Flying solo

Igamogam

* de lurk whilst my camera downloads over 1000 pics from trip to olympics:eek:*

First I stumble on your diary late one night and have found it very moving and funny all at once - IYSWIM. I cant imagine what it has been like for you but you have obviously found strength from somewhere and I will follow your progress.

Second - do you bank with Black Horse? We had a very similar pressure selling not so long ago - they wanted us to consolidate out CCs into one loan with interest but the daft woman couldn't understand that all our CCs were on 0% and for over 20 months so why would we want to change to 5 years paying interest. She said it would save us money..................... but she did shut up whan we told her we where there to get info re the miss selling of PPI ( claim was successful BTW) and we made a complaint about being given bum info from sixth former sales agent - still waiting an answer on that:cool: Anyway I would complain about the selling tactics - it is quite true what another poster has said about codes of conduct etc

* back to lurkdom:)*

*Robin*

Igamogam wrote: »

do you bank with Black Horse? We had a very similar pressure selling not so long ago - they wanted us to consolidate out GGs inot one loan with interest but the daft woman couldn't understand that all our CCs were on 0% and for over 20 months so why would we want to change to 5 years paying interest. She said it would save us money..................... but she did shut up whan we told her we where there to get info re the miss selling of PPI ( claim was successful BTW) and we made a complaint about being given bum info from sith former sales agent - still waiting an answer on that:cool: Anyway I would complain about the selling tactics - it is quite true what another poster has said about codes of conduct etc

Hello Igamogam - great user name by the way - thank you for emerging from lurkdom to comment, as you're right. Which supports my thought that we have both been on the receiving end of bank policy. It's hard enough to resist in normal times, and really not acceptable when dealing with those in a vulnerable situation; I consider I've had a lucky escape by insisting on being given time to think about it - but still couldn't get out of the office without using my daft dogs as an excuse. As we both know, claiming 'this loan will save you money' was simply a lie - for the sake of all the other folk who are trudging the same sad path I'm on, I can't let the bank's behaviour pass without a protest.

Interestingly, I did mention reclaiming my PPI during that two hour plus interview - I was told "Oh we can't deal with that here" and the subject was promptly changed back to extolling the wonders of their four month payment holiday. At no point did any of the bank employees volunteer the length of their proposed loan, nor the interest rate (though doubtless the details would have been on the paperwork - which I refused to look at in the branch).
So a letter of complaint has become another item on my lists of things to do.

Igamogam I did take your post as a kind of omen, and found the PPI bumf last night but was too tired to look at it properly.

Doubt I'll get round to it today; woke up with a very thick head [again] probably due to not taking all my supplements or possibly the chocolate bar I found in the fridge and ate at midnight.. So no sympathy required as the pain is self-inflicted. Serves me right; one day I'll learn (I hope!).

As a consolation, I've got a satisfyingly bulky pile of envelopes ready to go - the results of yesterday's efforts at my desk - so if the walk to the post office doesn't cheer up the ol' braincells I'll give up and take one of the doctor's marvellous pills which will knock the pain on the head, and send me to the land of nod for a few hours.
Which is probably a good idea as I did not sleep well, or for long, last night.

*Robin*

Good morning Diary,

Well, yesterday was a complete write-off; didn't even get to the post office, or out for a dog walk. Daft dogs were fine about it, but are watching me now, so I hope it stops raining soon. The sun is shining too - where is the rainbow? - and the wind is whistling down the chimney; guess that's the end of summer for another year.

Last night at 3am the migraine finally relaxed it's clutches - my sleep patterns are all over the place - so I made a new list:

In the previous week:
No spend days: 5
Grocery spend: £36 (+£9 stocking up on marmite for the cottage).
Other spend: £25 [fuel] £23 [printer inks] £39 [charity*].

Days without interaction with any two-legged people: 3
Days without painkillers: 3 [good!].

* Should explain this; I try and support a very small charity which helps volunteers to send small gifts direct to the beneficiaries who are all sick kids, but I've not had the funds to do it for ages. This week I managed to send a small fun gift to four children - which cheered me up no end! ..I hope they all enjoy getting their parcel too.

Oh, my post has just arrived - no benefit forms yet, but DH's pension provider has come up trumps; I now have an income! It will be £50 a week, but because of my age I wasn't expecting anything beyond the lump sum they've already given me, so am chuffed - looks like it will cover the food bill for daft dogs and self, so we will not starve (which is rather nice to know).

I do need to look at my diet though; despite doing alternate feast and fast days I've put on 2kg - bad, bad Robin for eating those cream cakes!

HeadAboveWater

Hang in there Robin!!! You're doing really well!!

Great job on the NSDs and also days without painkillers. Tough but well worth it!

Aw love that you do that for charities!! Sometimes we're so caught up in our own life and debts and dramas that we forget there are so many others out there worse off than us. That's a really nice idea that you can send a parcel

£50 a week will be a big help to you! Fab!!

