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

GreyQueen

Morning fuddle (and everyone else, of course).

Re your friend scoffing at your storecupboard, I'm glad that your feelings weren't hurt. I've heard it expressed that one of the greatest weaknesses of human psychology is that we imagine that the way things are now is the way that they have always been, and the way that they always will be in the future.

A few minutes' thought reveals this as an absolute nonsense. What was the norm within living memory is unbelievable now. What is the norm now is likely to be unbelievable in the future.

One thing is for sure is that the current lifestyle, born off the back of burning fossil fuels, is on its way out. Shrewd people free of delusions and wishful thinking will be trying to future-proof their lifestyles so that they can suffer as little as possible in the coming decades.

The smart person is looking to her storecupboard and her veggie patch, is considering how she can fill in the gaps in her skills so that she can be moderately self-sufficient and is teaching her children likewise.

In other words, fuddle, you are well ahead of the curve and people should be emulating you, not scoffing. You go, gal!

J Lewis have just given me a courtesy call to say that they'll be here in 20-30 mins with my new fridge. I have shoehorned the old one out into the living room past the sliding door into the kitchen (kitchen is accessed off the living room in my flat) and am sweating it in case the new one doesn't fit thru the door. I measured before I bought, several times, it SHOULD fit, but I'm still nervous.

I was up last night washing the walls and floor in the fridge space as I don't want any dustiness or grubbiness to be seen. Even if they do have fluff behind their display fridges........:rotfl:

meme30

fuddle wrote: »

Morning toughies

Walking up from school this morning I was chatting to my friend about my store cupboard because you just can't rely heavily on infrastructure (we were talking about the NatWest debarcle) and should push come to shove I would like to think I could muddle on through some tough times, whatever they were. She scoffed a bit, didn't get it and suggested I have an OCD. I'm not upset or anything, mainly because I once was like that... I'm just telling you because it's relevant to this thread. I'm grateful I'm 'bordering on the verge of having OCD' because one day I might jus need the fruits of my labour

DH is s!!!!!!! (eeek swear filter - swan.king) it up in a 5 star hotel today/tonight/tomorrow courtesy of training from his work. The kids and I will be having egg and cress sandwiches tonight, made by them as they have been growing their own. Smallest DD wants to clean her black board and has asked can she mop her bedroom floor - she's 3, If she wants to do it I aint stopping her :rotfl:

The garden bin has been emptied this morning so I'm off to clear more space in the front garden for more useful plants. I would love some rhubarb in there. I have seeds but I don't think I can sow them yet.

Yeah, I have had more than a few askance looks when I mention HOARDING!...see, I am owning the word:rotfl: Don't worry about it, after the possible EU law to limit cash withdrawels last week and the Banking fiasco this week I am contemplating a money cupboard as well....Will be very small...matchbox size:rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Morning FUDDLE - told you you were a trendsetter, and now it turns out that you are an enlightened ahead of the herd trendsetter. What's the betting that when she has had a bit of time to reflect your sceptical friend asks you what to store and where to get it? Either that, or when there is a problem she'll be the one cap in hand on the doorstep asking for help, which you'll undoubtedly give because you are prepared, and I hasten to add forgiving!!!!!!!

If you are after rhubarb, rather than sowing seed, do you know anyone with a rhubarb patch already? because the easiest way to get a patch of your own is to ask for a root of thiers, rhubarb is usually propogated by root division and you just chop the things in pieces and replant them. The only downside to this is you have to let the plant establish itself for a year before you can pull any or it doesn't root in properly.

We used to grow cress in empty eggshells the girls had drawn faces on - Mr Cress Heads, thank you for a nice memory that had slipped to the back of what passes for my mind!!!!!

Have a nice time with just you and the girls, it's always nice to have special times isn't it? Have a good day Cheers Lyn xxx. P.S. Hugs to the puppy boy!!!!!

GreyQueen

:j It came! It fits! It's gas is settling for a few hours before it can be switched on, then I shall shop for food as have been running down the fresh stuff since last week and have been having some meals which can best be described as eccentric. It's a darned good job that I wasn't feeding anyone other than myself or I expect there would have been mutiny in the ranks. Or divorce/ abandonment/ Bad Words.

