Make Do, Mend & Minimise

Floss

Ooh let us know what they say @Cherryfudge

PipneyJane

Thanks for the feedback everyone. TBH, having read the scheme rules, B00t’s recycling scheme sounds like more hassle than it’s worth. You only get the points if you spend a certain amount of money on top of depositing x number of blister packs and you have to do both within 24 hours.

Last time I was in B00ts, I just dumped my empty blister packs into their container. I think I’ll continue to do so.

• Pip

Esmeralda2662

@PipneyJane I do exactly the same at Bo*ts with my pill packets. Last time a lovely assistant lifted the lid off the box so I could tip them all in in one go.

Make do: Found a rather forlorn looking veggie pie in the freezer and cooked it for dinner with some fresh veg. Not the nicest but at least it's gone and the soggy box is in recycling.

Mend: Went back to mum's before Bank Holiday and the vac was broken and the boiler had packed up. Managed to mend the vac, it was just a case of clipping the bottom back onto the dust chamber. Unfortunately despite trying everything I couldn't fix the boiler so plumber is coming round ASAP. Back to using pans/kettles of hot water to get washed as shower is also broken. It's a bit like being a kid again! However, new broadband is now mended.

Saw the physio for my damaged shoulder ligaments today and ibhad a thorough assessment and some new exercises so hopefully I'll be mended soon too!

Minimise: Large bag of mags given to my friend along with 2 baby quilts, sheets, pillowcase and bumper that I've had since my son was born 37 years ago. Somehow it was easier letting them go this way. X

Cherryfudge

I'm back after a month away from this thread, and realise I'd forgotten where I was up to with telling B00ts that their system is too complicated…

A few things to report:

Make do: I got permission to take surplus food home from a work buffet on a day when there wasn't time to get a proper meal between activities. As a result I had plenty of sandwiches, fruit juice and there are still cakes to finish. Saved me buying at a rather expensive venue, and saved some food from landfill.

I also gathered up the nails and lead our builders had dumped - then DH was going to buy a long nail to fix a gutter and I had the perfect one to hand.

I'm raking out lots of moss from the lawn and letting it dry with a view to saving some for making wreaths at Christmas.

Mend: not strictly a mend but the sewing machine shop have got my machine working again (it didn't like cheap thread). There are a few repair jobs waiting to help me get my hand in. On a much bigger scale, we've replaced our 90 year old roof… and our less-than-90-year-old carpet shampooer. Mends would have been a lot cheaper but sometimes replacement is the best or only option!

DH has fixed some garage guttering and used the builders' scaffolding to clean out the house gutters - DIY is (sometimes) MS.

Minimise: a few items sold on Vinted or donated. Freezer stocks used for most meals recently.

Esmeralda2662

Think it's over a month since I last posted. Just come back from a week on holiday in Lyme Regis. So nice to be at the seaside and potter about. Met Sam Culley passing through on his epic SW Coastal Path walk raising money for Mountain Rescue. Well done, Sam!

Make do: Found some blue and white paper, a little wooden heart tag, 2 little crystal and fabric flowers and some gold thread (all from my craft stash) to wrap my mum's birthday present in. Very pretty and she can keep or reuse the decorated heart.

Mend: Driving to Lyme I put the suction phoneholder in my rucksack when we stopped at motorway services. Went to the Ladies, hung the bag on the coat hook in the toilet and it immediately fell off and the phone holder smashed. Tried to mend it today but the cog wheel inside came out and it's beyond repair. At least I tried!

Minimise: Finally did a Tip run and got rid of a big tatty suitcase, broken standard lamp, broken coolbox, holey slippers, broken drawer and a very old mirror that i intended to refurbish and never did. I can actually see a space in the garage where they once were, so very pleased. X

Sausageroll14

Hope this is ok to count.....

Make do - eeking out the soap and shampoo bar. Using up all skincare and haircare items. Dear lord do I get sucked in! I'm not having that any more.

Mend - technically I haven't done this but I finally took 2 prized items to the local highly skilled seamstress. She is very reasonable for her work and will repair the items like Cinderella worker mice - to perfection.

Minimise - me and my husband lean towards a minimalistic lifestyle. It's amazing how hard that is. So we play a bingo game. When you pull a number out of the jar, you have to declutter that amount. Helps to focus the mind.

YorksLass

@Esmeralda - I know it's well over a month since I last posted and I'm struggling to remember what I've done in that time!

I'm still finding the occasional thing that can go to the CS but, as it's a long walk there and back, I want to wait until the wally trolley is full before I go. The latest things are two large earthenware mixing bowls (too heavy for me and were inherited anyway) that have been replaced by two new smaller shiny stainless steel ones. And I'm dithering over whether to let go of a rectangular planter - silly really, as my gardening these days is confined to hanging baskets - but it probably will go. I've always made up my own hanging baskets but this year I took a chance on ordering two ready-to-hang pre-planted ones and I'm delighted with them. When I worked it out, they're no dearer (probably even cheaper) than doing my own.

Using up food stocks and not having food waste is (as ever) a given, especially now that DS has moved back home. He's not a fussy eater but obviously the grocery budget has had to be increased. Not made any easier as he works nights. 🙄

I can't remember if I said I've been gifted a tall slim chest of drawers by my NDN who's moving house soon. I'm using it for storing all my crafting stuff so everything is now organised in one place and it also helped me have a clear out of quite a lot of bits and pieces at the same time.

I've finally finished a set of four cross stitch kits (only 6 months+ in the making) and they're all framed up ready to hang - just need to decide where! I already had the frames so no further cost involved.

@Sausageroll14 - I love the bingo game idea!

YorksLass

Four books read and returned to the Little Free Library, only one came home with me. With the footie and other sports dominating the TV screens in the evenings I'm getting through them at a rate of knots. 😁

NDN has gifted me another piece of furniture, a small white bathroom storage cabinet that will go in the guest bedroom as a useful bedside table.

Tea tonight is a Make Do of salmon pieces and assorted veg from the freezer with half a packet mix of chilli/tomato flavoured sauce and pasta from the cupboard. And the freezer has also provided two slices of cheesecake for afters.

Sink plunger disposed of; the rubber suction cup has disintegrated so it's neither use nor ornament. I'll need to look for a new one though so it will be a 'one in/one out' job.

suzeesu2000

Made another dozen washable pads from fabric I already had.

Repainted unit in hall as was looking a bit worse for wear, already have paint

Taking up a skirt

Nothing exciting but all saves the pennies

YorksLass

It's far too hot to be doing much right now but I have managed a couple of things.

On the Mend pile is a spare cotton double bed size sheet that I've cut down to a single bed size for the guest bedroom, hem pinned up and waiting to be machine sewn - when I have the energy to drag out the sewing machine. 😁 I might be more willing if If I could find something else to sew at the same time - otherwise it can wait.

This week's Make Do is cutting some hydrangea stems from the outside border instead of buying a bunch of flowers.

Minimising is the ever present (almost daily) recycling of packaging, junk mail etc. Used up the last of a bag of arborio rice, a bit of gammon from the freezer and a couple of mushrooms for a risotto for last night's dinner. This morning I've cooked some multi coloured pasta twists with an added vinaigrette dressing to go with tonight's lamb & mint kebabs.

Waiting to be done: take donations to CS, finished cross stitch pictures still to hang.

Added project: The gifted bathroom storage unit has had a clean but would benefit from a lick of paint. Luckily, I have oddments of leftover paint to choose from.