Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2017

dND

I so agree with you Slowdown. There is so much injustice in this world. I'm pretty broke at the moment but I have a roof over my head, warmth, and food to eat so I am in fact very rich. Even though I have little spare cash I try to contribute something to the food bank collections here and try to donate what I can to places that can use it.

Slowing down does give time to look around and see what is happening around you (it's also a 'gift' that comes with getting older I think). I think you become more comfortable with yourself so you really begin to consider others rather than being egocentric.

Slowdown

Thanks for the comments. It was and continues to be very sobering.

I went to a place near me in the countryside that has barns bedecked with Christmas decs and bits and bobs. All beautiful. And lots of crafting stuff. But I was restrained and spent 40p! I kept walking round thinking "I could make that for next to nothing" or " I really love that but it's just more stuff"

It didn't spoil the experience at all. In the past I would have felt a pang of envy for those with piles of goodies at the till or spent money that I didn't need to. So this thread is clearly working.

Make do - some clothes a friend gave me that she didn't want anymore ( she has a massive wardrobe)

Mend - finally that bloomin' door knob.

Minimise - the bits of left over chocolate into the brownies. (Though technically it won't be minimised until I've scoffed the lot).

silvasava

Isn't it amazing how this thread and the KM thread change your point of view? When you have a warm and comfy home, food on the table and family/friends do you need 'stuff' to improve your life? I'm increasingly appreciative of small pleasures now. I think it's also because I actually have time to appreciate them.
Not sure what I'll be up to today - have a few telephone calls to make and as it's such a grey day here might do some baking.
Wishing you all a good day x

RainbowHippie

Slowdown, well done on having the courage to consider taking the plunge and not working! I am sure you will be busier than ever but with things you truly value and be much richer (even if not financially) for it! Your post about realising the importance of priorities really resonated with me, i admire your determination to step out of the accepted norm of working hard to spend hard.

Make do - food from the freezer, and fabrics/yarns from my stash to make some things to sell and some gifts.

Mend - not much recently as we had a full house over the weekend with extra people staying, which was lovely but didn't leave much time for ticking things off the to-do list! Managed to do some crochet in the evenings to work on gifts but otherwise it was nice to have a break. We did some walking in the rain, and visited some enterprising friends who have just opened an independent greengrocer.

Minimise - spent yesterday evening (after our extra guests had left) photographing and listing lots of things on fleabay. I've now crocheted enough things in my neon/UV reactive yarns that the rest fit in a single box so they can be neatly stored, so all the gloves/decorations etc i've made are now listed on the fleabay. There was a fair bit of kitchen stuff, some unused balls of yarns that i don't expect to ever use, and other bits to go too, some of which was surprisingly pricey when i checked similar items listed on the site, so all being well it may help a bit with xmas expenses However, i have un-minimised by a large (A1) cutting board to make the paid sewing i am currently doing a bit easier. Cost £15 and it will be so much quicker than trying to cut out on a board smaller than the actual pattern so i feel it is worth it!

I can't believe it will be December this week. Terrifying! Still trying to decide on gifts for a few folks and i need to get making for the rest! All good fun though. Have a lovely week everyone!

misstara

Evening all

Slowdown - sounds like you've made the right decision for you. This thread definitely makes you think before you buy.

Had some eggs that were going out of date on Saturday so hardboiled them then and had egg mayo for tea tonight with a baked tattie that was cooked while the oven was on yesterday so minimising electricity use and a nice easy tea when I got home from work. Also made scones since the oven was on.

Had steak pie for tea yesterday, an extra portion has gone into the freezer for another day. I made too much mashed tatties so will have that with sausages tomorrow. Think there's some neeps in the freezer which will go with them too.

Really need to work on minimising my weight as I've put on half a stone recently and my clothes definitely feel a bit tight

Also trying to minimise how much we use the heating but OH is sabotaging this one. Seems to be a constant battle of heating on/off.

Got a few wee mending jobs to do so will hopefully get those done over the next week or so.

