A new start for Mooloo

Savvy_sewing

I know, Shaz, far too much running around after the family.
Got a lot of running around to do this week, but I am going to go abscent without leave on Wednesday night. After I have done Biggest of Mooloo's evening meal, we share on Wednesday I am going to go to Oxford to BF's and I am not going to come back home until Sunday. I shall take some of my sewing with me. I have the neurologist appointment at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford Thursday morning. So I intend to stay in Oxford, as it was my turn to go to Oxford on the weekend anyway. As DS is driving me mad, wasting money and not getting his bike fixed. Even more so as I have waisted my money insuring it if he isnt driving it!. So I have told him that he will have to stay with his sister, or his mates for Wednesday and Thursday nights.
He went to stay at his mates on Thursday last week, and I picked him back up from his sisters yesterday evening. So if he can wonder off for his own choosing, then this week, he can wonder off for my benefit!.

I have also got to check up on my ESA, as the doctors sick note did a disappearing act, and I have to send them another one. What with the postal strike threats etc, I have to make sure it goes tomorrow.

At the weekend the Ex finally paid up the outstanding CSA so there is now some money in the bank. Not a lot, but at least I feel able to keep the storage heaters on, and be able pay the bill when it comes in.

Although its not the coldest of evenings I have light my wood burning stove. After a few attempts a few loo rolls stuffed with paper and a few smaller logs its alight. Infact I am now toasty warm. So warm that I am dreading going to the bathroom. As its shivery cold in the lean too, due to the drafts not having been sorted. (As my landlord didnt sign for the warmfront grant agreement.).

Time for me to find out which house in the village is his, and go and put my request in writing. He obviously forgets after Ihave called him. He may be a busy farmer, but I need a warmer home!!.

I intend to make as many of my christmas presents as possible, so I am intending on Cancelling anything anyone else wants me to do next week too. So I can make a start. I have to work out which fabrics, etc will make what.
My best friend wants cushions for her bedroom, so thats easy. I already have a few bits of material that I think will suit her, and the cushion pads in the cupboard under the stairs.

The sewing machine that I picked up, is very old, My mum thinks it could be late 1940's early 1950's so although its classed as Portable. I cannot actually lift it.
So DS will have to put it on the desk for me to try it out and to see if its useable.

Right time to brave that bathroom. I want to have a bubble bath tonight, while I have the house to myself, and no interuptions!.

Savvy_sewing

Morning all, yet another day, where I am running around as Taxi Mum. To take twin2 back to the jobcentre and hopefully find out whn they will get thier money. If its not sorted out today, then I will get them to go to Citizens advice for help, as thier social workers dont seem to be helping them. Maybe its not in thier remit?
I shall drop them off and then go and delivery twin1's things to her, i.e. vacuum cleaner, and Iron, that my parents helped me buy yesterday. Then she has no excuse not to get her flat in tip top condition!. Ha ha.
I am hoping that I will be home again by 2pm and be able to spnd the rest of the day doing what I need to do for me, and my home.!.
Collect DS on the way back.
So I am off now. I shall also be reminding them all that they havegot to try and be more organised, so that I am not running around like a headless chicken just becuase they need me.
I so want to have my creative time. I have so many ideas and things that I want to attempt, and what I want to finish off.
Right Time to go.

Savvy_sewing

Well it is going to be another 10 days before their claim is sorted out. They tell me they had bought enough food in that will last them more or less till then, with the £50 tax credits due in. But Ihad to buy more nappies. They had run out of nappies completely and poor wee man was on his last nappy when I picked them up. I got them 44 nappies at £5.49 from Ald!. So the money I had been given for petrol on Friday, just went straight back to them really.

DS had been given some funds for his travel at last today. So I have had £40 back off of him. I know that the fuel I used cost more than that, but as his EMA is still not through he had to have some funds to tide him over. But I got the bulk of it.
They only gave him petrol allowance to Towcester, which means that he has lost 16 miles a day, worth of funds at 25p a mile I think it was... So not good over the last few months. Anyway as his bike is still off of the road, (and wasting the insurance money I have paid out!), they are going to give him a bus pass. But that still means I have to get him to Towcester to catch his bus.So no lazy mornings for me, and no expenses allowed for that trip. So I will have to absorb that into my budget now as well.
We had a quick visit to twin1 today as well. DGD is not well, she has a cold and a runny nose. She clung to me, didnt want me to go. But I just didnt have the time to hang about.
She now has the vacuum and the iron. The ironing board wouldnt fit in the car with all the bodies, so it will have to be another trip. Told her she will just have to iron on a towel on the table. When DGD is in bed!.
Dont know where my afternoon went. Wasnt home until 3pm but then I have mostly been on the computer. OOps.
Dinner is now over. Sausages, mash, peas and gravy.
DS has locked himself up on the Xbox in his room. Hope he doesnt gettoo cold, as there is no heating in there.
I have put the wood burner on, and its lovely and warm in here. But I fear my wood is not going to last for very long if I keep lighting the fire mid afternoon. Perhaps it was just that I got soaking wet today going to the bank.

