The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

ivyleaf

Pooky wrote: »

Iveleaf - paper cutting is one of those things that dates back hundreds of years but is back in fashion now. It's basically cutting words and pictures from one sheet of paper. Some people cut out phrases or names, others hand drawn pictures, almost like silhouettes but with more detail. It's quite addictive.

I think I see what you mean, thanks

It's lovely to see old crafts coming back, isn't it!

Forgot to say earlier, I hope all poorly peeps are better soon x

grandma247

I just googled paper cutting art and clicked images. Beautiful!

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Thanks nutty. All is well in the VP household. MR VP has had some hand surgery and is comming to the end of his months sick leave. His contract finishes on 31st March but he is being sent on phase 2 training on 20th March so we are seeing this as a positive sign that he may have his contract extended again.

In the last few weeks I have become an aunty for the 10th time and a great aunty for the first time, both healthy bouncing baby boys.

I have been following the 5:2 diet and have managed to loose a stone, two more to go.

I do try to pop in for a read on most days as I enjoy keeping up with everyone but don't have a lot to post about these days.

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

Wow, You’ve all been busy. Congratulations, hugs, best wishes, get well soon to everyone who is in need. Its early on a Sunday morning and I’ve completely forgotten who I’m speaking too.

Haven’t been on very much recently because of the general stress of every day living. I have been slowly trying to catch up on things whilst taking my mind off the dental surgery which is happening on Thursday.

I’m really not looking forward to Thursday. I think the worry & pressure is making my depression worse. I’m just hoping that with everything I learnt from the counselling that I can somewhat control myself rather than slumping down the dark depression dip.

Our new (& free) bedding set arrived at MIL yesterday. I was quite shocked when she said to me on the phone, What was I thinking? Its disgusting….After spending £55 on it plus accessories which she’s also chucked in. Then she quizzed me on why we wanted it because its not matching to anything in our colour scheme. Normally I would have agreed, But, Since being with you wise lot, I can “hand on heart say” Its not something that bothers me in the slightest. Its free, Will serve its purpose and will keep us warm.

Today IS the day where we get our duvet done. I think a quick cuppa is in order, Then I’m off to give it a try. Take care all. x

nuttyp

Morning all, had a lovely lay in this morning..... went to mr t as needed a few little bits, gosh it was expensive. Everything else can wait till Thursday when I do the big aldi shop. I fancied tuna, but that was nearly 40p a tin more in mr t, sad that I know prices off by heart.


Found a bargain pair of curtains on ebay this morning, 99p!! next and 90" drop so ok for door curtains. I am very happy!! - just some plain brown eyelet ones, but one mans cast offs is another mans treasure.
roast dinner for lunch is sausages as were using up food from the freezer, have to be far more savvy with money as the garage bill for the exhaust was 200 pounds. All the overtime I have been doing will help pay for it. just never seems to be a let up in paying out cash.
Take care all x

PRINCESSX87

I think we can all relate Nutty. Its getting beyond ridiculous now. Every part of the cost of living is going up, whilst the wages and income’s are staying at a all time low.

I often wonder what would happen if the above was reversed? Would there be no such thing as poverty? Would the elderly go to bed each night with full tummies and warmth? Would children be spoilt rotten instead of going without the basic’s? Or would we be a more broken Britain?

The duvet is DONE! Finally, We might sleep well tonight. I can’t say that the poppers are great though. But it’s a start. We decided to leave the original ones on there to make it more secure IYKWIM? Hopefully it will do the job nicely.

Can anyone give me some idea’s for lunches, dinners & snacks for after my surgery? So far I have:-

Jelly
Custard
Wotisits
Quavers
Weetabixs
Sandwich spread
Ice cream

I know its all junk foods, But this is what was recommended to me when I had the appointment for assessment. As their all easy foods.

savingqueen

Just remember Princess most things we are dreading are not half as bad as we imagine. The waiting will be worse than the event so if you can do your best to get your head around that, then maybe you will worry less. Makes sense in my head but hard to type out!


soft food - scrambled eggs, soups, rice pudding, porridge, mash, well cooked pasta with a sauce (eg mac cheese) come to mind. Sure others will have ideas. Why the quavers/wotsits I wonder?


just been to the park with my 2 - the MUD, too awful to give you the grimy details! Off to make a pie for a shepherd, wash dishes and bring washing in (we have had great washing drying weather today) Tea break over missus!


sq

PRINCESSX87

I was told the crisps can be used for snacking if meals make me feel sick after the sedation. Not keen on the idea, As i'm trying to loose weight. If they are left over, Some treats for baby ruby.

Great list there SQ thank you x

mcculloch29

Princess, instant noodles - ramen noodles - are very quick to make, you can even hydrate them in a bowl if you leave them for 10 minutes or so. I happened to read a packet a while back and saw that they could even be eaten dry. Not that I would, but it makes sense if you think of the noodles in Bombay Mix.
Other options: mug noodles, instant pasta.
Do you have a blender or food processor? Just about anything can be attacked with a hand blender/food processor to make it in to a puree. Easy to puree foods that would taste ok in puree form would be any fish based dishes and mince based dishes like spag bog or shepherd's pie.
For something very quick you could try a tin of tuna flakes (not chunks).

I love thick lentil or pea soup and have been making it regularly in my new soup maker / blender.

Great news for Mr P. What a relief!
Mrs Veg Plot, so good to see you, hope things are OK, and preferably a lot better than that.
Nuttyp, thanks for the Aldi voucher reminder. I wonder what will be a third off or half off this week? I've made some nice discoveries of things I might not have tried otherwise through this.

fuddle

'ello

The central heating has been installed. My landlord has spent thousands on the system and we're really very appreciative. Even though it's powered by electric it is proving to be economical as the heat comes from the hot water tank and, of course, we're frugal with it anyway.

New credit meter is installed on Tuesday so saying good bye to the pre-payment tariff will help reduce costs too.

My mother came down last week. It was ok although much the same in that I bit my tongue while she was incapable of biting hers. Just pleased its over and done with.

Had Internet problems since the pipes to the radiator had to oust the BT box. Thankfully it was a box on an extension cable so it was a job DH could fix himself.

Girls both fine. They're watching Lion, Witch and Wardrobe as I type. We used our cut price yearly passes to the Sea Life Centre yesterday and had a great time.

My dining table arrived in the week. It's so small but ample room for the 4 of us to sit together to eat. I managed to find a chicken pie with reduced red sticker in wait*ose for our meal. Even at normal price I would pay it because it was deep filled and well made and actually really tasty.

Still getting wobbles about my food stocks. They just don't seem to be expanding. It seems we use as we replace and I never can get ahead. I've decided to invest in tins and pay particular attention to fulfilling the goal and achieving that sense of preparedness again. It's soups this week and tinned fruit the week after. Most probably will be beans and rice pudding after that.

Well I shall log off. I've the uniforms to iron and PE lot to gather. Catch up soon