make do and mend for tougher times

missrlr

Morning sorry afternoon all. Been up since 4 did a last run of the year so car now being cleaned and few jobs done before being pretty much out away for winter. Raided MrT, £40 shop couldn't get near L1dl's car park but the difference in prices for the things we bought was pence, literally sub a quid! Stocked up on baking stuff as in offer
Bedroom window was POURING with condensation ... DH did not open window and with drying plaster downstairs what to expect?!?

Pooky

Afternoon all

Fuddle - if the landlord lets you do the work yourselves don't rush into decorating, get the problem dealt with and give it until spring to settle or you'll be back to square one.

GQ - I'm not normally a slipper wearer but I do love the little slipper sock/ballet style things from Primarni and the like, £1 a pair roughly and go through the wash lovely. I just keep mock-crocs at the from and back doors for forays to the washing line and coal/wood pile (oh the glamour) - as they're like socks you can just slip your tootsies into said shoe and away you go. The style police will be on to me!

Feeling more human today, still in my jimjams though and keeping the sofa company but have finally found some enthusiasm to do some sewing (hexi-patch work on the go at the mo - pics on FB for those of you who have me). Can always tell when you're starting to recover when you want to do "something" (although that something most certinaly wasn't dealing with the half eaten mouse one of the kittens brought in)

Catzine - yay for patchwork and granny squares, welcome to my world! Great fun isn't it? Glad you found somewhere to learn these lovely skills.

fuddle

I definitely don't want to upset the LL. We need this house for a little while yet. He's asked us to leave once and I was a bit manic over it, I don't want to have to go through it again. DH said he was amenable and is thinking about letting us pull the wardrobes out. DH is concerned that the LL is expecting it redecorated ASAP but we won't be doing that. The parameters of responsibility are getting all mixed up but much of that is our fault because we're pushing to do a lot of it ourselves just so we can feel good about our home.

You must all be sick of hearing about this, I know I'm sick of dealing with it. Top and bottom of it is we have a home, so I'm trying to be positive and thankful.

Byatt

I agree with you Mardy.

Fuddle, I made the decision to make this place a home after 2 years of not doing so. It has its issues with damp etc, bathroom downstairs, tiny, tiny place, but I already feel much happier. I don't feel able to move again, emotionally, psychologically and physically, for quite some time, although I did see this house as stop gap. I think they would have to drag me kicking and screaming from here now, although I can see a future move eventually, I'm trying to live in the now and enjoy what I have.

I'm at last making it a home, not a place just to rest my head. xx

eta Pooky, I followed your tips about the windows, last night and opened the bathroom one a smidgen and my bedroom, a huge improvement even if a bit nippy!

Popperwell

Afternoon All,
By it's cold...Just had to change clothes and taking the thermals off I can feel the difference. As Fuddle knows and many on here, it is cold and dull weather wise.

And now with the clocks going back it will soon be dark. I venture out for one of the last shows I booked earlier in the year(at least it is paid for other than the bus fare. The old pop group from the 60's The Searchers...

You have to walk before you run Fuddle as you know only too well and if that problem has existed for years, also allowing for the cost of putting right what is wrong with your home, it either means the LL has let it get that way or previous tennants have or it has taken this long to show.

As you say if he allows you to do what you are everyone wins. Perhaps you will then stay put alittle longer or at least not have to leave fast and he has a better investment.

If he gets a bit strange over it, he is the loser and it will need drying out anyhow...you cannot paint over damp/mouldy walls.

Oh well must dash and try and make myself presntable for tonight and I have one bus that gets me there on time, there is another but it is too close to the time the show starts so I have to be away by 5.15pm at the latest, bus approx 5.40pm into Durham approx 6.20pm then I have to kill an hour or so on the streets(may just kill time in the local Tesco's to keep warm.

If it is open may buy a portion of chips at a local fish and chip that is open, I have some supplies in a back pack(cereal bars/some little drinks and I may make up a couple of ham and pease pudding buns)

Don't suppose I'll get home much before 11.30pm because there are fewer buses now with the change of the schedule from today(they run fewer on Sundays and bank Holidays:mad:)

At least it is not snowing or raining at the minute.

I am making certain I have a warm coat, thermals a woollen and hat, scarf and gloves as I suspect it will be quite cold and I don't care about looking fashionable. I'll probably keep my coat on in the theatre as it is never that warm inside.

fuddle

It's all about being positive isn't it... plus I'm impatient and think I can do everything myself.

Off out with the pup before it gets dark. Going to collect twigs so I can do this

jackel

Hello All

Greyqueen isn't it funny how just a few little words can make a person happy ? I too can knit (again just the ordinary jumper or something simmilar) but I have never come accross another needle looser. I knit in exactly the way you describe and all these years have thought it was just me ! Many times I have been laughed at, but, I just cant do it properly. You have made me feel normal - ta.

Fuddle - Glad you are taking the sensible none confrontatinal route with LL. It's his house so he calls the shots - hope you feel better now - don't let it get you down.

jacxx

Pooky

Byatt - glad it helped, you get used to the draft after a while.



When you consider on average a human breathes out around a minimum of half a litre of water a day, times that by the amount of people in your house and then imagine it in a sealed box.....there's no where for it to go.

When you exercise you get sweaty and your clothes soak up the sweat (so like your windows and walls in a house) or you wear clothes that are "breathable" to remove the dampness from your skin (like having a window partially open/decent air vent)

fuddle

Lyn thank you for mentioning lambland. I've had a look and I'm hooked. When my velour delights are no more I shall be investing

Did someone say that the fluffy linings of moccasins should be avoided?

I like your analogy of damp pooky.

mama67

JKJ wrote: »

HMRC told me today that an employer can only use a P46 BEFORE you have received your first pay. Otherwise you will need to speak to HMRC as a
P46 cannot be used.

Maybe things have changed but when I used to do wages (private practice accountants) we were told to issue a blank P46 with the first payslip if one or a P45 had not been received.
This might have been as we were doing wages for clients and therefore couldn't always have the forms in time.