Life is a minestrone as the song says - my new diary

teapot2

Warm and sunny today so washed towels and bedding and got them dried outside. I also launched operation saving trainers after they got completely sodden last week. I'd stuffed them with newspaper to dry out but they just stayed damp and smelly. I put them through a low temp quick cycle in the washing machine twice and then hung them outside and so far it seems to be working as they are a lot more fragrant. Wasn't sure how they'd fare in the WM as they're not washable as such.

Nipped out to @sda after lunch to get some mince, falafels and fruit. As I don't go to the supermarket very often now, I bought a few things for the Food Bank as there's a donation point in @sda. Used the mince to make meatballs in tomato sauce for the family.

Did a bit of weeding and discovered that there was a huge mound of cat poo in the garden - its not BOFB as he uses a tray and doesn't have a cat flap to go out. The local cats have obviously designated it their toilet :mad: so gathered all the poos up and double bagged and binned them. Not pleasant :mad: As its been hot today I watered the garden and resisted the temptation to spray one of said cats who it turned out was lurking behind a bush in the garden. Shes a funny wee thing and I do like her just not her poos.....

Finished the roasted veg along with some couscous and falafels for tea. I've never made falafels so was looking at some recipes as I've got quite a few tins of chick peas. Some recipes said not to use tinned though and some said do so confused now

Tired tonight so will get work stuff ready then have a reasonably early night.

teapot2

Work yesterday including meeting for a possible new bit of work from September. Was feeling really zonked when I got home as its so hot and airless on my commute home so just sat outside with a reviving cuppa.

Tea was salad, am annoyed with myself as I once again forgot to use the broad beans I bought at the weekend . I looked in the fridge but as they were still in a brown paper bag, I didn't 'see' them! Have now decanted them for use tonight with rest of the falafels and some salad.

Nothing much going on money wise, have paid a couple of CCs and done a money shuffle through the accounts. A couple of 1poll surveys done and also a Prolific.

Need to get a wriggle on as off out about noon for a work meeting in nearby town and I'll have a charity shop search when I'm there plus must remember to buy more tomatoes.

Plan is to do some weeding when I get home, might actually happen now I've written it down

Karmacat

Good luck on the weeding tonight. And falafel and broad beans is a classic combo

teapot2

Thanks KC, tea was delicious but simple - falafels, bit of greek
yoghurt, broad beans, beetroot, tomatoes, sliced mini courgette, few salad pots from y'day and salad leaves and radishes from the garden.

When I lived in London we often used to eat at one of the many local Turkish restaurants. My fave meal was a veggie Meze which included a delish dip made with broad beans. Never managed to reproduce it

So, visited every charity shop in nearby town after work meeting but no back packs to be had. Then just before bus time I went to the final shop and they had several so bought one for £6 :j Its got lots of compartments and pockets plus a thing to hang keys on in one pocket. I use the current key thing a lot as I have 3 sets of work keys plus home keys :eek: so its very handy. My current back pack has done well as I bought it about 18 years ago and used it a lot but the zip is dodgy and keeps opening on its own

I did about 45 minutes of weeding and it does look much better though of course there is always more to do.

Got a phone call to say the person I met with yesterday would like to work with me and I'm happy to do that so a bit more work which will start in about 7 weeks. So, gradually building up work again.

teapot2

Meant to say that I booked train tickets to visit a friend for a week in a couple of months time. Have got cat sitter booked and arranged some cover at work where necessary.

I booked on Tr@inline via a cash back site, did the split ticket dance and used my senior railcard for 1/3rd off too, very :money:. Was surprised though to get my whole return journey for £25 which is amazing as its over 300 miles. Mind you I have to be up at silly o'clock for the first train.

On the way down, one of the tickets was showing First Class to be the cheapest option so I went for that and hopefully they might be serving 'free' coffees and food during the time I'm on that bit of the journey :rotfl:.

beanielou

Good news on the rucksack, the weeding & the new work

beanielou

& good news on the train~ Price & partly first class

Karmacat

Excellent shopping, in person and online sleep well.

teapot2

Didn't get round to putting the PC on y'day by the time I got home late from work and had something to eat. Had a haircut y'day morning so that feels better.

Its been a bit cooler the last couple of days but after I got the bus home on Tuesday, I've decided that if its really hot and I'm travelling home in the late afternoon or 'rush hour' then I'll get the train rather than the bus as I'm fit for nothing after spending an hour and a half in a sweltering, stuffy bus. The bus is free but the downside is I'm just zonked after the journey.

Chased up my Prolific payment as its nearly a week and it hasn't arrived which is unusual as the payments are normally speedy. Apparently there is a problem with a number of cash out requests made on that date so they will get back to me. A few 1poll surveys and one Prolific done so far today.

Met my sis for a coffee this morning and had a catch up and made plans for the weekend. Quick visit to @sda on the way back, needed bread and got a bag of spinach and some cashews to put in curry for tonight's tea. Also took the opportunity to stick a couple of items in the food bank collection bin.

Need to do a washing as almost out of socks, some gardening hopefully if the rain stays off and lunch is calling

beanielou

Happy new hair