How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

MaLarkin

Hi Gailey

Know what you mean about time poor. Here we are halfway through MARCH where did Jan and Feb go?

You need to chill out. Cupboard of doom will keep, close door firmly, and forget it until you have time/energy to deal with it. Probably when expected baby starts school by the sounds of it.

Put your feet up as much as you can.

X

short_bird

fedupfreda wrote: »

(Another call centre slave here - GQ - I think today has been one of those days. It must be the sun - brings them all out. Its been manic today )

It's a full moon on Saturday, I found in my call centre days that days leading up to a full moon were always "a challenge": also, Bank Holidays were what can only be described as "interesting";)
Please feel free to substitute your own adjectives!

Then again, some people do feel more inclined to be contrary when they're on the phone or internet to strangers:(

kidcat

Gailey - I know what you mean. I have not stopped in days and I am constantly behind with everything, I had the agent on again yesterday complaining I wouldnt allow the visit on guy moving in here, until Friday - she said - its not like you work how busy can you be?
I barely held my temper - I pointed out that having not slept in four days due to DD5 having gastroenteritous, and having four kids, along with various school meetings etc, I cannot just drop everything at their convenience - especially as they are evicting us so I have spent evry waking hour searching for a house etc. She wasnt pleased but I held firm. They really would not want to see the house in this state anyway, its covered with washing, kitchen looks like a war zone and i cant even walk in the kids rooms.

purpleheather2810

Gailey pleeeeeeeease promise that you will spend some time resting before school home time. PROMISE, OK?!

I know it's normal to nest but jeez woman, I'm glad you let your mum do some cleaning for you. Will she come and do some more? Would she take you food shopping so you don't have to wait for hubby to finish work? I would say this is a perfect time to have groceries delivered. I know you've said before you don't like that idea, but why not find a free delivery code and just stock up on basics? Then you can still go and choose your fresh bits and pieces but you won't have as much to do or carry...

Well, I have to say that we are keeping afloat here. I think I mentioned that the tumble dryer died - we are managing without it and have done for about 2 weeks now. Maybe we can do it permanently? This would be one of the last extravagances we have. In a lot of other respects we are pretty MS so this has always been a weak link. Anyway, I'm looking forward to lower electricity billls and stiff clothes!

I have finally unearthed the old highchair (my youngest is 3 and a half!!) and put it on ebay. I usually just freegle things but tbh I could do with the money so we'll see how we go on ebay first. Just soaking the straps as they are quite grubby. I have some books I keep meaning to ebay too. One day I will get round to it!

starsandmoon

Ive had noisy neighbours when I lived in a flat. Most of the surrounding neighbours were considerate and would come and go as quiately as possible but the one above me was Idiot Boys other half, Idiot Girl. The flat was a private let and got repossessed plus she was done for soliciting and didnt pay any of her bills. Where I live now we have a noisy neighbour next doo but one to me. They are on a final warning (housing association property). The house next to me is vacant, hope I get nice neighbours.

Pay day for me today so off to top up my gas/elec and fill the car. By the time Ive done that and my DD's have come out my account will be empty again.

Just realised my whole outfit I have on today is from charity shops, carnt remember the last time I bought something from a shop (apart from undies):T. Car boot season is starting. Got a big box of stuff to sell then I can get my DD new shoes for school.

stiltwalker

Hi all,

Talk about time flying DD is 2 on Sunday! Can't believe where the time has gone and she's going to be in big sister in 7 weeks! The last 3 and a bit years has certainly brought some major changes in my life that no one - including me - was expecting. Still couldn't be happier even if we only have about £11 left til payday on Friday. I'm doing an at home for DD's birthday on Sunday, some friends think I must be mad but we've invited a load of people to pop in and say hello in the afternoon and promised lots of cake! That won't be a problem I've already made a start and got 2 ginger cakes wrapped so they'll have come again in time for Sunday just got to clean the house now though and got stinking backache today so will put that off til later or delegate to OH, I'll have to supervise though, he's well meaning and very helpful but a bit rubbish in the housework department! Bless!

Not sure what some of Sunday's visitors are going to think of the dining room though, it's currently full of seedlings and chitting potatoes, sure our village friends won't bat an eyelid but friends from our pre village/good life days are gonna think I've completely lost it! I've always had a pretty frugal streak but it used to be quite hidden and when I was working full time running a tea room I didn't have as much time for things like preserving and no garden at all so they didn't know quite what an old hippy I was!

Oddly looking forward to having a houseful on Sunday, just hope DS doesn't put in an early appearance as judging by the number of bathroom visits I'm making he's headed down in that direction!

