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

[Deleted User]

My picking of beans today is currently soaking in brine along with green tomatoes, cucumber, onions, marrow and cauliflower to make picalilli tomorrow. I've just unloaded the blackberries and raspberries from the dehydrator and now have a BIG jar full to go in muesli and granola type breakfasts through the winter and when He Who Knows gets back from the lottie we're going to pick the apples from the big tree before any more go awol!!! I'll process any damaged ones into puree for the freezer and sound ones will be wrapped in newspaper and go into storage in the shed to use fresh over the winter. It's beginning to feel a lot like Autumn isn't it? I might go foraging later this afternoon and get some elderberries for cordial, they are prolific this year and beautifully ripe along the track, I'm also going to try making some elderberry vinegar which is also a very old fashioned cold cure and might be nice in winter salad dressings too along with some really huge hawthorn berries and try some Haw Jelly, they're big enough and ripe enough to have a go this year and still leave enough for the birds to eat too!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

Possession

We have a dehumidifier and I'm always astonished at how much water it collects. We haven't used it much in the summer as not so much need, but it will definitely be employed regularly as it gets cooler.
Feeling bleurgh today just as DD seems better, at least it wasn't at the same time I guess. Another chore-y weekend ahead of us, but tomorrow we are booked in to the local Thai for their gorgeous buffet lunch, courtesy of lovely PILs who wanted to treat me for my birthday. That was back in June and we had to cancel, this is the first Sunday we could all make it. I intend to eat very little today, to make the most of it, LOL!

ArthriticOldThing

Morningeveryone. Bright day here with just a few white clouds streaking the blue sky.Hope it stays like that as I’ve just washed and hung out my winter woollies. Ashave been restricted to house by old Arthur-it is these last few days have bentrying to get ahead with the few jobs I can do.

Monnaganthat’sexactly how DS2 has been with me these last few years. When he was young wewere very close but since he moved away I only seem to get contacted when heneeds something and the times I’ve gone down to see him it has been me payingfor meals out and drinks etc. Since I retired I can no longer do that and itseems I am of no further use.

I do not intend to contact him now but will wait and seeif he gets in touch with me. Don’t expect he will as he owes me money – I shouldhave known better than to lend him any as he has never repaid previous ‘loans’.IF he rings me I will take my chance and tell him how I feel. Can’t write tohim as he has moved and not given me the new address.

Thanks for the tea SavingQueen,I take it weak and black please. I cannot begin to say how much benefit Ifeel from the care and support all of you give. In RL I have no one to talk tosince my lovely DH died, and I can get myself into a real downward spiral.

Gailey,good news about OH’s new job. And well done for trying to be positive and thinkof other ways to bring money in.:T

Popssucha shame you did not get to see much of the Osmond’s concert. I was quitejealous of you as used to be an fan of theirs. You’re very brave to be doingthe journey to Alnwick. The travelling has put me off going there before and I’llbe closer than you. I hope everything goes well and you enjoy the day.

PrincessX87,lastyear I was working for a financial institution and we had several DMC to advisepeople about, but we received most positive feedback about Step Change andwould recommend it to our clients.

How strong you are Shegarso survive so much. Hope you get some real r&r on your week ‘off’.

Glad the hearing went ok Nutty, like others I am amazed this could happen to you in thelight of what your colleague with alcohol problems seems to be able to get awaywith. Hope your mum & DD have a great holiday.

I’m sorry if I’ve missed anyone. (((((HUGS)))) to all whoneed them.

CRANKY40

AOT, if you do Facebook there is a very active widow community out there. I'm no longer part of it as having a young child I have just had to make the best of it and get on with things. I will PM you a link to a widow chat forum set up by another widow, and if you ask on there someone should be able to point you in the direction of the facebook site, or you may wish just to stay chatting on the forum. The forum itself is great. It gave me friends in a similar situation when I thought I was alone. Hugs

shegar

Well ive had a busy morning, took dogs out, rosie seem fine today, think its a case of one good day then one bad , which is how it is in old age for all of us...........
Nice day here , nice temperature too, hold back winter a bit longer .....The usual in the house , a tired ill, grumpy hubby, but he is still polite to me , and I know how ill he is , and I have to make allowances for that , the stroke nearly killed him off , so I have to bite my tongue loads a times and just get on with it, you cant and I wont argue with him , it wont get us anywhere, plus I love peace and quiet , so I know what to do to get it....;)

On gardeners World last night Monty Don said we have to scarify the lawns now.!!.... youve guessed it , Ive been doing a couple hours of it this morning, got loads off which the hens like to scratch over , pulled lots of moss and thatch up , that is a good job done though, it will make for a better lawn next spring...................
Got the windows cleaned , and house is immaculate again , thanks to the sea kelp...................Hope you are all doing ok today and getting through the real tough times one way or tuther that we all seem to have ..................Sheila....

mcculloch29

What a lovely positive post Cranky.
AOT, warmer weather forecast for the next few days up here, which is good, so I hope things are easier with the arthritis. PiC, good to see you back and so sorry things have been tough.
DS is at a wedding of a friend since childhood, he's one of twin brothers. Their mother died earlier this year, so it's a bit poignant.
DS just sent a video of most of the ceremony through to me on my phone, lovely to watch it. Isn't technology wonderful?

Jazee

Everyone, this is such a lovely thread always with good advice and support for each other. A pleasure to read and occasionally join in.

Shegar - I feel your anxiety over your pet. I have three dogs. OldDog is 13 but the vet describes her a 'robust' and she's rarely any trouble healthwise, then I have SickDog. She is only ten but has been very ill for nearly half her life now and is only kept alive due to the drugs and things. She has bad days and good days. Today started badly. It took 2 hours to get her to take her tabs, she is usually very good about it, and another couple of hours before she would eat anything, and this is a dog who is driven by food. But she appeared to rally on a short walk so I'll take her out again later. Each day with her is a bonus, she is such a sweetie. The vet has been visited again this week, I will not let her suffer.

I also have LittleyDog who is 2 and I think the other two get tired just trying to keep up with her.

With apologies for going on and on to anyone who isn't dog mad!

[Deleted User]

We like doggie tails JAZEE keep them coming!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

cornishchick

Oh vjmum lol that may become my new mantra,,
"Been there, done that, brought the t shirt and made dusters from it":T
Sums up life and very o's, well done,
Day 4 of sick leave and so far I have done. .... well nothing really,except spend time with DH, it's been great, and sad and funny, arranged for a visit from a funeral director next week, DH loves shopping, not your typical man , more a straight go wan, anyway, he started talking about what coffin to go for, and is now talking about whether he needs to buy a new shirt and tie to be buried in.... properly more funny to us than outsiders, but DH has 4 yes 4 wardrobes and i have 1........:cool:

[Deleted User]

We talk about being buried too CC, we're not phased by the thought of dying. I want to go in a woodland site under a tree, he says it should be a Holly or a Hawthorn to match my nature!!! Black humour, but we think it's funny!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.