It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

mardatha

I took a notion recently for Wodehouse as well, got a huge pile from my library
Ceridwen I seriously dont want a kindle, it holds no appeal wotsever for me. I like real books. I buy for a few pence on amazon and go to the library.

ceridwen

wmf - Think your (library) situation must be "Try not to feel envious" challenge for the week personally. I think my own library must be a medium sort of area personally - but would love to have a "well served still" type area on this one personally. Free to order books - we've NEVER had that in this area - and its now pretty blimmin' high charge to do so (hence why I often weigh it up and decide that it costs little/if any extra to buy the darn book instead). I guess different counties have different priorities in that respect..and I know mine is an expensive one in many different ways...

I'm personal friends with several of the staff in my local library (as I know them through "leisure interests" we share) - so get a few little "concessions" that maybe some wouldnt...but 'tis still poor service compared to what "yer general public" used to have in my area.

NualaBuala

Smileyt - big hugs to you, I really feel for you - can't imagine how hard that must have been. I was really moved by the love and care you've shown your hens and how you gave their things to a good home. Take good care of yourself now. x

Glitzer - hope you're ok pet. Glad your consultant seems to be on the ball and not letting things drift. Hope all goes well with the scan - wish I lived near you as I could help with busfare.

Margaret54 wrote: »

Hi NualaBuala I was on the knitting forum a few days ago and had seen your post regarding the jumper. I thought the jumper was lovely too. Great programme wasn't it? I just loved a Thursday night when I knew it was coming on. I do hope you are able to get it sorted soon. Happy knitting:) Have really enjoyed reading everyones posts. Had a lot of reading to get through:) Warmest wishes to you all. Wonderful forum and so friendly. I love it.

Thank you Margaret! I miss that programme - it was great! I missed it first time around and watched the repeat. Now I can't wait for the next series where I will obsess about the new lot of jumpers! :-) At least they wrap up warm in it, not like on a lot of programmes where they permanently wear tshirts! I'm having fun with it - I've learned lots of new techniques thanks to youtube. Having trouble with the fair isle tension but hopefully a bit of practice will help.

Hope you're all doing ok - I haven't read properly so hope I haven't missed anything important.

I'm not paying much attention to the economic problems - scanning the headlines,reading a little here and there but there seems little I can do and I know worrying won't help. It makes me wish I could do what Thoreau did in Walden and just turn my back on consumerism and all that goes with it and go off and live self-sufficiently in a self-made house in the woods. But that's unlikely to happen and just as well as my housemaking skills are not as good as that guy's who built the hobbit house! I have a small amount of savings and I worry about their security so I am using some for buying things that I could sell if needed and more importantly will be useful to me, stuff I've always wanted but put off getting (am already well-stocked up with food). Today I got a cheap sewing machine from Lidl :j I've never used one and have no idea how to make anything but managed to thread it and mess about a bit, it was fun! I would love to be able to repair my clothes and make bits and pieces - am going to look out for a class. The other thing I'm thinking of getting is a food processor but still unsure. I'm also trying to find a trustworthy roofer to do some work for me - but I have been badly burned by cowboy workmen in the past and it's tough finding someone competent and honest.

I'm set for an early night as the wind and rain kept me awake last night - it's still pretty wild out there but no sleet thank goodness!

rachbc

another no ta to kindle here - I buy books from charity shops, share with freinds, use the library (public and at work) and amazon. A village I drove thru last week had a old phone box used as a 'take one leave one' mini library! Lovely idea

ifonlyitwaseasier

whilst i admit i like the idea of having more floor space(run out of bookcase!!), i still think i'll stick to "real" books as opposed to virtual ones, tho i have been sent an e-book free to read, so am taking it in stages, very cool book though, all vampires and dragons!!!!!

ginnyknit

HM chilli for tea in an attempt to keep us warm, don't feel inclined to put the heating on yet so we are keeping on the move. Made a Mr T cheapo sponge cake then decided to fil the oven, made 2 lemon drizzle cakes and 20 tiny buns for DGS's lovely playgroup. Trying to be helpful where I can at the moment as some friends are really upto their armpits in alligators as an American friend is often saying :rotfl:

Charities are especially struggling, so am making as much as I can for them for Christmas.

Weather here was terrible today with rain, wind and sleet so we rescued Dd and took her to stock up on nappies - as if we did it just to spend more time with DGS perish the thought.

managed to clear out 3 boxes of junk today so am pretty pleased with myself.

Hope everyone is safe and warm tonight - batten down the hatches we are in for a stormy ride by the sounds of it - both monetarily and weather wise :eek:

suki1964

Its been horrible here up in the NE of Ireland - gales and hail stones and rain - and more rain. Was so dark the lights were on at 1pm and the stove lit

I have the kindle app on my phone and HATE it. Sorry its books all the way for me. I love going into charity shops and second hand bookshops looking for bargains - and I hate giving my money to big corporations such as amazon esp in these times. Actually Im spending less in the big name places and do my best to buy locally. Free range eggs from the lass up the road at a pound helps us both, and getting the bread and milk from the van saves my petrol and keeps another local man in business. And our library is very good for its size. Theres not a huge stock held but this being such a small country it doesnt take long to get a book you want sent down from another library. Also has free internet and has talking books, cds,dvds and story telling for the kiddies and a lot more beside.

Just off the phone to DH ( he has to work in London as no work here) talking about the economic gloom. Ive told him Im taking the little bit of money we have out the bank and putting it in the safe here. He thinks Im mad but Im just thinking the government has no money left for another round of bank bail outs

v8monkeyboy

I see where you're all going with the Kindle, and I used to feel the same. The thing which swung it for me, was having a declutter of the house and taking what turned out to be 10 boxes of books to a charity shop.

I will still buy the books from my favourite authors in paper copy, but the books I can take or leave will be bought on the Kindle. I realise that I could also do that with a library, but I live miles from one, it's not hugely accessible and never open when I go past. I dod join, but have used it maybe twice in 3 years I don't think I'll ever go over to all Kindle books though, as I love the feel and smell of book too much...

suki1964

rachbc wrote: »

another no ta to kindle here - I buy books from charity shops, share with freinds, use the library (public and at work) and amazon. A village I drove thru last week had a old phone box used as a 'take one leave one' mini library! Lovely idea

We had that in the bar I used to work in - was very popular as a great way to recycle and to get to find new authors

cbrown372

ceridwen wrote: »

wmf - Think your (library) situation must be "Try not to feel envious" challenge for the week personally. I think my own library must be a medium sort of area personally - but would love to have a "well served still" type area on this one personally. Free to order books - we've NEVER had that in this area - and its now pretty blimmin' high charge to do so (hence why I often weigh it up and decide that it costs little/if any extra to buy the darn book instead). I guess different counties have different priorities in that respect..and I know mine is an expensive one in many different ways...

I'm personal friends with several of the staff in my local library (as I know them through "leisure interests" we share) - so get a few little "concessions" that maybe some wouldnt...but 'tis still poor service compared to what "yer general public" used to have in my area.

its such a shame your expensive area doesn't have a good library service personally I use our mobile service arrives on time every week and no charge for ordering books or using their talking books service and no limit to the number of books. Perhaps you should lobby your council leaders to improve the service in this expensive area of yours?

I was lucky enough to get a kindle when I mentioned to the boss the refurbs ones in Martin's email he told me to buy two and gave me one but funnily enough he is complaining now that his wife used to buy her books from a charity shop and now its costing him a fortune from Kindle store.

However they do travel a lot and with the cost of luggage when flying its much cheaper to carry a kindle rather than several books.