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

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies, it's going to be hot hot hot today and it's the day of the village festival so we'll be taking our boy as there is a fun dog show in aid of Lurcher Rescue and the dog agility display is by his old Dog Training Class Teachers, haven't seen them for about 5 years now so it will be nice to catch up and say hello.

PARSNIPHEAD your little one will thank you for teaching him about mud, when he's big enough being able to play in the garden making mud pies or minature gardens is an activity that small people love, and gives them an 'in' to learning how to grow things, it's a natural progression and a skill for life. We had the girls on the lottie as soon as they could walk and thier job was dropping the potatoes or beans into the holes to plant them, they are avid gardeners now and it is because they were always allowed to get mucky outside!!! There is so much that is good that is free, walks in the woods and teaching them how to climb trees, rolling down steep grassy banks, teaching them to skim stones over the water, woodcraft, the names of the birds and plants they see, foraging and picking up windfall apples then going home to make edibles with them all brilliant fun for the parents too. Don't miss out entirely on towns though there are free museums in most places that can really spark thier imaginations and the best kiddies playgrounds are usually in the town parks along sometimes with street theatre and even some graffiti is amazing, I'm always staggered at how effective the Banksy creations are in Bristol and if there is ever a food fair it's the best way to introduce them to new cuisines by wandering round and sampling the different free tasters on offer, life's an adventure, enjoy it!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

VJsmum

savingqueen wrote: »

Well I can't top VJ's dad being a fireman on the Flying Scotsman but my dad was a fireman for his local steam railway - Derwent Valley Railway, all gone now and part of a country park I think.

Not mine - Mrs Chip, I think

THose with kids young enough to go on adventures and do colouring and visit farms - make the most of it. My two do know how to play out and be out but at 17 and 14, I'm afraid they do spend a lot of time inside with screens on in front of them. DS (14) will play footie occasionally but it fills me with despair that on these beautiful days they are inside - often with the curtains pulled! :eek: but I can't make them go out!

I used to love the summer holidays with them but it isn't the same now I'd love to borrow some little ones to take out occasionally - I totally get the grandchildren thing now. Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly and wouldn't swap them for the world but I miss them being little sometimes.

Anyhoo we are off to France for a couple of weeks soon. Cos OH works for the railways (more railways - its a busman's holiday for him! ) we get an amount of free European travel, so we've rented a small house and I can't wait. We are going to "live" French and there will be no screens (well, not much anyway).

I am gardening today as it's got out of hand and then we are off to friends for a barbie later. DD is rehearsing all day for a production next week and DS is playing tennis later (see it's not all bad) Looking forward to spending time out in this lovely sunshine.

Have a good one all

ArthriticOldThing

Morning all. Its a beautiful day here. Very high cloud but bright and warm. As I type I'm looking out across the river down the North East coast. The sea is as flat as a pancake, everywhere is still quiet and peaceful and the DFDS ferry is just coming in, its blue and white colours clean and sharp in this light.:):) I could sit and watch the scene all morning but have work to do so must get moving.
Hello and welcome to Ginto, I'm fairly new to this doorstep still and have found everyone so friendly, helpful, welcoming and kind.
I hope you enjoy all the days out you have planned Pops. I've only been to the railway museum once and found it huge. Too large for me to walk all the way round, this was in the days when walking was a foreign language for me - before I met my late husband.
And have a good time in France VJsmum.
Fuddle, you have my sympathy. Where we live there is a large, grassed area in front of the building where people gather on sunny days. Its great for the kids to play out on as is safe and when the adults get out they bring the deckchairs and towels, suncream and sunglasses. All very continental. The trouble is they also bring the alcohol and music players. As the day progresses the music get louder and so does the screaming to/at each other. And the language used is 'the vernacular':eek::eek: if you know what I mean. Then its either close all the door and windows and suffocate or go out.:mad:
I'm so glad its a nice day. We are having our church Summer Fair and as its dry and the sun is shining (for a change) we will be able to move out onto the grass instead of being cooped up in the hall.:T Much nicer. With that I'd better sign off and go and get ready - we open at 10.00.

SDG31000

Morning all

VJsmum I know how you feel. I have two boys who are 14 and 17 and getting them to leave the house is almost impossible. DS2 will go out if there is food involved, but DS1 has such bad hayfever that it is miserable for him to leave the house.
I have to admit that I used to dread the summer hols, mostly due to the 6 weeks of fights I had to break up......and those cries of "I'm bored" when you have asked them 300 times what they want to do and given what seems like 224 suggestions of things they could do.

Cheapskate I think we all have relatives like that. I have a hipflask I can send you if you think it would help (((((((hugs)))))))) Keep your chin up love xxx

Today I am feeding the masses again, but I'm going with burgers and hotdogs and sides for dinner and chocolate pudding with whipped cream for dessert. DS1 made banana cake yesterday so that can be the second choice. I also need to clean the house and make a big batch of curry sauce for the freezer, if I can find room for it.
I'm off to my sister's house for two day tomorrow so the men left at home need feeding while I'm gone. My sister is having to work 8-6 on Mon, Tues and Weds and apparently my gorgeous nephew is being a major pain at the moment. So I'm going to help my Mom who is the one that normally looks after him. I think it will be my job to chase and carry and hers to translate. My two year old babble is a little rusty.

