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

greywitch

i have found good you tube tutorials for crochet granny squares how to make them and join togther for the fumble fingered like me going to try to make blanket:D

Softstuff

maryb wrote: »

Softstuff agree it sounds like rinsing wouldn't work with the suet/flour mix but you could put it in a pan with a cup or two of water and boil it up. The fat will rise to the top when it cools and you can scrape the floury sediment off then grate the solid fat.

Thanks Maryb, I'll bear that in mind for next time. I never would have thought of that.

Well done to your DD Fuddle, you must be so proud.

Pooky the thought of playing thunderstorm noise for me is :eek:, glad you find it relaxing though.

I had another win yesterday, how's that for a week of luck? I won fish! $15 worth. Will be nice, I might splash out with it and get a couple of salmon fillets.

SpikyHedgehog

I never learnt to crochet - mum can't and grandma could but I couldn't manage to learn from her. I think it had something to do with lefthandedness (or that's my excuse ) as grandma was and my sister is left handed, while mum and I are right handed. So am full of admiration for those who can!

I felt very grumpy this morning - work yesterday, then back in the evening for a staff meeting and DS2 was in bed when I got in just after 9, but didn't go to sleep till ten by the time he'd had lots of hugs and told me what he & DS1 had been doing.

So I was late to bed and tired, then got up this morning and came down to find DS1 had finished the bread last night but not thought to look in the freezer for any more. Luckily we had rolls in there as DS2 had a school trip today for which he needed packed lunch. And if I hadn't been out last night, I'd have made it then so used the good homemade bread leaving DS1 to have the bought rolls...

I have bought 2 Christmas presents so far - a £2.99 puzzle of Errant Husband's favourite animal as his present from DS2, and something for the cat. Oh, and my gift for secret santa at work, but that's required for next weekend, so I had to get that sorted.

I don't feel much enthusiasm for thinking about presents yet - neither of the boys really want much except money (DS1 because he's saving for another bike, and DS2 because he's saving for an ipad), and I've no days off work in the week this year to wander round the shops picking up bits for hampers for the family as I've done the past two years. I've seen various things I've thought would be good for Denephew 3 and Deneice 2, but nothing has caught my eye for my other sister's 5 children (3 bio and 2 step). Not that I've really looked, due to my lack of enthusiasm...

DS2 is staying at EH's tomorrow night while I go bowling with friends for a birthday, and I'd like to go into town without him on Saturday to browse for inspiration, but I'll probably have him back by 9. And won't subject him to busy shops at this time of year unless it's really necessary, which it isn't.

mcculloch29

silvasava wrote: »

Turned out my security programme on my 'puter was blocking my internet access - course I'll be safe from hackers & virus if 'tinternets turned off!!!
Its a bit disconcerting though to realise how much you come to rely on being able to access information immediately

Hugs to all who may need them

This is incredibly common. People buy expensive overpriced security software, ramp up the security to the max and then can't even get online.
My son in law has done it and is always coming to use my pc to print stuff as his anti virus blocks absolutely everything, including the link with the printer but he is reluctant to change it.

I bought something online today and was a bit concerned as there was no padlock indicating a secure site on the payment page.
It was a great buy though, a Christmas jumper from Social Discount Network.

Mixed feelings on the £10 off £50 at Aldi. It saved me 55p as I only bought 1 paper, I shopped at Heron as well this week and wasn't planning two over £40 spends at Aldi. It's a good saving though and I will use a lot of the 30% mocs.

SpikyHedgehog

Yes, sometimes it's hard to remember 'money off when you spend X' only saves you money if you were going to spend it in that shop/on that product anyway ;-). I don't often go to ald1, so anytime I do go, I'm tempted by all the lovely bargains for things I don't actually need... Mum & dad use it regularly though, so it's been good for them.

I'm trying to make bread regularly instead of buying it, & am getting nicely back into a routine. I'd forgotten that it gets eaten quicker than bought bread, being much more the food of choice for hungry boys, especially DS1 & his out of sync with my mealtimes tendency to cook up noodles at midnight :-D. Very happy with the texture of last nights loaves. Interesting thought - I usually use sea salt, & as I buy coarse sea salt to put in the grinder that matches the pepper grinder, I measure out the salt into the mortar & pestle & grind it finer in there before adding to the dough. But last night, I'd run out of sea salt, so had to use the fine cheap salt I keep for making play dough, & didn't think as I measured out the same amount that there's more fine salt in 1 teaspoon of salt than in 1 teaspoon of coarse salt, as there's more gaps in the teaspoon of coarse salt ;-). It tastes fine though slightly salty - no marmite required today! But I'll have to remember next time.

fuddle

POrk chops, peppercorn sauce (not HM) and HM roasties (in dripping ) a side of steamed veg and, although it doesn't go fantastically, going to cut bread ends up into strips, smear with garlic butter and whack in the oven to toast and melt. I might just add some grated cheese too Pooky I finish work at 1.30pm and then I have 7 whole days off. Did you hear that? 7 whole days!!

