'supporting each other through really tough times'

fuddle

Thanks for the government gateway info. I saw that while looking for jobs and it sounded very official so steared away.

Top tip! I didn't know this but if you were socks on the top of your boots in icy conditions they help with the grip. I was stood next to a lady with this very same get up tonight at school and was wondering what he was doing. I ear wigged her conversation

Pets are invaluable little things, and great for the soul. What about a guinea pig pops. They adore Sitting on laps while being stroked, can be indoor hutched when you're not with 'em, fed vegi scraps and are social little things as they squeak when you come near, especially when they're hungry. The downside would be that they tend to require regular clean outs. That might be too much. The house can soon honk (t'dah! Lol) after a couple of days.

I remember being scolded for daring to feed my garden birds when I was newly bankrupt. I shouldn't have spare money for that in my predicament. Maybe not but bird cake is made from kitchen scraps anyway. I'd lost my house and trying to make that other one a home... Attracted too many starlings with the kitchen fat and made the street look like a scene from the birds! Never mind. Dear mother strikes again. So I can appreciate nervousness where pets and benefits are concerned... but pets aren't a luxury I find. There's days where Alfred gets me out and so I can think in nice scenery or if I'm after a bit of socialising I take him where I know others are walking dogs.

I too want to see the labelling of our foods to tell the truthful composition of each item. Far too much in the way of skirting the issues with food labelling, still.

Kidcat, you do far too much my friendly friend person. I hope you are sat with a cup of tea and a biscuit as I type.

Soft stuff hope your knee is ok! I got too scared to carry on with my knees but want to try again in the spring.

GreyQueen

I'd second the guinea pig idea, Pops, they're cute little things and very ameniable to indoor dwelling. I've known several people who have free-ranging gps in their homes; they can easily be trained to use a little tray.

Like bunnies there will be the gnawing issue; one pal had a gp who'd launch sneak assaults on guests' shoelaces and try to gnaw through them before being noticed.:rotfl:

There is a strange plus side to gps; rats seem to detest them and avoid areas where they live.

Getting baltic outside; the fog has finally lifted to reveal a clear blue sky with a yellow crescent moon against the snowy tree branches and the temp is just plummeting. I'm so very glad to have a home and feeling sorry for anyone sleeping out tonight, although the severe weather protocol will have been triggered by now which means that people who wouldn't normally be eligible for assistance will get it.

Well, suppose I better get the tea on. Omelette incorporating mics leftovers. Hmm, can't see that rocking a restaurant menu somehow. What would be the post spin on that, d'you think?

Molly41

I have had pigs for years and I think they are more expensive and high maintenance than dogs. There is bedding, hay and food which adds up - also fresh food. It is always best to have two as thy are sociable creatures and it is cruel to keep them individually as they pine and are bored. It is also physically challenging to clean them out - I had to rely on my kids or their Dad. I definitely would advise against having them unless you are very sure you can cope with them.

mardatha

My god GQ - thought that was omelette incorporating mice leftovers .

Uniscots97

Well had some feedback on jobs I applied for before christmas and it was a no. Another after a lot of messing about and faff have decided they'll recruit themselves, this is after they got an agency to chase up candidates. So goodness knows what will happen with that. I need a job and soon. . I'm applying for everything (suitable) thats coming up. I've counted that I've applied for 160 jobs (mostly temp, but some permanent) since I found out I was finishing up at my last place. I'm trying to tell myself its still quiet due to christmas and new year..... but its not working ..... where's my guardian angel :A, when I need them to wave a magic wand and make a job appear? I'm not afraid of hard work I just want to be back working and earning money.

GreyQueen

mardatha wrote: »

My god GQ - thought that was omelette incorporating mice leftovers .

:rotfl:LMAO, can see what I did; transposed the misc into the mics. Easily done with ME when you're tired.

Relax, it's red onion and leftover tatties in the omelette. Not quite so desperate that we need to eat mice yet, thank gawd.

2tonsils

I have just enjoyed catching up with all your posts , but sitting in front of a roaring olive log fire with a glass of cinnamon and honey liqueur helped no end to mellow me enough to catch up slowly LOL

Finished my first spell working at home and it went well today, despite the four hail storms we had in the space of three hours. For weeks I have been telling my husband their is a certain wind howling above the village during storms but he has been unable to hear it until today. He was up in the shower and actually shouted down to ask me if I knew what the hell was making the weird noise. He has damaged hearing from being in submarines years ago (when they were noisy diesel ones). I am just glad he heard it at last, as I was beginning to think he believed I was imagining it!

Stopped at the butchers and bought some fresh chicken backs to make soup and roast chicken wings (my OH favourite food lol). I also got some nice liver and some frozen salmon. I don't like the salmon steaks here as they are full of bones but the two I bought today came from the tail end...easier to bone as I am eating mine.

Yes I saw the reports about the beefburgers with horse meat in them...considering some of the fillers they put into sausages, burgers and some pies the horse meat was probably the most nutritious part of it! I had a garlic buttered horse steak in France and it was wonderful, tender to the last bite. The only burgers I buy are made in front of my eyes from a big piece of veal, chopped garlic and some herbs..by the butcher. I pay about 4 euros for four of them. Mince is made in the same way from steak, he minces it while I am there so its nice and fresh and I can see there are no breadcrumbs or rusk in it. I pay about 5.50 a kilo for the mince and its worth every penny.

Hoping our bad weather is finished for tonight...its very windy out and stormy but at least its reasonably warm at 5 degrees.

katieowl_2

If I couldn't manage dogs any more....I'd get a few ratties. :smileyhea: Charming sweet little things, bags of personality and love cuddles and scritches. Sad that they don't live longer, but I'd come up with some way to add newbies from time to time (not by breeding them I hasten to add!)

Kate

westcoastscot

Yeah it's not fair but life isn't is it? I was shocked as it hadn't really sunk in that things had changed so much. Like others on here I was left with nothing ten years ago and am starting from scratch again, but by and large I just put that behind me and got on with it. I've retrained and have a job I love (although it's under threat at the mo) and my children have grown and are all doing well. I'm really blessed :-)

jackel

Spent most of the afternoon with you all. What a lot of topics covered and what a lot of help and encouragement given where needed. You're a smashing lot. Thanks.
jac xx