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

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies, I'm stiff and sore this morning due to having shifted over a ton of logs yesterday afternoon and the log store is now totally full! Lovely feeling to know we will be warm this winter whatever happens and they are paid for so no big nasty bills will be coming in at the end of the cold period, nice!!! We followed that activity up with chopping and processing five large bags of windfall apples (I'm talking big blue Ikea bags here) and now have seven gallons of cider in various stages of blurping through thier bubble traps sitting in the study, good eh?

Today I shall be dehydrating the not so small mountain of courgettes that have been accumulating in the drawer in the fridge and making some more bread and butter pickles with the cucumbers from the polytunnel that have been producing with equal enthusiasm. The garden and allotment are starting to give us serious amounts of veg and the freezers are groaning so I think it's time to start chutney and jam making as well as dehydrating what will be most useful. I dehydrated a big basketful of tomatoes a few days ago and now have 5 jars of tomatoes in oil in store to use in italian type sauces in the cold weather, busy times but very satisfying, have a good one all, Cheers Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Lyn I love reading your winter preps. You're so organised and so calm about it all.

DH was looking at housing 'down there' last night an found that housing further north from where the depot is going to be is a bit more affordable. He found a thatched home with a wood burner in the kitchen and living room for rent. It's still out if our reach at the moment but when I work we could afford it. It's keeping the dream alive that gets you through tough times and even if that dream doesn't work out, where there's a will there's a way one day

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE like the song says 'You gotta have a dream, cos if you don't have a dream how're you going to make a dream come true?' wise words, dream on sister!!!! Lyn xxx.

lillibet_dripping

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Morning Toughies, I'm stiff and sore this morning due to having shifted over a ton of logs yesterday afternoon and the log store is now totally full! Lovely feeling to know we will be warm this winter whatever happens and they are paid for so no big nasty bills will be coming in at the end of the cold period, nice!!! We followed that activity up with chopping and processing five large bags of windfall apples (I'm talking big blue Ikea bags here) and now have seven gallons of cider in various stages of blurping through thier bubble traps sitting in the study, good eh?

Today I shall be dehydrating the not so small mountain of courgettes that have been accumulating in the drawer in the fridge and making some more bread and butter pickles with the cucumbers from the polytunnel that have been producing with equal enthusiasm. The garden and allotment are starting to give us serious amounts of veg and the freezers are groaning so I think it's time to start chutney and jam making as well as dehydrating what will be most useful. I dehydrated a big basketful of tomatoes a few days ago and now have 5 jars of tomatoes in oil in store to use in italian type sauces in the cold weather, busy times but very satisfying, have a good one all, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Hewwo Docky frum Lily an Poppy!
Ar mumi wonts too no ow ur mumi mayks de sidery-stuff wot bubbuls an burps! We awlso av an uge bag ov appuls wot de necksdoor neybor gived us but mumi fort u needid a big press-fingy-gajet to scweeze de jus owt?
Kissys an sluuuuurrrrrppppppssssss xxxxx

savingqueen

Good morning from a sleepy SQ. I have been sleeping later during the school holidays most days and going to bed the same times I usually do so think I need to get into better routines when school starts - more sleep and more exercise for starters. I am not getting down about my weight any more but I would like to loose some so that will be one of aims for the new (academic) year in Sept.

Talking of school I haven't done any prep for kids going back. I need to dig out old uniforms and see what still fits DS6, get out next size (DS9's old) and see if any gaps, often the trousers get chopped down to shorts for one thing. DS9 will definitely need everything in next size and new school shoes and plimsoles. DS9's school bag is a bit worn and mended but it will mend again, he loves it fortunately. Then I need to do some reading for my volunteer role in Sept and if I don't understand anything I am supposed to phone the "boss", a challenge in itself for me. Best make a start this weekend.

Dance class today, DS9's school friend might come along to try it. For last few months since the boys only class started, my two have had the teacher to themselves for the grand sum of £2.50 each! I need to do some food shopping but only getting what we really need - have to check fresh stuff and meal plan first. Taking boys into town as well as boys doing our county's reading challenge. Hoping to book tickets for something in town but don't want to tempt fate and say what in case it's all booked up. Will spill the beans later!

Mrs LW sounds like you need a soak in the bath! When I read about your activities, I let out a big sigh... your lifestyle is aspirational. Baby steps for us. Our first ever tom plants (first ever attempt at growing anything edible full stop) have ripening toms and I am so excited!!! Next year we will definitely plant a few veg, think I still have the helpful advice you all gave me a few months back.

Better look lively. Laundry to do, quite a lot of it and dishes from yesterday and shopping list. Try to get sorted today so can have some family time tomorrow...we are going swimming

ps Dinner from DH last night was pizza and yummy too.

sq

savingqueen

fuddle wrote: »

Lyn I love reading your winter preps. You're so organised and so calm about it all.