I started my other slipper/sleep sock last night so that will keep my crocheting hands busy.

I have some gifts to wrap and some planning of my natural decorations to do. I fancy a new forest trip to see what we can pick up off the ground and will be dipping pine cones in glitter with the girls at the weekend. I need cracker bang things to make our own. I know hobbicraft have them for 80p.

The mam situation is a bit dire. Mam is in tears to me nightly (not drink induced - I can tell the difference, she is coherant and wanting change) sister isn't wanting to help her any more as she's an alcoholic and her councillor has told her to stand back as there is nothing she can do. I get that, boy do I get that, but the difference is my mam now sees the pickle she is in, sees what the vodka has done and is trying very hard to get strong these past 5 days. She is living in a hovel that has no heating (mam is too proud to load up the prepayment key at the coop - so frustrating!) no hot water, her washing machine doesn't work. I am trying to get through to my sister that mam has just about reached a point where she wants to stop this spiral because she sees she's about to lose the lot. Now is the time to sigh a bit of a relief sigh and think "is this it!?" and rally round to help. Sister has a 5 bedroom hous, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms and a very large kitchen, breakfast area with utility room. Mam could have a few days 'respite', get warm, clean, wash her clothes and eat properly to add to the strength she has already shown me this week. Sister has said no but now in the same conversation she doesn't appreciate me getting involved if she is turning herself around because it will look like I have succeeded in getting mam better where she couldn't. It really is appalling to even think those things, let alone say them.

So mam is spending the weekend alone, in her cold hovel and it's killing me. I want to go up but I just can't as it would mean taking the girls with me and out of school. It's Christmas run up and they would miss out on so much fun for what?

So I continue to live 2 lives. One with my family, getting ready for christmas and the second worried about up north. The first life is my preferred one but it is getting marred because of my mood. You did warn me. I am on to it and it won't get to me completely but it is so difficult. I do need my sisters help in this.

silvasava

mcculloch29 wrote: »

This is incredibly common. People buy expensive overpriced security software, ramp up the security to the max and then can't even get online.
My son in law has done it and is always coming to use my pc to print stuff as his anti virus blocks absolutely everything, including the link with the printer but he is reluctant to change it.

You're quite right McCulloch - when I had a bought security software it was always happening. When I updated my PC I decided I wasn't paying out for Msoft & N**ton etc & I got Open Office & Avast - both perfectly adequate for my needs. I di find that Avast had updated itself & my problems stemmed from there so I just removed it from my system & re-installed. Problem solved. Must admit this is the first time its happened so I think it was a glitch rather than something that will continue to pop up.

Nursemaggie Very concerned about your situation at the moment - you must be at the end of your tether. Is there anyone you can talk to about your situation to get some sort of support? Council,CAB???

Doveling

Just de-lurking again. I forget who wanted suggestions for Christmas lunch for two but M&S have the dine in for two on, and duck breast in plum sauce is included.
I have just bought this and the apple pie and fresh veg + bottle of wine. The duck and apple pie are going in the freezer for Boxing day, will put fresh veg and roasties with it on the day. The wine will also be put away but I will use the fresh veg this weekend.
I know ten pounds is quite a lot for one meal but as wine is included (there is a soft drink option as well) I thought it might be nice for two on Christmas day.
HTH someone.:)
Scuttles off again.

whiteguineapig

fuddle i'm at a loss to know why using a prepayment key would be embarrassing
(i work in a shop and i must do half a dozen each shift)

Softstuff

whiteguineapig wrote: »

fuddle i'm at a loss to know why using a prepayment key would be embarrassing
(i work in a shop and i must do half a dozen each shift)

I've had a few of those and used them myself, whenever I was in a rental property and then when I owned a flat in England. Simply because that was the meter than was in there and I found it very convenient.

I'm guessing your mum thinks it's a sign of something else though, Fuddle? And that it's maybe the straw that breaks the camels back.

Take care Fuddle.