Apologies for the lack of blogging, but its been a bit mental here.
The kids have both been poorly,
Ive been run down,
My sisters PND got much worse and she has been put forward for mental health assessments because she was having suicidal thoughts,
So there's been a councillor sticking their nose in our business, trying to get us to undertake a joint counselling session together which has brought up some horrid memories that I don't care to relive.
Owen hates his job and that situation has gotten worse,
His dad lost his job,
We had our NTL cut off in the cold weather so we had no TV, phone or Internet for about 5 days.
Wow its been cold
and amongst all that I have been just carrying on, as I always do.
I really should look into whoever it was who suggested freezing cheese - I have found this an amazing money saver - in work we reduced down cheese but it hardly ever sells so I brought home last week two blocks of mature welsh cheddar, which I divided each block into 3 and so had 6 mini blocks of that, and I brought home 4 large blocks of red Leicester cheese which again I divided into 3 each so I now have 12 small blocks of that as well frozen in the freezer. I tend to take it out, defrost it then chuck it in the food processor and grate it up as and when its needed because I find it went clumpy when I froze it pre grated.
Still a very good tip and I promise to give credit where its due when I find out who it was!
Aside from that we are struggling this month with Owen being paid December 16th and then nothing until the 31st January. It is a long month for us so I have had to lend him money £160 to be precise because it was Josh's birthday (his eldest son) and the £60 for fuel but he has assured me I will get this back on the 31st which is his pay day.
Also March cant come quick enough - we are in a council property which means March for us is a rent free month and also a council tax free month - so altogether we will have £537 which would normally cover these two bills. Owen pays the £430 rent and with his he is going to pay off a small debt he has and one of his credit cards (£200) so he will have about £40 left I think but he will be almost debt free. My £107 I'm not entirely sure what to do with yet but I think I will pay it into my credit union account and let it fester in there for a rainy day or towards the summer holidays so I can get out and do things with the kids.
I'm also considering in September when Holly starts school - putting her into an after school club - she may be mornings 9-12 or afternoons 12 - 3 but if she is in the mornings I may ask for her to go to an afternoon club and then I can pick up a few extra morning shifts from 9.15 until say 2.15 then I can pick her up on the way to collect Ben which may help our financial situation a fair bit again.
Anyway I will now be about a fair bit more again now that everything seems to be sorting itself out.
Hope your all well
Sammy x x x
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Food Banks are struggling.....
So I have had a busy few days de-cluttering the house in preparation for Benjie going back to school. In fairness as much as I love and adore my son - my poor house needs to find its floors again.....its amazing how large a tornado a 2 year old and an 8 year old can make if left alone for 2 seconds!
Although I did wake up to this posting this morning
( if anyone would like to read the article I read its here )
It does really make you wonder what is going to happen in the future but I think it has made me more determined than ever to make sure my food stores are stocked and in order.......having learned the hard way as well this month....Owen was paid early in December to cover him for Christmas. He currently has £30 to last him until the 31st and I have £28 in my bank to last until the 15th....which is only a week away and to me that is completely do able but I was thinking about it - what if I needed money? what if there was an emergency? If Owen needs money for fuel for work then what will we do? well we would be stuck is the only answer because we have no savings at all.
Another scheme I saw that was linked to from this story was that local food banks are struggling to feed people now because the demand is so high, that deeply saddens me and makes me all the more aware that the world is changing and so has many peoples mentalities towards food storage/preparation and sensible buying.
My parents divorced in 1999, me and my sister stayed with my dad whilst my mum left. She found a place with her friend but was later abandoned by her friend to take on all the bills herself. After 6 months I was told by a family friend that my mum was literally living on hand outs from neighbours - she was living on biscuits basically - and had been for months. I hadn't spoken to my mother since she left but bit the bullet and decided to leave my dad to move in with her. Knowing full well my mum would get child benefit for me and that she would at least have a little bit more money coming in that she could claim and therefore feed herself. I had many cheap/make do/ leftovers from the pub meals (my mums second job was in a pub) and they never did me any harm.....in fact they probably toughened me and my sister up a bit.
Now my mum is back in the same position. She is relying on my sister to feed her (my sister has 3 kids to support) because my mum simply cant afford to feed herself.
This has given me something to think about and ponder for the day.
Although I did wake up to this posting this morning
( if anyone would like to read the article I read its here )
It does really make you wonder what is going to happen in the future but I think it has made me more determined than ever to make sure my food stores are stocked and in order.......having learned the hard way as well this month....Owen was paid early in December to cover him for Christmas. He currently has £30 to last him until the 31st and I have £28 in my bank to last until the 15th....which is only a week away and to me that is completely do able but I was thinking about it - what if I needed money? what if there was an emergency? If Owen needs money for fuel for work then what will we do? well we would be stuck is the only answer because we have no savings at all.
