'supporting each other through really tough times'

SDG31000

Awwww he is so cute Peanut123. And I am loving the "Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock" t-shirt . I think most moms on here would admit to having such photos to be used later for blackmail/personal amusement purposes. I know I do.

kidcat add me to the big list of people who wish that they could just give you a HUGE hug. I wish I could help in some way and would happily join the lovely stiltwalker in issuing slaps. I have a rather large and heavy leather strap from former misadventures that I would gladly employ on your behalf. You are a wonderful, caring, incredible, fantastic person and please don't ever forget that.

Easter has been survived, DH didn't get called out, the turkey is decimated and I still have chocolate left. DH has finished his egg already, I might have to hide my stash from him. I have recorded Easter Parade and will watch it tomorrow if I can get control of the tv for that long.

I hope that everyone had a good day and is happy and warm. Take care everyone xxxx

ginnyknit

Peanut, what a beautiful baby and so cute in the ears.

SDG congrats on having a lovely day without a callout for hubby.:D

Kidcat your Oh has shown that your little family is what is most important, despite your problems he does see how right you are and how hard you work for you all. S*d the wider family and have a break from them if you can. Its time for you hunny now thats important, your little shoulders must be tired holding everything up. I will never forget you offering to come and see me when I was struggling, you always care and we care for you too. Have a good rant whenever you want we will be listening.

Oh has worn his self out and gone to bed early so I am making the most of the peace and am going to watch some junk on tv. hugs to all

cutestkids

Peanut your baby is gorgeous

Peanut2013

Thank you for the comments regarding the little man

SDG - Were both big fans of TBBT and OH has always been able to quote the sketch so it seemed a very fitting gift!

merlot123

Peanut, your wee man is just lovely, enjoy him, they grow up so quickly. My two are in teens now, I miss having a little one around. Feeling broody.

Your photo gave me an idea, why the flipping heck I didn't think of putting a bin liner inside the shedder I will never know. Each time I empty it, half the stuff goes onto floor. Off to empty it and put a liner into it!

Merlot123

Prudence

Whey hey! 10 pages to go and I've caught up with you. Hopefully I can remember/think of something interesting to say at that point.

I've had to ration time spent online because the weather here is fantastic, lovely sunny days, warm but not too hot.

Valma says we should organise a tour coach, start with Mar and pick everyone up as we head south. Make it a kind of Harry Potter bus so you don't have to put in 20-odd hours on the aircraft before reaching our shores. Autumn is here though, so you will have to pack a cardy for the evenings.

ps: no shootings, no scorpions.

Prudence

nuttyp wrote: »

Just worked out it is 7 weeks until our mon - fri sun holiday in scarborough. I just hope the weather is going to be better by the time we go. Will be taking some food etc with us, along with the bedding. It saves us £20 to take our own bedding.

Nutty, I loved Scarborough. Apart from anything else, it was my first encounter with penny falls, you know, those machines on the (deserted) esplanade where you feed in coins and hope for an avalanche in return.

I also recall a photograph on the dining room wall of the b&b showing snow on the beach. Fancy that! It was probably Feb/March when I was there, many moons ago, so even if this is a similar year, the weather should have made amends for its behaviour by the time you arrive. I do hope you have a lovely time, and I'll be with you in spirit.

Prudence

kidcat wrote: »

Sunday will be difficult as we would usually have a big Easter dinner with my parents - but due to my dads constant guilt trips I cant bear the idea of being in the same room as them. Like you SQ this means a talk with the kids to explain its not happening.

Is it possible for the kids to go to your parents without you on occasions such as this? I'm thinking along the lines of giving an ex partner access...you don't have to be enamoured with them any more, but the kids have a different perspective..

Tricky, isn't it.

fuddle

Morning everyone

just popping my head in to say that wants and needs need to be completely re-examined when there is little or no extra income. I gave up my car, saved for items such as paint over time, budgeted well for clothes for girls, had a small emergency fund and yes, we just didn't go to nights out any more. Take solace from the real fact that you would have come perfectly within your budget had it not been for the extra's therefore you will get through this time just fine.

I couldn't get to baby groups, visit people, go to the shops (other than the coop or the 6 miler) and I was fine, the girls are fine. We spent the whole of our tenancy redecorating the whole house (3 years) because money was so tight. A few examples of where the every day need was actually only just a want really - in my life anyway.

Take this time to learn new skills I have loved my frugal journey, it has actually shaped me into a better person and now we're climbing back up there, money isn't going to be as tight, I am completely surprised to not have a mental list of what I want I buy now I can... I want to squirrel and up my pension.

If there is one piece of advice I can give having been there, done that and got the t-shirt is to have carefully defined wants and needs. That way you cover your needs while working on your wants... A want that is worked for is very much appreciated and that is character building. The best feeling though? Well that would be growing so much that you simply say I don't want it any more

[Deleted User]

Morning toughies, goodness it's sooooooo cold here this morning, I've just been hanging out washing and came back in with hands so cold it hurt as they came back to temperature.

KIDCAT You are in such a difficult position with your parents, I know how that feels, but just with my Mum, she left no opportunity in putting me down and demoralising me whenever she could. I, in the end, and it took some years to get there, made the decision that I just wasn't able to put up with all the stupidity and spite any longer. Yes, the children missed out on a grandparent but they had my Dad who loved them for themselves, I didn't have a great relationship with the inlaws either but they liked the kids so I put up and shut up.
My Mum tried to manipulate me just once too often,she had in the past tried to play the system by putting bills, accounts in my name, buying things in my name loads and loads of really stupid and dodgy things . I just came to the conclusion that the ONLY way I could keep us safe was to stop all and any contact with her or her cronies. It was not at all easy and we had years of pathetic phone calls, letters, people turning up and saying how much she had problems and needed us, and I never allowed myself to be swayed from the decision to cut the relationship completely. It eventually stopped and we have been left alone and life is much less stressful and complicated now. I don't know if you would be able to make that as a decision with the children being affected but I know how much easier it has been for us by doing so, and I think the girls have had a better life for making it!.

FUDDLE I hope you are feeling better now and will be fit and raring to go back to work tomorrow, look after yourself, Cheers Lyn xxx.