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

Popperwell

you are right of course Rosie...I kind of gave upfeeding the lovely birds that used to visit the garden even though programmes like Springwatch encourage you to do so.

Though people around me do feed them...another avenue of pleasure closed to me...I need to win the Euro and move where I want to.

If ustirity gets worse they may have to start and look at changing agreements on housing to allow more home produced food and being self sustaining.

Pooky

We have a covenant on our deeds too - no chicken or poultry, sheep or pigs.....the solicitor did point out that goats and llamas weren't mentioned.....lol.

Fluffy kitten wobbled to the garden, hacked up her meds and had a pee! It's progress. Ginger boy kitten went and sat with her on her cushion and has washed her ears and paws for her....lovely to see him being so kind when she's feeling so poorly.

Picked up my freecycle rocking chair earlier, it's not what I thought it would be but it's got potential to be gorgeous. It needs completely rebuilding to reinforce the fame, reupholstering and the wood needs rubbing down but it's a an project for me over the autumn and I'm thinking of patchwork style upholstery with a couple of crochet cushions.

An evening of crochet awaits me with a glass of something cold and white and possibly a chocolate or two from the lovely box I got today.

tattycath

Pooky wrote: »

We have a covenant on our deeds too - no chicken or poultry, sheep or pigs.....the solicitor did point out that goats and llamas weren't mentioned.....lol.

Fluffy kitten wobbled to the garden, hacked up her meds and had a pee! It's progress. Ginger boy kitten went and sat with her on her cushion and has washed her ears and paws for her....lovely to see him being so kind when she's feeling so poorly.

Picked up my freecycle rocking chair earlier, it's not what I thought it would be but it's got potential to be gorgeous. It needs completely rebuilding to reinforce the fame, reupholstering and the wood needs rubbing down but it's a an project for me over the autumn and I'm thinking of patchwork style upholstery with a couple of crochet cushions.

An evening of crochet awaits me with a glass of something cold and white and possibly a chocolate or two from the lovely box I got today.

Sounds like the rocking chair will look lovely when you have given it some TLC.

Jazee

Have only had a skim read so hope everyone is ok today. I'm another planning to make Twinks hobnobs tomorrow, yummy.

mama67

tattycath wrote: »

My mum had a twin tub but before that she had a copper? Wash board and mangle.

Congratulations for your 10th wedding anniversary.

I still have the "burco" copper which my mum used to boil our terry nappies in; infact when we were between WMs and skint, I used it for nearly 4 months to do our washing, luckily it was summer so it didn't matter that the clothes were only hand wrung.

I also used to love using the twintub and transfering the clothes from the wash side to the spin side when younger

[Deleted User]

Well I have had a busy day today as I was on one of my walking history walks and we went strolling around Woolwich .it probably doesn't sound exciting, but its amazing what you learn on these walks.I didn't know, but apparently the MaccyDs in Woolwich was the first to be opened in this country as the top guns of the US decided that if it could persuade the locals to buy it there, then it could be sold almost anywhere in the UK !! and they flew 1000 execs over from the US for the opening It's in a normal UK high Street in a very unprepossessing area of London.We also had a great long trek around the Arsenal and saw all the new apartments that have started to grow where the Royal Military Arsenal used to be and so many art deco building It was really nice, my sis-in-law treated me to lunch which was also nice, and we bagged some bargain cauliflowers from the open fruit and veg market at a great price of 50p each.
There were around a dozen of us and we were all discussing how much things have changed in the past 50+ years.The topic got onto things that were normal in the late 1950s early 60s and most of us grew up with lino on the floors, and no tv and very few labour saving gadgets, I can still remeber my Coop no. from 1961 if you forgot it you lost out on your 'divi' I remembered that my first washing thing I bought was a washboard with a glass insert (2/6p) and a big bar of green fairy soap and I can remember standing at the sink scrubbing my OH's shirt collars to get the grime out. Also 'turning' collars which I hated doing, as it was such a faff and I'm not the best at sewing anyway:)

