Stop flicking the switch

Me and my three pusscats are snug and warm inside our cosy house. No we don't have the heating on we don't need it. They have their fur coats, and I have my layers. All the internal doors are open, I like them to have the run of the house to come and go as they please, and I am often up and down, moving from room to room. The windows in the living room have two sets of curtains hanging on each, making double insulation. It is not cold tonight anyway. 

I am becoming more aware of the consequences of flicking switches on either electrical or gas appliances. Every time I flick a switch it costs me money, so before I do it I ask myself, do I really need to. Am I really that cold, do I need to spend some money on an hour of heat. Mostly the answer is no, sometimes it is yes, so I treat myself to an hour of central heating, or put the gas fire on in the living room. Don't feel sorry for me, I am not a poor pensioner who has to make the choice between heating and eating. I can afford to do both, it's just that I don't actually need much heating because after years of working outdoors in all weathers I like fresh air, and hate stuffy rooms. Even now, tonight, I have windows upstairs open an inch to encourage a circulation of air through the house. You know my food situation, I eat well within my budget, because I know how to budget, so no hardships there.  

I noticed on my last utilities bill that my electricity consumption has dropped. Normally it's higher than the gas, but this time it's lower. That's because I have been taking steps to cut back on flicking switches. Ever since Autumn and the start of shorter days and longer nights, I have been looking at ways I can save money on electricity, and that means, looking for ways of using it economically, or not using it at all.  

I no longer boil a kettle for my coffee in the morning. My kettle has an element in the bottom, I cannot put one mug of water in there because it won't cover the element, so I always ended up with two mugs of hot water, one of which doesn't get used. I know you can put it into a flask and use it later, but I only ever have one mug of coffee, the rest of the day I have cold watered down fruit juice. So what do I do now? I put my mug of cold water in the microwave and heat it that way. The benefit of that is the mug also gets hot, so the drink stays hot for longer. 

What else do I do to cut down? A lot of people leave the TV on for background noise, as they go about their daily tasks. I don't have a tele, but I do have a radio. I only switch it on when I actually want to listen to something. There are a few programmes which interest me, and if I am doing something in the living room I will listen while I am crafting. Once the programme is over, or I move to another room, I switch it off. No point in paying for electricity if I am not listening to it. 

Let's look at lighting. These Christmas lights were free, I found them in the house clearing skip I mentioned a few months ago. They are now permanently installed in my living room. I no longer flick the switch on the wall to put the main ceiling light on. I am hoping that these small candle lights use less electricity. 

I also use a desk light. This is my table in the living room. These two lights are enough for me to see what I am doing, and it gives a cosy feel to the room. I don't need any more light than this. I also don't spend much time on the big computer upstairs in the winter. I use my small netbook. I am sure this is saving me money.

Over my clothes I wear a large, man's fleecy dressing gown, which has a handy pocket on the front. In here is my small wind up torch. When I move from room to room I don't flick a switch and put a light on, I use the torch to guide me through the dark house. I might go to the kitchen to get something out of the fridge.

 Aha, there is a light inside the fridge, that's very handy.

About three or more years ago, can't remember how long ago, the strip light on the ceiling packed up. Well I suppose it could be just the little round switch thing, or it could be the whole tube which needs replacing. I'm not bothered about it, because I don't need it. All I need is this small lamp. It gives out sufficient light for me to see what I am doing, on the area of the worktop that I am preparing my meals on. I don't need the whole blooming kitchen lit up. Just one small bulb is fine. 

So, I use the torch to go upstairs to the bathroom. The cats are all asleep so there is no danger of me falling over them. Surely everyone can spend a penny in the dark, I know where my toilet paper is, and the sink is next to the toilet, and the towel is on the stool. Easy peasy.

Here is my little torch. I take it to bed with me and lay it next to my pillow, so it is there if I need to get up in the night. When I wake in the morning I reach for the torch to shine it on my wrist watch to find out what time it is. It is so very handy, and I'm sure it is saving me money.

