Simplifying Life

mary43

Charis - glad you got your health hiccups sorted.....just goes to show.......we are what we eat (as the saying goes) Makes me wonder what on earth is in some of the other stuff that we think is ok but maybe isn't.
And I think we know our bodies a lot better than our gp's do sometimes.

ceridwen - thanks for the bread recipe..........I'll get OH to have a look later - its him who's made himself in charge of the breadmaker.............lol
We do seem to have a problem with keep it fresh though........any ideas of how to store it to stop it going dry ?
As for young lad's 'flat with the job'..........he didn't mention it at all when he came back yesterday so I think he was just going by what someone might have told him........he does have a habit of 'selective hearing'..........job and flat mentioned in the same paragraph mean they go together................lol
He seems calmer and less stressed out now he knows he can stay here (even cooked lunch for us both !!!!!) and hopefully that is what he'll do - I'll worry a lot less about him.

All morning has been taken up with a meeting so I'm left with the coffee cups to wash up -plus lunch plates and bowl (lad disappeared rapidlly before I could mention washing up !!) I'd overslept and meeting was at 10am........there was me still in the process of 'waking up'..........seems to take longer as I get older...........lol
Post has been now and I've some door hangers arrive that I'll decorate for my grandchildren for Christmas..........but not today...............:rolleyes:
The sink beckons as does letter from Mums friend that needs replying to.................:o

mary43

Oh lor..............don't you just hate it when you think everythings fallen into place nicely and something else crops up ?????
Youngest lad has just told us theres a hole in his ceiling !!!!:eek: Luckily the roofs been sorted so should we have total downpour it'll be ok but it's and old house, old plaster.........get the picture ? Once it starts to go it'll carry on ??
Well, in an ideal world we'd get the builder in and get it sorted but, not living in an ideal world (who does?) it'l have to be a makeshift job for now..............reasons being, to replace whole ceiling would take too long and where would this young lad sleep in the meantime ? Plus of course there's that little thing called money..........or the lack of.............
So, chirpy cheerful builder is coming on Saturday morning to have a look and hopefully make some sort of repair job - cheap !

Aril

Hello virtual friends:j
Hope all are well. I am now the very proud owner of a new kitchen and exceedingly overthrilled about it:D We've been planning /saving for it for two years and started work on it last Autumn. Due to financial constraints OH, Dad and I have done all the work ourselves and have kept all the original equipment as it's all in good working order. It's not me at all to have the latest newest model on the market- I'm far too frugal. We've been lucky to have received a stainless steel sink, some door handles and some lights from freecycle which have all cleaned up a treat. These combined with new work surfaces, tiles and flooring [have supported local businesses with all these] mean it looks lovely. Nothing is expensive but I have chosen carefully so it all coordinates. Finally, have really pushed the boat out and have gone mad in the 75% off sale in Whittard and bought some gorgeous huge coffee cups and saucers for £1.50 each to finish it off. I took the simple approach and a modest budget and am chuffed with what we've achieved for our dosh!
A word from Lao Tzu tonight
Manifest plainess
Embrace simplicity
Reduce selfishness
Have few desires
Arilx

ceridwen

Hi Mary

I can only speak for myself re bread storage - 2 loaves made per time - 1 in freezer (assuming my mother hasnt come visiting - and walked out the door with it!) and t'other wrapped in clean teatowel and put in wooden breadbin. Seems to work okay. Re the ceiling plaster coming down - I'm glad you mentioned in the next breath that you have a builder coming in for a look at it......Those chunks of old plaster looked a bit heavy to me when a bit of ceiling had just fallen down to the floor in front of me. So - keep a bit of a weathereye on it till the builder turns up....if you notice some teensy hairline cracks starting to visibly spread or hear an odd funny little noise from the direction of the ceiling - get your running shoes and move out from under pronto. That's what one notices immediately before a bit of old ceiling plaster heads for the floor - voice of experience time here!

Hi Aril
Glad to hear your kitchen is sorted out and you are pleased with it.

shaz_mum_of__2

Mary - Bread storage i cool my bread on a rack covered in a clean tea towel then once cool i put in a zip lok plastic bag

Do you put any fat in your bread marg butter or whatever helps with keeping qualities and milk gives a softer crust i do a nice milk loaf but it doesn'tkeep as well as the brown!

Home made will never last as long as bought in stuff as commercial bread has loads of chemicals added to keep it mould free .........but tastes better!!

Shaz - off to chinese kite making craft session with 7 yr old today see you later

2cats1kid

Mary, the recipe I use has sunflower oil in and it keeps really well. Doesn't often get a chance to, mind, but when it needs to it does.

mary43

Aril - oh how I'd love a new kitchen........................:rolleyes: Still, what we've got functions ok and was very very cheap ! Like you I go along with supporting local business where possible. Might cost a bit more but with the price of petrol as it is, well, balances out really plus we get good personal service.
Love the quote...........another to add to my book.

ceridwen - thanks for advice on ceiling. Should be ok as the roof is sound as a pound...........its just old plaster thats crying out to be replaced and think its only been the ceiling paper thats been holding it up............lol and that was put up before we moved here. One of those jobs that keeps getting put off until a hole appears........but come Saturday, hopefully and chirpy chatty builder chappie will put it to rights.

Thanks all for advice about the bread. It doesn't normally last long enough to worry about but its something worth knowing. Like the idea of the zip lock bags..........not sure where you buy them though. We currently use the tea towel -wooden bread bin method.

Today..........well - sw was supposed to visit our younger lad.........said he'd phone if he couldn't come and also to let me know what time he'd be here...........no phone call (do they ever?) so I phone the office and he's been called away. How long does it take to make quick phone call to let us know ?) Younger person got in a bit of a mood for a while and went off out, fishing rods in hand - back now though and is ok about it.
Older lad seems more settled now he knows he can stay here.........we've yet to see his sw at 1pm...........but, he's being very good, making me lunch at the moment, and tidying his room.................:eek: Thats something I'm finding hard to believe............but he is !!!!!! He's actually put the curtains up that I got for him (£2 from charity shop, good thick lined ones) -don't ask what happened to the others............!!!!!
OH has got a days work which is a relief and another days work tomorrow !
So far things seem to be going well (apart from hole in ceiling!) and I keep waiting for things to crop up..............fingers crossed nothing does !

mary43

Hello all
Well, youngest lad off for a go-karting trip for the day, oldest one has 'popped out for a sec' and that was about an hour ago ! I had planned to see my disabled friend but she had a really bad night and is going back to bed. So, thought I'd start on 'craft projects'............not good idea.......what I was doing was so fiddly I wondered why I was bothering then I ran out of stuff. Other things I could do I need bits for and can't go out till our lad gets back otherwise he's locked out ! Methinks I need to phone him and track him down so I can plan my day. It definitely won't involve housework thats for sure..............lol With builder chappie calling tomorrow and walking in and out no point till he's finished.
And not looking forward too trying the hoover........our lad hoovered his bedroom yesterday (not so you''d notice) and said the hoover packed up on him. It's done that before and I'm thinking a new one is needed........another expense I could do without...............remember gran never ever had one and kept her carpets well brushed by hand..........not sure I fancy doing that though..................lol

EagerLearner

Hi all, I've started a money saving blog so thought I'd drop a message on here - hoping to upload a new post every day so please do leave comments and let me know what you think so far!

Savings Now:
http://savingsnow.blogspot.com

It really is about more simplicity, less spending, more time...

mary43

Good idea and have had a look. Tried to leave a comment but couldn't without opening a URL or something............oh I got so confused............lol