A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

TudorRose

Sorry to hear that lots of people are having problems as Christmas approaches.
Set backs are always bad but somehow when it is Christmas it always feels worse. Probably because over the years we have been brainwashed to think that everything will be perfect at Christmas especially if we throw all our effort/money (delete as appropriate) in to it even though it is for just one day.

I do not celebrate Christmas in a big way & I never interfere in how my children wish to celebrate it but I am always lucky & able to see them over the festive period.
My son & DIL are coming to see me on Friday to bring me a pressie which is lovely as they are both working up until lunchtime & then on the 28th they & my DD and 2GS are coming for tea so that will be fun.
I have made a Christmas cake so now I have a good reason to bother to ice it. I have also made a list of what I want to do for a buffet tea. I have most of it already but I am going to make my own sausage rolls as I have loads of sausages & frozen pastry in the freezer.
Went down to Mr T's this afternoon & managed to get 3 small packs of 'Finest' smoke salmon reduced from £4.00 each to £1.60 each. Thought that was good but when I paid an extra £2.00 was knocked off as they had been part of a 3 for £10.00 offer so got the 3 for £2.80. They are now in the freezer awaiting the family tea as it is one of mine & my daughter's favourite treats.

Sorry to waffle on but knowing that my family is coming on the 28th has given me something to aim for. Tomorrow I'll start my tidying up. Won't take that long but now I have a prompt to get me to do so.

kidcat

Ginny - our neighbours lost their heating days ago, with same thing that went on ours back in Oct, am so glad now that I decided to run the heating to test it when I did, I would hate to be without heating now. They are under a service deal and therefore tied into waiting for the company to be bothered fixing it.
I have dug our spare heaters to front of loft this week just in case.

Tudor - its lovely to hear that you are so excited at having your family visit - I remember growing up my nan used to have a boxing day buffet at her house and I used to help, she was so excited it was really infectious and I have to say it was easily my favourite part of Christmas, spending time with whole family together. Memories like those last forever.

Well have decided to pull small SC out of cupboard and try a batch of porridge, I figure on making enough for 6 servings, that way OH can have some before work (he leaves at 4.30am) and I can try persuade kids to partake. Any leftovers can then be microwaved next day.

Have actually finished all Christmas decorations, trees, card hanging etc. Just wrapping and card writing to do - hate both with an immense passion so am always very tardy. Usually end up wrapping on Christmas Eve till early hours, I am so determined not to do that again - but I did say last year, and the year before!!:o:o

redlady_1

I am still catching up however, if there is indeed an oats shortage this is a national disaster!!! NO TWINKS!!!! :eek::eek::D

hornetgirl

(((Kate and friend))

Alert for all tin stashers! Sainsbury's currently have a 5 for £2 across much of their tinned pulses and beans range at the moment. A single can of mixed beans and pulses is normally £1.22. They're great in chillis and for a quick bean salad, so I'll be stocking up

This week I'm planning to make Softstuff's biscuits, along with more of the mincemeat melts. I thought I might try doing some with cranberry sauce too. Could I also put in a request for the walnut fudge recipe please.

DH is bringing home a ham this week from one of his colleagues who raises pigs. I've never cooked a big ham before, only the little shrink wrapped gammon joints you get in the supermarket. Does anyone have any delicious (and foolproof) recipes please? I have a slow cooker, but don't know whether that or the oven is the best way to go.

Gailey, don't change to suit other people. Your kids will grow up remembering their fun childhood, not whether the house was immaculately clean and tidy at all times.

Byatt

Kidcat, thanks for the hugs, they are always welcome. My dd's room always needed to be blitzed when she was at home. I do go through it with her usually every few months now, but within days it's back to chaos. It's not like I'm houseproud or anything as I'm not tidy, but it's all the stuff I find. I hope I haven't worried you, but I understand the unvoiced fears. Hugs back.:A

Susan, social services have been saying they will get her more help, but time goes on and nothing happening. If I say anything the support workers take it as personal criticism which it's not; I'm tired of easily upset workers. I will write a letter as that seems to have more clout; seeing as everything has to be put in writing now. If something is on record expressing my concerns and they do nothing, then they can be in a lot of trouble. I've tried the talking and they make the right noises but nothing is done. Mum's aren't listened to very often.

Tudor Rose, so glad you have something to aim for. It sounds lovely and fun.:)

Tomorrow I am going out to get some oats! :rotfl::o I am inspired by all the recipes.

susan6780

Byatt wrote: »

Susan, social services have been saying they will get her more help, but time goes on and nothing happening. If I say anything the support workers take it as personal criticism which it's not; I'm tired of easily upset workers. I will write a letter as that seems to have more clout; seeing as everything has to be put in writing now. If something is on record expressing my concerns and they do nothing, then they can be in a lot of trouble. I've tried the talking and they make the right noises but nothing is done. Mum's aren't listened to very often.

I don't know too much about social services in your circumstances,I have worked in a nursing home and any concerns would be directed at management and then to the CQC,is it similar for them? How long have they not been looking after her do you think? When was the last time you spoke to them? If you express your concerns and nothing is done then its neglect surely? Maybe? Wag your finger and if you need mine too you can borrow it?

rising_from_the_ashes

redlady_1 wrote: »

I am still catching up however, if there is indeed an oats shortage this is a national disaster!!! NO TWINKS!!!! :eek::eek::D

:eek::eek::eek:WHAT!:eek::eek::eek::eek: What have I missed!

I'm "not good" with wheat so nearly everything is oat based ....... :eek::eek::eek:

Byatt

susan6780 wrote: »

I don't know too much about social services in your circumstances,I have worked in a nursing home and any concerns would be directed at management and then to the CQC,is it similar for them? How long have they not been looking after her do you think? When was the last time you spoke to them? If you express your concerns and nothing is done then its neglect surely? Maybe? Wag your finger and if you need mine too you can borrow it?

Her support was cut earlier this year. One SW looks after finances :cool:, and one visits for an hour and a half, not sure what she does. They have a duty of care, so yes, I will wag my finger. Thanks for the loan of yours . I spoke to them at the beginning of the month; we seem to have lots of meetings with people, but no actual results. It seems every thing stops in December because of Christmas.

I used to be very up to date with legislation but I don't retain things like I used to; my memory is shot. No-one else to help me as ex is useless.

rising_from_the_ashes

Katie (((hugs))) awful news, and it does always seem so much worse this time of year.


Have just found out my uncle's having a quadruple bypass tomorrow so keeping fingers crossed it goes OK (he's been feeling unwell but they couldn't find anything and then did on of those angyo (?) things and just about everything's blocked.....

Now.... I really must try to go back and catch up on missed pages of posts

paidinchickens

rising I hope all goes well with your uncle and I hope you are feeling better as well x

Kate I am so sorry for your bad news and your friend is lucky to have you.

Gailey I gave up trying to please my family years ago. Some of them I no longer have anything to do with and some in very small doses. My family consists of My kids, DH, some family that I get along with and the rest of my family are friends who have been there through thick and thin that I choose to spend my life with. I am blessed to have such friends and they should have been my family!!

Used the remoska today and the chicken was fab:)

Drum roll please............ last night DH got a whoopsie joint of beef for 30p :eek::eek: dated til the 29th :j:j I said to him before he went whoopsie hunting that we could do with a joint for xmas as we have a chicken in the freezer and we usually have a small joint of beef so we can cater for all the peeps coming for dinner. I can't believe it and am telling him to look for a whoopsie Porche before he goes tonight to see if it works again :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Had a delivery of some dvds today so I am going for an early night and watch a couple, saving on heating is not always bad

PIC x