Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

ceridwen

There ya' go then Hester - good to hear another LETS group is making themselves more accessible:D

THE thing to bear in mind is that the Scheme was invented precisely for a time when times had become hard. It was designed exactly so that people could still get the services (and goods as well -as it has turned out) even if many people were no longer able to pay money to get those services/goods. It is ideally placed to help people to manage financially in the times we are going into now...and we are well aware of this - hence the reaching-out now going on...

EDIT: having just noticed ParsonsWife on board - errr...cough...errr...cough...a LETS Scheme could be based round a church as well...cough...

kidcat

Ceridwen - loving the LETS idea but there isnt one in our area but did see the potential for groups as well as communities and have suggested my Dads church may consider the idea, they are a very deprived area struggling at the moment, so I think it could well be great for them.

Havent been to bed yet as my two youngest woke, (just after eldest came home from cinema at midnight) both with sickness, so have sat up all night racing between the two with buckets and flannels, its no joke, am now dropping, got loads to do today with washing etc, its quite cold but sunny and had considered putting washing on line but cant see this happening. DS12 is having a massive strop and tantrum cos I have cancelled his trip to the park (in town we used to live - was dropping him while taking DD4 to a party nearby ) and his sleepover tonight, have explained that both littlies are contagious so he is having a go at them for being ill!!!! Promised later in week but he is not open to compromise or reasonable behaviour at the moment. Had to call mum and dad to get me more bleach, bicarb and buckets!!!

Have got a gorgeous coq au vin in SC at moment I was really looking forward to when I planned it yesterday - but having dealt with this all night, the thought of food makes me distinctly queasy!!

On Grabbit there is a Meal Planning book from Amazon for £3.99 which I am considering - but not sure with my lot and the varied tastes whether its worth it. I now cook at least two different meals every night to accomodate all.

gailey_2

Can someone explain to me what Lets scheme is.

do remember watching programme about journalist who tried to live without money in bath and joined some sort of scheme where they swopped time and jobs in return for food, accomodation or items is is that kind of thing?

Might try kitchen herb garden if basil and corainder will grow indoors.

Well had rubbish nights sleep baby woke 3times.
shes having morning nap finally after smearing poo all over her cot ah the joys of parenthood!Took me ages to clean and she was only in room for 10mins.
hubbys taken eldest to wales to pick up stepson and taking them museum of welsh life and maybe maccy ds as she has vouchers im sure they be bored but admissions free and trying to do it on cheap.

Really should be doing housework and starting on casserole.
but worried as have no room in freezer so hoping keeps in fridge for next 48hours.

stayed up bit late last night watch im pregnant and homeless on discovery.
its in america but basically they both lost their jobs couldent afford their rent so ended up living in van and tent up mountains.
Her husband had been prision in past but not committed crimes since but because he had criminal record that makes him ineligable for social housing over there.
Finding it hard to get job because of his record.
The hospital warned her luckily their is free healthcare for needy said social would take baby away if they had no home, they already had 13month old anyway he put up an add work done in exchange for accomdotaion and he lives in house in exchange for doing 20hours labour for farmer I think and got part time work in restaurant.
It was only once they had fixed address could they claim food stamps they were begging before and she was very underweight.
Im not sure why he dident have job seekers i guess its because he had no address maybe or criminal record but seems very little safety net is usa makes uk look good even with the cuts.

Having a dillemma about what few freinds said on fb all saying that development aid should be cut and does make you think when times get tough how people look inwards.
They debated it on wright stuff and even the poorest people in pakistan due to floods are so much poor then lowest income group in uk , poverty in those countries kills people and feel we should always give. On sky news today they said aid towards afganistan would help better combat terroism and help rebuild/educate country rather than spending more on defence. We cant go back on the wars we been involved in but we owe it to those countries to leave something and support once we start war there surly.

Im glad im not co-alition as you wont be able to please everyone always winners and losers sometimes hera both side of argument and agree with both then cant decide.

Anyway enough of gailey rambles must stop thinking too much.

