Put away your purse & become debt-averse

foxgloves

@QueenJess - I know, it's so boring, isn't it? I don't bother unless I think for whatever reason that it is definitely worth it.

@Pixiehouse55 - Hope you can find a walnut whip, as it is my opinion that supplies of said delicacy have become sparser for probably kind of general brexitty reasons. I throw out hints to the lovely Mr F on a regular basis but he is firmly of the opinion that he can only reliably get the M*S ones & that's when he has the opportunity to visit an M*S as our town branch was sadly one of the stores hit by their closure programme. I like hearing about your adventures. My diary must seem very mundane compared to your boating & campervan excitement!

@maryb - Thanks, yes, I agree. Fortunately, I stayed on the phone while the chap who dealt with my policy cancellation emailed me a confirmation later there & then. I will keep that until I am sure nothing can rear its head in the problem-line.

F x

foxgloves

Hello Tuesday Frugalistas,
It's been a proper rum day here......I was up at 6, as it isn't much of a turn-around to have breakfast & be decent when workmen start at 8.00 prompt & are sometimes early. It has felt odd not being able to go upstairs. He's finished now for the day as the walls need to dry before all the filling tomorrow - they needed a lot of steaming. The most interesting thing for me was that he (decorator) got back to the original 1930s layer & oh my life.....the colours!! The darkest imaginable shade of bottle green paint on the lower two thirds of the wall all the way up the stairwell.........& what delightful hue was chosen for the top third? Well, I'll tell you. It was mustard yellow!! As my friend who is a keen WW2 re-enactor said when I pinged her a photo, they were fashionable colours back then. Thank goodness he's wall-rocking it, as otherwise I think it'd take about 47 coats of paint to cover that horror!
I've been bitting & bobbing around downstairs getting various little tasks done. Mouse checks done. No further incursions overnight, which is obviously good. I've booked the piano tuner, done a bit of admin & typed up some info I promised to a distant relation. Spotted some almost forgotten tofu in the fridge which is getting very near its use by date so I am going to use it tonight for Indonesian tofu rice. I used to make this regularly back in the early years of our relationship when Mr F was still a vegetarian. I think there will be enough for lunch tomorrow too. I am also going to bake a cake when I've signed off my laptop so we can have a slice with coffee tonight while watching GBBO. 
Oh & get this..... a knock at our front door this afternoon. Man from film company sussing out if they could use our house for 3 or 4 days filming for a new comedy show. They would pay us a location fee. I didn't enquire the likely amount as I said it was 99% going to be a 'no'. They apparently want a suitable ordinary 1930s house, which ours is.........but we have just spent a lot of money giving it a huge facelift & I don't think I could endure more days of people in & out. I know if anything was damaged or the new carpets were blobbed, I'd just about go ballistic. I suggested some more local roads with similar sorts of houses, so it could still end up being shot somewhere very local.
OK, must go & melt that sugar & butter (that's as far as I've got...putting it in the pan & lining the tin) & get this cake made.
Rain most of today here, but not cold enough for the heating to come on so I don't think we have spent much on gas at all today & that can only be a good thing.
Cheers,
F x

foxgloves

Morning Wednesday pence-wranglers,
Woke at 5.10 this morning with my head hanging over the edge of the bed & a headache. Got up to take some paracetamol. Didn't bother going back to bed, so have got off to a decent start with some kitchen witchery. Sorted through remaining tomato harvest. Left a few for salads, prepped 600g tomorrow's dinner & prepped & froze a further 450g for soup-making.
Then out in the drizzle to gather another carrier bag of pears. Have used 3lbs to make another batch of my secret recipe bbq sauce, now all bottled & waiting for labelling.
There's a lot of sanding going on today & it would have been a good gardening day, but it is very soggy underfoot from all the rain & looking at the black sky, I think we are on for some more this afternoon. I think I will see if I can hear the TV & if so, will cast on the yarn I bought (at reduced price, yay!) to knit Mr F some socks. I need to do those while he isn't around, so makes sense to start them in good time. Leftovers for lunch - as predicted, last night's tasty rice recipe made plenty.
Am getting really angry about current government covid complacency. UK figures much worse than Europe, where we are apparently known as 'Plague Island'. Mask wearing in crowded indoor spaces & distancing while out & about seem like such small things to do but all the sciencey people are saying it would make a difference to the current surge. All we can do is follow sensible procedures ourselves.
So I will say 'Stay safe' & well, & as always, keep your mitts on your pence.
F xx

