Make Do, Mend & Minimise in 2025 (and 2024)

YorksLass

It's miserable weather here today, a bit damp, grey and cool, unlike yesterday's lovely sunshine when I went to the opticians for the appointment I'd mixed up earlier in the week.  All good on the eye that's had cataract surgery and now waiting for an appointment for the other eye.  Shouldn't be too long, maybe a couple of weeks.  I also had a browse around the charity shops while I was there (I have a choice of 5 all on the same parade) but didn't see anything I was looking for so no spending.  

DS is coming tomorrow to help with moving the furniture around and we won't have to get rid of anything after all, just move a couple of things upstairs where it can be re-purposed, which is good.  Contents however could be a different matter!

The freezer contents are reducing and I should be able to do a defrost sometime this week.  Last night I used up some fish fingers that I had with green salad and mixed pepper pasta salad.  Strange combination but it was very tasty.  I have a batch of cooked mince & veg defrosting for a cottage pie for tomorrow.  I haven't got any further than that when it comes to planning for the rest of the week's meals, it all depends on what DH's appetite is like, so I'll play it by ear.

I finished sewing up a knitted sweater last night, 400g of 4-ply cotton yarn gone from the stash.   There's another on the needles and a cardigan to sew up and, once they're done, I'm determined to use up all the oddments (of which there are many) for another sofa throw before I buy any more yarn.

YorksLass

Furniture moving done on Sunday as planned, with a TV cabinet and 3 dining chairs having to be moved upstairs to make room for DH's bed in the living room.  It's a tight squeeze but it's the best we can do.  However, late Tuesday evening I had to call an ambulance because his breathing was really bad and he's now back in hospital, not sure how long for.  I visited yesterday and had to get a taxi there and back as DS was working away so couldn't be my "chauffeur", but at least I had the funds.  I'm going again today (this time with DS) and hopefully will find out what the plan is for future treatment.  There was also mention of seeing the OT with a view to discussing what equipment he might need once home eg commode, pressure mattress/cushion etc.

I've started a new CS bag by minimising 9 CDs, have shredded some old paperwork that's not needed, recycled the junk mail and binned two empty eye drop bottles. 

I also decided to not have a grocery delivery this week to help with using up freezer contents - of course, it will be slower progress now there's just me to feed - but at least it's still going down.  Instead, I've just bought what I need (milk, fruit etc) from the Co-op.  No useful member offers this week but I did bag 2 packets of chilli mix and a jar of curry sauce that were on good clearance prices and all well dated.

Yesterday was so cold the sofa throws have come out of storage and I'm now wearing socks, longer length leggings and a hand knitted sweater.  And I've noticed that the ribbing on the cuffs isn't equal.    I don't think anyone else will notice but I will, so that's another job for the Mend list.

Cherryfudge

I hope they can make your husband comfortable @YorksLass. How did today's visit go? I saw on another thread that he's now on end of life care... so sorry.

weenancyinAmerica

@YorksLass - sending hugs and prayers. 

ScarletRibbons

Sorry to hear about your DH YorksLass, sending thoughts. I've always liked your posts. You used to post on the O/S Daily if I remember correctly.

YorksLass

Thank you all for your good wishes for DH, it helps a lot to have virtual friends.  Yesterday's visit was fine, he seems comfortable and the doctors are happy with his progress so he may be able to come home on Saturday or possibly Sunday.

Given the situation, he's been put on a Fast Track scheme (it does what it says on the tin) so that various departments/organisations can help out quickly, one of which is to supply the equipment he needs.  This is being delivered on Saturday morning - commode, hospital bed (yes, that means DS and I will be taking the bed we brought downstairs back upstairs today!), over bed table, a baby-style monitor should he need me during the night and a pressure cushion for the sofa/armchair.  I hope it all fits in, my living room doesn't have elastic walls!

Apparently we'll be getting regular visits from a District Nurse that I'm pleased about; I know from past experience as a carer for my late DF they are very good at chasing up GPs, pharmacy etc when needed!  He'll also be allocated a case worker to discuss care needs in the future.  I seem to have accumulated a list of contact names and phone numbers as long as my arm!

@ScarletRibbons - Yes, I did used to post on the O/S Daily until "life" got in the way and still read along to keep up with everyone's news.

Sorry to hijacked the thread - normal service for MMM will resume asap.  

