make do and mend for tougher times

Mrs_Veg_Plot

fuddle wrote: »

BBC Council Tax Benefit change 'to create poll tax Mk II'

:mad: Just how much more do they think we can take :mad:

monnagran

Hope for a better night's sleep, last night the foghornswere going all night.

I am that relieved! I thought that my inertia and stuttering memory was the onset of dementia but I see now that only the best people suffer thus. So really I'm joining the elite. Thank you, lovely ones.
I also use a diary for to-do lists, planning appointments and dates. The to-do list carries on from day to day, with hardly any change. Sometimes I actually do something on it, but more usually something gets crossed off because it's too late or no longer necessary.

PipneyJ: Many thanks for all your information. I have written down all the things I need to remember should I go down the LL route. If this had happened years ago I would have tackled it, but I'm not sure if it is the right thing to do at my age. I just don't like trusting the bank with my precious bit of money. But you are a gem to have gone to all that trouble, I hope it helps other people as well.

Possession: What a relief! Congratulations Mr P.

SmileyT: Oh, my goodness. How happy you've made me. So it's the thermals.....and there was I thinking that the sagginess of my bum was all mine own. Phew. And the Norah Batty ankles?

Love to all

x

D&DD

Specially for MrPossession


:T:D:T:D congrats XXX

Popperwell

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

:mad: Just how much more do they think we can take :mad:

Just when I think that I might be able to cut back to the bare essentials but absorb the costs and live very frugally as you say another cost has to be factored in...

I know it may be your choice but as Fuddle said upon starting her school job it was worth joining a union so that reduces your wage, then the other week(though you can come out of it)many jobs are enrolling employees automatically into a kind of pension scheme(reducing your wage again)

If I was working I would need a bus pass(£26.50 per week)then you have to factor all the other costs into the equation. As you say how much more do they think is available?

But so much of what is happening is missed by a lot of the popuaion until it is too late and often not reported by the media.

missrlr

Possession wrote: »

Missrlr those are some serious numbers in your sig. : ( e.

Yeeeeeessss, you can see the ones that came as a bit if a shock ....... But onwards and upwards we go.

missrlr

Is anyone watching Golden Oldies on BBC1 .... Doris is a star!

savingqueen

ginnyknit wrote: »

SQ well done on the fundraising, it takes some dedication to stand a rattle a bucket, I know I did a lot of it when I worked for various charities - and its always cold on the day. Think your family will be happy with a quick meal, I know mine love a beans on toast with a bit of bacon and egg thrown in for good measure

must get my a** into gear and cook some tea for Oh and Ds, the boy is having a tough time at work and the least I can do is make him a nice tea.

thanks Ginny - it was an intensely personal challenge for me for more than one reason and to be able to do that whilst raising urgently needed money for a good cause has meant such an awful lot. I wish I had more free time to volunteer/fundraise but being an older mum with a young family trying/learning to be OS, spare time and energy are in short supply!

Possession - crossing everything for your OH's jobs... so far so good though! Good to have some good news isn't it?

Have to share this... gave me a warm glow...

DS2 (aged 5) had a little friend over for tea today and the friend asked me if I would ever move house? Actually this is our on-going dream to move to a better area (and better house ideally) and the kids seem to have picked up on this somehow.

Anyway I said we might one day but have no plans to move at the moment. He asked me if we could please stay in our house forever as he loves coming to play here. I have had similar comments from both boys' friends lately (we have had a lot of their friends over in the last few weeks.) I am so glad that despite our house looking the worse for wear in so many ways, our children want to bring their friends home and their friends want to come. We have a lot of things that need repairing/replacing/decorating etc and too much clutter but the house is full of the children's artwork, they have lots of different things to occupy them with (many 2nd hand from all sorts of sources)and I like to talk with them all lots, my kids and their friends to find out what they are interested in etc.

I am still working on accepting and being grateful for what I have and remembering that true friends (even the 5 year old ones) don't give a fig if your carpet is threadbare and your (only) TV is a fatscreen but remember the homemade cakes, the insanely friendly stripey cat and the warm welcome they receive.

Can I also say something that has been playing on my mind? I worry that sometimes my posts come across as bragging in some way - I can't think of specific examples at this time in the eve but I am aware of coming across as "look at me, I've done x well" and giving myself a pat on the back. I spent years - whole childhood and early adulthood at very least with very low self esteem and confidence (I know the reasons why) and used to almost apologise for existing. One tiny example, my mum and sister used to tell me (they would call it joking but I can see now it was more than that) I was a useless cook so I didn't learn how to cook til I met DH. I believed I was useless and acted accordingly. Never again. I have had to work on myself an awful lot over the years and I can now pat myself on the back when deserved but am aware that I can come across as maybe doing it too much online. Please forgive me if I overstep the mark and feel free to tick me off

think I'd better stop being so deep and think of some more practical OS type posts tomorrow (need a sheepish smilie here)

sq:)

Margaret54

Hi savingqueen I haven't posted in a while, but just read what you had written, and wanted to say that I am similar. I too have a mother and sister who together have put me down and said stuff that really has hurt me. I believed what I was constantly told and it still affects me years later. It does so much damage to a person and I am working on myself now to believe in myself and that I am important as well. Margaret x Take care of yourself.

missrlr

Saving queen and Margaret54 blow your trumpets, if you don't no b0gger else will! Well actually we might here ... Well done you both

VJsmum

Can't sleep:( OH is away and I never sleep well. He has taken DD to Cardiff for the night so that she can visit the Dr Who exhibition tomorrow as her half term treat. A couple of weeks ago we didn't even think she'd get to half term so I think a treat is deserved.

Been suffering from a lurgy but it seems to be disappearing now :T still have a touch of SAD though, which forecasts of snow won't help

Anyhow - congrats Mr Possession on your job and commiserations WCS on your diagnosis.

Funny old day, it's been. With the cold and the SAD and having to go to work but STILL not really having anything to do, I have been kind of drifting. I asked DS if he wanted to watch something or do something with me tonight "no thanks". Did he have homework? "No" Strange times.

I defrosted some leftover roast meats for tea but I think they'd been in there too long and I couldn't bring myself to serve them, so we had bacon and egg. Quick and easy anyhow and at least the meat isn't now clogging the freezer. There is now room to manouevre in the freezers and the frosted up one will be fit for defrosting in a couple of weeks, I think. DS can have some fish in breadcrumbs tomorrow and I'll have a homemade fish pie that I froze last week.

I am going to a school reunion on Saturday - 35 years after leaving it, It was my middle school and my favourite of all the schools I went to. It is our last chance to go as the whole building is being demolished soon to make way for a brand spanking new school. I have never been back but often dream of it so it will be wierd to go. What should I wear? Smart but casual I think. The school was only open for about 20 years in the form that I attended it, it was a girl's school (or gels school) but became mixed later on. Our old dinner lady is going too - she is in her 90's - so Fuddle, that could be you in years to come! :rotfl:

Right, I had better go see if I can sleep.. Night all

Edit - Margaret and savingqueen, I have never thought of anyone bragging on this thread. be proud of who you are and in another Eleanor Roosevelt quote "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Remarkable woman that ER.