Four_Seasons

I totally agree I feel my blood pressure rising every time I listen to the covid news, I think sadly that all in charge will wait until the NHS is in dire circumstances before they act, just like before, as you say we can only be sensible and look after ourselves.  I have groceries delivered and my weekly outing is to the farm shop (fully masked) for veggies I just don't have the confidence for anywhere else, good thing I can keep myself busy and happy at home. stay safe x

QueenJess

I have temporarily only allowed myself to open the news once a day for 5 mins on my phone. Otherwise it just gets too depressing. I mean I know it’s news, but it is all so gloomy.. inflation, COVID, climate change. 

I also don’t go anywhere, although after such a long period of time it is also getting a bit depressing. I might have to give myself a trip to the local farm shop or something (although it is an expensive, but yummy habit!).

I got a recipe for rhubarb ketchup recently. Has anyone tried that before? It sounds really nice!

Elisheba

I agree as well. It always seems to be just a bit too late, any measures taken, and then the whole thing lasts longer. The government doesn't care about protecting people anymore, it's only bothered about the NHS getting overwhelmed. I just hope my vaccine works, is all I can say. 

I'm wearing a mask when out and about indoors, sanitising regularly and working from home. Just got to hope others use a bit of common sense and do the same. 

ladyholly

I don't think any government has ever  had any concern for the "people". They are only concerned that we keep quiet and pay our taxes so they can live the high life doing what they want and to h*** with the rest of us. That is not to say some individual MPs don't do their best but they too are fighting a long established system.
With regard to covid the more elderly and disabled people who die the less  pensions and benefits have to be  paid. Sorry I am getting more cynical the older I get

Tescodealqueen

I have to agree with everyone. Had to do some running around today and went to several places. Despite notices asking people to wear masks myself and my husband were the only people wearing masks in any of them. I think we will be having restrictions before long. My OH has just told me that Morocco has banned people arriving from the uk so I am sure more will follow suit

Elisheba

I don't mind any restrictions being implemented again, and don't think they ever should have stopped to be honest, but I really can't bear the thought of another lockdown.  Its awfully hard when you are on your own with no family nearby to bubble with. The fact the government are are currently saying there won't ever be another lockdown doesn't comfort me hugely, as their promises seem to be like fluff in the wind.

ziggy2407

foxgloves said:

Am getting really angry about current government covid complacency. UK figures much worse than Europe, where we are apparently known as 'Plague Island'. Mask wearing in crowded indoor spaces & distancing while out & about seem like such small things to do but all the sciencey people are saying it would make a difference to the current surge. All we can do is follow sensible procedures ourselves.
So I will say 'Stay safe' & well, & as always, keep your mitts on your pence.
F xx

Having just come out of hospital (I had another heart attack) I am angry about the government full stop - the nhs is on its knees now and I cant see any miracles on the horizon to stop this winter being heartbreaking for so many.  Ambulances were lined up waiting to discharge their patients, standing room only in reception, security guards on wards and this was at 6.30 pm.  I can not thank the Dr's, Nurses, Porters and all those on the frontline for the care and respect I received but boy was it eye-opening the lack of staff, the amount of work expected to be carried out and the general lack of respect shown by some patients.  

I thought 2020 was a tough year but 2021 is making me reconsider - we seem to be just stumbling from briefing to briefing and no-one taking responsibility - I shall be making sure that me and mine are doing all we can to ensure our safety and the safety of those we come into contact with.

Apologies for the rant.