'supporting each other through really tough times...

[mama67]

Following on from Fuddles request for someone to start a new thread today I have with her blessing started this one as a continuation of the Tougher Threads.



If things get tougher?

Its Tough NOW so how are we coping?

Its STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping now?

Its still tough....and guess what its freezing brrrrr

It May Be Tough for six years. The survival thread.

Times are so tough - the Old Stylers have gone down the pub!

How To Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way!

It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens in 2011

As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

Not mentioning the T word at all (an 'alternative' tough thread that's still running)

A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

Make do and mend for tougher times

I think I have done this right

[fuddle]

Yey! thank you mama67.

A lovely thread title too. Really fitting. Long may the tough threads continue.

Over 10 000 posts in a couple of months. We sure do need it!

[Pooky]

yay, shiny new thread

[Sunshine4]

Shiny new thread

[jem132]

Do we post hear now instead of the other thread? Sorry I feel really slack today

[pinkieminkie]

Been lurking on the old thread for ages and as a new thread has now been started then I think that it is time that I join in and say 'hello'! Everyone seems so friendly and supportive, I'm looking forward to getting to know you all a little better

[kidcat]

welcome pinkie - good day to join us, I have huge amounts of scones leftover!!

[bossymoo]

Congratulations on the new thread, toughies!

(long time lurker)

[kidcat]

hi bossymoo - have a scone

[fuddle]

That's why I love it when we start a new thread. Welcome pinkieminkie hullo bossy

Wellies? Mine are in a bit of a state. How can I get the shininess anywhere near back? I was thinking rubbing them with olive oil?It works on me face!

yeah post here jem, hopefully a board guide will lock the other one now.

[nuttyp]

Wow nice new chapter and thread. Long may we continue to chat.

[meanmarie]

Hi Pinkie and Bossymoo.

Fuddle, really did miss you...would second advice to be cautious about quitting ADs.

All good wishes for many years of health and happiness Stiltwalker.

Sleep well all

Marie

[lisakay]

Kidcat, chuck us a scone please

Yay, new thread

hope you've all had a good day, will go back and make sure i've not missed much on the old thread shortly x

Things here are looking to get really tough soon
Apart from DH's possible redundancy, he also has arthritis in both hips and is really struggling with the pain. He did a couple of driving shifts (Overtime, he's normally in the office) and can barely walk today, which means he'll have to cut back on the OT and possibly have to take sick leave at some point for another op...we'll be up that creek, will have to start whittling a paddle out of recycled pallets!
I'm going to up the ante on advertising my childminding more and I have a seed of an idea starting to germinate to sell some crafts/run some courses at the school.

We have 18mths left to pay on a loan, that with both incomes is being paid off comfortably, but going to start cutting back further on outgoings to try and pay it off early. Sky tv already cancelled (but have now got it free until after christmas and it's on the calendar to cancel before we have to pay again). the animals are already happy eating the cheapest food and DH agreed to no more beer and to cut back on meat portions (he would happily eat 3 or 4 pork chops in one meal he'll now be getting one and only one!!)
everything in this house gets recycled, repurposed, reused and lots of other people offload stuff that they can't use because they know I will. (one of my colleagues laughed at me when I grabbed a big plastic tub with a lid out of the bin to store the kids lego in because you can buy one for a quid...there gonna laugh at me even more when i rifle through the bin for the big baked bean tins to repurpose )

operation skinflint has begun!!!

[kidcat]

lisa - have you considered DLA for your hubbys arthritus? If its that painful and ongoing he may get at least a little to help.
Have a scone, in fact have two - I baked fifty this morning in a major operation to keep me focussed and make sure we had something nice to offer new people.

[mama67]

DH was made redundant at end of Aug and we have had a battle to get even JSA it took 6 weeks before we got any payments, (not sure how they thought we'd pay the bills).

We have been waiting on the Gov to pay the redundancy as the firm went into Insolvency. Have had a letter through to say it will be within the next few weeks, so then we can look at the next stage.

So it has been belt tightening all round in the meantime.

DH is hoping to set up his own House and Garden Clearance business once the money comes through as there seems to be lots of work for people doing that.

Anyways onwards and upwards

[lisakay]

http://www.ehow.com/how_7156392_clea...r-wellies.html

here ya go fuddle x
hi pinkieminkie and bossy moo.

[The Dragon]

Blimey a new thread already!

Happy new thread folks!

[Possession]

Woo hoo, new thread! Nice to see you back Fuddle, otherwise you were scheduled for a PM tonight!
Welcome Pinkie and hello again Bossymoo.
DH now has a contract to sign and no firm offer from the other company so it looks like the decision will be made for him, thank goodness for that! He may even be starting work on Monday which I guess will mean almost a full month's wages at the end of November. Our bank account may go into shock, particularly since this weekend will need to be spent adding to the one and only suit he has in his wardrobe!
Wishing good wedding vibes for tomorrow.......

[lisakay]

we haven't looked into any benefits yet, but having been daft with money in the past and having got together with DH when he had big debts from a previous marriage, we have high outgoings that wouldn't get paid by benefits. It's all ours to deal with how lovely! once that one loan is paid off we'll have a lot more breathing space and will look into what we could get to help if he needs to take time off. will keep hoping that this winter isn't too cold as that makes it worse for him (and me, because he's a grump when he's in pain (as i would be too)).
IME things rarely turn out as badly as you expect them too, so we'll be hoping for the best, whilst preparing for the worst.

ETAn ooooh yes! the wedding! here;s hoping you have a fabulous day, with love, Lisa x

[kidcat]

possession - am really pleased for you