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

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE they are so cute, you clever thing you, they're beautiful, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Afternoon everyone and congratulations to Ginny

We took DD1 back to uni on Friday, she has moved into a house with some friends. The house was very nice but very very tiny. I am missing her already. I had a little chuckle to myself when I heard her telling the girls that I had taught her how to save money on the grocery bills and that she was going to teach them all about it. It's nice to know that the girl has been listening and taking it all in.

Mr VP and i have been to the lottie and cleared the peas, beans and sweetcorn. We dropped half of the haul off with the couple we share the lottie with. I have to prep all of the veg for the freezer this afternoon. I have also got 13lb of ripe plums that need dealing with as they are very ripe and will start to go over if not sorted out soon.

Mum was in hospital having a cardioversion on Friday (an electric shock to the heart to try to shock it into a normal rhythm). It failed and all she has to show for it is a burn on her chest from the pad that was used to deliver the shock. We might be looking at her needing a pace maker fitted now.

***WARNING AS I AM ABOUT TO MENTION THE C WORD***
I have two christmas puddings in the steamer and the christmas cake is in the oven. The house will soon be smelling of christmas.

It is raining and is a little windy here but we have yet to have the bad weather that is predicted.

Right I'm off to shower the grime of the lotti off and then start making jam and freezing plums and veg.

Pooky

Theyre lovely Fuddle, is the pattern online? I'd love to have a go. I saw some of the little sticky pads to put on knitted slippers the other day, can't for the life of me remember where but I'd need them on our solid floors.

Popperwell

My hands and feet are warm Fuddle:)thank you for the warning...a few minutes ago rain was lashing the windows, now the sun has come out. Weather eh?:p

It stopped me going out to Aldi's nearby which isn't a bad thing, too late now as everywhere closes at 4pm.

Those slippers are lovely, almost a pity to wear them and spoil them.

Mrs Veg Plot, a person I have got to know at the bingo club on Sundays fainted in a bank a few weeks ago(but had been on blood pressure tablets)they've not gone down the cardioversion route and though she has to wait, she is to be fitted with a pace maker. She's ok about it and is showing no signs of being worried.

Christmas...was looking at the fancy things in already and thinking how nice it would be to be buying them again for those special people in your life but I won't bother just for myself.

I have some xmas puds that are probably still ok(and some booze too)I never managed my official Home Made Christmas meal last year but may this year and I have been included in a night out for a meal in a local pub with(it has to be said)pensioners so will have a cooked meal over the festive season.

I'll be one myself in another ten years anyhow. It will happen soon enough...then again if they keep putting retirement age back that could be delayed.:rotfl:

fuddle

I made the pattern up Pooky. Just chain 12 (for DD's foot) then treble crochet in the round until I needed to do the sides, back and forth to heel then stitch up. There's umpteen on ravelry though.

If you ever remember where the sticky pads were from will you let me know?

hmmm christmas smelling houses. I'm so looking forward to making mulled wine in the SC

nuttyp

Hi everyone, just a quick pop in. Mum Is home from hospital again. She spent some time on the cario ward again, and then have changed the beta blockers and another tablet. It was very worrying to watch her on all the monitors, and unfortunately an elderly gentleman passed away in the next cubicle while we were there. Sad to report he had no family with him.

Today I took OH to @ldi, he was shocked at the amount of people there, and even more shocked that we only spent £26 on a trolley full of shopping. He was rather pleased too. He moaned about me originally going there, now he likes it.

Went to see my friend, single with 3 children. the eldest is 22 and not very helpful infact just lazy. The middle child lives with her dad, as she wants to be an only child - he bought her a pony, say no more. And her youngest has just started secondary school. Found her totally worn and out and in tears this morning. So we are stretching the chicken and veg and she os coming over in a bit for tea along with her youngest daughter. I hope I can help, financially no but morally I can and I don't mind helping decorate/sort things for her. I have sorted her tax code so she should get a refund very soon.

Must go and check on dinner, take care everyone and keep warm. x

Hobsons_Choice

I just posted this - then lost it! Anyway .. I was given 2lb of damsons yesterday and thought I would share this recipe for microwavable jam in case it's of use to someone:
Microwavable Plum or Damson Jam:
675g plums or damsons
200ml water
675g sugar
30ml lemon juice
5ml (1 teaspoon) butter

Use a large microwavable bowl:
1. Put damsons in bowl with water and cook on high for 5-10mins until fruit is soft.
2. Add rest of ingredients. Cook on high for 5 mins, stirring frequently.
3. Wash down any sugar crystals from bowl and bring to the boil on high.
Continue to cook until setting point is reached, 15-20 mins, opening
door and testing frequently.
4. Leave to cool slightly, remove stones
5. Pot into warmed sterilised jars, cover with wax paper and seal.

Personally I cut down on sugar because I like it quite sharp. Works well.
Hobs x

Popperwell

Nutty there's proof that people do care for othersI now have a couple of neighbours who say if I get into difficulty to let them know and they'll get me some shopping in etc...But one will move soon(house is up for sale)the other has a lovely daughter who is an unmarried Mum but you can see she really cares for her youngster and even others like me too.

Last year she carried my shopping home for me and saw me safely home. I was struggling at the time. I have a trolley now...

As she said the other day when I was talking to her and her Mum "We'll all need help at sometime!"

I'm glad your Mum is home again...worrying times...and I guess we all make that final journey alone even with family around but that is sad. That could easily be me in the future...and many others I suspect.

to you and Mum

savingqueen

Nutty, what a lovely thing to do inviting your friend and her daughter over to share your meal and offering other practical help and emotional support. I'm sure your friend really appreciates you. Glad to hear your mum is home now.

Love the slippers fuddle and even cuter in a little size, well done.

Pops - you are a very different place this year compared to last, so happy to hear you will be having a festive meal with other folk. Who knows what other good things will happen? You can sit with your photos this winter and remember all the trips you had out and the music you heard and enjoy planning places to go when the weather improves again. Maybe think of taking up a hobby this winter? Baking warms the house up, makes it smell lovely and cosy and of course you have the end result! Win win all round.

Empathies with the homework sagas. DS9 just finished his school homework, the most he has ever had and did some times tables with DS6 (he hasn't any homework but thought would be a good idea). Didn't want DS6 feeling left out either - and then DS9 pipes up with why didn't you do extra homework with me when I was in year 2? I can't win whatever I do!!

A friend phoned up this afternoon and asked if they could pop round with their son. DH said yes, why not and I am trying to say no in the background with the kids jumping up and down saying yes too. I am only just feeling better, haven't been washed all weekend (yeah I know... just off for a bath next I promise ), the place is a complete tip and we were mid homework and other essential things.

I felt awful DH saying yes and then me shouting no in the background and have beat myself up about it. I did phone my friend back and explain and she was fine but I still feel mean. I don't pop in to anyone's with 5 mins notice (other than hers as I know she likes it and her house is always clean and tidy) so it's just horses for courses really and I am being daft. I am finding my emotions are all over the place these days and its hard to put everything in it's true perspective.

right a bath and shepherd's pie await... not together of course

sq:)

floss2

savingqueen wrote: »

... I am finding my emotions are all over the place these days and its hard to put everything in it's true perspective....

SQ, try keeping a track of things for about 3 months - headaches, Auntie Flo, mood swings, aches, tears etc - and then go to see your GP, a lady GP is generally best if you have one, for a chat.