Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2016

dND wrote: »

I find it sad that we have been brainwashed into buying rather than creating. It's our creativity that made us and it doesn't have to be perfect; it's the action of creating more than the finished product I find. So maybe that is why MMM and NBI makes us feel better too

Definitely dND - I definitely feel better in and about myself when I've created or made or even fixed something myself. I always remember in our old house, every time I walked into the bathroom I got a little thrill thinking 'I tiled that - all by myself!' - it wasn't the most perfect tiling in the world, but it was pretty good and I learnt a new skill doing it!

Of course that was before I had children and had time to tile and make curtains etc!!

Evening/Early morning to you folks!!

Its all been v manic here as DS has had a stream of friends round since he has been home - between Wed to Sat they have eaten - ne large pear ans cinnamon cake; 24 choccy chip muffins and packs of bisc and giant bag of jacobs cheesy biccy things! on the plus side - a new skirting board in the bathroom; new tap in the kitchen and an old pine dooor almost sanded and will be hung tommorrow! Also a breakfast out at a trucker cafe (dont thye always do the best breakfasts ? ) - a treat from DS and a meal from the canteen by our local Chinese supermarket - a treat from me (so nice but not posh!)
Then today my walking friend came round panicing and needing to get an assignment in on time! Its years since i did maths at that level and now me brain hurts - i think he knows more thanme but the nagging; coffe; and someone to bounce ideas off was useful - i think - fingers crossed its enough to keep him on the course!!!
make do - lots of stuff i had got on bogof or ys and stashed away to feed DS + friends
minimise - paperwork + food stash
mend - see above :j
nite all

Morning.

Hugs FPUk. That's tough to go through, and it's not surprising that you are focusing on other things than MMM, but it's interesting that you are thinking of some of the practical support being MMM,, as well as the emotional support that you are giving.

Late night back last night due to fog and delays with bags. So we got back at 1.30 instead of the civilised hour of 1030 I was expecting. Unfortunately I woke up at 630, so I may have to have a nap later!
MMM is underway though, shopping list is prepared, a vague menu plan is done, and the first load of washing is on. I also started on the cupboard in the kitchen that has been playing on my mind, I managed to find 5, yes 5 partly used bags of dishwasher salt. OH usually deals with it so when he tells me that there isn't salt I get more, unfortunately he seems to have put the ends of the bags in the cupboard, and asked for more. I have managed to combine them into one bag and put it with the other washing/cleaning bits so that's has made a nice space.
Interesting thoughts about the creation/doing versus consumption. It doesn't have to be perfect to get satisfaction from knowing you did something (well not for me as I am a bit slapdash - but trying not to be). I hold something in my head that I used to tell people at work - don't compare yourself against others, just compare what you know now with what you knew before you did it, and look how far you have come.

Right better get on, off to visit mum and walk her dog for her.
S x

I bought a13.5 tog quilt, I thought I would melt! Gave it to one of my daughters on the condition she took some of the stuff from her old room to her new flat, plus she had to sort out a box of stuff that I didn't know if it was for the tip or what. Whilst on a roll, I got her to take a suitcase of clothes and next time she's here there's two boxes of uni stuff to sort-good result!

I've finally got round to sorting out the spare room which had been a bit of a dumping ground. We're doing the house up room by room so the spare room had a lot of bits from other rooms that never made their way back to their original place. Massive box of stuff for the charity shop, big bag of rubbish and several lots of stuff to go in the attic. 5 hours work, go me!

Evening All

Big hugs FPK - life is really chucking it at you at the mo I think you are doing amazingly well to be so positive and still Moneysaving :money: ?Nice to hear from you on here whenever you have the time me dear.

JoJo77 - welcome and wow !! That really is a financial horror story!! Folks on here have recovered from all sorts of difficulties and some continue to have to live on v little. Although it may seem like the hints and tips on here dont amount to many pennies as me old Aunt used to say 'Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves.' - if you mange to save, say £30 per month then that's almost 10% of your new (horrid) DD for fuel. I would, BTW challenge that and ask for a detailed break down of how they got that - dont take it lying down!! Energy firms are notorious for getting it badly wrong!

Well done again all you knitters and sewers for good causes!! :T I so admire you all!!
To me, well, as the title says I ve bin off a YSing today and got 3 loaves for 9p each - big pot of yogurt for 35p - and reduced tomatoes!! Since I have DS2 + GF staying the low price food will come in v handy!
Make do - we are going over to DS1 + GF + GDD tomorrow and I had promised a pud so I have made clafulti - a kind of ground rice pudding which you bake and top with fruit before you bake it!) Its a great user up of overripe fruit;cheap as it uses ground rice (already in stock);nutiritious as it uses v little sugar! did have to buy some ground almonds tho :cool: as I shall use those for another cake this week!
Mend - today DS2 and I planed (by hand) a pine door ready to hang tomorrow!!
Minimise - shed clutter!! Have got several bags ready to go to tip/cs!
Nite all