I have lost my OS ways, help!

tatabubbly

Gosh, I hate my job, I'd do anything but be here at the moment. I know that I am suppose to be grateful I have work but it so difficult when your boss is a plonker...

In other OS news, I've been mega busy trying my hardest to keep my purse shut. There was a few necessary spends, I needed new trainers for Gaelic training.. €50 lighter!! :O but they are decent and will last me quite a while and I do need them! Cheaper than a gym membership!!

Have stuck to my grocery challenge so far but haven't been counting food when we buy lunch out etc so I'm going to do it this month coming and I will see if there is a big difference!

mardatha

You need to wear special trainers to learn Gaelic??

wondercollie

Well, Arple has an app for everything and N*ke has chips in some brands....

villagelife

I have tried to keep to MS ways this week - did really badly over weekend due to variety of reasons.
Spent £18 on food should last the week even with DS1 coming home.
Taken lunch to work - must make some more soup as frozen makes it easy to take to work.
Easier keeping the house tidy as DS1 and 2 are at uni.

Caterina

Hello again,

Thank you all for your well wishes, and Egon welcome to the thread!

It was lovely, had a few fantastic days, amazing hospitality, breathtaking views, seen otter swimming in the river, dolphins swimming in the sea, been to Findhorn, played in a folk club with professional musicians, everything was great.

Was up at 5:30 this morning girl the journey back so am too tired to say anymore. OS plans to be made tomorrow, goodnight!

ailz95

Hi Caterina

Glad you had such a good time. I really envy you the folk club - not that I can play any instruments or even follow a tune well enough to sing - or as some would say find the right tune, the one with real notes :rotfl:. It sounds like it was all visually sparkling.

Ailz

Caterina

Good afternoon,


ailz95 thank you, it was such a privilege, fancy being able to sing House of the Raising Sun, accompanied by one ex of the Dubliners! Not even sure of his name, as he left earlier than us! My claim to fame forever!

This morning I had a bit of a ding dong with DS, he held a slice of bread in his fingers, twisted his nose and told me the bread had gone off. I got really mad, this came on top of returning to a new kitchen looking like a tip, no food in the fridge and His Highness DS' twitchy nose. I told him what's what, but was so upset (by all other stuff as well) that I started crying. So I need to clarify my point in a better, more eloquent way.

Tonight I am having a family meeting with him and DH, reiterate the concept of responsibility, reinforce the idea of beer money (clay pot where to put change if they want me to buy beer after a few quid have accumulated), it no longer comes from the grocery budget, similarly takeaways. I am ok with a sandwich if I am tired. If they want a takeaway it has to have been saved for.

Started a mini challenge, £30 to last for the remainder of September before I take up October GC.

Caterina

Good morning,

Never managed to have a family meeting yesterday as DS came back from work quite late and extremely tired. However he brought a loaf of bread, sign that he had heard my remonstrations of the morning! He is a good lad really.

Speaking of food, today will see me traipse to the local farmers market to get a few veg and more eggs. DH and our friendly builder will keep working on the house so it is better if I am out of the way and only return to make them cups of coffee and sandwiches. I am less than keen on DIY and glad that the men of the family love it. Am totally at peace with traditional division of roles on this one!

I am also planning, if the kitchen is not too busy with men painting and fiddling with tools, to make some yogurt this afternoon. I have missed my homemade yogurt and yogurt cheese. I only bought 2 pints of milk yesterday because of limited budget, but in the future I shall start buying the 2 x 4 pts organic milk that Sainsbugs sells for £3. One of them makes yogurt for a week, cream cheese and leaves enough milk for stuff like pancakes or mash, for the princely sum of £1.50. If I buy 1 Kg of organic yogurt ready made it would cost me a minimum of £2.50 alone, so it is a really worthwhile activity, and I like it better homemade too. I add a bit of jam or frozen (defrosted) fruit and a sprinkle of seeds or nuts for pudding, much healthier than ice cream (my danger food!).

Of course sometimes I strike gold and find YS organic milk, then the bargainous yogurt becomes even more convenient! W8rose is good for YS milk.

We use homemade nut milk (soaked and blended nuts or almonds) for porridge and cereal. Note to myself: I need to learn how to use the new oven so can make granola for DH's breakfasts. It sells at stupid prices and I bet it is much more economical to make it at home.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow, am booked to go on a foraging course in the same community garden where I attended the vegetable fermenting course the other day. The veg are happily fermented and have been slowed down by sitting in the fridge. They are delicious.

But for the time being, looking forward to a nice little outing to this market today and then to be home, homemaking!

Have a good OS day all.

baroley

Wonderful thread Caterina! I am working my way through it from the beginning, may take some time..... Although I am definitely OS at heart, I feel that I have taken my eye off the ball, and need to get back in control. I am now making it a priority, even though I have limited time, working full time, random shifts with no routine!

I have been lucky enough to have a lodger for the last 18 months and can't believe the difference it made. They left a few weeks ago and I am really feeling the reduction in finances. I will have to put my mind to finding a replacement.

I have re assessed my finances etc. And should be fine if I take inspiration and notice of all the great advice here. You are all such a lovely lot!

Caterina

Good morning,

Baroley thank you for your kind words and welcome to the thread!

I am so excited, today is my foraging course day! Planning a NSD grocery wise but naturally I have to pay the course leader, a bargainous £18! Some foraging course set you back to the tune of £100+ in this neck of the wood, so I feel really lucky for having come across this. If it is anything as good and entertaining as the fermenting course of the other day, same venue,mi shall be well pleased.

Also excited to return to the community garden itself, a beautiful, peaceful space.

Off to cook DS breakfast now as he has a long day at work.

Have a good OS day all.