The Home Front meets Covid-19

basketcase

So, here's my list for starters - please feel free to comment and/or add your own, as well as offer advice or ask for it.  This is stuff that people knew then and we don't because we've never needed it.

PRACTICAL STUFF

1  Food - ways to make basic ingredients interesting and tasty  (Mrs LW posts some great recipes on the Wartime Recipes & Substitutions thread).  Or to stretch them further - eg Mrs LW posted a recipe for Sausage Salad.  When I cooked a whole packet of (defrosted) sausages last night, I held back 2, added more potato to the meal and will use the cold cooked sausages in the salad.  A change of mindset.

2 Clothing - Fashion on the Ration is a really great thread for ideas on how to repair or repurpose old clothing and materials.  Favourite comment for me is "I'm going to make knickers out of old tee shirts".  Don't know why, but it tickled my catastrophe.  Maybe a sudden picture of someone walking around with The Who covering their bottom?  The book I mentioned before has some pre-war ideas for making clothing too, if anyone's interested.  You may never look at a handkerchief the same way again...

3 Practical suggestions for cleaning/repairs/adapting - problem solving.  Like jinny's washing machine!  A place to ask for advice or share something that might work,

MORALE BOOSTING STUFF (Sorry - can't think of a better name...)

1  Physical Fitness - how do we get round the lack of swimming pool, gym, exercise classes?  How do we make it fun - especially those of us who never met a treadmill they liked and a chocolate biscuit they didn't...  Getting enough vitamins and minerals.  What about natural cures for lifting the spirits, headaches etc? 

2  Appearances Matter - anything related to style and maintaining a good appearance.  Looking good and taking care of yourself are important, I think.  Things like how to cope with the dry hands from excessive washing? How am I going to deal with my hair till I can get to my hairdresser.  In 3 months.  (Seriously.  I'll post it separately later!)

3  Boosting the Brain/pastimes/hobbies - just as important as keeping the body active.  Any ideas of how to find interesting things to do - preferably cheap or free?  Suggestions for courses/crafts etc.  Ideas for books to read.  Any interesting and/or appropriate programmes on TV.  Discussion would be welcome.  It might help people feel less isolated.

4  Other People - too much or too little.    If you're on your own, how do you keep in touch, beat the isolation?  How do you get things like shopping done if you're self-isolating?  The Covd-19 Support Thread covers this.  OTOH, suddenly having the kids and/or your Significant Other at home 24/7 can be a strain. Especially if one or both of you is trying to work from home.  How do you get a bit of personal space?  How do you keep the kids (and possibly your SO) occupied and happy.  For the latter - keep it clean please, people. 

5  A good old-fashioned moan - I reckon we'll all need to let off steam about something.  Not sure what at the moment, but we will.  Maybe a first world problem arising because we're not in that world any more?  Serious example caused by a 1st world attitude in somebody else,. DD's friend has a 2 months old baby.  The shelves are empty of baby milk because "it makes a great substitute for coffee creamer".   Apparently.  Honestly?!   (That's aimed at the buyers not the mother BTW).  I know about the advantages of breast feeding, but I couldn't, as it happened.  So I can imagine how worried the poor girl (and others who didn't at least have a bit in stock like she did) must be feeling.  She isn't worried for the moment, but...

If you think of anything else, or don't think something I've suggested is appropriate, please feel free to post.

jinny

Have a mini cobra meeting with yourself and others via phone if needed every morning. What needs to be done ect. We called them board meetings when i worked standing around a white board. 

Agree Basketcase I like the stories n annecdotes tho.  So if i ramble/rant/gasbag i will warn you all with a symbol

[Deleted User]

I think OS living is in some way being contented with simpler lives, with home made reinvented rather than designer at the forefront of our minds.  Not feeling like second class citizens because we chose to value and repair rather than replace with the newest version before the one we have is no longer usable, for having a comfy home not a modern showpiece, homes should be for living in not looking at no? For making 5p do the work of 10p by using every scrap of what we choose to buy and for looking for the wonderful things that come for free in life like a quiet early morning wake up and going into the garden when everyone else is still asleep to breathe the freshest air of the day, a walk in the country and the wild flowers, a chat with your daughter on the phone and having the grandpickles rampaging with laughter in the background all of which mean a great deal more to me than a piece of jewellery, a fashion item or a posh holiday abroad.  I count us blessed every day we're alive just by being alive! doesn't get any better than that does it?

basketcase

jinny said:

My washer packed in its 20 years old next month.  Been a goodun No chance of a delivery/installation.  So its a back aching chore with a plunger in the bath.  Im mostly wearing pyjamas but due for bed sheets to be changed.  I live in a flat so wet laundry dripping over the bath is depressing. Any hints appreciated.  Saving on leccy suppose.

Me again!

