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It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?
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gailey
I don't get to Bristol that often, but I believe Fabricland has moved across the road - is it bigger and better? I know I used to love the old one.
I don't know if it's one of a chain, or is it just in Bristol?Keeping two cats and myself on a small budget, and enjoying life while we're at it!0 -
Kezlou, I searched ages for the perfect step ladder, I just wanted a little one (preferably pink or sparkly!) but they all seemed quite large. settled on a 2 step one in the end and fell over it the first day it was in the kitchen!!! I am so clumsy! Now its covered in paint too thanks to DH, so it's banned from the kitchen on ugliness grounds and I'm back to square one! lol, I will have another look around I think, it's been a while since I searched. A pantry is going on my forever-home wish list for the future!
I'm feeling jealous of all these cheap shops everyone has near them! there is an Aldi near my mum's and a poundland and Lidl in Croydon but it's really hard to build up enthusiasm for them! On a workday I get good stuff by going for a late lunch to the markets just before they close, and Morrisons reductions are at 7, the time my train comes into the station so all my bread and rolls etc comes from there at 9p a go. Mostly though I feel I live in a Waitrose - M&S - pricey southern style 'farmers market' land! We like to try and shop local to help the community we live in, and our little town has a shop & save scheme which is quite good, got us 10% discount on some blinds we had specially made for our awkward upstairs windows and cost us an arm and a leg even with discount.
My parents took us to the cinema yesterday to cheer us up after all the hardships we're dealing with after DH's job loss. We go about twice a year to cinema if that, hadn't been since Avatar last year. I snuck a look at the bill and it came to £44.60 for four people JUST the tickets! I was gobsmacked. (It wasnt even in London where I'd expect to pay more than that and wouldnt go for that very reason). Still, cried my way through Toy Story 3 so I did appreciate the gesture, but next time they offer that we're watching a dvd and having a takeaway - I don't like to waste anyones money not just mineMFW 2015 so far..... £1808.702014 - £1451 2013 - £1600 2012 - £4145 2011 - £5715 2010 - £3258:)
Big new mortgage from 2017 :shocked:
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arggghhh feeling glum as our mortgage OP is so tiny this month!!!!!! am well on track for target it's just soooooo infuriating!!! grrrrMFW 2015 so far..... £1808.70
2014 - £1451 2013 - £1600 2012 - £4145 2011 - £5715 2010 - £3258:)
Big new mortgage from 2017 :shocked:
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I've not been here for a little while, I hope everyone is ok.
I'm currently going through another miscarriage and finding it so hard to cope
Sequeena, I am so very sorry to read your sad news and am especially sorry for your loss. It is my way to pray, so that is what i will do. (((hugs)))Grocery Challenge for October: £135/£200
NSD Challenge: October 0/140 -
Managed to gather4lbs of blackberries yesterday form hedgerows. They are now in the freezer along with almost 3lb of strawbs that i have picked from my garden in recent weeks. I look forward to making both blackberry and strawberry jam when the summer (haha) comes to an end.Grocery Challenge for October: £135/£200
NSD Challenge: October 0/140 -
Winchelsea wrote: »gailey
I don't get to Bristol that often, but I believe Fabricland has moved across the road - is it bigger and better? I know I used to love the old one.
I don't know if it's one of a chain, or is it just in Bristol?
You right noticed it other day used to be huge think still must be big as in old fop shop city centres changed so much.
My mate says she has one in reading and they have website with other branches but tehy cheaper than our indoor market stall for fabric ebays good but once you add on postage.
Love idea of a snow cupboard sadly no chance.
Feeling like getting tougher emotionally
big row tonight between hubby and stepson.
stepson decided he does not want extra tution, he does not love or care for 4year old and 10month old sister and no longer wishes to come and stay hubbys still not back hes taken him home at 10pm to southwales.
Feel so bad his mam was getting bit narky but its his choice we couldent keep him prisioner if he no longer wants to be here.
Have know him since he was 5 its always been hard but we tried so much and everytime we think relationships getting better it takes a nosedive in past hes been stealing, lying, nearly set fire to our house whilst we slept on purpose by playing with fire, hes got short fuse and worry about im and kids but despite all that we kept trying to give him a 2nd loving stable home.
Its tearing us to peices and eldest got upset when she heard him leave still not alsleep little monkey.
I can accept im not loving me stepmother but not caring for our girls breaks my heart when their his half sisters and he sees his elder sister(different dad|)weekly.
