MG - The Matrix Re-wired

greenbee

psychopathbabble wrote: »

I could quite easily work full-time! I'm just held back by the difficulty in going onto someones PAYE system and it screwing up my ssp plus my employer finding out... after all, if it was a normal job I'd still be working!

Thank you so much for all your help and I know I probably sound like I'm making excuses and stuff, (i have just signed up to linkedin though!) it's just so much to think about

PM and I'll connect you to the matrix on LinkedIn And no, you're not making excuses, you have to do things right. I'm having problems with amended duties at the moment as my boss won't engage with me to discuss so nothing is documented. It's putting huge pressure on my colleagues who are having to cope. Remember, if you get a fit note that specifies fit for work on amended duties - no flying - then your employer should be making every effort to keep you at work The NHS has some useful stuff on this. I realise it is harder in your situation - becuase I can do part of my job, they can't make me take sick leave.

groatie_queen

It's very stressful not being fit for your normal duties but wanting to work. I had a period of ill-health in 2008 and in the end returned to work whilst still very unwell, because I had been told by an occ health doc that my job was under threat due to the amount of time off I had had. He then told me at the next appointment some weeks later that I looked scary because I looked so ill, and that it might frighten my clients! Not helpful.

Now for a bit of trivia - compared to what Pscyhopathbabble and Greenbee are contending with. Glad to say I'm now the proud owner of the wee Edwardian Pembroke style drop leaf table I was after - just been phoned by the auction house to say it's mine, for quite a bit less than the maximum bid I left with them. And cost a fraction of what I would have paid for a new table, or even for the cheapest Pembroke table listed on eBay. It needs a bit of tlc as it has heat or damp marks on the top, but is in excellent nick otherwise.

My Mum had a Pembroke table in the kitchen at the family home, so as well as being practical for a small kitchen, it's a bit of harking back to my childhood, which will form a link to the past and revive many happy memories when I'm sitting in my new kitchen.

greenbee

Well done GQ

Leftover pork casserole has had lentils added to it and is being turned into soup. I need to stop using green peppers in the SC as they seem to leave a bitter flavour. Hopefully the soup will be OK.

Beans cooking for cauliflower and flageolet bean soup, and beetroot roasting for either risotto or soup. I need to get into the outside freezer tomorrow as I have lentil soup to freeze as well as the stuff I do tonight. I also have some rocket, little gem, fennel, carrots, cabbage and purple sprouting to use up by Saturday night and really CBA to cook anything to eat now. I have some pasta sauce in the fridge too, which I defrosted and then haven't got round to eating. Maybe I should make a small lasagne with it... I have frozen spinach and cream cheese that I could use up too... Lots of eggs, two of which I need to eat but the rest will be fine.

And a long, long list of things to do before I can pack, including a trip to London on Saturday to get my hair cut and coloured which I can't put off any longer, especially as I'm travelling for work next week!

Dorastar

Tired out today and ready for a break at the end of next week. Have scored many mummy points by taking ds to a kids club where he has learnt how to play footy (he now knows to kick the ball not just pick it up!) and he wants to go "on my own" next week - there is so little for lads his age to do round here as everything seems to start at 7 so he has 2 years to wait and he loves being with other boys. Have also stiched tiger furry material to dd's pumps and made legwarmers for her and for ds to wear over his wellies for funky feet friday at school tomorrow - another 1000 mummy points banked:)

Forgot to say I did a big approved foods order last night £38 of stuff worth over £100 - going to empty utility cupboard to stash it all away

Mum_on_a_mission_2

Today has been rather long and stressy awaiting a relative's operation to take place, but all has gone well at last - and to celebrate I bought, drum roll......a bunch of flowers instead of the red wine I'd usually have gone for.

Better for my health, wallet (as very reduced thank you Mr T) - and they make me smile every time I see them. Have also munched a couple of frogs requiring conversations with DH, who isn't always amenable to talking & making a joint decision.

Things are most definitely improving chez Moam - even finances are slowly getting there..

