How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

stiltwalker

Lovely to see all the new faces.

I'm thinking about raspberry canes too but maybe next year so please let me know how they get on in pots as thinking that may be the way to go. I've just put 3 sloe in that I got off ebay so I always know I've got some for the gin! Even if the birds or other foragers beat me too the wild ones. Last autumn branched out and tried sloe white rum and I'm going to need extra sloes this year as it is SO good!

Got garlic and shallots in and some early spinach and the dining room is slowly filling up with chitting potatoes and seed trays, got some early peas and sweet peas starting off and leeks and my indoor veg (aubergine, chillis and peppers). Hoping to get a good start as bump is due 1st May so may get a bit distracted later on. Moved in at the back end of April last year so didn't have enough seedlings for a garden as only had a yard in the old place so couldn't make best use of the garden so looking forward to getting a lot more produce this year and hopefully saving a few pennies on the grocery bills.

dreaming

maryb wrote: »

MrsWive
The pension thing is really irritating isn't it? I am in that ggroup of women who will have to wait 2 extra years for their pension - I would have got it at 64 now it will be 66 - because I was born 3 weeks too late. No other group will have to wait more than 1 extra year including younger women who have more time to make up the difference
QUOTE]

Eeek! Can you tell me what the cut off age/year of birth is regarding this please? I must admit I have heard bits and pieces but have tended to bury my head in the sand a bit recently as you just get a bit punch-drunk with it all don't you? At the moment I am chucking all my spare cash at my mortgage as I moved last year to what I see as my near perfect as possible home. (It's only a 2 bed bungalow but I love it). I was divorced in my late 40s and had taken several years off for children (as you tended to in the 70s) so feel as if I am playing catch up on pensions front (ex & I had clean break so I can't claim off his - although I don't think that is worth much any more). Have worked really hard since and mostly feel I am comfortable (I have quite simple needs and wants) but am fed up of the goal posts running away from me all the time.
Recently had my 20 year anniversary at workplace - was depressed all day to think that the way things are going I might be there for my 30 year one. I know I am lucky to have a good job but it is very demanding and not sure I can last the pace for another 10/15/20/who knows? years.

bertiebots

I wish it would warm up bit so I can get out in my garden! I have had 2 years so far of trying to grow my own bits and bobs with little success due to the dire summers ..so am keeping my fingers crossed that we have more than 3 hours sunshine in 2011:eek:!


Have just spent ages looking for the laundry gloop recipe and came across this:


Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap (<---- I'm going to be using some old soap ends which would normally be thrown away)
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax

For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons


:DI have made the gloop in the past but this looks even easier and given the mind boggling price of washing powder at the mo I will be making a batch up as soon as I have done next weeks shop. Will try and rope the kids into grating some soap for me!

mardatha

I don't mind winter really, but when I read you lot all getting started with the gardens then it makes me ratty cos I want to start too I suppose its six and half a dozen really, I have empty roads, hawks & sheep, unlocked doors, & no light pollution. But I do have long bl**dy winters !! LOL

bertiebots

dreaming ...this might be useful

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/

dreaming

[QUOTE
Eeek! Can you tell me what the cut off age/year of birth is regarding this please? I must admit I have heard bits and pieces but have tended to bury my head in the sand a bit recently as you just get a bit punch-drunk with it all don't you?

Well I just found the government calculator site and according to that I will get my state pension at 65 (at the moment) so that hasn't changed for me and I can carry on with my plan to work like crazy for the next 5 years and pay mortgage off by 60 if possible (I'm 55 now), work full time for 2 more years and put the mortgage money into some sort of investment type thing, then work part-time till 65. Trouble is I remember my dad worked hard all his life, retired at 65 then died 4 months later so sometimes wonder if it all worth it.

I bought some raspberries and blueberries last year in a sale (I think £5 for 2of each plant) and bunged them in the garden (blueberries in pots) and they have buds on them now. Also had a gooseberry bush last year for birthday (I said in previous post I had very simple needs/wants) and that is also budding. Would like some patio fruit trees (only small garden) and am looking for offers on those. Shall be starting most of my seed-sowing next week.

ETA - oh no - just read the pension thing properly and will have to wait ill I'm 66 after all! Think I might have to move on to plan C now - have already tried A & B!

Beccah_3

stiltwalker wrote: »

Lovely to see all the new faces.

I'm thinking about raspberry canes too but maybe next year so please let me know how they get on in pots as thinking that may be the way to go. I've just put 3 sloe in that I got off ebay so I always know I've got some for the gin! Even if the birds or other foragers beat me too the wild ones. Last autumn branched out and tried sloe white rum and I'm going to need extra sloes this year as it is SO good!

Got garlic and shallots in and some early spinach and the dining room is slowly filling up with chitting potatoes and seed trays, got some early peas and sweet peas starting off and leeks and my indoor veg (aubergine, chillis and peppers). Hoping to get a good start as bump is due 1st May so may get a bit distracted later on. Moved in at the back end of April last year so didn't have enough seedlings for a garden as only had a yard in the old place so couldn't make best use of the garden so looking forward to getting a lot more produce this year and hopefully saving a few pennies on the grocery bills.

Crikey, I'm feeling soo behind and its only Febuary. I had SUCH plans to maximise my veg production this year after finally repairing the greenhouse and building a huge raised bed. But I've yet to get a single seed anywhere near soil...methinks I need to get myself in gear.

shegar

Hippeechiq wrote: »

Hello bertiebots :hello:

wmf I also lived in Suffolk for 18 years in the Bury St Edmunds area. Moved to Dorset 10 years ago, and we do have extremely good weather down here, although, for a Southern Softie, it's been a bit too parky down here this winter for my liking the hardest one I've known since I've lived here. That said, my Buddliea bush/tree is also in bud.

Whereabouts in Suffolk are you Shegar?

I live in between Minsmere and Dunwich/ Sizewell ,Yep Bury is about 40 mile from me down on the A14..........im deep in the countryside.....:D WMF where were you living in Suffolk? please

ginnyknit

Have planted salad leaves which are showing after 3 days and started some peas for the tops to put in salad. Must get more organised though as I am determined to do well.

Its bloomin cold in Manchester at the mo' and have just put the heating up a little. But obviously not as cold as Scotland! yes Mardatha the pro's and con's are all there hunny

fedupfreda

jinky67 wrote: »

what you really mean is Southern Softies:p:p:p

us Scots dont like hot weather generally, I wouldnt thank you for it:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Some of us Southerners don't like it much either.:( In fact I much prefer winter, despite the cold and damp. I do like the dry cold. At least you can wear lots of layers. I looked like the michelin man when we had that really cold spell a few weeks back. I also prefer comfort food, like stew & dumplings, baked potatoes, rice pudding, steamed puddings, that sort of thing. IME its also cheaper. Anyone else find that the food bill goes up in summer ? - and I've never really been able to figure out why. Salad is cheap, you would have thought.:(