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

kittiej

I have read to the end of page 25 so far :j

It's amazing how many posters have mining histories. Both my granddads were miners. I never knew my mother's dad as he died when she was 8. He'd been involved in a cave in down the pit and ended up in a convalescence home but he never really recovered so I believe. My father's dad ended up in poor health as a result of coal dust on his chest and passed away aged 67.

This was in South Yorkshire.

I will always have very vivid memories of the miner's strike in the 80's and men would stand outside supermarkets asking people to put food contributions into a trolley. I was told they lived on £6 a week strike pay.

Times were tough, but behind the miners was such a strong allegiance of women who would support and stand by their husbands whilst raising their children - they kept the community going. I find it remarkable how incredibly strong women can be during times of adversity.

(Sorry if that sounds a bit sexist but I do feel we've been a bit short changed sometimes as women)

mardatha

I think adversity makes you stronger. Miners always had hard lives and little respect so maybe they had to generate their own

[Deleted User]

This I have to share, mainly because I'm a baddddddd person!!! My neighbours Mum who is 89 has just come round for some parsley from the polytunnel, neighbours husband had been fishing and come home with some Mackerel, and He Who Knows has been in the garden without a shirt because it's so warm. Bless her he comes trotting doen the garden with a bunch of parsley and a small voice said' my God, you've got a good body for a boy your age (68), I wish my son in law looked like that, I'd never get anything done indoors for looking at him' Hope springs eternal and she's a sweetheart, oh boy he's preening as we speak, Bless them both, Cheers Lyn xxx.

siegemode

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Alternative idea for low carb quiches not needing tins is to get a largish butternut squash and cut 1/2" slices peel them and roast them with a spray of oil for about 15 minutes then turn them over and wrap a rasher of bacon round the outside of the slice and pin it with a coctail stick so it stays upright, then break in an egg and pop it back in the oven until the bacon is cooked and the egg is set by which time the squash will be cooked through. For these you only need a baking tray!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

Wow that sounds delish. I have 2 squash in the outside cupboard that came in veg boxes and had no idea what to do with them. Couldn't find any appealing recipes, but now I feel inspired to use them. Thank you

kittiej wrote: »

I have read to the end of page 25 so far :j
Times were tough, but behind the miners was such a strong allegiance of women who would support and stand by their husbands whilst raising their children - they kept the community going. I find it remarkable how incredibly strong women can be during times of adversity.

(Sorry if that sounds a bit sexist but I do feel we've been a bit short changed sometimes as women)

Reminds my of a postcard I was sent that said " women are like teabags, you never know how strong they are until they are in hot water" How true I think.

Parsniphead hope you find homes for all the little kitties. I think oh would have a job to prise them away if it was me.

Kidcat hope you have a lovely holiday as stress free as possible. I always forget something when we go away too. Most expensive time was going up to fil for a few days and I left my cardy on the banister and only realised 60 miles down the road. It was freezing while away and had to buy one from Asda. We go up 6/7 times a year and I always manage to forget something.
tattycath how has the bread turned out ? good I hope.
fuddle/Mrschip 5 min bread sounds good, do you have the recipe please ?
Stiltwalker thanks for the info about rice. I have known that you shouldn't store cooked rice for long and have always been careful but your explanation was helpful.
Pooky We paid our CT in one go too. Being on a low income and unsure of the future I wanted it out the way, one less thing to worry about. I'd forgotten to set up a DD and after only a month got a court summons and additional charges :eek::eek::eek: I contacted the CT people and explained our situation and they removed the extra charge and offered me a 10mth payment plan, but I just paid it all.

Have decided to leave lawn and planting till tomorrow when everyone is at work. That way I shan't shatter this peaceful and beautiful afternoon. (well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)

Valli

That's SO funny mrs LW. I met my colleagues hubby the other week, she took me upstairs to say hello shouting 'Are you decent?'

Only just - towel round his waist post-shower. He was a pro footballer (played for England) so it was worth a look!

I'm happy to report he's still fit;)

Had a very economical dinner - I got a foiled beef joint reduced from £5 to 49p, (which I froze) we had it with cauli I got for free, and among the spuds 5 tiny home grown ones. I think they're not ready, actually, yet so I'll leave the rest in the garden (they have flowered though; second earlies), so very frugal.

It's my first attempt at spud growing so any advice would be appreciated.

Been to town as argos (oh how I hate argos; it's not like 'proper' shopping) had a strimmer and mower on offer. Mower had a grassbox and my (s/h) strimmer keeps failing. My other mower doesn't have a grassbox. Picked up a card to advertise the old mower in Morries.

Popperwell

Does this help siegemode

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=54605403&postcount=1339

I will try it when I start baking bread again...there are some great videos on You Tube with many step by step instructions, some recipes require no kneeding, also some on how to make sourdough bread...

kittiej

OK so now I have finally caught up with you all - phew.

So pleased the kitties are safe and well :T

I need to have a little rest now because you have completely worn me out

Popperwell

Well done KittieJ,
Have a virtual medal for getting this far. Have a rest, a cup of tea and a treat of some kind:)

I think I'll have one myself and a couple of scones...then make the effort to go out for a couple of hours...

RosiePuddingPaws

Talking of Council Tax - you used to have to pay over ten months (if not paying in full or for a half year, of course), but I think there was an announcement in one of Martin's newsletters earlier this year to say that now anyone could pay over 12 months, they just have to ask. Not sure whether the law changed or why the rules changed, but ...

I pay mine over the 10 months since February is when my car insurance and service become due so it means there is money there to pay for it!

It's a lovely late afternoon with sun and a light breeze. Just as well as I have been summoned at very short notice to act as a waitress tonight to a drinks party for a charity I'm involved with. I'm to be responsible for dishing up puddings apparently. Unpaid but I expect there may be a bowlful of something nice left for the "staff"!!

RPP

Pooky

_party_:beer::bdaycake::beer:Happy birthday Byatt :j:T