got back late with happy boys to a very untidy house.


This morning I whizzed around the house, cleaning, tidying and hiding laundry and assorted junk (thank goodness for car boots) then another friend came to play. Friend's mum and I had a good old natter at the kitchen table for a bit before she left to tackle her housework. 3 boys have finally calmed down after lots of noisy playing and I can think properly again!


All three of us feel so much happier seeing some other people and we haven't seen any friends since 23rd Dec!!!! Hopefully going to yet another friend and her son's house tomorrow. Also need to get back to earlier bedtimes as back to school on Monday.


ps guess what our window cleaner charges for front and back including massive French doors.... £2.50. He is very quick though, doesn't do the windowsills and often misses the loo window but as they would never get cleaned otherwise and he is sooo cheap and friendly, I am NOT complaining! Had another guy come round touting for business, seems he does a more thorough and professional job but he wanted way over a tenner, something like £15. He couldn't believe what my window cleaner charges.


sq

[Deleted User]

Vegetable soup should be fine for 3 days in the fridge, if you aren't happy to leave it that long freeze a portion or two on the day you make it and get it out to defrost in the fridge overnight the day before you are going to use it. That will extend it's keeping time, Lyn xxx.

Hard_Up_Hester

My neighbour's SIL is a window cleaner, he charges £8 for 4 windows & a french door approx every 2 months. The 2 other local ones wanted £15.
Hester

Hollyberry

fuddle wrote: »

Can I ask about HM veg soup? How long would a batch last in the fridge before going icky? Would I get 3 lunches out of it? HM soup with a bit tarragon is tasty and my plan for weight-loss.

Fuddle, I was about to say what Lyn has just posted while I was quoting , and she's a way better cook than I will ever be! I make loads of different veg soups and freeze it in ziplocks so I can zap it quickly when needed. It's certainly worked for me in shifting the pounds this year. I try to make three portions each time, eat one and freeze two, so I get a bit of variety over the week. Otherwise it can get a bit tedious by day three. Current faves are butternut squash and chili, spinach and watercress with nutmeg and broccoli.

kezlou

fuddle the soup should be fine, just make sure its at the back of the fridge so it stays cold.

Well had another appointment with camhs today, this didn't go as well as the first one.
DS2 wasn't with me as OH looked after the boys while i went, took us an hour to go through the more intense questions. Nearly broke down a few times when i was asked about friendships and scared the life out of the person camhs when i described how ds2 broke his arm / wrist but didn't cry. Instead he just stood up and said "can i have a cheese and pickle sandwich?". So i have a form to take into the school for them to fill out and see how it goes from there.

Pooky

Evening toughies

Cor it's wet and wild here again tonight, added thunder and lightening for dramatic effect.

I need to get into the soup zone this next few weeks, I've got a couple of bags of soup mix to use up. I do love a good home made soup but do get bored of them after the second day. Mine aren't any recipe specific but a general "chuck it in" type.

Popped to town with DD2 this morning, got some fab reduced items for my upcoming craft makes. She managed to spend her Christmas money (mostly in pyjamas) and we got a few basics in Lldl to save a full shop.

Had an AF order arrive, it was a struggle to get it all put away but to good a price to ignore.

Hope all those on flood alert are ok, fingers crossed this weather system hurries up and burgers off!

fuddle

Does anyone else's veg soup never taste the same twice?

I haven't looked at AF for such a long time. I've got AF envy now :rotfl:

I've a jar of mincemeat to use up so off to look at recipes in the hope of finding something a little different from pies.

I've only one call tonight at 9pm. Then a whole weekend off we're off to find the The Range to see if there's such a thing as a thermos mug. I'd like a cuppa to last a few hours but can't be pouring a flask of hot stuff over my lap in the car when it's dark.

kezlou

Aw pooky dont torment me with soup mix. My mum used ti make thick soup with it. I can't use it because my OH can't stand it.

Now I just use split peas and lentils, not the same though.

I make soup boiling a shank, when its cooked, take out and cook the veg abd soup mix on the shanks juices. Lovely and lasts for ages.