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

Cheapskate

Hello doorsteppers, hope those that like sun are having a fab time, and those that don't can find some shade!

We had a busy weekend - on Saturday we went to a music event at the local rugby club (£10 each for me and DH though! :eek:), took picnic etc, fantastic music so worth the late night (not home until after 11 pm), too hot to sleep, then Sunday afternoon a free music event in a local park, swing band/singer, really good!

Everyone's melting here, but trying not to complain after the long winter and miserable spring, although I would like a little break from it at night so we can sleep!

So sorry to hear about the poorlies, including the animals, I know they're part of your families, too.

fuddle, glad to hear DD is eating better. As you say, maybe if she looks up to someone who eats well/sensibly/healthily it might spark off a bit of "monkey see, monkey do" - a bit of hero worship can be good sometimes!

MrsLW, I'm sure no one round here gives a monkey's what I grow, they're mostly too ignorant or too self-absorbed to care! :rotfl: I'm more bothered about the mollusc fraternity, TBH, so am thankful it's dry right now! I transplanted some pumpkins, 3 into bigger tubs, 3 into the ground; they've actually got babies growing already! Does anyone know if I have to keep the best pumpkin and discard the lesser fruit, or keep them all, per plant? I've also sowed some herbs in pots, they'll be up in a couple of weeks, and will last well into autumn, and my plum tree is looking good. Please with all the above, not as much as I'd hoped to do, but better than nothing after the ups and downs of the last year.

A xo

Cheapskate

Possession wrote: »

Ugh, just got back from school run and barely had the energy to put one foot in front of the other. I feel for those whose jobs mean they need to stand out in this heat, we just aren't used to it.
Fuddle I'm growing salad leaves quite successfully at the moment and if I can, literally anyone can! I can kill a plant just by looking at it.

Oh, I'm with you there! I do OK with edible things, but have yet to keep any sort of houseplant alive - people have stopped giving them to me now!

A xo

[Deleted User]

CHEAPY we tend to leave all the pumpkins that set on the plants and let them grow on for a while, then thin down to the three best and healthiest fruits when you can see which ones they are. Lots and lots of water for pumpkins, they are thirsty little devils too!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

Cheapskate

Thanks a lot, Lyn, watch and wait it will be, then! Even when they were all in little pots they drank gallons.

A xo

savingqueen

nutty - your day of rest still sounded busy, hope you managed some downtime. Ginny hope you enjoyed an easier day too.

Possession wrote: »

Ugh, just got back from school run and barely had the energy to put one foot in front of the other. I feel for those whose jobs mean they need to stand out in this heat, we just aren't used to it.

I feel exactly the same way Possession. I seem to manage plodding through the day but as soon as we walk in the door after school, I feel drained and have a headache.

DS6 was supposed to have his first swimming class since "swimmingpoolgate" over a year ago. He has been having private 1-2-1 teaching carefully timed to have 2 group classes before they shut for the summer holidays. His swimming instructor had arranged to meet him at the beginning of class(different instructor for the group class) to help his anxiety. All sorted.

Then the school phone me today to say DS6 is complaining of toothache. He hasn't lost any milk teeth yet at 6.5 years but has 2 adult teeth growing right behind the front bottom teeth. The over zealous Office Manager suggested he needed a dentist appointment. I explained we visited the dentist very recently and teeth coming through are fine. Drove to school to administer capol to shut DS and Office Manager up! I wish the OM would allow parents to sort their own kids out.