Not much else to report, hope everyone has a good week

RainbowHippie - I also can't believe it's almost December, where did this year go?

Slowdown

Make do - used up the bread in the bread bin for toast rather than dipping into the freezer for the sourdough I love so much.

Mend - can I count doing a jigsaw? It was clearly broken up when I opened the box but I'm mending it into a picture.

Minimise- the pile of papers under my desk at work. Some are such out of date policies that I just shredded them!

Hope you all had a happy Monday.

silvasava

Afternoon All - been quiet on here the last few days, has everyone gone into hibernation?

Well - I've minimised some cash - by ordering the canvas,thread and eyelets to make new dodgers and a sail cover for my little boat. I made a general enquiry from our local guy whose generally a bit more economical and was quoted £120 plus vat minimum for the sail cover. I have spent nearly £100 but that will do my dodgers too.
Both items will have to suffice as my mends!!
Made do with freezer stocks for dinners on Mon,Tues and Weds. Dinner tonight will be from fridge and store cupboards.
I minimised a few outstanding jobs yesterday so the List is looking sparse at the mo - hope to keep it that way in the run up to christmas too!!
Hope everyone has a good day and stay warm 'cos its blimmin freezing here!!

crazytree

Blinkin' busy week for me, working Mon and Tues then getting a load of new animals. Himself went to a local(ish) rescue centre for three new chickens on Tuesday - and met (and fell in love with) a dog there who was in need of rehoming! Wednesday (yesterday) we are now the proud owners of another dog - Lolly! :eek:

make do - An old cat bowl they no longer use (sides too high) has been repurposed for Lolly's food dish. Crafting paper I will never use for crafts was used to wrap Himself's birthday presents coz I had no "boy" wrapping paper. I'm gonna make him a card too later today!:A

mend - nothing although we've bought a new shower to replace the old one which leaks when you turn it off. It would have cost a fair bit to repair and been difficult to do. He's going to fit it tomorrow...

minimise - erm I've started sorting out the Christmas presents so I'm getting rid of the pile of boxes they came in. One box was over a foot long x 5" x 5" - contained 1 CD!!!!!!!!!:mad: and loads of brown paper.

I want to "mend" a jigsaw too. I used to love them and haven't done one for ages. My friend gave me a Where's Wally one ages ago, I just need "someone" to move their carp off the dining table!

Tx

YorksLass

silvasava wrote: »

Afternoon All - been quiet on here the last few days, has everyone gone into hibernation?

If only!! Really cold up here in Yorkshire this week. This morning was bright, sunny, cold (but no frost) with a couple of brief snow flurries mid-morning. Half an hour ago the sky was grey, the snowflakes were coming down thick and fast and it's settled a bit too. It's stopped now and the sun is setting, colouring the clouds bright pink tinged with gold. More snow forecast for tonight with overnight temperatures of 0C (or less :eek: ) so who knows what it will be like in the morning?

Minimise: Another garment from the "knitting waiting to be sewn up" pile done. This was a jumper with a wrap-over shawl collar for DH. It was supposed to be a C'mas pressie but it's been so cold I've given him it early. That has prompted a request for "another one please". Mmm, can I get one done in time? Maybe.

An empty foot cream bottle binned. I know this was a gift but not exactly sure from when! Anyhoo, it's all been used up now.

Make do: The usual of using up freezer/cupboard stores for meals and I'm getting a bit of wriggle room now. I'll be doing the same again over the next few days so I'll definitely have spaces for the festive foods that I want to prep in advance.

I need some more warm socks and have dropped heavy hints in the hope I'll receive some soon but, in the meantime, I'm using up some of DH's that seem to have shrunk and are now too small for him but are just right for me.

Mend: Nothing really, although [STRIKE]I'm sure[/STRIKE] I know there are things that need doing.

villagelife

Small amount of mending done i seeds couple of buttons on shirts.

Made do with veg from fridge and garden still.

Minimised more cupboards and found a couple of items I can regift this Christmas. I am gaining more space and the house is tidied as I can put more items away.