It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

citroennut

Doesn't seem to be just the bees having a tough time just now. I seem to have lost a complete garden full of birds. We usually have an enormous flock of sparrows living in our ivy and our gourmet bird table is normally swarming with various birds, but this week they've all gone! Have only seen one solitary robin so far this week. Where have they gone?

happytails

Kittie, Thank you Let me know how much postage is and i will refund you - its the least i can do!

Sarah xxx

mags50_2

Must have come on their hols here I think Citroennut
There's loads here on our bird table...sparrows...and have seen at least 3 robins this morning...along with blue tits and great tits and chaffinch and blackbirds and thrushes even a wren!
I promise to send them back when they've eaten up here!
I know this is off topic...but there are literally hundreds and hundreds of geese making their way to the river every night, they fly straight over our house...it's magical to hear them.

Cornishpixie_2

My DS1 is 11 today and wants a family party tea. (taking a few friends to the pics at weekend). Anyhoo baked most of the stuff myself and his cake yesterday. Then last night he insists on baking 30+ cornflake cake things for his class. Did it all by himself he took the last £3 out of my purse to get chocolate and the kitchen was like a bomb site. :eek: Could have cried stress of baking all day, as well as everything else.Can't really tighten any further, without starving the kids. Having little money does get to you. I flipped last week at some insurance co. because they took money out of my account.I was quite insistant on getting it back.:D

citroennut

He he Mags50. Just don't make them too comfortable or they might n.ot want to come home!

catznine

Thank you Goochie! I will pass that on to her, you never know and it may just buy her some time!

Cinny91

I just made butter!!:jIn a form, well I think it's butter. The way of making it that I found was pretty fool proof and I just had abit on some bakers bread - yum!

The hardest bit was getting all the water out. But I think I got most of it!

SarahLou22

well done :T
but did it taste nice.....

champys

citroennut wrote: »

Doesn't seem to be just the bees having a tough time just now. I seem to have lost a complete garden full of birds. We usually have an enormous flock of sparrows living in our ivy and our gourmet bird table is normally swarming with various birds, but this week they've all gone! Have only seen one solitary robin so far this week. Where have they gone?

Don't worry too much citroennut, the bird population seems to be simply shifting due to climate fluctuations. You may well end up seeing species you did not see so frequently before. I am amazed at how different the audience at our bird table has been during each of the last 5 years, when we have had quite different types of winter. The sparrows in our ivy here in France seem to have gone now, too. But at the moment there are lots of nut hatches scaring away the great tits at the seed feeder. It keeps changing, but there are still plenty around, and more as it gets colder.

ceridwen

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

We are cutting down a a lot on gifts this year,everyone's freely admitted they don't need anything anyway.Let's be honest we buy all year round now and it's not like years ago when the only treats you got were on birthdays and Christmas.I'm actually looking forward to Christmas more than ever this year as because we don't have the usual to spend it will be low key and with that comes less pressure and I actually think the Christmas spirit is coming out more because of it,in our family anyway.
I think this recession(which I feel will get much worse and is only just beginning) is not like other recessions we've had.Despite the government telling us we'll be out of it by 2010.I think this recession is the start of a big change in our financial world(literally).Just like the start of the 80s when I believe this terrible madness for spending began and it was very rare to have one credit card,let alone several until then.This time is going to bring about big change and it's going to hurt a of people.I also think that there is no government no matter what party can stop it now that the ball is rolling.
God knows what'll happen.

Well....I was only remembering today that in 1914 (ie when the 1st World War started) it was apparently said "It'll be over by Christmas" - and we all know just how long that went on for...and then sowed the seeds of the 2nd World War. So - nope - I simply dont believe anyone who says we will be "back to normal" by the end of next year. I wish!