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

[Deleted User]

Morning, I'd add good to that but courtesy of wandering lurchers I've been awake since 4.30 so it's like the curates egg, good in parts but I think it's going to be a very long day!!!

Nothing big planned today, we tend to stay home on public holidays and just potter around so today I'm planning to have a sort out in the storeroom particularly of the 'rag bag' which I still run with. Anything that is too old and worn or gets damaged or stained, if it's textile and might have a reuse potential goes into it and we always have polishing rags, padding, patches for denim jeans etc. when we need them. Best thing I can remember was when DD1 had an ankle operation and was on crutches and getting very sore hands from the plastic handles on the crutches and I bound them with strips of a very old, soft teashirt I'd saved and made her comfortable again. I guess it's an old fashioned way that still holds validity today as it costs nothing to maintain and saves a lot of stuff from landfill. I'll repack the store cupboard shelves while I'm in there too as that will get anything that needs to be used to the front of the shelves and in sight when I next need it. I write the best before date on the front of every item with a marker pen so I can see it without having to read the tiny writing from the manufacturer.

Hope you all have a good day doing whatever you've all got planned, Lyn xxx.

Hard_Up_Hester

Morning Mrs LW, I must admit I'm not missing the early starts needed last week when I was dog sitting..
I think hubby & I are compost sifting today, I shall also do housework & sewing.
I shall also make a shopping list, it's been a long month & the cupboards & freezer are bare, well bare for me, I could probably still feed 6 people for a month or so, lol.
Hester

savingqueen

Good morning everyone,


feeling sleepy, not had my coffee yet though. Looking ahead for the half term break and every day looks rainy so not good for the children or the washing! Hopefully we will have sunny spells and we can make the most of those.


Today I need to get some food shopping and bake and decorate a big birthday cake. Haven't baked for a long time so feeling a bit nervous silly though that sounds - well it will be for public display so not so silly I guess! Last birthday preps like decorating with banners and balloons this eve and making up sweetie bags for the party. Baths all round too. Main problem will be keeping the boys away from DH or quiet as he will be revising like mad and a bit tetchy before his exam tomorrow.... and our boys will be very excited about birthday and party tomorrow.... while I will be anxious at the party arrangements.... not a good combo!!


My friend's son's birthday party went ok yesterday but the party structure wasn't the best. The birthday boy has autism and another guest (and DS9's friend also) has multiple needs. 2 teams were needed where the leader chooses her/his team one by one like the my school days in games. The children with the highest scores (laser games) gets to stand on the winners' podium and so on. The birthday child was "choosen" as the president to be shot at which totally freaked him out.


DS9 decided on his own that he wouldn't be choosing teams with people being last, too horrible. We have drawn up 2 balanced teams (balanced in terms of who knows who, ability/age etc), DS9 will lead one and DS7 the other and then swap leaders to DS9 gets to play with everyone. Food is a cold buffet with something to sort everyone. I imagine this will be DS9's last proper birthday party - rarely do big ones like this and not 2 years in a row. After that will be secondary school so am assuming parties for boys at least are not the done thing?? Teenage parties are a whole different event!


right best get going. Your days sound productive Hester and Mrs LW - sound peaceful, have a good day.


Hugs to all in need and one for luck
sq

silvasava

Fuddle - You've made a wise decision with your freezer - its such a b**ger when they go & being very MSE you've already budgeted for it. At least now you've been on call you know what it entails & what is just too much. Enjoy your time with MiL
Lyn - I've got an old string bag in the garage stuffed with old towels & Tshirts for cleaning cloths - it never seems to get any less haha
Spoke to my Niece as it was her 40th this week. She is progressing slowly & now has a little dog (Pug?) I'm not too sure about it as her sight is somewhat limited but hope it will encourage her to increase her walking & improve her mobility - we shall see.
A lovely freegler offered for bagged up chicken manure - I got 3 bags & gave him 3 empty bags for 'future production' & he's said to just come & take what I want whenever - so kind & my garden will LOVE it as we've horrible clay soil. I don't know how old it is so I can store it until next year.
I've only used the pellets before or horses doofers & I think the 'real' chicken stuff is better?
Good productive day yesterday. 'Van washed & came home & planted up my baskets for the front of the house but I'm leaving them on a plastic rack at the back of the house until we get home & so my friend won't have to water them too often. Climbing beans planted & surplus going to DS1 today, some geraniums left over from last year planted so thats a few more pots emptied. Its persisting down at the moment so today will be house tidying.

[Deleted User]

We have never had such good crops since we lost the last of the chickens and stopped keeping them. Best and most fertile areas were those the chooks had been kept on but the year after they came off. Mega crops then so yes, a superior type of poo!!!!!

Glad you niece is doing well SILVASAVA and a little dog to walk, well that can only be to the good for both of them, Lyn xxx.

paidinchickens

I need to start composting, I don't know where to start really.

We got the lottie and there are so many "big" jobs to do and I'm so busy planting, everything dying and then planting some more I just haven't had the time :rotfl:

Do you layer the chook poo in the compost or just chuck it on direct?

Can't believe I'm talking a load of .... on a bank holiday

PiC x

mardatha

My soil has been really useless since I got rid of my chickens, I don't know what's wrong with it but nothing will grow apart from chickweed.

[Deleted User]

He Who Knows says it should be aged before you put it on to the soil and the best way to do this is to just mix it in with the other stuff you put into the compost heap, then spread that next year. Our compost heap is constructed from old pallets and it has two compartments, side by side so we always have one aging and one to use now. Obviously it's your first year so that doesn't apply yet does it? The heap needs a solid rainproof top and a piece of old carpet will give you that, hope that helps, Lyn xxx.

Hope the doggy situation is easing off for you PIC xxx.

MAR you can eat chickweed!!! It's just like lettuce if you pull off all the little leaves and have it in a salad, the stems are too chewy though even when they're little!

mama67

I have a rag bag as well, as DH does need rags when cleaning/restoring/polishing the secondhand furniture we buy and sell.

I also have a separate odd sock bag so that even if one of a pair has gone to recycling the next time it happens I can make an new pair; and it keeps the odd ones as they show up in the laundry together for matching the next time around.

We have had a lovely day here today so much so in that I got 2 single quilts washed, dried and aired on the line.

It was lovely also not to wake up to an alarm, went to sleep at 9.30 last night and didn't wake properly until 8.30 this morning!! That is unheard of for me.

fuddle

Evening

Fridge freezer is here. I am thrilled. It is tiny but big enough for us as I don't batch cook or use it for storing food (meaning I don't rely on 'em for obvious reasons) Er, at least I can feel the happiness of a stocked fridge for less money

I went to work from 10 till 12 then regrouted the bathroom (same pack as when I did the kitchen so was free ) then took up the shower curtain with the sewing machine and let eldest DD have a dabble on it. She attempted a purse, just sewed the sides of a folded piece with a flap to close. She enjoyed Youngest has been interested in Pinterest today. She has found crochet puppies so I have inadvertently got myself a new crochet project!

DH has been off but cannot think what the heck he has done today... certainly nowt useful!