Preparedness for when

Uniscots97

Popperwell wrote: »

When Mum passed away five weeks later I got a letter to tell me my benefits had stopped and housing benefit and I was in arrears.

It was a shock and a big worry and even at my age I cried and was scared. It was a mistake in the end. So something similar to your situation. Thankfully it was put right very quickly and it helped having the backing of CAB.

Hugs Pops, crying is what makes us human. Its not a bad thing. Sorry for your loss, only just caught up totally with posts.

2tonsils

Jenna_Appleseed wrote: »

you sure that's not an urban myth?
[url=
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=574578]Do burglars really use gas to put the occupants to sleep?[/url]

Sleeping gas theory

Unfortunately its a true story this time...it's happened twice, once in the summer at a tourist hotel in the North of the island and very recently in a private flat here. The baby involved was in hospital for some time after inhaling whatever it was they used. The crime rate here on locals has really gone up in the last year or so. I wonder if the robbers got the idea from an urban myth? It is true, I checked with the police in that area as I used to run the neighbourhood watch group. Until I got sick of people saying I was scare mongering and that I should stop frightening people with the truth....

2tonsils

Well , to all the ladies who recently bought themselves a fur trapper hat I hope it has the same effect mine had....it's now 16 degrees and lovely and warm here. It feels like summer has come after the extreme cold we had last night. We were driving home and my OH thought he was having a hot flush....but it was the sun through the windscreen LOL It was raining lightly earlier but at least its warmer. I have kept the icy weather clothes handy though as I am convinced its going to come back here shortly.

I have been watching the UK weather carefully as I was a bit worried about my MIL who lives near to York. They are now on amber alert for snow for three or four days according to the Met alert, but she has gone to the hospital this afternoon for a specialist consultation. I tried to convince her to stock up with food on the way home, if her daughter took her to the appointment. Hope she listened to me as it sounds like the weather is starting to move in like forecast.

One of my storm chaser friends told me last night he may have an alert coming up for around the 23/25 th January for the West of England and Ireland and that he will let me know if he manages to figure it out from the computer predictions.......sounds intriguing ! I will let you know when I have more details folks. I do hope it helps someone when I post them.

Have been helping out at the gym again today. We went to look at furniture shops on the way home as my OH really needs a higher chair with good back support for when its hurting him. NO chance in the Greek shops, the chairs were low and really uncomfortable....and one of them (not even properly finished under the seat) was almost 1200 euros...they have got to be joking! I am going to check out the Ikea Greece online but it might be cheaper to have a recliner or high back chair brought from the UK to be honest. Better check if Amazon have them as well...

I can identify with whoever said they didn't know whether to make/buy some clothes to help a shabby wardrobe or to wait to shed a few pounds. The sales here start on 15th January but I didn't want to buy many more clothes until I have lost the weight (except for extreme weather clothes). I have decided to buy only what I need to add a few more outfits to my mix and match wardrobe, and to buy them cheap and cheerful. That way I won't feel guilty when I sell them off on the car boot sale or give them away to someone who needs them.

I did get some Italian leather knee length boots with a non slip rubber sole and thick heels.....for 10 euros in an early sale.

You can always slip a belt on if the clothes are getting a bit big for you as you lose the weight, or wear them for layering.That is what I did last time, along with elasticated waists and stretch trousers which lasted for most of the diet before I got rid of them. I only put the weight back on due to the thyroid problem being out of control and now its under control I can get back on with losing the body fat.

Right , off to cook some broccoli, cauli and carrots to go with the rabbit I have just cooked in the slow cooker. Taste sensation.......stay warm and dry folks....looking forward to reading all your updates on the weather and how your prepping saved you from horrendous situations like having no sweeties.......

westcoastscot

2tonsils wrote: »

I can identify with whoever said they didn't know whether to make/buy some clothes to help a shabby wardrobe or to wait to shed a few pounds. The sales here start on 15th January but I didn't want to buy many more clothes until I have lost the weight (except for extreme weather clothes). I have decided to buy only what I need to add a few more outfits to my mix and match wardrobe, and to buy them cheap and cheerful. That way I won't feel guilty when I sell them off on the car boot sale or give them away to someone who needs them.

