make do and mend for tougher times

grandma247

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Hi KIDKAT - we were very lucky to get this Polytunnel as we were given the frame by a friend who had restored a boat under it in another friends garden. The house was sold recently so the frame had to be taken down before completion. So it only cost us the poly. I've never had such good results as we have had in the tunnel, it adds weeks to the season at both ends, it's magic. You are right though, anything you can add to help get a crop is worth having, and if it is what I think they have in Aldi it will be darned useful and really good at that price too. Rotten about the washing, I checked mine at 3.30ish and it was dry so I got it in and now we have that horrid persistent drizzle that soaks things in no time so I was lucky! Cheers Lyn xxx.

You could even grow some stuff through the winter such as winter lettuce, spring cabbage and spring cauliflower, I am sure there are other plants but can't think of them right now. They would appreciate the protection from the worst of our weather.

Some chinese cabbage type plants prefer cooler temps.

prepareathome

GreyQueen wrote: »

PAH, had to re-read your post again today about the HA bods, am still smiling. I used to be a CAB volunteer adviser and I get such a deep satisfaction from helping people, it makes my day. But you were the one who made the call and sent the emails etc. I have never known a reaction like it, there must have been absolutely damning stuff in those files for them to mobilise like that.!

Well in the land of the awake again and so far today had phone call asking what my cupboard design was 'tayland oak' appernetly even thought they look nothing like oak and are very, very pale brown -looks nice sounds horrible, but my kitchen to small and dark for dark anything hence having white or stainless steel appliances to reflect any light.

My take on yesterday is they received money from the government to redo all the properties. This is the whole reason the HA was set up if not we would still be run by council and I can only presume they have got rather carried away going after all these awards that they get almost monthly for the north that they have spent improvement money on this instead of improvements and the last thing they want is legal action or Housing Ombudsman reading over their files or mine ( I think me requesting my data was the last straw) as this would have been spotted.

By the original plans we were given way back when they were pre-posing to move us to to HA all work would have been completed by 2009 :rotfl::rotfl: inside and outside.

Well since starting this joiner has been out to measure cupboard door and told me no-one said anything a new shelf, but I got him to measure it anyway and tried phoning but all but emergency around after 4pm.

He also at first planned just to change barrel on front door till we said forget it that is not what was said and barrel was only changed a month or so ago - even he could see it was new.

So he changed the whole lock, oh boy that was a sight to see as the whole thing was jammed inside door and parts that should slip out easily refused to budge. He eventually cut the whole thing out and put in a bigger lock to fill up the space along with some bits of wood he glued inside the door frame to hold it together, yes it was starting to fall to bits.

The new lock is exact same as old one except bigger and gold instead of silver but otherwise same shape, same key as he just swapped the barrel for the one we had to save us having to change keys again. You still have to thump it to ensure it locks - if you just push it carefully it bounces out of the metal in the door frame same as old one......I think that problem is caused because the door frame itself is to shallow and he agreed but he of course cannot replace door frame with a thicker one as then door would be to big.

So he will go back and report I am not amused and I will phone tomorrow and remind them if I ever have to claim on insurance and am refused due to not having the required lock then I will be claiming from them - I intend to send this in writing and sent a copy to myself at same time both by special delivery.

So the fun continues.

The forms from Community Legal Advice Team arrived and I was going to wait and see but now will fill them in and get them to deal with HA as already their promises are being shown, as I expected, to be hot air. They must have thought the posse of big bods would scare me, not a chance. If they are doing this to me I reckon there will be some tenants in even worse situations to scared to fight.


Right I have about 6 pages to read to catch up.

Hugs to all

Pooky

Thanks for your comments guys and gals....the letter has been scanned and sent to our MP for his comments. Called The ato peeps up and asked about a taxi, we have to have a letter from the GP stating a medical need, then they will book one, we also asked for the meeting to be recorded, at which point they cancelled the current meeting and emailed the centre directly to ask for a new appointment when the recording equipment is available. It seems there is only one set of recording devices that travel between centres so we will have to wait for a new appointment, he had no idea how long it would take but did say not to get the letter from the GP regarding transport issues as they can't be more than three months old...which indicates quite a wait for an appointment.

DH has been in the support group for three years, his GP and specialists all agree he needs to stay in that group so we will wait and see what happens.

Malfiore

Just popping in as I have 1 minute! Lovely to read everything and wish I could post a bit more! On the right of the screen there is a voucher for Dwell - I got thistoday and you get a free £15 voucher for signing up - might be good for Xmas presents

prepareathome

grandma247 wrote: »

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.

Thanks for that I will be making it later:T

fuddle

pah I wish they would just give you a new door. I thought you might have been sleeping, hoping anyway, as I hadn't seen you all day. Do you feel refreshed now?

grandma247

Fuddle I should think they will wish they had given her a new door by the time she is finished:rotfl:

You go get 'em Pah.

Evie74_2

Evening all and (((hugs))) to all in need

PAH - I can't believe they won't just give you a new door; you'd think they'd just give in to save themselves the hassle and expense of a protracted battle!

Pooky - I'm glad you're getting the new appt sorted; it's absolutely disgraceful that they expected your DH to travel on 4 different buses etc etc, it really makes my blood boil :mad:

Aahhh I've forgotten who else I was going to reply to sorry to anyone I've missed

I can't believe how hectic my week has been so far - Friday, where are you?! On the bright side, my kitchen really looks like a kitchen now so we must be nearly there. Just a few tweaks, and a whole lot of tiling, and then the cooker can finally be installed - and I can kiss goodbye to nasty ready meals forever! I will also have a huuuuge amount of cleaning to do as despite my best efforts the dust has completely permeated the house.

Fuddle - how's the hair? Have you given in and washed it yet? I bet I would have done!

Off to do some catching up on the rest of the OS board...

Evie xx

prepareathome

Popperwell wrote: »

I appreciate that...thanks. Maybe I should get a bike too, I have thought about it...when things get more difficult in years to come...

Be careful about a bike it might be looked on if you can ride a bike you are not so disabled - unless its a trike. A mobility scooter might be better.

I get mine via DLA but if it goes I saw in that market I was at last week some similar to mine for around £500 with full years guarantee.


Which reminds me I received a letter saying service is due on mine. I have only used it 3 times but they say I must have it done so must remember to phone tomorrow to arrange it.

fuddle

Evie74 wrote: »

Fuddle - how's the hair? Have you given in and washed it yet? I bet I would have done!

The hair is about to be washed with shampoo. I feel so scruffy It's going to have to be a slow process and elongate the time between washes slowly. I can't possibly be seen out with this grease helmet tomorrow :eek:

I'm feeling rather smug. I have stumbled upon a load of blackberries while walking the dog. I don't think it's a popular walking place so hopefully it will keep us entertained/fed in the coming weeks. I also think I have sourced an elder. I'm not sure as it still had some flowers on it and not very many stalks/berry forming. The flowers did smell like I think elderflower smells but my track record with elderflower is a bit rubbish.

Anyway, nice to walk around being fully aware of my surroundings