Living on next to nought - is that the key?

beanielou

Belated happy birthday little sweetie

mrsinvisible

artenoon, all, what a good clear explanation, GP, (as ever) l will try that later this week, when rice is on the agenda.
I know what you mean about NSDs and whether they work or cost more in the long run. (Personally I consider it a no spend day if I don't go over the 'week-so-far' total (weeks HK divide by 7 and add up each day) if l'm in credit then it is NSD .
Today is DGS 12th birthday, l can't believe it, l still look so young!!! not.
Have had YS melon for lunch, and will have LO gingerbread (from Halloween) with coffee for an afternoon treat. If I put candles on it, it will double up as a birthday cake. His Godmamma and husband are coming this afternoon with his present, and l know he loves gingerbread.
The sun is shining here with a little bit of breeze, but l have no washing to put out, such a waste. lt makes me twitchy
Loving the smileys and laughing out loud at them, thanks, xxx

mothernerd

No baking here, today but maybe later in the week. Using up what's in the fridge and freezer (down to last 1 and 1/2 drawers, mostly veg) prior to moving back to my old (two bed terrace) in the town centre. This will be in the hands of the Estate Agent by the end of the week.

Middle son was 'renting' my old house - has had several periods of illness over the past year (one that has been causing problems for the past 9 years has finally been correctly diagnosed) but when he is ill, my money is the last thing to be paid. He 'moved out' 4 weeks ago but left his stuff, so everything has been on hold because of it.

Been down the past two days (Friday was new boiler being installed) but mainly tackled the garden because getting round the things (he has moved some) is still difficult. Keep squirting cleaning stuff round the bathroom and leaving it to soak and have swept bits.

Cut down 4 branches of the ivy yesterday and my get up and go has went as well. But determined move will happen between Tuesday 4.30pm and Wednesday. My hip op (curious image just came into my mind but my 'smilie' capability isn't up to it) is pencilled in for the 13th, so will be re-stocking from scratch starting later this week - otherwise youngest son's 'help with feeding me' will involve lots of takeaway pizza.

I had got him nearly as far as cooking his own curries, but he likes meat but didn't want to cut up the raw meat. I won't be able to bend from the waist after the op so oven will be off limits. Occupational therapist did demonstrate holding on to work top, drawing injured leg back slowly keeping it straight at all times and then doing the sort of bob you would do if meeting the queen with the other leg leaving one hand to open the oven door and take out whatever is in there - think he was thinking along the lines of warming a pie not pulling out a roasting tin of anything heavy.

So next weekend will be cooking for Christmas - just find it simpler to buy a YS or early bird (sorry unintended pun) bargain then store as sliced meat (dinners/ sandwiches/ salads) and currry/ stew the rest and portion up. have checked the calendar and my minimum 6 weeks on crutches ends on Christmas Day.

Have lots of veggie dishes as well and shopping is going to be high - last time I sent DS3 shopping (in Feb the doctor told me to rest for 3 weeks before we went on to other remedies) he spent $40 and forgot the bread. At least in the old house we are next to the library and town hall and lots of shops within 5 minutes of the house.

I bought some YS turkey lumps yesterday so will throw them in a pan with as many of the frozen veg as possible (I love veg curry but DS3 wants the meat - even if he ends up with about 3 lumps per portion by the time I have finished with it).

Have a great day pilgrims.

greenbee

Just a quick post to say that I mastered the absorption method for rice from this blog:

http://ayorkshirecook.com/cooking-rice-7-tips-for-great-rice-every-time/

Although now I'm back on electricity for cooking rather than gas I've had to relearn it!

little_sweetie

Thank you for the birthday greetings everyone

Yes, Greying, I got meself a toyboy when we were both 18 and we've been together ever since. He is now as bald as an egg but still has most of his own teeth :rotfl::rotfl:

Just for INOD :bdaycake: but I brought plates and GP has probably got the kettle on already. Everyone take a seat

Re DD, yes closure is still going ahead. SiL gets his redundancy in December and DD is carrying on until March (as far as she knows) in order to wind up paperwork then she is out too. I must say they are both taking it on the chin but it must be a real worry for them with having 2 kiddies to look after

BTW I will try the absorption method for rice, Greying, thanks for that.

Hopefuljoy

Happy birthday little sweetie!! I hope you had a wonderful day! Thanks during your cake with us, it looked delish.:j It's been very windy here in west sussex today but not because of sprouts Greying. :eek:

I've been getting ready for school today which has involved sorting out the full on winter work wardrobe, putting remaining summer type clothes away, polishing my shoes and generally tidying. It's very satisfying to get thing in order. :rotfl:Also did the weekly shop in L##l today. Three huge bags of food and a 65 portion of washing powder came to thirty seven pounds. There's enough to last two weeks with top ups of bread milk and eggs so I'm pleased with that result. :money:

I treated myself to a motor home magazine to drool over tonight. It's good to have a dream.:D DD and I also changed our plans for the Easter holiday this weekend. Instead of going to Italy which involves flights and leaving Pirin with my sister, we are getting him a doggie passport and driving to the south of France to a mobile home near where we stayed this summer. The cost will be the same as Italy but far cheaper than in summer so we will have the best of all worlds. The weather isn't guaranteed but it'll be a lovely break and warmer than here. :cool:

Good luck with the operation Mothernerd. I hope your sons will be able to help with the oven and you have a smooth recovery leading up to Christmas. :ABecause I have a dodgy back I changed to an eye level oven when I had the kitchen refitted this year. It's made a great difference and if you ever get the chance I'd really recommend it.

Have a wonderful evening everyone and I hope the wind and rain doesn't bother you too much.:)

Look forward to our goodnight smillie!

Upsidedown_Bear

little_sweetie

liltdiddylilt

Belated many happy returns little sweetie! I too have a toyboy, nearly 5 years between us and most of the time he is just an extra child.. *sigh*. My grandparents are 86 and my Pop is a couple of months younger than my nanny. He still teases her every year about being old

Brussel sprout lover here too. It isn't a proper Sunday dinner without roast parsnips and brussel sprouts

GP I get paid monthly but do weekly budgets as I find it easier to focus on a shorter space of time. Usually the next 2-3 hours... :rotfl: I ope you find it useful. Not all of my weekly shops cost the same. I usually have a big one at the beginning of the month and then eke out through smaller shops each week. It does help us to eat fresher. My budget for this month is £130. Used to be closer to £400 for a months food and household/toiletries for 2 adults and a baby. :eek: and I ate far worse!

Have a lovely evening all

in_need_of_direction

I don't have a toy boy. My OH is ten months older than I but is so ridiculously young looking at least two people asked if he was my son. It's so irritating.

Upsidedown_Bear

Goodnight, my bed and ted is calling me