It's an A+ Miele and I'm was advised (after I'd bought it) that it should last 15-20 years easily, so I'm hoping my decision to pay a bit more upfront will pay dividends in the long run. It's the first fridge I've ever bought and I'm nearer 50 than 40. Is it very sad of me to be thrilled by white goods? Never mind, I'm beaming from ear-to-ear, so consider me a saddo if you like cos I just don't give a damn.

Have today booked as annual leave hence being at home for the fridge so will pop out and mooch around and may even go to the lottie later, but the fridge and the restocking thereof will have to take precedence.

Well, after another cuppa, of course. I am on "holiday" after all.

fuddle why not try posting on Freecycle to see if anyone wants to give away a rhubarb crown or even a few? I don't personally care for the stuff as I sense it dissolving my tooth enamel, so I gave away a clump which I inherited with the lottie and which stood slap-bang in the middle of the patch, and therefore right in my way. And Mrs LW is right, you need to let it establish before pulling stalks, and even with an established plant, you mustn't pull too many off any one plant as it won't be able to photosynthesise well enough to make a good root. They go dormant overwinter, the leaves wither away and they're invisible for several months. If there's a risk you might forget where they are, put a stick beside them before they die back so you don't end up banging a spade into them by accident.

[Deleted User]

I have just chopped up a very ripe pineapple (reduced at the co-op) and whadda you know, it has seeds inside!!! In all the years I have been buying fresh pineapple I have never before seen one in seed. We are going to let them dry for a couple of days and then sow them on some compost and keep them warm and see if they germinate, how exciting is that - (bearing in mind that I do lead a very sheltered life in general!) woohoo!!!!! Cheers Lyn x.

mardatha

Anybody who isn't prepping is a moron, and you can tell her I said that fuddle
It was kittie who got me to really think about things, and when I did then things all started to look very different. But my greatest fear is that this govt, added to recession, will take us full circle back, if not to the Victorians then maybe to the Hungry Thirties. I've read too much about all that stuff to ever want to live it thankyouverymuch.

Possession

GQ I'm excited for you about your fridge, that must make me very sad indeed! I'm sure it will look even better with food in it.
I've had a very pleasant (but unproductive) morning with my best friend who has moved back from Italy. All 3 of her kids have managed to get back into the school and life is good! In fact if only DH could get a job (or win the lottery) it would be perfect.
I have my parents coming to stay so I need to do some OS meal-planning, always difficult with my dad who has various things he can't eat. Off to have a browse through the recipe index.

elona

mardatha

Wish I could thank you twice!

I get annoyed when people are scathing at the idea of having a few extras to tide someone over. It doesn't have to be a bank run, financial collapse or the plague - just something like a bout of flu, a twisted ankle, bad weather or strikes can disrupt your normal routine.

I still remember the empty shelves in our local supermarket years ago when the petrol strikes were on. Even DH was surprised- not so much by empty shelves but that I had told him that would happen days before and topped up stuff.

I could see the condemnation if we were advocating guns and bullets but pasta, flour, tinned tomatoes are hardly in that league.

Popperwell

Fuddle, a lot of assumptions are made about other people. Judgements too. What's that saying about "Walk a mile in someone else's shoes!" The future austere measure will hit many, if it hasn't already(in work, out of work, retired and the ill)those on welfare, those struggling on their savings and pensions.:(

Talking of assumptions, I have a satellite dish on the side of the present property and I bet a few people think that I have Sky, I don't, my box is now a Freesat box(no fee)unless you count the tv license, when I had Sky I had a basic package(no movies or sport)

Now, I hardly watch tv, so little I may not bother with a license next year. Since Mum passed away I like my computer/internet, my music collection and the radio. TV doesn't interest me.

A lot of what Grey Queen says is true.:)

So anything that helps even in a small way is worth doing. I bet a few people caught up in the bank problem these last few days wish they'd had some kind of plan for an emergency(even if they's had some spare cash in the house)some food(if they could not get to the shops):T

Good luck with the new fridge GQ...

ginnyknit

'seconded' Mar I could not sleep at night if I didnt have my stock cupboard especially after we all got snowed in 5 minutes from Manchester city centre 3 years ago! I would have never believed that was possible - a disabled hubby, pregnant daughter and rickety old me. If I stretch the meat I think we could last 3 weeks and probably beyond without meat. I have lots of breadflour, sr flour and marg so we can always have pies etc with jam butties for after :rotfl: