Being cheap

[invisiblepiper]

I do work, but I tutor in the early evenings - run a couple of art classes, paint and occasionally cook for people. I organise my own time as I want to. The garden is now becoming productive, the cupboards full of jams and stuff and I can give one morning a week to Oxfam.
My regret is that I did not do it sooner - as I worked school hours when the children were little - but they say they preferred that!
I think we are pushed to believe that we have to do something 'productive' in society................. have you seen John Headstrong's video on Civilisation?
OOps This is becoming a rant - will stop now

[Rosendula]

I do work, but I tutor in the early evenings - run a couple of art classes, paint and occasionally cook for people. I organise my own time as I want to. The garden is now becoming productive, the cupboards full of jams and stuff and I can give one morning a week to Oxfam.
My regret is that I did not do it sooner - as I worked school hours when the children were little - but they say they preferred that!

We all should do what is best for us and our family. When my eldest two were little I worked a couple of nights a week in a pub and went to uni a couple of nights. That's what suited us all best then, but it wouldn't work for us now. Funny how things change.

I think we are pushed to believe that we have to do something 'productive' in society................. have you seen John Headstrong's video on Civilisation?
OOps This is becoming a rant - will stop now

I know what you mean and I'm pleased you put 'productive' in inverted commas because what bugs me is that 'productive' usually means 'money-making' these days. I feel that my work in the kitchen and garden/allotment is far more productive than any I have ever done for money. And the funny thing is, when I was working for a pittance (if I'd still been doing that job when the minimum wage was introduced I would have had a big pay rise), I felt much more productive than later in my life when I worked for fairly good salary.

[Thomzo]

Personally, I think I'm a lot busier now than when I was working.

I know that I'm VERY lucky because hubby earns enough to support both of us & pay the mortgage & bills.
This next year will be tight, but because I'm going to be growing a lot of our food & I'm also trying tobacco as well - (every little helps ) I'm hoping that will help the bank balance.

When we've talked about me finding a job, he gets a little defensive & starts arguing about who will cut the logs, bring the peats for the fires, look after the dogs, so just WHO be feeding the chicks & pigs when we've got them?

OK, so I might not bringing a wage, but my 'job' is to look after things here while he's at work - and I LOVE being my own boss!

Good for you Julie. Just when did we decide that running a home and looking after children wasn't working? I've tried a career, good salary, company car and I'd swap it any day for time to do the ironing properly, grow veg and breed chickens. Just got to find a husband who agrees. Not sure the current OH quite gets the idea.

Zoe

[JulieSherris]

Zoe...... I...I....Ironing?????

Oh, I hate ironing! I used to love my tumbler - haven't got one any more - who's bright idea was that? Oh yeah, mine!
The down side is that I have to iron things like jeans & shirts

Still, at least everything smells nice now - I must admit that during my tumble dryer years, I did miss that fresh air smell

[Rosendula]

Here's an extract from my book. Y'know - the one I wrote years ago but didn't get published because I didn't think it was good enough and the timing wasn't right, and now the timing is right I really think I could update and improve on it but I don't have the time anymore. Yeah! That one.

Finger Pressing

1. Remove clothes from machine as soon as the wash cycle has finished.
2. Hang anything on coat hangers that you normally store on coat hangers.
3. Smooth each surface down between the palms.
4. Smooth every hem, pulling gently to stretch shrunken stitching, between finger and thumb.
5. Hang in a warm place to dry, repeating steps 3 and 4 once or twice as the clothes are drying, and again just before they are fully dry.
6. Follow steps 3 to 5 for any clothes you are drying on radiators or a clotheshorse.
NB It is important with all laundry when line-drying to clip the pegs to the areas which are not seen when the clothes are being worn. For example, if drying t-shirts on a washing line, peg at the armpit area as this will be covered by the arm when wearing the garment.

What I need to add to this is that giving it a good hard shake gets rid of a lot of creases.
I don't even know where we keep the iron anymore. Occasionally Richard irons his 'going out shirts', but that's all.

[MuddyWitch]

I don't even know where we keep the iron anymore. Occasionally Richard irons his 'going out shirts', but that's all.

I'm all for that! We gave our iron away on freecycle. OH does wear shirts to work, but no-one has ever said they have to be ironed. I peg them in the garden when possible, but dry on an old fashioned clotheshorse (wedding pressie to my parents, so probably antique! )if it's too wet & they arn't too creased even so. The polytunnel also has a short line in.

MW

[linzibean]

I actually quite enjoy ironing, much more than hoovering, which is my least favourite chore! I find ironing quite therapeutic and relaxing, I must be some kind of nutter

I also dislike scrubbing the kitchen floor, as my knees play up - i have to wear a pair of gardening knee pads and so look faintly rediculous! I am, however, too tight to buy a mop, so the scrubbing will continue!