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

elona

When we had babies (twins) - then another two dds (singles) - it always seemed unfair that parents and relatives shelled out time , money and thought on presents and Santa got the credit.

On the other hand we didn't want to spoil the tradition of Santa. carrots for reindeer left out etc. So we told dds that Santa filled up the stockings they left out ( sweets, comic, sugar mouse and little gift) and that other things were from Mum and dad, grandad, auntie. etc.

It worked well until older dds went to school fair to see Santa and when asked what they wanted said "a yo yo" and a "ball" I wondered why we were getting pitying looks

Last year we packed up a picnic and flask of water for tea and coffee and took the car to the seaside and countryside and went out for a walk on Christmas Day by the beach. We all got home hungry and appreciating the meal which was four bird roast, lots of veg, gravy. stuffing balls, sausages in bacon, roast potatoes and gravy with cheesecake or small christmas pud for afters and crackers to pull. By this time we felt we deserved the food and really appreciated it.

I forget where I read it but there was a story of a wise mum who made a celebration treat toast and dripping so when times were tough they had lots of it and kids did not see it as a hardship and when times were good they had extras.

I never went that far but our celebration meal for birthdays was home made chicken pancakes in a cheese sauce from a Shirley Goode book and we still enjoy it even now.

stiltwalker

Today has been a good day as DH has just (20 minutes ago) got the email through to say he had his result for his resit OU exam - he passed!!! woo woo - so the stilty household is feeling very clever and proud of itself! and is enjoying a glass of wine/Bacardi and diet coke (depending on whether on a diet or not - lol).


Little Miss Stilty has also started walking with single hand support this weekend rather than 2 hands - all comes to those who wait - and by 'eck it's even better for the waiting!


Hugs to all, particularly anyone who is having a less wonderful week than us - X

fuddle

Yey! For good news stiltwalker. Congratulations to you all and enjoy those positive feelings

I made the most disgusting chilli today. I had no chopped tomatoes so used a tin of beans. Very bland.

A cup of tea tastes 'different' here. We're guessing it's the hard water.

I should be sleeping as I have a job interview tomorrow. I know I wasn't going to look till after Christmas but I saw a job for a part time home help for the elderly in my area and just had to apply. I'm being interviewed at 10.30am tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Still not got a school place for the girls. It's ruming on too long for my liking. Tomorrow will be their 3 rd day off role. Each time I call the council I'm told its in hand and I will be contacted when its sorted.

these past few months I have learned that with the smoothe, the great and the lucky comes the rough, the bad and the unlucky. When something goes our way we just know the next issue will be a concern and vice versa.

Like stilty we will cherish the great things that happen and use them to keep our chin up and get us through the frustrating times.

If it wasn't for the canny things in life I think I would cry at bland chilli and rank tea but today I ate and supped while thinking how I could make it better. Positive thinking gets you through

Byatt

Well done Stilty family :T

Yes, Fuddle, water is very hard here, the kettle and everything else scales up very quickly and yes, makes the tea taste horrible. One tip, if you get a water filter jug and use that, not only improves the taste but cuts down considerably on the scaling in the kettle. So worth the extra for the filters.

Pooky

Stilty, fab news! Hope you enjoyed your celebration drinkies last night.

Fuddle - our water is very hard too, you do get used to the taste but like Byatt says a water filter jug will help lots, we always got them from wilk0s or @rgos as their replacement cartridges were cheap(er than the branded ones). The school situation will sort itself, there's normally a few people moving kids at the end of a term, if they don't get in before Christmas then I'm sure you'll be sorted for the new term. Try and keep to a school day routine with them whilst they're off, up at a certain time, a bit of maths and reading before lunch and something a bit more relaxed after lunch, arts, science (get the bicarb and vinegar out) and get them out exploring your new area.
Good luck with the interview, not sure it's the best timing if the girls aren't at school but it at least gets you some contacts in the area.

Was in bed and fast asleep by 8.30 last night, I'm fighting the cold that everyone else has so thought I'd just give in and sleep. Woke up a second or two before the alarm went off and feel a lot more bouncy this morning.

Need to build DD2s new bed that arrived last night, her old one has all but given up the ghost and wakes her with creaks and groans every time she rolls over. It was ours originally and is 10 years old and has moved house 5 times. It's time for a new one (and an eBay bargain to boot). I now just need to find a nice smooth way to cut down her mattress as her current bed is 4ft6 and the new one is 4ft, it's a memory foam mattress (dense foam base and memory foam top). It's in a zipped cover so I can take that off, cut it down and then sew the cover closed but what to cut the foam with to not leave it all jagged and lumpy?? Any ideas?

FairyPrincessk

Good Morning!

Glad you like it VJsMum and nice to see you!

Congrats to the stilty family! So much happy news!:T

Fuddle it sounds like you're managing marvellously. Good luck with the interview!

Pooky, I understand that an electric carving knife is usually what is used to cut foam in the upholstering world. However, I don't know many people who own one! I've used a bread knife before, but I think it would be quite tough going on a mattress. Perhaps a saw with a serrated blade?

Elona, what a lovely idea to create a 'traditional special treat' meal! I've read a similar story about a woman who used only one chocolate chip in her cookies for her children. They grew up thinking the chocolate chip was a centre piece of the cookies. While I'm not sure I like that particular idea, I do like the sentiment behind it, that we can make our own treats through what we're used to.

Feeling a bit better this morning, but loads to do today. I have meetings after my teaching tomorrow so more planning than usual needs to be done. I'm also picking up some ingredients brought in from the states by a friend's father. She is hosting a Thanksgiving celebration and I always do some of the pies so that is on the schedule too...somewhere. Fortunately her celebration isn't until Saturday so I have a bit of time. I don't particularly enjoy most of the food for Thanksgiving, in fact I'd completely forgotten about it until I was trying to figure out why my mum was off work, but its always nice to get together with friends.

I guess I had better get myself moving if I'm going to get through it all!

candlelight_2013

Pooky, I am sure I once saw on TV someone using an electric carving knife to cut foam.

Candlelight

candlelight_2013

FPk beat me to it !!

Candlelight

FairyPrincessk

glad to know my memory isn't bonkers, Candlelight!

mcculloch29

Electric carving knives.. I bought my brother one when he got engaged, c. 34 years ago. We lived overseas so contact with the family was limited. His wife is vegetarian, we found out a while later. I doubt if it's ever been used!
I also believe that it's what does the trick for cutting foam. A sharp craft knife would probably take hours of work.
An electric carving knife costs £10-£25, so may be worth the investment. It could do the turkey/ham/beef at Christmas too.