22 Foxhole East

f0xh0les

It were 20 degrees here yesterday trix-a-belle and wrestling a double mattress - even to roll it with cable ties and force it into the back of a N1ssan M1cra x 2 was so far from my 'list of things I fancy doing today' I simply copped out and ordered a free waste collection - bizarrely we are allowed 5 items, every 2 months, free of charge in the city, but the county charge for absolutely e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.   I did a month as a temp in the wheelie bin dept of Staffordshire County Council about a million years ago, and even then they charged £17.50 for 2 items. It is so random as to what is charged for and what is free.

trix-a-belle

thats fair enough then, definitely no freebies here for large item collection

badmemory

The cost of a bulky collection

• We charge £41 for each collection.
• Please note:
  • we will collect up to to 5 items per collection;
  • some larger items count as more than one item (eg a double wardrobe counts as four items);

This is ours - an easy chair counts as 2 items!  It doesn't take long to get up to 5.  It has been this way for a few years now, but the price just keeps going up & up.  Its no wonder people fly tip.

Baileys_Babe

That is harsh badmemory and I thought it was expensive here.

f0xh0les

Nope, not in Le City. Up to 5 items, every 2 months -  if necessary.  

I think this is the second time I have used the service in the 5 years we have been here.

Between 0lio and fr33cycle and fakeb00k gifting sites, there is not much that needs collecting. 

Today was a good day, the cookery session turned into a business studies fun group, he enjoyed himself, I did a trawl of the c/shops on that side of town, snagged an M&S linen mix black shirt dress, a lovely green grandad T Shirt for DS1, a bedside lamp and two necklaces for £5 in one shop.  Nothing else in the other shops. 

Did a quick MrT's raid for the bare essentials needed to make all our food on the meal plan until Monday.

Nipped into Herr L at 1.20, and they had loads and loads of F&V boxes ( their website says they give them to charity after 12.00???), so nabbed 2, and now I have an entire forest of spring onions (about 9 bunches), 2 cauli, 2 huge punnets of blueb's, one of cherries, 3 bok choi, 2 courgettes, 6 apples, 10 little oranges, 3 nectarines. I lonely pear, a leek, a lettuce, and 4 red onions. All for £3.  Hooray! Definitely have enough food in until Monday now.

DS1 is completely not worried about the exam results - he has an unconditional offer from Chelmsford Uni so that is his backup plan if Central London Uni does not work out (IMO the links with Industry at C'ford for the placement year look better than the  London Uni).  Either way he is moving out.

There is no pudding tonight, yesterday, in a move to be even more environmentally friendly, I made a banoffee pie.  I made a shortcake base, used the opened-by-dh-in-error tin of condensed soya milk, that he threw in the fridge in disgust, and turned it into a toffee sauce, and banana'd and whipped creamed it.  There was enough sugar  in it to stun a goat. But it was lovely with a strong coffee.  Then DH insisted we finish it all.  Total overdose.   It will become the stuff of family legend - it was that good.  DS1 asked 'how does one make such a thing??'.  They really really liked it.  I told them it would  make an appearance on High Days and Holidays, by special arrangement.  Possibly as a millionaires shortbread, but not more than 4 x a year.

My trousers would not take it.

f0xh0les

Went into work on Thursday and was presented with a wedding invite for Saturday! Had a mad dash around all the charity shops to try and find a new-to-me frock, to no avail, and as 97% of my wardrobe is black (I love black!) 2% is black and white, and 1% is other.  So I am recycling a 50's style frock I  have, it is black  but with huge white flowers,  it has a flared skirt with undermesh, and hope I will look dressy enough - bought a pair of strappy sandals with a wide but high heel in a c/s (still had the labels on the bottom, never been worn outside) for sub £4 - should not have to spend much time standing up anyway.  Will paint toe nails, dress my hair nicely, and go out for 1.30 - the ceremony starts at 2pm in the building I work in, so I should not get lost  Coffee and cake after the service and should be back home for 4.30.

I have not been to a wedding in about 10 years.  I know that because it was the last time I wore heels.

Baileys_Babe

Your outfit sounds gorgeous, enjoy yourself.

apple_muncher

What a lovely last-minute thing to happen! Enjoy being all poshed up!

greent

Hope you had a lovely time yesterday Dress sounds fab!

f0xh0les

DS1 is off to Uni, but  he needs a foundation year as his results are not what they predicted - He ended up with 3 C's not the ABB. 

He is a bit disappointed, but still got into his first choice so he is off to London next month,  and has applied for accommodation this morning (they sent him stuff in June but he did not apply then as he has no sense of urgency).  Student Finance have received Invisible Husband's details and are processing DS1s application at some point over the next 6-8 weeks.

DH is wandering about the house with an air of  Not Impressed At All   and has refused to be happy for him, as he does not consider C's as any good.  (Grade Snob and sees it as a personal reflection on him)  as the radio is wanging on about grade inflation and how 45% of all students got above a B this year.   Waiting on the in-laws ringing up and having to live with the shame and disgrace. 

So, just had phone call to confirm he has a place on his course,  has an email to say he is on the accommodation list and will be contacted in due course, and they are looking forward to seeing him next month.