make do and mend for tougher times

[Deleted User]

BYATT - been having a think (always dangerous!) and when DD1 was at Uni being an impoverished student she went to the local butcher and asked him if he ever had ends of meat that he couldn't sell because they were ragged or scrappy. He was very happy to save them for her and she paid him a little for them. It kept her going, though she had to be inventive with what she got.

She found the local bakery sold off stale bread and cakes (in reality those baked the day before) at 7.00 a.m in the morning for 50p a bag, which was usually bread rolls, iced buns and welsh cakes (she was in Lampeter) and enough for a breakfast and pudding/snack.

She went to the local greengrocer and asked what they did with any damaged produce and got them to save for her anything salvagable, so she ate well and for very little actual cash. Don't know if this would be possible for you I know you have said you are quite rural but, the tradespeople might in this climate, be glad to be able to reduce their losses and be glad to sell the goods on. Just an idea but it might keep the wolf from the door. Cheers Lyn xxx.

Possession

Stay safe Stiltwalker, seeing some very floody pictures from your neck of the woods.

Gintotmelinda

Afternoon all

Byatt just delurking to say are you anywhere near Bristol hun?

Hugs

Gintot

SDG31000

I think this calls for huge hugs ((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
, a few pots of virtual tea and a rather large pile of virtual triple chocolate caramel brownies.

I am so sorry that so many of you are going through so much at the moment. I don't know if I'm close to anyone, but I'm about 4 miles of out Leicester city centre and am happy to provide a shoulder to cry on, a few dirty jokes to induce laughter after the tears and as much cake as is required.

Take care, stay safe and chin up everyone xxx

P.S fuddle I really would contact Enviromental Health and the housing officer at your council as you now have mould in two places and it needs sorting.

tryingtobethrifty

I've always thought what a nice community of people are on this thread but reading all the posts today has really brought that home - people offering food, help, advice and business knowledge. You're all stars, really!

I'm always sad to hear of people going hungry and would gladly give them my stores but would be too scared to ask them, what is it with being scared to help? What a lovely idea PAH about collecting and passing on too, we should remember that for future in case we need to use it.

Our charity shop has had people arriving who have nothing for their house and they've been given furniture. Looking into a food bank soon too. Been thinking of offering free lunches (soup and roll) sometimes but do you think people would come? Maybe one day a week?

stiltwalker

Possession wrote: »

Stay safe Stilitwalker, seeing some very floody pictures from your neck of the woods.

Staying in now. Got plenty of food in and a bottle of wine if necessary! OH walking to work in the morning and he'll text me the road conditions before I have to set off for nursery - worst comes to the worst I'll keep the kids off and we'll have a fun day in painting and the like. (Although I could really do with the peace and quiet so I can sew my wedding dress).

Pooky

just had a call about missing moggy. We've been to recover the body and deposited it at the vets.

Up until then I was having quite a good day.

born_blonde

Sorry Pooky.

kidcat

oh pooky am so sorry huge ((hugs)) there are few things worse

Byatt

Thanks everyone, Pah, I promise I won't go hungry, as a last resort DD will help me.

Gintot, I'm further south west so not near Bristol.

Mrs LW, some good ideas, I will give it a go, no harm in trying.

Thanks for all the hugs!

edit, Oh Pooky, I'm so sorry about your puss cat. Do you know what happened? At least knowing is better than imagining, but still so sad. xxx