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

[Deleted User]

Morning all, beautiful and sunny here and I can hear the scots bagpipers playing in the main road ready for the rememberance service at 10.30. They and the uniformed associations (guides, scouts etc) assemble in the middle of the village and have a short service with wreath laying at the war memorial outside the village hall then process to the church for a service and process back for dismissal at 11.30, it's a good thing I think and nice to keep traditions going in the village.

I'm feeling quite under the weather at the moment, I picked up DD1s virus while I was staying up there last weekend and have a really annoying tickly and productive cough which is annoying in the day and not letting me sleep at night, Yukkkkk! Never mind I've got the house sorted from top to bottom this morning and I'm waiting for a wash load to finish to take advantage of a lovely drying day outside and I've washed all the floors so not much to do for the rest of the day other than cook lunch and walk my boy, it's nice to be out in the fresh air when your head feels full of gloop isn't it?

I'm going to try and get into the city early next week as I need to go to I*ea and the health food shop for a few bits and I really must make a start on the few christmas gifts we're getting this year, in some ways it's easier when the offsprings grow up and in some ways it's harder as they've got most things and never know what to ask for at christmas, mind you we're the same!!!

Have a good day everyone and if you have this lovely sunshine try to get yourselves out into it for a few minutes, it's too good to miss, Lyn xxx.

If you don't know about it there is a super blog by 'FRUGAL QUEEN' I try to read every day and her post for yesterday is the most sensible, feet on the ground take on christmas I've read for a very long time, well worth a read if you have the time and the inclination.

wondercollie

I used to read FRUGAL QUEEN daily and look forward to her posts. Her blog is changing and I'm not so sure about it anymore. She is now doing sponsored posts (the entire baked potato recipes one), and I know she did well to clear off the debt she got herself into but a lot of what she's done over the years leaves me questioning a lot about her. She's suddenly jumped on the gluten free bandwagon after years of pastry and cake baking. She no longer mentions her children. What has happened to her son who was paying her room and board even when he worked away? I often felt for her daughter who FQ uses "tough love" on? I remember when she said places like Weight Watchers and gyms were a waste of money, yet now that she has a bit more financial ease has joined a gym. You can't really ask her any of these questions or she explodes on line at you. I know one blogger who did a post on something FQ disagreed with who got incredibly rude and hateful posts on her own blog from FQ.

Ilona, who posts on MSE often has much the same advice as FQ and posts under the title Mean Queen.

It's still the middle of the night here and it's still snowing. I'm not sleeping well these days due to health issues. It's too nasty out to take dog out for a walk (and I doubt he'd wake up and get off the couch).

I'm ready to tear my hair out over oldest son and his gf, but those are mistakes he needs to make and learn from. I just wish they'd end this relationship and move on. She's an emotional vampire and will suck the life out of him.

nuttyp

Mrs LW please can you post a link to frugal queens blog.

kezlou

nutty this is frugal queens blog

http://www.frugalqueen.co.uk/

i subscribe to this and it is wonderful to lok at it.

But like wondercollie it is far more commercialised than it used to be.

[Deleted User]

NUTTY do a google search on Frugal in Cornwall and she pops up as the first on the list, Lyn xxx.

Commercial or not and sponsored or not she still has the right attitude to life in my opinion and the archive is well worth reading through for the recipes alone let alone the common sense, I enjoy it but not everyone will, that's just life but you won't know if you don't look!!! Lyn x.

nuttyp

Good morning, well OH has disappeared to see his siblings at a race meeting. I decided to not go but to veg out at home and then visit my dad and lay some flowers and tidy up the headstone area. Had a little chat, a lot of tears and reminded him that youngest DD has her operation on the 18th and he is needed to watch over her. I also thanked him as DD has just received her inheritance that he saved for her 18th birthday. Its stuck in her ISA, ready for university hopefully.

Having a very tearful day so far, yesterday was very much the same too. DD had gone to her BF to stay so OH took me to the big mr t to use the clubcard vouchers. We ended up doubleing up to get a hot water machine thingy. like kettle but it boils a cupful in 15 seconds. If anyone has vouchers for other than £5 if you use online they can be doubled up. We did an internet order and they doubled up a £6 voucher, so effectively that becomes £12. Not sure if I expklained it well but im sure you get the idea.

We very naughtily popped into toby carvery for a late tea. Was nice to spend a good hour nibbling and chatting. A true treat for us, but very nice none the less.

Spotted on Debenhams website they have a benefit makeup set for half price so I have ordered it for eldest DD for christnmas. Normally I wouldn't haven't but I know she loves this make.

