startagain, Starts Again....... Again

LAM2011

Hi Startagain - just learnt how to subscribe to threads !

You certainly have had a rough time lately. Glad you got your doggy sorted though - I couldnt live without my dogs.

Did the singles club agree to the refund? I hope so.

Will pop in again later xx

Aesop

:hello: SA, logged in for an update.....

startagain_2

Just popping out to pay off my rent arrears :j it is only 2 weeks but it has been bugging me. My ex employers have sent my severance pay and so I can clear my debt.
With this wind I think I shall be flying my dog like a kite
Does anyone remember the Winnie the Pooh story where Christopher Robin asks Pooh (I think) " Can I fly Piglet?" when poor Piglet was getting blown around on a blustery day.
Anyway, will write more when I get back from the Post Office.
Happy Friday everyone
SA

startagain_2

Hi there,

OK, paid off rent arrears and feel quite smug about it. It was only 2 weeks rent but I am quite proud of this new frugal me in that I used the severance pay sensibly and no treats! Still absolutely nothing in writing from the ex employers though. No payslips for 3 weeks, no P45, nothing....

I have been doing all sorts to make a few pennies. I have put in for payment from one of the survey sites - only a tenner, but a start. I loaded up 67 CDs and DVDs yesterday that I don't want anymore and sent them to music magpie. I am expecting about 30 quid - better than sitting on the shelves, collecting dust. I have got some books too but can't fathom the selling instructions out from Amazon so they can wait for my car boot emporium which will be starting in the Spring.... I am busy reading up on "How to make money....."
I have put a couple of cards in the newsagents window selling off some bits and bobs. It's all go.....

I have done my first big shop that included FROZEN stuff to put in my new ffreezer.... yippee. I can buy bulk offers now because I have got somewhere to store the excess.

I got notice of my annual rent increase today, taking effect from April 4th..... 11% increase I think it is wrong though, and I have challenged it and asked for a breakdown. They have levied a service charge of £5.19 a week but I don't think I am liable as they removed service charges last June for the very same reason. As it stands the rent will be £92 a week, just for me - crikey!

I am seeing my GP on Monday and wan't to talk about where I go from here. I am perfectly OK here at home but as soon as I feel pressure of any sort I just go to pieces. I realise that it is when I get stressed in an employment situation that everything goes to pot. Over the smallest things as well, and all this from someone who used to manage a GP fundholding practice. Where did it all go wrong?

I have been accepted for the training courses being run by my HA and I am also attending a Communications forum with them in a couple of weeks time. I find it so interesting meeting up with other tenants and exchanging views. I am hoping to start up a local residents group soon and we have put an advert in the next tenants newsletter.

So, that's about it for now. I am off to make home made rice pudding - very OS

Hugs to everyone

SA

startagain_2

LAM2011 wrote: »

Hi Startagain - just learnt how to subscribe to threads !

You certainly have had a rough time lately. Glad you got your doggy sorted though - I couldnt live without my dogs.

Did the singles club agree to the refund? I hope so.

Will pop in again later xx

Hi hun,

It is good to subscribe to your favourites becuase in the space of a few hours a diary can slide down to page 6 or 7 or even deeper!
Doggy is well sorted now, and we are both very happy. He actually sits quietly now while I put the ear drops in - I think someone has switched dogs on me...
No, they haven't agreed to a refund which I think is a bit tight seeing as I only went to one event. You live and learn. don't you?
Hugs
SA

savingwannabe

SA you still sound really positive and focussed to me with the housing association group, cd selling, cooking rice pud - yum! Good on you. Sorry about that club and the refund. Glad doggie is better. Have a good friday love, sw.

startagain_2

savingwannabe wrote: »

SA you still sound really positive and focussed to me with the housing association group, cd selling, cooking rice pud - yum! Good on you. Sorry about that club and the refund. Glad doggie is better. Have a good friday love, sw.

I was going to PM you as I was getting worried about you not being around so much. I know you have been lurking a bit (thanks for the thanks) but you usually chip in with your sensible advice and huge support.

Hugs
SA

startagain_2

Thank heavens that wind has dropped a bit - I was expecting to find my fence in someone else's garden this morning. Thankfully it is where I last saw it, in my garden, and still attached ....

Rice pud was lovely and I have frozen half for another day. I realise now how much I used to overeat just because I had made enough for 2 portions but didn't want it 2 days running. Now I can freeze a portion for another day.... hurrah. I know it sounds potty to be so excited about a freezer but having done without for 6 years it is like the best present ever.

I have received notification today that my claim for JSA has been approved and now am just waiting for the housing benefit to be increased. They do like to keep asking for extra info. You send one lot of stuff and fill the forms out and then you get another letter asking one more question and you wonder why they couldn't ask it all in one go? A rueful smile when the letter yesterday said they could find no record of me claiming JSA - despite 2 visits to the Jobcentre and an online claim.

The HA is looking :cool: into my rent increase and the phantom service charge. At least they have given me plenty of notice to challenge it before it takes effect on 4th April.

Comfort food weekend, I have decided, beef casserole and plum crumble is the order of the day. Delish.... Just got to decide on dumplings or not? Decisions, decisions...

I am going to read up on anxiety issues today before I see my GP on Monday. I have really thought about my behaviour when under pressure (even the slightest) and I am convinced that it is at the root of a lot of my problems. As you can tell, here at home I am on top form, positive, energetic, cheerful. I KNOW I am not work shy, I have an excellent work ethic, but in the workplace I have overwhelming feelings of not being good enough. I am terrified that I will get "told off" or criticised and also get feelings of not feeling prepared and constantly doubt my abilities. I am sure that both my GP and Psychologist will be able to help me with this, I am determined to change...

That's it for now.... I have had 4 NSD this week, big shop including dog food and household stuff only came to £25.... brilliant!

Back soon

SA

Aesop

well done SA! My LL has bought me a new Washing Machine but is having it delivered on Tue, which is very inconvenient to me, so have texted to ask if it can be thur as that is when I do not work.

He has been dealing with OH which is annoying as I have called and given him my number so I can tell him these things. Oh well.

You sound very positive, and are trying so hard.

I am trying to get a bit more community orientated and work as a Right Hand Mum for netmums, so pulling my finger out and getting some stuff organised.

startagain_2

Being out of work, on and off, over the last 7 months has taught me one thing over anything else. Time is a gift that I have gone without for most of my working life. When I think back to trying to organise deliveries, repairs, service visits and so on it was an absolute nightmare. I used to have to take a days holiday just for the simplest repair to be carried out.
Being able to research things thoroughly on the computer or even in the local library (while we still have one) has meant that I have made good decisions and great savings on purchases and been able to learn new things.

I have been able to use my car less and while walking my dog have managed to find all sorts of lovely walking routes in the beautiful countryside around where I live. I understand the depression that being unemployed can bring, but there is so much that we can do for free around us - people should be encouraged to get up off their backsides and get out.
I apologise for going on about my neighbours yet again but they do get to me. A young family who at times do not leave their flat for days on end. Yes, he is disabled, but he has a motorised scooter and various wheelchairs but chooses to stay in and play games on his computer, playstation, Xbox or whatever it is ALL DAY and MOST OF THE NIGHT!!!!! They have two dogs that very, very rarely get walked, the elder of which is obese. It is cruel.
Rant over....
SA