make do and mend for tougher times

nuttyp

Well today has been quite good so far again. DD had a telephone call from her boyfriend, his dad is taking them to london on the train to see the natural history museum. Gave her some money for emergency's.

After dropping her at the train station to meet her, I had a quick look in the charity shop. I got a lovely IKEA table for £8, it pine and the exact range i have the bookcase in. Was over the moon.

Then i went to see my other daughter, and took her to mr t. She was adamant she can do her own shopping, but she can't carry any bags that are heavy. She was diagnosed with scoliosis at 15 and has titanium rods attached to her spine now. At times she forgets about them.

Have just done some washing, hoovered up. Postman has just been, and the coop have sent me a welcome letter already about the new job, and details of an induction course on tuesday and wednesday next week. Its a good 1 1/2 hours drive away but they will be paying travel expenses. Parking is £7.50 a day!!! Found its 4 weekly pay as well, so that might turn out to be handy.

Hope everyone is safe and cozy, we have a little sunshine today here.

ginnyknit

Well i have started it - clearing the loft for the new insulation. Right at this moment I could happily strangle our landlord for making us do it because its sad and dirty and hard. Ds and DD's OH have been real troopers and we have taken 1 car full to the tip. needless to say the living room looks like Steptoes yard.

On a positive note I have loads of interesting stuff to put on E B*y and at a quick check may have about 100 quid easily - so cross your fingers for me.

You know how you always see ads for skip hire, well we tried about 8 numbers, number unknown, we don't do skips or £90 for a tiny skip. Worked out its simpler to bale it straight out into car and get enormous pleasure throwing it over the wall at the tip. There was only 1 bag that had signs of mouse damage, it had eaten a beautiful white shawl that I made for DD when she was born - bu**er - didnt know it was up there. I think we were quite lucky.

Hugs to all with worries and bad days xxx

PipneyJane

maryb wrote: »

I hold my right knitting needle like a pencil and I throw the wool without letting go and I remember reading Montse Stanley's supposedly authoritative book on knitting and she said that was wrong and I should hold it with hands on top but not letting go. Just can't do that and don't see why I should - I'm a very fast knitter like that

Fie on Montse Stanley! As the Yarn Harlot says, there are no knitting police. I'd rather side with knitting designer/teacher/rebel, Annie Modesit, who preaches that as long as the fabric looks right, you're knitting correctly. I did one of Annie's classes on "Combination knitting" and she explained there are two main styles to form the knit stitch - Eastern and Western. Eastern style knits into the back of the loop, i.e. the way an English knitter would normally form a twisted knit stitch; Western knits into the front. And that's before you get to the dozens of different ways to hold your needles, tension your yarn and knit with right hand or left.....

You hold your needles exactly the same way I do and knit like me. For the record, so does the great Alice Starmore (of "Tudor Roses" fame and hundreds of patterns and articles regarding fishermen's ganseys). I've seen it described as "Australian style" but I've met plenty of British knitters who knit that way, too. It's fast and efficient. And it does mean you can adapt easily to knitting on DPNs or circulars (unlike my friend's mum who can only knit with the longest straight needles you can find - she clamps her right needle under her armpit to hold it in place).

For anyone who's curious, there are videos on Yout*be showing "Australian Style Knitting".

Possession

mardatha wrote: »

Possession when that kind of thing happens to me, I go to bed, ask the Universe/mum/dad/grannies for guidance, and wake up knowing what to do :D

My mum and dad are here and I still don't know what to do, LOL!

Cheapskate

Afternoon everyone

I can't knit or crochet, but desperately want to! DS' GF (nearly 19) crochets and it's beautiful work - I'm seldom jealous, but I could easily be so of her work.

I think DH and 20 yr old DS have got the message that I'm having a hard time mentally, they've been quietly doing jobs around the house, DS has even washed up and babysat the littlies without being asked!

fuddle - I went on a coach holiday once, was very long and uncomfortable, but worth it for the fabulous scenery through the Pyrenees, etc - you go for it and have a marvellous time!

Hope those with loved ones in the States are getting good news (Lyn, et al?) - scenes looked dreadful. My sister lives in New England, but they've not had the brunt of it - just very high winds, which is still enough to cause power cuts. She rang to warn us she might be incommunicado for a few days if the power goes, but they should be ok - she stocked up on loo roll, water, bread and peanut butter! :rotfl:

Hugs to you all on this dreich Tuesday!

A xo

Bigjenny

Just watched Yout*be and I knit the "Australian Style" , and my mum taught me.

[Deleted User]

Hello, just had a text from New York and they are all FINE!!!!! They still have water and power and no flooding in their area so now waiting to see if the airports are flying tomorrow. They are booked onto a night flight back to the UK and won't know if it's going until tomorrow, but I am soooooooooo relieved to have heard from them and will have to be patient and wait for them to come home.

You have all helped me so much through what has been a bit of an ordeal, you have prayed for us, cared about us, supported us and made us smile, you have talked to us and I am so unbelievalby grateful to you all. Thank you seems inadequate for what I feel, you are all beautiful people, love you all, Cheers Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE - you were suggesting a new incarnation of the thread a couple of days ago - how about 'SUPPORTING EACH OTHER THROUGH REALLY TOUGH TIMES' as a title, because that is the reality of what we all do! Long may it continue, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Possession

Great news Mrs LW. My friend is on Manhattan Island so I think they are flooded but she is quite a few floors up so I imagine they will stay put for a while.
ETA: have now heard they lost power when a transformer blew up but they are fine and her DD is very happy she gets to stay off school and eat icecream for breakfast!

nuttyp

MrsL glad youve had some more news and they are all ok. My mum always says it doesnt matter how old your children get, you always see them as 'little ones'. My mum does me and im 40!!

Havent heard from my daughter yet, shes in london for the day and has obviously forgotten about me. Just microwaved a potatoe to take and quickly heat up for my tea at work tonight. I usually have soup or a sandwich.