A Simpler Life 2018

Pooky

VJsmum wrote: »

I use rosewater and glycerin from Boots as toner - I apply with a cotton round. I bought a brushed cotton cot sheet from a chazzer a year or two ago and made a load of cotton rounds from them and a few squares that my DD uses on her face as she finds them gentler than flannels.

Thanks for that, I’ve got some spare brushed cotton sheets, I can make DD’s some make up remover and face wash cloths, both have dry/sensitive skin so these will me much gentler than flannel.

patentgirl

WartimeScrapingofMarmite wrote: »

Finally caught up on the last two days worth of posts!

It's interesting reading everyone's take on simplifying, for me I think it's trying to do less of the things I don't enjoy to make more time for the things I DO enjoy.

I think learning to say "no" goes a long way towards simplifying your life. I look back at all the things I've been invited to in the past, things I didn't want to go to or couldn't really afford to go but never felt able to say no - such a drain on time and energy! Now though, if I don't want to go to something I'll just say "not for me, thank you, but I hope you have a lovely time".

Is it an age thing, having the confidence to say no?!

I totally agree this was one of the top things on my simplifying list we kept getting invited out coming home spent money rather be saving both DH both saying wish we hadn't bothered so now trying to say no a lot more often good thing DH is on same page as me! Have found it easier than I thought.

jackyann

Cottage Economy - thanks for the update, and for letting us know that you have things in hand. I too salute you for taking in m-i-l.

Jamanda - I salute you as well, and think part of the mental deterioration of old age may be becoming self-absorbed, as is believing you can still do things that you really can't manage.

I have sadly observed this many times in some people (by no means all) of my parents' generation, who I can remember as lively, active, fun people who contributed a lot to their community and family. Like all illnesses / conditions it affects people differently. Even in a couple you can get one who is well aware of their own capacities and interacts well with others, and one who sinks into themselves, whilst believing that they are still capable.

dolly84

Mrs Salad Dodger - they still do weekly spelling tests in school, both primary and secondary school in my experience. I find it is the grammar that they don't teach them properly - my pet hate is of instead of have :mad:.

Well done to those of you looking after parents, as awful as it sounds there is not a cat in hells chance of me doing it. My parents (dad is dead now) have done the bare minimum for me and DH's are the same so there is no way I'll be doing any more than that just because they are old. You reap what you sow.

VJsmum

Pooky wrote: »

Thanks for that, I’ve got some spare brushed cotton sheets, I can make DD’s some make up remover and face wash cloths, both have dry/sensitive skin so these will me much gentler than flannel.

I did mine double thickness. Drew round a glass to make the pattern for the rounds and zig zagged the edges together.

All those with parents and in laws living with them, I salute you. I just couldn't do it...

monnagran

As one of the burdensome, self-absorbed generation who has recently lived for 2 years with son's family (albeit in my house) I'll not take part in this discussion. I'm likely to say far, far too much and upset far too many people.

All I will say is that unless you are over 80 and know how it feels to be forced into a completely strange way of life that is none of your choosing it might be just as well to cut your unpleasant oldies a little bit of slack. Karma will be listening.

dND

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

Later this afternoon I am being forced to simplify my pantry.

I knocked a bag of flour from a high shelf and, of course, it hit every shelf on the way down and exploded on the floor. I rationalised that it was probably time for the pantry to be cleaned and arranged anyway.

That was until I saw the mouse poo everywhere while moving things around. Mr Mouse (and probably Mrs and their children) have happily eaten their way through over a kilo of lentils from a 2kg bag.

I may have to think about decanting any food that has a packet which can be nibbled through into sealed jars and containers.

My MIL is due back from her Christmas holiday next week and will throw a fit if she finds its been in her cereal.

Hi CE, I share your pain! I live in an old farmhouse in SW France, in the middle of a field with cereal production in the surrounding fields. Mice are a continuing problem, especially just after harvest and when the temperature drops.

