Living on next to nought - is that the key?

beanielou

I knew Tizer was made by Barr's too but I hate when they interfere with the taste :sad:
I used to love love love their red cola & I am convinced that they have changed that too

Aldi's heated throws go on sale tomorrow.
Is it worth driving 30 mile round trip though to get one? Ponders.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sunday-13th-october/

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Well, today has been an odd sort of day - it seems to of lasted ages and I'm not tucked up in bed yet!

I didn't think I had accomplished that much, but actually, although bitty and by my own admission, not 'earth shattering', I've done quite a lot today.

Obviously, I canot claim a NSD, because I started the day off with some shopping :rotfl: Still, it'll mean tomorrow can be a NSD. Pity Ald* didn't have a decent selection of bananas in, otherwise I could of NSD'd all the way into next week However, we've not had a drop of alcohol to drink, so I can legitimately claim my next AFD. Must remember to update siggie. I think we'll leave the Dandy&B'dock for the England footy match on Tuesday (v Poland, just in case you're interested )

Actually, if you'd of seen CCTV footage of what went on at Greying Towers here this afternoon, you would of wet yourself laughing. DP has been moaning on forever about not finishing the fencing because we hadn't renewed a gravel board and because there were complications, he felt he needed help to lift the new gravel board in. The one person we were banking on to help is never available, so the job got left. Well, you surely know by now that I am not the sort to sit and moan, but the sort to give something a go. So although I knew that the gravel board (actually concrete) was heavy (I have subsequently found out it weighs 60kg or about 8 and a half stones :eek:), I said that unless we had a go at trying to lift it in, then we didn't know whether we could do it or not. Well, Dear Reader, the sight must of been a picture, but anyone in the vicinity, listening to the puffing, grunting and exertions that were going on in the Greying shrubbery, must of felt that the area was 'going to the dogs' - 'and quite frankly Margery, what about property values??' :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

On the third attempt we managed to do it. I just managed to lift my high enough to slot into the top of the (slotted) 6ft high fence post, at the same time as DP did his end. Bearing in mind, lifting your share of 60kg anywhere over shoulder height is some going....... (even if you are standing on a 'HeathRobinsonesque' array of bricks and blocks to lift you somewhere near to the height of the post)

Still, I was right - we didn't know we could do it until we tried. Where's the smug smilie and the 'my teacher told me so' smilie when you need them?? :rotfl::rotfl:

Then we managed to hare round and slot in the remaining fencing panels - high-fives all round, a job that has been put off for months finished in an hour or so And then DP kept stomping round muttering, 'You're stronger than you look, you're stronger than you look'........ :rotfl::rotfl: I meanwhile threw thanks up to wherever for my immense stubborn streak....:rotfl::rotfl:

I decided to make a version of Schezerade casserole tonight. I have made it before, and wrote about it HERE I don't know if you recall, but I said I was going to try it with chickpeas and also remember to add in the feta. Well, tonight, Matthew - (sorry, couldn't resist ) I made it with chickpeas, added in some tahini, lemon zest and juice and remembered the feta. I also put in some chopped up red pepper rather than tomato. It was really good - and last time I thought that it needed more salt - well the feta was the key, because it balanced it out well. I'd definitely make the chickpea version again. Served with Shredded beetroot and sweetcorn from the gardening parental = free, sliced green beans and yes, the leftover spicy tomato sauce from last night's dinner. Picture here;



Whilst the oven was on, I made a couple of extra things that will be revealed tomorrow. Because tomorrow, Dear Reader, DP and I will be going on a breakfast picnic :j It's a walk from the 'back door' in a loop around the local area and back. Nothing exciting, but we'll take breakfast with us. Never done it before - free fun

So, today I am grateful for these 3 things;

MSE - Someone took the time to post about the special offer L*dl had on the choccy. It has saved me money, and means I can bake a 'thank you' chocolate cake for someone I clicked the 'thanks' button on the relevant thread, but I still remain grateful for MSE and for the good it does (especially when we can pass it on/pay it forward )

extra - whether it's NSK urging you to challenge yourself that 'little bit extra' to bust a debt, whether it is the cheeky market trader who gives you 'a little extra' (normally 'coz you remind 'im of 'is dear muther, gawd rest her soul'........:() or whether it is summoning up that little bit extra height, getting on your tippiest tippy toes to complete the task..... sometimes you need 'extra' and I was grateful for it today

Physical well-being - I've walked (about 3 miles?), lugged 2 heavy shopping bags (about half a mile, DP dropped me off) and heaved the weight of a person (albeit in concrete form) today. I'm grateful that I could accomplish all these tasks, as many cannot.....

