2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

Hi @Cherryfudge.  Welcome to the Challenge and our virtual village hall.  We love to chat, so please fell free to natter.  The Ginger Cake recipe is on my blog if you want to go and search for it.  (We aren’t allowed to link to our own blogs.)

@basketcase - does your DD live with you?  If so, you could have spent her coupons on the rabbit.  It’s up to your conscience, really.  

On a more general note, if you are knitting for charity, that’s different.  During the War, the WI was given yarn for members to knit up into “soldiers comforts”.  That was coupon free but every last yard of yarn had to be accounted for and any that was unused had to be returned to the WI.  In our parallel universe, yarn bought for dedicated charity knitting would qualify for the  “soldiers comforts” scheme (and, yes, that includes toys to donate).

- Pip

basketcase

Hi Pip

  DD doesn't live with me at the mo, but the rabbit does.  DD had an episode of anxiety and depression a couple of years ago.  I'm very proud of the way she's handled it and helps others who suffer.  She decided to get a therapet - enter the rabbit (let's call it Bunny to protect the not-so-innocent creature...)  She's (DD) currently working away and can't keep Bunny, but is planning to move into her own place eventually.  DD misses her, plus the job - in London - is quite stressful, there's Covid-19 and she really is far less stressed when the rabbit's around.

  Unless dragged out, or deigning to take a treat, Bunny never appears to anyone but DD.  Once DS nearly had a heart attack when he was looking after Bunny while I was away.  He lifted the mezzanine she sleeps under to check and she never even moved.  He thought she was dead!  As I said recently to DD, "I've had more action from that elderly bean I chitted to check viability than from Bunny".  That's the 'joke' bit of the present - which really is exactly the same shape as Bunny - that you could substitute a soft toy for the animal and nobody would notice. 

  So, in a way it counts as a "comfort", but that seems a bit of a cheek.  And I've got the coupons...

PipneyJane

basketcase said:

Hi Pip

  DD doesn't live with me at the mo, but the rabbit does.  DD had an episode of anxiety and depression a couple of years ago.  I'm very proud of the way she's handled it and helps others who suffer.  She decided to get a therapet - enter the rabbit (let's call it Bunny to protect the not-so-innocent creature...)  She's (DD) currently working away and can't keep Bunny, but is planning to move into her own place eventually.  DD misses her, plus the job - in London - is quite stressful, there's Covid-19 and she really is far less stressed when the rabbit's around.

  Unless dragged out, or deigning to take a treat, Bunny never appears to anyone but DD.  Once DS nearly had a heart attack when he was looking after Bunny while I was away.  He lifted the mezzanine she sleeps under to check and she never even moved.  He thought she was dead!  As I said recently to DD, "I've had more action from that elderly bean I chitted to check viability than from Bunny".  That's the 'joke' bit of the present - which really is exactly the same shape as Bunny - that you could substitute a soft toy for the animal and nobody would notice. 

  So, in a way it counts as a "comfort", but that seems a bit of a cheek.  And I've got the coupons...

That's a lovely story.  I can appreciate why you'd knit a bunny for your DD, something for her to hug when the days are unkind and she can't play with the real bunny.

- Pip

basketcase

That's a lovely story.  I can appreciate why you'd knit a bunny for your DD, something for her to hug when the days are unkind and she can't play with the real bunny.

- Pip

    Well, at the very least it'd give her a smile!  Anyway, I bought a 100g ball of DK Acrylic to knit it.  Is that 1 coupon? Plus, I had to get a new pair of smart(ish) trousers because I lost a lot of weight.  Deliberately!  Some of which has gone back on, but let's draw a veil (blackout curtaining, so no coupons!) over that...  That's another 6 coupons, which means I've got 49 left, right?

CAN ANYBODY HELP WITH CHANGING MY SIGNATURE? 

I've tried a few times, but it won't accept the changes.  Aaargh!  I really don't like this new set up...

Laura_Elsewhere

If anyone wants to start knitting socks, I'm a total pusher, using every possible trick to draw you in and get you completely addicted.... what?! Who said that??? 

I meant: If anyone wants to start knitting socks, I'm always happy to advise. 

Yes. That's right. That was what I meant to say. I don't know who said that other bit. Ignore it. Completely untrue. Psst, wanna try these DPNs...? you can have this bit of 4-ply for no coupons, if you like, just to get you started... 

basketcase

@Laura_Elsewhere (I miss the rofl smiley... )

PipneyJane

basketcase said:

@Laura_Elsewhere (I miss the rofl smiley... )

So do I, @basketcase .  So do I.

@Laura_Elsewhere - thank you for the laugh this morning.  We are the Borg.  They WILL knit socks!

I have some good news, Girls.  I received an email from the agency last night and my contract is extended to 30th September 2020.  I can't see it lasting beyond then, but that'll give me a couple of months' more pay to salt away.  I'm currently polishing my CV and will start applying for jobs this weekend.  I suspect that, somewhere in my makeup, is a Pollyanna gene (although I've never read the book).  I'd have been the housewife during the Blitz who, when inspecting the bomb damage to her house, would turn to her husband and say "I never did like that kitchen.  At least now we can replace it with a better one." 

- Pip

[Deleted User]

Good news Pip, a little respite in difficult times.

I've spent a little time looking through what passes as a wardrobe in my life this morning and come to the realisation that the last time I bought anything new at full price is so far in the past as to be gone from my memory. I do though have some practical and wearable everyday clothes and shoes that were all found in sales or charity shops, enough to last for a few years without having to replace anything other than undies and socks. I don't know whether to be sad or happy about this but it's a fact!

Laura_Elsewhere

@PipneyJane I've always thought of you as quite tall and leggy so it seems apt to congratulate you on being extended!  

PipneyJane

Laura_Elsewhere said:

@PipneyJane I've always thought of you as quite tall and leggy so it seems apt to congratulate you on being extended!  

I wish. I'm 5ft 4in, if I stand very tall.  (Short waisted, though, so you got that right.)

@boazu.  Your wardrobe must be full of classics, which is the highest state of "Wardrobe Zen" we can aim for.

Thanks for the good wishes, Ladies.

- Pip