Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2017

savingpennies

Morning all. Very overcast here but not too cold.
I've not been on for a while, I had an assignment deadline for my MA looming, so I was totally immersed in that. My DDs think I am mad for doing this but it's something I have always wanted to do and it was my retirement present to myself. Does completing the assignment count as minimising, as it is one less?
RainbowHippie What a lovely idea making your own engagement/wedding rings. When my dad died, my mum had his favourite ring made into a pendant which she wears on a chain. It's often admired because it is so unusual.
Mending: I'm going to try to mend two light switches today. The rocker switch has come off in two rooms, so we can't switch the lights on and off properly. I've bought two switches and I am going to consult youtube to see how I can remove the old ones and replace with new ones. I can't get an electrician to come out and do the job - it's too small a job for them! if you don't hear from me ... I got it wrong.
On the Making do front, last night OH had left over chilli from the night before, whilst DD1 and I used up two pieces of salmon from the freezer which we had with winter salad (a leftover carrot, the last remaining beetroot and some white cabbage).
Later today, I'm going to write a list of what I want to grow this year and check my seed packets. So tonight I will go through my seed catalogues to find what I need to buy. I feel more positive now spring is on its way:)

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
Just finished knitting a blanket for a neighbour's imminently expected grandchild. Have another to do for neighbour over the road.
Going to sort out my embroidery thread stash now as I have some stitching to do for my nieces

tboo

A question for the gals and guys regarding minimising - does anyone regard it unlucky to throw pictures away?

I'm currently going through the photo chest and seem reluctant to throw pictures away of the children e.g blurry/dark ones etc

I should have done it years ago but just threw the whole lot in there

silvasava

tboo - no it's not unlucky to throw away dark or blurry pictures - or even ones that don't show the person in a good light!
I've got a huge underbed drawer full of photos that need sorting - but not just yet......;)

Athome1

No I don't think it's unlucky to throw photos away .. but there again I don't think it's unlucky to thrown anything away! I've got loads ofalbums with photos in and I'm aware that there may be a day when someone scraps them .. when I'm dead and gone! Keep them if it makes you happy 😊 that's the only criteria I work by

tboo

Thanks for the replies
I am now going to be ruthless - the pics will be in the bin tonight

osbornbiscuit

Hi
Just a quick note to all those with photos. Write on the back in pencil or a gel pen (anything rather than biro that can go through to the photo) everything you know about the photo, where, when and who. I am researching my family history and inherited a box full of photos of total unknowns. I vowed not to do the same to my kids.
The days are longer and brighter, spring is on the way.......

YorksLass

Last Thurs evening’s meal plan session confirmed my thoughts; still plenty of supplies in fridge/cupboards so all this week’s meals (probably next week’s as well) have come from there. Plus I made a batch of scones (gone already), and two more chilli meals for freezer.

Fri didn’t go to plan; snowing/bitterly cold so didn’t go into town for family birthday cards. Instead stayed home and pottered - pushed the dust around a bit, hovered etc. Towels washed (sadly had to use TD for short cycle) and hung on airer overnight to finish drying.

Sat was cold/dreary so we were quite lazy. DH watched rugby on TV and I read a book – OK, but won’t read again, now destined for CS. Had a long soak in bath with a bath bomb (Xmas pressie from two years ago) then a diy pedicure. Bliss.

Sunday’s weather even worse than Sat - rain/hail/sleet/snow, so not a lot done other than making bread for the week and dinner, followed by more reading and TV knitting.

Had visits from DD and DGD on Mon. DD wants me to take up a pair of jeans for her (warned her it wouldn’t be an immediate jobby, now on the sewing pile). She spotted the knitting (a sweater for her for Xmas); she liked the pattern but not the colour of the wool (good job I didn’t mention it was for her). DGD did like it though and, since she’s the same size as her mum, it will be diverted her way instead. She’s away at Uni and I don’t get to see her as often now so it was nice to have a catch-up.

Interesting discussion on local radio: “statistics” (not sure whose) show that today’s pensioners are better off than younger working people. Various reasons mentioned e.g. spiralling house prices, no longer any job security, disappearing final salary pension schemes etc. Perhaps we should direct them to this Forum for the making-do and mending bits!

Tues and Wed were lost days - sniffling, sneezing and generally feeling yuck. Best friends for those days were: box of tissues, paracetamol, hot lemon drinks, the sofa and a snuggly throw.

Woke this morning, feeling just fine. Did some virtual minimising today (getting rid of old emails, unsubscribing from mailing lists etc) as well as some paper shredding, writing out various “to do” lists to keep me on track for next week. Oh, and oven finally cleaned – yay! :j

[Deleted User]

Good Morning chums ,was a bit under the weather yesterday so not a lot done . I made do with a couple of boiled eggs for dinner last night with some crackers Had an upset tummy the night before so I was feeling a little fragile bland food is best though and I feel fine this mornning.No Mending at all and actually very little of anything.But today will be more productive I hope
DGS and I will be making some more cookies this afternoon He made some yesterday afternoon and HE made do with crushed up oreos instead of chocolate drops as we hadn't got any He said they were good and as he is the expert I will go along with that I wasn't in the cookie eating mode yesterday but today will be different :)

Dentists at 10.15 with myself and two of my DGS for check ups so that will minimise my bank account of some cash for mine at least.

Last day of the half term and another week has vanished.Roll on the spring and some nice sunshine
Have a good and frugal day chums

JackieO xx

Athome1

Yorkslass .. when my OH was still here we used to love the sort of weekend you had! I suppose cos they didn't come round very often! I still enjoy them if the opportunity arises! I heard that report on well off pensioners .. I don't doubt that it does apply to a lot but it certainly doesn't apply to me - though strictly speaking though I'm over 60 I don't get my pension for another few years. Like an earlier poster my chaps pensions died with him, I still work and am very careful with my cash! At least I'm fairly healthy apart from spreading arthritus so I can live life and am not isolated. I joined a free meditation group recently and am amazed at how much I enjoy it and am benefitting from it. Sorry rambling. Have a good day all x