Simplifying Life - Mark II

ChocClare

lostinrates wrote: »

re making bedding, has anyobe found high thread count cotton. or linen come to think of it, in widths suitable for big beds for sale to make own bedding? The price of really beautiful linen is SHOCKING and I'm sure with patience and some lessons from my mother in embroidery I could hem sheeting for sheets, make pillow slips and duvet covers, and sew trim on them to make the pretty....?

I made my son's christening gown from double-width 100% heavy linen sheeting which I bought in John Lewis in Oxford Street. They had racks of it and it was £10 per metre and 108 inches wide. I bought one metre as it was the cheapest way to buy linen at the time. I remember thinking, shall I buy more and make it into sheets? And I thought, no, I've got a new baby to contend with: I'll come back when he's more settled and I'm back at work.

My son will be 19 in April. I went back many times and they never stocked it again.

There is a moral in this story somewhere, I'm sure...

TRYINGTOSWIM

what a lovely thread. just a reminder of all the simple things we achieve/want to achieve. nowadays everything seems to be measured by speed/efficiency and its so nice to see how we measure things diufferently which is quality of life.
its so nice to live just a bit slower than mrs average. years ago i used to be so impressed by my sister in law who had a good job plenty of money smart clothes..the lot. now I kind of feel sorry for her as each goal post she gets to moves a bit and she has to rush more/try harder.
It took a serious health scare for me to stop and think exactly what i wanted from life.

Aarons_mummy

TTS I have always been the same trying to do everything and wanting to conform with everyone else. This particular board stopped that, I though to myself a lot about what I wanted for my life and also my sons. I want him to have a good diet, I don't want him eating [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL], I want to do the best i can on the budget I'm on and this site has allowed me to do that.

I love when I make a meal that has literally cost pennies and he devours it in the same way that he used to with chips and processed oven food.

My house is constantly organised (although it was very nearly there before this board!), I'm more environmentally friendly, less waste, better meals, better satisfaction, appreciating a walk through the woods that it's just as good as going to some overpriced soft play and the best part is little one enjoys it too.

I have also been able to increase my skills in the kitchen and have better plans in place. I know for winter this year I will be in a MUCH better position and if we don't get out for a month we will have plenty to tide us over, heat to keep us warm etc and that excites me. (I need a life) but forward planning mean that I don't have to worry at all, well maybe just a little whereas other people could be doing the same and saving money but they don't. I feel rather smug about that

Lavandula

Aarons_mummy wrote: »

TTS I have always been the same trying to do everything and wanting to conform with everyone else. This particular board stopped that, I though to myself a lot about what I wanted for my life and also my sons. I want him to have a good diet, I don't want him eating !!!!, I want to do the best i can on the budget I'm on and this site has allowed me to do that.

I love when I make a meal that has literally cost pennies and he devours it in the same way that he used to with chips and processed oven food.

My house is constantly organised (although it was very nearly there before this board!), I'm more environmentally friendly, less waste, better meals, better satisfaction, appreciating a walk through the woods that it's just as good as going to some overpriced soft play and the best part is little one enjoys it too.

I have also been able to increase my skills in the kitchen and have better plans in place. I know for winter this year I will be in a MUCH better position and if we don't get out for a month we will have plenty to tide us over, heat to keep us warm etc and that excites me. (I need a life) but forward planning mean that I don't have to worry at all, well maybe just a little whereas other people could be doing the same and saving money but they don't. I feel rather smug about that

Lovely post. My thoughts entirely! I have a 5 year old son and he enjoys going for rambles in the countryside, walks on the beach and helping with the gardening and cooking (I hope it lasts:rotfl:)

Aarons_mummy

Lavandula wrote: »

Lovely post. My thoughts entirely! I have a 5 year old son and he enjoys going for rambles in the countryside, walks on the beach and helping with the gardening and cooking (I hope it lasts:rotfl:)

Me too! My wee one is only 2 and a half almost but I want him to grow up in the same way I did appreciating toys etc, helping out and enjoying doing non-expensive activities.

We're off for a walk today in the fog to see if we can see some boats on the canal, a walk through the woods on the way back to see if we see the squirrels and then a nice hot choc to warm up when we get back .

I love getting up and wanting to go out for a walk now! :T

Greying_Pilgrim

Lavandula wrote: »

Thanks for the invite , but I'll stay on the OS forum. I feel more comfortable there.

