2022 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

Hopefuljoy said:

Hello and please may I join your group? I have moved into the village with my DD, three cats and little Yorkie (don't worry as he isn't a yappy one!). I have just got a job in the nearest local library and hope to see you all there! I can't knit or crochet but I have made some of my own clothes and I have enough material in my stash to make two pairs of summer trousers. I was also gifted £50 for Christmas and bought myself 4 cotton tops and a cotton cardigan with it. I sincerely hope I won't 'need to use many coupons during 1942. 

I read the advice about the news with keen interest and totally agree. I have both depression and complex PTSD and never watch the news as it is too much. We can only influence a small amount of things in life and you have all already done many wonderful things judging by your posts. You have certainly boosted me for example. 

Anyhow, I can make a good cup of tea if anyone would like one and I have saved my egg and butter rations to make a nice sponge cake if anyone would like a slice. My door is always open but don't take Bella cat's favourite chair!! 

Welcome @Hopefuljoy.  Please come in and take a seat around the wood-stove.  Cup of tea?  Thank you so much for bringing the cake.   You are a librarian?  That makes you doubly welcome.  The village has needed a new one since the last librarian ran off to join the French Resistance in 1940.

You have two choices regarding your coupons for 1942:  either you can backdate them and include any spends since 1st January, or you can start now with 55 coupons instead of 66.

We had a bit of “fun and games” last night.  Drove to the other side of town to visit my MIL and DH’s car broke down on the M25.  Completely lost power while the engine was still running.  Since I’ve been bollocked before by highways colleagues for not doing this, we called it in using the emergency phone and had Motorway Control talk to the RAC.  Just as well we did.  The RAC don’t accept phone calls any more - everything has to be logged online, even if you have their app - and the angels at Control kept an eye on us and chased them up several times.  We spent 4.5 hours standing on the side of the motorway, in the freezing cold. For once, I wasn’t wearing my thermals, so even with coats on - we each had two - I was definitely hypothermic and shivering constantly.  It left me thinking of the refugees on the Eastern Front.  I will definitely be making a charity donation today, towards their support.

When he got to us, the RAC tow truck driver took us to McD’s for hot drinks, food and a loo break.  He was the night shift and we were his first call out of the night.  Control had phoned it in at 4.45pm!

- Pip (today, my legs feel like I’ve run a marathon)

CAFCGirl

Good heavens Pip!
I hope you have warmed up a bit by now.
Utterly atrocious waiting that long on the side of a motorway.
I wonder if many drivers were simply occupied elsewhere or weren't being put on calls that could take them over their driving hours (or into overtime) and hence you got the nightshift chap.

Welcome @Hopefuljoy How are you settling into the village? We always appreciate a top up in the cake tin, and I managed to sweet talk some coffee from the American airbase lot this weekend. You're welcome to try some 

Laura_Elsewhere

Strewth, @PipneyJane, that's awful,. you poor things! 

What about all the people who don't have internet on the move, or have run out of free minutes or are in one of the MANY internet blackspots?! And not everyone can walk to an emergency phone - what if you've children in the car who can't be left, or are disabled???

May I copy that paragraph, anonymising you, to alert friends to the RAC's new policy please?

That would be me and My Intended, both my parents, lots of people we know who couldn't... 

Cherryfudge

Welcome @Hopefuljoy, what a lovely name! Everybody needs reminders of Hopefuljoy so it's extra good having you among us. Your Yorkie is a cutie, I think I saw you walking him earlier. Did you see the daffodils are coming out along the verges?

@PipneyJane, I'm so glad you got home safely. Do take extra care of yourself over the next few weeks as a thorough chilling makes us more vulnerable to various things. I'm glad of the reminder that we can do something for those on the Eastern Front, though. Interestingly, giving is recommended as one of the ways to help our own mental health, and I think it can take many forms. Not everyone can give money but a smile or a word of encouragement can be a valued gift too. So the American Airbase's coffee, Pip's cups of tea and Hopefuljoy's sponge cake (thank you!) are all doubly good for us!

Hopefuljoy

Hello @Cherryfudge! Yes that was us walking earlier and the daffodils are beautiful as you say. I also saw a lovely ptch of purple crocuses so spring is definitely on the way. 

I have indulged in a cup of tea and cake with a friend this morning and also visited my DM in the local nursing home. The nuns are keeping her happy and she also has a lot of carers from Eastern Europe who are trying to keep cheerful in the face of all the news from the new front. 

This afternoon at three I drop in on my 88 year old father who is a source of real joy to me. Then later on the same friend is coming for supper with me and DD. Her husband is away for the weekend working. She will bring dessert and we will do the main course so we can spread our rations. 

I have bought a sewing box so I will start organising it tomorrow and will use a couple of empty drawers for material. Sundays are always a very busy day for me!!! 

MrsCD

Glad you got home safely, @PipneyJane. You have permission to eat as much chocolate as necessary to warm you up!

florianatwobob

I hope you’ve thawed out now @PipneyJane! 

CapricornLass

Ye gods, Pip - that is appalling service!  I would be tempted to complain to the RAC, because 4.5 hours in the cold is not funny and not acceptable service. 

Been at an international Zoom meeting today, praying for a peaceful outcome in the Ukraine.    There were three Ukrainian Friends there, two now based in the UK and one in Kyiv.  They are touched and so grateful for all the wordwide concern.  It means a lot to them.

PipneyJane

Thanks for the support, Ladies.  I had a nap this afternoon but I’m still feeling a bit physically fragile.  

Laura_Elsewhere said:

Strewth, @PipneyJane, that's awful,. you poor things! 

What about all the people who don't have internet on the move, or have run out of free minutes or are in one of the MANY internet blackspots?! And not everyone can walk to an emergency phone - what if you've children in the car who can't be left, or are disabled???

May I copy that paragraph, anonymising you, to alert friends to the RAC's new policy please?

That would be me and My Intended, both my parents, lots of people we know who couldn't... 

Certainly @Laura_Elsewhere.  Please do.  Frankly, I was horrified by it.  Their customer service last night was terrible.  It was over three hours before someone at the RAC noticed that we were still unattended and phoned us.  And that was about an hour after they’d been chased up by Motorway Control.

ETA:  @CapricornLass.  DH is planning on giving them a blasting tomorrow.  They will have to do something amazing to keep us as customers. 

- Pip

Gem-gem

Did someone say cake?
Welcome @Hopefuljoy. Yes, good to have a librarian in the village. I am reading my seventh and eight book of the year. (Yes, I have two on the go, one library book and one from my aunt.
Pip, sorry to hear about your adventures on the M25. That is alarming that they no longer accept phone calls. 

Still no clothing or wool spends for me. So I still gave 66 coupons left. (I have been tempted, Hobbs have 20% off everything sale that ends tonight). 

Take care everyone.