It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

beanrua

I agree so much about community spirit back then - and the one thing I can say about last winter - apart from it being quite cool!! - is that it brought out the community spirit in people. We don't get our roads gritted so people did it themsleves and helped to push, dig out cars, clear footpaths etc. and we had great fun - well it wasn't hilarious, but it was lovely doing something together.
Bought emergency tin foil blankets out of Poundland, stuck the end on to bamboo sticks, and stuck behind radiators yesterday.
Bought a back support out of Poundland, applied body mud to my ever increasing waist, ( not in Poundland) cut old t-shirt - to cover mud, wrapped back support around my waist and relaxed for an hour - lost an inch !!! cheaper than the bought body wrap kits at £25 or more. Family coming for xmas and ~I really have to do something about my weight.
Hoping to get a roll of foil insulation to put on the roller garage door to-day. Have a lovely day everyone. Hugs to all who need it.

beanrua

Thinking about the 1920's and 30's ~I don't think I would have coped very well with the idea of families separating - being forced to emigrate in search of work. That must have been an awful wrench.

mardatha

Me too, and its the history of Scotland and Ireland, god knows how they must've felt, knowing that they'd never see their family again.

castleton

Birthday Newspapers - slightly off key,but finding old newspapers used as underlay in a house I moved to made me think. When my grandchildren were born ( 12/02/2009 +19/08/2011 ) I bought as many newspapers printed that day as I could get. I will give them to them on their 18th birhtday. Looking at the front pages of both the headlines on both days say how bad the Economy is.

smileyt_2

beanrua wrote: »

Bought a back support out of Poundland, applied body mud to my ever increasing waist, ( not in Poundland)

:rotfl:Ah thank you so much for the image of someone covering themselves in body mud in a Poundland store - I was feeling utterly miserable this morning but you have made me giggle and lifted my mood. I'm trying to work out if people would stop and stare or just do that very British thing and try to pretend it wasn't happening....:rotfl:

Does anyone remember the crepe paper Christmas crackers? I have a dim memory of those, and crepe paper streamers, from my childhood - the glittery foil things weren't around then, or if they were, we couldn't afford them. I do remember when satsumas were only available at Christmas, and to this day the smell of them pings me back to childhood.

Charlie's aunt how are you this morning? Sending a hug your way.

Right, I'm going to have another cup of tea and get on with things. Indeed.

kmiller4

ceridwen wrote: »

For some years after that we all knew we could "walk out of a job Friday and into a new one Monday" if we wanted and that gave a peace of mind/security to jobs that has long gone nowadays. The job market started to get difficult back in the 1970s - as I recall thinking "Time for my promotion now - better start applying for better jobs" and finding myself not even getting interviews for jobs I expected to walk into and things started getting steadily more difficult and I was shocked to find that I was having periods of unemployment a bit on from that. These days - there is virtually nothing I would decide to ask for and not a lot of the type of jobs I wouldnt personally want to ask for. In my area - I do see signs up for jobs on a few places - but theres nothing for me unless I was "desperate" and I'm guessing a lot of my generation would just think "Thats it - game over" if we lost our jobs now. I'm just grateful to be as old/settled as I am - or I would have to ask for anything I could get if I lost my job (instead of just thinking "Its over then..."). Thankfully I can leave these jobs for people younger than myself - as I could manage without if I had to...just as well with my mothers strong views about a couple of people who are still working on into retirement (as she comments "Young people need those jobs now - they should give them up to them". I know a lot of older people cant afford to be without a job - any more than younger ones can (but count myself lucky not to have had to start up all over again because of a divorce and commence a mortgage on my own in my 50s or the like).

Ceridwen-- I could not agree with you more. Its exactly like this too in the US. My DH (58) has been out of work 2 years and cannot find anything except "fast food" type work. It doesn't make any sense for him to give up his unemployment insurance money for something that pays less. When the unemployment money runs out, then he may have to take one of those jobs. Fortunately they have had many extensions of unemployment benefits here in the US due to lack of available jobs-- but this will end soon (a few weeks we think). My OH didnt go to college and has always worked at a factory or warehouse, and at his age no one wants to train him for something new. We are hoping to scrape by on my income until he can receive reduced Social Security (old age benefits) at 62. I'm working 2 jobs (1 full-time and 1 part-time) and so far we are able to make ends meet. Fortunately we have little debt-- just the cars (both will be paid off soon) and the mortgage. Otherwise we'd be in trouble.

mardatha

It's like the hungry thirties all over again isnt it? And not good for anybody's health to have to work two jobs.

westlothianlass

Hi all, Its been a wee while since i posted but i have been reading and sharing the ups and downs privately. Had a week off to try and get some DIY done, the recent storms left one of our chimneys looking a tad sorry for itself and dangerous so have been learning the art of bricklaying, well hubby has and i've been making sure he did it right at the bottom of the ladder:rotfl:. My language was a bit "army" the week before as the insurance company wouldn't recognise the strong winds, as they take a sample of speed from certain points etc (and as it happens the nearest checkpoint was in Edinburgh:mad:) bloody eeejits we live beside a field miles away but they won't have it, resulting in us having to do it ourselves. Breathing calmer now though.
So sorry peeps have been having a tough time, candles have been lit all week in the hope some positive energy comes your way.
Warning for Scottish posters, you may have to close your eyes at the next statement,
I was speaking to someone the other day who told me he put......(drum roll)......................cheese on his porridge. Bloomin eejit doesn't even have the excuse of having been brought up elsewhere:D.
Hugs x

SDG31000

Hi everyone, I hope you are all well and happy. I'm taking a break from pudding making. So far the rhubarb fool is ready, the pavolva and Mississippi Mud cake just need topping with whipped cream and the lemon meringues are in the oven. When they come out the rice pudding will go in. Then I have the lemon sponge pudding, sticky toffee pudding and magic chocolate pudding to go. Thankfully they can go in the oven at the same time. My friend M is bringing crumble and I have extra cream, ice cream and custard to go on top of everything.
I'm feeling slightly quesy already lol.
I'll report back later if I survive.

ceridwen

kmiller4 wrote: »

Ceridwen-- I could not agree with you more. Its exactly like this too in the US. My DH (58) has been out of work 2 years and cannot find anything except "fast food" type work. It doesn't make any sense for him to give up his unemployment insurance money for something that pays less. When the unemployment money runs out, then he may have to take one of those jobs. Fortunately they have had many extensions of unemployment benefits here in the US due to lack of available jobs-- but this will end soon (a few weeks we think). My OH didnt go to college and has always worked at a factory or warehouse, and at his age no one wants to train him for something new. We are hoping to scrape by on my income until he can receive reduced Social Security (old age benefits) at 62. I'm working 2 jobs (1 full-time and 1 part-time) and so far we are able to make ends meet. Fortunately we have little debt-- just the cars (both will be paid off soon) and the mortgage. Otherwise we'd be in trouble.

Hi KMiller:wave:

...and please do keep visiting and telling us how it is your side of the Pond:)

Its just 2 years normally isnt it in America before the Government can stop paying unemployment benefits? - ie not "permanent" as it is in Britain? I'm guessing your reference to "unemployment extension" means that if one proves to the authorities that it really isnt your fault that you still havent got a job yet (ie there arent any jobs out there TO get) that they then have to extend it?