Another scheme I saw that was linked to from this story was that local food banks are struggling to feed people now because the demand is so high, that deeply saddens me and makes me all the more aware that the world is changing and so has many peoples mentalities towards food storage/preparation and sensible buying.
My parents divorced in 1999, me and my sister stayed with my dad whilst my mum left. She found a place with her friend but was later abandoned by her friend to take on all the bills herself. After 6 months I was told by a family friend that my mum was literally living on hand outs from neighbours - she was living on biscuits basically - and had been for months. I hadn't spoken to my mother since she left but bit the bullet and decided to leave my dad to move in with her. Knowing full well my mum would get child benefit for me and that she would at least have a little bit more money coming in that she could claim and therefore feed herself. I had many cheap/make do/ leftovers from the pub meals (my mums second job was in a pub) and they never did me any harm.....in fact they probably toughened me and my sister up a bit.
Now my mum is back in the same position. She is relying on my sister to feed her (my sister has 3 kids to support) because my mum simply cant afford to feed herself.
This has given me something to think about and ponder for the day.
Friday, 4 January 2013
A busy few days.......
Sorry all
The last few days have been busy
Wednesday I went shopping, I had £100 of New Look vouchers from Christmas to spend so I decided to make use of them whilst Owen had his last day off work and I would be child free to bargain hunt and browse for a change.
I got a lift in with a neighbour and treated myself to lunch - a jacket potato with butter and a hot chocolate - which cost me £2 in the little local cafe.
As for my shopping trip - I came home with the following
So I did have a productive shop. I still have £50 to spend on it if anything ever comes up - or as gifts etc or if I need an outfit for an occasion I needed shoes desperately though as my work ones are worn to the point my toes are going to come out of them soon and so they needed replacing and tops I have I tend to buy things I can swap between.
I think I literally own maybe one pair of jeans, two pairs of legging and 2 pairs of work trousers, and maybe about 6 tops. Oh and a dress and I will possibly buy a new top if I have to go out somewhere but even then they tend to be sale items and I rarely if ever go out. I have 3 hoodies, two were gifts and one I brought with a load of vouchers from my last birthday. I'm useless at shopping though but I liked the things I had this time round
Other things I have gotten done the last few days
- I baked a chocolate cake using my new food processor again - minus the almost amputating a finger, it didn't last the day though but have finally found my perfect cake recipe.
- made myself a bill book (my mum had one of these and she recorded every penny meticulously) so I decided to do the same and have already looked into just what I could have left if I am strict with myself with money and spending.
- planned a food shop that will stick to my new food budget and take into account some store cupboard stocking up items
- I have been to work and did come home with a good few items that were 'labelled waste' that I rescued because I didn't want to see them in the bin
I've since frozen the cheddar, the pies and the wraps. I will spend tomorrow blanching the swede and getting that frozen as well.
I will post pictures tomorrow of my new bill book and will put up a draft list of my shopping plans as well. I'm hoping I will be able to use a few vouchers as well to save a few pennies here and there.
I've also enlisted my mother in law as well, and we have decided that we will be taking a trip to Aldi or Lidls to have a look there too together. I'm thinking too that pound land and the 99p store in town might be worth having a look in for cleaning stuff and a few cheaper food bits.
Right until then, I will bid you all goodnight
x Sammy x
The last few days have been busy
Wednesday I went shopping, I had £100 of New Look vouchers from Christmas to spend so I decided to make use of them whilst Owen had his last day off work and I would be child free to bargain hunt and browse for a change.
I got a lift in with a neighbour and treated myself to lunch - a jacket potato with butter and a hot chocolate - which cost me £2 in the little local cafe.
As for my shopping trip - I came home with the following
I think I literally own maybe one pair of jeans, two pairs of legging and 2 pairs of work trousers, and maybe about 6 tops. Oh and a dress and I will possibly buy a new top if I have to go out somewhere but even then they tend to be sale items and I rarely if ever go out. I have 3 hoodies, two were gifts and one I brought with a load of vouchers from my last birthday. I'm useless at shopping though but I liked the things I had this time round
Other things I have gotten done the last few days
- I baked a chocolate cake using my new food processor again - minus the almost amputating a finger, it didn't last the day though but have finally found my perfect cake recipe.
- made myself a bill book (my mum had one of these and she recorded every penny meticulously) so I decided to do the same and have already looked into just what I could have left if I am strict with myself with money and spending.