Off to look on pinterest to make gingerbread man for the Christmas tree, and a gingerbread lady!!

take care x

lobbyludd

just read her blog - thanks or that MrsLW. I often laugh at the adverts for new sofa's "in time for christmas".

whilst I absolutely agree with her about the commercialism and pressure and expectations, and that caring and

however to be more than a little controversial, a mid-winter festival has been a part of the human yearly cycle for much longer than christianity has been around. Although it would be ridiculous to suggest that Christians miss the central point of Christmas, it does have a role that has nothing to do with the birth of Christ, that is purely celebration in the depths of the hardest part of the year to survive, getting together with other people and looking forward to the turning of the year to warmer days.

Of course that doesn't have to involve spending money, glittery dresses, new sofas (!), pressure to compete, the expectations of others etc. it can be about giving your time to spend in the community, helping others, taking stock, being grateful for the gifts we do have in the midst of the winter (be those health, intelligence the ability to communicate, a warm smile), and understanding why, for others this is a difficult time, and in some way trying to help those people, if only with a smile.

I know that for many people, for many reasons, christmas is a particularly dark and difficult time, and I would encourage anyone to free themselves from any difficult obligations and expectations and spend that day in whatever way is meaningful for them.

But there are also people who hugely enjoy the christmas festival, often because they've found there own way of making it meaningful, and that is great. It is somewhat churlish to pour scorn on the happiness and rituals of others simply because i don't share that enjoyment.

For me, it is the only time of the year when I can guarantee seeing some part of my family, and it is that, the renewed bonding, with a shared sense of ease and laughter with shared rituals that enhance that bonding that is the most important part. Sharing food and love.

Perhaps this is because I am forgetful and busy and need the reminder, but I also get to thank my neighbours, renew contacts with people who are important to me but that busy lives mean we don't always reach out to each other the rest of the year, but it is a reminder to me to tell them they are loved and that I am here for them whenever they may need me.

The presents are sort of beside the point (for the adults!) but I enjoy giving them too.

Lovely day here, washing out. DD is very upset about playdate possibly not coming over (I'm well enough now for her to come) but she hasn't confirmed yet - was supposed to be last weekend but her mum was ill so we postponed to today, but didn't agree a time, I texted to confirm this morning, but no reply yet so have forewarned dd that it's not very hopeful.

kezlou

Mrs LW i fully agree i subscribe to her blog for years. Seeing her quilting inspired me to give a go.
Lifesaver when i'm laid up.

Woke up today to a very crisp frosty morning, grass was frozen. Kicked the cats out and ran in seconds later!

I still feel like crap, supposed to be running a coffee morning tomorrow and i really don't feel up to it.

My back is twisted and and legs are playing up even more.
So i've had more pain killers so i'm rattling right.

We did the a few minutes silence but couldn't make it to the remembrance parade. I was in too much agony, i try to go to it every year so i feel quite bad but we have rememberered it in our own way.

DS2 was in absolute agoiny last night, ended up massaging his legs at 2am. He wasn't screaming, instead he was whimoering a tiny tiny bit. I walked in and he said "mammy i can't move his legs" Lifted up the cover and all twisted in spasm :eek:
So gave him calpol and slowly massaged them and managed to get to ease off and slowly the muscles started to relax.
Poor thing, DS1 was coughing all night.

So me thinks we all have this horrendous bug thats going round, OH isn't feeling well either. He's gone to work today so going to call him at 4pm to say get your backside home.


Have to say the boys were stars yesterday helping me with all the washing and things. DS1 took one look at me when he came down the stairs walked into the kitchen, came back with 2 pain killers and a glass of water. Saying take these or else i'm feeding you liver. Little monkey had in stitches :rotfl:

They told OH off when he came in to, saying put your shoes away, mammy can't do it. So you have to, no nonsense please.
The lads are really scared in case i end up in a wheelchair again.

I think illness and worry are scaring them both right now. I totally didn't realise till i heard the boys say to they dad you have to help now or mammy's won't be able to walk. You did this last year now help or you have to go to your mothers.

spending another day in, watch some films and carry on with the washing.
The heatings on as its freezing outside brrr

[Deleted User]

Spot on LL I love christmas but not what it has become in terms of commercialism and aquisitiveness. We stopped playing that game many years ago so for us christmas is time to be together as a family, taking time out from the business of life to walk together, laugh together, play board games together, enjoy the fruits of our labours in the garden and kitchen from throughout the year and generally just be grateful for the fact that we ARE with all those wonderful things to enjoy that are free if you can actually see them as gifts!!! We have our own traditions that we enjoy and I'm so looking forward to the first grandchild being here next year to bring back some of the magic you lose when your own children grow up, and it's good to take note of the solstice whatever reason you celebrate it for and be aware of the lengthening days and the return of the light, life and suns warmth of spring, oh yes it is GOOD!!! Lyn xxx.

wondercollie

Kezlou, I read it too quickly and thought you were watching the film "Carry on with the Washing"! Sid James?

I'm going back to bed and might catch some more sleep before sunrise.