It's not a diet. Don't ever do that!! It's a matter for changing habits and lifestyle. Yeah I know. Easier said than done. Just change a little bit at a time. Increase your daily water intake. Try to up your fruit and veg to 5 portions a day. Switch a biscuit or snack to fruit or nuts or something. I kept a food diary, originally for 12 weeks but it lasted about 18 months!!! Helped a lot seeing exactly what I was eating. I could look back over the week, see if I'd been bad or (reasonably!) good, and would agree or disagree with the lbs up or down on the scales.

*Robin*

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Hang in there Robin!!! You're doing really well!!

Great job on the NSDs and also days without painkillers. Tough but well worth it!

Thank you for your encouraging words, HeadAboveWater! :T

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Aw love that you do that for charities!! Sometimes we're so caught up in our own life and debts and dramas that we forget there are so many others out there worse off than us. That's a really nice idea that you can send a parcel

You've hit on something I believe is very important. All of us, even when our own situation feels desperate and hopeless, are capable of helping someone. Be it beloved family member, neighbour, old lady struggling on a bus, stray dog in a shelter, or a sick child you'll never meet - all of us are capable of reaching out to improve the lot of someone else.
Whatever help can be given will be appreciated, and the good karma will return - it wasn't intentional, but my own example shows this rather well:

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

£50 a week will be a big help to you! Fab!!

It will indeed - so long as I ensure that at least some of it goes on to help someone else, to keep the good luck wheel turning.

The charity I mentioned is the only one I've ever come across where the donor is certain that 100% of whatever they give actually reaches the intended recipient - because it's DIY! Even a postcard with a joke on the back can be enough to cheer up the day of a child whose life is filled with pain..
If you're interested in finding out more, have a look at:
https://www.postpals.co.uk
..Please feel free to join in; the more of us posties there are, the better - at the moment some kids have to wait far too long to go on the site. One thing that's really nice is that their siblings are included too - it's often forgotten that life can be very hard for them when their brother or sister has a life-threatening illness.

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

It's not a diet. Don't ever do that!! It's a matter for changing habits and lifestyle. Yeah I know. Easier said than done. Just change a little bit at a time. Increase your daily water intake. Try to up your fruit and veg to 5 portions a day. Switch a biscuit or snack to fruit or nuts or something. I kept a food diary, originally for 12 weeks but it lasted about 18 months!!! Helped a lot seeing exactly what I was eating. I could look back over the week, see if I'd been bad or (reasonably!) good, and would agree or disagree with the lbs up or down on the scales.

Ah, I was using 'diet' as a medical term - meaning everything I eat, rather than the WW or SW type restricted calorie diet.
I already drink plenty of water and eat relatively healthily; it makes a big difference to my ME symptoms if I don't! But I do like the idea of writing a food diary, because you are right; it's things like the odd biscuit or piece of chocolate that are my downfall. Because it's never just one, if I'm honest.
I know what the solution is; don't buy them! ..Am working on that with a small success already: Couldn't put off a shopping trip any longer as daft dogs ran out of food yesterday, but I managed to resist everything sweet except maple syrup (which DS4 had asked for). He was disappointed to find there were no biscuits when he helped me unpack which I felt a bit bad about, but heigh-ho; he wolfed down one of the yoghurts that I'd decided were an acceptable replacement.


Yesterday I enjoyed a spot of luxury. I have a small medical problem which is rightly not considered a priority for the NHS, but may well seriously impact my life if it's not treated promptly. DH's insurance paid for a private consultation (waiting time four days as opposed to eighteen weeks). My poor old van looked very out of place, parked between a Jag and a brand new Range-Rover, and I wished I'd worn a suit as soon as I walked into the spacious reception area of the private hospital. It was wonderful; free tea and biscuits [refused the latter ] and after waiting no more than five minutes, I was ushered into the presence of my new consultant. An hour later he had decided what tests are required for a proper diagnosis; they will be done next week. Wow; I'd love to be able to get used to treatment like that! (This is likely to be a one-off though, so am not getting my hopes up, just grateful they can help speed things up this time).

Post has been; still no benefit application forms (maybe I should have accepted another half hour on the premium rate call to apply there and then, while I was talking to the 'helpline' adviser?).

Today's prompt came by 'phone; one of those PPI reclaiming companies - a Mr John Smith of Bangalore who knew a distressing amount of detail about my accounts - wanting to charge me 25% of the 2G he reckons I'll get back when he claims for me. :eek:
..So that's today's challenge; sort out my PPI - myself.

Igamogam

Robin - seriously the PPI thing is a doddle and the cost of a stamp ( well we sent our recorded delivery - dont trust banks) and a bit of time - did ours in about 20 mins

*Robin*

Igamogam wrote: »

Robin - seriously the PPI thing is a doddle and the cost of a stamp ( well we sent our recorded delivery - dont trust banks) and a bit of time - did ours in about 20 mins

20 minutes? Well done!
The first stage took me about an hour and a half; three 'phone calls and a minor panic because the bank had no record of my postcode and therefore their 'phone-bank security system rejected me. I pointed out that I'd been into a branch and spoken to 'my' personal manager within the last week; both times my postcode had been checked and noted without problem, plus they send out at least three pieces of mail a month all of which are addressed with the postcode.
Having got over that problem - though without being given a plausible explanation for the 'glitch' - a very helpful young lady at my home branch volunteered the pertinent loan account numbers (bless her).
After a cup of tea and some deep breathing exercises I called the first number again, and this time [apparently] succeeded in registering my "complaint" in less than ten minutes - but I will not think of celebrating until the payment confirmation letters arrive.
On reflection it might have been less stressful to download the paperwork and post it, except that the forms asked for lots of details that have faded into the mists of my middle-aged memory.