So, don't forget, stop flicking the switch if you want to cut down on your utilities. Every time you switch something on it gobbles electricity and gas, and it's going to cost you money. I don't have one of those fancy gadgets that tells you how much each appliance uses, I use my common sense. I don't read my meters weekly, because there is only me here, and I know more or less what I use, so no nasty surprises. My little wind up torch will stay in my pocket until the spring, when the daylight hours will be getting longer. Until then I will live in my twilight world inside my cosy house.
Toodle pip

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Sing your heart out

Something to share with you today. Something quite amazing, something chuffin brilliant. I am not a fan of talent programmes, they build people's hopes up and then they knock them down. Not everyone can get through to the finals, not everyone has talent, in fact some of them have no talent at all, but they are prepared to put themselves in the firing line in the hope of a big break. Instead all they get is a lot of ridicule. The programme makers know that. They include them because they will increase ratings, a terrible example of exploitation, a cruel way to make money. I don't watch talent programmes because I feel for the people entering, also I don't have a television set, a good enough reason I think.

Last night, while pottering around on yooootoooob I happened to come across some of the better auditions, and these people definitely have got talent. I absolutely love the way first impressions go completely out of the window once they open their mouth. Remember Susan Boyle, and Jonathan and Charlotte? Absolute gems of inspiration.

I am beginning to appreciate good music, and find myself being drawn to fabulous voices, the type that can actually sing. I have picked out these for you to listen to, see if you agree with me, that these are absolutely amazing. There are some surprises here, you will be blown away, and you will need your hanky. There is raw passion here, and it shows as they give it their all. Enjoy your Sunday.











Well, what do you think? Stunning eh! Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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Are you walking tall?

Have you noticed how a lot of people walk around with slouched shoulders, stooping forward, like they just want to get from A to B in the shortest time, and without any hassle from others who might interrupt their concentration, locked in their own little world. The cold weather might have something to do with it, as this time of the year is when you are weighed down with lots of layers, and yards of scarf wrapped around your neck. It's hardly surprising that you don't want to take the force of the wind and rain full in the face, so the natural instinct is to get your head down and march on.

I have to admit I am often guilty of this myself. If I am in a hurry I get my head down and lean forward, in the hope that I might arrive at my destination a few minutes earlier and save a bit of time. Of course that is nonsense, my strides are still the same length no matter how upright or bent my body is. I caught sight of my side profile in a shop window recently, my posture was terrible, I looked ten years older than I actually am. My shoulders were rounded, and my head was sticking forward, I looked a mess. I immediately stood upright, pulled my shoulders back, and lifted my head up. I looked and felt 100% better, now why can't I hold my posture like that all the time.

Now, I am trying to remember to walk properly, and to help me do this I am singing this song to myself in my head.



I've also found a couple of useful videos.





I'm determined I am going to do something about this. I don't want to end up with all kinds of back, neck, and shoulder pain in my old age. I need to correct my posture now. Has anyone else got this problem?
Tell me your stories. See you tomorrow.
Toodle pip.

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Buying what is cheap, and choosing carefully

Last night was shopping night, my fridge was bare, now it is full. I checked my money off vouchers before I went, and found there was a possibility that I might use some of them. Tesco look at your spending habits and send the vouchers they think you are most likely to use. They don't know that I am not in the habit of buying a whole melon, organic milk, double thick cream, pre packed leeks, grated cheese, or extra strong mints, except if they are reduced, or are a once a year purchase. If they think I am going to pay full price for these items just to use a voucher, they have another think coming. However, I was able to use �2.50 worth of vouchers against things I do normally buy. There was one exception though. I don't normally buy small apple pies from the bakery, but at a price of 10p for two it would be silly not to get them, and with a voucher for 25p off, it seems they have paid me 15p for taking them away, ha ha.

My normal choice of vegetables were not reduced, so I had to have what was available. Bags of prepared sprouts, leeks, broccoli, and green cabbage for 13p a bag. At that price they had to be bought. Roasting vegetables for 18p, and mixed salad leaves for 14p. I am not a fan of green cabbage, it's too darn tough, but I have made a big pan of tasty stew out of it, and smashed it to bits in the food processor, so now it's soup, and won't take so much chewing. Enough for tomorrow at a cost of 31p, and still more prepared veg in the fridge to make some more.

