General Chat

Hello all just thought I would drop in. Spanisheyes your friend is in my thoughts. Hubby is doing a lot better now hopefully we can get him to go for a walk soon. I will turn my thoughts soon to seriously look for another job. Some daffodils have come up in the garden although there are some that are just about to bloom. Not a lot else going on will say bye for now.

I hope you have a good flight Mary and enjoy your time in the UK. I admire those who are able to paqck without taking everything but the kitchen sink, I have never learnt the art of travelling light.

It is still so very hot and dry here, I find the heat absolutely exhausting andnI feel disinclined to do anything which requires much effoirt. To-day's temperature 30C, and a little while ago the wind came up and there is a strong wind blowing at the moment.

Bridget, I have started writing something about housework but amnot finished yet. Looking at my notes they all seem so garbled!

My daughter's dog dug up the succulents which we had planted in a pot on the verandah, so his shares are not very high right now!

Not sure whether I have mentiioned this, sorry if I have, but Hot Cross Buns are available here and have been since December, nothing seems to be special any more.

I cannot get rid of the tiny black ants on the kitchen cupboard, just when I think I have them under control, there they are. It being so dry I think they are looking for water.

Let me do a little more thinking about the housework.

Take care.


Val.

Of course I was not expected to do all these tasks and indeed they did not all happen in Grandmas' house when I was with her but when she was younger this is how she controlled her home. This was verified for me by one of my aunts when i met her for the first time in 1956.

What is pasted below is very much as I remember helping although i have not written this I found it on the internet.

Almost every woman sees herself as a good home-maker. Before marriage she pictures herself in a dream house or flat; a charming hostess, clever housewife and adorable sweetheart all in one. When she finds out that washing-up and cleaning eat up her days, the vision is apt to get tarnished. Yet it shouldn’t. There’s nothing more monotonous about housework than there is in pounding a typewriter or modelling dresses, or lots of other jobs that have a more glamorous reputation. Look on it as fearful drudgery, and it will never be anything else. See it as a job supremely worth doing, then running the home without help becomes a challenge and rewarding in itself.


“Rise at 6.45am; wash, dress and air bed. 7.15am: clean out and re-lay sitting-room fire; tidy, sweep and dust room. 7.30am: prepare breakfast. 7.45am: serve breakfast . . .”

This was the sort of timetable given in the older books on household management. Few can work with such clockwork precision, or want to. On the other hand, it’s equally fatal to start with the first job to hand and go on to the next without having some rough guide as to how long can be allowed for each.

Begin overnight: A sitting-room put straight before going to bed never has the sordid appearance next morning of the one left anyhow. Cushions that have been plumped out, chairs and covers straightened, ash-trays emptied: what a difference such things make. (I do this as a matter of habit)

Doing the rooms: Begin at the left-hand side of the door and, holding your duster open and lightly crumpled in one hand, go quickly but methodically around the room, not forgetting tops of pictures and mirrors and the legs of chairs. After dusting, wipe over any soiled glass surfaces with the damp cloth. Again beginning at one side and working carefully round, pass the dusting mop over the polished floors.

Bathroom and lavatory: Some people like to use the lavatory brush, with powder cleaner, as well as disinfectant, daily. The seat and pedestal will want wiping round and drying. A linoleum-covered floor will probably need wiping with a special swab to take up damp patches, before it’s gone over with the dusting mop and finished off with the polisher.

See that a suitable cloth and cleaner is kept in a bathroom cupboard, so that there is no excuse for anyone using the bath not wiping it round afterwards. A damp cloth dipped into liquid soap substitute may be sufficient to take off any marks. On the other hand, powder or paste cleaner and a good hard rub may be called for. After removing marks, a swill round with clear water and dry with fresh cloth. The lavatory basin will need the same treatment, though a slightly sketchier one usually suffices.

Bedmaking can be quite a pleasant interlude from the dusting and sweeping. Also it has the advantage of stretching the muscles without undue exertion. Ask that everyone strip their bed on rising, and open the bedroom window at the bottom to air the room. Ask them to place the clothes fairly near, perhaps over a clothes-horse or chair, in the order in which they will be replaced, which makes your task of remaking the bed easier.

