It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Penelope_Penguin

HariboJunkie wrote: »

I do realise that things are tough and we should be realistic about when it will turn around but surely a positive, optimistic attitude will serve us better than being too "doom and gloom" about how long this will all drag on for. I think a positive attitude is more likely to help people cope in the long run.

Sorry that I can't thank your post twice - you make 2 really important points, Haribo :T Didn't we call that the Dunkirk Spirit :A and it was what helped get us throught the war. Everyone pulled together :T

Penny. x

ceridwen

CINNY

I have had comments before now that I would have been a good mother - and it was a shame I didnt want them;) I just get "maternal" in other directions me - thank goodness!

And - on a different topic - as someone who is increasingly coming to operate on her "gut instinct" and can never (hardly ever) remember the "facts and figures" she has read to form her opinions from - well, this article does lay bare some of the "facts and figures" involved for what my "gut instinct" has been having me tell people for months:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

scroll down to today's article "There goes the High Street (and the neighbourhood)".

Having a brain that is pretty useless at techno/maths stuff I couldnt figure out why the full link that I typed in didnt work.

Perhaps someone with a brain better at this stuff than mine can give a full linkie purlease....

edit: Agree that we need to "pull together" and try to stay in a positive frame of mind. I dont see that as mutually exclusive to taking a good hard look at how things are in our Society. See clearly - act clearly is a personal motto of mine and it has served me very well. I find that - having tried to see through to how things are and how they are going to be has meant I am mortgage-free/debt-free/sorted pension-wise and don't anticipate any major personal problems - I am so so glad I didnt listen to my Society as a whole - but to my gut instinct.

Cinny91

ceridwen wrote: »

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article5247919.ece

I think that's the one.

Going to start pricing up my baked goods, I think I might try my hand at church fairs next year, try to make some extra pence.

ceridwen

CINNY

Thats it - thanks.

ceridwen
(who is virtually totally useless at techno/maths stuff)

kaze_2

I thought things were tough when i was on maternity leave, hardly any money and not a lot of sleep, but now i've been back at work part time (3 days) for about 6 weeks and things are even tougher, the extra money i am earning just seems to go on nursery, diesel for car (used to walk everywhere, job in different town) and more money being spent on convenience food as never have the time now to cook from scratch as my days off seem to be spent keeping the house clean, ironing and just trying to keep on top of things. Sometimes i wonder whether its actually worth going to work as i seem to hardly spend any quality time with my little one as i'm always playing catch up and just about breaking even, or maybe i just need to get more organised.

Cinny91

Is it wrong that I'm setting foot inside my local woolies, for the first time in years, tomorrow in attempt to see if I can get abit of a bargain? Feels like taking afew sausage rolls 'for the road' after a funeral.

Edinburghlass_2

ceridwen wrote: »

Re the point made by Kaz though about come Christmas - "sort the babies first, then the bills" :eek: . I understand where she is coming from - but the bills do need to come first - if they arent paid those babies will be pretty cold and dirty and eating cold food.

I'm just thinking aloud here - so indulge me:D - but wondering whether anyone in those cirumstances could do the "experiences - not goods" route for children as well. Perhaps put a positive slant on it and tell the children what an interesting Christmas they are going to have - its going to be a Victorian one this year - MUCH more interesting than their classmates will have. So - lets just try making some dress-up Victorian style clothes from old clothes/visiting a Victorian exhibition in a museum/eating a Victorian Christmas lunch and.............er.....<cough> Victorian standard of Christmas presents (ie the "stocking" with a few small presents in - bright fruit, nuts, a couple of Poundland toys) and follow Christmas lunch with a walk in the woods or on beach or something looking for "treasure"/bird-spotting/animals/etc.

Maybe talking through my hat here ....what do I know...I dont have kids...but just a thought.

EDIT: games, nearly forgot the games...Victorian style ones of course.

You just need to read the Celebrations Board to realise that most people in fact do have what you call a "Victorian" Christmas with plenty of family games (I have a whole list somewhere there that cost nothing), board games new and old, family traditions that don't cost money and some that do cost money. We usually spend the morning at the Zoo for instance which does cost money but it goes to charity.

This year we will combine old with new as a Wii is the family present but the evening will be spent playing games as usual.

MRSMCAWBER

Morning all

hmmm -the "nonny mouse" site came about from chatting on here -but had to be set up seperately because of the "no exchanging address" rule...

The basic idea is to get together a little on-line community (that will hopefully grow )... so we can help each other and others out who are in need of a little "cheer up" or those who need more practical help -especially as thigs are at the moment..
If we come across or are told of someone who is struggling then we contact them and ask if they are happy to pass their address to 1 of us ..we then try and put togther something..
It could be a card, a little package of treats, or a package of dried foods, blankies, gloves etc -depending on what is needed etc..
So far we have "a nonny moused" a few people who were in need of emotional support -just for them to know someone is there, and a couple of people who needed more practical help...
We are always on the look out on MSE for folks who might benefit...

The general idea is to just spread a little happiness...

Also on there we have an area for swapping things.. Gifts etc you might not want ...for something you would like..
there are also so mini shops setting up too -so we can buy home crafted things from each other -getting unusual gifts to give as presents, whilst passing our money from one to another instead of the big companies... again -the more people that join the better range we will end up with :T

Right I will belt up now-hope I have made that make sense..:p

http://nonnymouse.forumotion.net/forum.htm
just in case anyone want to join us

Cinny91

Just joined nonnymouse, under the same username as here, looks good!!

Penelope_Penguin

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

The basic idea is to get together a little on-line community (that will hopefully grow )... so we can help each other and others out who are in need of a little "cheer up" or those who need more practical help -especially as thigs are at the moment..
If we come across or are told of someone who is struggling then we contact them and ask if they are happy to pass their address to 1 of us ..we then try and put togther something..

At the time this was set up, I thought it a lovely, generous idea :A but in consultation with the team, advised that it was outside the scope of MSE. Hoep you don't mind my asking - all I can see is things for sale Is there a private "members only" section where the gifting is done? Hope you don't think I'm being nosy - it's just that what I can see might put people off

Penny. x