'supporting each other through really tough times'

Cheapskate

Hello everyone, hope you're all managing in the cold/snowy weather! Only had a couple of inches here, but the rural edges of town have had 3 times that, according to 2 different friends. We've had our CH on a fair bit this week, house feels perishing, even with wearing extra layers. Power company have increased our DD by £8 to £133 (dual fuel deal) which puts us close to the 10% of our income! :mad::eek: We aren't profligate with energy use, so can't explain the jump. Have spent all week turning off everything I can, CH temp down as low as I can, using SC more, we've not been at home much - must be more I can do.

Many happy returns to the birthday girls, hope you all had something good out of your days! :beer:

Lots of love and hugs, for the bad and good news you've all been sharing xo

Some of you may think I'm barking, but I've given my notice in one of my jobs, the other to follow next month - I've been so stresses/depressed over the last few years with all manner of things, and the last year has just about tied me up in knots and I ended up blubbing at GP's (I'm not that type, I promise!), with the result that I've thought a lot and decided to concentrate on me, the littlies, DH/DS and mum, with everyone and everything else taking 2nd place. I've been doing so much, and none of it very well, and probably should have done this years ago, but you don't realise! We'll work out finances, I'll be here far more often that's for sure! :rotfl: Since I decided all this, everyone has said I look better, so am more sure I've done the right thing - have even been nice to grown up DD who makes our lives hell!! :rotfl:

Sorry to blather on, especially when some of you have far worse to deal with,have also just cracked open last bottle of plonk from Christmas stock to celebrate my impending return to being a SAHM!

A xo

ginnyknit

It doesnt matter if anyone thinks you are barking cheapskate its you that is living your life and it sounds like you have made the best decision for you and yours. I wish you lots of luck and look forward to hearing all your triumphs as a sahm. I had to do it and become a carer and to be honest I got out at the right time before the recession got a grip, I may be poor but I made the appropriate decision for me and mine. I also got to spend my time with my DD when she got pregnant and help raise DGs and there is no money on earth that could compensate me if I had not had that experience.

[Deleted User]

Hello CHEAPSKATE, you must do what is best for you, the rest of the world can go hang, you are the important one and if it's right for you it will be so much better for everyone!!! It's a very brave and right decision and I wish you everything good for the future, well done, Cheers Lyn xxx.

moments_of_sanity

Cheapskate wrote: »

Some of you may think I'm barking, but I've given my notice in one of my jobs, the other to follow next month - I've been so stresses/depressed over the last few years with all manner of things, and the last year has just about tied me up in knots and I ended up blubbing at GP's (I'm not that type, I promise!), with the result that I've thought a lot and decided to concentrate on me, the littlies, DH/DS and mum, with everyone and everything else taking 2nd place. I've been doing so much, and none of it very well, and probably should have done this years ago, but you don't realise! We'll work out finances, I'll be here far more often that's for sure! :rotfl: Since I decided all this, everyone has said I look better, so am more sure I've done the right thing - have even been nice to grown up DD who makes our lives hell!! :rotfl:

Sorry to blather on, especially when some of you have far worse to deal with,have also just cracked open last bottle of plonk from Christmas stock to celebrate my impending return to being a SAHM!

A xo

I am normally a lurker more than a poster on this thread but felt I had to reply to this one. Like you, I am in a job I hate, live on anti depressants and am struggling to get myself sorted at the moment, no motivation to do anything!

DH lost his job in June last year and he has had some temping in between but nothing since before Christmas so I am unable to change jobs, that and there is nothing out there. So I trundle on but it is getting harder and harder each week.

We also saw our good neighbours moving a couple of items from their house today and then they posted our keys back through our door, we thought it was strange but have now heard the house has been repossessed :eek: I really feel for them as there for the grace of God and all, feel upset that they couldn't tell us any of this and have just "upped and left".

Still as they say, onwards and upwards!

Cheapskate

Thanks girls, agree with you! We will manage financially, I'm sure, and with the ongoing problems with my mum I don't want to miss my littlies being little, or whatever time we may have with mum - jobs come and go, even good ones, and my main job says they'll ask me back as bank staff whenever it suits me, I think that's a fantastic offer from them!

kidcat

Evening all -:)

Cheapskate - well done, you have made a decision that is good for you and your family and should be proud.

Mardatha - OMG do you need a sweetie parcel?

SQ - I am with you on the easy holiday bit, I couldnt consider camping anyway with DS8 but I love self catering as it means I can take food and my SC and we can eat well. Have you considered a caravan rather than a cottage?

