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

candlelight_2013

We don't have a tree anymore, but we always have candles and decorations with the greenery. Not nearly as much as when the girls lived at home, but my grandchildren would expect to see something, and actually I love Christmas, unlike Himself who is a bah humbug person

Candlelightx

nursemaggie

Softstuff My God it's a wonder she did not end up being readmitted. They send people home after only a few days often the same day and people think they can do everything. They send them home because they recuperate better at home but not if they do not rest!!! I can't put a 1000 of those hair standing on end things in here.

My ex thought it would be OK for me to cook dinner a week after major abdominal surgery! I had not eaten more than a cupasoup and a yogurt.

It is time hospitals issued people with written instructions on what they can do and when following surgery. I was told not to lift anything heavier than a cup for at least 3 months. (don't tell DS he is still doing all the heavy work and carries all my shopping.):rotfl:

I was also told no gardening or vacuuming until December.

Could not do without the tree everything else yes the tree no. DS is bah humbug too.

I think I would have started eating the chocolate orange immediately. I probably would not have looked at the sell by date.

monnagran

Mar: Yes, yes, yes!

Kidcat: Listen up and follow my directions. Open mouth. Touch roof of mouth with tongue. Breathe through nose. Ready? Speak slowly and clearly. "NO!" You may have to practise a bit but you'll thank me in the end.

Fuddle: Well, you may have to listen to your sister ranting on but there is nothing more you can do for your mother. D'you hear me? If the telephone calls get too distressing send one of your daughters out to ring the door bell, at which you will have to put down the phone and answer it.
Enjoy your cosy evening.
I have recently invested in the new V*n*sh powder stain remover. The price is pretty eye-watering but it has removed stains that I had given up on ages ago. It's a miracle. Don't whatever you do copy what I did when I was about 12. Left to look after my younger brother I foolishly let him go into the Holy of Holies, (the front room - only used on Sunday afternoons and Christmas). There he contrived to upset an entire bottle of red ink over the rug. Somewhere, probably in one of my mother's magazines (anyone remember Home Notes and Home Chat?) I read that milk was the thing to remove ink stains. Accordingly I fetched the jug and tipped it over the red ink, went out and closed the door.
It was summer and no-one went into that room for several days.
No-one ever forgot the stench that greeted Mother.
I certainly never forgot what I'd done.

So don't use milk.

The Cake: You found a chocolate orange and I found a jar of last year's HM mincemeat. The recipe said 'use within 2 months'. Knickers to that! There is plenty of brandy in it and brandy is a preservative, n'est pas?
I'm about to make this years batch and there may be a vintage element in there somewhere.

x

carlislelass

mardatha wrote: »

Do any of the older MSErs without kids at home, still do the tree and the decorations?

Do a tree but not as many decs

nursemaggie

I will never forget the smell either Monna one of my kids spilled a cup of milk when they were little. They did not tell me. We had the carpet up looking for the dead body.I never did get rid of that smell. The people who bought the house a few months later did not notice. I wonder if they had the carpet up.

Mar if you can't be bothered with the tree what about one of those small ready decorated ones.

Do you think a 5ft tree will look odd on top of the sideboard I have no where else to put it ( well there is one place but we will probably knock it over every time we go in the kitchen) and I cannot shorten it from the bottom. I know it would look OK if I took 2 ft off.

chickens11

Mar ....If the family were coming here to me at christmas then id put a tree up , but if I can get away without it I do, this will be the second year ive not put the tyree up, cant be doing with all the stuff hanging from the ceilings , walls etc , makes me feel claustraphobic , cant deal with it ......I do have a 2 foot snowman so I put him in the front porch along side 2 foot father christmas......I always have candles burning in autumn and winter every year , ive got a lovely one burning tonight it came from Tescos its called "a log fire", smells so good......
The cake....Id have been right into that chocolate too if id have found that in my cupboards, and enjoyed every bit of it .....

On the subject of butter , I now buy Anchore and put it ib the butter dish and leave it near the bread bin ,m it spreads just about right at room temp, I seem to go through the tubs of butter far too quick but find the packs go much further.....
Wow it turned cold this arvo ive lit my fire and the dawg is in the usual place having doggy dreams :eek:, got my lovely smelly candles burning and im feeling very comfortable, have a nice weekend all....Sheila

silvasava

Fuddle - Methylated spirit for ink usuallly does the trick.

Mardatha - Our 'Kids' are 45 & 46 & I still have a tree. Most of my decorations have very sentimental associations. Some were my mum's when a was a child, some I bought my mum when I first went out to work & I've also bought some on holiday including an absolutely gorgeous glass Father Christmas complete with ski's and a decorated tree in his hand that's about 2 inches tall from Venice - he just makes me smile! My tree is not trendy or co-ordinated but I dont care!

nursemaggie

Fuddle 3 suggestions 1/4 cup of borax in 2 cups cold water and soak the stain, denture tablets up to four of them and soak for a few hours, same ratio as with the borax with lemon juice and cream of tartar.

camelot1001

I used to use Vim powder for getting out ink stains but not seem Vim for years!
Interesting tips on butter, I suppose mixing it makes it go further too. If only I ate bread.

fuddle - I hope you are ok. the cake - I'm so glad you didn't contribute to the food mountain (I would have eaten it all too!)

Had a totally horrid week here, I haven't been well, thought I was better and then got a heavy cold, still coughing and sneezing and looking forward to a decent sleep some time.

Unfortunately a work colleague died yesterday so school has been a very sad place for us all. Our acting head has been absolutely fantastic. so much to deal with and so many people to look after.

I'm going to do some painting in a minute, I can be on my own for a while and think about things.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

the_cake

I'm back - had forgotten how delicious a chocolate orange is (was)! I did share it with OH, as he came home in time - just.
A tree: never had kids but Christmas would not be the same without it. I love the smell, and sometimes we just sit with all lights out, just the glow from the woodburner and the tree lights on, magical. Decorating it is part of the Christmas prep, I really enjoy getting the boxes down from the loft and rediscovering all the old decorations. Not posh or co-ordinated but still very pretty; I try to buy one new decoration every year, but it's getting a bit crowded now! This year they will have to survive Jeeves' attentions. Just as I typed his name he attacked Old Stripey Cat - he is so naughty and energetic but generally means well (I think).
I have a huge pan on the stove cooking up the neighbours' apples as my first step to making apple chilli jelly tomorrow. I am also going to make some toffee vodka, so it's all systems go here - think the choc. orange must have given me some much needed oomph! Love to all, have a happy evening.