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

jem132

Hi all just wanted to pop in and say hi oh dad is much better bless him.

We are having a barbie today with our friends big bouncy castle is up paddling pool out and my kids are at there dads so missing out put I will keep the castle till tomoz night and we will have a garden picnic when they get home the little loves xxx I will read back but not now as I need to get ready my nabiorss are all ready tuting the cheak of it they are all ways partying and are so very loud and bad mouths xxxxx

Pooky

I suppose we're lucky here, lots of different beaches to explore (sandy, stone ones and hard to get to ones), lots of cliff top walks, farmland behind us with little country churches hidden away etc. oh and a lovely village park. The girls have always been out on bikes, skates, scooters, with bats, balls, hula hoops and the like. DD2 and friends are at the beach today, DD1 was very annoyed to be going to work on such a nice day, she'd have loved to spread out on a blanket under the umbrella and read in the warmth.

As for births, 1st was induced at 42 week, failed vontose, failed forceps and then emergency section when her heart stopped. All a bit dramatic. 2nd again induced at 42 weeks, was advised I'd need a section as I'd had one previously but I said I wanted to try a natural birth - they grudgingly went along. Had a "sweep" at 3pm, waters went everywhere...the consultant had only put a glove on, his shirt was a mess! Had a natural deliver 26minutes later. Both babies were 7.5lb ish.

Will be hiding indoors in the cool today - I can't stand this weather. I wasn't designed for heat and get a crashing headache just putting the washing out.

Hardup_Hester

I've had DGD1 with me this morning, she's 5, she spent ages cutting out strings of paper dolls & colouring them in, we also picked strawberries, cucumber & lettuce, checked out the bee's nest & hung some washing out.

grandmasam

Another here spending the day indoors.
However have made some more quick strawberry conserve, and a loaf of bread,picked raspberries and hung the washing out.
Failed big time at being a good housewife :eek: Took the duvet cover off to wash and shook to make sure it was the right side out ...4 pairs of pants fell out,:o I thought I was getting low on them:rotfl:
Caz

savingqueen

oops sorry VJsmum, enjoy your holiday in France if I forget to say later.

A rare event today.... off his own back, DH has mowed the back garden AND hoovered upstairs. He commented how badly upstairs needed hoovering and how dusty the ceilings were. Yes well I thought (and remained silent, my new approach ) there was never anything stopping you doing it all this time. I am not moaning, happy to have "help" but would rather the chores were shared a little more equally even with paid work considered.

Kids are enjoying their new found freedom beyond our back garden, coming in and out for drinks etc. They have had too much sun now though and having some screen time. I don't mind them watching TV and playing DS games as long as it is balanced out with lots more old fashioned playing, reading and so on.

Another one who can't handle too much heat. In an ideal world, I prefer warm days than hot. I do like the sunshine but need to be careful in it as I burn very quickly and also have hayfever. I don't really sit out in the garden anyway and gave up sunbathing many years ago but I do enjoy a day out in the sunshine if I have access to shade every now and then.

Right lunch break over, need to pop out for milk and a few fresh bits and then pootle about indoors doing odds and ends. Will do some holiday planning this eve.

sq:)

Popperwell

SDG31000 wrote: »

I seem to have hit a bleugh patch at the mo and it has come on all of a sudden. I'll get my bottom in gear soon. More tea will help I think. xxxxx

jem132 wrote: »

Hi all just wanted to pop in and say hi oh dad is much better bless him.

Afternoon All,
TBH as long as its not freezing cold indoors as I used to go on about on here when watching the cost of the central heating:oI prefer it to be cooler or should I say I like staying indoors or in the shade. But its great when you are able to leave the CH off often 24/7.

Very much like SQ...not known for sitting out in the sun and like it warm not hot weather...

I'm defeating the idea of having my picnic...as I am still at home and really I could save taking the gear with me and my food by eating before I go but I'm still going to make the effort and go soon and have 3-4 hours before the concert, going a little later I may find its not as hot and just pleasant.

Also my cool bag with keep the food chilled better because it will be used only for approx 6 hours rather than longer as orginally planned.

In a way Im having my "bleugh patch" like Diane as I often do, only its me being laid back at present, not a case of being down.

Even the best of us have PJ days and should not feel guilty, someone I know of has such lovely PJ's and spends so much on what are clothes to slouch around in, it would be a pity not to wear them more and at times other than bedtime.

That is good news Jem and hopefully your FIL will continue to improve.

Guess I better make tracks...once I get going I can be quite quick...could be out the door by 3pm onwards...just a quick wash of food boxes and a quick salad and fruit salad to prepare, I could do it when I get there but I think its easier having it all done.

I'm looking forward to it...and seeing and hearing a military band playing popular light classics brings back memories of concerts as a child in Bournemouth's central gardens when on holiday which ended when all the worry started over security and bomb threats during the later 70's.

fuddle

Ventouse delivery with eldest (contractions were not strong enough and I had a panic attack) which resulted in surgery for the tear and blood to replace what I had lost. Youngest was an elective cesarean (I wonder why? Lol) and went swimmingly. My recovery was super fast as I wa determined to do everything as I missed out with eldest.

