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

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

Kidcat, that is so frustrating. Not just the money, but also that it may have been set up so that your son would fail. I remember very, very clearly when I was about 8 my class was going to the space museum a couple of states away. Money was very tight at home and I knew it. I was so worried about telling my mum that it was going to cost $50. She came up with it somehow and I had a brilliant time--she must have even come up with a bit more as I remember I had a few dollars for a souvenir. For all I know the school subsidised some of it. I suspect my mum knew it was coming up before I brought the information home. I don't believe school trips should hold the family finances hostage--I think they can be wonderful, but not if everyone involved is worried about it.

I can't say the house is exactly spotless, but I got lots of odd jobs done yesterday and two of the three curtain panels are completely finished. I've also cleaned a couple of spots on rugs, deep cleaned the kitchen (including the dishwasher trap) and made a plan of other unusual jobs for the rest of the summer. I didn't quite get round to the ovens and windows yet, but OH has promised he'll tackle them soon, maybe even this weekend. We haven't had a weekend 'at home' for a few weeks now between nephew's first birthday and friends who live elsewhere coming into town so we were a bit behind on the normal jobs as well. I think I did either four or five loads of laundry yesterday and had two left to go! For two people that is a lot, although some of it was cleaning clothes etc. from my unusual efforts. The kitten loves it as she is only allowed out in the back garden under supervision so it meant there was lots of time to frolic while I pegged out washing. We've a fat cat !!!!! on our road and I wouldn't like to see her after she'd met some of them!

Forgot my biggest piece of OS news yesterday--a neighbour was getting rid of a china cabinet on Saturday. Its good solid wood although it needs a bit of love--we've dutifully hauled it home and I've been researching ideas for what I'd like to do to it. We've wanted one for awhile but just couldn't stomach the price, even second hand. It needs refinishing or painting, either a repair or new hinges and the back needs a bit of work but all things I can manage. We won't start until OH is out of school as I can't take enough time off to do it alone. This way I can set him a task and he can get on with it.

Exciting day/night Burtha! I hope all goes smoothly and that the little one arrives in good time!

As for winter bedding, my storage solution is a little unusual and probably won't work for anyone else but thought I'd mention it. Back when I travelled loads my mum made me several zip up packing cubes. I have two sets--both in pretty fabrics. http://www.flightattendantshop.com/content/product/large/880cubes.jpg

They're like a homemade version of this. I still use them, particularly if OH and I are sharing a suitcase then we each take one. Anyway, I store out of season bedding in them. I have one just big enough to take the winter duvet, another for the quilt. I also keep winter scarves etc. in another and some out of season clothing like thermals in another. They're on top of the wardrobes and don't look to out of place. It wouldn't work if we had damp issues but fortunately we don't in this house. Just thought I'd mention it as its sort of similar to pooky's solution.

Right, well it looks like I've written the first few chapters of war and peace here so I'd better get some real work done.

Princess, how are you? I've been thinking about you lately.

the_cake

FPsk, over on the Shabby Chic thread (here on MSE) someone has been doing lovely things with an old china cabinet .....

FairyPrincessk

Ooh, Thanks The Cake! I'll pop over and have a look.

Possession

I don't have fond memories of induction Burtha, I hope it all goes well (and quickly!). Soon enough there'll be a lovely baby to cuddle.
DS had his 1st day of exams yesterday (forgot to ask if he used the protractor) and when asked how they went just moaned that they weren't allowed to read their books as he finished so early and was really bored. Apparently they are easy. Let's hope that wasn't all in his head! It's induction day today where all the Yr 6s get a day at their new secondary school and every other year moves up, so DD is with her new teacher that she thinks is very strict. Myself I don't mind a strict teacher...
Tomorrow she has a school trip to Mary Arden's House (Shakepeare's mother) and they are only allowed food that Tudors would have had in their packed lunch. She has already rejected every choice of sandwich so that'll be fun won't it.

[Deleted User]

POSESSION give her a ploughmans lunch, cheese, bread, apple, pickled onion if she likes them and a carton of apple juice, so easy so accurate.

Possession

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

POSESSION give her a ploughmans lunch, cheese, bread, apple, pickled onion if she likes them and a carton of apple juice, so easy so accurate.

Good idea Mrs LW. :T

FairyPrincessk

You could also throw in a boiled egg if she likes them (and isn't of the age where mean-spirited jokes about stinky lunches will prevail), and/or strawberries.

fuddle

Oh a good Ploughman's On the menu for next week.

This evening we are having breaded fish (from the freezer, sorry toughies) with salad and some boiled pots fried off in garlic butter and herbs I think. Follow up is a fruit salad, plain yoghurt and a dash of honey to sweeten.

Washing consists of bedding today. Nice to see it's drying in the warm breeze.

Wilko's do the vacuum bags for £6 so well worth a punt... even if they squash the volume enough to store under the top half of the bed for now, I can still store food stuffs. The loft is easy accessible as has a ladder in place but I know we have a condensation issue up there and come the Autumn I would worry. Baby steps, suss the situation out eh?

monnagran

How did you guess Kidcat? Yes it's magazine time again and it's the very last one. I've made up my mind that I'll not be doing it anywhere else. I'm getting in all the quotes etc not usually seen in magazines of this ilk. My favourite is:-

I wish I were a glow worm, a glow worm's never glum,
'Cos how can you be grumpy when the sun shines from your bum.

I love it.

x

fuddle

Monnagran are you going to try to pull back a little when you move? Although I suspect giving up the editors role will free up a load of time anyway!

How are you doing? Are you coping?