I have ordered a few books off of the internet. With christmas makes etc in mind. Naughty I know. But I am sure that I can make good use of them.
If only I could makesure that I am feeling well enough to actually start creating, and finish some things.
I am tired after driving so much, but at least tomorrow, I no longer have he back t work interview as the woman has cancelled. I hate that interview as I want to work, but she gives me no real help what so ever.
I get more help from this site!.
Found out today that Twin2 is now able to go to her BF's mother for Christmas, but at one stage in the conversation I got the impression that DGS was not invited? Or that there was no room etc for him. I said, well if he is not part of the package she cannot really go. She must remember that he hasnt had a christms with her son yet. He went to his Dad last year.
Also it was mentioned that his grandad has bought them a pram/car seat. Thats very generous of them but was a bit daft when we already have a pram/car seat ready waiting for the baby. I said that it would be necessary for the families to keep each other in the loop as its silly for them to go and buy things that we already have for the baby.
They are living from my purse strings all the time, and have been since at least March, and now his family are suddenly in the picture. Which is good. But why am I doing all the donkey work?

I have told All of the family. MUMS TAXI IS OUT OF ACTION FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND ALL OF NEXT WEEK. I am going to ground. (apart from the 8 mile trip to the bus stop for DS to get to college).
So remind me if I say I am doing something that I said NO.
DS is going to Biggest of Mooloo's tomorrow night, and able to stop over so I can go to my BF's and stay there after my trip to the hospital.
So tomorrow afternoon, its sorting out what I am taking with me, and filling the car while its light. Then go over after our meal.

Savvy_sewing

Evening all,
I took DS to college this morning, and then went on to work in the charity shop, that I volunteer in. Another day where the manager didnt turn up, and it was all left to the volunteers to do.
DS got the bus back, and met me there, and we came home together. I have been sorting out some paperwork, then gathering all the fabric, patterns, threads etc to take with me to Oxford. I am also going to take the serger with me as I am hoping to have peace tomorrow after the hospital, and friday morning at least, and I want to cut out and make or at least make headway in a winter coat for me.
I have also put in some of the handbags I am in the middle of doing, just incase I want a change from the coat. Never made a coat before. New challenge.
Biggest of Mooloo is coming for tea, but is working late this evening, so she wont be here until about 7.30. So its going to be around 8pm when I get to leave.
My suitcase is also packed, as I havent much winter attire in the cupboards at BF's.

The bus company has stopped the bus service to Oxford. So DS is going to hve to detour to get to his mates. Rediculously he will have to get a bus from Northampton to Milton Keynes and then one from there to Oxford. Totally stupid.
The Oxford bus has been running through Towcester and Brackley (our nearest towns) for years and now they have just pulled it completely!.
Apparantly another bus company wll run a small bus starting in 14th December!
Good job I had not got rid of the car, when I was considering its costs earlier in the year.
I was tempted to spend at the shop, yet again. Spent £5 on a piece of material, and some tiebacks. Also brought home a couple of belts that they were throwing out. Thought that they would make good handles for the handbags.

Last night I had a think about the people and the things I could make for them for christmas. So now I have a rough idea of who will get what, I can now look at the fabrics I currently have, (Including the clothes that I have been stock piling) and see if I canmake things without any more spending.
(Except the present DS wants. Last year he wanted guitar hero band, and had to wait until after his birthday in January to get his presents. So this year I hope to make sure he gets a christmas present and a birthday present.
This will all depend on his Dad continuing to pay the child maintenance. As thats what I use for the odds and sodds, and the extras in life. Like his clothes and shoes, and presents etc. And any major hick up.
This money is paid into an account my mum holds, so that I dont spend it. I have to ask my Dad to transfer it for me on the internet if I want something.