- planned a food shop that will stick to my new food budget and take into account some store cupboard stocking up items
- I have been to work and did come home with a good few items that were 'labelled waste' that I rescued because I didn't want to see them in the bin
- 3 packs of 6 mini fajita wraps
- 2 swedes
- 2 blocks of mature cheddar cheese
- 3 Peters Steak and Kidney Pies
I've since frozen the cheddar, the pies and the wraps. I will spend tomorrow blanching the swede and getting that frozen as well.
I will post pictures tomorrow of my new bill book and will put up a draft list of my shopping plans as well. I'm hoping I will be able to use a few vouchers as well to save a few pennies here and there.
I've also enlisted my mother in law as well, and we have decided that we will be taking a trip to Aldi or Lidls to have a look there too together. I'm thinking too that pound land and the 99p store in town might be worth having a look in for cleaning stuff and a few cheaper food bits.
Right until then, I will bid you all goodnight
x Sammy x
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Day 1 ~ New Year, New Start
Well today is the start of a new year and therefore a new start for us both financially, physically and mentally.
I have already got lunch for today prepared - I did it yesterday.
I think I might make the left over mince and onion into a pie later to freeze for another dinner once I find the pastry recipe again that I found yesterday!
I still have 800ml of British Double Cream to use still - the date on it is 31/12/2012 so I need to really use it up ASAP so any recipes will be gratefully appreciated.
I have bags of toys to sort through upstairs to see if I can sell anything on as a small bundle to make few pennies.
Also on that note I need to find the bits and pieces that I have gotten and clearly wont use and I may put them on here in a rafflecopter competition to see if anyone wants them.
I need to seal up my pot for my sealed pot challenge which I meant to do yesterday but I spent the day faffing with my new food processor instead.
I know in my airing cupboard I have bags of material in various neutral colours which I think I might be able to make into something - only down fall is it means I will be hand sewing because I haven't found a sewing machine yet - either that or I've never had money to afford it at the time.
I've also managed to get myself a day ahead with competitions so I have just completed all the ones for the 2nd January so I'm not having to worry about them and I will keep going and get a bit further ahead if I can.
So thats my aims for the day, Holly has just gone down for her nap, Ben is playing on the computer and Owen is sleeping off his hangover on the sofa........best get on with it then really.
Happy New Year All
Love
Sammy
x x x x
I have already got lunch for today prepared - I did it yesterday.
I think I might make the left over mince and onion into a pie later to freeze for another dinner once I find the pastry recipe again that I found yesterday!
I still have 800ml of British Double Cream to use still - the date on it is 31/12/2012 so I need to really use it up ASAP so any recipes will be gratefully appreciated.
I have bags of toys to sort through upstairs to see if I can sell anything on as a small bundle to make few pennies.
Also on that note I need to find the bits and pieces that I have gotten and clearly wont use and I may put them on here in a rafflecopter competition to see if anyone wants them.
I need to seal up my pot for my sealed pot challenge which I meant to do yesterday but I spent the day faffing with my new food processor instead.
I know in my airing cupboard I have bags of material in various neutral colours which I think I might be able to make into something - only down fall is it means I will be hand sewing because I haven't found a sewing machine yet - either that or I've never had money to afford it at the time.
I've also managed to get myself a day ahead with competitions so I have just completed all the ones for the 2nd January so I'm not having to worry about them and I will keep going and get a bit further ahead if I can.
So thats my aims for the day, Holly has just gone down for her nap, Ben is playing on the computer and Owen is sleeping off his hangover on the sofa........best get on with it then really.
Happy New Year All
Love
Sammy
x x x x
Happy New Year
BLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDA
Just would like to wish the followers that I have and any visitors a very Happy New Year and I hope it brings you everything you wish for. x x x
Monday, 31 December 2012
Playing with my processor
So today I have been experimenting with my new food processor.
I did before hand however decided that cleaning the new blades would be a good idea because they'd been in a box and almost amputated the top of my middle finger - ouch (or a more deserving expletive)
I decided I usually use the basic recipe for a sponge of 225g flour, 225g butter, 225g sugar and 3 eggs. So today I decided I would try a new recipe as I find this usually ends up a bit flat and pathetic looking. So today I turned to my trusty Maw Broons Cookbook that my Mother In Law Sandy brought me for my birthday a few years back. Its fab.
Should also say the British Double Cream I had from work, I again did the waste last night and my boss let me bring a whole carrier bag of mini Gem lettuces home for my rabbits. 3 tubs of 600ml double cream and 2 French sticks.....all for free. So today I have put them to good use.
