From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

badmemory

I haven't bought from M&S for over 50 years, not because of their prices but their business methods & the number of clothes makers they sent into bankruptcy.  They hadn't improved when 15 years ago my family bought me a black anorak, following washing instructions it went grey.  So no receipt & possibly upset family if requested, so I have a grey anorak & I've not even mentioned the buttons all coming off.  Definitely not a fan.

EssexHebridean

Sadly if the offensive child was willing to try to food-police others anyway, I suspect they would also not hesitate to mock such a statement RT, as lovely as the idea is. Probably better just to ensure that LG has a good understanding that even if the bar DID have sugar, as a treat that would be absolutely fine, and that sugar is necessary and not something to be feared. I’d suggest that the child’s behaviour ought to be brought up with the school on that basis, in fact, however I suspect the school’s reaction would be similarly fear-mongering! 

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

tmv - I agree - I bought some baking powder from M&$ the other week - because it was where I was at and there was no real alternative without travelling to a supermercado.  But I'm sure I paid upwards of 25% more - surely to goodness that is not a sustainable business model to rely on folks buying x,y or z because they need it there and then - that's hardly 'everyone' exiting the stores with an overflowing trolley of a 'weekly' shop, is it.  

EH - yes, although £10 seems alot for what was less than a minutes work, it was a good purchase - and immediately, it is just so much easier to be able to open the door as and when it is needed.  I agree, sometimes it's not always about the cost, but the value/time added to your life! 😁

rt - sadly LG would not have the confidence to say that - but also, there is a definite groundswell of opinion that HM = bad/shonky/economy, whereas brand/bought/what everyone else has = where it's at/the pinnacle of perfection and success/what you should respect..... 🙁  Individuality, homespun, artisanal.......  all unknown, unwanted and sneered at...... 🙁You have to conform 🙁 "fruity" phones, tablets and digital watches are all - anything else is.......  And this is at primary level.......... 🙁

badmemory - I haven't bought M&$ clothes for yonks, but by far the most comfortable bra I have ever had was part of their maternity range - I'm hanging on to my last one, but I have looked up their range now, and it's just changed so much, in materials used, fabrication etc etc  Even though I don't need the functionality of the bra in the same way now, I don't think there is any point in purchasing new ones from there, as I'm not buying 'what was'.  It wasn't broken, pity M&$ deemed it necessary to economise even further.  And don't even get me started on their children's clothes these days.....Although, regrettably, they are not alone in being pants at designing well fitting, comfortable clothing made from durable materials.

So, we've munched tea.  It turned out quite well.  LG didn't bat an eyelid at munching onion, garlic, celery, red pepper, mushrooms, courgette, all in a tomato sauce which had an equally long list of vegetable components.  I topped it with a HM cheese bechamel sauce, which i finished up under the grill.  We had the last (probably from Christmas) garlic bread stick to accompany.  We had apple crumble (using up the shonky apples out of the fruit bowl), and the last of the vanilla icecream for pud.  

DH has survived the day at work, but as expected, is working tomorrow 😕🙄

I'm glad I took a punt on the washing.  I washed a load of LG's clothes.  Are they 'bone' dry, no.  But are they mucho, mucho drier than I'd hoped - yes, and now they are on the airer overnight, they will probably be fully dry by tomorrow - YAY! 

Today I am grateful for these 3 things;

getting up and going for a walk - it lead to seeing, and achieving several good things
bothering to try something different for tea
for DH who consistently wants to do his best for Team Greying - we're so blessed to have him

Ta for popping in and cheering us on.  It is appreciated - now and always. 

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Sorry EH - I missed your post.  Yes, regrettably, this child has taken it upon themselves to 'police' a multitude of aspects of school life - snack/lunchtime being only one part of it 🙁  To be absolutely fair, the class teacher is taking them to task, but naturally, they have been getting away with this 'bossiness' for their whole school career, and beyond - affecting many children - not just LG.  Things won't change overnight.  We're trying a variety of strategies, some days they work, some days they don't.....  But the child keeps on seeking LG out to sit/stand/play/eat lunch next to............ 🙄

Rightly or wrongly (me being the aged 'adult' and all), the accusation that I would provide LG with something sugar laden, just riled.  

I finally caught up with the Andi Oliver programme for this week.  How could I not, it featuring the Valleys and all.  Lovely to see Ponty again, and all the scenery.  Reminded me of a very special time in my life - lots of lovely memories of lots of lovely people.  Funnily enough I made welsh cakes for the first time in quite a while - a couple of weeks ago.  Reminded me of my late mum, they were her 'goto' for any social occasion.  Suspect mine were a bit more funky, given I used spices and all, but they were pounced on by Team Greying so I must have done summat right.  Apples don't fall far from the tree.

Greying X

beanielou

Fruity watches for primary age children. Bleeping heck. I am in my 60’s and have one but mainly as a fall’s detection tool rather than an auful thing round my neck 

Greying_Pilgrim

beanielou said:

Fruity watches for primary age children. Bleeping heck. I am in my 60’s and have one but mainly as a fall’s detection tool rather than an auful thing round my neck 

Sad but true beanie.  I think they are supposed to be in a certain 'mode' for school - (although as a luddite, I'm not entirely sure what mode that is).  As much as anything, they are not cheap, I think I would be worried about such an item getting lost/misplaced/damaged by the normal 'rough and tumble' of the school day.

Greying X

badmemory

It reminds me of my DSs first year or so at primary.  The first year they all took things like carrot sticks in their lunch boxes, absolutely no problem.  Then suddenly I am asked not to put carrot sticks in.  Some of his friends are saying the same to their mothers.  New kid in school who is making fun of them.  So annoying as no matter what we all do the damage has been done.  Won't even eat them at home.

kayannie

I've started making Welsh cakes again recently - the ingredients are relatively cheap & don't take long to cook. My mum was Welsh & I still have a few of her hand written recipes, including her Welsh cakes. I don't really need to look at the recipe but I like unfolding the piece of paper she wrote it on & reading her writing. I always add mixed spice for extra flavour though.

Re M&S clothes - I remember when they proudly boasted that their clothing was all made in the UK. I'm so ancient that no-one else can probably remember that!

KA

rtandon27

There are tech 'requirements' for babas?  Being only a god-mama has really left me out of touch!  Mind you my youngest god-child is no longer a child at 18 & he's off to uni! and my eldest is now a mama of 2 littlies herself!  Goodness where does the time go?  In my head, the boy is only 11 and they eldest stuck at a cute 6ish in a snowsuit!

badmemory

kayannie said:

Re M&S clothes - I remember when they proudly boasted that their clothing was all made in the UK. I'm so ancient that no-one else can probably remember that!

KA

I do & used to know a company that made them.  They do not have a good reputation for dealing with suppliers.  There was one of the Coronation St stories that I was always sure referred to M&S.