It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

ceridwen

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

Count me in for a trip to Number 10, I'm also renowned for my 'assertive' nature.

:rotfl:I did think afterwards - "Hang on a mo ceridwen - you forgot one rather useful addition to the Posse". Sorrees Hester....a very obvious addition you are too.

.....errrrr.....would you be going in your inimitable style "full gear" then? - rather than pit helmet or balaclava
(sotto voce - anyone who has read much of Hester's blog will know EXACTLY what I mean.....:rotfl:.:D. Let's just say she won't be going into a convent any time soon.......)

Well - must get myself ready for the day at w**k:(. Feel a lot more like just crawling back into bed and staying there...all this job uncertainty, coupled with the (long list of....) things I don't like about the job anyway...

Note to self: "Ceridwen - BACKBONE - STIFF UPPER LIP - you hear me now gal..."......

<drags feet.....drags feet....>

EDIT: nearly forgot - there may be an introduction necessary here...

"Errr....ParsonsWife8 meet Hester....Hester meet ParsonsWife8....NO Hester...I don't think ParsonsWife would be interested in a new sideline to make some extra income..........."
(runs off chortling.....)

Prudent

littleowl wrote: »

I was a Further Education lecturer for many years - my expertise was in running a course for mature students who wanted to enter university - something they had missed out on earlier in life.

I usually reached work at 8am and rarely left before 6pm - then home to a meal followed by several house of preparation, marking etc

I spent much time helping students to get around the financial and other obstacles they had to keep studying - most with families.

I took early retirement when the 'accountants' took control. Education was no longer student-centred. Money became the only objective. Younger and cheaper teachers were recruited - experience and knowledge downgraded. These were the Thatcher years and I rejoiced when Labour took control. I have never voted Labour in my life but I believed that things would change for the better - they did not. Layer upon layer of extra bureaucracy was imposed, students became less and less a priority. I loved the work and gained great fulfilment seeing students reach goals they had thought unattainable.

I retired - but as a woman who had brought up a family did not have the same years service as male colleagues and so received a much (much!) smaller pension.

So - believe me - public sector employment does not necessarily mean an easy life in retirement - it most certainly does not!

I am in much the same position as a special needs teacher. I have a fair way to go to retirement (although have health probs so may not teach nearly that long). I work really long hours - mostly on paperwork and will have to be exceptionally frugal in retirement. I am really glad of the skills this board is teaching me. It means I can put a little extra in a private pension now and hopefully will have adapted my lifestyle so much that I can stretch the pension.

Prudent

lauren_1 wrote: »

I have a lot of support for emergency workers, nurses, doctors, police, fire service, army etc etc these are the front line who really help keep the country from falling apart yet these are taken for granted the most and unfortunately if they went on strike there would be chaos!

I am sick of seeing my local post office depo splashed across my local rags front page, they striked 5 times last year, my old childhood next door neighbour is a postman and he gets more per hour than i used to on the nurse bank and twice what a HCA would be paid.

Postman aren't actually that poorly paid. My partner is a postie. He doesn't always have to work the full hours if he has finished his round and can have quite a short day. I am a teacher and work really long hours. I leave home at 7.30 and return around 5.50 /6pm. I often bring work home. I have done a lot of work over the holidays. He also has a uniform and either gets collected or has a van home, so no work clothes costs or commuting costs. On an hour by hour basis he clears as much as me for significantly less stress and responsibilty. I have a back problem (I was assaulted by a pupil), but otherwise would seriously consider being a postie.

northwest1965

northwest i pay £1.98 for sainsburys basic dried skimmed milk, 400g. Just checked comparison site and its gone up to £2.17:( Oh and they basic teabags have gone up to 34p instead of 28p.



