A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

ginnyknit

I too had an odd childhood but lots of love and as what would now be termed a 'geek' I was never aware I was different. I had a lot of rogues in the family so it was never dull. I did however have a lot of responsibility from a VERY early age as Mum is OCD and now we realise totally dyslexic, though she could add up massive rows of figures in her head. In a different world I feel my Mum was would have been a genius but has only come into her own since she stopped treating me like the enemy and we worked at stuff together.

having a lazy day as OH is sleepy and just wakes up for a snack and a drink, problem is the sleepyness happened on the couch so I can't bloomin vac up or owt noisy :mad::mad: Oh well tomorrow is another day

Smileyt I could tell you tales of my neighbour hood that would curl your hair, but they are too long for here. I did once get told off as the tracker dogs kept tracking me as I always fed them choccy biscuits - bad ginny :rotfl: 'waste of police time/valuable resources blah blah' Same copper had to come and thank me and my buddy a few weeks later for helping them catch a high end car theft ring

WeegieWumman

mardatha wrote: »

"Is it just the male. of the species that has an inbuilt dislike of vegetables?"
***************
Polite cough from Scotland
There actually is no point at all to vegetables!! Unless its for coos or wabbits to chomp on.
FUDDLE pet, I had quite a traumatic and odd childhood and I'm quite normal
:rotfl::rotfl: Of course I am!

I LUV vegetables! I was the 'late' baby who although I had to mind my p's & q's I was well cosseted and unashamedly grateful for it.

Cheapskate

We had a tough childhood, financially speaking, but then so did most of the people I knew. Mum stayed at home as dad worked away half the time, so was always there for us, came into school during the day to do odd things, cooked everything from scratch, sewed, etc., lots of craft activities, like some of the other posters. Things were quite difficult when we became teenagers - dad trying to overprotect us, I think now, as he remembered he'd been a bit wild as a youngster and didn't like the thought of his wee girls doing the same! :rotfl:

Several years after I left home my relationship with him was tons better, we could talk about stuff that mum found a bit squeamish, bigoted, rude.... think he forgot I was a girl sometimes!

Rained here all day, but it's saved my spuds and onions, which were looking a bit fed up. Littlies are out in the damp garden now, looking very grubby, having races up and down the lawn, pretending to squish slugs (must teach them how to murder them properly one day....!) - see how much fun children can have without spending a single penny? :j

1 June tomorrow, so my austerity measures begin then - new job looming that means more time away from the littlies without being any better off financially, possibly worse - how exactly does that make sense?

Having spag bol for tea, needs some extra veg in so there'll be enough to freeze for another day.

A xo

Cheapskate

fuddle wrote: »

You know what strikes me the most? The love on this thread is immense. A caring and sharing that only those who have had it tough can show.

I'm quite teary reading the responses today. It's so good to read what you remember or your children remember of their happy childhood's doing 'stuff' with each other. I'm actually overwhelmed because it's those kinds of responses that I had hoped to read when I posted this morning. Just to make sure that my DH and I weren't effecting the kids' by 'being stingy'. I know how not to bring up healthy well adjusted kids, I just had a wobble as to how to actually bring up well adjusted kids.

I have no biscuits but love the idea of having snacks on a tray when they come in from school. Off to knock up some short bread and have hot choc when we get back. It's a grotty day so feel good indulgence while we cut cardboard boxes and cover with tin foil for Jubilee celebrations at school tomorrow. Happy times. Thank you.

You're so right, fuddle! I think it's people who've been there and done that, and are now sharing their tee-shirts to warm up the rest of us!
On a less gooey note, it's a fantastic support network - I bet most of us never meet each other, or know each other's real names, but I always feel amongst mates here and try hard to read stuff even if I rarely get chance to post.

A xo

Byatt

Mrs C, I lurve vegetables...my ex only ate frozen peas when I met him, he said it was only to give colour to the plate...many married years later he ate most veg...:cool:

Smiley, goodness me, what a sight to see! Thanks for the hugs, I'm ok really, plus antibiotics seem to be working...so all good.