Washing - I'd go with the suggestion of sticking it in the bath and grape treading.  The only thing I'd add is that when I had to do it years ago I used to put music on.  Dance tracks are good - don't just tread, bop, stomp and sing along.  BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO SLIP!

Rinsing/draining - a killer on the back.  I used to take the plug out, drain the soapy water away, refill it with clean water and swish the washing around then pull the plug out and repeat until clear(ish).  To avoid at least some of the heaviness, drag the wet washing into a pile at the end of the bath and let gravity/the weight of the washing on top do a lot of the work.  Wait till the water isn't running down the plughole then wring and hang.  Still wet washing, I'm afraid, but at least it shouldn't be dripping!

boultdj

Good idea for a thread basketcase, your right it's the ability to adapt that is important, we are lucky that Mrs L and monnagran have a wealth of practical know how and are willing to share it.

Pyxis

basketcase said:

jinny said:

My washer packed in its 20 years old next month.  Been a goodun No chance of a delivery/installation.  So its a back aching chore with a plunger in the bath.  Im mostly wearing pyjamas but due for bed sheets to be changed.  I live in a flat so wet laundry dripping over the bath is depressing. Any hints appreciated.  Saving on leccy suppose.

Me again!

Washing - I'd go with the suggestion of sticking it in the bath and grape treading.  The only thing I'd add is that when I had to do it years ago I used to put music on.  Dance tracks are good - don't just tread, bop, stomp and sing along.  BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO SLIP!

Rinsing/draining - a killer on the back.  I used to take the plug out, drain the soapy water away, refill it with clean water and swish the washing around then pull the plug out and repeat until clear(ish).  To avoid at least some of the heaviness, drag the wet washing into a pile at the end of the bath and let gravity/the weight of the washing on top do a lot of the work.  Wait till the water isn't running down the plughole then wring and hang.  Still wet washing, I'm afraid, but at least it shouldn't be dripping!

You could also tread on the rinsed washing again to squeeze the water out, especially as your feet will already be clean from the grape-treading in soap!

suki1964

jinny said:

My washer packed in its 20 years old next month.  Been a goodun No chance of a delivery/installation.  So its a back aching chore with a plunger in the bath.  Im mostly wearing pyjamas but due for bed sheets to be changed.  I live in a flat so wet laundry dripping over the bath is depressing. Any hints appreciated.  Saving on leccy suppose.

Jinny, off topic for the thread, but launderettes are still open if you have any in your area?

We don't have launderettes as such, but we do have outside launderettes , you can google them see if they are in your area

Blue_Doggy

basketcase said

Rinsing/draining - a killer on the back.  I used to take the plug out, drain the soapy water away, refill it with clean water and swish the washing around then pull the plug out and repeat until clear(ish).  To avoid at least some of the heaviness, drag the wet washing into a pile at the end of the bath and let gravity/the weight of the washing on top do a lot of the work.  Wait till the water isn't running down the plughole then wring and hang.  Still wet washing, I'm afraid, but at least it shouldn't be dripping!

I used to find that three rinses was best for getting the water clear (hint: don’t use too much soap/detergent to start with; washing soda added makes a little go a long way).
 

I agree about piling the wet washing at one end to let gravity do some of the work. To help it drain quicker, turn your laundry basket upside down and drape the rinsed washing on it, it’ll drain quicker and not sit in a puddle.

Brambling

If any one is looking for free viewings the National Theatre Live are showing old performances on Youtube for free, I usually watch them at our local theatre and can recommend them.   

At a time when theatre fans around the world can't visit their local theatres or cinemas, we're excited to launch National Theatre at Home.  Join us every week on Thursday at 7pm BST for the premiere of a much-loved National Theatre Live play, free to stream on YouTube for seven days.  It all starts with James Corden's Tony Award-winning performance in One Man, Two Guvnors on Thursday 2 April. And Jayne Eyre from Thursday 9 April, Twelfth Night from Thursday 16 April and Treasure Island from 23 April have also been announced.   I know the New York Met opera have also been streaming pass performance for free as have the Royal Opera House and i think i have seen some ballet companies as well, if you search in google they all come up

jinny

  COOKING MINCE

cooking mince in my slow cooker for tea.  I always put a handful of oats in there as it pads it out. You cant see it or taste the oats. With grated carrot as well.
RE LAUNDRY 
 ive been on yoo toob and the off grid  preppers there use 2 plastic tubs one with holes drilled in to put wet laundry in the other with a lid
you then sit on the lid to squeeze out the water. i have white tubs i am leaving the wet laundry to drain at the top of the bath tho as advised.  Thanks to all x

basketcase
I love the idea to make your own knickers from tee shirts i actually have a pattern.  I even have a vintage hand crank singer sewing machine 144 years old.  Although i probably should use My zigzag machine we don't  want my elastic snapping😱