make do and mend for tougher times

thriftylass

Congratulations to all who got job offers, passed exams etc and keep fighting for what's right to those who are having a rough time.

The nicotine withdrawel is kicking in now, big time, having hissyfits at the smallest things. Had to fix a puncture on my bike, twice, only to then break the valve which means I now have to buy a new inner tube :mad:. Plus I have to take the bus tomorrow after I also just got my water proofs to try out on the bike. So no NSD tomorrow. Couldn't be bothered cooking so got a take away but am now invardly fuming at the money spend :mad: I know that's nothing compared to problems other people have but going cold turkey doesn't help. Sure it'll be better tomorrow........

SpikyHedgehog

shelley_crow wrote: »

Very well done Stiltwalker, you've worked hard and are reaping the rewards!

PAH: Another one here with HA troubles, you have my sympathies! We have many of the same problems as you. Mould is painted over and they say the problem is solved....until it comes back. We have rickety hard wood doors that we were told were being replaced but then they ran out of money and that was forgotton. Our tatty kitchen is circa early 70s, my parents bought the same one when they moved in together, HA swear blind that it was replaced in early 2000s but obviously that isn't the case. Bits are falling off left right and centre, so they come out and glue them back on. The latest one today is that our boiler is on the brink, no hot water without switching central heating on as well, we were told it isn't a priority to be fixed. We can barely afford to heat the house when it is cold, let alone in July! Dunno when that will get done, I must admit I flipped and sent the complaints department a rather stinging email. The HA were given a large amount of money to bring the stock up to a decent standard but we haven't seen any of it, they spend a lot of money on flowers for various places.

I can honestly say that the only people who say they want council houses are the same people who have never been in one. I would dearly love to move but alas the financial situation isn't good at the moment. If it was my house, I have a couple of friends who could look at the heating for beer money and would save up to replace the doors/kitchen myself. As it stands, I can't make any alterations, even if it would be beneficial to us and them.

Shelly, does it say in your agreement that you can't do anything? We're allowed to do stuff to the house with HA knowledge & approval, & they are ok for people to do their own work (yeah, cos then we pay for it not them).

Having now read PAH's post, take it as high as you can, & see what they can do when pushed.

unixgirluk wrote: »

Well, I have some news............ I've been offered a job! :j


Its contract, not permanent but I am so happy. I think think I deafened the poor agency guy when I screamed . They need to go through background/credit checks and I need to take all my paperwork to the agency tomorrow to prove who I am.


The amount of pay is similar to what I got before the only thing I don't get is a pension and medical but I may look into doing that myself.

This means I can breathe again, its a very smart place so I need to get another suit and tops I can get out of the charity shop. I do have suits I wore a few years ago but they are too small. The job is a 20 minute walk from the train station which hopefully means I'll get fit and lose (a lot of) weight, my previous job I drove door to door.

Congratulations!

Byatt

I have lived in a council house, my DD lives in a council flat and I can honestly say I would love social housing now. My inlaws lived in council houses, bought, sold it and moved into sheltered housing. My ex has sheltered housing despite getting sufficient equity from the marital home to exempt him. And he was under 60 at the time. He has full time work, has had masses of work done to it with the intention of buying it, meaning another house is lost from the system, when he gets a sufficient deduction to make it worth his while. In the meantime any repairs/improvements are done. (this is in the NE, which has a system where some people get housing because of who they know rather than need or a list)

Me? In private housing, tiny...storage heating in two rooms which eats my electric and damp/mould. Including my mattress. My HB doesn't cover the rent, not even half because it's so high in the private sector. My ESA stops in September, a month from now. I don't think about it because it will scare me to death. I am trying to get more work with cat sitting, but that's seasonal and I'm not going to make my fortune. I have an old banger, which I need for business. I do not go anywhere in it for pleasure any more. I do not go out. My kitchen is probably 60's and 70's, a mish mash that has just been fitted to make do by LL. As for my bathroom, well it's downstairs and at the back and it's flipping freezing.

If I sound angry, I am right this minute, but I won't be tomorrow, or the next day because I will keep on hoping for the best and preparing for the worst, and if the worst comes to the worst I will survive. Because despite everything this little place is my home and it's taught me that appearance isn't everything and it is a roof over my head and as long as I can enjoy things like the Olympics on tv, or see a picture of a green finch that makes me go wow, read a Jack Reacher novel for fun or potter in the handkerchief garden, then I am ok.

kidcat

Wow what a day, congratulations for all the new jobs and general success.

Have had a big sort out today and managed to make my bedroom slightly better - all be it that I have moved stuff into loft to sort another day but its less depressing to look at. Plumber coming to fit valves to bathroom to slow water flow tomorrow so upstairs is all clean and tidy. After the big sort out of kids rooms they have stayed reasonably tidy which is nice.
Attacked the ironing mountain and managed to bring it down to a more manageable size at least. However the washing mountain appears to have erupted and is bubbling all over the place

Until we last year we always rented privately and I regularly was down that it was in such poor condition, it didnt matter how clean or tidy it was at the end of the day, without fail they were all in really poor state. Its so sad that LL be they social or private can be allowed to rent out properties in such a poor state.

GreyQueen

katieowl wrote: »

:j:T:) I am going to have my first GRAND GOGGIE!!!!

We are hopefully meeting the rescue people, and picking him up at a half way point on Saturday eve. They said because we got out dogs from another one of their branches (and DD had originally spoken to the people that we rescued from in Kent - and seen recent photos) that they were sure that DD would be a most suitable forever home!!! I'm really excited - had you guessed :j

Kate

I demand pix! Congratulations!

unixgirluk wrote: »

Well, I have some news............ I've been offered a job! :j

:beer: Hurray!

