The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

savingqueen

Lovely to hear about your DD's trip Mrs LW.

Hope your back gets better soon PIC - huge empathies and very very gentle hugs.

Welcome Irisis - always plenty of support on here for anyone who needs it. It helps me to know others are in the same boat (though I wish they weren't - hope that makes sense?) We have essential repairs we are saving up for too (fortunately not urgent but could be as time goes on and our car is ancient too) and we go 10 steps forward, 9 steps back and repeat - however we ARE getting there even at that painfully slow pace. As long as you are moving forward as you are with the debts, you are doing your best and you WILL get there. Lots of practical and moral support on all the OS threads and elsewhere on MSE. Good luck often follows bad so who knows eh?
On a practical note, as well as previous excellent advice - look at everything big through to tiny to see where savings can be made or income can be increased or both. A search through old threads will bring up lots of suggestions - try the debt forums too. Get several quotes (at least 3) so you are not paying over the odds. If you have borrow the money (other than from family/friends) get the cheapest deal available, could you get an interest free credit card for a few months for example (I know that may not be possible for you). Get a big piece of paper and brainstorm ideas, good luck and keep posting.

ps one of the ways you can be cheerful (for most of the time anyway) is by being a part of us lovely lot :D

savingqueen

Had a busy couple of days and didn't get round to posting. Saturday I went into town for a browse and to get a few bits off "The List" (PIC knows about The List ) Also did a decent food shop. Both accomplished with DH and kids at home. I had a little strop on Fedup Friday re me doing virtually everything. It seems I need to do this every now and then for my own sanity and to give the males in my household (which is the rest of my household!) a kick up the bum each. Peace and harmony (ish) restored fairly quickly .
Sunday was our family day out to the Tower de Londres. Boy there were a lot of steps to climb! Really great day but tiring (did I mention the steps?!). Boys loved every second of the day from the sparkling bling to the torture room! Prices for icecreams and drinks were really steep and the boys didn't ask for anything at all when they saw them. We had plenty of food and drink, all shared out in rucksacks though boys had very light loads. Good for them to be responsible for their own water bottle, snacks and little personal bits.
Today we have stayed in. I have been very productive, boys helped a little too but mostly let them play and chill. Tomorrow we will go to the woods - one further away this time but very geared up for children and lots of fun to be had.
night night to anyone still up

nuttyp

Morning all, just a quick post. I had the migraine from hell yesterday. I was stuck at work from 7 am until 10 pm, not something I ever want to do again.
Buddy decided at 530 am he needed someone to come and play, now he is back asleep. I got him a new ball yesterday and he has already given it a good knowing as he is teething badly. My poor baby!!
Mum will be coming home today, and she has asked if she can walk buddy, result!! I think the walk for both of them will do her good plus it will hopefully give her a reason to go out.
Well I need to leave for work, catch you all later x

paidinchickens

SQ don't make me laugh my back hurts.

Talking of lists I have given DH a list of jobs that need doing as he just didn't notice the four foot dog hair pile that's now on the front room rug..........jeeez really?

Nutty I hope your feeling better, that's really good news about you Mum, maybe she could be in charge of dog walking? She will get to meet new people as well, fingers crossed all goes well.

PiC x

Pooky

Morning all

Still plodding on with the decorating....it seems endless, especially when cutting in....the longest wall is 37ft....that's a lot of cutting in without all the other bits. Luckily it's only going to need 2 coats (going from pale lemon to roasted red) and I'm 3/4 of the way round with the 2nd coat, just the 2nd coat of cutting in and then the paintwork to do (I hate glossing but needs must - it's currently mustard yellow - the previous owner had coloured gloss in every room).

Was quite impressed with the news coverage yesterday from my home town, it looked beautiful in the sunshine with Prince Harry doing his thing. There was a big candle light procession last night too that looked amazing.

SQ - Did you see all the ceramic poppies at the Tower? Glad you had a nice day - I haven't been there since I was little, both girls went on school trips there so saved me the cost....we have done the boat ride from there down to Westminster which is lovely - so many iconic buildings to see from the Thames.

[Deleted User]

Morning everyone, very tired as I've been up since 3 am with a Lurcha with a poorly tum, can't think of anything he ate yesterday that would have upset him so I can only think there's a 'bug' going round amongst the local dog population. He seems to have slowed down with it now and is fast asleep and I may join him in the not too distant future!!!

DD1 back home and slept but still very tired as she would be after 3 weeks under canvas. Pushkin cat is very happy to be back in 'his' house and is constantly purring and wanting cuddles and He Who Knows is currently taking DD to Sainsbugs for a big shop as she emptied the fridge before she went to Zambia. The best thing she says is having a shower in peace and a clean towel to dry off with, small pleasures but appreciated.

I've been insect bitten on my right eyebrow and currently look swollen enough to have done 3 rounds in the boxing ring and it's horrid itchy too, so I've taken an antihistamine and I'm trying to leave it alone and not rub but it's difficult!!!

Hope your day is good and productive everyone, I'm hoping we get some rain, the garden cound certainly benefit from some water, Lyn xxx.

paidinchickens

Lyn Don't you dare scratch or I'll be down there with some oven mitts and bodge tape!!

savingqueen

Yes Pooky we saw the poppies and the artists working with them, breathtaking to see. Also got some great views from the wall walk. You are going great guns with the decorating - set yourself little targets and rewards as you go along.


Get well wishes to your poorly doggie Mrs LW and for yourself. I have a bite, just on the leg and its so itchy and not like the usual bites I get.


Had a bad night, woke up shaking and sweating and thought I was coming down with flu proper. Take some painkillers and put warmer clothes on and eventually got another couple of hours before waking up very early. Got lots done before lunch (including more bags of paper stuff for recycling - very pleased with myself ) and now I am ready for a nap!
Meant to be going out today but boys have made a big camp downstairs with all sorts of rules and missions and every soft toy they own. Every time they do this, I wonder when DS10 will grow out of it so don't want to spoil their innocent games. Also selfishly hoping we can stay in for my sake this is the beginning of week 3 of a cold (but definitely not flu thank goodness They will suddenly remember when its late and I will feel torn. Maybe just nip round the local park as a compromise I think.


Ok off to make some lunch for the campers, will serve it on a picnic blanket and plastic crockery and then see if I can have 30 mins in bed. Dinner will be another easy one as so tired, fish pie in freezer for boys and some curry for us, just need to make some rice.


Oh and nearly forgot found another £10 in my massive pile of papers to recycle and £20 in one of my secret emergency stashes that I couldn't remember where it was (I know!) Thought of using it for holiday spends but DH is desperate to take the boys out somewhere at the weekend (partly to give me a break - refer to Fedup Friday ) The cost is £32 and I nearly tried to argue that we couldn't afford/justify the cost but DH is such a careful spender and it would mean so much for them all to have a boys outing. What a result, only £2 to add!!

Margaret54

Hi Irisis and a big warm welcome to you.:) This is such a lovely place to be, and you will not only find support but lots of great sound advice. We all have our problems and bad days but coming on here you will feel a lot better. We even have a laugh as well Margaret

Margaret54

forgot to say thank you so much to those who said such kind things to me earlier. They were so nice to read x