'supporting each other through really tough times'

lovefullshelves

fuddle - my DS, had to have full school uniform, I bought him the fisrt proper blazer aged 11 (mum do I really have to have one this big) The next one at 14 (Yes I did make him wear one that was THAT big) came from Asda's mens range(half the price of the proper one), and I just unpicked the pocket with the school logo on and sewed it onto the asda blazer. He got the mickey took for a few weeks but he realised himself that the jackets styling was better and far more flattering than everyone else's! And within a couple of months alot of the other lads had them:D
Trend starter my lad(and his tight mum!)
Even at 17 he still comes home and says 'dress down day tommorow, I'm wearing a suit so they can't say I owe them a pound'! (its his prom suit, which he bought himself by saving from his part time job)
And he has three savings jars of his own:D (From which he bought his own moped last year)
They learn eventually fuddle
(*proud mum alert*)

[Deleted User]

At the risk of the coals of wrath falling on MY head, I think we're loosing sight of the issue which is not how big is the property that an individual rents, that is purely thier own business and not ours to be judgemental about, the issue is that Pops seems to have been dealt with in an underhand and slightly iffy way by the people inspecting his property, that thier report might not have been compiled under circumstances that are entirely fair to any tennant, and that he is now on the ceiling with worry about his future and the possibility of loosing his home of many years. That is the issue, not the moral rightness of how many rooms he has. Yes we all have the total right to post our thoughts, I would be the first to uphold that principle, but it is not helping one of our little band one tiny bit to sort out what is an all encompassing problem by piling on already burdened shoulders more criticism! Please don't think I am in any way trying to criticise anyone, but what Pops needs right now is help not irrelevancies!

GreyQueen

Ooh, that blazer story resonated with me.

When my parents got the letter to say I'd been selected for the grammar school, they nearly burst with pride. Then the letter which gave the list of uniform and sports kit and it was horrendous.

We had to shop from the official school outfitter and it cost over £100 and that was in the seventies. £100+ was an awful lot of money to my parents back then. The wool blazer was a big chunk of the price.

:mad: One year later, they completely changed the uniform colour and expected our parents to fork out all over again. I did have a cheap, off-the-peg summerweight blazer in the new uniform colour, but kept the old one for the colder weather.

It went from oversize to too-small and too-short in the sleeves and had a few darns by the end, but there were a group of us who did the same and it became a perverse badge of honour to wear the old blazer......

When I was a CAB volunteer we'd see a lot of worried parents who couldn't afford the official school uniform and we were sighnposting them towards local charities for grants. And up at the council we get calls from customers on housing and council tax benefits asking for a letter to confirm them, so they can apply to charity to get uniform money.

These are ordinary state schools, btw, not somewhere flash, and it really makes me cross that some of them don't allow parents to buy generic school clothes from cheap stores. One Mum told me it wasn't so much the price of the school jumpers but that the school insisted that they be badged, and the badge alone was another £8.

I think some schools really need to get over themselves and start to have some recognition that many parents are struggling with a high cost of living and cut the families some slack.

Popperwell

Its not that big and there is minimal stuff because of situations like this. I can cope and have been even though what has happened suggests otherwise.

And I am close to all the essential things that are needed to stay independent. The difference with me is that I will listen to other opinions and views but I never get angry. I would make no comment rather than cause ill feeling but I am v. tolerant of views that are different to my own. I appreciate what you are saying Mrs Chip.

cutestkids

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

At the risk of the coals of wrath falling on MY head, I think we're loosing sight of the issue which is not how big is the property that an individual rents, that is purely thier own business and not ours to be judgemental about, the issue is that Pops seems to have been dealt with in an underhand and slightly iffy way by the people inspecting his property, that thier report might not have been compiled under circumstances that are entirely fair to any tennant, and that he is now on the ceiling with worry about his future and the possibility of loosing his home of many years. That is the issue, not the moral rightness of how many rooms he has. Yes we all have the total right to post our thoughts, I would be the first to uphold that principle, but it is not helping one of our little band one tiny bit to sort out what is an all encompassing problem by piling on already burdened shoulders more criticism! Please don't think I am in any way trying to criticise anyone, but what Pops needs right now is help not irrelevancies!

