CURLY AND CANDID

The Wonder of Freecycle!

Nicki CawoodJuly 21, 20103 Comments

Guestblog for Bizziebaby 20/7/10 http://bit.ly/aMPUri

I recommend FC to anyone and everyone locally and otherwise. I stumbled across it several years ago and have never looked back. Basically the idea is you give away your unwanted things to members of your local community, for free, encouraging recycling and keeping items out of the landfill.
It is so simple to use too! Basically you post a “wanted” request or “offered” post. If you, for example, “wanted” a computer chair, you would ask if anyone has one, then if anyone locally does, they will email you via the site. Then, it is up to you to collect the item. The rules stipulate that the item must be free; no payment is to be offered or asked for (bonus!).
If you are “offering” an item you post a description and wait for the emails to come in. You’d be surprised what people will ask for and accept too!

I have given away loads including a freezer, fridge (which was a bit dodgy but I listed it as such and the guy who picked it up was thrilled with it as he could fix it easily), bookcase, old magazines, Slimming World books, baby & child items…. and have received a pc chair, baby and child items, homeware, a brand spanking new printer (seriously!), all given and received for nothing!

It really is an amazing case of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! If for example I wanted to get rid of my fridge & freezer, my council were going to charge me a minimum of £35 to collect and safely get rid of them, instead they were picked up by someone who could use them and were grateful for them and it saved us both a packet!

Now, you can see why its a great idea, but for those of you moving house, setting up house for the first time, having a child perhaps who is going to uni and needs essentials or a new mum to be with a list of wants and needs… is a Godsend!
Lots of people dismiss it as a faff, but seriously, it could save you a packet and really help you get rid of the clutter/unwanted items. It’s very easy to use and there is a comprehensive FAQ file to read to help you with the basic rules and FC etiquette so there is no need to be worried or apprehensive about trying something new.

Not my usual witty blog type but an important one, both environment and budget-wise.

Give it a whirl and look it up, after all, what have you got to lose? Look up your local group now!

In General

Teenage Angst – would YOU do it again?

Nicki CawoodJuly 11, 2010February 22, 201112 Comments

I often hear people say things like “Oh to be a teenager again, it was all so simple….” and I find it myself hard-pressed not to slap them for fear they have become hysterical or just yell “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?”.

Ignoring for a minute the horrible physical side to puberty , the acne/spots, hair sprouting from all over, dodgy haircuts, (see above picture/monstrosity), the monthly hell which after the first 2 show-offy “I’m a woman now” days, becomes a major pain in the arse, as well as everywhere else…. my teenage years were hideous in many ways.

Am I the only one who lay sobbing into my pillow between 11pm and 1am (when uninterrupted love songs were on Atlanta/Atlantic 252 radio) over whichever boy had broken my heart or just ignored me that week (the bastards!). Does no-one else remember the awkwardness of never quite feeling as if you really fit properly in your body (unlike now; I fit quite snug thanks).

Did no-one else have intimate moments with their stomach linings after a night (half a small bottle by the time it had gone round everyone) of cheap cider or that foul fruity acid stuff, 20/20?

Was I the only one with chronic jaw ache after compulsively chewly Wrigleys Extra in large quantities to avoid detection of your ciggy breath or dousing themselves in cheap perfume (those 5 mini bottles for £5 at Boots came in handy, Tweed, Panache etc!). Thinking about it, I must have been the best smelling teenager ever!

Then later came first love, losing your virginity, realising with crushing disappointment that the love of your life doesn’t love you back….. (we return to the late night radio love songs).

Compared to most people I know, I had fairly mild teenage years, but emotionally I can still feel every heartbreak and disappointment and despite my determination to be TREATED LIKE AN ADULT GODDAMN IT I am eternally grateful that I didn’t have real grown up decisions to make then like I do now! Despite having a lack of bills to pay, no kids to be responsible for, no house/business to run, I still prefer adult life with all it’s quirks and worries to that of being an emotionally unstable teenager (and I was pretty savvy and mature for my age too!).

So come on, what were your teenage years like? Do you look back and shudder or does nostalgia make you want to do it all again? <all font="" he!