Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Anne_Marie_2

JackieO wrote: »

Hi chums need some inspiration I use a walking stick and my stick has a strap on it thats ...shall we say almost worn away to nothing (I have had my present flowery stick for around five years) and my DGS Henry chose it for me, so I prefer it to the boring brown one I keep as a spare.Now any ideas as to how I can replace the strap Its there so when I'm shopping. I slip my hand through it, and don't forget it and leave it behind.
Now take into account that my sewing skills are limited to hand sewing, along with my endevours to make do and mend I need any suggestions as to how I can replace it without it
A. costing a fortune
B. if possible 'cannabalising' something I may have or can find indoors

Nothing wrong with the stick, its fine, and has been re- tipped several times by the local cobbler,quite high -mileage on it as well :):)
so thinking caps on chums any thoughts would be appreciated.
JackieO

Just seen this for £1.65 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Stick-Wrist-Strap/dp/B00EKNMDBC/ref=pd_sim_kh_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=18J6B5QT5DRSQ7AG59E7

What about removing strap from an umbrella and using it on your stick?

mothernerd

Jackie O just been to check out my stick (also flowered, given to me by DS3).

The bit round the stick is elastic - probably so it can be pulled out to sew the seam after it has been slipped round the stick - so any elastic roughly the right width (mine is 5/8" but probably not critical) firm but not too strong, or one of those bra or suspender repair kits if you have one (hopefully black not 'flesh' pink).

That goes into a small round ring but any sort of ring, a D ring or a keyring ring would work.

The cord bit on mine is a bit like strong dressing gown cord held together by a bit of plastic but I would be on the look out for abandoned umbrellas as they have something similar or possibly a camera case (old cheapy ones had something like that so you could dangle it from your wrist). may be able to cannibalise a lanyard (things they give students/employees to hold their name cards) if someone has one a suitable colour - colleges usually issue everyone with new ones each year so lots of spare ones. Think my sons have also been given them with clothes. Possibly a wash bag though a lot just have a string nowadays. Think I once bought a wash bag (men's black plastic) for a pound which I used as a clutch bag for evenings and that had the right type of cord - no-one ever noticed it was a wash bag and some didn't believe me when i told them.

Think you could crimp a piece of metal round the cord to hide the join - think about the bits they put round the top of bags of spuds - sure there used to be some crisp multi packs that had a plastic tie at the top.

Hope this helps -ask if you want more ideas or how to do it when you have found something that will do.

vhalla1478

Good Evening Make Do and Menders, I've at last finished those pesky accounts, so can relax at last. Lunch is organised for tomorrow, I've done my rug quota and I've sorted recipes out for the first week of my non-spending month. I know it's easier for me as I live on my own, but I do entertain - I will let you know how I get on

First of all, may I say how in awe of all of you who are managing so well with disabilities. When I next feel sorry for myself/my situation (nobody's fault but mine - bad judgment, I'm afraid) I shall remember your stories and know that good health is the greatest gift, along with family and friends.

JackieO - does the leather strap from your stick thread through a hole in the handle - could you use part of a narrow leather belt or a leather shoe lace? I'm sure someone will come up with a good idea.

As promised, here are a couple of recipes from the American Museum. Sorry, they're all fattening, but make great presents if you can bear to part with them.

Orange Butter Cookies

A cup of sugar, half a cup of butter, 2 egg yolks, a tablespoon orange juice, grated rind of half an orange, one and a half cups of plain flour, a teaspoon of baking powder, a quarter of a teaspoon of salt.

Cream butter. Beat in sugar and egg yolks, orange juice and rind. Add flour, salt and baking powder sifted together. Mix well. Chill in refrigerator for 3 or 4 hours. take up teaspoonfuls and roll into small balls. Place on a greased baking sheet, flatten slightly and cook at 375 degrees/180 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Brush lightly with melted butter while the cookies are still warm.

Flapjacks

One and a half cups of butter, 3 cups of rolled oats, one and a half fluid ounces of treacle, half a cup of granulated sugar, a cup of golden syrup, salt.

Cream fat and sugar. Add oats, salt, syrup, treacle. Mix well. Place mixture in greased and floured baking tray size approx. 12x6 inches and flatten. Bake at 300 degrees/160 degrees for 30 minutes.

Have a pleasant evening, Everyone and keep warm.

Viv x

cheerfulness4

Maybe plaited shoelaces could make the loop. I lost the loop off one mine and know how useful they are.


mothernerd, what an interesting post about using a cradle stand to make a raised 'trough.' I struggle with my gardening now and am trying to raise things up as much as possible, plus I have a long area that has little or no soil that runs down the side of my house. Any kind of unusual container that will hold soil is worth thinking about for us.


Popping on and off tonight to read all these fascinating posts but trying to spend a bit of time with DH. He took a bit of a bashing at work yesterday and is covered in bruises so I feel I should spend some time with him tonight.
He still loves his job, though.

Quickly posting my final spends for this month.