Washing-up is a task regarded with particular horror by many, yet really it needn’t be so bad. During the war, when soap was too scarce to allow it being used in the washing-up bowl, it was certainly harder, but with the coming of the liquid soap substitute one can luxuriate in nice sudsy water.
( I smile at the word Luxuriate)!

Soak greasy things in hot water. Begin on the glass or the silver and cutlery. Then do the china in order; finally pans and cooking utensils, which will thus have had more time to soak. When aluminium saucepans are scorched, very fine steel wool and pure soap are best. Always try long soaking rather than drastic cleaning.

I will find more to add and then tomorrow I will move on to the 1960s

Have a good day everyone and I shall say a prayer that we do get some more postings today.

Bye for now

Good morning everyone. what a relief when I woke this morning made my cup of coffee and opened my computer and it worked!!

I shall now add my House Cleaning info part one.

I cannot remember a time when I wasn't encouraged to "help around the house". much of my early life involved my grandparents and I owe many of my skills today from what I learned from them. They both enjoyed talking with me and definitely not to me. Grandma used to tell me that we speak with people unless you have employed someone and then you speak to them to tell them what to do!! Not sure that everyone will agree with Grandmas' view but that is waht she told me.
I was always given a duster when the cleaning started and we talked a great deal whilst the work was going on. As i got older grandma would tell me about how she organised her house and gave me one of her books which I still have and this will play a part in this months "activiity".
I will try not to ramble on so feel free to tell me if I do!

Grandma told me (I think the best way is to write in the order i was taught)
.
I am starting from 1949 when i would have been 3 years old.although I knew what a duster was from time immemorial, no one was allowed to be idle in Grandmas' house unless they were a visitor, I of course was family!

I was taught that the home is the lynch-pin of daily living and that the lady of the house must make sure that all is in good order.

We had an order of work:.
Everyday clean bathrooms, toilets and wash basins in bedrooms.
Monday: the washing
Tuesday: Sweeping & cleaning the bedrooms and stairs
Wednesday: Cleaning the windows and the best rooms,
Thursda:y Cleaning & tidying all the cupboards, hallways etc
Friday: Cleaing the best room and depending on where Grandma lived the drawing room and clean the silver.
Saturday: Cleaning the Kitchen, dining room all fireplaces, Coppers etc.

All of this excludes bed making, dusting, cooking, washing up etc.

I must point out that for most of the time granddad was away in India with the British Army and so she had good help as he was an army officer. She nearly always lived in a good size houses with beautiful gardens and I have some photos of her and some of her children in various gardens but sadly none taken indoors.

Part one to be continiued in a short while. Sorry folk but we have a visitor

MaryinSpain,

I hope that you have had a smooth flight to the UK and that you get to your destination safely and not too tired.
AnninGlos I have no idea if someone sent a message to Keith or if he just decided to visit us all. It would be good to have a mans' view from time to time. My computer died for a while this afternoon and I was unable to access my tree on GR for quite a while, and I was somewhat distraught...however kind people contacted me which I read when the comp was bank on so I must remember that one is never alone on here.
well time to set the table and start to cook the rice to go with our curry meal this evening.
I am have to leave my House Cleaning episode until tomorrow. became somewhat stressed again today...just as I think I am better back it comes, the anxiety i mean. Oh well I am not as bad as I was a few months and weeks ago.

Take care everyone have a pleasant evening.

I have no idea who sent and /or deleted any message sent to Keith, but it would be good if he stayed with us for a while, so come on Keith, talk to us.

I was not able to write my piece today because of problems with computer but better now.

North coast Mary so probably as chilly as here.

Where is there a message fro Keith. I hate it when posts are deleted now, you can't see where theyw ere so it makes the post answering them look silly.

Yes Ann final destination Bodmin North Cornwall.

KINGKEITH

I am sure that most people on this thread would agree with you. One of the good things about how this thread has developed with compassion and kindness and consideration. we "talk" about many things some serious some sad others full of fun and laughter, and starting today a new first we are all going too write about housework since 1900!
Now men as well as women do house work of one kind or another so maybe KINGKEITH you would add something about this!

Please stay with us, we get a better balance if some males are with us!!

B

I hope you have packed some warm clothes Mary as it is quite cold here in Gloucestershire. Is it South West you are travelling to?

