Preparedness for when

ArthriticOldThing

GQ where do get the wicks for your reconstituted candles? I've managed to acquire a Pringles tube (can't eat them as have gluten in) and am eager to have a go. Will any leftover candles do? Am sure you've given this info before but can't find it. Sorry.

RAS

GreyQueen wrote: »

What I can see happening is that things which are imported or driven around are own country will become more expensive, and we will see rationing by cost. Poorer people will have to go without, and it will spread up the economic ladder. Did you know that pineapples were once so rare and fashionable that people used to rent them as centerpieces for posh dinner parties? I could see the situation where we might have to describe some of these things to youngsters who will never have seen, much less tasted, the real thing.

GQ

Friends own (mortgaged) a ex-LA house on a not bad estate. When their lad was younger he used to come home with some of the kids. Despite not being "well-off" they were somewhat better off than many of their neighbours even if others had flashy cars.

They ate fruit for instance, some of it HG, some foraged and some bought.

One lad was so taken with a pear (he had never seen one and refused to allow then to cut it to eat although he liked the flavour of the other bit he had tasted) that he begged to be allowed to take it home to show his parent. They then realised that he had never eaten fresh or prepared fruit outside school and took care to introduce him to other delights.

GreyQueen

ArthriticOldThing wrote: »

GQ where do get the wicks for your reconstituted candles? I've managed to acquire a Pringles tube (can't eat them as have gluten in) and am eager to have a go. Will any leftover candles do? Am sure you've given this info before but can't find it. Sorry.

I'm cheating and using ones from H0bbycraft; the zinc cored ones, think it was £2.65 for a 6 feet length and you get several candles from that. You can make your own and it's worth knowing how but I didn't want to go to the trouble: http://crafts.creativebug.com/make-own-wicks-candles-2034.html

What I do is this; I cut a slot in the top of the tube about an inch deep, one on each side. I take one end of the bought wick, put a dob of white tac on it and, using an old knitting needle, poke it down in the centre of the bottom to the tube until it sticks. I then make single turn of the wick around the knitting pin and rest it on the slot; it holds the wick vertically. I don't cut off the end until the candle is finished as this minimises the waste.

Then, with a saucepan with a couple of inches of water in it, I bring it to the boil with flaked wax from old candles in a bean can. One can of flaked wax filled to the brim will liquify to 1/3 can wax. I pick the can up with ordinary kitchen tongs and pour it into the Pr*ngle tube and it'll make a stripe about 1.5 inches deep.

If you let the wax set between layers you will have a stripy candle. I'm glancing across at two I've finished recently and they're very attractive. I use any old candles, chiefly cast-off from a pal who has a heavy candle habit. Give the tube a good couple of days after the last layer has been poured to set and then unpeel the tube to reveal the treasure within.

This is just my way; there are variations. Have seen an old metal teapot used as a receptacle to hold the wax. Enjoy!

ETA RAS; that is sad and sweet at the same time.

[Deleted User]

Is it actually going to do us any harm as a race to have less 'things' than we do now? If those things are adequate food and safe drinking water, sewage disposal and waste disposal, health care and treatment then the answer is catorically YES we will be less safe, less healthy and less strong in a world where all these things are a necessity to live well and have good lives. If however, we're talking things like imported pineapples (and all the other year round comestibles that are on every supermarket shelf 12 months a year), jewellery, fashion, gadgetry (the latest must haves!!!), shoes, handbags, new kitchens/bathrooms/decoration in the home/furniture/holidays abroad/new cars/make up/ hairdos etc. etc. then the answer is definately NO, we don't actually NEED any of the above, yes, it's nice to have treats sometimes, but if it were not available all the time I don't think most of us would actually suffer. We would however feel very hard done by and that lowering of morale would make the world a worrisome and grey place I suspect. What we really need is clear sight to see just what can be achieved with what is available to us, a quote I read sums it up 'Ours is not to wonder what is fair in life, but, finding what may be, make it up fair to our means' I suspect it's going to be a long journey until most of the UK population get to that point, yes? Lyn xxx.

GreyQueen

Well said, Lyn.