Thank you for dropping in, reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Greying

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Well, the breakfast picnic walk didn't happen Woke up to rain here. Not torrential, but enough to get you wet - especially, if like us - you've got waterproof coats - that are um, not 'waterproof' Yet another thing to add to the list.......

But we had a 'carpet' picninc instead well, not quite - we sat in comfy chairs, but you get my drift....... I think DP is secretly quite pleased, as the MotoGP (motorcycle racing) is just starting in Malaysia, and he can watch it live :cool: This is what we had;



I'm sorry that the picture is not in better light, it is still dark 'coz of the rain and I had to have the light on in the kitchen.

Anyway, we had a frittata each - made with potatoes (holiday), onion, garlic, herbs, spinach (little bit of frozen), red pepper (ald*) and the last bit of feta from last night's dinner. All mixed up with a couple of eggs which made 3 (1 went in the freezer for a future snap box )

The buns are a version of THIS they were ok - although I have to say I only did half mix (made 9 buns), I drastically reduced the sugar content :eek: and they lacked 'something'. I've not got a sweet tooth, but it wasn't sugar... perhaps my choice of jam was lacking - or it was because I didn't put peanuts on top - hadn't got any. Actually DP had seen them cooling on the side and thought I had used chocolate - I think a square of chocolate might of been a good idea There are plenty of other recipes for these bars on the web - even the GBBO winner, Ed Kimber has made a version. I think I would tinker with the recipe if I made them again.

All washed down with a mug of hot chocolate - how very Belgium

All that effort and no walk the rain has eased up a bit. If it stays dry later, we'll go for a walk - stick to pavements though I think. Still, having already been to Spain, America and Belgium for our breakfast, perhaps we need a quick sit down

Plans for today..... DP is currently shouting at the telly :rotfl:Not too sure at the moment, but I've high hopes that it will be a NSD and pretty sure we'll notch up an AFD too. DP will probably chop up some morning sticks later. One of the 'free' pallets was sawn up yesterday, so the panels just need chopping into sticks now. All helps run the wood stove for next to nought

I think I'm going to have a rootle through my stores and see what bits and pieces we have lurking. November may have to be a 'use it up' month. Or 'a thousand ways with bulghar' :rotfl::rotfl:

Have a good day whatever you are up too. I'm away to watch grown men whizz round in circles

Thank you for dropping in, reading and commenting. As ever, it is appreciated by me.

See y'all later.

Greying

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Well, yesterday ended up as a NSD and AFD (updated totals last evening).

We went for a walk - of course, half way round, with no shelter, the heavens opened again DP got niggly (surprise) and so we had to have 'words'. After all, once you are wet, there's no point in *rushing* home. You're still wet and you have missed out on seeing what's about you. We stopped in a little sheltered spot further on and had a small flask of coffee - I was beginning to be caffeined out, but DP had insisted on bringing it - watched the antics of a cheeky squirrel, had a chat about a minor money matter and equilibrium was restored. That and the rain eased off :rotfl: Oh, the good news was that I also found 5p *roadkill* :j

We didn't have dinner as such last night. We'd had a really thick lentil soup for lunch (spiked with chilli, ginger and lemon to warm us up) and I was really full. DP moaned, so I suggested he had porridge. He made himself a bowl, ate it, then complained.....he was full :doh:

Today I am hoping for a NSD, but it depends whether bananas need to be bought. I would hold off until tomorrow when the TV listings needs to be purchased, but I suspect DP won't get that. It will definitely be an AF day.

Meeting of the 'Wheel Tappers and Shunters' sub-committee no. 5 tonight. It is actually beginning to pay dividends, so I'm pleased that we started setting time aside.

I forgot to mention, I am now a *member* of the local Credit union, the paperwork came through on Saturday. Just waiting for the card now. Then I can pay in the first dribble of the emergency fund and my member *fee*.

Right, snap bags packed. Flasks made, better get up and at the day.

