'supporting each other through really tough times'

fuddle

Thank you sq you hang on to your stamps though as child benefit has gone in today, DH paid tomorrow and my cheque about to clear any day its been a really testing and worrying two weeks but we did it! All thanks to my food hoarding

silvasava

:wave:Morning Toughies - its taken me two days to catch up on all the posts! My - the minute I turn my back what a lot has been going on!
fuddle I really admire your resolve that you have shown to get through the carp that has been thrown at you - you are a true inspiration :T:T
pops You are another person here who tries to keep a positive attitude in very trying circumstances - hoping you get a good outcome.
kidcat Sending hugs & hope today is better for you
liskay Sound like stress is causing you problems - will PM you

Hugs too to all who may need them

Popperwell

Thanks...

I am determined if nothing else and if I really get on today I have turned a corner. Often a house can look really untidy whilst you are actually trying to make it better. The same thing happens when you decorate usually until everything is put back where it should be.

Peanut2013

Hello all, apologies for the absence. Had a busy busy week!

Were all over the Noro now and pleased to report LO didn't get it

Went to our first ski race of the season this weekend. The South West School Childrens Championships. I went as one of the coaches as I taught alot of the kids to ski and am now starting to re join the coaching comitee. We came home with 3 first prizes, 2 seconds and a 3rd. Very pleased with the kids

I was approached this weekend by the chairman and asked if Id consider taking on Race Secretary for the team. I'd be in charge of entries for all future races and also running any races that we host. It's quite a bit of work so need to think about it

Had some brilliant news yesterday. Work have confirmed their happy for me to return to work 2 days a week It means things will continue to be very tight BUT I get to spend the rest of the time being mummy

Off to baby group this afternoon and then will go and catch up with my own mummy

Possession

That's great news Peanut. I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home 3 days a week but still doing the same job I did in my London office full-time, and still on my London salary. It has been brilliant for flexibility with the children, although it's rather a golden handcuff as I could never find anything around here to match either the flexibility or the salary.

savingqueen

thanks Stiltwalker, empathies returned! Will all be worth it in the end though eh?!

great news on the work front peanut!

Just had me lunch, was really hungry and I've eaten too much and feeling that lovely post lunch sleepiness. So wish I could go up for a little nap but need to get some bits done before school run.

DS6 has his first private swimming lesson (get me ), only private because of swimmingpool gate which some of you might remember from last year when DS had to be "rescued" from 2 different pools. Slightly nervous we will have a 2nd repeat but 3rd time lucky eh. DS is so looking forward to it and his teacher is lovely, very good and communicates on his level so have every confidence (he is also drop dead gorgeous, not that that matters on any level... but he is ... swoon....)

DS8 however is moaning about the cost of the lessons (they are :eek: compared to group lessons but we prioritise need in this house). He is definitely jealous, also because DS6 is still seeing a learning mentor at school. He forgets all the privileges he gets like getting to stay up later and having more "special time" with me (though we do try and balance that out too)

okey cokey, this isn't getting stuff done.

have a good afternoon all
sq:)

savingqueen

Popperwell wrote: »

Thanks...

I am determined if nothing else and if I really get on today I have turned a corner. Often a house can look really untidy whilst you are actually trying to make it better. The same thing happens when you decorate usually until everything is put back where it should be.

GO pops!

edit: and well done fuddle for getting through last couple of weeks

alfsmum

Fuddle, demand for allotments seems to wax and wane so you may get one sooner than you think. I hope so anyway. A couple of years ago there was a sizeable waiting list on our site when the grow your own movement was in full swing with Hugh FW on TV all the time, but last year's wash out of a summer means there are plots left untenanted this year because people got so fed up.

We have had good years when we've had loads of produce and then last year we didn't get enough to cover the rent. I must admit we did consider not renewing the lease this time round but decided to carry on as we dug our plot from the original field and have put so much work into it. Could you do a bit of prepping if you have the space by collecting cuttings from fruit bushes and strawberry runners to pot up so that you'll have something to go on the plot when you get it? May be worth looking out for end of season seed sales when packets go for a few pence but will still be good for planting a couple of years down the line at least. Also little fruit trees are sometimes sold for next to nothing out of season.

Mrs_Chip

Afternoon!

Weather not playing ball at all, most disgruntled!

You don't need a great deal of space to grow stuff, so while you are waiting it is worth trying containers - or perhaps a raised bed, which is easy to make and could be dismantled if you move. You could try Freecycle for some pots and even plants, and I am a terrible scrounger from shops - greengrocers often chuck out big polystyrene boxes (the ones fresh herb are delivered in) which are perfect for carrots and salad stuff. Wilko's do good cheap gardening things, as do the £ shops.

There's tons on the net about gardening small spaces and container gardening, and tbh, if we have another bad year weather-wise (which some are saying we will ) it's easier to protect and provide a bit of warmth for things in pots and containers.

Allotments sound like a great idea, but they are hard work, and if you have space at the house it is much more convenient to garden there if you can.

Popperwell

Sunny here but not got the time to enjoy...still quite breezy. Not much rubbish/things to move but because of them it has created more work for me and though I know I am making headway they would probably think otherwise.

It has also meant spending more money on crates which originally I did not need but do now so I have had to part with nearly £15:(:mad:for an extra 4.

Last year they were on offer and if you bought two, the third one was free. No such luck this time.

Got some bulky things taken away, I found a number to call:)I have an old chest of drawers that I will break up and get rid of too.

If I go to the club tonight I will have to start again when I come home...I'll just see how things go...I may just carry on...

ETA:Just discovered one of the crates has a big crack in it so will have to go back to the SM and change it:mad:I could've done without that!