Right off to meal plan a bit
x Sammy x
I did before hand however decided that cleaning the new blades would be a good idea because they'd been in a box and almost amputated the top of my middle finger - ouch (or a more deserving expletive)
I decided I usually use the basic recipe for a sponge of 225g flour, 225g butter, 225g sugar and 3 eggs. So today I decided I would try a new recipe as I find this usually ends up a bit flat and pathetic looking. So today I turned to my trusty Maw Broons Cookbook that my Mother In Law Sandy brought me for my birthday a few years back. Its fab.
This is Maw Broon;s Cookbook. Inside as you can see it looks like a well used family cookbook and the way it is written makes me laugh if you can decypher it well enough but having a half scottish family I think its the best thing Ive read with old style scottish recipes. Id definitely recommend it. Anyway I went for the basic recipe in this book. 100g butter, 125g sugar, 4 eggs and 200g flour.
Below is the finished split cake. I need to work on my halving skills but the recipe made a very dense dry Old Style cake. It was tasty but proper old style!
This is whats left after I added the cream!
Should also say the British Double Cream I had from work, I again did the waste last night and my boss let me bring a whole carrier bag of mini Gem lettuces home for my rabbits. 3 tubs of 600ml double cream and 2 French sticks.....all for free. So today I have put them to good use.
Right off to meal plan a bit
x Sammy x
Putting plans into action.........
I figured today I need to start making my way towards my new years resolutions otherwise I'm not likely to stick to them.
I have somewhat changed mine though.
Mine are now
1. Enjoy my children. - Holly starts preschool this year in September and I plan to spend as much time with
her as possible because babies don't keep (and yes i regularly wish I could keep her this little!). With
Benjie because hes in school our days together when hes off school I want to enjoy and make more
memories with him
2. Exercise more
3. Plan - whether its money, food, days out etc - planning in advance saves time, money and effort.
4. Be myself - enjoy what I like and don't let others opinions bother me as long as me and mine are happy
5. .Eat properly (I rarely eat at the minute - living on whatever is easiest and pretty much toast) this is not
healthy and is affecting me health wise now so three meals a day is my aim.
6. Craft and Hobbies ~ get some and enjoy them (this includes me competitions!)
So today I decided to put number 3 and 5 into action and planned my tea for tomorrow already. This is my beloved Stovies. Its easy. It pretty much consists of onion, mince, gravy and potatoes. All bunged in a pot and left to cook
Then add enough gravy to cover. At this point you can peel and cut up potatoes and put them in this pan as well then leave it all to simmer for 30 minutes (making sure it doesn't burn) so you basically cook the potatoes in the Gravy, then serve it up with a side of veg.
I however have changed this, I made this stovies mixture up earlier. Then put it into a ceramic dish and covered it and put it in the oven to store it, then peeled potatoes, prepared sprouts and carrot and have them in the steamer ready for tomorrows lunch. So happy that's minimal cooking needed now.
Haven't done much else today really, my evening tonight involves cwtching on the sofa and chilling out watching TV, I'm not doing anything majorly exciting and I may just see in the new year before heading to my bed.
Good night all and Happy New Year. I look forward to learning and talking to you all more in 2013
Love
Sammy x x x x
I have somewhat changed mine though.
Mine are now
1. Enjoy my children. - Holly starts preschool this year in September and I plan to spend as much time with
her as possible because babies don't keep (and yes i regularly wish I could keep her this little!). With
Benjie because hes in school our days together when hes off school I want to enjoy and make more
memories with him
2. Exercise more
3. Plan - whether its money, food, days out etc - planning in advance saves time, money and effort.
4. Be myself - enjoy what I like and don't let others opinions bother me as long as me and mine are happy
5. .Eat properly (I rarely eat at the minute - living on whatever is easiest and pretty much toast) this is not
healthy and is affecting me health wise now so three meals a day is my aim.
6. Craft and Hobbies ~ get some and enjoy them (this includes me competitions!)
So today I decided to put number 3 and 5 into action and planned my tea for tomorrow already. This is my beloved Stovies. Its easy. It pretty much consists of onion, mince, gravy and potatoes. All bunged in a pot and left to cook
Sweat some onions in a pan with a little bit of butter
Then add in the mince (this mince was actually free, it was in the reduced trolley and when it came time to waste it my supervisor let me have it for free)
I however have changed this, I made this stovies mixture up earlier. Then put it into a ceramic dish and covered it and put it in the oven to store it, then peeled potatoes, prepared sprouts and carrot and have them in the steamer ready for tomorrows lunch. So happy that's minimal cooking needed now.
Haven't done much else today really, my evening tonight involves cwtching on the sofa and chilling out watching TV, I'm not doing anything majorly exciting and I may just see in the new year before heading to my bed.
Good night all and Happy New Year. I look forward to learning and talking to you all more in 2013
Love
Sammy x x x x
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