I visit my parents about once every 8 weeks. I'm given Sunday dinner; roast beef, yorkies, veg. I adore it. Wouldn't be appreciated so much if it was a weekly occurance, it's a real treat when you only get it a few times a year.

Some of the things we take for granted aren't exactly consumer knick-knacks, though. Such as antibiotics meaning you can survive a surgery which opens the body cavity. Replacement hips and knees. Pace-makers, hearing aids, eye-glasses. Cataract surgery.

I was looking at a cast-off Sunday supplement this morning and grinned at a necklace (of non-precious materials) which cost the same as my month's salary. Ridiculous. No one needs as much as many of us already have, and we won't have as much in the future and will be more careful of what we own and more respectful of it.

mardatha

I think the people who will come out of this best are like those I know up here who live remote, who work strictly cash in hand and stay under the radar, who trap and shoot and fish, who barter and swap favours, and grow their own veg.
I know several who live like this deep in the hills and who won't notice any difference because they have always remained separate and self sufficient.

fuddle

So relevant to what has been discussed here this morning with my sister. She's telling me of the stress involved in hiring removal firms to move all their 'stuff', has spent a furth £180 on stuff with me there this morning 'to make her new house homely' but is telling me she's desperately worried about heating the place, paying more council tax and already her husband an her are arguing about their finances. I kept right lipped and just thought 'I'd have invested that £180 in wood for the wood burner you are about to get and left all that glass, fabric, pot and floral gubbings in the shop'.

In contrast DH and I face a move 6 hour drive away, are moving out 5th Nov, sleeping in MIL caravan (although actually living in MiLs house ), still don't know where we will be living at the end of next month (sorting next week) will fit all our things in one van load, renting a tiny place within our means and the big one... Not at all argumentative and see every challenge as just another step towards a simple, active and harmonious life.

I've faced digs today about 'being homeless' or 'you can't get excited because nothing will actually be yours'. Bricks and mortor, belongings, striving for new of everything didn't used to bring me happiness but being a realist and appreciating the comfort I do have bringa me a great deal in my life. All I strive for is contentment. I feel for her, I honestly do. It's took today for me to see that I'm a very lucky person and truly hold my head up high to her digs.

[Deleted User]

The difference my dear between what you will have and what your sister will have is that you won't be owing a massive mortgage back to the building society when you move in to your new home and you won't have debts on your back, instead you'll be paying your way as you go, living sustainably within your means and having a much less stressed life than I suspect your sibling will have, new gubbins or not!!! I know where I'd rather be so she can be as scathing as she likes, it still won't change the fact that you and yours will be contentedly living a new life in a new place, debt and hopefully worry free and she'll? well we'll see won't we? Buy her a spade for christmas, just to make the digging easier, you won't have to be there to listen will you? Lyn xxx.

ArthriticOldThing

Thanks GQ. I'll have a go - think I might be able to buy some wick from our church for a first attempt. The sacristan is very helpful (oh, that's me), as is the church secretary (that's not me). :D
We use mainly oil filled candles - that's why we have wicks - but also have wax ones for public use and send the leftover bits to be recycled. :T

Well said fuddle. So glad you can ignore the digs and look forward to your move and new life. You have the most important things, your OH and children, and don't have the worry of all that credit hanging over your head.

Lyn,I have a good friend who has just gone thru a horrendous few years because of finances - lack of. She almost lost her house and car (and has lost her credit rating because was unable to pay bills) and would have if not for the generosity of friends. But unfortunately now she is over the hump with money coming in again she seems to have learned nothing. All the 'must haves' are back, expensive exotic foods, gadgets, jewellery etc that you describe. And everything is going on credit. I despair!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Well, I'm supposed to be writing a sermon so had better get back to it. See you later.

fuddle

You know why she hasn't learned AOT? Because she didn't actually lose anything to make her learn. She was bailed out and escaped losing. Credit can still be obtained with a shot credit rating... if she really wanted to.

If I hadn't have lost my home, my car, my cards and had a family and friends who could have helped cushion the blows I wouldn't be here (here as in OS) today, still trying to live life the only way I knew how how.

I'm a great believer of getting right down to near rock bottom is the only way a person can change.