Also with it being a bit milder over the year, the insect life proliferates too :eek: I look at it as having a heads up for when I'm back in the UK, to the predicted warming temperatures in the UK. The weevils and food moths are a constant threat as well.

I use Le Parfait jars - can be a bit dramatic when I drop the jar onto the tiled floor but hey ho :rotfl:

A tip should anyone else want to use Le Parfait is to buy the jars when on a trip to France - the cost in the UK is extortionate! For example, the Le Parfait UK quotes £31.95 for a 6-pack of 1.5l jars that are currently 25-27€ in the supermarkets here. But I did spot an Am*zon UK site that had them for a near equivalent price to France. Also found a site selling a 3-pack for £81.63 :eek::eek::eek:

Plastic is no barrier to the mice; I now have a good collection of mouse nibbled T*pperware :mad: .

I also freeze, for around 2 weeks, all dried goods such as rice, pasta, cereals and beans before decanting them into the jars. The weevil eggs are frequently to be found on the packaging, especially in the paper and the glue. The weevils can easily eat through the plastic too, so it's no protection no matter how tightly you try to re-seal the packaging.

While I cope with mice in the house, in the kitchen it's a no-no. I've tried the humane mousetraps and releasing the mouse but to be honest, I'm not prepared to drive the mouse a couple of miles away for release and I know from experience that they do just come back. It can look a bit like a scene from a horror movie in the kitchen occasionally when I have an influx but within a week or so I will have killed all of them and I'm usually good for another year.

So much for the simple life - it's an ongoing battle :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Wednesday2000

dolly84 wrote: »

Well done to those of you looking after parents, as awful as it sounds there is not a cat in hells chance of me doing it. My parents (dad is dead now) have done the bare minimum for me and DH's are the same so there is no way I'll be doing any more than that just because they are old. You reap what you sow.

I feel the same way. I was abused and neglected as a child and as an adult I cut my parents out of my life. There isn't a chance in hell that I will ever be taking care of either of them in old age!

Katieowl

Talking of air tight containers....does anyone use a vacumn sealer? I can't decide whether i need one of those or just a heat sealer. I've been playing with my dehydrator bit recently, but I'm battling damp and cold rather than meeces.

System

jamanda wrote: »

Hi,


Just delurking to say you aren't alone. My mother (87) lives with us and it can be soul destroying. Mine is in the throes of mid stage dementia, I think. Anything you say is forgotten a second later and she is also very deaf - "I'd rather be dead than wear a hearing aid". Well, when I've had to get to a scream on the 4th time so she can hear me and then she asks the same thing 10 minutes later I wonder how I cope.
My parents moved in with me 5 years ago, and we lost my dad to parkinsons and dementia after a year. It seems after that my mum went downhill and is also getting frail. I'm really not sure whether it is all physical or some of it is mental.


She has no friends (most have died), is not sociable, has no interests other than reading the paper each day, doesn't bother with TV, and I can't keep her busy with anything because she struggles to stand or bend, going dizzy. I know she needs some stimulation but am at a loss to know what to try.


I think that generation was brought up to be self-absorbed from what I have observed. Her hair being tidy is much more important than anything else in the world.


I haven't had a full day off in 5 years, but I keep plodding on because I know I couldn't live with myself if she wasn't cared for properly.


Sorry, that sounds like a self-pity fest, but there must be many in the same boat. And I have two young, stupid, lovable dogs to keep me sane and laughing.


J

As someone who works with dementia sufferers, I have seen the pain & devastation it can cause family members. If you think you mother may have dementia then please get her diagnosed and get all the help you can. A lot of towns run day centres ( ours is in the local baptist church), where your mother could go a day or two a week and mix with others with similar condition and be cared for by trained staff. This would give you a few hours off and stop you getting I'll yourself. ....very important. Try Alzheimer society for tips to help you cope. Feel free to PM me if I can offer any helpful advice etc. Take care