Our snow has melted considerably today but its starting to freeze and we are due to have more snow tomorrow.

Have been visiting the hospital each evening with my mum and my dad has been dropping us, its not looking good though, he is on a ward of cancer patients, has had a CT scan which apparently found a mass, so biopsy Monday. oh and they say he has a bowel obstruction too.
Mum doesnt have a clue, he doesnt want her to know, he hadnt told his daughter either until this morning and that was because he knew I had worked it out.
I read his notes (naughty I know) and googled his consultant! added to the biopsy I knew the basics, so he told her today and she has contacted me.

I have been trying to prepare my mum for bad news but she is oblivious - its just an ulcer she keeps saying!! He is worried sick about his daughter, she has two young boys, works and also cares for her maternal gran.
Have told him not to worry about her I will keep an eye out which I have already been doing.

Then to top it all my dad dropped us then popped off somewhere, was stopped and some idiot span out of control (driving way too fast) and hit the car - now we have that to deal with too.

It begins to look at though 2013 intends to be memorable at least

Has anyone used a chiropractor? What sort of thing do they do? My back is no better, in fact tonight its worse than ever, my physio appointment is eight weeks away so am seriously considering a chiropractor this week.

kidcat

moments_of_sanity wrote: »

I am normally a lurker more than a poster on this thread but felt I had to reply to this one. Like you, I am in a job I hate, live on anti depressants and am struggling to get myself sorted at the moment, no motivation to do anything!

DH lost his job in June last year and he has had some temping in between but nothing since before Christmas so I am unable to change jobs, that and there is nothing out there. So I trundle on but it is getting harder and harder each week.

We also saw our good neighbours moving a couple of items from their house today and then they posted our keys back through our door, we thought it was strange but have now heard the house has been repossessed :eek: I really feel for them as there for the grace of God and all, feel upset that they couldn't tell us any of this and have just "upped and left".

Still as they say, onwards and upwards!

welcome - am so sorry its a horrible thing to see, brings it all home how bad things really are,

savingqueen

cheapskate - massive hugs to you and well done for making an important decision. It sounds like you have weighed everything up and are doing what is right for you and also your family. If you can manage on a lower household income (and lets face it, lots of people spend to their earning level anyway) then you have made a sound and sensible decision. Having more time at home means you can maximise your OS and money saving skills so that will help your budget. Also more time to spend with us lot!:D

Kidcat - caravan is a good idea, thanks for suggestion. We tried a short break a few years ago (thanks to some tatco vouchers), kids loved it but my back didn't, the beds were so narrow and uncomfortable (our luxury at home is a queen sized bed with good orthapedic quality mattress) Both DH and I have to watch our backs and DH has shoulder pain that is increasing with age. I know camping might not suit our backs or a soft bed in a cottage but we are too scared to try a caravan back-wise again.

Talking of backs - the only thing that helped - well completely sorted out my slipped disc years ago was an osteopath. I know friends who have used either an osteopath or chiropracter - not sure which ones are best for which back conditions and wouldn't want to offer the wrong advice. They have all, like me sweared by them. If my back was really bad again, I would head straight to osteopath rather than waste my time with GP.

sq:)

katieowl_2

Evening everyone. Cold night here at the edge of the known world...I'm tucked up with the dogs under blankets on the sofa. It took forever to warm up a bit in here today, and I've managed to do very little. I bunged the electric blanket on about two hours ago, so that should be nice and toasty! (Dogs will appreciate that!)

Dinner was a tasty tray of roast veg (Potatoes, butternut, carrots, garlic, red onions) and some YS chipolata sausages, I made a spicy tomato sauce to go over the top...so that warded off a bit of the cold - kind of deconstructed sausage casserole.

Kate

savingqueen

moments of sanity - sorry you are having a hard time of it, hang around us lot if you need support and/or cheering up, we're a good bunch.

Kidcat - you really are a rock for your family. I know you want to support your parents and everyone but please look after yourself too. I worry about you at times (the mum in me coming out now )

hope everyone else is ok. GQ how are you doing? I'm hoping tomorrow I will feel more lively, digits crossed for us both.

DH has surprised me by saying he likes homemade soup. He has turned his nose up at the idea for years so not sure why he has changed his mind. I don't bother making any just for me (get through lots of tins in the winter) though I know I could do and freeze in batches. So next project is making soup - I still have so much to learn I know but getting there gradually. Can't wait to serve homemade soup with my homemade bread! Another cheap and nutritious meal to make :j

sq:)