Lavandula, couldn't agree with you more! :T

I would also second MichH's post #16 regarding Rhonda Jean Hetzl's blogspot 'Down to Earth'. It is full of great tips, although for the gardening you have to remember that she is in Australia, so the seasons are reversed from our own here, but none the less, a great, supportive, friendly site.

Looking forward to keeping up with this thread.

Greying

fiftyeighter_2

I'm a long time lurker and rarely post. (hardly ever feel i have any thing worth posting) but i read as much as i can and have been helped so much by these threads, so a big thanks to all.
I have no trouble trying to get my 15yr old daughter to cook, she loves it. its just trying to get her too clear all the mess that bothers me. well i suppose i cant have it all ways ha ha.
i try as much as possible to be os and in most ways i dont do too bad a job, i also love the challenge. it can be addictive, dont you feel? the problem i have now is i cant handle all the digging in the garden as i use too. (i'm now almost 61, arthritic and suffer with chest problems) but i will not give in, i love gardening it just takes me longer.
i had chickens until last saturday but a ferret escaped from a house down the road, got into the chicken run and killed them. i was heartbroken, i loved them and they had such characters. it was very upsetting. i'm not sure i would like to get any more after that and the foxes that got some chickens before.
i did get myself out a debt (not a huge one, thank goodness) but through unforseen circumstances i now find myself in debt of £1600. the debt has no interest added and i am paying it with little problem. but i am cross with myself.:mad:
however i am getting on top of things again and enjoying getting stuck in.
i'm loving hearing all about the things you are doing to be os. thanks for the help :T
oh my goodness, just realised how much i've rambled, sorry.

Alwaysthebusybee

ally18 wrote: »

Hi,
I have plans to try and be more os this year. I'm not a gardener, plants seem to die under my fingers but I'm determind to at least give it a go. My new plastic greenhouse which I recently got in a good deal in sitting waiting for the end of Feb when I can get out in the garden and put it up. My dad has seeds and pots for me to start my ideas on, its daft but I feel like a child again, back when he tried to get me to start growing things in the good old days.

I have borrowed my mums old singer sewing machine because I made my own door curtain back when it was really cold and I want to now try and alter some clothes that have got a bit baggy so I dont spend anymore. How I'm going to do this I have no idea, I can't sew at all but will try on something very old to start off with and see how I go.

Ive started making more cakes, twinks are now a favourite, and making banana & choc chip muffins to use up old bananas when in the past they would have gone straight in the bin. I've even started to make myself a meal at night instead of sticking a processed dish straight in the oven.

I couldnt be without the internet for all the tips and advice I now get. Time to put it to some use.

Hi Ally18,

Please can you share the recipe for the Banana and Choc muffins?

Thanks
Alwaysthebusybee

Jammie_Dodger_2

Hi fiftyeighter,another lurker here.
I too am 61 and cant dig the garden now as i have heart problems. I find just challenging myself to 5 or 10 mins with trowel means I still get the thrill of my hands in the soil, which I love, and the garden gets done, albeit very slowly . When my breathing gets too bad I have to stop at least one little area looks better and slowly i am getting there. So sorry to hear about your chickens. try not to let it put you off getting more as you sound to have enjoyed them very much. Keep up the good work!.

fiftyeighter_2

Jammie_Dodger wrote: »

Hi fiftyeighter,another lurker here.
I too am 61 and cant dig the garden now as i have heart problems. I find just challenging myself to 5 or 10 mins with trowel means I still get the thrill of my hands in the soil, which I love, and the garden gets done, albeit very slowly . When my breathing gets too bad I have to stop at least one little area looks better and slowly i am getting there. So sorry to hear about your chickens. try not to let it put you off getting more as you sound to have enjoyed them very much. Keep up the good work!.

Hi JD, Sorry to hear about your heart problems, glad to hear you still keep going though. Yes you sound like me, stopping and starting :rotfl: I have now managed to get lots of largish tubs, old dustbins etc and intend to grow my veggies in those. Saves all that bending and digging. I'll be able to do it with a trowel now. Like you i cant give up my garden, its quite big i suppose, but i love it.
i grew loads of different veg from seeds last year including flowers. I put the seedling i couldn't use in my front garden with a sign saying free. I'm sure people got some use from them.
I'll be glad when the warmer weather comes, so i can get outside a little more. Although to be fair i have taken advantage of the good days and prepared a little for my growing. I would like to get some more fruit trees. I have blackberry, rasberry and redcurrant at the moment. Has anyone suggestions for other bushes or trees? I love making jam so any thing along those lines would be great. Good luck to everyone on their os journey.