Shaz do you know why they have stopped your ESA? Is there a time limit for receiving it? The Jobcentre woman cancelled our appointment today. They left a message on the answer machine saying if I get a failure to attend letter just to ignore it, as it is generated from another office. But I am not happy at that idea at all.
Time to go and put the shepherds pie in the oven to heat through and brown.

shaz_mum_of__2

No it was because of the capability assesment i had in september apparently i no longer qualify and have to look for a job

I have appealed and will be paid until the appeal is done the doctor put in the report i can carry things and raise my arm which is not true ..............he did say there was no space on the form if i could raise one arm though so its just beaurocracy will see what happens but am not getting my hopes up

Have you ever made fancy dress costumes , i bought 2 today for my Ds and thought of you (bat man and wolverine)

My Ds finally got diagnosed with ADD yesterday ...............the end of a long road, anxious about our options but pleased someone is finally on our side

Have a good weekend

Shaz

Savvy_sewing

Hi Shaz,
just popped on for a quick check on my email etc. BF has been watching football highlights but has now decided he is going to go out and do some gardening.
I have made myself a coat while Ihave been here, dispite having trouble with the sewing machine. It really needs a better service then I can do.I had to take the foot plate off and file some of it down as it was getting rough bits on it and catching the threads. Due to the needle being missaligned.
Anyway its done apart from the button holes. But I think I will do them on my good machine when I get home. They are the most important thing to get right, or the whole coat could look a mess.
I have finished a small hand bag, and sent it to my neice as its her birthday tomorrow. Biggest of Mooloo has just collected it on her way through Oxford to Dorset. ()And to borrow my SatNav!). She also brought DS over to see his mates around the corner, so we will go home together tomorrow.

I have not been told I have to go back to work, but I have been to several meetings that say could I do 15 hours a week?
After working in the charity shop on Wednesday mornings, just for 3 to 3 1/2 hours a day, I think not. I am pooped when I have finished.
My back is bad today, and the left arm is complaining as I sewed for too long, with the coat yesterday. So I have to take it easy today.
The twins were diagnosed with ADHD, to I have some idea of ADD. I have a few books somewhere on the subject. Will look them out for you if you want. I realise that there is a difference between the two, but not a lot really.
I hope that your appeal is successful. The system is just so stupid now. Any way to reduce paying out money to those that really need it if you ask me.
If you have to come off ESA, (In deed if I have to too), then isnt Jobseekers allowance £25 a week less? God If I have to live off of anything less I am not sure I could cope!. Its already a struggle to live on 1/4 of what I used to live on less then 2 years ago!. My life style has had to be completely changed.
Although I dont think I am any more the miserable for it. I am reasonably happy. But I just find the constant adding up of the pennies. Daily checking of the bank balance, and the having to say no, and not being able to treat the family, grandchildren etc to anything, is harder then I would ever have imagined.
I even feel guilty that I dont have anything to put into the charity collections that I come across on a daily baisis. From people in the street, to emails and lettrs in the post.
Sometimes I feel desperate about the situation. Othertimes, I remember everyone on here, and how so many are coping on the lower budgets, that surely I too must be able to cope.?
I try to think of all the things that I have overcome over the years, and from the early days in life when I was able to experience such wonderful things as african safari's, and swimming at Mombasa. And I realise that I had a lovely childhood, and that I have been lucky to have seen so much in my life. Even if looking down the barrel of a gun was not one of the best parts of my life!.
Anyway I am wondering off now.
I think that I will make a cup of tea, if there is enough milk here, and then after that I will see if I can look at sorting out the sewing machine a bit more.

I am determind that I will have a few handbags finished before I go home tomorrow afternoon. (Minus the one I made this morning and gave to my niece!).

shaz_mum_of__2

yep Jobseekers is less money and only for 6 months then its means tested (which i wouldn't qualify for )

Not even sure i would qualify now as unsure whether dss pays NI contributions whilst on ESA or if they are the right type

The plus side is that if they don't make you go back to work the money goes up and is back dated to week 13 of your claim...i forget by how much but think its about £20

Thnks for the offer of books but the specialist nurse left us loads we will see the consultant in a few weeks and ds will be prescribed Ritalin ( the fast acting ,short lasting type??) to help him get through the school day.......................still unsure about this but going to give it a try

Done a bit of online xmas shopping today nearly sorted now i think even bought some sausages and bacon to make my pigs in blankets for the dinner (the stuffing is already in the freezer) I am making Weezls chicken liver pate for a starter and my sister is bringing a homemade cheesecake for dessert i will do xmas pud and going to do a xmas pud ice cream for the littlies i have 13 people coming for lunch and many more for drinks and nibbles later in the day but i love it made quite a bit of wine and beer already and bought some fizzy stuff with the tesco vouchers when you could double them up

Just need to get all my assignmennts for uni done so i can relax and enjoy it!!