Igamogam, how long did it take until your repayment arrived? I feel really silly now, for not getting round to it earlier (but maybe any benefit will come at the time of greatest need?).

Daft dogs took me for a very muddy walk which was good for the spirit, but not alas the footwear - I forgot my wellies.

The landline was ringing as we got back; it was the consultant's secretary, wondering if I would be available to attend hospital for a scan on Saturday? ..They work at the weekend? - my goodness!

Am sorely missing DH's companionship tonight. Can't bring myself to take his name off skype or my mobile numbers.

Igamogam

It took about 6 weeks - we had very little info to put on the form as couldnt remember dates but did have our mortgage number - from that the bank gave us ( reluctantly at our meeting )the PPI policy number and that was it really. I think the stock phrases to use are 'We didnt want it. We didnt need it' and we still got ours back even though we had claimed on it.

Scans at weekends not uncommon these days - clearing waiting lists by using the equipment at weekends ( how revolutionary!) I had a MRI scan done on a Sunday at 12.15 - the staff were not very cheerful though and I think they where in a hurry to get to lunch! Hope it all goes well for you.

I have some emails from someone I wasnt really close to but had a lot of respect for - they died about 8 years ago and I still cant bring myself to delete them:(

HeadAboveWater

*Robin* wrote: »

Thank you for your encouraging words, HeadAboveWater! :T

...all of us are capable of reaching out to improve the lot of someone else.

Absolutely

Karma I guess: what goes around comes around. As you've proved! But it's the giving that we get most satisfaction and pleasure out of, not receiving. Ever seen the film Pay It Forward? Seven Pounds is kinda along the same lines too.

The charity I mentioned is the only one I've ever come across where the donor is certain that 100% of whatever they give actually reaches the intended recipient

That's one thing I feel strongly about and why I'm reluctant to donate to various charities. Too much is spent on admin costs etc etc...

Had a look at the website and I like it! Will definitely be going back again and doing something for them Thanks for the link Robin

...it's things like the odd biscuit or piece of chocolate that are my downfall. Because it's never just one, if I'm honest.

Jaffa cakes are the perfect example!! :rotfl:

*Robin* wrote: »

Am sorely missing PC's companionship tonight. Can't bring myself to take his name off skype or my mobile numbers.

*hug*

*Robin*

Good morning Dairy, MSEers, and World, what a beautiful day it is today. Definitely autumnal though - last night it was so chilly I put on the CH for an hour (while feeling very guilty - don't think we've ever needed to run it in August before! :eek: ).

Igamogam wrote: »

It took about 6 weeks - we had very little info to put on the form as couldnt remember dates but did have our mortgage number - from that the bank gave us ( reluctantly at our meeting )the PPI policy number and that was it really. I think the stock phrases to use are 'We didnt want it. We didnt need it' and we still got ours back even though we had claimed on it.

Really? Now I am impressed - my reason for claiming is that I was self-employed at the time, so PPI would not have paid out anyway (hope that works!). And you've got me thinking about our last mortgage, too. I may have to go and scrabble around in the archives to see if we had PPI on that, though I suspect not. We paid it off when DH cashed in his hobby-shares, at the beginning of the recession.

Igamogam wrote: »

Scans at weekends not uncommon these days - clearing waiting lists by using the equipment at weekends ( how revolutionary!) I had a MRI scan done on a Sunday at 12.15 - the staff were not very cheerful though and I think they where in a hurry to get to lunch! Hope it all goes well for you.

Hmm; the local NHS flagship definitely only does emergency scans at the weekend, even for in-patients - which explains the long waiting lists. But I would expect the staff at the private hospital are rather better remunerated, so will be disappointed if they're grumpy on Saturday - even though I'm not paying the bill myself, for £500 :eek: I hope to get a smile as well as a free cuppa!

Igamogam wrote: »

I have some emails from someone I wasnt really close to but had a lot of respect for - they died about 8 years ago and I still cant bring myself to delete them:(

Ah, you understand then; I expect DH's contact numbers will be on my lists until I too run out of days.

Today will not be an NSD; I've got another Tosco discount voucher that needs using, and want to get a gift for the lovely carers who helped us during DH's last days; they deserve a big tin of choccies for their cheerful attitude, and I've got to return some supplies to them.
My wireless mouse is going back to Tosco too - even though it was cheap, I expected it to last longer than 10 weeks! My hands don't work well enough to use the laptop's mouse-pad these days.

The other things I must do today are talk to HMRC about my tax bill, and open the last of the letters I've been ignoring.

Oh, I had a good MSE moment last night; used a chunk of DH's death benefit to pay off the portion of CC debt that [STRIKE]is[/STRIKE] was charging 26% interest - can feel his approval at getting rid of that!