If things get tougher?

bellybabe_2

Gigervamp wrote: »

Lol, so what were you going to say about strikes?

Um...I've forgotten ...

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. When I first read this thread a couple of weeks ago, starting at the first post, I was nodding sagely muttering things like "Indeed", and thinking yes, things will get harder. I was a few pages in before I realised that that was early 2006! Yikes.

BB

Herewegoagain

mummysaver wrote: »

Morning Bellybabe and welcome! Glad you decided to join us!

Not sure if this counts as something to do if things get harder, or just as being os? But anyway, I have been trying to do my washing by the weather forecast - in the past I didn't have a washing line and just chucked everything in the tumble drier, now I try to plan and get the awkward things like towels and bedding washed on days when I can hang them out, on grotty days I can still wash other stuff, but it just needs to be hung on airers! Got a fab airer (how sad am I to get excited about it!) in a sale ages ago and I can hang the clothes on it but fold it without removing them to get it indoors if it rains! It's great for undies and small bits that take ages to peg and unpeg!

I must've saved a forture on not using the tumble drier - I've actually unplugged it now, plug is behind the td and under the counter so not readily accessible, so I've stopped anyone else turning it on as well lol!
Unfortunately we live in a basement flat, with only a walkway to get into it and the lease states that we can't put washing outside. Hanging it up inside is causing damp so humidifier is on alot which costs a fortune as do the tumble doh, can't think of an answer except, don't wash just wear clothes:eek:

As for strikes and apathy, I think people are a lot more selfish now and whilst many talk about the loss of community spirit, how many do anything about it? I know that many people are just plain unfriendly and you could make all the effort in the world and not get anywhere with them, but many people are just nervous of chatting or even saying hello, when did society become like this?
I remember when Rolls Royce went on strike and the social wouldn't give him any money even with 5 kids, because my mum had a cleaning job, 2hrs a night:mad: Thank god for the neighbors, who we all keep in touch with 50yrs on:A

I'm so lucky that I live in a tiny village where everyone chats and helps out, we do have an assortment of personalities, but everyone just muddles along together and makes allowances for each other. It reminds me a lot of when I was a child and if you ran out of something you could borrow it from a neighbor, offers of help were always forthcoming, children run in and out of houses and people share and care.

It was like that when I was a kid, although I lived in Bristol, we lived in a long road where lots of neighbors looked out for each other, even to the point of sharing food at the end of the week so all the kids ate.
HWGA xx

BilberryCharlotte

Can anyone remember when the utility companies were sold and why? What happened to the money from the sales too? It is really galling to think that people are paying high prices for fuel, some may even die this winter, while fuel companies are making massive profits. Why can`t these companies be run for the good of the country?

bravobeastie

BilberryCharlotte wrote: »

. Why can`t these companies be run for the good of the country?

Cause unfortunately the big wigs would make no profit and probably have to struggle to pay their bills like the rest of us :mad:

bertiebots

It said on itv news at ten last night that an estimated 25,000 old people will die of cold this winter. Money really is the root of all evil.

mummysaver

Mrs Tittlemouse - glad I'm not alone in thinking that people are more selfish! I half expected someone to jump on me and say that I needed to make more effort if I thought that! I was thinking about the people I work with in regard to this, one lady I'm friends with is lovely and would give anyone her last penny, she always helps people, but was absolutely gobsmacked when she went into hospital and I insisted on helping out with her son, she was so worried that her oh would have to take lots of time off work, for which he wouldn't get paid, as her son is autistic and can be quite hard work. Yes he was hard work, but even if he had been more than I could cope with I would still have offered and roped in some other friends of mine to help me out with him. Yet out of everyone she knew I was the only person to offer help!

A young girl I work with has a 2 year old daughter, and was talking about buying a play house for her birthday, well I offered her my dds' old one, she couldn't believe that I didn't want any money for it, but I saw it as her doing me a favour, the house was going to a good home and I was clearing much needed space. Since then I have foisted off a large Little Tikes dolls house (and that cleared tons of space, it was huge!), a slide and assorted other girly bits off on her! I'm just waiting for her to start avoiding me lol! She is a lovely girl though and I'm pleased that I can send all the stuff to a good home, and I had so much given to me when my four were tiny that it feels good to repay the favour in some way.

Now another lady I'm very friendly with at work said she wanted to get rid of her youngest dd's car seat, but she didn't know anyone with tinies, I suggested she put it on freecycle and she almost fell over, no way was she going to give it away! So no doubt it'll just sit in her garage!

Different people have such different attitudes, I actually enjoy helping people, and perhaps because of this I have always been very lucky and had someone to turn to when I have needed help. It makes me think of one of Sammy's posts about paying it forward, if we all help each other then perhaps we wouldn't have to worry quite so much about what we'd do if things get harder.

Waffle over, hope nobody fell off their chairs with boredom!

BilberryCharlotte

Thanks for that bravobeastie, I had already guessed that. :-) I was wondering when these companies were sold off, by whom, and what happened to the proceeds?

Clearly it was during my lifetime, but I can`t remember when. I did work for the Post Office as a telephonist in the 60`s ( and my word had you hit the big time if you were accepted!) At that time the Post Office covered both the postal service and the telephone service. I was told that the telephone side always made a good profit and some of that went towards supporting the postal side. The poor old postal service seems to be on its knees now.

BilberryCharlotte

Further to my previous rants (sorry) I wonder if those who are reaping the benefits of these massive profits made by fuel companies will feel any remorse when they hear of the numbers of people who will possibly die because they cannot afford heating?

Margaret54

hi Sammy kaye 18 It was lovely to read your post today about what you would love to do. It showed a lovely warm kind and caring heart. Wish the world had more people like you in it Your little boy and boyfriend are truly blessed. xx Margaret

Penelope_Penguin

BilberryCharlotte wrote: »

Can anyone remember when the utility companies were sold and why? What happened to the money from the sales too? It is really galling to think that people are paying high prices for fuel, some may even die this winter, while fuel companies are making massive profits. Why can`t these companies be run for the good of the country?

It was under the Conservative Government of that lovely Margaret Thatcher :rolleyes: during the 1980s. All of you making voodoo dolls of the current PM and Chancellor, might like to make one of her too :rotfl:

Maybe we oiught to ask Mrs T to give us some of the reputed £1.5 million a year she earns from after dinner speaking.

Penny. x