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

sammy_kaye18

@YorksLass Im glad to hear your freezer is working as it should be now. I tackled mine earlier and hacked away a load of ice that had formed and thankfully it seems to be closing just fine now! Just need to get the kids on board with closing the little freezer compartment up! I will give it a good defrost before winter comes. 

@London_1 I do worry about you when the weather turns, You have been one of the constant members that I remember from when I joined these forums as a new mum at the age of 19! I always look for you on the boards to make sure your alright :-) Oh how wonderful about baby Daisy too. I bet she is a little beauty! 

Well I have spent today making jam from the last of last years blackberries that were in the bottom of the freezer and I added in some freshly picked ones as well and got a good few smaller jars and made a seedless one for a neighbour who is lovely and always helps me out. I put the pulp into another jar and Im deciding what to do with it now. 

I also found a bag in the garden and when I tipped it out I had a nice little haul of potatoes which is a first for me and I still have a few more to empty out at a later date so thats one more thing checked off my 'can i grow it' list. I think I will cook them up tonight with a pie I found in the back of the cupboard and some more vegetables. 

Other than that I have washed all my wool and knitted things ready for winter and have towels etc to go and get on the line now. Husband sprang it on me yesterday that hes away two days this week too so I will get peace and quiet for a little bit as well but Im trying to think how I can use it to prepare myself for winter more so it will probably be more gardening - possibly some DIY! 

Longwalker

elsien said:

There’s all you lot being good stocking up on tins and stuff for the freezer, and there’s me legging it down to Sainsbury’s for the 25% off wine offer.  😀

Last year the meat offers were lamb/pork and gammons - half price for the 2 weeks BEFORE Christmas. I still have two legs of lamb in the freezer that were reduced after Christmas to £7 each

YorksLass

maryb said:

Lol. My fridge is 40 years old!  DH replaced the thermostat when it decided to self identify as a freezer.  No plans to replace it - I’ve looked from time to time and can’t see any that are as good.  And the freezer is 20 years old

Wow, they don't owe you anything, do they?  I think the problem with my freezer icing up is the silly thermostat switch - it's not actually a switch, more of a slider and it only takes the slightest knock for it to go on Fast Freeze.  It's behind the top drawer so I think I'll just have to take out the drawer and check a bit more often.  Not very helpful when it's supposed to be a frost-free appliance!

London_1

Just back from DDs, bless her, the poor lass her house looks dreadful and half the furniture is drying off as much as possible in their garage, the rest is just piled up awaiting the insurance assessor who has said he will come on 11th September .
All their doors and windows are opened but the damp musty smell is awful, their dining room carpet is a write off along with the one at the bottom of the stairs
 I could have cried for her, she's such a hard working lass and her OH is a grafter as well and the ground floor is ruined. Tomorrow they will take up the dining room carpet and it will go with the other stuff thats totally useless

My DGS Ben had come home for his friends wedding this weekend from London ,luckily he helped his Dad on Friday afternoon after the flood and bless him he went to the wedding on Saturday, but cried off from the reception as he wanted to get back to his parents house to help them clear up and move stuff.

He's such a nice young man and luckily his pal understood, I'm so proud that he thought of his Mum and Dad and decided their need was greater than anything else, even a fancy wedding reception
It was quite a big affair apparently. He's even splashed out on a smart new suit for the 'do' and I had said to him I hope there are some nice young ladies going who may appreciate you Ben  ,bless him he said 'So do I Nan'

 His last girlfriend went off with someone else and he's been single for around 10 months He's a lovely chap and so loyal, and was heartbroken when his ex decided to stray as they had been together since Uni. but I'm sure there is a nice lass somewhere who he will meet. 
 
sammy: what a nice surprise to get some free spuds and a few carrots as well 

I sorted out my freezer this afternoon and took some stuff round to DDs for her freezer that she will use up quicker than I will as when the boys come home they seem to have hollow legs.

JackieO xx

tryingtodobetter

I have massively overspent in July and August. Our savings have taken a hit helping DS1 move into his first place and the summer holidays have cost more than I wanted.