Pips_Mum wrote: »

I think I have some more good news to add, OH has just had a job offer!:j Its subject to references and a couple of little terms need smoothing but its looking pretty positive! :j

:j Congratulations to the OH. What a lovely evening's news!


:rotfl:Oh PAH, what have I assisted you to do..........?!:p Your HA must have a very guilty conscience to react so strongly to a request for your files! What fun. And to think I wasn't going to come online tonight as have spent the past few hours rushing to finish a library book due back tomorrow. So glad I did to share everyone's fantastic news.

Well done Stiltwalker!

Nothing much to report at this end except it has rained on and off all day and is decidedly chilly. Sort of the summer that never was. I was seriously considering snuggling in my fleece rug on the sofa. Ridiculous idea for July.

Gonna have a quick flip around the web before bedtime. Until tomorrow, GQ x

ETA Byatt, just a quick thought on your ex; around here sheltered properties are expempt from the right to buy. Not sure if same where he is? Wouldn't it be fun if he's banking on something he won't be able to get? *cackle*

smileyt_2

Well done to Pips Mum's OH and Unixgirl :j.

And PAH, you certainly rattled some cages there! I must remember that tip from Greyqueen for future reference. I'm sure she'll be thrilled when she comes on here and sees the result of her advice. It just goes to show that knowledge really is power.

I daren't watch those programmes about disability and medical tests, I think I will blow a gasket. I was at the job centre today and I saw a blind man seeing the same disability adviser I normally see. Well, I've worked with blind students and colleagues so I know that they are not helpless and are certainly capable of work. However, I was unlocking my bike outside to ride home when this man left the job centre. He was terribly unkempt, and began shouting at the top of his voice, "How beautiful!" and "I'm George Bush." And off he went down the street, crashing into things because he was shouting at the top of his voice and not using his cane properly. Presumably some numpty has passed him as fit for work even though his mental state was highly questionable and he is obviously not capable of caring for himself properly. It is very sad. What chance does he have of being employed? :mad:

I would love to have five minutes alone in a room with David Ca-moron ....

Byatt nice to see you again.

Do you think OS could be made into an olympic event? Fastest vinegar and bicarb cleaner, synchronised knitting ..... :rotfl:

prepareathome

grandma247 wrote: »

Pah I sat here with tears running but with laughter not sadness. Girl did you stir them up! I would try to find out about that photo. Blummin cheek not asking you if it was ok and telling you what they were going to do with it.
.

That is why I had the cynical thought about another award as I only threatened legal action, housing ombudsman ( both of these both on phone and in email) and asked for my data(just via phone),......and all this it was damage limitation nothing more nothing less... but if it gets my jobs done sans door I am happy.......


I actually am relaxing now and can see the funny side - all the top bods running round like headless chickens over my door.

Opps just realised wrote this hours ago and never sent it.

Still awake so from 7am Monday morning that is now 39 1/2 hrs a long way to go till my personal best........:rotfl:

GreyQueen

smileyt wrote: »

And PAH, you certainly rattled some cages there! I must remember that tip from Greyqueen for future reference. I'm sure she'll be thrilled when she comes on here and sees the result of her advice. It just goes to show that knowledge really is power.

Do you think OS could be made into an olympic event? Fastest vinegar and bicarb cleaner, synchronised knitting ..... :rotfl:

I'm chortling, believe you me.:D

I once read an article about a campaign against summat or other and the opposition were predominantly retired bureaucratic types with internet access, time on their hands and a thorough knowledge of where to stick the levers into an organisation.........and the developers were running scared. Sometimes, it helps to know where to insert the footwear.

I'm on an enforced no-media diet at the moment as I have always suffered from Sport Allergy but I would like to see the above event........when will it be on YouTube, pleeze?

prepareathome

Do you know what made me stick to my guns and not keep quiet - you lot, each and every one of you. Knowing you were all behind me cheering me on,without you all this saga would have dragged on another 4 years.......thank you and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

Was telling my friend and she said she is hoping that if/when joiner comes out to put new lock on the door falls to pieces..........she reminded me two of the joiners had said they would only change barrel on lock when it jammed as the door would most likely fall to bits if they tried putting in a whole new lock.

Now that would be wonderful wouldn't it. Am I to naughty hoping it happens...............she was roaring with laughter at the thought and so am I........then their precious door that they say is fine would have to be replaced and would their faces be red........oh santa I will be a good girl if you give me this........

I am happy got some whoopsies tonight -dragged hubby out to Mr S as my throat is not sore but burning a bit so wanted some ice cream and of course none in.

Not been there after whoopsie time for a few weeks........

Can anyone tell me if you can make jam with grapes? 2 punnets 10p each


Same for two punnets of strawberries 10p each

I got 6 lamb chops/2 mushroom and chicken burger type things- 2 in a pack/8 beef sausages - 2 packs/2 lge quiches/rolls(5p for 6 pack) and am sure something else all for £2



Oh I did buy my ice cream and hubby wanted steam puds and my Mr S no longer sells the tinned ones only tiny frozen twin pack, but he was happy, but the two for £1 did not equal the size of one of the Heinz sponge puds.......will make some and freeze them, not buying those tiddlers again.

So that has made my day and freezers are full again.

grandma247

You can make a jelly with grapes here is one recipe.

I don't like the change they made when doing anything except typing on here. I get weird stuff pop up in my post but when I actually post it disappears.