Mummy Muddy Paws

MOB rants

Thanks everyone.  Just got a bit fed up of being the statue and never seeming to get my day as the pigeon, and worried about Max.  He's a rescue, and has given us so much more back than he ever took.  Our house is a forever home, we do what we can to understand our dogs, and understand that some things can be difficult for them.  Bracken was terrified of belts, we think that one of her previous owners had beaten her with one.  If I ever found out who it was, I don't think I could be responsible for my actions.

Gilly, if you've had more back than you paid in, then I think you've been one of the lucky ones, the charges go up and up each year the dog gets older, and as Max is at least 10 now (we got him in 2003 as an adolescent dog), the excess would be mad, that is if anyone would insure him.

Bev - I don't think the apprentices are chosen for their intelligence, the program makers know what they're doing and 12 really bright sparks wouldn't make good TV, whereas 12 assholes spouting the guff they do, does.  Apparently.  I don't really watch 'reality' TV, I think life's too short to watch that.  Give me a good Midsomer Body Count, or NCIS, or a Foyle, Morse, Frost or Endeavour and I'm happy.  I do admit to having a soft spot for Most Haunted, that used to have me roaring with laughter every time Yvette Fielding started shrieking, got possessed or Derek Acorah started going on about 'suberreaneans' living in the Tube in prehistoric times.  Derek, you berk, the tube was built in 18-something or other, it wasn't there in prehistoric times.  Still makes my husband laugh if I suddenly shout subterreneans at him at random times.  I think thats as close to reality TV as I've ever got.

MOB rants

Gilly, no, we don't have pet insurance.  My sister-in-law does, and it's cost her thousands (pedigree dogs, therefore more likely to have problems).  We worked out recently if she'd just put the money aside, she'd be about £2000 richer.

I am looking for work, as after I had my first child I was unexpectedly made redundant, as it's an employer's market, not many people want ot employ someone who is disabled.  This is despite me being previously employed, as a consultant, by companies like BT, Corus (when it was British Steel) and a number of software outsourcing companies.  My problem is location, I live in Sheffield, the work is in London.  I'm simply not prepared (or able any more) to miss my kids growing up, and live away from home.

I have had many rescue dogs over the years, as has my Mum (she used to breed Afghan Hounds), this is the first time we've had any major expense.  We had to have one PTS last year (rescue GSD, who had degenerative disease, there was nothing else we could do).  The cost of that was fairly hefty.

My husband works long hours as a lecturer, and doesn't get paid what he's worth (he went into teaching as a 'steady' job whilst I was pregnant with number 1), over the years we've been together, we've NEVER both been in work at the same time, one or the other of us has been made redundant, had to give up work to look after elderly relatives then babies, so we don't have a 'rainy day fund', that went long ago when we lost my husband's father.

It is a struggle to put food on the table, we make our own fuel from waste veg oil so we can run a car, so pet insurance that we may or may not need (and haven't needed for the past 10 years) is an unneccessary extravagance.  So the last of the family silver (my handbag collection) is going on ebay over the weekend, in case he needs to have the toe amputated.  Am praying that the £140 worth of broad-spectrum antibiotics work, so my beloved furry boy doesn't need to have it amputated.

Seer Rock dust

Be seeing you on the Rants thread soon then!

Strangely enough, I've not actually met Anyone that would vote yes, I want to stay in Europe in a referendum (assuming we ever get the one we were promised).  They must all live darn sarf somewhere.  We are sensible up here in the wilds of Yorkshire!

MOB rants

Anyone on here want an Oracle/VB/Business Objects programmer?

Took the dog in today to have his toe sorted out after I accidentally stood on it (back in March - went to the vet's straight away, had antibiotics etc).  Over the weekend the toe swelled dramatically, vet today has tried to save it (massive infection in the bone we didn't realise), now he's on mega strong anti-biotics, painkillers & anti-inflammatories.  So that's £640 we've had to put on the flexible friend.  If they don't work between another £500-£800 for taking the toe off - obviously I want the dog to get better, but money was really tight anyway.

Short of swinging my beads on west street in town, anyone got any legal money making ideas?

Really, really don't want to go back to contracting in London, my little ones are only going to be little once, and I don't want to miss any of their antics - even though they drive me to distraction sometimes.  So, anyone want a programmer/organiser/adiminstrator?

Seer Rock dust

BrummieBen, that's really good to know.  Will have to try winning some B&Q vouchers now to pay for it!

Fidgetbones, the French are a law unto themselves I'm afraid.  Taken as individuals, they're great, but get a bunch of them together (especially the farmers) and they become, in my opinion, like stroppy teenagers that will throw a huge hissy fit if they don't get their way.  Sorry if I offend any francophiles, but you can keep them!