DH was looking at housing 'down there' last night an found that housing further north from where the depot is going to be is a bit more affordable. He found a thatched home with a wood burner in the kitchen and living room for rent. It's still out if our reach at the moment but when I work we could afford it. It's keeping the dream alive that gets you through tough times and even if that dream doesn't work out, where there's a will there's a way one day

Fuddle... if you didn't have dreams, you wouldn't make plans to achieve your dreams. Plans lead to actions and actions will realise your dreams! That all made more sense inside my head than written down!

We are living in a house and area we didn't plan on staying for more then 5 years - coming up to 11 years now. It needs essential (as well as cosmetic) work doing and gets me down at times. We made a choice not to take out a massive loan to get the jobs done and have the worry and maybe worse of debt. If any of the jobs become urgent then we will take a loan to get that single job done.

However I am learning to appreciate what we DO have and be grateful for it - lots of people would gladly take our place here. Sorry to ramble but what keeps me and DH going is the dream that one day we will move away to a nicer area and house. When I am working again... even if it ends up being when both boys are in secondary school, we will be able to move even if it means saving for ages (we will continue to live off one wage and save the other) When the boys leave home one day and we are not tied to work/school/college/uni we can move further north which is what we would be love.

Fuddle love - keep on dreaming, keep on planning and doors will open. Look how far you have already come!

sq:)

SDG31000

Morning all
I'm posting on the ipad, so apologises for the mistakes
princess I am so glad that Poppy is ok and that your OH has gotten paid.

savingqueen we used to have sleepovers and camp out in the living room. I found that it meant not much sleep, but the novelty of it meant more giggles than misbehaviour. The best of luck to your friend xxx

fuddle I heard something the other day and thought of you " There are no time limits on dreams". If you want your thatched cottage then knowing your determination I am sure that you will get it

Thank you Lynne

stiltwalker the picture sounds lovely. I hope that your DD gives her approval

Well I am still here. I feel like I have spent the last couple of days scrubbing, rinsing, spraying and generally disinfecting anything that will stay still long enough. Touch wood the boys seem to be over the worst and DH and I haven't come down with it. DH is on call this week so I'm really hoping that he avoids it. He was out until midnight and is still in bed at the moment. He is going to have to wake up soon so we can go shopping. I'm out of toilet cleaner to start with.
I have been good and have meal planned for next week with DS1 and DS2 adding in their opinions. Luckily DH will eat almost anything, but does like meat involved in his main meals.
I am ok, a bit anxious today, but I haven't slept well over the last few nights as Mommy mode kicks in when the boys get up in the night and I am wide awake and listening in case they need me.
Time for more tea.

Love and hugs xxxxxxxx

FairyPrincessk

Morning all!

I'm writing down the directions to a cooperative garden centre that is only about halfway across town. We're going to have a wander and try to get some ideas for the future. I've already got a scheme going to take one of my large containers and repot all of my herbs into it so it can be moved inside for the winter. I ran this past OH asking if he would mind if it was in the lounge as that room gets the best sun. He wanted to know why I couldn't just put it in the little rockery in front the house.Oh dear. Never mind. I've explained it now and he is on board.

I've been out for a potter in the garden and I have the princely sum of THREE courgettes growing ALL AT ONCE! Sorry for the caps, but I'm very excited. The bell peppers do not seem interested in actually producing anything, but the sweet chillis and the spicy ones are coming along nicely. I'd like to get at least a few courgettes for the freezer and have a go at chilli sauce this year.

I too am always in awe of Lyn's preps...her lifestyle AND her attitude are the things I aspire to in life.

Anyway, OH has booked in football watching time this evening, so I'm planning my projects. I loathe sports watching, so he tried to give me notice and then I can plan things I'd rather do. I found a cardigan in yesterday's drawer clear out that needs mending, so will look and see if there is anything else while I'm at it. Then, trying to catch up on Ironing. I've also got a pile of really beautiful ties that I would like to do something with. My dad let me go through most of his old ones as he is retired now and only needs a few. OH now has some--excellent as he was going to need more starting the new job--and I've taken some pretty silk paisley ones. I don't quite know what I'll do with them, but they are lovely. OH has quite conservative taste in ties so I was left with the prettier ones.:rotfl:

I suspect this might involve a lot of time on pinterest--yes, fuddle, I too am an addict when it comes to pinterest:p

Mrs_Chip

Oh dear

http://pinterest.com/tansy51/unique-craft-ideas-from-men-s-neck-ties/

Another thing to add to the to-do list :rotfl:

FairyPrincessk

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Oh dear

http://pinterest.com/tansy51/unique-craft-ideas-from-men-s-neck-ties/

Another thing to add to the to-do list :rotfl:

Yes, I think you see where this is headed, Mrs. Chip!:rotfl: