The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

burtha · 17 December 2013 at 12:46AM

Sq.. Sending hugs..cry if thats what you want to do,yes tomorrow is a new day and hopefully things may look better...but i do think most of us are in the same boat,house upkeep is a nightmare ,we worrie about it all the time,..take care and dont be to hard on yourself x

mcculloch29 · 17 December 2013 at 1:41AM

(((SQ))) Some wonderful advice from CC there, to which I can add little - hopefully you can secure the doors temporarily and the lock can be repaired. X fingers.

It is not pathetic at all to want to cry, added to the dishwasher it is a major worry, you didn't deserve this.

You are a staunch supporter of others, and deserve some of that support for yourself.

House upkeep IS a nightmare, were it not for a lucky break and a year of good earnings a couple of years back I would be in really dire straits now with repairs.
My lounge and dining room haven't been decorated since 1992, it's not urgent, so it's never made the top of the list.

I received a lovely pm earlier - and added to alfsmum's message, I now know why I was prompted to post The Joy of Living. I am so very pleased it brought comfort.

Forgot to add, go Olaf! G. pigs are not noted for fighting spirit -exactly the reverse - but Olaf clearly hasn't read the manual. A tribute to good loving care. Wheep!

Edit: Have received a second lovely pmm from another Forumite with 'coincidences' related to The Joy of Living that took my breath away...

Except there is no such thing as coincidence. It's all meant, when it is to the good.

I am so glad that I wrote what seemed fitting even when I really wasn't sure.

(Sorry to be so cryptic, but it's very personal info and not mine to share.)

VJsmum · 17 December 2013 at 8:24AM

Good morning all. Good idea on the cards, Monnagran, there is only so much you can do. I, too, have decided to prioritise my stressors in the hope of reducing them.

I have two piles of marking to get through, some othr important work bits and pieces, a house that looks like the proverbial bomb has hit it and the cleaner is off sick, a pile of ironing, Christmas preps to continue with, DDs uni applications to help sort (i know she should be doing this herself, but there are a couple of bits she needs help with) - the list goes on. And tomorrow and the weekend are out so not very many days to get it all sorted. The marking alone will take about 60 hours :eek:

So I have decided that the marking must wait. The house is causing me the most angst - it really is dreadful. So that is today's task, if the marking isn't done then I will message them to say they will get after Christmas. It means that although today is a work day, I will have to work some holiday days to make it up. The joys of flexible working I suppose.

Oh well this won't get it done. Time to get up and attam.

greenbee · 17 December 2013 at 9:13AM

SQ - great advice from CC. You need to break things down into manageable chunks, so make a start on that list. Then look at it again and see whether anything needs breaking down further. For example, my airing cupboard needs sorting out after the new water tank has been put in. I started with 'sort out airing cupboard'. It now reads:

1. Measure for batten
2. Buy batten
3. Remove old wires
4. Remove cable clips
5. Fill holes
6. Swap immersion switch for timer
7. Clean
8. Make shelves
9. Paint
10. Put up batten for shelves
11. Put up hanging rail
12. Put hooks on door
13. Put stuff in there

Not having a useable airing cupboard is contributing to the depressing chaos in the house (downstairs loo is leaking and we can't use it), so I've decided to prioritise it so I can put stuff away. I've got as far as removing the cable...

Of course there is another way to eat an elephant, and that's to invite your friends over and make burgers

Do you have any friends who would be able to come over and help you? Even getting one room (or cupboard!) sorted can make a difference.

kidcat · 17 December 2013 at 9:24AM

SQ - ((hugs)) some days it just feels like the world is conspiring against us, I do hope today is better, as CC says break it down. I have always lived in houses that were in terrible condition, and my solution when the house got me down was a furniture move and innovative solutions to hide the worst

Not sure if you can do a furniture move but it does cheer things up slightly.

VJsmum - I think its great you have the flexibility to be able to get yourself on top of house stuff now and then head back to marking in the Christmas lull

Deadlines loom for me today, teachers cakes all need icing, decorating and wrapping, I have DS9 church service this morning, usual pick ups drop offs etc, have booked Santa for tonight and DD19 announces last night that she is looking forward to college awards night - eeeerrrrr totally forgotten that one!!! So will be major rush to get back from Santa and to college, I can see me getting changed as we drive some how

Apologies to anyone on M56 tonight it wont be a pretty sight - thank goodness we have blacked out windows

FairyPrincessk · 17 December 2013 at 9:32AM

Hi All,

Just a quick pop in. Big hugs, esp. for SQ, Princess, CC, Ginny and Monagran.

VJsMum, I'll commiserate on the marking. I'm halfway through the second of four piles and I have a big deadline this Friday. I've decided not to sweat the marking either--it will get done.

Right, I'm off back to it all.x

Pooky · 17 December 2013 at 9:47AM

Morning all

Sounds like a lot of you need a helping hand....I'd recommend chocolate but I think Brandy probably works better

I'd come help you all if I could.

I know how easy it is to see everything, no matter how trivial to others, as the most important thing to get done. I think the ramp up to the end of the school year really doesn't help, kids are hyper, parents have so much to do and every single thing seems to relate to money. It will get easier x

Been up half the night with DH who was in silly amounts of pain, then I had cats either side of me pinning me to the bed so I've now got a stiff neck. Then around 4am one cat decided he needed to hack up a hairball......honestly it was farcical. DH is now snoring away surrounded by kittens and I'm going to be sporting the zombie chic look all day.

DD1 has a chat with the local radio station today as they might offer her some journalistic and news reading work experience.....I'd be a nervous wreck but she's so blas! about it. Fingers crossed please!

[Deleted User] · 17 December 2013 at 9:51AM

SQ the biggest priority is to get you sorted out and get you feeling more level and in charge of life so the going to the GP is of paramount importance and getting your ADs, that will help you deal with all the other issues in life at the moment love. The door being fixed for security really is the most pressing of your needs so get a locksmith in asap and secure the house again. Whatever you do have and whatever you don't have you have a treasure that most folks only touch on in thier lives, you have love in your home. You love each other and your little family so much, it's right through your every post and they love you in equal measure. Things get out of kelter at this pressured time of year, even when we think we're not playing the christmas game it impinges on our unconscious and the pressures are there, so everyone is stressed and a bit fraught and it all seems too much doesn't it?

Your home is just that, not a place to look like a showroom, mine certainly isn't! our home is scruffy, well loved, nary a new thing in sight and certainly lived in and it's comfortable and warm and cosy because live here, not just exist but live and enjoy every second of it. That's what is important in life, it's to feel the joy of living, it's not always easy and you have to work jolly hard at it sometimes particularly when you have younger kiddlers and issues with families, but some things just make life better be it a sunny day, the robin in the garden or a smile from someone in a shop that says you're just like me, and I'm tired too!!! You'll be OK, we're here to tell it to, whatever it is on those days when it's all grey and vexation, and we'll share the sunny ones too pet, and there will be sunshine soon, trust me, Love Lyn xxx.

nuttyp · 17 December 2013 at 10:24AM

Good morning all, lots to catch up with here!!

MRS LW - olaf sounds like one very happy and a lot better piggy!!

KIDCAT - well done on the resignation, hopefully this will make you feel more relaxed. Enjoy the freedom!!

SQ - everything comes together in the end. we only rent but our local council is well known for lack of repairs being done. We are at work a lot so I suppose gaining entry is a problem on my part. I keep an eye out of freecycle and I also look on land of bay. Maybe put a request on freecycle - you never know someone mite have what you need.

So many people seem to have various worries. I have today off, and wanted to be at home. Alas no, DD is going to treat me to having my nails done in her lunch break - she is doing them for free!! I feel all posh with nice manicured and painted nails. Then my mum has asked to go and see her sister - so I will take her for an hours visit. Then I need to come home and get some housework done.

Yesterday I posted all my parcels from selling on land of bay - the money has paid the rent again for another week. Payday is Friday, and boy do I need it. Decided to clean out dumping pocket in my car, mum had left me £10 for petrol as I had been running around over the weekend, I rang to thank her and she said she thought I would find it next year!!

At work yesterday I gave the customers mince pies with their drinks, all festive with me!!!

I chopped some veg last night, and managed to cut my finger quite bad. I put some steri strips on to hold it back together. I know I should have gone to see the nurse, but its still ok this morning just a bit painful. Dabbed some antiseptic cream on again so opefully it will be ok. - note to self keep piggy fingers away from potatoes when shopping them up, failing that get someone else to do it!!

OK, must get some jobs done. top of the list is make a cuppa!! Take care everyone x

SDG31000 · 17 December 2013 at 10:33AM

Morning all

SQ You have my sympathies and I do know how you feel. My windows are all rotting, but we don't have the money to replace any of them. My bath sprung a leak and now has a fetching blue patch and I'm terrified to find out what state the floor is in under it. However we get up and carry on. You aren't alone and things will get sorted. Have a huge hug ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

Well done kidcat Good for you for sticking to your guns. I hope life is now less stressful for you xxxx

Well said Lyn :T

I hope your DH is feeling better this morning Pooky

Well add me to the list of people who's house is complete chaos. My living room is full of bags of wrapped and unwrapped Christmas presents, the dining room a mass of fabric, sewing stuff and wrapping paper and the less said about the laundry pile the better. DH and the boys have been helping, but they just don't think about anything beyond eating and picking up the odd thing off the floor. I made two lots of mince pie pastry that is still sitting in the fridge that no one has bothered doing anything with. I don't even like the things.
This stomach bug has knocked me for six. I haven't been sick for 36 hours and have drunk my first cup of tea since Saturday this morning. Hopefully that will stop the caffeine withdraw symptoms and the headache.
I feel so weak and wobbly and still have masses of sewing to do before Christmas. Some of them are going to have to wait I think. I know my friend Emma won't mind and my Mom can have her bag as a birthday present. That still leaves 5 stockings and two bags to do. Along with the rest of the shopping. At least I have a turkey in the freezer, here's hoping everyone is ok for Christmas.

That's enough whining from me. Let's see how my stomach reacts to some toast.

Take care everyone xxxx

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The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

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