So now DS is refusing to go swimming and there is no way I am making him go and undoing all the confidence building from his 1-2-1 swimming. If he misses next week, there will be a long gap til classes again in Sept. Oh well, the best laid plans and all.

rant over, I really need to put the dry laundry away and sort boys' tea out. Any volunteers? I must confess a lot of my usual OS/MSE habits have been cast aside for convenience the last few days. Even considering paying to get the car washed instead of doing it myself. I want it clean before it goes to the car doc next week and out holiday. Don't think I can stretch to a hoover, will do that myself.

sq:)

the_cake

Phew, what a scorcher! It's the time of year when we in our little rural backwater take it in turns to look after each other's plants and animals whilst holidays are taken; at the moment I am caring for three gardens (two with LOTS of pots to water - grrrr), four horses, two lots of chickens, another hen family with three tiny chicks, some bantams and four cats. Who would have thought I could wrangle 4 ponies into 4 fly masks before 8 a.m.?! And then there's Jeeves, of course, keeping the home fires burning, and me on my toes with the anticipation of his next "offering". Lovely time of year!

Possession

SQ many years ago when I lived in Japan the heat was dreadful in the summer. I used to get home from work and in between getting in my front door and getting to my living room (where the heater/cooler was) I gradually got rid of all my clothes as I couldn't bear them touching me any more. Then I used to put the air conditioning on full blast and stand under it for about 10 minutes before I could do anything at all. Weekends were spent going from one air conditioned building to another as it was unbearable to be out in the heat for long - which accounts for the great proliferation of shopping malls throughout East Asia. At least we often have a bit of breeze here, and my house is fairly pleasant as long as I can keep windows open on both sides. I'm an Autumnal girl though I think, I prefer no extremes of weather!

VJsmum

Sorry for those who hate the weather, but I love it!! :j

Love it love it love it

This is me ---> :D:D:D:D

We are having a chicken roasted in the halogen but with new spuds, coleslaw and salad. Had to buy a supermarket chicken as the butchers was shut, but it was the co-op Higher welfare one.

T'was lovely walking through town in the sunshine - everyone seems happier.

OH and DS are off to a pre season friendly footie match tonight and DD is rehearsing for her show at the weekend so I have a couple of hours to myself before driving into the city to pick her up. I don't know why people say acting / drama is a soft option - it is a shed load of commitment from kids and parents alike. DD is knackered when she gets back at 10 o'clock, after rehearsing since 4.30 :eek: All the university / drama schools are saying that there is 22 + hours in "lessons" and then rehearsal time on top. My "professional" course teaches 16 hours a week!

bunbun2

I do like this sunny weather I just can't stay out in it for very long. Although at the moment I can't tell whether the heat is the sun or my age...

I have just ironed the boys' school shirts - not good in this heat! But...I have no more shirts to iron till September, the last week of school is non uniform.

possession I bet japan was so hot. I grew up in the south of France and my parents waited till I had left home to install air conditioning:(

VJsmum drama definately isn't a soft option. both my ds have been involved in drama groups and just before the shows had full days of rehearsals. ds14 did the lighting once and his day was even longer as he had to pack away after the show. Good luck to your dd!

sq sorry to heat your ds is not wanting to go swimming but I agree with not forcing him. both ds's had 121 swimming lesseons when they were young as they were terrified of the water.

fuddle glad to hear your dd is eating and feeling better

OH had a sickness review at school today. he said they were so nice. now he is thinking of going back just for a year before he starts his training, maybe even part time. that would be the best solution financially but it has to be his decision. he needs to sit down and work out all the options. if he does go back he will start his staged return next Thursday.

we are still waiting for ds14's results. it will be two weeks tomorrow since his endoscopy.

PRINCESSX87

Evening all.

Hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather. I'm still struggling with the dreaded sun burn after Saturday. Any cure's for the itchiness?

I've tried cold showers, creams, yogurt, even cucumbers

The upside to this weather is all the lovely smells & colours from the blossoming flowers. Walked outside my front door earlier to see one of my new roses have opened up a lovely pink colour.

Best wishes to everyone that could do with them. Gentle pats to all the furbabies that require them also. My 2 staffies are seriously hating this weather.

Will be having a quite one with my OH tonight. It seems these past few weeks / months have kept us so busy that we have forgotten what simple pleasures are.
xxx