You helped me...chatty thread

MATH

I'm not explaining myself very well but I know there are other posters who know what I mean.

OS has meant everything to me - it feels like home.[/quote]

You explained yourself perfectly well with honesty and dignity, I found your post moving and inspiring and am so pleased you feel at home on the OS board. Our current gripes and niggles in OS land I think are part due to our strong attachment and sense of belonging here, it may look like just another forum but it clearly means a whole lot more to many of us here.

furrypig

I joined freecycle.

I discovered Flylady and I am taking my baby steps!

I have a sc thanks to here that I really love especially at this time of year!

I got my avatar from Curry Queen when she no longer wanted it (another bit of recycling!) ( where is she!!??)

I am an OS work in progress as I don't do so many os things but have tried lots (made my own washing powder stuff for a while) still have to read all the stardrops thread but have bought some, have not managed budgeting for food as tried it and cut done by about 75% and it nearly killed me (and the family!!). Also need to work on my meal planning and using what I have in the cupboard/freezer.

I love the recipes!

I love being able to pm silly questions direct to people and they reply back to me!!

I actually just love sitting here with breakfast/lunch/tea/coffee and listening to what you all have to say.

I have laughed with you, cried with you, cringed with you and feel I have given birth with so many people too.

Thank you all

thanks to Math for a lovely thread

xxx

beachbeth

I wouldn't have my breadmaker if it wasn't for OS and I absolutely love it. Im about to set it to make a loaf for the morning!

kscour

Oh heck this thread's made me go all warm and glowy inside!
Well first thanks to everyone thats helped me!
The differences that this board has made are just to many to list but the biggest is the vinegar fabric conditioner and other washing suggestions. Before I found my way here I had to wash all DD's underwear on a seperate wash with an extra rinse cycle and still she sometimes suffered with what basically was like a nappy rash - sore and embarassing for her. I now no longer have to wash her clothes seperately and no more rashes! Thanks again everyone - you changed her life (and mine!):T :A :T

mookybargirl

The people are great and make everyone feel so welcome.

I'm learning to cook and when I have a daft question - there's always friendly knowledgeable (sp?) people to help.

My gran would have been so proud if she was still here with me. I never did get around to her showing me how to make her fantastic steak pies. It's lovely to know you guys are always here to help when I've no money, when I can't seem to get my recipe right or when I need inspiration.

I've never started my christmas shopping before December but not this year. I'm halfway there already. Everyone is getting really thoughtful gifts thanks to all the threads on here - I'm trying home made biscuits, bath salts and chocolate brazils. Next year, who knows!!

maryb

I've always cooked from scratch but when I'm tired, the menus gets a bit limited and expensive. Now it's absorbing to see how low I can keep the cost It's given me a sense of financial dignity and really helps to withstand the siren song of spending on things I don't need

pounds_and_pensive

I used a slow cooker and a bread-maker long before I found MSE and OS, and have done the meal planning and growing my own veg thing for even longer. I've still managed to get one heck of a lot from OS, most notably the knowledge that I needn't rely on my car-driving husband and arrange my life around his schedule just to get the shopping in - that there *is* a way round the problem that doesn't involve giving in to a tartan granny-bag on wheels. OS introduced me to my stylish shocking pink Rolser and in doing so, OS gave me my independence

Then there are all the little things too. There's something new to learn and save money with on here just about every day - how to make your own gel air fresheners for example. Often the non-practical things help to make my day too - I know OS is geared to saving us all money, but you can't put a price on a smile and I still get one of those from the story of the poster who leapt naked from the toilet after being terrified by a bug, straight into the line of vision of a startled postman. Lots of smiles from other things on here too.

The one thing I don't thank OS for giving me is a bigger bum. So many cheap and tasty recipes, so little time

hornetgirl

Although I don't post that often, what I love most about OS is that I feel I have really found a like minded community.
I think I've always had OS tendencies (though I've learnt so much more from here), but until I discovered OS, I always felt a bit"different", with only my TWG to keep me going! It's great knowing I'm not alone :j

RacyRed

I love OS for freeing me from commerciality. These days I think more carefully about what I buy, eat, how I spend my time and so on. I've found it so liberating. Sometimes my choices aren't OS, but the difference is that they are now choices. I no longer feel steam-rollered into buying the latest mop or cleaning product or whatever.

Most of all I love the OS community. :A

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, MATH - great thread!

Like many other's I've been OS for a long time, but have picked up LOADS from this site:

Freecycle - got rid of loads of clutter, and aquired pasta maker, scanner, strawberry plants, amongst others :j

Flylady - my batroom sparkles! Even my DS noticed; I can't tell you what an achievement that is!

Microfibre cloths - what can I say :T

Recipe thread - lots of new recipes, especially muffins. My friends and work colleagues now love these, but they do nothing for my waistline :eek:
Now all I need is a cow in the garden :eek: : I'll be off to PM Apprentice Tycoon for tips.

Off to feed and water the chooks, Penny. x