'supporting each other through really tough times'

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE glad you managed to get out of the noise zone for a while, and glad for you that it's peaceful now, hope you have a nice unstressed aftrnoon. Love the sound of the kits for the girls, just what you need at a price that is affordable too, can only be good. I've just used my new salad bowl and servers at lunch and oh the joy of having a bowl big enough to toss the salad in and not get it all over the table, luxury! I'm off for a walkies with my boy in a mo, it's cooler today and we've a stiff breeze blowing again so I'll head inland and miss the riverside as it's breezier down there when it's like this. Going along the footpath and lane to recce out the blackberries and see if there are flower buds yet, nothing open as of yesterday, but lots of buds where we walked then. Best site is on the Chicken Track and they are big berries, so I'll hope for flowers there this year. Will get my elderflowers too while I'm out and get cracking onb the champagne, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Pooky

Afternoon all...it's blowy here again today. One minute black heavy skies, the next blue and white fluffy clouds racing over.

DD1 has gone to do her first "wedding" photography shoot today. She's shadowing/assisting a local photographer but gets to take her own pics too. She was so excited and nervous last night but I helped her pack her lenses and camera bits, helped her pick a suitably smart but professional outfit and packed her on her way this morning. I've already had a "this is my dream job" text from her...bless her.

Local boot sale heralded a lovely runner for my hallway, very long and in fantastic condition, I've just given it a good Hoover and its come up as new.

Out to a friends this evening for a game of cards and some nibbles, we always used to do a meal or a takeaway but the costs involved started getting silly so we now opt for a soft drink and a bowl of crisps. Cheap and cheerful....just like me

ETA - Fuddle - the cross stitch fabric is called "aida" (pronounced I E Da) It's not cheap in places like hubby craft, best of looking online (or look in charity shops/bootfairs for kits and use the fabric from there).

ginnyknit

Fuddle, try an online shop for your Aida, 'the needlecraft shop' do bags of offcuts for about 1.50 and they are big enough for small projects - the bigger the count ie 18 count the tinier the finished picture. 14 count is a good size. £ shops do bags of threads and they are pretty good. You can frame cross stitch pics in frames from the CS's as long as you iron them they will be fine but iron them on a hand towel so you dont crush the stitching. I could send you some little charts suitable for the girls to do if you like x

FairyPrincessk

We're home from the shopping adventure, a bit later than expected, but the mission was fulfilled.

This afternoon I'll see if I can get the legs attached to the desk top. OH is studying, so I shall have to keep the swearing to a minimum.;) Then, I shall see if I can find that tulle. The proper curtains I have might be ok on a rod with cuphooks--they aren't too heavy, but I think the tulle will look better. The curtains are on traditional tracks with hooks. Of course, half the hooks are missing so I've had a bit of an adventure finding the right size to replace them...and they are close but my replacements are a bit tight. Tight enough that I'll probably stand on a chair to stitch the tulle up rather than taking them down again and having to fight to get them back up. You're right GQ--the pins probably would rust, and it won't be hard to just baste some tulle in place.

I think my favourite rental improv was a really horrible sofa in my bedsit. It had the sorts of stains that you didn't want to know what they were, it was faded several different colours and had odd lumps. I hemmed and hawed for a few weeks about how to make the best of it and then realized I had a spare white duvet cover. I put the back and seat cushions in the duvet cover, tucked it around the edges and used the pillow cases as antimacassars. It was very shabby chic;)

Oh Fuddle--what awful noise. The cloth for cross stitch is called Aida. It isn't cheap, but cross stitch takes a long time so you get some bang for your buck! I would suggest not to skimp too much on the skeins of floss. Cheap floss tends to tangle quite badly. I believe Anchor is widely available in the UK, although DMC is bigger in the states--both are good.