Enjoy the sunshine everyone and take care xxxx

Possession

Slightly frazzled as I'm making a shedload of scones for cream teas at our summer fete and the kitchen is getting hotter and hotter, but it's going to be a lovely day and I'm feeling most mellow after Andy Murray's victory last night. Celebration BBQ tomorrow! Well hopefully it will be a celebration, either that or drowning our sorrows.

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Morning all

I was up early today so that I could get the washing all hung out, dried and back in before the BBQ's get fired up later today. We are also having a BBQ later so I am looking forward to that because it means I get an evening off cooking. I also want to get the majority of the housework done before it gets too hot. It is beautiful here already today.

Both of my DD's wee encouraged to play outside. One of the neighbors took great pleasure in listening to them playing imaginary games in the garden. Computer games ect were not introduced until much later and they are still not allowed o have TV's n their bedrooms (they are 17 &19) and because of this they both read a lot in bed.

When we do manage a holiday the flower, bird and butterfly books come with us as we walk a lot. They still seem to enjoy it.

Hope you all have a good day

Mrs VP

moments_of_sanity

Yeah, so glad it's not just me that has a 16 & 17 year old that seem to be allergic to sunlight!

DH had his interview yesterday but said it as a complete waste of time as she made it clear from the get go that he wasn't right for the job! I don't understand why they invite people in for interview having read their CV and then tell them they are better suited to a different role in the organisation and they are sure one will arise in the next couple of years! :mad:

Took DH out for a late night bike ride last night, he was so fed up about the job that at 8.30pm I said 'get your push bike out, we are off to the pub'! We cycled on a beautiful route, about 6 miles and stopped in the middle for a swift half, it was absolutely lovely :beer:

Eldest DD was an induction at 36 weeks after I had spent 6 weeks in hospital as she has make a hole in my 'back waters' ( never really understood what they meant by that) and she was a whooping 4lbs 15ozs and a tiny 15 inches long. Second DD was a threatened miscarriage right from the start but arrived safely at full term weighing 6lbs 8ozs.

I wanted to walk the dogs this morning but at 6am it was far too warm to get them out and I worry about them in the heat as border collies will just run and run and run until they collapse so I try and keep them out of the heat in case they 'over do it'.

All this talk of steam trains has reminded me that the Mallard is doing it's final travels this year and them meeting up with her Sisters before she retires and heads off to a museum in 2014.......must find out the route and see if I can pop along and see it anywhere.

A beautiful, hot day here so off to find some cool shade!

Have a good one all.

[Deleted User]

I have just visited out big Co-Op in the local centre and made a discovery, they have a tiny Indian Foods section and currently have tins of KTC Chick Peas on sale at 40p a tin, by far the best price I've seen for ages, if you use chick peas it's a real bargain, might be worth a look in? Cheers Lyn xxx.

kittiej

Hi everyone!

Ooo we've moved onto to labour stories I see

My experiences were short-lived, DS1 was 1.5 hours and the ambulance driver had to put his foot down :rotfl: and DS2 was 1 hour and DH had to put his foot down!

With DS1 the midwife told me I might have to stay in because he was so small but he was over 6lb so everything was OK. People did ask me if he was born prematurely and his skin was too big for his legs bless him. I had to have heparin injections twice a day from being 8 weeks pg with him as I had a DVT. One doctor did sort of hint at maybe not carrying on with the pregnancy but I ignored that idea.

With DS2 the midwife didn't even have a chance to put her gloves on, he was well and truly on his way out! He was born on New Year's Day and complains about not being able to have parties on his birthday so I tell him that when he's older every birthday will be a one big party.

OK, enough of my rabbiting, well dones to winners, sympathies and hugs to those who need it.

BIAB

SDG31000

Thanks for the tip Lyn (I hope it's ok to call you that. I'm Diane by the way ) I stocked up when Tesco had them at 4 for £1, I'm not sure if they are still on offer.

I forgot to say hello to Gintot earlier......Welcome to the mad house. Mine's coffee and walnut cake please

I seem to have hit a bleugh patch at the mo and it has come on all of a sudden. I've made vanilla pudding, but haven't sorted the kitchen. I've ironed a summer dress, but am still in my pjs . I've emptied the washing machine and put the next load in, but can't be bothered to hang it out. Everything just seems like too much effort and I hate feeling like this. I think it's going to visit my family that is the cause. I love most of them dearly, but find it very stressful. At least I get nephew cuddles, to be called "Auntie De-an" and a paddling pool to sit in.

I'll get my bottom in gear soon. More tea will help I think. xxxxx