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Wow, things are a bit different

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  • Hey, thought I'd pop over to your diary given you kindly welcomed me and commented on mine!  Have only managed to read first page and last couple though.  Good luck with the outcome of the interview/job hunt if that doesn't work out.  Very annoying re washing machine - I tend to fire off complaints too when stuff like that happens so hopefully you will receive some sort of redress!
    A fab slow cooker recipe is the bbc food slow cooker lemon chicken (think it's by jane hornby or someone like that).  I've made it countless times and it freezes really well.  I leave off the olives as don't like them but I find it lovely and it's a really good one if having friends over.  I also tend to serve it with some natural yoghurt and pitta breads.  I've tried to curries off there a few times but they never seem to work for me - not sure why!
  • LondonLiz
    LondonLiz Posts: 91 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 14 February at 1:46PM
    Thanks @[Deleted User] I've found that recipe and giving it a go tomorrow - got a cheap free range chicken at Aldi the other day so it should make lots of meals.  I might leave the olives out too - I like them but not that keen on hot ones!  Ditto raisins and sultanas, will eat them as snacks but dislike them in hot dishes.

    Well no phone call on the job interview so I am taking that as a no.  Not that upset but it's irritating they haven't had the courtesy to email or phone having said it would be end of this week.  Have seen a fixed term contract to apply for that sounds interesting and also a 3 month day rate job which want an immediate start,  not paying a great rate but it would be OK for a short time and would certainly pay the bills and then some. 

    Had a list of tasks planned for today, intended to go out by 9am to pick up a click & collect order, buy one last Xmas present since it won't arrive in time if I order it online,  and get some final food bits for Xmas day. Oh and some wine for tonight's Zoom catch up with a mate. Meant I had to go in a few different directions from home not all walk-able, so a bit of an effort but then it would all be done.  I wanted to get out early so that queues were smaller and I could be back mid-afternoon at latest.  But it was scuppered by sleeping in til 8am then getting a urgent 'can we speak' message from my niece ('back 'in home home' country).  I had a slight panic it was something serious with her mum/my sister or the kids but although important and upsetting to her it wasn't life threatening, just one of those family dramas that crop up. So nearly 2 hours later...... we rung off.  It was lovely to have a good chat - she has 4 kids, (one who is high functioning Aspergers) and a busy job so we seldom get time for a proper catch up.  She felt better afterwards and had some ideas for how to tackle the problem at least and I will also get in touch with my sister to take the emotional load off a bit as well, as she tends to lean on my niece a bit too much.  That's what Aunties are for - especially single childless ones!

    Anyway by then the incentive to go out was low so I've decided to do a bit tomorrow and the rest on Monday.  Should have spent the day tidying and cleaning as flat is an absolute tip but other than some half-hearted job hunting have frittered it away in TV and reading.

    Washing machine finally installed and I've started the mounds of laundry.  Won't be using the cottons wash much - it took HOURS and my towels can't be that dirty.  I am worried it's not properly leveled, the spin cycle is making a real racket and the machine is shaking sideways. Have tried to adjust the front ones but it's too hard so may have to get them back again - I will see how the next couple of loads go.  It's been such a saga - ended up getting £75 goodwill payment and the £25 installation fee refunded so its worked out a cheap machine in the end, but tbh I'd rather have paid full amount and not had the stress. 

  • God this year just keeps getting worse. Feel sorry for the poor lorry drivers stuck in Kent.  What a Christmas for them.

    Took me ages to find confirmation on the govt website that I can still stay the night with my support bubble for Christmas.  I'd actually be OK having Xmas on my own but given I am allowed to go I feel they'll take it badly if I pull out now.    I was also meant to be house-sitting over New Year's but that's now off since they are also in Tier 4 and cannot go away to their holiday home in Tier 3.  It's so messy - I have some friends dashing out to buy Christmas dinner as they are now unexpectedly at home , whilst others were going to be feeding 9 and are now only 3 for Xmas so faced with a food glut that won't get eaten and the freezer's already full! 

    Sounds like at least one set of friends will be breaking the rules as as they will still be having 20-something kid and partner staying over, but although I don't entirely approve I can see why they are doing it as said young people are also in Tier 4 and holed up in a small flat and pretty stir crazy. I guess everyone is applying their own moral compass to some of these situations.  Fully expect Tier 4 to continue well into Jan ....

    MSE wise this month is a total write off.  I've just bought too much chocolate/wine/food/treats/wants not needs so January will have to be a back to bones month. Though some of the purchases have to be returned as they don't fit/aren't suitable, so I will claw a bit back from that.   Pushed the limit a bit on the bubble's Christmas presents since they are hosting me and won't let me contribute much.  I am taking pudding and dessert wine but that's about it..  They are also hard to buy for - have expensive tastes, slight brand snobs and have most of what they need




  • LondonLiz
    LondonLiz Posts: 91 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
    Well Christmas is done and New Year is here.  As is lockdown 3.  Felt a bit sorry for myself and put something up on FB to that effect and lots of lovely friends and even people I'm rarely in contact with came out of woodwork with supportive messages.  Including several in NZ & Australia where they are mostly living a normal life and enjoying a Covid free summer.   That was a nice boost and shows the good side of social media..  Funnily most of them think it worse than it is really - I've not been personally impacted by anyone I know well getting Covid  badly so it's more the chafing at the restrictions, frustrations, boredom and fed-up to eyeballs feelings that get me down if I let them.  Anyway I've already had one  Zoom catch up though must do better at juggling the time difference so one of us isn't still up horribly late - my friend got it wrong and it was 1am their time before we rang off.  Though we did talk for nearly 3 hours!

    I have 3 jobs to apply for but the motivation is very low.  None feel right for me even though on paper they fit my skills and background.  It's tough as there are less jobs around & I'm nervous about using up lots of the savings but I just do not want to go into something that I am fairly sure would make me miserable longer term.  Dilemma.

    Trying to get back into some exercise to stave off the winter glums - I usually struggle in Jan/Feb at best of time less alone with no work or social life and a rampaging virus .  I had a massive long walk yesterday with a friend, over 12K steps and nearly 9km according to the not very accurate app on my phone.  Today I have done nothing (other than talk to my O/seas friend and read loads of MSE diaries)  but tomorrow is a workout in the park -  can still see the PT under new rules and it gets me into the fresh air though will be freezing cold.  Am considering cutting back or even stopping the sessions if I am not working by end of Jan given the income problem.   I'll see when time comes as it is part of the few things I can do for my well-being at the moment, other than chocolate and alcohol which are a double edged sword. 
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