Cherryfudge

Thanks for the update @YorksLass - it's good to now he's comfortable and getting all the aids, though I appreciate these things can be bulky and not designed for domestic use! It should be real help to both of you, hopefully.

Good to hear you will get a District Nurse too.  

Are you visiting today? Try to get a bit of 'you' time if you can, this must be a physical strain as well as a mental one. It's good your DS can help out with the lifting.

YorksLass

@Cherryfudge - Yes, visiting again later this afternoon.  I had a phone call last night from the Ward Sister to let me know DH has been moved from the Acute Assessment ward to a different ward but it should be easy enough to find as it's on the same floor.

Since my last post I've had a long phone conversation with DH's allocated Health Care Management worker to discuss current and future care needs, funding etc.  A lot of it I knew from when I was DF's carer but there were one or two things that had changed or I'd forgotten, so it was a very useful chat.

I've done a bit of pottering whilst I'm waiting for DS and have minimised half a dozen new/unused yellow dusters to the CS bag; I have more than enough and am happy for them to sell for a few pennies to raise funds.

I've also added all the new names and phone numbers that I've accumulated over the last few days to my mobile so I can get rid of the bits of paper I'd used.  Now feeling organised!

Tea tonight will be a mixture of salad bits from the fridge with a slice of gala pie and tinned fruit and custard for afters.  That should take care of all the fridge bits and leftovers so the inside can be cleaned before I stock up again next week.  As for the freezer, well that's an ongoing matter but it is emptying - slowly.  

shandyclover

Hello Everyone!

Can I join in - I feel like I've found my tribe.

I have lots of make do, mend and minimising to do. Mainly because we are trying to save for a deposit in our 50's (long and sad story - but we move on) I hate waste, and our 4 daughters have all moved out this year, but lots of their belongings remain.

Make do - I'm doing a charity bike ride this weekend. We're supposed to dress as clowns. Thought about ordering a costume but have decided to make up something from my wardrobe. I did order a pair of short blue overalls off Vinted for a £1.00, which I will wear with yellow cotton tights, and a blue and white striped shirt embroidered with yellow daisies, hair in plaits and a bit of clown make up, maybe dig some ribbons out of sewing kit.

Mend - I wear black jeans to work and my 2 pairs were beginning to look faded and tatty. Debated buying new ones but I'm an odd fit, in the end I bought Dylon black dye from Home Bargains for 4.99 and I'm really pleased how my jeans turned out.

Minimise - Some offer vouchers that came with an online soap order, and 3 bottles of fake tan and hair gel left over from daughter's dance tour - given away on Olio.

Moorviews

@YorksLass - I’m glad to see that all the support is being set up but nevertheless I am very sorry to read about how ill your husband is now. You always sound so calm and organised with everything but I imagine that emotionally it is taking its toll 💐
@shandyclover - I think your fancy dress outfit will look fab! It’s surprising what can be achieved from home when we put our minds to it. Good luck with the charity bike ride. 

Make do - I have been using up skincare samples before I break into my purchased products. They are actually from a more expensive range so I am enjoying the luxury! I recently ran the fridge down to just a few items and have also been running down the freezer contents. Really mainly to keep costs down as it is shocking me how much a supermarket shop comes to now, however it is also avoiding waste. I quick fried some skirt steak that has been in the freezer for 3 years waiting for me to make pasties. I just cooked it to medium and it was delicious. We had most of it with homegrown potatoes and courgettes. The following day I thinly sliced the remainder and there was plenty for sandwiches made with homemade bread. It felt like meals for free. 

Mend - dog toys. If I sew up any small rips quickly then our dog doesn’t tend to rip out the stuffing. 

Minimise - cleaning products by using them up and not replacing them. Gradually I have got down to a simple range. I make up my own using the empty commercial containers. I now buy a 5 litre container of our laundry detergent and refill a small bottle. Unfortunately my nearest shop changed the brand that they have for refilling and my skin is fussy. Potatoes are the only thing that has grown well this year so we are trying to get those dug and used up quickly as I don’t think they will store well. We took the tops off a few weeks ago as they had blight. Finishing off the tomatoes and the final cucumbers and will get rid of most of the plants. It has turned cold already so I don’t think there will be much activity now. I have another bag of clothes ready for the clothing bank.