Have a good day all.

lostinrates

fedupfreda wrote: »

My own particular pet hate is the morning bus journey into work - 8.30 am and there is always someone loudly ranting about how packed the bus is, no one gets up to give them a seat etc - and they are usually elderly. Well, if you know the bus is packed at that time of day, and you don't have an appointment to meet - or a job to get to - why travel then? Wait until the morning rush is over! (sigh)

Also, some of us have ''invisable'' disabilities...which mean sitting down is a good option where possible. I try and remember to take mobility aids (e.g. a stick) I don't use very much any more, when on public transport as I can see why a woman in her early thirties gets abuse for sitting down when no ''visable'' reason for doing so exists. If I sit down I might not need a stick all day, if I don't I might need it...and its amazing how many people don't offer a seat even when you have a stick/crutches/aid of some sort. I also used t freak people out when I got up from a wheelchair with no limp or anything when I used one....it looks like you are just taking a ride...which in many ways I was, but it was ride or stay home, I could walk a few hundred metres but would frequently collapse.

OTOH dh gets abuse often for offering seats to women: he persists because he feels in general his shoes are more comfortable than most women's and he's never known a man get home and complain about swollen ankles, but girlfriends, sisters, flatmates and wife frequently do and he feels wrong sitting while they are standing. Not very PC, but very darling of him.

lostinrates

Have determined that stage one of our renovation is likely to commence SOON and might be finished by next winter. This will give me a kitchen, a larder!!! a utility room and a cleaning cupboard/builtin storage, a downstairs loo and HEATING!!! And DH's study. It will also address about 70% of the structural problems the house suffers from. And be a huge financial drain. We've decided not to have a kitchen fitted at that stage, but fill it with second hand furniture, maybe ex display units. we can't afford a ''forever'' kitchen at this stage and I'd rather not waste anything on a decent kitchen for a few years, so I'd rather make do a bit.

Oh, but heating! That'll be grand!

HariboJunkie

OH has gone off to quote for some more work so fingers crossed he gets the contract. I am very twitchy atm as I like to have a decent safety net of money but work has been slim for the last six weeks and my safety net has dwindled . We are both drawing a wage from the company so the work still needs to keep rolling in since I gave up my other job. My larder is full though and we are well stocked on dried goods as I have taken advantage of so many offers recently.

I needed new trousers so thought I'd look in the charity shop first and found a brand new pair of Next cords in my size for £3.80. :money:
Also popped to sewing shop for a new darning needle and have darned 10 ripped pairs of the girls' school tights saving about £20 on new pairs.
Am in the process of clearing out the airing cupboard and seeing what can be ditched and what needs to be made do and mended.

I'm still doing very little grocery shopping due to bargain hunting last month and my lovely Step Mum filled my freezer with homemade goodies this week which I am keeping for nights I am too tired to cook.:A

Another plea for you to take it easy Gailey.
Agree with all you said Catznine. I for one am counting my blessings more since the Japanese disaster.

gailey_2

kidcat wrote: »

Gailey - I know what you mean. I have not stopped in days and I am constantly behind with everything, I had the agent on again yesterday complaining I wouldnt allow the visit on guy moving in here, until Friday - she said - its not like you work how busy can you be?
I barely held my temper - I pointed out that having not slept in four days due to DD5 having gastroenteritous, and having four kids, along with various school meetings etc, I cannot just drop everything at their convenience - especially as they are evicting us so I have spent evry waking hour searching for a house etc. She wasnt pleased but I held firm. They really would not want to see the house in this state anyway, its covered with washing, kitchen looks like a war zone and i cant even walk in the kids rooms.

How cheeky.we had agents inspection sat felt bad as half way through clearing laundry onstairs and bathroom and she turned uphalf hour early just hoping its good report.

garden im embaressed by looks like scrap yard hubby has lots to take to tip.

Know what you mean about littletime.
between schoolruns,clubs and appointments plus trying tofit inshopping within that andhousework/cooking neverending.

imsure i got pta meeting this week andcake sale tobake for!
Eldest has party to go to next 4saturdays in a row!

Feel quite scared we half way through march.
not got much saved for xmas yet as spent it when skint in jan!

The last 6weeks or so been very hard as
singlehandly

found a bargain double buggy and brought it
researched and brought cheapbedroom furniture as oursfalling apart.
got youngest settled at nursury
spent weeks rsearching,going round garages and brought a family car.
Tried toensure have everything needed for newarrivalon strict budget most of his clothes are 2nd hand.

Lastfew weeks haveaccepted help and made hubby do more.
Havent done much cooking despite love cooking.
Amtryingto take it easy honest.

The house is not dirty just cupboard of doom and upstairs needs serious clutter in all 3bedrooms.
kitchen struggling tofit everything in as have breadmaker and slowcooker now.

when in labour was going to get freinds to comeover and lookafter kids.so just want everything organised in it place and easy tohand so they can look after them without me worrying did she find spare outfit,what state did eldest go school in,did we have any food in house or enough nappies for youngest.

Wonder if will go into labour on full moon:rotfl:hubby says sat night be good for him hes on a schedule although convinced he be early and need to declutter before he arrives.