'The gas man cometh'to empty the meter and it was a great day as there was usually a small rebate which always came in handy midweek.In those days if you got a pound it seemed like a fortune.We all agreed that to go out to eat in a restaraunt was for high days and holidays, and I can only remember going out to tea in a fancy tea shop on my birthday if I was lucky, or if I had done particularly well at school.
No take-aways in those days Even fish and chips my mum looked a bit down on, as she thought it was a dreadful waste of money as she could make it better at home :) She would have hated to see so many folk eating in the street as they do now, as to her you ate at home, at the table,with food on a proper plate with a knife and fork and not walking down the street in front of people.
Different standards in those days I think.Mind you I still don't eat in the street either so something must have rubbed off on me :):)
We too kept chickens when i was little but we weren't allowed to name them as my Dad said you wouldn't want to eat them if they became pets which was true I suppose.We grew up knowing that they would end up on the table eventually

Jazee

JackieO. I remember going to that takeaway with mum and gran shortly after it opened and remember them saying the idea would never take off!

peony40

Jackie, Your days sounds lovely.

I don't like eating in the street, and I always have to eat a Macdonalds with a knife and fork. I can't stand the mess it makes on fingers!

It was nice to hear people's memories. I am a 1964 baby and I remember lino in bedrooms where you used to jump onto the homemade woollen rug in the mornings as the floor was so cold. Mum & Dad got gas central heating in the mid 1970's and a phone in 1973. I remember this as in needlecraft lessons at school the girls all made telephone mats using binca and lovely coloured embroidery threads.

I still remember the twin tub as when my panda used to be washed and spun Mum used to reassure me that he was on the merry go round

Mum used to turn dad's collars and I remember doing 'sides to middles' with the cotton bed sheets.

Pooky, hope your little kitten gets well soon. Also, your rocking chair sounds like it will be lovely after your tlc. Look forward to hearing about it and hopefully get inspiration.

Hello to all the fellow new people.

I am thinking of starting to crochet a blanket with basic granny squares. I find it easier to manage than knitting as knitting can hurt my finger joints. Just need to find some wool at reasonable prices.

Have a nice evening all.

PRINCESSX87

In a complete panic, Coming on and finding the old thread closed, I assumed it may have been down to the trolls, Phew, Feel better now that i've found the thread - Hopefully its okay for me to rejoin??

xx

PRINCESSX87

Pollybear wrote: »

Hello A new thread seems a good time for me to post. I am a long time lurker on this and a couple of other threads but don't really have anything to contribute. I'm 60, married for 40 years, three grown up children (and my first grandchild due in September). Not as MSE as I should be but I like to read about it, and all your lives.

Anyway, off to wash up now and then watch Miss Marple from last weekend. Back later:)

Nymphadora wrote: »

Hello everyone

Hope you don't mind me joining in.

I am a long time lurker who has decided to join MSE to help me get sorted.

I am married with 2 kids. Currently living in rented accommodation due to moving to a new area and wanted to wait till we were sure this is where we wanted to live before buying again.

I gave up work a year ago as I couldn't cope with my fibro and working and keeping the house. So we have dipped into our savings a bit and need to top them back up if we are going to buy a house.

My Grandmother (who sadly passed away 2 years ago) was very much a make do and mend kinda gal:) she was a fantastic baker who taught me everything she knew and I even if I do say so myself I am very good at it. What she never was able to teach me was sewing and knitting. When she passed her handwritten receipe book, sewing and knitting kit came to me. I also have her 60year old sewing machine that I haven't attempted to use in the 2 years I have had it.

So I really want to get into the oldstyle type of life in part to keep the memory of my Granny alive and also to help us save money.

The good news is I have got a new job :j:j:j very part time (2 days) and not stressful.

So I hope I can join you all to seek/give advice and support when I can.

nan2many wrote: »

I too have lurked for a very long time, I had a breakdown 3 years ago and you lot brought me back to me. I have cried, laughed and worried with you all, but you are a lifeline and a tonic to so many so keep up the good work. Bless you all. I too wish I could send Fuddle some elderflowers, our trees here are literally dripping with them'

Welcome x