Have a good weekend and good luck with all the bags and would love to see pics of the coat

shaz

Savvy_sewing

Well I am back. Its cold in here, and I cannot seem to get the woodburner working. Dont have any kindling, and no axe to cut up the logs. Used loads of stuffed loorolls, and carboard, etc but the wood will not take! Even though its as dry as a bone. Looks like I will be sitting with the woolies and the fleeces for the evening.
Just cooking lazy tea, chicken kievs and oven chips, with sweetcorn. I know its so lazy but I just couldnt be bothered when I got back a little while ago.
Talking of that Ibetter go and check I am not burning it!.

Savvy_sewing

Shaz,
the twins were on ritalin for several years. Until they were about 15. When they wouldnt take it anymore!. I couldnt exactly force it down their necks!. (They are bigger then me!). They started on 5ml tablets, and then they were eventually on 36mg a day!. It was helpful to start with, but I am not so sure towards the end. I think they got too used to it.
I think I am already on the higher ESA payments. It went up after my first visit to the doctors assessment at the beginning of the year.
My last meeting was cancelled, so I am sure I will be getting another one through the post soon.
Now that the Royal Mail have stopped the strikes it is probably more of an incentive to me to create more things and get them on the internet to sell.
I keep giving myself excuses why I am not doing things. That was one of them. Now its not going to happen, I have to up my game.

I am hoping that I will be able to do the buttonholes on my coat tomorrow afternoon. Running around after family in the morning. (Whats new there). Then I will see if I can take a photo, and upload it. Still not very good at doing that, but I will do my best. I leave it too long between times, and then I forget what I am doing.

The co-op have sent me a new bankcard. Its a visa. No longer an electron. So I should now be able to order on line from mrT. and other sites that didnt take electron. Including paying the council bills.!

Talking of bills, I forgot to pay a payment to the utilities last week, and there was a letter waiting for me to say that they have cancelled my arrangement, and I have to pay the full amount, all £1332.36 !!! EEk:eek:
I am hoping that I can call them tomorrow and get it sorted out. There is no way I can pay that all off. Wish I could as I would love to get rid of such a big debt!.
Back to reality then.
I am hoping to stay nearer home more this week. Dont expect to see BF until possibly next saturday now. (I will give him a rest from me!):rotfl::rotfl:

Now I think I better go and play with my budget to see where I went wrong, and how much money i have to deal with, as I know I dont get my ESA until a week on Thursday.

I really must settle down somehow, so that I am in one place long enough to get a routine sorted out!. This is where it gets difficult, having a partner who lives somewhere else!
:rolleyes:

Savvy_sewing

This morning I have a relaxed start, but will be driving DS to college in about 45 minutes as his bus pass still hasnt come through. He only has one lesson, at an hour and a half, so I will be popping accross town and take Twin1's laptop, and her ironing board to her. It will save me 44 miles driving. (So better then the 5miles the government are asking us to do a week!). Tick for my carbon footprint.

It looks like the CSA and my EX have now got the payments of child maintenance sorted out, and my CSA payments have arrived in the bank. This is the back up money that we use for one off payments, and christmas etc. For the first time in a few years it looks like I will be able to buy a few luxuries for the Christmas table. I can also start to plan who will be coming for Christmas, and who wont.
Now I better get off of the computer, and wake DS up, or he wont be ready for college. He was still up watching TV at 1.30 this morning. I had told him to have an early night, but it looks like he had a midnight feast of Cheese on Toast.

My Approved F))d parcel will be redelivered tomorrow. It came on Thursday, but I wasnt here to sign for it. So some store cupboard goods there for us. So I better get the shelves under the stairs sorted out ready. Which means moving the boxes and bags of twins things from the doorway. mmm

Still hoping that this afternoon I will be able to get the sewing machine going, and make the buttonholes on the coat I made over the weekend. Then I want to make myself a handbag to match it. Or is that co-ordinate with it? Thats an idea, I was still trying to work out where I was going to put the buttons. Perhaps I will put 3 on the coat, and use one for the bag. I will see how it will looks later.