Ginny, that is hilarious, the tracker dogs tracking you...for choccy biscuits! I :rotfl::rotfl:

I've had a very lazy day today, just mooching and reading. I would have slept more but DD kept ringing me...:D woke from a weird dream thinking I was driving the car with my eyes shut! :eek: Nearly fell out of bed with shock. :rotfl:

Possession

(((Hugs))) to everyone with painful memories.
We didn't have that much when I was a child, but I was lucky to have had a very loving and I suppose 'normal' childhood if there is such a thing. My parents were both teachers, but teachers in the 70s weren't well paid, and they had put everything they had into the house I think and we didn''t have much to spare. We didn't get a car till I was about 10, or a phone till I was about 8 I think. I'm 42 now.
So my mum worked full-time, but it was in term time so didn't really affect me much, and teachers also didn't do as much extra work then as they do now. My dad became a Head and he did work all hours, but often at home. What I mainly remember of my childhood is being with extended family, trips to the Natural History and Science Museum (as my grandma lived in London and they were free), days out in the holidays to various castles etc and once a year a trip to a Holimarine holiday camp which I now know my parents must have hated, but we loved it so that made it for them. Children remember events, but they don't have to be events which cost a lot of money. I have very fond memories of the street parties we had for the Royal Wedding (and look how that ended!) and the Silver Jubilee, but they were done on a pittance.
My parents are still fairly frugal now, they don't waste food, they don't go on expensive holidays, they choose purchases very carefully even though they do have enough money to treat themselves. My dad has always had an eye for a bargain though and has a garage store some of you might be envious of, LOL.

fuddle

I would love a store in the garage or under the stairs etc. Somewhere where I can put a load of freebie/cheapy/offer stuff. Oh uh, I fear an under stair clearout for that very issue. Actually, it makes an awful lot of sense.

I can't remember who it was that suggested a rhubarb left-over syrup reduction but wow, thanks! It's really tasty and I used a dribble to sweeten the smoothie the kids wanted to make. It's going over the custard when we have the rhubarb crumble too.

Seriously, I'm sat here with a cupboard store going round and round my head. I have to do it! If you could see the state of my understairs though. It's really bad.

prepareathome

smileyt wrote: »

Feeling a bit low as I've just claimed JSA online. Claiming benefits always makes me feel low - I think I equate it with a lack of independence and self-worth. Oh well, at least we have some benefits to claim and are not as bad as the poor Greek people yet.

Got to your post and had to reply straight away - you are worth I assure you more than most of those airheads that are in charge of the country and many, many others who have pots of money and no sense - Would rather have people like you in the world than them any day, you are a wonderful person. Just because you have to claim benefit you are worth no less than any of them, and ok due to lack of money your choices will limited in some ways but you still have your independance to do what you want ( so long as its legal:rotfl:). You are your own person not a number remember that, no matter how the great DWP tries to make you feel, and the press for that matter.

I know we all only really know each other via here, but as said before i count you all as my friends, my dear, dear friends and am proud, very proud that you are one of them. Ok I know I am a boring old S*d but I hope my opinion still counts.......

Am glad the guy didn't try suicide and it was anger but what a shocking thing for you to see, today of all days

Lots of hugs and love to you

Debbiexxxxxxxxxx

Byatt

It's so interesting reading all the childhood stories...thank you for sharing.

I second PAH's post Smiley...:T

edit, except for the boring old s*d PAH!!

Possession

Fuddle my under the stairs cupboard is in the kitchen, so it's a pantry. The only problem is my ironing board has to go in there too. And since we started the catering business, the garage has been cleared out and has lots of shelves with various foody bits and pieces. We had to get a really mouseproof garage door though, cost £500 :eek: It does work at least so far!

fuddle wrote: »

I would love a store in the garage or under the stairs etc. Somewhere where I can put a load of freebie/cheapy/offer stuff. Oh uh, I fear an under stair clearout for that very issue. Actually, it makes an awful lot of sense.

I can't remember who it was that suggested a rhubarb left-over syrup reduction but wow, thanks! It's really tasty and I used a dribble to sweeten the smoothie the kids wanted to make. It's going over the custard when we have the rhubarb crumble too.

Seriously, I'm sat here with a cupboard store going round and round my head. I have to do it! If you could see the state of my understairs though. It's really bad.