Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

misstara

nursemaggie great news about the flat

I'm currently bleaching the shower curtain as it had gone a bit discoloured, hope it works. I need to mend my winter coat ASAP as a couple of buttons have now fallen off all together so one of tomorrow's jobs is getting through the mending pile.

Had a fairly relaxing day. OH was off work so we got the supermarket shop done and a little bit of cleaning then treated ourselves to a takeaway and watched a film. I don't start work until 2 tomorrow so have lots of little job planned for the morning.

misstara

Well the bleach worked a treat, the shower curtain is like new again the bathroom now stinks of bleach but I've left the fan on while I'm at work so hoping that clears it.

Didn't manage to get the mending done this morning but got all my other wee jobs done. Ironing pile has been minimised and I made soup to take to work for lunches this week

Currently heading to work, will get my meal there this evening this saving me some money on food bills. OH is going to have the leftovers from our takeaway last night. Hope everyone is having a good day

nursemaggie

Spent all morning trying to find a removal firm can't get one until 5th January. They had to call landlord, also sorted out housing benefit. Everything the housing association told me was wrong. They will pay me on this house until We move out rent is more and then the flat from the day we move in.

Picked out cooker, fridge and freezer, just put in basket hope for a discount. No where to fit a fridge/freezer has to be the two side by side. I hope to sell the fridge freezer if not will have to squash in my bedroom if possible. We also need to sell a sofa.

We went up to the flat on Sunday and saw it in a better light. The floors are covered in rubble and the whole place stinks and is absolutely filthy. It was very dark when we saw in on Thursday. Wallpapers are also torn so they will have to come off.

As we will not have any water or electricity we cannot do anything until Saturday because it will probably be afternoon before we get them. We also need to go for the decorating materials Friday as the card is not activated until then. There is an Ald! across the road from The Orange DIY shop so we will buy all we can for christmas but fresh food and stock up until we move while we are there. Better to get it all in the one taxi.

Need to look at carpets how. Has anyone ever bought carpets on Line?

Floss

Do you have any local capet firms Nursemaggie? I haven't bought carpets for many years, we have all original wooden floors so wouldn't know about buying online.

nursemaggie

Of course Floss. There are about 20 odd but they are scattered around the suburbs meaning it will take days to even go to a few. I have checked for websites to preview but the few that have them they are just an advert like explains where they are.

I would be going from bus to bus in and our of town because that is how buses work. It would be quicker to go to London and back. It is the nature of Bolton lots of small mills that have been turned into small business units.

I have to have cheap as there is so much to spend. I am thinking the bulk of the money I spend should be on insulating underlay and then cheap hardwearing carpet like maybe cord as it is virtually indestructible and still only about £3 a metre. We do have the luxury of a good wool rug to go down over the carpet. We have measured for Curtains and realise we have enough to fit though one pair will need replacing fairly soon.

vhalla1478

Hi Everyone,

Just getting back to 'normal' after my lovely long weekend with my DB;

It was a 'make do' weekend as he hadn't been paid from his last job and I am a little short as it is so near Christmas. However, we had a wonderful time exploring local churches and (once again!) visiting the remains of Katherine Swynford's house in Kettlethorpe.

I was rather ashamed of myself as the guide in St. James Church, Louth (tallest spire of any parish church in the UK and full of treasures as well as the architecture), told us about the Anglo Saxon Minster of St.Mary's at Stow. I didn't even know it existed. So we went on Sunday and it was so worth it. I was wandering round at one point searching for the Green Man which I knew was there (on the font) and lost my DB - there he was, lying on his back in the chancel, photographing the amazing ceiling! There is also a wall painting of Thomas a Becket, 'sunken' face tombs of two ladies, and a font with no Christian symbols, only pagan ones all over it. A wonderful afternoon without spending much money.

One quick tip before I finish waffling on; I've been cleaning the bathroom using an old string knitted exfoliating glove that had started to unravel and was no good for the body anymore. It's very effective and quick on the porcelain.

Have a great day, Folks!

Nearly forgot, NurseMaggie, I didn't realise you were a 'yellow belly' and good luck with the move; just remember, things can only get better. A good idea about the cord carpet, especially if you have a nice rug to 'soften' it; the only thing I have against cord carpets is that they stain easily, but they are very hard wearing.

Lynn, sterling work with your house - don't kill yourself though!

Viv xx

silvasava

Vhalla - I love old churches - especially country ones as there is so much local history attached to them. I'm ot far from Bosham where King Canute's daughter is buried and there's a little local chapel that has a Star of David in the window! Went into a little church at Hurstmonceau many years ago and there was a memorial to a young lad that had died on one of the tea clippers to India. I always felt it must have been dreadful for his mum as he'd probably died at least a year before she found out.
Weather brightened up here this afternoon so I've managed to minimise in the garden by clearing dead foliage and some pruning. Had to stop 'cos the green bag was full lol!
Hope everyone is managing OK in this awful weather - the reports from the lake district are heartbreaking. Maybe Mr C can find some dosh from the disaster fund to help out??? no? thought not!

Gingerjar

Hello all,have been reading everyone for months. Wanted to post as I have made some cookies for a friend using storecupboard ingredients and made lavender bags with homegrown lavender and strips fabric recycled from my old pyjama legs! 2 Xmas presents for pennies. Love it!

vulpix

Gingerjar,do join in we love to hear peoples achievements.I would love a lavender bag and homemade cookies,just up my street.

Viv,I had to google Katherine Swynford.I do enjoy a good immersion in history and buildings.I live fairly near Chatsworth but prefer Haddon Hall and in the other direction little Moreton Hall.They are older and smalller.Chatsworth is great but it feels like a lottery winners house by comparison.Lyme Hall is also nearby where Colin Firth emerged from the lake in pride and Prejudice.Silva,there are some heatbreaking headstones in our local churchyard too,so many young children,different times.

Been to craft clubs Xmas lunch today,first turkey dinner of the season.Noticed my best coat needs a stitch where the collar is attached,on my list!

The kitchen is a pile of rubble.Glad i made lots of meals the other day which can just be microwaved.

I am on a mission to make some money and declutter.6 items sold on eeebay and posted today.Need to add lots more.When we moved in June I thought we had only brought with us the minimum of stuff and all essential.Surprising how a few months later it wasnt needed after all.

Vx

camelot1001

vulpix wrote: »

When we moved in June I thought we had only brought with us the minimum of stuff and all essential.Surprising how a few months later it wasnt needed after all.

Vx

That's exactly what I did, 2 years on and I am still decluttering! Some things I still like but they don't suit this house and I can't stand dusting so I'm not having much out anymore. I have given most things I don't need/want to the charity shop - my way of raising money for them.

Minimised most of the christmas presents into their wrappings and my cards are written.

Made the most of a free christmas lunch at school and made some christmas pressies (sort of). Last year in the sale I bought a couple of wide cups and have filled with 2 sachets of hot chocolate, 4 marshmallow strips and a chocolate on a spoon. Wrapped in cellophane they actually look quite good.