This weekend has been the first in my attempt to make as much of what we eat as I can and eschew mass produced foodstuffs from supermarkets in preference for more naturally made products from independent stores.
In some ways, what I plan to do could be seen as a retrograde step. Women have had a long wait for manufacturers to provide appliances and products which save them time and allow them to work for money as well as for their families. I am not sure that what I plan to do would be possible if I worked nine to five but I will attempt, over time, to produce a plan for shopping, cooking, working and leisure. Let’s see if it’s possible.
I have discovered a brilliant organic shop selling, as well as the usual cereals, pulses and dried goods, fresh local vegetables and organic chilled produce. I am still searching for fromage frais and yoghurt. The local market provided a wonderful array of cheeses but not necessarily organic and I am still investigating the local butcher’s shops. (more…)
18/11/2007
Lifestyle Change
Social Intercourse
I have tried many ways to keep track of family commitments and appointments. I used to have a kitchen calendar which had so much written on it that it looked as though a spider had walked all over it wearing muddy boots. Then as my mental faculties deteriorated I moved on to the ‘bonger’. This was one of Whizz’s cast-off gadgets. First I had a palm pilot, later I progressed to a pocket PC which could be plugged into the computer each night to be backed up and swap appointments with the Outlook on the PC. The benefit of this arrangement was that I could invite Whizz to appointments such as “Dinner with Slap and Tickle” or “Mavis’ Parents’ Evening” and he would accept by email if he could attend. We have a rather sad and electronic relationship as you can tell. Fortunately we don’t indulge in virtual sex and the “bonger” doesn’t bong the remind us to bonk!
This was quite a successful period in my juggling life but began to be a problem when my eyes started to fail. Picture the scenario: BONG. BONG. BONG. “Oh blimey, what have I got to do now? I must have a look and stop that thing bonging.” I search the bleary screen. “Where are my glasses?”
“BONG”
“Can anyone see my flaming glasses?”
“BONG”
And so on. I now have about 10 pairs of reading glasses but the bonger has bonged its last. (more…)