PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

A simpler life - version 2.0

Options
Hello everyone

Looks like the board has decided to declutter itself in order to life more simply and our lovely tread has been sent to the tip or the chazzer... :( :mad:I guess, as with many other treads, we won't get it back, so I hope it is ok that I start a new one.

I don't think I am doing too good at the moment. I am ok on the not-buying-stuff-I-don't-need/that-don't-spark-joy side of things but I'm failing on the looking after myself side by doing simple things that make me happy. So I definitively have to make that a priority, espcially since I'm expecting a busy time at work as one of my coworker is on holiday for 6 week. As long nothing mayor happens in this time it should work out fairly ok, but my work is known for everything happening at once when you are least prepared for it...

On a positive note though I will finally have a working sewing machine again. The pedal of my electrical sewing machine that I got from my great aunt - she bought it about 40 years ago and used it about 5 times... - broke down a while ago, and so far I haven't managed to find a replacement pedal... I also have a 60+ years old pedal powered sewing machine, which works fine as long the fabric is rather stiff and heavy, so I can shorten jeans but I can't work with jersey and that like, which means she is lovely to have but not really usefull... So now my granny decided that she doesn't need her sewing machine anymore and I can have it. I'll go over tomorrow to pick it up. In return for getting the sewing machine I'll do her sewing in the future, which is basically shortening a pair of trousers once in a blue moon....

Plan for tonight is starting this looking-after-myself-business and going to bed with a book at eight and lights out at nine. I have started to listen to the Shipping Forecast to help me go to sleep ;) So far it hasn't really worked, I guess before long I will know all the sea areas and the coastal stations...
Fashion on the Ration 2022: 5/66 coupons used: yarn for summer top 5 /
Note to self, don't buy yarn!
«13

Comments

  • bexster1975
    bexster1975 Posts: 1,576 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Bake Off Boss!
    Hello ricarda

    Terrible about the original thread.

    I have decluttered the office today after a very busy couple of weeks. It is now looking tidy(er).:D

    I am also doing well with not spending - to be fair I've not had much time to spend very recently. I have made sure everything is in order here so I can take care of myself all weekend. I have a loaf in the breadmaker, all washing done and food shopping done. Everywhere is clean too. Will do a bit of chazzer shopping in the morning. Am planning a couple of National Trust visits with friends next week if the great weather that is forecast materialises.

    Hope you get to take care of yourself this weekend

    Bexster :)
  • panagia
    panagia Posts: 152 Forumite
    Hello everyone

    Looks like the board has decided to declutter itself in order to life more simply and our lovely tread has been sent to the tip or the chazzer... :( :mad:I guess, as with many other treads, we won't get it back, so I hope it is ok that I start a new one.

    I don't think I am doing too good at the moment. I am ok on the not-buying-stuff-I-don't-need/that-don't-spark-joy side of things but I'm failing on the looking after myself side by doing simple things that make me happy. So I definitively have to make that a priority, espcially since I'm expecting a busy time at work as one of my coworker is on holiday for 6 week. As long nothing mayor happens in this time it should work out fairly ok, but my work is known for everything happening at once when you are least prepared for it...

    On a positive note though I will finally have a working sewing machine again. The pedal of my electrical sewing machine that I got from my great aunt - she bought it about 40 years ago and used it about 5 times... - broke down a while ago, and so far I haven't managed to find a replacement pedal... I also have a 60+ years old pedal powered sewing machine, which works fine as long the fabric is rather stiff and heavy, so I can shorten jeans but I can't work with jersey and that like, which means she is lovely to have but not really usefull... So now my granny decided that she doesn't need her sewing machine anymore and I can have it. I'll go over tomorrow to pick it up. In return for getting the sewing machine I'll do her sewing in the future, which is basically shortening a pair of trousers once in a blue moon....

    Plan for tonight is starting this looking-after-myself-business and going to bed with a book at eight and lights out at nine. I have started to listen to the Shipping Forecast to help me go to sleep ;) So far it hasn't really worked, I guess before long I will know all the sea areas and the coastal stations...

    My sewing machine needs servicing, but I don't know how much this costs. It's never been done, and I inherited the machine from someone else. I'm wondering whether to save up for a new one or try and get some more life out of this old one. It's a Brother sewing machine, probably about 10-15 years old by now, at least.
  • Hi guys,

    Typical that the thread I NEEDED to reread while I am in France is the one that has gone to that great cyber heaven:rotfl:

    Quick recap:-

    My DSis has sold her very large house & gite after 8 years on the market. DH & I have come over to help her empty the house. However, she has done so little that I am now in a deep state of depression & DH doesn’t actually arrive until late Sunday :(

    She has no idea what the buyers want to purchase by way of furniture etc, so we don’t know what to sell or junk. She will be moving in with us - her room is half the size, if that, of her current bedroom & will be full with a double bed & a bedside cabinet:(. There are four enormous bedrooms to sort, a large dining room, a large living room a large kitchen, another very large kitchen - both kitchens with LOADS of full cupboards, Then there are two large bathrooms, three other rooms & various sheds/outbuildings. I could cry :(

    We had done pretty well in trying to prepare for arrival:T Her bedroom is completely redecorated - new carpets, curtains, blinds & new paint - ready for her bed. Our open plan dining room is completely empty ready for her boxes to be stacked like a warehouse. I have made numerous trips to the cs, my DH has made dozens of trips to the Tip ( on his motorbike:eek:) our living room is tidy & our bedroom is reasonably tidy & the kitchen was completely refitted three years ago but we have two rooms of doom & every cupboard including the Understairs cupboard is a pit of Doom. We need to decorate everywhere & have a new bathroom fitted.