That was me 2t - I have elastic waist cord trousers that I wear - really comfy - but find they shrink up a little bit more everytime I wash them and are now half-mast! Have decided to add something around the hems to make them last a bit longer till I see how I get on - these new meds for my arthritis are really making a difference already and i've naturally cut down drastically on "snacking for energy"
WCS

pineapple

Popperwell wrote: »

It was a shock and a big worry and even at my age I cried and was scared. It was a mistake in the end. So something similar to your situation. Thankfully it was put right very quickly and it helped having the backing of CAB.

Hope your problems get sorted soon. When I was on JSA I once got a 'demand' just after Christmas for repayment of a mega sum because of my 'employment' during a certain period. The employment was news to me!! I 'phoned, I wrote, I complained - just a wall of silence. Finally I complained about them not dealing with the complaint! Months down the line I got a letter informing me that they were not pursuing it. No acknowledgement that they had made a mistake, no apology! :mad:
It's stress you don't need when things are tight..

Popperwell

I am having better days and am calmer and I thank you for your kindness(others have problems as great)to some extent I think I am coming to terms with the most important part(losing Mum)and getting interested in things.

But its waiting for the decision now and what happens next.

You are right about not getting an apology or admission of a mistake Pineapple. That could be that by doing either perhaps it could have legal ramifications.

Yes, I'm well stocked up like others here with food and drinks in case of food increases and the weather and if we don't get snowed in, I have three nights out next week so that will cheer me up(a music club which a friend on here introduced me to on our town)a Geordie and Celtic Folk night and a big band night with Syd Lawrences Band.

The tickets were booked ages ago so if I have to drop such treats as it gets more difficult I am having some fun now...

Some may remember we've noticed the price of low priced products have started to rise or the range has been reduced...I found the Daily Mail has an article of this happening at Tesco's so we are not imagining it.

GreyQueen

We certainly aren't imagining the price hikes, Pops. Recall I mentioned getting Tosco ownbrand peach halves (not the own brand slices) reduced to 22p a can a couple of days ago?

All gone and the shelves reshuffled as if they'd been a mirage. Tell ya, if I didn't have 10 cans of them sitting just by my right foot I'd assume I was imagining it.:rotfl:

Memo to self; DO put the blinking things in the cupboard.

Weather is OK here at the moment, chilly but average for the time of year and dry. Going to try a bit of gardening tomorrow as need to get the ground ready as it'll be Spring before we know it.

Friend and neighbour SuperGran has heeded the media and done herself a little stock-up shop and I've told her yet again that if it's iced up and she needs stuff, just gimme a bell and I'll fetch it. I think she turns 70 this year although she's a wee tank and seems to stop for nothing, not even a cracked legbone stopped her last year.

I've also told SG that if things get icy and the shops haven't got deliveries, I've plenty of UHT milk and the makings of bread (quite a lot of bread ) so she's to let me know and I'll rustle some rolls or loaves up for her.

Hokay, time for a cuppa. Hope everyone is well. GQ xx

Popperwell

Well, in coming weeks as I said I may very well make the effort to add more items to my store too GQ and see what B&M and Poundland can do for me...even if it is basic tinned items.

Well done for watching out for your neighbour, I wish that happened more around here. The neighbours are mainly fine but no one asks after you...but I think if asked they'd help.

If I had someone close by in a similar situation I'd happily see that they are ok and even share food...if things go as they seem to be perhaps we will end up doing so after all.

ginnyknit

I too have the makings of bread but mine always ends up being requisitioned by the MOD for use as missiles :rotfl: I have a bread maker and have tried everything but its just heavy. I still stocked up though...in case we are desperate.

A friend e mailed today to tell us about his holiday in Jerusalem. he said it was warm the first day then torrential rain and sent a video of a shopping mall flooded upto the first floor, it was actually like a river pouring through it. Then is snowed, or rather the heavens opened and biblical amounts of snow fell all at once, he says he has never seen anything like it and certainly never in Jerusalem. He was mighty glad to get home. Actually I can't remember wether he said rain first then snow or vice versa - its been that kind of day, funeral and much poorlyness here.

I think I am prepped ready for the weather, just last of Oh's meds to pick up.

GreyQueen

All he needed was a plague of locusts and he'd've had the perfect holiday.:D

I tend to cause extreme weather events when on my hols or something absurd to happen. As my Dad muses things always seem to happen when you go away, dear.

It's a talent. One I could do without, but it is as it is.