Moam

greenbee

One lot of pork and lentil destined for the freezer. Beans cooked but soup will be done tomorrow. Three small lasagnes made and ready to freeze in the morning. Forgot about the beetroot, so they were rather crispy. Have removed the crispy skin and may have them with salad for lunch tomorrow.

Sleeping on the sofa bed again as the woodwork has been done today. It may have been matt rather than gloss but it still stinks! We have tried the floor painting in the cupboard. The effect is almost what we want but for some reason there were bubbles, and it has dried spotty. Any ideas as to how we fix this please?

So much to do both for work and at home before I leave on Sunday morning, and Saturday is a write-off due to needing to go and get my hair sorted out as there is far too much grey visible and it needs a cut! I need to try not to wear myself out before I leave!

Memory_Girl

Wow - everyone is getting their Spring Wiggles on - I feel like I am slowly coming out of hibernation too.

Greenbee - do the bubbles look like they were in the paint as it dried (like the bubbles you get when rollering on?) - or does it look like it has reacted to something and bubbled up.

You can get this reaction for stuff like hairspray that has drifted onto the floor, so if the floor has not been sanded and tack ragged then a good wash over with sugar soap should lift any oily / sticky / silicon residue that could be causing a reaction.

Sugar soap is cheap - but wear gloves cos it will definitely ruin a manicure.

Off to feed the boys and then whip up a Viccy Sponge - got a MSE friend coming for tea this afternoon and there is nothing to beat a fresh cream sponge is there?

Oh - and maybe some cleaning, painting and finishing of the desk is on the cards too.

TTFN

MG

Eager_Elephant

psychopathbabble wrote: »

I'm not sure how long you can stay off sick? I've been off since December 21st, and even my days off count towards the total, I know you get paid for 28 weeks but what happens after that? I just dont know!!

ETA: Thanks for the hugs and replying

Different companies work in different ways, I have some clients who were signed off from work for years - had to receve benefits but still had a job to go back to if they got better. Some were retired under medical grounds but I think you might be too young for that.

After 28 weeks the SSP would stop and you would have to apply for Employment Support Allowance if you are still unfit to work.
The only problem with this benefit is that they assess you as to whether you can do any work not just your normal job so although you cannot work in your normal role you could work in an office.

The amount for ESA is £67.50 per week. After 13 weeks you have a medical and the doctor has to score you against illness descriptors and if you score enough points you get put into a category and get between £26 - £30 extra per week.

If the doctor says you have not scored enough points your ESA would stop and you would either appeal the decision and ESA is reinstated at £67.50 per week (soon to rise to £71.45 from April) or you would claim JSA.

But the problem with that is technically you are not looking for work, just not able to work in your own job and if your doctor has signed you off as unfit to work you are not usually allowed to claim JSA anyway.

The benefits system is quite complicated and the above is the basics, if you need more info let me know.

Also you should really find out when SSP is going to finish as ESA can take up to 8 weeks to process through and you don't want to be left with no money.
You can apply for ESA up to 13 weeks before you need it so hopefully ESA will pay as soon as SSP finishes.

mumsiemum

Horace wrote: »

Take time to rest, do a bit of research, work on your OU, eat cake and drink tea. Stay away from Jeremy Kyle.

Love it!:rotfl:

Plan fro today:

Stocktake all my beans and pulses - I have tonnes which are just sitting there waiting for me to do something with. I have bought them over time thinking I would do loads of vegy meals but it hasn't happened. I so need to start using them up so any beany type recipes would be greatly appreciated!

Cycling to doctors appointment - I have been cycling as part of my excercise plan and am loving it - The council offer 2 FOC one to one cycling lessons for adults who want to start cycling more and I had first one this week. It was brill and I have been out and about all week. Second lesson is next week.

I have 4 frogs to munch today in the form of projects to mark. I really need to get these done today because I want them out of the way before the weekend.

Hugs to everyone who needs them ((((((())))))))

Enjoy the sunshine

MM

greenbee

Probably roller bubbles MG - floorboards are new and very clean! I've found suggestions to make sure that all the bubbles are gone after diluting the paint, and also to wipe with a rag after applying.

Suppose I should get up and go and lag my last couple of pipes so I can finish cleaning my study so I can work in there when I get back!