make do and mend for tougher times

[Deleted User]

and I am popping in as well, brilliant news fuddle and am so very happy for you

kidcat

Fuddle - congratulations

sunshine - I would send an RSVP card for the wedding to tell them you wont be going and leave it at that, you know that she has the message then and no mistake.

Smiley - I am appalled your JSA claim is taking so long, I am sure there are time limits that are supposed to be followed, I would suggest contacting your MP and also look at a formal complaint.

Have been reading snippets on my phone all day so sorry of I have missed anything important out.
We ventured to a theme park today but DS14 didnt come, he got up very depressed and weepy today, really down and couldnt face it so thankfully my parents agreed to have him with them. He went shopping with my dad and then spent the day dosing on their sofa wrapped in his duvet.

Spoke to DS8 Camhs worker today and she is moving DS14 onto her case load as well, we discussed the difficulties and anxieties both boys were having and she is going to arrange to see DS14 pronto.

Have my job interview tomorrow and I really dont know what to hope for, whether to hope I get it or whether to hope I dont. Juggling the boys and their issues around a job is going to exceedingly difficult but the job it self is attractive and challenging. I guess its a wait and see thing.

We have spent a small fortune the past few days and its back to reality from tomorrow, need to shop and cook etc. AM also aiming to get my blood tests and xrays done tomorrow and generally catch up on stuff around here.

My back has been bad still and I am now worrying that its not a flare up more a return to how it was when I was pregnant and that it may never improve. Found a back support belt thingy and used that today which was a help but I cant wear it 24/7.

In the past few days I have read an awful lot and can see things begin to simmer, which is worrying as times are tough now and will only get tougher still, the only option we have is to continue to watch the pennies and make every penny count.
My nans favourite saying was "Cut your garment according to your cloth" and that is so true.

Something I would also point out is that the bedroom tax is not far off now and many people are still unaware of it, the number if people I talk to who dont believe me when I tell them is worrying - I think that anyone likely to be affected should be sent a letter 6 months before impact to allow them time to make any changes they need.
ANyway a recent discussion with a welfare worker made me really think - he argued that current pensioners are exempt, but his opinion is that the exemption will only apply to people who are pensioners and exempt when it hits, those who become pensioners in later years will not suddenly become exempt IYSWIM.

kidcat

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

Hubby & I got married last year, we had a handfasting in our back garden, we invited family & friends & spent £400, most of it on food & drink. We had about 40 people including 12 children. We all had a wonderful day.

Hester

I remember the pictures you posted at the time - they were beautiful.

My wedding was ten years ago, we have over 100 guests and many had a role, one used his car as the wedding car, another made one of the cakes, two were photographers and so on.
It cost very little and we just had one reception, timing the wedding for an evening. It was lovely and it didnt cost anyone a fortune, it was held locally and anyone who lived far away was offered accomodation with various family nearby.

Byatt

Kidcat, good luck with your intereview, it's always good experience but I suspect you will be more than qualified for the job and likely to be offered it. My advice would be to give it a try.

I've read somewhere about pensioners and possibly the BT only applying for those who are pensioners now. It may have been my sister's council supplying the information as she has a 2 bed and I thought at first she would be affected but it's not so. Most of what I've read doesn't apply to people becoming pensioners after legislation.

Have you tried acupuncture for your back? Last resort maybe?

xxx

LB, I could use candles I suppose...:p:rotfl:

kidcat

Byatt thank you, I am looking into a chiropractor and an osteopath next I think, but will keep accupuncture on list. I managed to do some research on the problem yesterday and apparently its rare that women are affected after pregnancy but not unheard of. The two falls during the pregnancy I think have probably contributed. I do at least have a name for it now its SPD - symphis pubis dysfunction.

We had candles for our wedding Byatt and it was beautiful and as it was evening we had bubbles instead of confetti - the pictures with the candles and bubbles were absolutely gorgeous.

Popperwell

I totally agree Westcoastscot...it will all work out in the end I am sure...and I am a believer of counting your blessings...

westcoastscot

Kidcat letters about the bedroom tax have gone out to everyone here - we're supporting folks to visit welfare rights to discuss but even though there are no smaller houses for folks to move into should they agree the tax still stands. What is particularly worrying is that the advice to take in lodgers puts the most vulnerable amongst us even more at risk. It's a very worrying time for a lot of folks,particularly coming on top of the recently revamped charges for care , struggles to maintain benefit levels and the general rise in the cost of living.

Edited to add good luck with the interview :-)

Stiltwalker your wedding sounds lovely - I recall reading about Hester's wedding on her blog (which I love!) and seeing pictures of her in a beautiful red dress.

WCS

kidcat

westcoastscot wrote: »

Kidcat letters about the bedroom tax have gone out to everyone here - we're supporting folks to visit welfare rights to discuss but even though there are no smaller houses for folks to move into should they agree the tax still stands. What is particularly worrying is that the advice to take in lodgers puts the most vulnerable amongst even more at risk. It's a very worrying time for a lot of folks,particularly coming on top of the recently revamped charges for care , struggles to maintain benefit levels and the general rise in the cost of living.

WCS

Thats good to hear WCS, I know our council havent sent out anything at all to our tenants, and loads of people still havent a clue. I fail to see how not telling people is a good idea, I would be wanting to give people as much notice as possible.


Crikey - just realised I have no idea what to wear for the interview - what do people wear nowadays? last time I had job interview was ten years ago and I wore a suit.

Popperwell

cutestkids wrote: »

I have to say I have been reading through this thread and some others over the last few days and can't believe what I am reading in some cases,
I do not want to cause offense Popperwell I think a bit of a reality check is in order.

I am sorry that you lost your Mum recently it must be difficult to adjust.
But to be honest the more I read the more annoyed I become as others have said you are in a fortunate position compared to some, there are many families out there in desperate need of housing and are unable to get a 3 bed house, while you moan about having to pay for the extra bedrooms in yours.

From reading through your posts on various threads you appear to have a long term condition that makes you reliant on various benefits, thats fine thats what they are there for, but you can't then complain if the money you get from your Mums estate has to be used for living costs, thats what the rest of us in the real world have to do,

You will have to pay your way until you fall below the thresholds again, that is life I'm afraid, you have had plenty from the government in various benefits so now it is time to give little back.

I wish I did not have to spend my money on my mortgage, council tax, etc but I do as do millions of others, if I or my partner were to become unemployed then our situation would be very much worse than yours, when you own your home there is very little help in the way of benefits so we would just have to suck it up.

Again I do not want to offend but to be perfectly honest I have found some of your posts about not wanting to pay rent to the government as you put it with your Mum's money quite offensive.

On one hand you are saying that you can not afford to heat your home, need to eat less but on the other nearly every day you tell us what you have bought and what you are going to buy, while I am sitting here wondering if I can afford the £30.00 for my child's sports club this term.

Perhaps be thankfull for what you have.

I agree and it's by cutting back as I have how and why I have been able to do what I have so far and I have virtually stopped any shopping, I have purchased whilst I am able because I know whatever happens it will become difficult and for years I have made and mended and used what I have until they can longer be used my PC's are refurbished.

Now all that has to last me...and if they break or need repairing they will probably have to stay that way...and now by being frugal that will hopefully how I'll survive wherever I end up and what I have will hopefully mean I can avoid using the gas and some electric and divert what I would spend on that elsewhere...

Byatt

I don't think suits are used so much for interviews, although what do I know...depends on the job I think and the level of formality. Not much help am I?! Smart casual?

Good luck, I am sure you will be fine, and your wedding sounds lovely...