I needed some groceries, I didn't need £50 worth of stuff so didn't do an online shop but decided to go to Lidl instead. I spent £30, this along with what I already have in will do meals and snacks for the week. Although I had to spend money on fuel my delivery saver has run out so I would have had to pay for delivery anyway.

Today's plan is SUP at the beach with DS3 and friends, so just need to pay for parking and an ice cream, hopefully under £10 for the day.

maryb

Yorkslass, could you stick a bit of Blutak next to the slider so it can’t move? Tape would probably get too wet

YorksLass

@maryb - Brilliant idea!  I had thought about tape but not the Blutak so I'm going to try it - it can't do any harm, can it?  Thanks so much.

Lovely warm and sunny day here today.  Sofa throws have been washed and soon dried outside.  I've also returned a book to the Little Free Library but didn't borrow any more as there wasn't much there of interest today.  Quick Co-op shop for an extra pint of milk, a bottle of lemonade for DH, fish for Friday and a packet of cheese straws.  I know I could make them - and sometimes do if I have a bit of pastry left over - but these are really nice and not too expensive.  Always handy to have with soup or dips.

The inexpensive bunch of carnations I treated myself to two weeks ago lasted really well and I was going to get some more today but they only had a few bunches of roses that didn't look too healthy so I didn't bother.  Instead, I've cut a few stems of hydrangeas from my (very) small strip of garden.  Free - and they look so cheerful in a blue & white jug on my kitchen window cill.  

@London_1 - House floods cause so much damage and heartache, not to mention the expense of replacing things.  I really feel for your poor DD and her family.  DGS Ben is a treasure - I hope he'll find Miss Right soon.

Krakkkers

Buying 1 pint of milk is expensive, could you not buy 4?

YorksLass

Krakkkers said:

Buying 1 pint of milk is expensive, could you not buy 4?

I usually buy a 6 pint once a fortnight - cheaper than 4 - but just needed a bit more to last us until Thursday since I've used more than usual.  Don't worry, it's not something I'd often do!  

tooldle

London_1 said:

Just back from DDs, bless her, the poor lass her house looks dreadful and half the furniture is drying off as much as possible in their garage, the rest is just piled up awaiting the insurance assessor who has said he will come on 11th September .
All their doors and windows are opened but the damp musty smell is awful, their dining room carpet is a write off along with the one at the bottom of the stairs
 I could have cried for her, she's such a hard working lass and her OH is a grafter as well and the ground floor is ruined. Tomorrow they will take up the dining room carpet and it will go with the other stuff thats totally useless

My DGS Ben had come home for his friends wedding this weekend from London ,luckily he helped his Dad on Friday afternoon after the flood and bless him he went to the wedding on Saturday, but cried off from the reception as he wanted to get back to his parents house to help them clear up and move stuff.

He's such a nice young man and luckily his pal understood, I'm so proud that he thought of his Mum and Dad and decided their need was greater than anything else, even a fancy wedding reception
It was quite a big affair apparently. He's even splashed out on a smart new suit for the 'do' and I had said to him I hope there are some nice young ladies going who may appreciate you Ben  ,bless him he said 'So do I Nan'

 His last girlfriend went off with someone else and he's been single for around 10 months He's a lovely chap and so loyal, and was heartbroken when his ex decided to stray as they had been together since Uni. but I'm sure there is a nice lass somewhere who he will meet. 
 
sammy: what a nice surprise to get some free spuds and a few carrots as well 

I sorted out my freezer this afternoon and took some stuff round to DDs for her freezer that she will use up quicker than I will as when the boys come home they seem to have hollow legs.

JackieO xx

An industrial dehumidifier or two, would help enormously. My folk’s bungalow was flooded with about 1 foot of water, some years back. It took months to dry the place out. The insurance should be willing to send a skip and dehumidifier in advance of their assessor coming out. The assessor can check the items in the skip as needed. My folks cracked on and sorted their property. Their neighbours lived in a caravan on their drive for almost 9 months, as they waited for trades to be available, to clear and refit. 

The worse part is the worry whenever it rains. Good to have a plan or measures in place to prevent similar from happening again. Good luck to them.