Hope everyones having good day. blue skys and sunshine here but nippy luckily dont need to go out.

Hubby has ambitous decorating plan this week but working lots too.
half term-what joy must try and get out more and hope weather stays ok.
might start making salt dough decs for xmas.

bluebag

gaily,don't forget that almost all museums are free now, I used to find it especially useful in school holidays. Some of the musems used to do workshops for kids with craft making and drawing.

I remember my girls spending all morning being taught to do charicatures for the major sum of 50p each.

Combined with frugal packed lunch it makes for a cheap day out.

gailey_2

Going to look at lets groups bristol see what comes up.

thanks bluebag dont think 4half year old would like our museum plus means bus into city centre, the zoo and aquaruim are super pricey so will go libary as they pretty good in hols.

So far me and baby had leftovers for dinner shes covered in spag bol.
cleaned the bathroom./sorted laundry
kitchen tidyish.
just about to put washing on and start casserole no pint hoovering until kiddies in bed

recording jaimies 30min meals as missed them in week do think 5.30 silly time to show them personally.

Ahh talking of c4 kirstie has new homemade home series hoping for some better tips this series rather than spend a lot of money and get someone else to make it for you!

still got to patch jeans determined to do tonight.

seasalt_2

Kidcat, you have my sympathy and hope you have caught up on the washing and some sleep. As DD2 was throwing up the other night, DS opened his bedroom door to demand that she do it more quietly so that he could sleep!

Re IDS and catching the bus for work, there has to BE a bus service in the first place. Where my parents live (about 12 miles from their nearest town) they have just been cut down from an already poor (and therefore underused) local bus service to one bus a week - no use at all for getting to and from your job. There are two trains a day but the first doesn't get in until about 11o'c and the second is early evening. During term time there is a school bus but no guarantee you can get on it and it doesn't run during school holidays. There is a citylink bus service - two buses a day at the same time as the trains (duh!) and expensive - they also refuse to accept you if you have got Mr T carrier bags so Mum has been known to put her shopping in a suitcase and, in the tourist season, all the seats on the citylink bus - and the train - may be fully booked anyway by people making longer journeys! Quite a few people carshare or give lifts to other people but then you have to work round different shifts/days off/holidays etc. My parents are both retired and they both still drive but I do wonder how they will manage when they have to rely on non-existent public transport.

Rowan9

Hi Rosanna and welcome. What a lovely message of support you've written for Sammy. Look forward to seeing you in this little community . I love the posts in here - they are so helpful, kind and constructive.
W

bluebag

Gosh seasalt, that's terrible. I live in an awful area as I can't afford to move but we do at least have excellent and I mean excellent, every 10min bus service. You've shamed me into counting my blessings.

seasalt_2

It's a vicious circle, I think, bluebag. Same thing happened where they used to live before in North Norfolk. Infrequent bus service (and no trains because of Beeching) so people use their cars or get lifts with other drivers and then the bus company says it's not a viable service and cuts it further or axes it completely. On the other hand, I have friends who live just outside Edinburgh, both in good jobs, two car family, but who travel to work by bus everyday and for going out in the evenings too because it is such a good service.

Lindy_-_Loo

Have been to a birthday party with the boys, my friend who organised it was in tears (very emotional as 15 wks pregnant), 12 extra kids turned up and their parents just left them there, some left mobile numbers at least, but I couldnt believe it - it was a six year old bday party. Even the kids who said they were going their parents didnt stay.

The CD player was broke and lots of them fell of the bouncy castle. Her family where out buying extra party bag stuff. Good job OH came as I spent time feeding kids and trying to coax them away from the biscuits! My two only ate prigles and biscuits, whislt OH ate enough to feed a family!

The kids seem to have fun which I guess is all that matters.

Friend vowed never again.

DS2 has discovered a whistle in his party bag which will not be there in the morning.

Were watching music on demand as the boys were gutted there was no disco - my boys like to boogie!

Washing all over the house, its like a chinese laundry even with the dryer on.