Not mentioning the T word at all

louise3965

s'ok Im getting a cab with Hugh. He can hold my hair out of my face later, lucky man.

Sentora

mardatha wrote: »

Advocaat, kale and Abba. Dear god, have I died and gone to hell? :eek::eek::eek:

Nope, by the looks of things you've gone to Holland.... (curly Kale is almost national dish, Advocaat is a Dutch drink and Abba... well need I say more about taste, they were very big in Holland)

Loving this party, but I'm on tablets so am sticking with a coke.... :D

lisakay_2

party poopers, I've only just got on and you're leaving me to drink on my own;).
Now listen up ladies I'm in need of some advice...I know there's a few fellow Mancs on this thread, but first a little bit of a story behind it if you have the time and are sober enough to read:D
We have been struggling for a while and are only just now beginning to get on top of our debts, although things are going to be tight for quite some time. DH is working very hard while there is overtime available (there's a story behind that too, but that's not important!). He is going to be working christmas day so we are having our christmas dinner and a couple of presents on christmas eve and he'll be up to watch the girls open their pressies on the morning, but then off to bed ready for a nightshift starting mid afternoon.
For years and years now I have considered volunteering in a soup kitchen/homeless shelter on christmas day, but he's never been keen on the idea. I have mentioned the idea to him, but he says he doesn't want the girls to see 'that sort of stuff' (his words) I think it will do them, and me some good. it will be doing paying something back, giving people comfort and helping us realise just how lucky we are. The girls are 6 and 4. I don't think this is too young to be thinking of other people???? Am I right to try to convince him it's a good idea? and finally how would i go about finding somewhere that would need us?

Thanks xxx Lisa xxx

smileyt_2

Lisakay, I did this years ago. Can you pm me to remind me to have a think and a firtle round for some information tomorrow? I am going to bed now. Tell me whereabouts in Manchester you are, too.

Night night you 'orrible lot!

ETA But think organisations might only want adults around, not young children. You would have to check.

What about Operation Christmas Child, that shoebox thing, if the soup kitchen turns out to be a no-go?

jackieglasgow

As someone who once upona time, in a previous life, had to avail myself of the services of a soup kitchen, and as a mother myself, I have to agree with your husband. They are too young, let them be children for a while longer before you introduce them to the stark realities of homelessness, and all the different colours of the stories behind it. I think its a fabulous idea, but just too soon. I expect you would be hard pressed to find one which would be happt to have such young children along, for health and safety reasons, if nothing else.

Perhaps your local church has a day or evening for local eldery peopke who are alone, or an adopt a grandparent type programme? Do you have elderly neighbours who are alone, whom you could visit or invite in for a bite to eat?

I hope you dont feel I am being critical, truly I am not, but they are still too young, imo.

bluebag

lisakay, it is nice you want your girls to appreciate that some are not so fortunate at Christmas, but as jackieglasgow says they are a little young.

Many homeless have multiple problems besiides homelessness and this can be a little daunting for even adults to handle.

There are many ways to give something back, sharing the joy of the season with others.

lisakay_2

Good points well made, although I'm a little disappointed I think I expected a different answer, instead of my husbands arguments put more clearly;). It's still something I want to do though, but I'll perhaps put it off a bit longer while I do some more research. I do tend to wear rose tinted glasses for much of the time, if I'm honest.
I'm in stretford, by the way. For this year I'll maybe look into other things to do, we're already down to help out at the local housing associations christmas do for what is affectionately called the oldies club, and I think I've been voluteered to bake mince pies.

I think I was just hoping to get the girls to appreciate what we do have rather than moan about what we don't have!

thanks for your input xxxxxx sleep well all xxxxxxxx

EstherH

Lisakay, what about visiting sick children in hospital or an old people's home? As others have said, do you have elderly neighbours you could spend time with? It is lovely that you want to help and want the children to see that it isn't all about material things. I am sure there are other things you can do to make them more aware of this. I think that there are voluntary agencies who could maybe give you some ideas. I think there is a homeless organisation called Lifeshare which is on Oldham Road at the bottom in the Nucross area. Maybe if you phoned them they might be able to help with ideas of ways you could get involved.

cat_smith

You had a party without me? Most miffed. I had pecan pie to offer but no-one asked. I'll leave you all to clear up. Sulk.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

[stomps around vacuuming and crashing the end of it into doorframes and skirtings, making as much noise as possible around the snoring partygoers]

[holds something up by kitchen tongs]


and WHOSE knickers are THESE??????????????????