Moving on

badmemory

Somewhere in an earlier life I remember reading something along the lines of "getting over heavy ground as lightly as you can" which always seemed appropriate. I have a funny feeling it could be a quote from one of Georgette Heyer's books.  I'm not sure I have lived up to it though, but we can but try.

Cherryfudge

I like that quotation, @badmemory. I've never read Georgette Heyer - I always assumed they were silly romances because the covers always seemed to feature 18th century beauties, but lately I've heard that they are talented writings so perhaps it's time I tried some. I hadn't realised many are set in the inter-war period, which is one of my favourites.

I got two lots of machine washing done, and some by hand. It got partly dried on the line and I hurriedly brought it in to the airer when I got back from the course. The course itself was good: not new material but a useful revision. The thing about safeguarding is that in real life there are so many grey areas: thank goodness I can pass things to the appropriate people and not have to make those decisions myself.

On the way home I called into M&S where I bought discounted bread and a small culinary squash (£1.08) and Adsa where I spent 75p on discounted face paints for the children. I also bumped into the daughter of a former colleague and apologised to her for dashing past her and her Mum on Sunday. I was freezing and needed to get home to thaw and complete sewing up the blanket.

Lastly I remembered I needed some mixed grains for a recipe I want to try, and discovered that L1dl has an offer on microwave grains and rices. I bought lots - some will go in the 'emergency provisions' cupboard in case we are ill and not up to cooking things the long way, and some will be for when we just want to cut corners. I hope we like them, but not too much as I think they may work out costing more than dry goods!

Once home, I had time to go for a run but once I was changed, I realised the rain had started. I hesitated for a moment then decided I wasn't going to be done out of my run, so I went anyway. As it's so mild, the rain turned into a cooler but not unpleasant experience. I'm on C25K week 5 run 2 now, which is half way through the programme. Today it was two 16 minute runs and my muscle memory must have remembered something because at one point I could cheerfully have speeded up. I've been keeping my pace down as usual: I have to be fitter than this to speed up but when I used to run longer distances, there was a point of being thoroughly warmed up that comes after about half an hour or so of running, when something or other kicks in and I can run the last bit at what other people might recognise as a running speed rather than a slow jog! This was happening today so although I'm not ready to speed up yet, I am motivated to get back to that point. The thing is, I realised once I was out that I wasn't nearly visible enough so I need to get some more running lights. Looking online, there's a sort of light-up harness that seems to fit the bill. I don't think reflectives are nearly visible enough, though useful as backup to lights.

The apple-box people had put more fruit out so I took four apples home!

Dinner was lentil and chorizo soup (one or two portions are left for another day). This evening we went to our separate groups and both had a super time. DH's group was joining with another for the evening, which seems to have been entertaining and DH came home smiling. Only half of my group was around tonight but we had a good discussion and plenty of laughs.

Cherryfudge

DH had the day off today so he set about his usual round of activity and got very wet running errands in the morning. The dip in the ground leading to the new soakaway filled with water for a while: I think of it as 'the moat', but it drained once the rain slowed.

Our main meal was this recipe, which I'd seen recommended elsewhere on these boards (possibly the frugal thread?). I wouldn't call it frugal but it's delicious and will certainly be made again. I used frozen blueberries, but next time I'd defrost them ahead of time. I'd also ignore the bit where it says to put the chicken and blueberries on a board: a couple of dishes would be sensible unless your floor is already the colour of blueberry juice.

We decided to go out for coffee and chose the garden centre in the next town. While I was getting ready, my phone went and it was an offer of some weeks of teaching assistant work. It's been so long since they've needed me! I'm delighted because it's in an English class, oddly enough near where we were going for coffee. However, that's going to take some effort as I don't drive and the train station is a long way from the venue. Buses are a possibility but there are only four a day. I can get there but getting home is likely to involve hanging round waiting for two hours unless DH happens not to be working and can give me a lift. Nevertheless I'm really keen so I'll find a way.

Our drinks at the garden centre were very good (wish our local one was as nice!) and we had a look round at the multitudinous Christmas decorations. I bought some unicorns to use as tags for the girls' Christmas stockings: I'll write their names on with gold pen and add some flowers or something. When you are under five, a unicorn is a unicorn. These were only 50p for two, as they were selling off some bits. I also found they had a give-away place for coffee grounds so I've got a bag to add to my compost. Afterwards we drove round to locate the place where the class will be held, then back to our town in time for me to go to work (2 and a half hours).

I think it's still raining, but not seriously. Having run in the rain yesterday, I'm getting blasé about steady drizzle! 

ladybird1106

Fantastic news about the teaching assistant hours.
love 🐞

badmemory

Many years ago I got a recipe book that was for meals on a budget.  Oh how things change.  Some of them now are not at all budget friendly.

Sun_Addict

Great news about the TA role. I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work transport wise. 

Cherryfudge

badmemory said:

Many years ago I got a recipe book that was for meals on a budget.  Oh how things change.  Some of them now are not at all budget friendly.

I know... I expect my shopping list over the years has changed considerably. Of course fashions and tastes change too, and you simply never see the cheap meats my parents bought: brawn, haslet, tongue etc. Only corned beef is still around (though I see there are haslet recipes on the web).

Another thing that seems to have vanished is those blocks of dates. And the same for angelica. Sad really.

Cherryfudge

Sun_Addict said:

Great news about the TA role. I'm sure you'll find a way to make it work transport wise. 

Thank you. Somehow I've not got any further with it today: the manager said she might be able to get the tutor to give me a lift, but it would be good if I can sort something out for myself.

Oddly enough, today I've seen rather a tempting advert for a relief kitchen assistant. I always enjoyed working in the kitchen at work, though I expect I've forgotten some of it. I do have my level two hygiene certificate, which is as high as I think they might require, and I can quote related experience. The hours would be almost certain not to coincide with cleaning so I could run those two contracts at the same time, and with it being relief, I'd be at liberty not to take on shifts if there was a clash. Thinking about that one as I value my freedom but want to work!

Cherryfudge

Friday was a productive day, though it didn't start that way. I woke up sleepy and eventually gave up and went back to bed! I got up at eleven, having dozed but still sleepy. However, I was determined to fit in a run before lunch.

I added my YouTube to the main TV so I don't have to search for things, and did some exercises to warm up, then did the next run on the programme: 20 minutes. A very slow 20 minutes but it's not about speed. On the way back I called in at the supermarket for some bits and pieces and collected a parcel. Someone then offered me a lift home and I explained sheepishly that I was actually finishing some exercise, whatever appearances indicated! I then bumped into my former piano teacher so we chatted as we walked.

A little bit more YouTube when I got home, this time a knee-strengthening video which seemed to warm the cooling muscles nicely. Then I watched a YouTuber who lives as if it was 1940.

I only got two hours at work this evening, leaving me with energy when I got home - hence the late night, as I've picked through the flowers from the wedding and thrown out those that have finished. The arrangement isn't as nice as it was, but they lasted ages so I'm not at all complaining. After this I prepped the ingredients for mincemeat, which I've always wanted to make, but never got round to it. That's taken me till about 1 am!

So now it's bed time.

Watty1

I am !  Goodness woman prepping mincemeat at that time, whatever next.

Do you remember the name of the person who lived like it was the 1940s?  I'd be interested if you do.