I hope you've found a quiet place to step out for a bit. I think you're girls are going to be lovely and OS when they grow up, and even if they don't choose to live that way they'll have the skills to fall back on. Most of the people I know who are my age that started out OS had fun with crafting and little lessons in the SM like you mentioned the other day. Although I love my OH dearly, he grew up in a family that was financially comfortable. Not well off, by any means, and from a working class background, but his parents had steady incomes and had bought their house long before he came along. While he does try and he is the first to beat himself up when he makes money mistakes, there are times when he just doesn't have a clue. I grew up with parents who struggled constantly, and I really think many times I'm better off for it. I get fed up with my OH sometimes because he gives up so quickly. If he hasn't got the money to buy a solution he just gets glum. He has gotten better, so much better with gentle encouragement, but I often feel like he struggles more than I do with not having money. I know how to improvise, to be happy with what I have, and to make the most of things when I don't have everything I want (i.e. this desk situation--I was stubborn enough to say I wasn't going to spend money I didn't have on a new desk--and I've solved the problem for £10 instead of well over £100) It sounds like you're doing a brilliant job with your girls, and I can't imagine how hard it is to feel like you've got to scrimp when you've got children, but rest assured it isn't all bad, and they may be getting more out of not having everything than you think.

[Deleted User]

OOooooohhhhh, I've just had a very excited pair of daughters on the phone, they've been shopping for the bridesmaids dresses today and found exactly what they were looking for in Ph*se 8 to fit all 3 bridesmaids. It's a beautiful dress called 'Chatsworth' and it's in a sale, couldn't be better, they are so happy, just going off for tea and cake to celebrate, they didn't think it would be that quick to find and are happy bunnies!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

FPK those words of yours 'I know how to improvise,be happy with what I have and make the most of things when I don't have things I want' should become our mantra, they are truth and should become the creed we live our lives by, thank you that is truly inspirational, Cheers Lyn xxx.

kidcat

Mrs VP - am so sorry, I was sure it must be you:o in that case I have no idea who it was - which explains my not being able to recover the recipe:o

Thank you SQ - I will need to do a smidge more research in to what can be done as I think things may get worse before they get better

I do have some incredible friends though, DS15 brand new computer had major issues within a week of its construction and our friend has spent hours diagnosing it as motherboard, we contacted the seller (it was via amazon) and we had to return it, the supplier says they have tested it - found its not faulty and wants us to pay a testing fee £10 and return postage £15 - we have already paid to return it to him £11. We know its definitely faulty as our friend used a working computer and one by one swapped parts out and tried them - this was the part that didnt work, the rest were all fine.
In the meantime whilst we are twoing and froing DS is really upset at his precious PC being broken - so today our friend has been and collected the PC and remaining bits and has taken it home where he has used his own parts to get it back up and running again.

Mrs_Chip

Hi Kidcat - I think it was me that was doing LC a long while back , and I did post a recipe for 'Little Ham and egg pies' I will try to find it and post later - we are just off out to work!

FairyPrincessk

I just realized I missed out a whole page of posts! I thought the board had been quiet!

Pops, my leg cramps are rare these days--although I got them a lot more when I used to do ballet. It must be hard when they really start interfering with sleep. Magnesium, postassium, calcium and good old fashioned water can help, but of course if you have kidney problems then these minerals can be dangerous.

Thanks Mrs LW. I forget myself sometimes--it is part of why I like this board--reminds me of what is important.

PRINCESSX87

Afternoon everyone.

Had a very productive day today which made a change from the constant worrying.

Done a weekly shop. This time on a smaller budget. (Until we start our monthly shop at the end of the month!!)

Normally, Its just drop it in the trolley and complain once we left, However today we set a target of £60
We've managed to do £70 with a few minor items needed - Slightly over but for a first attempt i think we've done great.

The weather here today has been awful. Been soaked more than once and only now have i managed to put a few items on the line outside. Not risking a whole load.

I've just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported my family & I. Its made a drastic change to me that i have finally found other people who can understand the daily struggles of life, and not kick someone when their down.

Anyways off for a quick cuppa, then its the house getting a quick swiping! xxx

[Deleted User]

PX87 well done on your shop today, super stuff,yes, you've done great!!!!! Enjoy your cuppa, Cheers Lyn xxx.