Good morning all
Sorry for my absense but I have a lot to do as I am flying to UK on Thursday for almost 3 weeks - this will be the longest time hubby and I have been apart in all our 43 years of married life. I have put some meals in the freezer for him but I am sure he will not starve !!!
My mom is looking forward to me going over to look after her - my cousin who also lives in Spain did the first week and eldest son and wife are there at the moment then I take over on Friday.
I have packed a few things but I am travelling light and only taking hand luggage - if I took a suitcase knowing my luck I would never find it !!
Lovely weather here today after a wet evening yesterday - but we do need the rain - the winter has been dry this year.
Well I must do that ironing so will say bye and hope you all have a good day.
Love Mary xx

AnninGlos

So nice to see your entry, thank you.

It is sunny but windy here today and we cannot put the washing out as it blows away, I will have to buy some stronger pegs!!

As for the writing group I really hadn't thought about it as it is so long ago since i was on there. Also some people at the time seemed to become annoyed at responses and although this did not happen to me, I just could not cope with it. I believe that people felt that they were providing constructive advice but obviously others found it difficult. I like all the people who write different things on here and comments are made in a very pleasant manner.
However when I have settled a little more maybe I will give the Writing group another try.

Take care and have a good day.

Hello Bridget. So sad for your friend, we had a similar thing happen in my son in law's family last year, his nephew who was 19. So sad for those left behind. But whatever was troubling your friend's son I hope he is now in a peaceful place.

A grey day here again and so far only daffodil buds out for St David's day. We did see quite a few out in Hampshire though and we are not usually far behind so something to look forward to.

OH is at the moment doing the ironing then we will go out for coffee to the garden centre. I think he wants some Dahlia corms as he lost quite a few to damp this winter.

I have an official letter to write on behalf of my friend, then I may well put another couple of photos on the craft blog. I am pleased with the way that has gone as there are quite a lot of photos on there now. (mostly not my own.)

I shall look forward to your piece on housework Bridget, but why have you not done it for the writing group?

Happy St David's Day to any people who post on here and come from or live in Wales. I hope the weather is fine and you have some fun.

I will be back later and will post my first entry for How housework has changed since 1900.

I hope that you are all having a good day and I am hoping that some one finds the time to post on here today.
bye for now

NUDGE!!

I found this prayer today


Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, we understand that Thy sixth commandment, "Thou shalt do no murder," includes self murder. But in Thy Divine Mercy, we beg Thy forgiveness especially for our friends son, who has been so confounded by the pressures of his life that he felt there was no way he could continue. Grant, we beseech Thee, that he is forgiven for this and accepted into Thy Divine Providence, and that he may come to understand Thy ways and Thy nature. We ask this in Jesus Christ's name."
Amen.

I found this plea this morning and made one or two small changes. I thought that it would reflect my feelings that the young man I have already mentioned will be at peace,

Bridget

I am here! What a really sad thing to happen Bridget. I will remember the family in my prayers.

A heatwave has been predicted for this area, I think it is already here!
Went to the Craft Market on Saturday, bought a jug cover and a tray cloth with beadwork around the edge for my friend from London, also bought some homemade gingerbeer which is really nice. I also got some pancakes and took them to the friends we usually viist on a Saturday and we had them for tea.

Our friends from East London will be paying us a visit over the weekend before they leave for a vist to their son and his family in Melbourne. They will be there for two months.

Ann, I have also found the Southampton Archives very helpful, unfortunately this time they had no records of my ggggrandmother.

Tess, I haven't seen you around for a while I hope you are keeping well.

Tea time now.


Val.

Well not a single message from anyone since the 25th!! this is a first!

Of course we are all busy so I hope that today at least one or two people send a message even if it is short.

I hope that you are all keeping well.

Take care

B

nudge

I have just had a telephone call from one of our neighbours to ask if he could use our printer to print out some boarding passes as one of our mutual friends has received some dreadful news. Now last night the person who has received this news was one of the people I mention in my message above as. He and his partner, he is a widower and her son we enjoying themselves it was a pleasure to be with them.
When they all got back to their apartment our neighbour was waiting for them to tell them the shocking news that a son of the man had hung himself.....words fail me. First his wife dies unexpectedly aged 48, went shopping came home sat down to drink a cup of tea and died, and now there is the tragedy of his son!!

I am lost for words. Our neighbour has just arrived to print the boarding passes so I must go but please please say some prayers for the family.