MOB rants

You don't actually need to see if you're a proper typist.  It really used to p*** the boys I worked with off, I could be turned half away from my computer, still typing, and talking to them at the same time.  Half of them are kids now who won't have a clue who Stevie Wonder is.  Just like I have no clue who half the 'celebrities' are that are on the tedious talent or 'I used to be a celebrity and hoping if I eat bulls dodahs on telly it will kickstart my career' type programmes.

GG, did you sort out the hideous cardigan cockup?

Off to get some ibuprofen.  Small child number 2 not well and fighting her big brother (and winning, she fights dirty) over the highchair.  Dog in vet tomorrow to have his infected claw seen too, anyone know where I can sell a kidney so I can fund it?

Seer Rock dust

It does look good, but surely if you have sandy soil you'd be better off not putting more dust in there!

Maybe dig it in with yet more of the FYM, to try to hold some moisture in (assuming we have a better summer than last year).

The jungle in my garden needs to go.

OK, Tony, I understand where you're coming from, mine looked like that when I started last summer.  I have ME/CFS, so what I can do is limited.  How I tackle it is:

1 Buy decent gloves.  Mine are the gold leaf tough touch ones, and, apart from the seams are bramble-proof.  You will need them as brambles, even when dead, are bloody lethal.

2. Doesn't really matter what you use to chop it down, I have trusty loppers and secatuers for chopping up the brambles, green bits go in the council green bin, dead woody bits go in dustbin incinerator type thing (aldi, £20 ish).  Chop down all stuff to about 6 ins/1ft.

3.  Dig out brambles.  They only go down a spade and a half, so aren't difficult to do.  If you have any other weeds, like bindweed, these are a different matter.

4.  Anything that dares poke it's head up after a week, use roundup or something similar.  Keep spraying, it will eventually get the message and turn it's roots up and die.

5.  For both yours and your Mums' sake, once that's done, put down weed supressing membrane, and cover with something like pea gravel.  It will look a lot nicer, I'm sure I'd be depressed looking out at that lot, and pea gravel might not be every one's choice, it's better, far better than what's there now.  The council can and do fine people (even if you own the house) for letting their gardens get out of hand, it only takes the next door neighbour one phone call to the council/councillor and they can get stroppy with your Mum - I wouldn't want that for anyone, especially not my Mum.

To answer your question, weedkiller takes between 4 and 6 weeks, and it needs to be dry for at least 4 hours after you spray it on, maybe more.  If you want instant improvement, go the gloves and loppers route, if you're lazy and/or have the time and money, then go down the weedkillers route.

Brambles only go down a spade and a half, so are quite easy to dig out, BUT, the tiniest bit of root will re-grow.

Once you've done it, please use the weed membrane and pea gravel, and then you won't have to do it again in a couple of years.  And a couple of years after that.

Your Mum should also be a lot happier and won't be nagging you to do something about that wilderness.  Very depressing.

Does anyone else..........

It was me that asked about wood ash (I am burning all of the brambles I'm chopping out).  It's good that I can add wood ash.

Someone pointed out that coal ash makes a good barrier that slugs won't cross, I know if will eventually get into the soil, but in small amounts I can't see it being too much of a problem, especially in a flower garden where it has no chance of getting into the food chain.

what is this thats killing all our hedge and what can i do

I would definitely improve the soil first.  I know that privacy is important, but is there any way you could remove the conifers (the dead ones at least), and put something cheap & cheerful in place?  I think willow screening is reasonably priced, and would allow you to improve the soil by digging in a mixture of sharp sand (to improve the drainage) and horse manure, preferably well rotted stuff, to improve the structure and the nutrient content of the soil.  You also need to know what the pH of the soil is (how acidic or alkaline it is), as this will dictate to a fair extent what will grow happily.  Look what other people in the area are growing, this will give you an indication of what else you can grow.

Rather than risk failure which will put you off gardening for life, I would wait, get rid of as much of the weed as you can (keep putting weedkiller on, it will eventually get the message and die), improve the soil and wait.  Patience is a virtue that gardeners cultivate along with their plants.

Ericaceous Compost Recommendations

pH meter suggestions, please

Does anyone else..........

Getting rid of Bindweed

Got any 'ose?

Rowan Tree Propagation

Amateur Weatherman/woman

Gauntlet recommendations, please

Apple Tree Help needed

Bargains

Is there anything I can't compost?

Help with overwintering Strawberries, Please

Help - Massive Bramble problem

Unidentifed Raptor