Thanks for dropping by, reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Greying

beanielou

Yah for credit union membership.
Way quicker than pesky CC
How about having a wee pot for loose change & using that to preserve your NSD's?

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Ay up Beanie - thanks for dropping by. Yay to Credit Unions indeed :j Mmm. I suppose I am trying to be hardcore with the NSD's. I only deal in cash with the household budget anyway, so it would be 'spending' by my own 'self-imposed' set of rules. If DP had got bananas, I would of had to pay him back out of the housekeeping - so an expense, whether he is physically spending the money or me. Still, we've ended up with a NSD anyway, because he didn't buy any bananas and neither did I. We're also AF, so must update siggie.

I sometimes get a glimmer of hope that DP understands this journey, and then sometimes, like this evening, I know that I'm back to :wall: Best not ask how the sub-committee meeting went....................:(

Today I achieved something following a new technique, despite the fact that I had convinced myself it was an overly complicated way of doing things. Not only was it achievable (although I still think there is an easier and more universal way of doing it) but I went ahead and repeated it - so got two for the investment in attempting one :T

Dinner this evening was bean and vegetable stew with wet polenta. I didn't take a piccy - I figured that you'll be getting bored of 'me tea' by now. But it was frugal - in that the beans were all either leftover (chickpeas and black-eyed beans frozen) or the haricot which were cooked in the slow cooker this evening, were App Fo0ds (so inexpensive). There were some carrots and leek in there from the gardening parental - frankly the leeks needed using or putting on the compost, so I used 'em! A tin of chopped toms (25p - 4 for £1 at A$da t'other week), the last bit of tomato puree, a couple of small onions, 2 sticks celery (Ald* 49p a bunch), some garlic, stock and seasonings. I used fennel seeds and chilli for the seasoning (based on Jaymee0's ribollita recipe), but I overdid it with the fennel a bit . The polenta/cornmeal is £1.49 a 1.5kg bag and I use 175g to make 2 big servings. There is plenty of stew left over for snap boxes tomorrow. And yes, Dear Reader, when you ask, 'But Greying, didn't you have wet polenta for dinner the other evening?'. I would reply, 'how observant of you Dear Reader, we did. But as DP walked in the door, he was presented with the choice of rice, polenta or bulghar wheat - polenta was his choice.' :rotfl:

You may recall that I spoke to my (current) energy supplier on Friday, only to be told I wasn't eligible for the supply scheme I was on - um, yes I am. The same supplier sent me a letter today offering me huge discounts off my energy costs, because I'm eligible........:rotfl:um, no I ain't. Honestly

Today has been a 'funny ol' day. But on the whole, I am grateful for these 3 things;

perseverance - since I don't allow others (read DP) to say, 'it can't be done' if they haven't at least tried having a go, I think it important I apply the same logic to ME. I did today, and it worked, I have something to show for it and the best part is - this 'thing' is for the benefit of someone else anyway - win win :T

Budgets - they can be seen as 'restrictors' and killers of fun. But actually budgets can help you to 'live'. I don't like being 'tough cop'. I'd really like to be strewing pound coins at any little thing that takes our fancy. But the fact is, the budget says, 'nah'. So when Greying says, 'nah', there is evidence to back Greying up......:rotfl:

starlings - after an absence of a couple of years, we seem to have a lot of starlings in the neighbourhood once more. As yet not enough to put on the magnificent dusk 'aerial ballet' displays, but enough to transfix you with their 'follow my leader' flights and other antics.

Thank you so very much for popping in, reading and commenting. It is greatly appreciated by me.

See y'all later.

Greying

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Just a quick note from me this morning as I am running a little late

Today will be a spend day. I've the TV listings mag to get and some bananas. Hopefully that is all that is needed - better has a quick check I reckon

England play Poland in football tonight (at Wembley again I think), so we may crack open the D&B, but will remain AF

Dinner this evening will be a version of a dish that I have been meaning to make, and which seems to be 'all over' the internet at the minute. However, there is one ingredient of the dish that I really don't like, so my version won't be 'authentic' anyway.

Right, snap bags packed. Flasks filled. Better get a wiggle on

Thank you so very much for swinging by, reading and commenting - I do, greatly, appreciate it

See y'all later.

Greying

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Hail Dear Reader - went the day well?

