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

kidcat

I presume she knows the staff in the shop and thinks they will know it means she has got behind and had to swap meters. Which can be an issue for people.

Morning toughies, have my fingers crossed things are being sorted at school and that DS10 is happier.

Will pop back later to catch up

mrsdwhite

Kidcat- your family is going through it at the moment! Poor ds - I hope whatever is troubling him is dealt with promptly. We do tend to worry more when it's our children going though something than ourselves.

We're still going through it at work a bit. 2 of our new people are doing really well, especially considering the baptism of fire they're having. We're working hard at keeping positive and upbeat and staying motivated.
We have another new person starting next week, fingers crossed he turns out well. Then to keep everything crossed that we had someone interview for a deputy position, just needs a second interview with our boss and hopefully she will work out. Putting a lot of hope into her being the right person. There's a limit to how long we can keep it up without a deputy. Especially as I'm struggling with juggling looking after dd6 and work/making sure DH isn't getting too much pressure or stress put on him.
Im sure we will get there, it's just that it sometimes feels like I'd rather walk away than traipse through the mud any more!

Hugs to everyone - seems like it's been a tough week for most. Don't get caught up in any Black Friday fights!

nursemaggie

Hi Silvasava You are right we have reached the stage of being expected to get a quart out of a pint pot. We have both had our income removed for this supposed bad behaviour of my son in going on the course he was told to.

We are in a mess. Npower now says we have used £800 worth of gas in 3 weeks. They know this by reading our meter through the wall while we were out. I can't see a way out of this. We only moved all the way to Greater Manchester from the Westsussex coast because we could not afford the rent. Things have gone from bad to worse since we got here. DS39 is not speaking to us says I am lying DS20 can't be sanctioned for do as he is told. We can't get hold of the college that he did the course with because they gave him an email address that is not monitored. We do not have an address for them.

Then guess what I got a plumber coming all day of Monday! With things going as they are I have a feeling they will bring both downstairs ceilings down because they have to fix two ceilings.

I shall try to get an appointment with CAB. Trouble with that is CAB had there government grant cut by 90% at the beginning of this month. Will they be able to do anything. Making phone calls also runs up more bills I cannot pay. Spent all day on the phone yesterday.

Got email from Npower this morning quote "It wont be long until your are getting your power from us." What???? is supposed to be the other way round. I am supposed to be getting rid of them.

I dare not make a phone call I don't know what will go wrong next.

the_cake

Oh dear, so many people on here facing awful challenges .... hugs, love and positive thoughts to fuddle, kidcat, mrsdwhite, nursemaggie and anyone else in need.
I have nothing to report from cakeland except that I made rosehip vodka last night ... I have had a little sip and it seems quite promising, although it doesn't look it: a cloudy sort of browny-orange! Hopefully it will clear. I don't really ever drink spirits but enjoy making flavoured vodkas.

silvasava

Nursemaggie - an appointment with the CAB is a step in the right direction - at least they may give you some pointers. Could you make an appointment to see someone in your council rating office - as you say you can't get a quart from a pint pot.
There maybe someone on the Techie site that would be able to show you how to get an address from an email - I think if they are an organisation/company it may be possible.
Sorry I can't offer any more practical support but I'm sure there are many people on the forums here who have been in similar circumstances & could offer more support.
Hugs to you

nursemaggie

I have been in touch with the ratings dept they say they will reply in 28 days. I think they have decided I have a large income from somewhere and I have been lying about it.

I just need to get my mind straight to be able to call CAB. Things are just going wrong with everything else too which does not help in staying coherent. If I get a quiet weekend I may be able to cope with it better. I need to persuade them they need to see us together as DS's circumstances have changed mine. We only moved because we lost half of our income when he left college.

The college he did the course with are a company that do training for unemployed people he should not have to prove he was on the course, he should never been sanctioned. This is about the fourth time all on trumped up charges He has not done anything they say.

fuddle

kidcat is right. She's a judgemental person and doesn't want to be judged like she judges others. The fact that she smells dirty is irrelevant. So funny that her own daughter is a bankrupt. It beggars believe.

Anyway. I shall not be talking too much about it from now on you will be relieved to hear. I lasted 5 days in my supportive role. Sister has begun her manipulative games. I haven't been given full truths from her and I'm done. I will keep in touch with my mam because I think she is liking our chats and if that helps then that is great. As far as losing her job, her house etc I'm not going to worry. At the end of the day my sister has made her bed. So I am trying to alter my mindset again. You were all right. Whatever happens I know that when I reflect I know I tried and hopefully I will not feel any guilt.

Thanks for being there, as always.

Nargleblast

fuddle - wise decision. There is only so much you can do at a distance. Let your sister carry on playing silly beggars, she will only hurt herself in the end. Your mum knows where you are if she wants to talk.
Back to your reality - good news about that bit of kitchen carpet (did you mention that on this thread or another? ) your OH acquired, that will help keep things warm this winter. Amazing how the smallest things mean so much, let the nutters go out there having punch ups in the shops on Black Friday, anyone with sense will avoid the shops today. A bargain is good, but not good enough to go through all that palaver with the world and his mate.

fuddle

I think it was winter thread I mentioned it on nargleblast. DH aquired a big piece of blue carpetting that we have down in the kitchen. It looks terrible but will do the trick this winter

I am horrified at the pictures of consumerism and greed today. I hope those people who are in the thick of it have saved for, really need etc an item rather than going to snap up whatever they see is a bargain. Hate it that marketing gets folk reeled in.

And the lack of manners?! :eek: Even in the bliddy war folk queued!

nuttyp

Hi all, Fuddle well done in keeping your distance. I am sure your mum will be able to sort herself out one way or another.
DD had her interview today, and out of 11 students only 4 turned up. She has been told she has more than enough good exam results so is able to do the course if she can get an apprentaship for 2 years at a secondary school as a teaching assistant. She has emailed all the local schools already!
We still have another collage to look at. the course is 2 years. If she decides to become an outright teacher she will need to do a degree course for another 2 years..... wait and see.
I used one of the vouchers in @ldi yesterday, had to put both mine and mums shopping together to be able to use it tho.


Off to reclean DD rental house, if they don't like it after this they have to pay £200 for the hob and toilet and bath to be cleaned. I wouldn't mind but they have been done but the owner wants them done again...... I feel an argument coming on after this weekend if they don't accept its ok this time.


Take care x