It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Florenceem

Been busy at our food bank today.
We have crates of tomatoes and cucumbers out for people to help themselves.
Someone is going to make tomato soup for people to have after watching the funeral at SA on Monday.

YorksLass

Yesterday I walked up to the local Co-op to get some bits and bobs to put us on over the weekend/Mon BH and got a couple of ys items while I was there.  I walked a different way as I had a letter to pop in the post box and discovered we have a Little Free Library outside one of the houses.  Not sure if anyone else has come across them - I think it's a community initiative - but it's basically like an oversized bird box with a door, attached to a pole or fence where you can donate and borrow books, free of charge.  I took one for my winter reading and have dug out 4 from the CS bag to donate next week.  Rather timely, as the Co-op have got rid of their shelf for donated books for re-sale for charity.

Meal plan done for next week with practically everything coming from existing stocks and the freezer.  I've done a small online order for next week and as usual there are price increases    and a fair few oos items, especially on the basics.  Thank goodness for a well stocked pantry and freezer.

It's definitely getting more autumnal now.  We've brought out the throws for the evenings and put a lightweight duvet on the bed.  Heating not on as yet, but it's oh so tempting, especially in the evenings.  It may have to happen soon though as the bedrooms are starting to have that damp, musty smell to them despite having windows open.  Sometimes it feels warmer outside than it is in the house!

This week's irksome issues have been dealing with TV Licensing who seem to think we don't have a licence (yes, we do) and trying to get DH registered for online banking - not succeeded yet.  It's good they take security seriously but talk about jumping through hoops!  We don't have bank branches near us so have used the PO instead - however, that's also closed now.  Grrr.

calleyw

YorksLass said:

Yesterday I walked up to the local Co-op to get some bits and bobs to put us on over the weekend/Mon BH and got a couple of ys items while I was there.  I walked a different way as I had a letter to pop in the post box and discovered we have a Little Free Library outside one of the houses.  Not sure if anyone else has come across them - I think it's a community initiative - but it's basically like an oversized bird box with a door, attached to a pole or fence where you can donate and borrow books, free of charge.  I took one for my winter reading and have dug out 4 from the CS bag to donate next week.  Rather timely, as the Co-op have got rid of their shelf for donated books for re-sale for charity.

In my local area.  They use decommissioned telephone boxes as mini libraries

Florenceem

Been to SA today - there was a lovely get together of Ukrainian families. 
I was busy sorting out bags of donations - ready for our table top sale next Saturday - I have 9 tables reserved.

YorksLass

calleyw said:

In my local area.  They use decommissioned telephone boxes as mini libraries

Good idea.  One of our local bus services uses a rack at the front of the bus where people can donate/borrow books.

Today I've amended my online grocery order that's due tomorrow and have deleted one of the items as I got it cheaper at the Co-op, thanks to a membership 50p MOC.  I also deleted another item that's now out of stock as I didn't want their suggested alternative.  There were 3 other items that have gone up since I placed the original order - 10p on tins of sardines, 15p on a pack of wholemeal muffins and 10p on a pack of hot cross buns.  Grrr.  I haven't ordered any meat, poultry or fish either as I'm using up what I have in the freezer but will visit the SM at the end of the week to stock up on those items.

I've parked my knitting for now as I have a number of things waiting to be sewn up.  Much as I hate this part of it, it needs doing and it will be worth it, once finished.  Added bonus - it keeps my knees warm!  

Florenceem

Spent the morning at SA watching the funeral.
This afternoon I prepared some cooking apples that I was given.

halfamo

Havent read to the end but noticed the talk about thermals and keeping warm. At work, the drivers  sometimes wore a thin pair of trousers with another bigger pair on top.   Wearing tights under trousers is quite a cheap way to be warmer and doesnt matter about ladders.   yoga leggings, work just like cheaper thermal long john legs do and cost much less even when made of very similar material. Plain T shirts work well under work shirts. I remember when almost everyone had vests to wear in the winter, what happened to that I wonder? 

CKhalvashi

halfamo said:

Havent read to the end but noticed the talk about thermals and keeping warm. At work, the drivers  sometimes wore a thin pair of trousers with another bigger pair on top.   Wearing tights under trousers is quite a cheap way to be warmer and doesnt matter about ladders.   yoga leggings, work just like cheaper thermal long john legs do and cost much less even when made of very similar material. Plain T shirts work well under work shirts. I remember when almost everyone had vests to wear in the winter, what happened to that I wonder? 

A pair of joggers under trousers if in the warehouse works just as well. It gets cold in there.

Si_Clist

Well, as I never tire of saying - stand by for power cuts for sure this winter.  This "breaking news" just in on Sky ...

Liz Truss has promised the UK will not ration energy, but warned "we cannot jeopardise our security" for the sake of keeping costs down.   The prime minister said she supports energy efficiency measures, but will not be encouraging people to use less energy this winter like other countries - such as Germany - have done.

So I guess the only question now is - what does our dear Prime Minister know that the rest of Europe doesn't?

ETA - so she "supports energy efficiency measures"  but "will not be encouraging people to use less energy...".  Hmmm.  I could do with some of whatever it is that she's on ...

Siebrie

I can tell you that in Belgium, we have been asked to limit the thermostat setting at home and at work to 19C.