'supporting each other through really tough times'

fuddle

Katie definitely good news because there's a way forward, a plan etc when at one point it looked like there was no way out.

Take it from me, if there's one thing you take away today, any of us, no matter how bad our finances, our situations are, the feeling if despair is only temporary. Work through those feelings and get help. My help came from national debt line. They helped me see a way and they helped me work through a plan. Once you have a plan and you find knowledge you can work to change things and accept the consequences, no matter how bad they seem. Sometimes knowing something is going to happen is worse than it actually happening. In life we just have to in there, get through and rebuild or go down a different path.

Well I had a test drive this morning. You never forget how to drive huh? It's been about a year since I was in the drivers seat and even when I did I avoided it when it was slippy. Ill get there, very happy.

I called the university this morning. I can still apply but I won't be looked upon as favourably as the people who applied before the deadline but I still stand a chance. I'm waiting for the library registration to come through and then book a computer for net access so I can research what to put in my personal statement. I'm wanting to compare what qualities a peadiatric nurse needs to possess with the qualities I have than enables me to work with children with SEN. I hope my experience stands me in good stead.

Going to use the ou open learn facility too to see what knowledge I can pick up for free.

Have you seen the news about tesco every day value burgers contain 29% horse meat? I am livid about it and it has made me extremely wary of buying lower value food goods. I don't honk I've ever bought evey day value but I have bought tesco own make... They contained it too and have been withdrawn.

My shopping again is £15 more this week. I need to drastically get back to war time meals.

7_week_wonder

Softstuff wrote: »

7WW, the physio I'm booked into is the office of the guy who deals with a lot of the Australian Olympic Athletes. Though I'm not seeing him, I'll see the second in command. The idea being she can either rehab me for being active again or prep me for surgery. We'll see what her inkling is next week. I'm not against surgery if necessary, I've an arthroscopy before (unrelated) and know it's not bad.

Oh wow - that thud you heard was me swooning with jealousy:rotfl:nothing like going for the best! Seriously, it makes a huge difference being seen by somebody who is used to dealing with people who want to do sport (iyswim).

missmucksmum: so sorry you are having a tough time of it at the moment, and you've had to experience some of the prize plonkers that scuff around on some of the other boards. Feel free to stamp and express your inner toddle on here!

Slowly warming up here, am just sipping some green tea which a colleague brought back from China. It is supposed to be very good for you, but it is certainly an acquired taste!

Softstuff

7_week_wonder wrote: »

Oh wow - that thud you heard was me swooning with jealousy:rotfl:nothing like going for the best! Seriously, it makes a huge difference being seen by somebody who is used to dealing with people who want to do sport (iyswim).

I'd swap with you in a heartbeat :rotfl:

I'm feeling more than a bit guilty over how much this is likely to cost my husband. It's just been one thing after another. I think he might be starting to wonder what the hell kind of an expensive wreck he got for a wife.

savingqueen

Morning all

Had 3 grumpy males to deal with this morning. DS8 is dreading school as 3rd day of tests, assuming sats (but they never tell us in advance) and he has had enough. DS6 didn't have a good day yesterday including no-one to play with at any breaks and DH has another exam tomorrow and college tonight. Managed to perk both boys up with various tricks and they were ok going into school at least.

Glad you're feeling a bit better today jem. Pace yourself though!

Hugs softstuff

Pops, I also "believe" in things coming in 3s - but that goes for good as well as bad things. I also "believe" that everyone is due some good luck after a spell of bad (but not a spell of bad after good ) - so all of you experiencing a bad spell.... good news.... a good spell is coming soon. Sound like a witch, all this talk of spells!

Missmucksmum - hugs to you too. I haven't needed advice from the benefits board but ocasionally click on something out of interest/boredom and am appalled at some of the posts. Just take no notice - obviously those who are posting nasty comments must have an awful life to take their negative feelings and experiences out on complete strangers - in a weird sort of way I feel some sort of sympathy with folk like that - they can't have any true friends for example.

