make do and mend for tougher times

savingqueen

Morning all :):):):):):):):):):):):)

GQ - Happy Second Breakfast
I thought I was the only one to sometimes have Second Breakfast! Mr SQ aka his lordship ribs me about it! He who has no breakfast :eek: phew to the closed in flip flops! edit - thanks for paint for damp rooms tip - will check out for our bathroom.

Thanks for the posts re my condensation. We do have a dehumidifier which helps but still have condensation to mop up. We have no extractor in kitchen or in bathroom and also no functioning window in bathroom (an old skylight that doesn't open and no outside wall for extractor) - bathroom skylight drips condensation onto heads so I'm always mopping using an extendable part foam head, part squidgy thing (can't find a replacement though for when current one expires.) Our double glazed windows are very old and have no safety latch thingy. No air bricks (our house isn't a solid traditional build, not many bricks more of an I*ea flat pack job :rotfl:) though do have an air vent in kitchen. One "wall" of our living room is all fixed glass and french doors so also a condensation trap. One of things that attracted me to house when we bought it - one wall of windows looking out to garden but didn't realise then about the condensation or the fact we never seem to have time to do anything with the garden. As my old dad says "you live and learn, you live and learn".

There is a lot we could do to improve like new windows but no spare cash to do it unfortunately. Think I will insulate best as I can with some low heat on when needed and dehumidifier on in day (too noisy at night & DH will moan.) Air windows briefly in the morning when DH & kids home and then close. When just me will leave heating off as much as poss, wrap up like an eskimo and have all windows open. I already close the curtains at dusk.

Fuddle - glad the dehumidifier is doing its thang - I used to be fascinated with the amount of water collecting in the collecting tank.

Have a massive laundry pile to do - 2 baskets full and overflowing like a laundry volcano. Posh cat was sick yesterday on one sofa throw, then his lordship spilt pasta sauce on the spare plus all beds and towels changed and big bundles of dirty clothes. I can't get it dry in this weather - outside is damp or rainy though do run out with washing in dry/windy periods and can only dry one load at a time near the dehumidifier.

Have you all remembered your extra hour? Kids did not respect the clocks going back so still up early this morn but have extra time to play with so all good.

Better go and experiment with porridge . I've been up since 6.40 and not even had a cuppa yet :eek:

Havea good day everyone...onwards and upwards toughies
sq:)

savingqueen

Love the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Read some as a child (and loved the TV series) and recently borrowed Little House on Prairie (sp?) and Little House in the Big Woods. DS1 read them too and loved them. I am going to reserve some more today, thanks for reminding me.

mardatha wrote: »

I love The Long Winter, and I have The Children's Blizzard , a factual (very sad) account of a real winter in the 1880s that Laura Ingalls Wilder maybe used as inspiration for the book - or maybe she lived through it, I don't know.
They say here not to burn pine as it coats the chimney and also it sparks like hell, if you have an open fire then you need a fireguard up all the time.
I love the sound of a piemaker ginny - never used to liek pies but now find them quick and easy and no cooking required
Beautiful white frosty sunny morning here so far.

mardatha

GQ can you knit? Loads of great patterns for slippers and slippersocks..
My fav spooky site had a great day yesterday, a readathon from noon till 8pm, loads of people came in for a free reading- psychic or spirit. A few were really down and sad and left much lighter - but it uses as much energy as running a marathon and I slept like a log, best night's sleep I had in ages
Was on an American homesteading forum this morning and found them struggling with prices and all going to Aldi there too. They bottle and can and preserve like mad but they still finding things tougher, so we are not alone.
The RV is so grumpy I'm just waiting (hopefully) for him to self-combust. He has a wee tiny sniffle so its obviously severe flu.

GreyQueen

I can knit, Mum (a brilliant knitter, who does stuff on commission and wins prizes etc) says that I'm a good little knitter although she doesn't understand how I can take my hand completely off the right-hand needle with every stitch and maintain perfect tension. I've never been able to just slide my paw up the needle without knocking a handful of stitched off the end.

I've made the odd sweater or two in stocking stitch but I have some kind of eye-brain impediment which means I can't read the blasted patterns and end up in a such a temper that things get thrown around the room whilst growling like a bear.

My previous attempts at socks were nothing to recall fondly so prolly best if I just buy a pair of Totes [EMAIL="To@sties"]To@sties[/EMAIL]. And then I might just get to have them before next winter, too.

Just waiting for the tea to brew for the flask, then will drag a comb thru my mop and go to pal's. Hope she's awake!

catznine

I am literally learning how to make do and mend at a lovely workshop that opened recently near to us. No longer having parents or grandparents and rapidly running short of aunts too I have found my 2nd home:j. The workshop hosts knit and natter, sew and natter sessions as well. Last month I did a patchwork course and this weekend learnt how to make granny squares so finally using up my stash in a useful way. Both skills enable me to recycle/upcycle loads. I think if it wasn't for these workshops and support groups, the old skills would die out! Lots of youngsters on the course though so the demand is there.