I fear how his future will turn out but feel pretty powerless right now.:(
Dont know best way thourght been bad last couple of years but hes prepared to chuck what we had away, I dont know what he does care about anymore, its just an awfully sad situation.pad by xmas2010 £14,636.65/£20,000::beer:
Pay off as much as I can 2011 £15008.02/£15,000:j
new grocery challenge £200/£250 feb
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON:D,Onwards and upward2013:)0 -
Gailey, I'm sure he doesn't really mean he doesn't love them. He is most likely upset and embarrassed at the suggestion of extra tuition, because he probably doesn't want to feel stupid or different from his peers. If he's struggling that much he's probably aware of it, and will worry this will mark him out even more. Did you mention before ADD or ADHD? If so, that probably explains a lot about his behaviour, he won't know how to express himself correctly, or at least be unable to, and that's why he kicks out the way he does (including the lies and stealing), it doesn't make it OK, but it is an explaination. This is maybe another reason for mum changing his diet at home, someone has possibly suggested the link between bad diet and poor concentration and behaviour. All you can do is continue to do what you are doing. Love him, set him clear boundaries, with clear consequences for crossing them. Do not let him stay away in a huff, as this means he is getting what he wants, keep to the routine, and keep reinforcing all the time. one day he will turn the corner and appreciate how much he is loved. XIt's what is inside your head that matters in life - not what's outside your windowEvery worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory. - Ghandi0
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Thank you for the advice, after my rant yesterday I calmed down and got my head sorted. I have placed a shopping order so that I am not tempted by non-essentials and I have planned my meals for the week. Also had a heart to heart with the family so I am no longer trying to figure things out on my own. Time to get back on track!
Well done, Rummer! :beer: It's a hard slog but now you're back on the wagon and the others are supportive, you'll win through. My DH has been out of work for nearly 2 yrs & we just couldn't cope without my 30hr pw job. I expect we'd have lost the house and everything. I get some working tax credit so we just get by. Problems come when the car needed work done in the same month as I had toothache, and any pennies we'd clawed back went again- it can be very disheartening but, as you said, if you all pull together, it's not so bad. I'm amazed at how much we've been able to cut down on expenses over the past couple of years - what did I do with all that extra money before? I'd never have said I was extravagant!
Last winter we managed with only putting the heating on when visitors were expected. The rest of the time we sat with knitted blankets or duvets over us, with hotties. Sounds grim but it's really quite cosy - a good book, cuppa, each other - how romantic can you get?!
Keep it up folks, you're amazing! I just love the encouragement I get from reading all your posts. :T0 -
This is a little tale that I've had running around in the back of my mind for some time and I found it on t'Web today and it seems a very apt "motto" for this thread:
http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/2010/03/ant-and-grasshopper.html
I remembered this yesterday when I read with astonishment elsewhere of someone who is planning on taking on a long-term heavy financial commitment AND for a very expensive occasion despite being in debt and about to be made redundant:eek:.
I told myself "Always remember the ant...."
(nodding in "Hello" to Kitty - the original founder of the "Its still tough" threads - guess that makes us both ants then......).
On a - related - topic I'm currently following a mini-series on tv (courtesy of IpLAYER) OF "Amish: World's Squarest Teenagers" with interest - and I guess its a useful reminder that we don't HAVE to lead the same lifestyle of most of the people around us - there are other ways to be (not that I would want theirs exactly - all those children.....I wouldnt want to be a "baby machine" - or to have their lack of dental care evident from looking at some of their teeth). Food for thought though..0 -
katie Mines a an ugly three tier silver one thats lives in the bathroom. I have to stand on the top one to reach the highest shelf.
Yes i am that short lol
cinemas are ridiculously expensive, sometimes its cheaper getting a family ticket for us. glad you enjoyed the film though.
:rotfl:at t the summer kath, me and the boys saw some brambles under the fly over so will be picking them today. Thats if the boys don't eat them first lol
gailey i'm sure he does love you all and especially your little ones. He's a teenager and its just one of them things. I'm waiting for my eldest to say it to me. Try not to take it to heart as he'll be on the phone begging you to take him back. He might lalso be embarassed at the thought of extra tuition.
Well OH has gone to work, so just finishing my cuppa then getting sorted for the outing to the market. I have little toms on my plants so i'm a happy bunny!0
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