Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

GreyQueen

I'm a fan of paper diaries. I have an A4 Oxfam diary for personal use, which includes the accounts in the back. Many's a time I've benefitted from being able to refer back to the diaries of earlier years.

Then I have a small diary which I use for work, I buy that for 50p early in the year and it does me just fine. This year I picked up a large scenic photo calendar in Feb for 50p and am finding that both an attractive thing to look at and an easy visual prompt for appointments etc; I have come to grief in times past because I tend to not look ahead to the following week(s) of my week-to-view diary.

I've started the day with an omelette which is incorporating snipped-off tops of sprouting HG onions as if they were spring onions. It's a tip which I got from the original Superwoman book years ago. They make a handy cut-and-come-again veg. And have also had some of last year's HG beetroot preserves, so will be going to my allotment fuelled in part by allotment produce, which is pleasing.

Have realised that once the laundry is done, I shall have to minimise the second pair of knicks this week - pulled on this much-mended pair and the fabric ripped away from the elastic. *wanders off singing Another One Bites The Dust* :rotfl:

janb5

vulpix wrote: »

Best wishes jackieO for the op.Hope to have you back soon.xx

.I have been packing but have run out of boxes and bubble wrap and newspaper now..Vx

Hi Vulpix,


I use bubblewrap lot for various things including sending delicate things for Ebay sales. Look at the fruit and veg in your local supermarket- there is always a lot there and it only gets chucked out. Delighted to hear about your positive news.


Hope your house move is a lovely one. xx

fuddle

Finished my bedside phone holder. Easy peasy and flowers and buttons too. It's got a hole at the bottom so the charger can be fitted. Problem solving the making do way.

[Deleted User]

Clever invention, you should make them and sell them, slightly bigger would be a book holder for when you're on holiday? 2 x compartments a book and your glasses? no end of variations and I love the flower decoration, clever girl!

GreyQueen

It's lovely, fuddle, you are clever. And, like MrsLW says, you could expand on that. Perhaps make holsters for holding TV remote controls alongside armchairs, these are always ganging aglay in my parents' place.

Been gardening and got rained off. I persisted until I was soaked, muddy and getting chilled, came home to shower and put the clothes in the washer and eat a tinned rice pudding from the stocks; the outer and inner are nicely warmed.

Am popping out for a few mins to visit a pal and have a cuppa.

janb5

Hi everyone- just to report that I have received a text from Queen Jackie O to say she is fine. It was a long op but she is comfortable and holding fort with the other patients! I suggested that she has a rest now ! She told me that her doctor has said that too but I am glad and am sure we all are that everything went well for her!

As she would say, onwards and upwards chums! xx

GreyQueen

Great to hear from Jackie0 - you can't keep a good Old Styler down for long.

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

I have been away with my son in Hastings - it was his birthday - when did he get to be 29??? However, I had a lovely time - going to the pub with my son and having lovely walks by the sea with him and cooking with his girlfriend. I took him a load of goodies from our local Chinese supermarket as his birthday pressie (his request) as he cannot get the quality items at the right price down there.

Hope that Jackie O's surgery goes well - I have only just got back so did not manage to say so before she went in but hopefully she will read this later!

When she does I have to warn her that 4 days away = 2 1/2 hours reading to catch up!! LOL :j

Prinesselin - I do hope that you have found another, reasonably priced freezer by now - I have to say that our local Age Concern furniture shop also does re conditioned freezers and washing machines. Hope that you get one at the right price!
Vulpix - so glad you are finally on the move! I intend to move at the end of this year/early next and I am not looking forward to it TBH!

welcome to new folk - this is such a fab thread folk are so friendly! although I had a good time I did miss chatting to you all!!

Well due to birthday celebrations and treating my son - I havent done too well on the economy front this past week :eek:. However, i am back on the MM&M. My pledge to only spend £5 per week is still on - today I had to go shopping to L!dil for essentials like eggs - it all came to £6.25. I had saved £2 + from the previous week so I regard that as still within budget.

After next week many of my students will not need me any more as they will have finished their exams - so I have to find other ways to make money!! One of them will be to e!ay stuff as I have found more unused bits during the turn out of my kitchen!! why oh why have I squirreled away (and spent money on) so many daft things that I have rarely used!! Am also planning to do some reclaiming following Martin's advice on his e-mail; do some secret shopper things; do more surveys; and, of course, carry on growing my own veg!!

Thanks to Cheerfulness' inspiration the tomato plants are doing well! also peppers and courgettes!!

Will keep you all posted as to how I get on!
Have a frugal few days folks :A

vulpix

Stunned about jackieO,like you say you can't keep a good girl down,well done her,fantastic.I was wondering how she was this afternoon.

Now ,I am not nor ever have been a hobby shopper,hoarder or a collector of stuff but if I ever was tempted I am cured.Today my son and his girlfriend emptied my loft.There were about 8 boxes each for the three kids,3 boxes for me and I would estimate 40 boxes for Mr V. Son re packed and outed some stuff and got rid of 3 boxes,all he is keeping now safely in my Mum's loft.
Eldest daughter zoomed off to meet her boyfriends Mum for the first time then had to go back to Manchester 'cos she has nothing to wear to a wedding she is going to tomorrow.Sunday she is working her last ever shift at the pub then she is mine all mine,mwahaha.She WILL sort it all(stacked in her room at the mo)and put some in Mum's loft, send it to live on a farm,whatever ,I am past caring.
Youngest has been to see her Mum's family today,we will sort her stuff tomorrow,not a big job.
Husband will be going to live on a farm if he doesn't do something with it all tomorrow.Trouble is the garage is as bad,full to the ceiling.
Our solicitor came round tonight and tells me that we could complete easily in 2 weeks as searches take no time these days.we have 3 weeks so if our lady will go for a very quick move our bacon could be saved.Not mr V's as there is no loft(bedroom)and no garage or shed at this new house.I can see the sitting room being floor to ceiling with electrical stuff used for his work!
Aaaaand breathe.Now the loft is empty I feel a little more in control.I will go to the supermarket for bubble wrap,good tip ,thanks.Vx

meritaten

sorry vulpix - I meant to congratulate you on your new home! may it be your 'best' move!


JackieO - get well soon - miss you!


vhalla - I have plans to make that treacle tart again tomorrow to take up mums on sunday! I cant tell you how grateful I am for the recipe - Mum absolutely loved it - she couldn't believe how much like her mothers it was. and last Monday she mentioned it again - 'HINT' I think, lol.