On the way back home I popped into our local Aldi store and had great difficulty getting a parking space (Aldi's is suddenly very, very popular) , settling for one a long walk away from the shop. Alas by the time I had finished my shop torrential freezing rain had hit and I got thoroughly drenched and chilled going back to the car, I then had to do the walk again to return the trolley (for my £1 coin)

I can remember almost having Aldi to myself most days, people were so snobby about it, now it is a fight into the car park and store with the very same people that used to look down on me for shopping there! Go figure!

Just enjoyed my last bacon sarnie for a long while! Off for intensive dental work tomorrow, Soft foods only for a while, so must bulk cook some mash and make up a trifle!

The rest of the day will be about staying in the warm (after little dog walk or she will sulk) and adding to my granny square stash! (9 already - I am totally addicted within 24hours of learning how to make them:o:rotfl:)

Stay warm all

Catz x

nuatha

savingqueen wrote: »

Thanks for the posts re my condensation. We do have a dehumidifier which helps but still have condensation to mop up. We have no extractor in kitchen or in bathroom and also no functioning window in bathroom (an old skylight that doesn't open and no outside wall for extractor) - bathroom skylight drips condensation onto heads so I'm always mopping using an extendable part foam head, part squidgy thing

SQ have you considered a ceiling mount extractor fan for your bathroom? That way you could use ducting to move the damp air to a gable end or out of the eaves.
Secondary glazing the skylight would create some dead air insulation (either window film or perspex) and reduce the drip annoyance.
HTH

kidcat

catznine - its the same at our Ald! used to get a space right outside the door, now I usually have to circle twice to wait for someone to leave to get one. Its full of mums from DD6 school, (the one with the expensive tastes), I fond it odd as when I go to Mr A or Mr T I bump into the mums from DS8 school (95% on FSM so very low incomes). Ald! shopping is now a fashion and very much en vogue as it were.
I think thats why prices in Ald! are rising and brands are becoming more prominent, they have cottoned onto the shift in the market.

It dark and wet here today and DD6 has a birthday party at big hotel - its one of those who will have a limo for the birthday girl, a cast of disney characters (usually six) complete with american accents. Full buffet laid on by hotel (expensive restaurant) and a free bar for the parents. Am looking forward to it really I am - but oh the duvet is calling

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies, cold, grey and damp here but not actually raining, that comes later. Docky had a lovely run in the field this morning with his friend Sabi who is a 1 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback and He who knows nearly got bowled over as they are scatty when they play and Sabi is big! Have done a huge wash load which is up in the utility room and given the whole house a brush and tidy, looks much better. Slightly concerned for DD2 who is currently on holiday in Washington DC and they are possibly going to have problems with Hurricane Sandy and a winter storm colliding in that area, she's not due to fly until Wednesday, so fingers crossed it isn't too disruptive.

FUDDLE - Moccasins, I get mine from Eb*y from a firm called Lambland down in the west country. I got in a new pair last week. They cost £17.99 and are real leather with a hard sole tough enough to wear outside and have a cotton lining, not fluffy, which makes them less likely to smell. I'm on my third pair of these and they last me 3 or so years with constant wear indoors, so £6 a year approximately. I love them, they are so comfortable! They come in different colours too, perhaps worth a look. So pleased for your lovely MIL, peace of mind in hard times, priceless!

I had a lovely stay with DD1 and had the pleasure of making the aquaintance of B & M Stores, as a new one opened there last week. Oh my goodness aren't they amazing? I think I've cleaned them out of packets of soup and my store cupboard is looking so much better. So many bargains and such super prices, I hope they come south very quickly we could really benefit from one within reach.

Have a good day all, stay warm and dry , Cheers Lyn xxx.

mardatha

I've never seen an Aldi with a big car park, the only ones I go to are small town efforts with small carparks - Galashiels and Haddington branches.
There is nothing on earth worse than a wet Sunday in Scotland

fuddle

I've had a little breakdown my friends. I'm feeling overwhelmed with the enormity of everything. I know, in a couple of hours I will be on an even keel again. I'm going to double up my lower dose of AD's to back to normal. I obviously can't cope just yet.

So what has happened? Well we can't move back into our room today. DH has pulled the panel off the back of the fitted wardrobe and found the wall behind to be black. It's not the same growth as the other walls so he suspects that it's umpteen years of being closed in... not our fault totally as it has been sealed for over 15 years.

So, DH is on his way to talk to the landlord. He's going to explain that it's out home and we want to look after the property as much as we can as much as he does for his investment. He's going to ask if we can pull out the fitted wardrobes (that we can't use anyway) scrub, clean, air the wall and keep an eye on... and pay for the work to be done and repairs to walls/decorating.

Guys we have no choice.. my life is here and the council list is just too bliddy long.

I want to stay here for the next 2 years 11 months. That is decided but I need for it to be my home, not just a 'that'll do doss house'.

I just hope the LL can see past his pretty mirrored sliding doors and see the bigger picture.