There was a lot of reduced  bread to be had, so I have stocked the freezer up again, now it's bursting. I bought two packs of mini doughnuts at 10p each, one for me, and one for the two postmen who come to my village. I often buy a bit extra at that price to give some away. I did pay normal price for a few things, but I choose carefully. Because I don't eat meat, I don't mind adding nuts to my diet, they are not cheap, but I buy what I can afford.

All in all a good shop, �20.27  paid after the vouchers were deducted. Included was a tin of tuna fish and some reduced turkey slices, a treat for the cats. This shop will last me two weeks hopefully.

I went over to the next village today for a dog walk with my friend. She had made some lovely roasted butternut squash soup for us, a welcome treat after battling the cold wind.

I've just thought of something I missed on yesterdays post about the rag rug. If you are going to make one, start in the middle of your backing, and work your way out towards the edge. If you are not sure how big you want your rug, you don't need to measure the backing first, just get a piece an approximate size, and stop when you have done enough. When you get to the edge fold under a border of about two inches, and peg through the two layers, that will make the edge stronger.

That's all for tonight. Have a nice weekend. See you tomorrow.
Toodle pip.

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How to make a rag rug

Hi. There were questions on 'how to' on yesterdays post, so I thought I would stretch it over to another post today. Thank you for your comments. Linda Metcalf asks about cutting techniques to make the strips. I don't have any cutting tools, just a large pair of scissors, and a ruler. For this rug I am using plain teeshirts, if they have a logo I discard it, but if you want to use every bit of the teeshirt you can do. First I remove the band at the bottom, then using a ruler as a rough guide, I cut 5.5 inch strips. When I get to the top I remove the seams, and neckline, I don't want them in my rug, but if you are mixing the colours you could use them as the stitching won't show. I then use the remaining straight bits. A  teeshirt stretches sideways to allow for lumps and bumps. It's best if you cut your strips vertically as there is less stretch. 

My strips are 5.5 inches long and three quarters of an inch wide. You can make them shorter or longer depending if you want a more shaggy look, or a neat finish. You can make them narrower or wider, depending on the size of holes in your mesh backing, and how big your crochet hook is. If your strips are big and chunky, you will get fewer strips out of a garment, but you will need less to fill your backing. Smaller narrow strips and a finer mesh using a smaller hook will take longer to make.

A Frugal Mrs asks how to attach the strips, and JanF asks about rug hooks. I have a rug hook, but I find it easier to use a crochet hook. 

Push the hook through and out the other side.

Fold a strip in half and wrap it round the hook. Hold the two ends between thumb and index finger of left hand.

Pull it through the mesh. Still holding on to the two ends, hook them and pull them through the loop you have created.

 Tug lightly on the ends but the knot doesn't have to be tight.

I've made a little video which might help.



For the backing you can use anything that has holes in, or is a loose weave to push the hook through. It must be fairly robust and strong because you need to tug at it as you work. It should also not be biodegradable, it needs to last a lot of years.  You need to space your strips out so that they are not too sparse and the backing is visible from the front, but not too dense or your rug will be very heavy. There is no set formula for spacing, like every second hole, check as you go along.

Dreamer asks about the cut edges fraying and shedding loose threads. Teeshirts and sweatshirts don't fray, they are ideal for this. Danneke mentioned that they might be washable. If you make a large rug it would be far too heavy to put in a machine, and would take ages to dry. To get maximum life out of these rugs it's best not to use them where they are going to get dirty quickly. Not in a main thoroughfare where they are going to get trampled on by everyone who comes in and out. Hanging them over a washing line and giving them a good beating with a broom handle should be enough to keep the dust at bay.

That's all I can think of at the moment, I hope I have covered most points. If you are not sure that this is for you, try making a small cat or dog rug. Look for a hessian sack or vegetable net bags from a greengrocer, to practice on. Good luck, have fun.
Toodle pip.