DAY 31
Money Spent Today - £12.28 Vouchers Spent - £0
Money Spent in Total - £92.96 Vouchers Spent in Total - £5
Money left in purse - £0.04 - Float left- £0/£15
Jan non-foods left- £0/£15


I bought from £stretchers
2x pasta n sauce @ 39p each
1x ragu pasta sauce @ 49p
2x chopped toms @ 49p the pair
1x 1kg sugar @ 49p
and from Aldis
1pk malted Wheaties@ 79p (on offer), 6x dbl length loo rolls @ £1.95, lrg low fat yogurt@ 45, 1x 1.5kg SR Flour@ 45p, tin sausage & beans @ 39p, tub luxury drinking chocolate @ £1.29, tin rice pudding@ 15p, 2.5kg potatoes @ £1.59, 200g soft cheese@49p, 15x eggs @ £1, 4x mild onions@49p and 1pk sliced pepperoni@ 79p.

Opps just seen that vhalla has just suggested laces while I've been typing. I'm so slow.

I'm going to enjoy a proper read through at my leisure rather than this fast one now.
Its interesting to see many of us share similar challenges which is going to be very helpful to see how we overcome them, and naturally we will without a doubt.

janb5

vhalla1478 wrote: »

Sorry, I nearly forgot, I know from reading this thread that there are a lot of experienced gardeners amongst you. My cottage has a smallish front garden (planted and more or less sorted, though there's always room for improvement), a side garden, the same, but I need advice as to what climbers will thrive there in large tubs if that's possible - that's west facing and then I've a south facing grassed area which is basically a field. So after that long preamble, can any of you please tell me when and what I can plant there in the vegetable and flower line? I can get some muscle in to dig it over; I threw in thousands of wild flower seeds there that I'd bought online last year and not one came up, so I expect the myriad of bird species we have round here, as well as rabbits, squirrels, stoats, moles etc had a field day - no pun intended. Any advice would be gratefully received. The soil is chalky as I live in the Lincolnshire Wolds, Many thanks.

Viv x

Hi Viv,


How about some clematis which could grow along the fence( do you have a fence?) I would also suggest that you swap with your neighbours. Often people have well established perennial plants that you can take cuttings from and the advantage of taking them locally would mean that hopefully your soil will take it too. I also recommend dicentra spectabilis ( bleeding heart which is in pink and white and really pretty as well as being quite well behaved.


Btw I went to Claverton many moons ago but I`m glad you picked up the recipe which is going to be a keeper!

HOWMUCH

Jackie O - do you know anyone who may have an old lanyard laying around, you could make that into a strap

janb5

carolinerunner wrote: »

Hi all,
Have been lurking but had a Q:
Vhalla, that gingerbread sounds gorgeous, can I ask:
2 tins or 1? roughly how deep would it be?
how big is a cup?! Tea cup? or some particular size?! I never know the answer to this one!

Tia

If it helps, Sainsbury`s sell measuring cups which is great for this recipe. Cost about £2 for 4 cups of different sizes- I cup/half a cup/third of cup etc.

Lynplatinum

:j well done - its the 31st today and you made it within your £3 a day target with pence to spare!!! Brilliant!!! Such an inspiration!

Well done all others within your GC this month!! I have found such encouragement here for my new lifestyle!! I broke my leg this summer and was forced to sit on my bottom and really think things through. I was 55 (now 56) and v fed up of rat race. i run my own business but i was constantly pushing myself far too hard. I kept on asking God to 'give me a break!' and he/she/it/fate obviously listened although I did not mean it literally! be careful what you wish for they say!!! I also lurk on the 'Not Buying it in 2015 ' thread and many of them have decided to scrimp & Save & create rather than have a hectic life too. I still work a bit but not as manically as I once did.

I was wondering if i could sustain this as a way of life and Cheerfulness and you folks have shown me, in this month, that you can. Thank you all so much!! I am back to the OS - where I actually feel more comfortable!:)

Keeping track of my NSDs and actual spending was a revalation! I thought I would have more NSDs and just was not aware how much those 'oh its only a couple of pounds' spends add up! I'll do better next month! (with your help)!

HOWMUCH

Welcome to all the new lurkers and thanks to Cheerfulness for starting the thread our 1st month has gone.

Hello February!!!

cheerfulness4

Thank you Lynplatinum, I'm really pleased and excited with how its going so far. :j
And I had 4p left in my purse. What shall I spend it all on? :rotfl:

Actually I have a plan. Anything left at the end of each month, and realistically I don't anticipate there being much, is going into a little tin and in December if there is enough I intend to buy a little bottle of Orange Liquor for our nightly hot chocolate. Aldis had a very decent one for £6.99 this year.
If we've really been good and there's still money to spare in the tin we're splash out on their best Irish Cream. Lovely in hot chocs and makes the best icing I've tasted when mixed with icing sugar.

Something you said Lyn was exactly what I'd said myself to DH only this afternoon.
"I am back to the OS - where I actually feel more comfortable!"


Well we all continued through January without let up and didn't we all Make Do, Mend and Minimise! My goodness, the things that have been achieved by everyone this month. Its amazing!

One month down, on to FEBRUARY. I can't wait, particularly as I'm going to be keeping a close eye on Viv and her £10 budget and silvasava and those cushions.
Do you a deal silvasava, if you get the confidence back to start on those zips I'll summons up the courage to pick up my circulars!

Best get back to DH. We're supposed to be choosing some music from a free music vouchers hes been given but I've not been paying attention. Goodness knows what rubbish I've agreed to.