Unfortunately we do not actually know what state the house is in we only have the word of an online poster, none of us know him or have seen his house as far as I know.

It may well be that there is reason for the HA to be concerned about the state of the property, what one person deems a little bit of mess may well be something that is starting to get out of control and the authorities involved are trying to stop that from happening.

By his own admission he has been putting things outside in the hope that people will take them away.

I simply do not think that the HA would come in and do this without there being some cause.

If there is a problem better that it is dealt with now rather than in 5 years down the line when it is really out of control.

[Deleted User]

I understand what you are saying CUTEST all I am trying to say is that it doesn't help solve one problem in someones life by creating another. We none of us know anything abour each other than what we choose to post here on the thread and that is a rightness. I just hate it when someone is hurting and people are then less than kind, hope that no one is offended by my thoughts as no offence is intended towards any of you, Cheers Lyn.

Popperwell

No the garden has always been looked after...it was Muim's pride and joy. I have a gardener. Even when Mum passed away it was kept tidy and that goes right up until this last week or so.

Its not 9 rooms I miscounted and two of those i mentioned are a bathroom/toilet that is spilt in two and most properties today would have that built a one.

We only have any one's word on here as what they say is true and its all on trust.

I only put out the things I did on Friday afternoon and they'd gone with a couple of hours. We have what could be called a collector that goes around practically every day. And I would have brought them back in. All it was was a pair of bathroom scales and a typewriter.

The Fridge freezer/PC case was ages ago and went as quickly and even if you arrange for the council to collect it has to be put outside the house. There is nothing else to put out and no "Bulky" unsightly items.

I showed a couple of people what was complained about on the day who called(I wouldn't do that if I thought it was a lot)and they too thought it was an over reaction and these people go into many homes in the area. And see all kinds of households. And have been coming here for a number of years.

I rarely buy anything that is called a household item. I have virtually given up on collecting CD's, I don't buy DVD's so I'm not adding clutter to what I have and I am actually diversing myself of things.

All my clothes are in closed cupboards.
And as I said I persuaded the refuse collectors on friday to take an extra bin of stuff.

I won't argue though and most on here are fair minded and some may have a different view but are respectful but there are couple who are ready to jump on me in a nasty way and WC and CK come to mind. But hey I'm not going to respond because it will turn into a spat.

And as for how long I have had my name on the rent book its been over 30 years. Not sure why I am justifying myself to be honest.

jackel

Thought you'd already gone on holls Nutty but saw you're still reading.Please would you tell me what type of shop Heron is(what they sell)? We have a Coolsaver her changing over to Heron - thanks and have
a nice hol.
Another thing which mystifies me is while all these various "costume larks" keep happening a schools when the heck do the kids learn the three R's etc ? Easy times for teachers ? jacxx

Miiri

Delurking briefly - Pops - personally, I wouldn't go on the defensive with the HA as of yet - start simple and ask for an exact list of any issues that they wish to raise with you. I would however raise why they thought it was acceptable to read your personal mail - that is completely out of order.

Call them tomorrow to formally start the ball rolling and then follow up with your request in writing.

You should have a right to quiet enjoyment I'd have thought (you do while renting privately) and certainly that doesn't mean you have to live in a spotless show home all the time.
Fi

Popperwell

Thanks Miiri,
I'm not a hoarder with so much piled to ceiling to floor that you cannot get around the house or like the recent case in the news where someone was prosecuted because children were suffering and eating meals on the stairs etc...

I'm back in territory I remember all too well that added stress when I was caring for Mum when she was ill and passed away, the carer, aquaintances who knew Mum and me knew what a good job I was doing but if it did not fit the template of the D. Nurse/Social they were always right and we were wrong, I'll work with anyone and if everyone was easy as I am I doubt there would be much trouble.

I bother no one but it seems to come looking for me...