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Splodge splodge

Here she is again, the little madam Heidi. The rag strips were flattened when I got up this morning, there was a warm round dent in it where her body had laid. Here is an update on rag rug number two, it's looking good. 

I have ten colours so far, and enough of these to make more splodges in the same colours. It's a matter of spacing them out, mixing and matching. The red looking splodge on the right is in fact peach, and there are two shades of green in there, as well as three shades of blue, one of turquoise, one red, one purple, and one grey.

I went to town this afternoon to the �1 charity shop and bought three more teeshirts. That makes five I have bought so far. I don't intend buying any more, because to spend money on it would defeat the object of making something for nothing, using rubbish that would normally be thrown away.  Pity the car boot sale is not on, I could get them a lot cheaper there.

This is taking my time up at the moment. I did think I would spread the job over a couple of months, but it's quite exciting to see the colours grouped together, and it spurs me on to keep going. I am enjoying working on this one more than the first, because a bit more artistic thought has to go into it. What shape to make the random splodges, and which colours go best next to each other. The finished article is going to look brilliant. Something else to brighten my house up, I'm excited :o))
Toodle pip

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It's funny how things change

The comments on yesterdays post are an interesting read. A right mixed bag on what constitutes an emergency and what doesn't. Thank you all for airing your views, and welcome to the new readers. Sorry I haven't welcomed you before, I do take note of the new faces which appear in the sidebar, and I do look at your blogs.

I think we have got it pretty much ok here in the UK when it comes to things we have to pay for, and things we can get help with. I reckon we have little to moan about compared to our neighbours across the pond. Not wanting to get political on this issue, politics always seems to creep into it when austerity, scrimping, managing on little, and feeding the poor, come to the forefront of conversation. I am not into bashing the system, because in my mind there is no difference in the parties that govern our country. It's a bloody hard job to have, and I wouldn't volunteer for it in a million years. That's not letting them off, just stating my view. No, I am not a campaigner at all. so no politics please. .

My stance is that we have to do the best we can with what we have, we owe it to ourselves, which is what this blog is about. I look at my home, my life, my income, as my own little powerhouse. It is my domain, I decide what I do with the resources I have within these four walls. I could go down the pub and pee my money up the wall, but I don't. I could splash the cash on a flat screen TV but I don't. What I do instead is to monitor every penny that comes in and every penny that goes out. Everyone has that option, some do it amazingly well, some just scrape by, by the seat of their pants, and those in between make an fairly decent job of it. Monitoring movement of money in and out, and making a plan is essential to survive. Sorry, I am getting a bit preachy now, don't mean to be, will move on.  

Something Sue said reminded me of how it used to be, the pleasures of saving up to buy kitchen utensils one at a time. Yes, I remember that. Not that I ever did it, but my friend did. She had a boyfriend not long after she left school, things were getting pretty serious, one thing led to another and they became engaged. After that she started buying bits and bobs from homestyle shops, bedding, towels, utensils, pots and pans and suchlike. She made a list of what she had, and asked for household items for Christmas and Birthdays presents, and stashed them all in a 'bottom drawer'. Every so often she would empty the drawer to show me what was in there, everything had to match, and it was all lovingly put back in after inspection. This went on for a year or two, and by the time she got married she already had most of what she needed to make a nice home.

It's funny how things change. I haven't heard anyone mention a 'bottom drawer', for years. Shame really, because it was a symbol of a serious relationship, a commitment to a future together with a partner. It all seems a bit rushed these days. Mind you, you can set up a new home a lot quicker now, and probably a lot cheaper, by visiting car boot sales and charity shops. There wasn't any of those options when I was a mere slip of a girl.

My friend with the 'bottom drawer' is now a pensioner like me, she is in the process of giving away most of her stuff. She wants an uncluttered life, so her bottom drawers are slowly emptying. It's funny how our priorities change.

Where is this post going? I have no idea, I've come to a dead end, so I'll finish :o)
Toodle pip.

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