Moving on

Cherryfudge

Today and for the next few days, rain is forecast so I've washing to put on the line while I can, and the grass to mow in the battle of the ground elder. First machine load is just finishing but I'll put on an additional spin (why won't the short wash allow me adjust the spin to max? Surely there must be other people for whom a short wash and a maximum spin are perfect partners? Speed of turnover as well as convenience of not having things drying for so long).

There's also quite a lot of handwashing, much of which needs to be separate from other items. A first world problem, I know.

This morning there's been chat on WhatsApp about the cleaning at church - part of me is wondering why we tried to tighten it up when it was trundling along reasonably well! It throws up so many variables. However, it also comes down to staffing - we can only do what we have time and availability for.

I'm working this evening: I did three hours yesterday and there's a likelihood I will get the same tonight. This is really puzzling me: I was told if I could do it in two hours, that was okay. But why would I, when I can carry on working and be paid for another hour? I suppose people may be rushed, ill, tired or not depending on the income, so just do the basics. Or they might be on a benefit which limits how much they can earn.

The other job for today is a big sort-out of the fridge, where there's a lot of stuff that risks going to waste if I don't take an active interest.

Cherryfudge

I'm pleased to say I got everything laundered that needed it, and mostly dry before the rain started. I ironed everything that was dry enough so now it's hanging up in doorways and on the airing rack. I also got the grass cut and worked out it takes about 15 minutes.

The shed padlock has stopped working so I decided to try lubricating it, which got nowhere. I remembered we'd kept the old padlock (it was only replaced because we lost the key, which then turned up in the peg bag...) and there it was, under the WD! I don't know what it was doing there, but the key for it was still in its place so a nice MS resolution to the situation.

I've eaten up some carrot sticks, celery, hummus and coronation chickpeas, so there is a little more fridge space.

Cherryfudge

I managed to leave my key at work this evening so I'll be sharing with DH tomorrow. It's safe enough, but I can't get to it because I locked it in a cleaning cupboard and handed in the key to that, and the manager had locked up by the time I realised.

It was mildly drizzly on the way home and not unpleasant, but now we have proper rain. I noticed some twigs blown off trees, though, including a bit of pink honeysuckle which is now sitting in a bottle on the sink and if I'm lucky, will grow some roots. I have a couple of honeysuckles already and both are making takeover bids, so I may be blessed with another. I love the scent.

DH made tuna pasta so that's some more onions and a pepper used up. I put loads of cheese on mine and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Nothing spent today.

Cherryfudge

I have finally found a use for at least a bit of the vast quantities of orange peel DH generates! Shirley Goode's Misers Marmalade recipe made from leftover orange peel — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Cherryfudge

Our heating came on a couple of times overnight! I'd like to think I didn't set it properly, but the fact remains the thermostat said it was cold.

DH spent the night in the spare bed: I haven't sent him there. He wanted to see if the different mattress made any difference to the overnight back pain, and it seems it did. We therefore both searched our emails to see how long ago we bought the mattress, but neither of us can find anything. It could have been three years ago or six years ago: really I don't have a clear idea. It's memory foam topped and super-comfortable, but the memory foam undoubtedly remembers our shapes so perhaps it's not as supportive as it needs to be.

I had a bit of a scare as I think I found an Unwanted Lump, but it's vestigial and DH can't detect it. I've made a GP appointment anyway. There's no point in relying on being low risk (which I am), because that doesn't mean no risk. I then threw myself into things to take my mind off it, so clothes are put away, apart from the ones still drying from yesterday, timesheet is up to date, some peppers are chopped and frozen, I started a second Dorset button, I've given myself a facial and hair wash (hair needs cutting) and I made an omelette with oddments of veg for lunch, which I followed up with one of the wrapped chocolate biscuits bought on the market about three weeks ago. There are still a few left as I've mostly stuck to one a day and there were quite a lot to start with.

There's been sunshine on and off but a heavy downpour around midday which was forecast to set the tone for the rest of the day so I pulled in the few items drying on the line and set the heating for a 15 minute boost. No point sitting all afternoon feeling chilly - then the rain stopped.  

Right, I have two hours before work so I'm going to see if we have any carpet shampoo as the carpets need it.

Sun_Addict

Hopefully the lump will be nothing but good you’re getting it checked for peace of mind. 

Cherryfudge

Thanks @Sun_Addict.

I never got as far as the carpet shampoo because I worked out I could use the beans to make hummus. I've never made it before and am definitely a fan of the result, but may not be making it in the near future as it neatly finished a jar of tahini that's been taking cupboard space for a long time and getting a new jar is a commitment to using it. The empty tahini jar is now in the fridge with the hummus in.

By the time I'd made it, I just had time to try some before it was time to get ready for work.

I only got two hours at work tonight 'because it's Friday'. Friday is often a bit quiet. The rain had gone by then and this evening is beautiful, with blue sky, some warmth in the sun and generally mid-teens in temperature.

DH and I had a walk down to L!dl as I'd run out of my wheat-free crispbreads, but I also got a cheap bakery item (an Empire biscuit: undoing a lot of the benefits of reducing the amount of what I have), some salmon for Monday, the free bananas as per the app and some other bits. DH had been out to Sains while I was at work for some bread and his favourite crispbreads - we have about six packets in the store cupboard but he didn't realise that!

Expenditure:
Housekeeping £10.90 plus whatever DH spent.

Pollie

You can use peanut butter as a substitute for tahini. The next time I make hummus I am going to try using some sesame oil that has been in the larder forever instead of both olive oil and tahini, as I only buy peanut butter for biscuits or fudge every now and again.

Cherryfudge

That sounds a more likely ingredient @Pollie, there's almost always pb in our house. I think there's also an unopened sesame oil.

Last night was poor sleep - not sure if it was cold or DH being a bit restless that woke me at 4, but I had a snack and a drink of how water then took myself back to bed with a hot water bottle - not bad for June!

Today has been quite full-on: the training course lasted till about 3, and I probably could have done with some down time to process everything but we went out at 4 to spend time with all the family at A and H's and had a lovely time. It was indoor BBQ food (there was torrential rain earlier) and lots of time with the little ones and we didn't get home till around 8.30 so I am going to work on winding down and getting to sleep properly tonight! At least DH's back seems a lot better. We still don't know what the problem is.

Nothing spent, though DH took another bit of the grandfather clock to the mender and may have bought things on his trip.

WelshmansDaughter

The other option is hm tahini which I believe involves oil and sesame seeds.