What does 400g make up in pints?:)

Prudent

Morning everyone


Sorry I didn't call in yesterday. It was the first day it hasn't rained for ages, so I set about clearning out the garage. My car now knows its own way to the skip .... Most of the rubbsh has now gone. Today I am cleaning, sorting and tidying. Looks like there has been some interesting discussion so I will read back in my tea breaks. I kept getting withdrawal from the thread yesterday, so going to check in for my fix today .

kezlou

northwest1965 wrote: »

northwest i pay £1.98 for sainsburys basic dried skimmed milk, 400g. Just checked comparison site and its gone up to £2.17:( Oh and they basic teabags have gone up to 34p instead of 28p.



What does 400g make up in pints?:)

hmm i can't remember now lol
But to make a up a pint of milk you use 2 heaped tablespoons mixed up with cold water.

Well its hospital today, fingers crossed my knee will be fixed, the cast will be off and i won't be in too much pain. Well going to get the boys out of bed ready and sorted for when my mate gets here.

crickett1234

Good Luck Kezlou!

I did a HUGE wardrobe clear out last night. I cleared out 4 bin bags of clothes which I no longer wear/am too fat for. No point having them cluttering up the place. Hubby did the same, so those 4 bin bags, are not all mine! Having said that, felt a powerful sense of freedom this morning when I was deciding what to wear for work. I did feel guilty though. I kept back three old skirts which will be fab for cushion covers/patchwork. The bin bags are going to the Charity shop this morning. Someone somewhere will be blessed with these clothes.

Found out my cousin is pregnant for the 5th time. I am really pleased for her as she clearly makes a fab Mum, but it hurts as well. She has 4 children already, and she is 51 weeks younger than I am. And I have none. And can't have them either. Sigh. Feeling a little down at the moment.

Right, as it is financial year end at work I have tonnes and tonnes to do. Better get on with it then!!

taplady

charis - thanks for the link - made me chuckle:rotfl::D

kezlou - fingers crossed for today x

crickett - (((hugs))) x

had a bit of good news yesterday - we've over paid our phone bill by quite a lot and they've reduced the payments by £15 a month and given us a 3 month payment holiday so no payments till December:T:j

would have preferred the cash in my hand but never mind its still good news.

DS1 has applied for 4 jobs so far - still awaiting his appointment with the job centre:mad: they are behind apparently.

havent started a winter stash yet but you're putting me to shame so I think I will soon - just need to find somewhere to store it as I'm short on space. Might have to go in a box under the bed.

gailey_2

Morning guys hope everyones ok.

Looks like more rain here.

made mango chutney and loaf of bread last night
crazy hubby was up until 3am painting te lounge
eldest was very naughty and wouldent sleep then woke baby.
Would have watched that sleep progranmme on c4 last night but I fell asleep.

Woke up to news that we could be tating cloned meat and banks making bumper profits.

Im confused about changing in coucil housing as news was saying if after 5-10years tenancy they get better job but dident think it was means tested on salary.
I do hope they dont make a worse mess out of housing I think allowing people to move for job/family a good thing.

Taking daughter to messyplay at church hall soon, hoping rain stops.
want to do some cooking, cleaning and decluttering tink might attempt toys today.

Would love an allotment but in short supply here.

crickett1234

I would love to make chutneys... but I remember the smell of cooking vinegar and my stomach revolts! My Mum was/isfab at making them, but I just can't bear the smell. How do you preserving maestros deal with it? (other than opening every window and wafting tea towels up and down to get some kind of air current moving! )

Although hubby and I pay for an allotment, we don't have much time to do it. We have a kind of sub-letting arrangement with our allotment association and hubby's step dad uses it. We get a cut of the fresh food, and Stepdad gets the exercise and his birthday present!! Works out well, and our association is just thrilled that there are people on the site!

I need to start thinking about decluttering the loft. *Gulp*. That is going to be horrible. I hate ladders at the best of times, but the loft is an utter tip as well, so we have been putting it off and putting it off. Got to get it done though, hopefully before we move. If Sunday is rainy, we might do it then.