If you do need to go back there, just filter out the baddies and ignore them. BTW I haven't read your post on the other board.

I have just seen on the news the helicopter crash at Vauxhall, London. Feeling quite shaken, I used to work right near the M16 building in a high rise office block. I am wondering if everyone I used to work with is ok, most of the people I was close to have since left but still thinking of them all today. I know its awful, 2 deaths but it could have been far, far worse. Lots of builders and office workers etc due to arrive a few minutes later.

edit to add: katie - glad your mum's ok

On a brighter note, I am sitting in my new fleece dressing gown and a blanket with a big milky coffee and some Christmas biscuits I found hidden away. St^r^ 21 which is next door to one of my regular supermarches had a sale on. I got a men's large dressing gown just to wear over layers indoors for £7 and the same d/gown in a larger size for DH as his is getting a bit threadbare and handy for washing as he wears his over clothes too. Only thing is they are both black, only colour in the sizes I wanted so not cheery and I'm not really in to the matching knitted jumpers kind of thing!

Just heard that I have a place on two nearly free courses :j. As we are in a deprived area, one of the perks is a charity in conjuction with schools, local college, WEA and a large company lay on courses for parents/carers and for kids in the hols at very low cost. I am doing a self defence course and also an accredited course, 1st stage to become a TA. :jI just need to pay £2 a course plus accredition fees about £25 I think. Also offered to babysit a friend's child another afternoon so that she can attend a different course. So I will really busy as the TA course is a whole day in itself and still voluntering at boys' school another day. Should have equivalent of about 2 days left, will find it hard fitting everything in!

Have tons to do and sat on here. Bit longer and then will get off my BTM. I don't feel guilty though as was doing chores virtually til bedtime at 11 last night.

sq:)

Popperwell

Good luck with the driving Fuddle and studies...

The only good side on the food story is that it was discovered but as always the news keeps mentioning one SM over others but there are at least 4-5 others affected including the two that are now used by many when trying to save money.

It is also now in the public domain one of the suppliers who often have products under their own name. I don't think I would eat horsemeat(not sure why)when other animals are eaten and other countries eat animals that we would not consider and vice versa so it could be a culteral thing.

Or religious thing...now they said that traces of pork had been found in beef products too, that could upset more than the inclusion of horsemeat.

Someone will be in trouble. We always think of cows, beef, sheep and pigs but it will be strange for me when I finally get around to eating my yellow stickered venison. Now that is a new experience for me and something I have not considered before, though mainly on the grounds of expense.

On the other topic of the moment it is isn't nice to be attacked and I try to never do that and take what is said on face value and am trusting, I try not to judge and would rather walk away than get into a spat.

I also realise that to that person their problem is very important and often I have to walk in that person's shoes. Often on a forum we get a snapshot into someone's life.

I don't see it as being self centred, often it is more a cry for help or support. No different to ringing a helpline.

We don't always have the benefit of seeing the expression on a face and/or tone in the voice. But yes has been said some people are downright rude for no particular reason. And if you are in a bad place at the time it is the last thing that is needed.

It is easier said than done but if you are fortunate to have loved ones in your lives of course you fall out even if with your nearest(what's that saying/song?)

"You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn't hurt at all" and I do believe(though it doesn't apply to me now I am alone)try not to go to bed on an argument and always have a kind word, a kiss or a hug on a morning as when you wave someone off to work, school or wherever none of us know what the day may have instore and our lives can change in an instant.

savingqueen

fuddle - good to hear you are back in the driving seat! I have been thinking of you as I drive to school. I am so grateful for our old car. I hope we can hang onto it for a few years yet (its an 11 year old reliable honda) Forgot to say before, also glad you have the ball rolling re study. Well done!

I made a nice veggie casserole last night. Really easy (savingqueen/fool proof) to make, healthy, cheap and perfect for winter. Only takes about an hour in the oven as well.