I too am looking forward to relaxed easy mornings in the summer hols. I would say I'm anxious about having them in the holidays as they are fighting a fair bit at the moment and its driving me up the wall! Plus its entertaining them. They have good imaginations but life in a fenced off grassed area of a garden will get a bit much I'm sure. Lots of bike rides, bug hunting I think. We have parks within miles so at least I can say 'riiiiiiiight, get your raincoats were going out!' When I've had enough so after not having a car in the hols, know what it's like to be stuck in together, I am going to fully appreciate having the wheels to keep me sane. I've also been saving stuff for the craft box for rainy days. We'll be fine! (I hope!)

BBQ has just been lit but I'm exhausted and lying on the couch, kids tetchy and dog is lying by the fridge. It's very hot but I won't complain.

Enjoy everyone - hope our friends on the west coast of Scot have nice weather too?

Edit: question for sick knitters if I can? I would like to make welly socks. Last time I tried I got stuck on the heal but would like to crack it this year:

1) what ply is best? I have 4mm pointed needles and a circular needle

2) would cheap acrylic be ok seeing as they are occasional welly use

3) if you we're making welly socks what yarn would you use?

Thank you

[Deleted User]

JEM that is wonderful news, thank you so much for letting us know, I hope so much that your father in law continues to improve and makes a full return to health, look after yourself pet, Lyn xxx.

SDG Diane of course you can call me Lyn, it makes me really happy, I think it's lovely and makes you all more real if I have a name and not just a user name, thank you so much for sharing yours, Cheers Lyn xxx.

I've just come across a very interesting and clever idea on a site called 'The Diary of a Frugal Family' under the heading 'Bored Sticks', it is to have a jar filled with ideas for the children to do on days when 'MUM I'm bored!' happens. There is a list of 80 different things that can be writted on pieces of paper (on lolly sticks in the post) and pulled out at times of need, it seems such an achieveable thing and might be worth a look for those of us with small people to keep entertained in the summer holidays, Lyn xxx.

monnagran

Hi all
It seems ages since I have been here but It's not even 2 days. Still, it's taken me nearly 1 1/2 hours to catch up.

Welcome Gintot: if you've been lurking for some time you'll know all about us so my awful warnings will be a bit superfluous.

VJ'smum: my heart goes out to you. You are about to make that great transition from sitting up till all hours ready to go and fetch DD from parties, or whatever, to sitting up till all hours anxiously waiting to make sure she gets home safely. Not quite sure which is worse.

On the subject of swearing we have a complete ban on it at the drop-in. Unfortunately most of them don't even know what constitutes a swear word. In their world it is simply ordinary language. However we must be getting through because now if someone utters an expletive someone else is sure to say, "Don't use that language here and not in front of Joy." I think it is due to my great age and easily shockable nature!!!!!!!!!

Loved all the birth stories. However, I can strongly recommend going up to London with an empty carry-cot and coming back with a full one.
Kez: I really don't understand this angst between adoptive and birth families. I've heard of adoptive parents getting all upset when their children wanted to find birth parents. Why? If they fear that they are going to 'lose' them they can't have much faith in their own parenting skills. My DS1 was very intrigued by his birth parents and I always told him that if he wanted to trace them at any time I would gladly help him. It took him until he was 26 to decide to do just that and we trced his birth mother and he met her - only twice as he was not impressed. But he also found that he had 2 half sisters and a half brother and gets on well with them. He has remained close to his sisters and often stays with them. It hasn't damaged our family, it's actually enlarged it.
DS2 has never been in the slightest bit interested, never asked any questions and in spite of my offers of help he has never wanted to trace anyone. The only time he thought it might have been a good idea, was when his son was born and the hospital asked all about his family background and any genetic problems that may occur. He had no answers but it still didn't encourage him to do anything about it.

Yesterday I was doing a buffet for an Karaoke evening for our local home for people with learning disabilities. The Rev was not expecting many people there and said that if I catered for 40 that would be plenty. So I did. 170 turned up and I went around hissing at all the church people who turned up, "Don't you dare eat anything."

x

Rowan9

Had my eye test today and although needing slightly stronger glasses, she still suggested reader off-the-peg ones if I'm happy with them. Went to Poundstretcher where I got my last ones for £2.99 (they lasted nearly 4 years!) and got 2 pairs - they were £1 each. I'm very delighted as the eye test and glasses came to £2. Do you still get free eye tests in England? I can't remember.
Mardatha - I had a walk past your fav wee wool shop. In fact I walked past it twice. Downhill was easier than up!
We enjoyed a seat down at the Grass Market (a lovely area in Edinburgh) and then wandered home via a stop to share a bottle of wine with soda water in the sun. It was lovely.
Enjoying this weather as long as there is shade for me to sit in.
Eggs boiling to add to salad tonight. Have some lovely looking smoked salmon and jersey potatoes. DH picking up a bag of Jamie Oliver salad from Scotmid. I love it - the pea shoots are so sweet.
Lazy evening ahead.
Not sure of plans tomorrow but think they will involve something from rummage in freezer for lunch and then tennis.
Have a good weekend all
W