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

parsonswife8

Sammy_Kaye, it's so nice to see you back...knew you had moved and then you just disappeared.:j

EstherH

greenbee wrote: »

That's all I do (well, I'm using flaxseed oil right now, as I'm not fussy) although I use very hot water on a muslin cloth.

Thanks Greenbee. I used to always eat my five a day and drink loads if water but for some reason the last few months this has gone to pot and the weight has piled on and my skin could do with a boost. This is a good time to start with a new regime. Esther x

mardatha

GreyQueen, I'm shocked at this -
"the destitute Eastern Europeans are still illegally encamped outside town "
Where is that ? I had no idea this happened in the UK !!

Libretia*

Im going to join all you guys and gals on this thread as things are really tough for us right now. The cost of every direct debit has increased and the incoming finances havent increased. We do loads of money saving things and have cut back and back and back, but things are just getting tougher and tougher.

mumto2monkeys_2

My income has dropped by half and if our circumstances don't improve I could end up jobless. We could get by on benefit payments in the short term, but when they end (which will be a good thing as it means daughter is better) then I'll be stuffed. My aim is to try to spend as little as possible and start squirrelling in case of adverse times ahead. We have no savings and still have some debt, although once the credit card has gone we will be letting the loans tick over on minimum payments until our situation improves.

Here's to a very frugal 2012. 2011 was the worst year of my life, I want to be proactive so we can cope with whatever the future holds.

SDG31000

Evening ladies

Do you mind if I get another prespective on my day and the presents my DSister has sent me? I know I shouldn't complain about getting presents, but on the other hand I just want to know if I'm wrong to be upset. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it is the best I can do for now.
First of all we didn't get to see my side of the family over the holidays. So someone I would class as a former friend said she would do the gift exchange (I used to consider this person my best friend, but she moved over three years ago and all efforts I have made to keep in touch have been ignored and she has sent me one email in that time and that's it. She has never visited me despite coming back to her old home town every two weeks and I know she normally sees lots of her old friends while over here).
So I was on tenderhooks to start with. Old friend stayed a total of three minutes and acted like we saw each other all the time. So she went off loaded with presents for my family.
I went in the house and gave DS1 and DS2 their gifts and then opened mine.
I got...A Special Auntie Christmas tree decoration
A cupcake money box to go with the one she gave me last year and that I have no use for
and an earthenware mug with reads "I go from 0 to b*tch in 1.6 seconds"
DH got two mugs, one of which has "I am a TW*T" on the bottom and a lynx gift set.
I hate the b-word with a passion and it really upset me. Even if DSister had forgotten that I can't see how she thought it was an appropriate gift. The less said about DH the better as far as I'm concerned.
I'm just upset that I made an effort with their presents and no thought what so ever seems to have gone into mine. I'm tired of feeling on the sidelines of my family just because I dared to move 55 miles away.
Sorry for ranting, ignore if you want to xxxx

maryb

Mardatha

I don't think GreyQueen wants to give too much away about where she lives but I have read before about Eastern Europeans having to live like that if they aren't the sort of skilled tradesmen that everyone talks about (aka Polish plumbers). A lot came over for low paid agricultrural work and are finding it tough. Many can't get together the fare home where at least they have family and in the meantime can't even afford the rents that the gangmasters charge for overcrowded flats where they all have to "hot bed" - so they camp. Some of the London charities are trying to intercept them at London Victoria coach station to help them before they run out of money and end up sleeping rough.

cherie1122

7 week wonder - you can buy a generic version of Imodium. It's called Loperamide Hydrochloride and I paid £5.50 for 30 capsules.

It's always worth keeping it indoors in case of emergency. I know the packet is expensive but you get 30 capsules instead of 18 Imodium.

Fruball

EstherH wrote: »

Sammy_kaye, lovely to see you back again.

I hadn't managed to read for a while and then when I came back read something about evoo. So a question - how much do I need to use? Do I need to massage it in for ages or will a quick rub in do?

Would be great if all I needed to do was rub a little olive oil in and wipe off with a warm damp flannel. No extras. Sounds too good to be true. Have I got it wrong?

Hugs to everyone having a hard time. Have quickly skimmed through so cant remember names, sorry.

Esther x

I just use about a tsp full (roughly - maybe a little more) and rub it in all over, then rub off with a very hot wet facecloth. I must start doing it again as my skin is awful since I stopped doing it.

SDG31000 wrote: »

Evening ladies

Do you mind if I get another prespective on my day and the presents my DSister has sent me? I know I shouldn't complain about getting presents, but on the other hand I just want to know if I'm wrong to be upset. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it is the best I can do for now.
First of all we didn't get to see my side of the family over the holidays. So someone I would class as a former friend said she would do the gift exchange (I used to consider this person my best friend, but she moved over three years ago and all efforts I have made to keep in touch have been ignored and she has sent me one email in that time and that's it. She has never visited me despite coming back to her old home town every two weeks and I know she normally sees lots of her old friends while over here).
So I was on tenderhooks to start with. Old friend stayed a total of three minutes and acted like we saw each other all the time. So she went off loaded with presents for my family.
I went in the house and gave DS1 and DS2 their gifts and then opened mine.
I got...A Special Auntie Christmas tree decoration
A cupcake money box to go with the one she gave me last year and that I have no use for
and an earthenware mug with reads "I go from 0 to b*tch in 1.6 seconds"
DH got two mugs, one of which has "I am a TW*T" on the bottom and a lynx gift set.
I hate the b-word with a passion and it really upset me. Even if DSister had forgotten that I can't see how she thought it was an appropriate gift. The less said about DH the better as far as I'm concerned.
I'm just upset that I made an effort with their presents and no thought what so ever seems to have gone into mine. I'm tired of feeling on the sidelines of my family just because I dared to move 55 miles away.
Sorry for ranting, ignore if you want to xxxx

I think those presents are horrible. I would be upset if I got those. The tree decoration was nice though.

Why not suggest that you only get pressies for the kids in future? And take the ones you got straight to the charity shop... IF they want them!

redlady_1

Kidcat - I have renovated a cottage from top to toe and it is daunting not having done any of these things before. Go to B & Q and you can pick up an electricity and pipe reader. However, most electrics generally go up or down from a plug point/light switch. I had a drill phobia before this (I hadnt actually done any form of DIY before taking this on) but now I am pretty handy. The other thing I would suggest getting is a Readers Digest DIY manual. It really does tell you how to do most things. In relation to a drill dont go for some top of the range thing. A hammer drill makes it easier to go through thick walls but a basic drill is enough. Also if you are going through plaster board make sure you have the correct raw plugs. They kind of pop out on the other side.