It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

BigMummaF

On rare occasions--like crimbo or a birthday--there would be a box of M1lk Tr@y. My sister, being 7yrs older than me, was allowed to have a lime barrel & I wasn't unless she especially said I could. I couldn't wait to be old enough to legally have one of my own & now what's happened? They don't do them anymore! Not that IS tough :rotfl:
I'm seeing me muvva in a bit & must check her roof especially..well--not her roof but the building Not that I heard anything especially through the night, but the gales showed up as predicted & she is top floor of three :undecided I'm hoping she managed to sleep once brave enough to remove her hearing aids, but if there's a storm around she tends to sit up in bed, fully clothed & straining to hear the slightest sound There's a very fine line between encouraging her to remain independent for as long as possible & worrying myself witless over doing the 'right thing' & the edges fray a little more every day.

ceridwen

Probably a sign of getting older - loving the high winds, but worrying about the roof - and my plants out in the garden...:cool:. I can sympathise with Muvva...

Spent time yesterday going to self "repeat after me ceridwen - you have insurance cover - they will pay if the roof is damaged." So - I suppose its just the worry of possibly being put through hassle to sort it out - rather than the financial aspect. I dont know if one feels more worried/aggravated at the thought of hassle as one gets older - because you've been through so much hassle over the (pretty large) number of years you've been around and you feel like you must have had more than a lifetime's worth by now. I think that may be why some older people worry more - because they feel "I've paid my dues on the hassle front after all these years of it - so now things are supposed to be calmer for the rest of my life" - hence the worry that some extra hassle may "drop on your head" when you feel that you have already "exceeded your ration of it for a lifetime".

taurusgb

ceridwen wrote: »

I think that may be why some older people worry more - because they feel "I've paid my dues on the hassle front after all these years of it - so now things are supposed to be calmer for the rest of my life" - hence the worry that some extra hassle may "drop on your head" when you feel that you have already "exceeded your ration of it for a lifetime".

Oh Ceridwen you've hit a very big nail right smack on the head!

Primrose

Ceridwen - that is so true. And I think that generally as people grow older they become less adept at handling huge amounts of stress. When you're younger and working I think your system becomes accustomed to the level of adrenalin necessary to deliver what's required of you on a daily basis but as you slow down it takes a higher level of mental energy to hit that adrenalin level.

mardatha

Yes, very true ! I thrived on stress, as does one of my sons. I lived life at a fast run all the time, until one day I woke up tired - and never got better. That's a recipe for getting ME so don't do it ! LOL!

mummysaver

leed wrote: »

Tesco value bananas were more expensive than loose ones a couple of weeks ago - I weighed the bagged ones just to check.

Same with carrots and some of the dried and tinned stuff this week! Good job I had dd3 with me and she's small enough to bend down and squint at the labels for me without looking insane, not that I especially care about looking insane, but last time I was scrabbling about near the floor someone tripped over me! :rotfl:

Well it is tough now, but I'm not sure it's any tougher this winter than last thank heavens. I can't actually think of much that I am planning on doing differently this year, so much that I changed/adapted/started last year has now become habit for me and the kids. OH is amazed at my money saving ways, but he now checks with me before buying things incase I know where he can get them cheaper, or more often have something that will do instead lurking in a cupboard! He has also got over his trauma of visiting Poundland, possibly cos I got some gadgety thing he wanted in there when he'd been going to pay close on £40!!!!! :eek: So whilst I don't think he'll ever be a natural money saver, he is learning and more than that, actually wants to learn!

My ex told me he might be made redundant the other day, though part of it was trying for a sympathy vote about something else, it is quite possible that it might happen since he works in financial services. But do you all know the funny thing, I really didn't panic - he does give me money for the children and yes it would make a difference if we didn't receive it, but after a couple of quick calculations in my head I figured out that we would be okay. Yes it would be a hell of a lot tighter, but we would really be alright. Now if this had happened a couple of years ago I would've had a nervous breakdown at the thought, but now, thanks to this site and sharing and reading everyone's ideas and thoughts, I know that we will be fine.

So yes it is tough, but we are coping!

ceridwen

Primrose wrote: »

Ceridwen - that is so true. And I think that generally as people grow older they become less adept at handling huge amounts of stress. When you're younger and working I think your system becomes accustomed to the level of adrenalin necessary to deliver what's required of you on a daily basis but as you slow down it takes a higher level of mental energy to hit that adrenalin level.

I think myself that as one gets older that you start refocusing your attention to some extent. When younger - then I think one rushes hither and thither doing everything/seeing everything possible and it feels like "social failure" if you're not out pretty much every night. As one gets older - then, as at mid-life, I find personally that one has "balanced out" a bit and alternates between "out and about and doing" and "watching". When younger I wouldnt have just sat and "watched" - as in sitting gazing at countryside (that would have felt boring - but now I'm watching how the weather is/how the plants are growing/any wildlife around). Equally - I wouldnt have used any time where I have to sit/stand and wait somewhere for "peoplewatching" - but now I do and am astonished at just how much obviously went "straight past my nose" when I was younger. Perhaps mid-life is when one starts learning from other peoples experience - and not having to make every mistake in the book (well - a lot of them:o) oneself:rotfl:

Hardup_Hester

Just back from shopping, this week I spent £6.25, the freezer & cupboard are looking emptier by the day, lol. Just shows how much food I'd stockpiled doesn't it. I'll probably have to do a proper shop next week. I've bought a recipe book for my DD for Christmas & ordered a book from Amazon (with my vouchers) for hubby. I shall make fudge for my SIL & make up a food hamper for DS2, that leaves me with just 4 more gifts to buy, DD2, DS1, DIL & Secret Santa at work. I still have some Amazon vouchers left, so may use them up.

mummysaver

Wow well done Hester! That isn't meant to sound sarcastic either, I am just impressed! I am aiming to get all my food supplies into my cupboards rather than dotted around the kitchen in boxes and bags! Amazing how long I've gone now without a proper big shop, every time I threaten to pop out for eggs or sugar oh brings me some home - he's determined to cure my siege mentality, no chance of that, but even I have to admit I have a lot of stuff and could do with running it down a bit!

wigglebeena

ceridwen wrote: »

As in - ceri likes milky things and doesnt want any sugar in anything if she can help of it:D Thanks for that - I DO like my milk puddings I do and I do like a bit of nutmeg thrown into things if I can find an excuse to do so:D (not very often and only a teaspoon or so I hasten to add for anyone who has read owt much about nutmeg.........!), Thinks...must use up that coupla packets tapioca I got when that was very very cheap recently.....love tapioca pudding I do...

You need to eat about twenty whole nutmegs for any, ahem, 'effect', though, don't you? (Not that I've tried...)