I really need a boot in the behind, feel so tired sitting here. Ok the one thing that gets me off PC is the washing and its ready to hang out so off I go....

hope you all have a good day and keep warm and safe in this weather

take care
sq:)

silvasava

My - this thread moves so quickly I cant keep up!! So coming in from the back over pensions.
Ladies PLEASE get a forecast if you havn't had one already. At the very least it will give you an idea what if anything you will get and hopefully a little time to plan ahead.
I have worked virtually continuously since 15 with about 4 years off when children were born. I always paid the old 'married womans' stamp - when the legislation changed I was advised to stay as I was 'cos when DH retired we would get a joint pension so it wasn't worth paying the extra.
I didn't get my forecast until I was 60 - not enough contributions for anything (7 years) and because I was past retirement age I couldnt 'buy' any more years (minimum of 11 needed) My pension on DH's contributions amounts to just over £50.00 a week - but guess what - I dont qualify for ANY benefits whatsoever because we are assessed jointly. So ladies - get your future sorted and don't be an 'if only' like me!!!

Popperwell

I shouldn't spend but just to get me out I'll pop into the local SM...even if just for half an hour...then get shaved, have an early meal perhaps around 5pm and then out for the music gig I booked sometime ago...think it may be cold tonight but fingers crossed "No snow"

I'll be doing something similar to your veg casserole quite soon again SQ

In my case getting out stops me thinking too much...

Thinking back to Fuddle and the mention of the OU, some of their courses seem costly but last year I thought I heard that they were going to do some courses that were either free or less expensive. May have to take a look myself...something to do I suppose...

The food problem is going to be discussed on the radio on You and Your on Radio 4 this lunchtime.

fuddle

Do a search for open university open learn pops. There's so many courses/reading material on a whole host of units, all free and no commitment.

I have no idea when my Internet will be connected now and feeling like I've lost my tool for life. I realise I spend a whole lot of time researching things and I'm struggling even get it to load a recipe. I realised I honked again before too, sorry. Why it changes a perfectly normal word like think into honk I do not know!

Great to read of reliable older cars. I am scared it will drain our pennies but we have an emergency fund now so no great nightmares in the future.

I have had to turn the TV off again. This morning again having people on with money talking about the beef burger issue. The just of this bloke saying why do people expect when they buy cheap food? Boycotting that program now. I feel its full of people earning a nice salary and commenting on issues that mainly don't effect them. They effect me and I don't want to hear wht they think anymore. I wouldn't care, I only want a bit company while ironing! Not succumbed to Jeremy Kyle yet though. Life without the toughies is boring!

katieowl_2

Popperwell wrote: »

It is also now in the public domain one of the suppliers who often have products under their own name. I don't think I would eat horsemeat(not sure why)when other animals are eaten and other countries eat animals that we would not consider and vice versa so it could be a culteral thing.

Or religious thing...now they said that traces of pork had been found in beef products too, that could upset more than the inclusion of horsemeat.

Someone will be in trouble. We always think of cows, beef, sheep and pigs but it will be strange for me when I finally get around to eating my yellow stickered venison. Now that is a new experience for me and something I have not considered before, though mainly on the grounds of expense.

It's really odd isn't it, how we will eat 'culturally acceptable' meat, but find the rest, horse, dog, bush meats etc. incredibly distasteful. If something is going to be killed for food, morally I feel the species is 'almost' irrelevant.

I've been through a couple of veggie phases, once when I was a kid (which I don't think is unusual) and second when we were really struggling for money, and it was a LOT cheaper to eat veggie. Eventually we gave up, because it became cheaper to eat meat, which it still is. But I try these days I don't buy really 'cheap' stuff - like frozen burgers and hotdogs - you know the mechanically recovered stuff. DS won't eat them anyway as he has been saying since he had an opinion (very young LOL) that they were made with A$$holes :rotfl:

I tend to save my pennies for YS stuff like organic meat, or free range which assuages my concious somewhat, and things like venison are usually very 'wild' reared.

I could go veggie again without a backwards glance. Vegan would be a step too far probably as I'm a little bit in love with the goats cheese at the market...I'd probably be a lot thinner too!

kate