I've had a brilliant day. I can't claim a NSD, and I, regrettably cannot claim an AFD either. And nope, there is not a drop of alcohol in me, however, I did spot a bottle of Reisling wine in H0me Barga*ns today - so, Dear Reader, I bought it. Not for consumption now you understand. But each NYE we have a creamy thai style curry and reisling is a brilliant accompaniment. It has been, however, quite an expensive tipple. I lucked out last year and grabbed a bargain when a c0-op store closed down and virtually gave their stock away. So, I figured I would be honest and admit my £4.99 splurge - as I figure I'm not going to be able to pick up a bottle any cheaper before xmas/NY. Actually, it struck me how, because this is about the money, not the alcohol, counting AF days is a bit of a misnomer. After all, I could of spent £100 today, yet still legitimately claimed 30 days 'AF' at the end of the month......If we do this again (and I hope we will) I think I'm going to have to come up with a better way to record progress.

I've also spent a little more than I anticipated. I got the TV listings guide (Roy & Hayley of Corrie in case you're keeping tabs ) and bananas. In addition, I bought my contributions to MemoryGirl's 'Teds for Zimbabwe Drive'. I got underwear for a boy and girl from Asd* and some exercise pads from H0me Barga8ns. Now all I've got to do is add in the bags I made and some pencils and sharpeners from W*lkinsons bought previously and work out how to wrap it up and keep the weight to less than 1kg, otherwise the postage will be in danger of costing more than the contents :mad: The money for this came out of the grocery budget - so it'll mean next to nothing will be left for the 'key' fund at the end of the month, but kid's education and dignity in life is something close to my heart.....

Hey Beanie - I did a little jig around the kitchen. My 'card' for the credit union came through the post today. That means, from when I submitted my application (4th Oct), to being an 'enabled' member has taken - excluding weekends - 7 days!!!! :j Whoop!!! Stuff that MrCreditCardCo..... And yes, of course a savings acc is different to access to credit - but they check the same blooming documentation.... just saying

Dinner this evening was not the dish I talked about this morning. Dear Reader, I decided that life is too short to eat and cook things that you have no real desire to eat IF you have the choice. Therefore, dearest Anna, your version of 'Turkish Menemen' will remain uncooked in this household, as I am very much afraid, I cannot stand fried/poached eggs - especially those with runny centres - bleurk! I'm sure I'm in a minority with my view - but please don't 'write in' to tell me how delicious they are and how much I am missing out..... I'm sure I am, but yah still cannae make me eat 'em :rotfl:

Instead we had Mushroom Orzotto - made with pearl barley, YS'd (and frozen) mushrooms and some rehydrated 'wild' mushrooms, plus onions, celery and garlic. Picture here



Sorry for the blue hue - it looked ok on the screen and I was thrilled to be able to capture the last of the daylight to photograph it in. Still, it tasted good - a great depth of flavour and perfect 'autumn' food

And so, for today, I am grateful for these 3 things;

choice - and that I still have it.

sharing - it doesn't matter how little you may think you have, there is always someone, somewhere with less. Sharing it with them will make you the richer........

for those big enough to say 'sorry' - I got an apology and a 'you were right' today............

Thank you so much for dropping in, reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

Now, I'm away to shout at the telly and we may crack open the.....Dandy&B'dock - Whoop! :rotfl:

See y'all later.

Greying

beanielou

Great news on CU card.
I am struggling a wee bit TBH to get the things for the teds thing.
Cant find any packs of rubbers or rulers at a good price.
How much was underwear in Asda?
Did you get little rulers or big ones?
Ta.

Greying_Pilgrim

Hey Beanie!

The underwear cost £2.50 for a 7 pair pack. They also had some 5 pack on the RTC section for £2 in the boys - not in the girls though......... The two sets I got were both plain colours rather than with designs on.

I haven't bought any rulers so don't know what to suggest. I don't know if you have access to Wilk*nsons? They had erasers and pencil sharpeners for 35p (both in one pack), just sharpeners for 35p and big erasers for 40p - which I thought was quite good. I bought packs of pencils that had 10 in for 45p. But they were blunt ended, so I thought I'd better buy some sharpeners too Here's a link to the Wilks page, just in case it is of any use.

Right, footy quite interesting, so I'm away for the 2nd half.

Greying