make do and mend for tougher times

Butterfly_Brain

Pooky so sorry about your puddy tat ((((((Hugs))))))

smileyt_2

Oh, this thread has moved me to tears just now with all the sadness and kindness being shown.

Pooky I'm so sorry to hear about your cat. And Byatt, I hope something turns up on the job front, although I know you are rural and jobs are scarce. Fuddle, I agree about contacting your council - here in Manchester there is a person who specifically deals with private landlord problems to try and enforce the rules, perhaps there is one where you live?

I went to Sainsbury's today and bought 8 boxes of teabags. I also bought some candles - a quick calculation showed that their 'tu' dinner candles (£4 for 20 with a 7 hour burn) were better value than their basic household candles (£1.25 for 6 with a 4 hour burn). So Basics are not always better value.

Ginny, I am going to pm you.

Possession

So sorry about your kitty Pooky. : (
Ginny that's just ridiculous. anywhere you can email a complaint?

Popperwell

Byatt wrote: »

It's just awful Mary, I'm almost crying. I know I will pick myself up again, but it's like being hit from all sides and the loss of this money is terrible. I was trying to be so optimistic. Basically lost my underlying entitlement to carer's allowance and they want me to claim carer's allowance but if I do that, my DD will be a lot worse off as they take away her severe disability premium. It's a rock and a hard place. It gave me a preimum allowance which passports you to other help.

When we finally were told to apply for and were awarded AA the person who called said I should apply for SDP. I never have but I understand there is no point as this is another benefit they are planning on withdrawing it. Maybe they have already. I only found out by chance and I forget where I did but it was a site where people ask for help and advice.

I don't know if the plans are to allow those who already awarded SDP will continue to receive it and it is only new applicants will be refused. It is a worry and frightening. A few on here know that DLA is being ended, replaced and it is less and harder to get.

kidcat

Ginny - I would write a very strongly worded complaint, that is appalling. I remember taking my grandad to hospital in his wheelchair and i had a car seat to carry (couldnt take the pram as was pushing the wheelchair) and struggling to get in to sort car park ticket. That was eight years ago - I really hoped things had improved.

Hospital chairs are awful, our newly built local hospital has pull down metal things that I assume were designed by a torture specialist. If I am planning a trip I take a cushion and blanket!
If you are going next week do you have someone to sit with you? I probably couldnt do four hours but would be happy to pop in and annoy you for an hour or so

Mardatha - take care

Have sent OH out to look at the guttery thing on the drive, apparently its full of "stuff" and OH is not impressed I mentioned it :rotfl: BUt at least he isnt having to deal with floods. :A

Have calmed re bus situation and looked into hiring a minibus instead works out considerably cheaper and if I use our big car too we should just have enough spaces.

Popperwell

Byatt wrote: »

The IS for her is a passport benefit, as all of it's used to pay for her support/help at home. It's a minefield...

I am losing about £300 pm, maybe more...so, my income is now £400 per mth (OCCP) and some help with rent and CT, but not all paid by any means as private rent over £425 pm. and LHA is £92 pw.

OK, so the benefits office say £100 per week is enough to live on.

I think I may be standing on a street corner.

Could things get any worse?

Totally understand your being upset and unable to think straight. I think I could be £240 a month worse off after April possibly more hence my considering a lodger if I am allowed to and anyone wants to stay here.

I heard under Universal Credit they will decide what you get and there will be different levels you are paid but the actual benefit called Income Support is being scrapped too. It just gets worse.

kidcat

There is a trial Universal credit calculator

http://policyinpractice.co.uk/universal-credit/universal-credit-calculator/

I have run a few scenarios through it and it seems pretty on the mark as far as we know, the problem is most if it is based on a white paper and is not guaranteed policy yet.

I have to say we wont be affected by these changes yet - unless DS loses his DLA.

The house is remarkably quiet with DD away.

Popperwell

shegar wrote: »

If I can get outside it seem to relieve alot of my stress.....Take care all of you, catch up later..........

It does, I cannot explain why...

fuddle wrote: »

The thing is, it doesn't matter how bad it is we all just muddle on. It doesn't matter what is causing the upset, it's the sheer fact that upset is being caused that's important. x

Fuddle, you are right what you say...we do pick ourselves up and carry on and to some extent those who make the decisions that affect so many expect and hope that's what we'll do, they assume there are family and friends that take up the slack or charities will step in(even the foodbanks)but at some point surely there will be unrest.

If we think it is bad now...and should we end up like Greece...:(

It will be seen as a conspiracy theory but maybe it is as bad and all these changes are being done in a way to try and hide it from the population.

shegar

ginnyknit wrote: »

Pooky, virtual hugs , so sorry for your loss and I mean that sincerely.

Can I have a rant please...Hospital car park is free for blue badge holders BUT you have to park then go and get your ticket validated and you cannot access the office with a wheelchair so had to leave OH sheltering, blocking one of the car exits out of the rain, run to the office, run back to the car with your blue badge, rescue hubby then run through the rain with him to get him under cover asap. obviously if we had known all this he could have waited in the car but there are no signs :mad: Then he feels guilty as I am out of breathe so I try and not let him know Im out of breathe - you couldnt make it up could you.

And why oh why are hospital chairs so incomfortable. it just makes me dread him going in for the op next week cos I know Im going to be sat around for hours. There was a lady there today who had her op after a 3 hour wait then sat in the waiting room for 4 hours waiting for her meds - after surgery :mad:

Thank you all for listening from a very achy, cold and damp ginny xxx

Ginny thats disgusting, but im not surprised at all the the car parking system works........
We dont have to get a ticket if you display a BB, but if you cant get a BB parking space then your in trouble with a wheel chair........As ive found out last week when I took hubby up.......
I couldnt get a BB space so I had to park in a ordinary space which as you know dont have enough room to get a wheel chair out and get it up and running, plus get the patient out of the car without hitting the car next to yours...:mad:
I absolutely worry myself sick 2 or 3 days before im due to take him for the hospital appointment, keep thinking will I be able to find "a easy place to get him and the chair sorted".........I almost get to panic stage as I drive into the car park, I really feel for you today, and then you find yourself trying to lift a heavy chair from the car and nobody helps you and they can see you struggling..:mad::mad::mad:...

Right I must calm down im getting pretty angry just thinking about it........I do hope you complain, its just not fair for you.......hugs...

Popperwell

Pooky wrote: »

just had a call about missing moggy. We've been to recover the body and deposited it at the vets.

Up until then I was having quite a good day.

So sorry...but now though sad the worry and wondering is over, time to reflect and be with your memories.