    Having depressed myself, I have to go in case the net falls over.

    MrsSD
    Be Kind. Stay Safe. Break the Chain. Save Lives. ⭐️

    2025 Savings Pot Challenge: As a monthly amount, running total = £228.00
    Jan £5.00 Feb £12.74 Mch £23.26 Apr £32 May £43 Jun £50 July £62 Aug  Sep  Oct  Nov  Dec  Grand Total £0
  • villagelife
    villagelife Posts: 3,047 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    MrsSD you have worked so hard to get your house ready it must be depressing to have to redo the same and more at your SIL.
  • 'My sewing machine needs servicing, but I don't know how much this costs. It's never been done, and I inherited the machine from someone else. I'm wondering whether to save up for a new one or try and get some more life out of this old one. It's a Brother sewing machine, probably about 10-15 years old by now, at least'

    Have a look in your local paper for Brother dealers and also sewing machine mechanics, ask for a quote for a service. I have a computerised machine and mine costs £125. I have it done each year. It will cost you a lot more than that for a decent machine. If you go onto the net and look for dealers you can price up a new machine, BUT you need to see before you buy if you decide to go down that route......I always advise people to buy a machine that does a bit more than a basic machine, you need to have a few options.

    Personally I am a Janome girl and have been for over 40 years, I worked for them selling dewing machines many years ago.
  • Bon courage, the French say like Bon appetit, except courage instead. Better than our English "Keep smiling", MrsSD. I really feel for you. You may know this already, but here goes , in case it might help. Ask your DSis if she has any English free magazines that are printed for the Brits in France, In it she may find Brit Charity shops who will at least take the stuff away. Also a quick advert in her regional site of Anglo-Info ,on web, would let you tell an audience that you are selling loads of house contents. A stiff drink for you might help!!Another last resort is Emmaus -the charity who may be active in her area and will collect everything.I would advise you to be very very strong, about what you want her to bring into her home.I know what you must feel like. Three days before the deadline - my sister was to help me clear out our mother's house, a letter arrived saying she was too grief-stricken to come. So, I had to sort out the auction stuff, the charity shop stuff who both came on the same day and that day,,my son and I packed our car with the stuff we wanted. It was manic and panic. So,remember you are very generously welcoming her into your home and you and DH are being very good to her. Has she a DS or DD who could help her? best wishes.
  • Oh dear MrsSaladDodger, that sounds like a mess... I know you might not want an argument with her now that she is coming to stay with you, but maybe you should tell her that it is time for her to start to take actions... Or at least make sure that she sits down asap and finds answers to a few important questions like what stays for the buyer, what comes with her, what goes to the tip /chazzer / garage sale...

    I had a pretty lazy day, didn't really got a move an until the late afternoon, which is a shame as tomorrow I'll have to work from ten till about two which means leaving the house at quarter past nine, back round three and on to my parents for dinner at five...

    Went over to Grannys to pick up the sewing machine, which seams to be in tiptop condition and can do much more than I expected. I googled the model number and it seems to be a more upmarket version of the standard model with slightly more special stitches and more feet. A similar model is still manufactured for people who don't want a fancy, computerised, machine. Granny said she bought the machine when she retired, which makes her about my age.
    We then sat and had coffee and a natter, which was mainly politics - at age 86 Granny is still very much interessted in politics and what goes on in the world, maybe even more than when my grandad was still alive 20 years ago because back then she left policits and the news to him.... - and some stories about my Grandad and his friends and the stuff they did when they were drunk... One night they ended up at my grandparents house when the pub closed and one fo them decided to cook them a decent meal.. Their after-midnight-feast was soup consisting of chicken stock, flour browned in butter and a head of lettuce...

    Enjoy your NT visits Baxter! That remindes me, I need to renew the memberships for my sister and me... According to my sister, the best thing about the NT by the way are the jacket potatos that most of their cafeterias serve... :-)

    Panagia, I second csarina, when you can get it serviced for a decent price and it does all you need it to do you can have it serviced times and times for the money you'd spend on a new one.
    Fashion on the Ration 2022: 5/66 coupons used: yarn for summer top 5 /
    Note to self, don't buy yarn!
  • System
    System Posts: 178,325 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    My DSis has sold her very large house & gite after 8 years on the market. DH & I have come over to help her empty the house. However, she has done so little that I am now in a deep state of depression & DH doesn’t actually arrive until late Sunday
    I dont understand why your having to do it at all. Her house and all that.

    A simpler life.... ive persuaded my Son to part with two of his huge skateboards.

    Hes 22 and hasnt skateboarded since he was 17. At least i can get into the cupboard where the gas boiler is now without having one or either of them fall on me.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • JCS1
    JCS1 Posts: 5,335 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Long time lurker - another thread disappeared, what are the people at MSE Towers doing other than nothing? :mad:
  • System
    System Posts: 178,325 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    JCS1 wrote: »
    Long time lurker - another thread disappeared, what are the people at MSE Towers doing other than nothing? :mad:
    Im presuming theyve got their hands full with the amount of spam thats being posted.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 256.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.