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

fuddle

Thanks kidcat I don't think it can get any worse. I have exhausted every avenue I can from here. The rest is up to everyone else around my mam. How it pans out is down to my mam ultimately.

I have a suction hook on the side of my tumbler for the tea towels. I am about to go see if it sticks to my door and test how much it can hold Thanks kidcat. It didn't even enter my mind. It would have to go high as bevelled glass on half the door but I could hang a wreath from ribbon. Wish me luck!

Possession

Lots of good recipes there, thanks guys. And Fuddle you reminded me that he would also eat a banana toastie at a push, just need to get the toastie maker out ready (and have bread and bananas in!). What with DD (9) wanting to make herself an omelette every day I think I might need to get them up 5 mins earlier. If only DS would eat eggs! This morning was very very rushed as there is a repeat signal failure on trains to Birmingham and I had to take DH and a friend to a station 15 miles away, with DD as she's too young to leave. So DS is left with instructions to feed the rabbits and himself, but though he tried to fudge it I know he didn't eat anything, and when pushed when we got back he grabbed a squeezy yoghurt from the fridge that he had previously said he didn't like. Just laziness! By that point we almost had to leave again though so no time to do anything about it. Might well be like that all this week and for who knows how long, thankyou Network Rail.
SDG glad you got your shopping sorted (although I know what you mean about being considerably poorer!).
Fuddle for what it's worth, hopefully when your mum and sis are able to step back from this they will be touched that 3 women cared enough about her to go in and help her. That's the positive thing to take from this. And although I have great sympathy for your sis, having lived - still living - with an alcoholic myself, she can't have it both ways. She can't wash her hands of the situation and at the same time berate you for trying to do something about it. You've arranged an intervention, and fingers crossed it starts your mum off on a road she can only travel by herself.
Fuddle I have a uPVC door and hang a wreath with ribbon from the knocker.

fuddle

On checking the door the bevelled glass is on the inside so the hook does have a flat surface. The pressure the hook applies to the suction cup wasn't enough to make it stick to the door firmly so I have stuffed some paper between the plastic outer and the suction cup. Now when the hook part pushes the plastic and suction cup the pressure has it stuck tight I think it will work.

Kidcat thank you very much for planting the idea. I am going to be making a wreath this afternoon and that idea is an idea that I really need to involve myself in right now. Pinterest! :rotfl:

SDG31000

I just want to say that you are all amazing, each and everyone of you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx




I am trying to work out who I still need presents for and what to get them. I thought that I had sorted out most of the people who are difficult to buy for, but I'm drawing a blank with my sister and my friend's daughter. Brantano's sent me a voucher for 30% off so that is some slippers for my Mom for less. Here's the link to it if it would help anyone. http://www.brantano.co.uk/ It shows up on the scrolling banner and can be used online and in store.


Well laundry is on the go and I'm clean and de-fuzzed, so today isn't a total loss. I think I'll go and see if there are any of the scones that I made yesterday left


Much love xxxxxxxxx


P.S The new T*sco magazine (The one with the white cake on the cover) has a voucher in the back for 75p off Covent Garden soup. Some flavours are half price at the moment so it goes down to 42p a carton. Hope that helps someone xxx

savingqueen

Hello everyone

Sending my best and biggest hugs to nursemaggie, mrswhite and fuddle - and of course anyone else who wants them.

Good to hear about DS and school spikeyhedgehog.

Ended up with a blooming indigestion attack yesterday after all but luckily not half as bad as normal. DH volunteered to make dinner - a massive omelette packed with lots of cheese and frankfurters (and veg) with beans and chips. No way could I risk it so I had some soup very late in the evening.

I am feeling a little panicked as hardly done anything for Xmas and all the letters re school Xmas events are coming in as well. I can feel myself getting stressed and trying to calm myself with partial success! Not being helped by contact with one of my SIL and family inviting us over the Xmas break. Haven't spoken since an incident with her last year and I really don't want to see them. However DH wants to see them and it will be good for the kids to have a rare meeting with outside family. So I will grit my teeth, smile sweetly (or saccharinely) and go. I have stipulated no overnight stays and DH is to arrange and emphasize that we would like to see them when the kids are free and not off to various sports, parties, music practise whilst we wait for them like lemons.

Used one of my allydally vouchers today, 20% saving is so good. wanted to get Xmas treats but ended up replenishing the ordinary stocks really. Will use the other voucher for some seasonal goodies. Need to do a few chores and then off to get bits like catfood elsewhere that can't get in alldays and pop to chemist. I had such a palaver getting DH's meds last week - 3 chemists later and then they could only give me 38 out of 200 tablets. Hopefully get the rest owing today. Meant to be changing beds, well overdue but think will leave til tomorrow otherwise I will stretching things timewise and if I feel ill I won't be able to get the bedding back on!

Boys were thrilled to have their wooden advent calendar this morning. Each drawer has a different tiny decoration plus I add 2 small choc balls.

lunch break over, best look lively
take care

katep23

Delurking to ask Softstuff a favour.


I have just used up the last jar of mincemeat I made from your recipe last year. I got the recipe from your blog but can't find it on line any more and can't find where I saved it.


Would you possibly be able to post the recipe?

nursemaggie

Well the builders have been this morning and we have had lunch. Everything seems to fixed I now have to clean kitchen floor and cupboards, bathroom and everywhere downstairs. They have trodden plaster into the carpet right through and all over my mats in the kitchen

The mats are washable but unlikely to dry this time of year. Not got a big enough area to dry them anyway. Neither of us slept last night at all so DS put in new application for housing benefit this morning and went back to bed after lunch.

I can't complete housing application there is a fault with the website. IT are fixing.

Would you believe I have fount the ideal property for us. We do not even need to go on the waiting list. It is a 2 bedroom bungalow. Not far from where we are living now. Both double bedrooms. It is special needs but I think I would qualify and DS as my carer.

One big problem we only signed up for the next six months in September.
Perhaps another one may come up. I am surprised no one has snapped this up.

I just had a second look and the builders have got plaster all over the sofas and cushions. Anyone know how to clean plaster off upholstery?

Maybe I should let it dry out and then vacuum. DS will not like me vacuuming when he has just gone to bed.

I think I am just going to have to be patient and maybe have a nap as well.

I think I will leave CAB until we make some progress with Council tax dept, Housing benefit and DWP as all say wait. we need CAB if they don't adjudicate in his favour.

kidcat

Nurse Maggie are you currently in private rent looking at council housing? If so and you qualify for a specialist house the council may be willing to hold it for you. Or even the private Landlord may be willing to advertise your place now and you may fall lucky. It'swworth investigating.

chickens11

mardatha wrote: »

Shegar/Chickens its ok I dont want the postage, just you enjoy it and have nice dinners xx

Mardather I would love to send you some postage , you were very kind enough to give me the book and I do expect to pay for your postage , pretty please mar.........
Very cold out right now, ive got my fire alight and its so lovely and cosy.....
Ive got roast chicken for tea tonight with swede, cabbage, roast taters and gravy, cant wait.....Sheila

fuddle

Certainly is coming on chilly Sheila. Just about to assemble our food but thought I would tell you that I failed with the wreath. I looks a bit terrible but not to worry I kept myself occupied.

Youngest has lost her second cardi. Going to write a note asking for her to be able to look in lost property as it's named and if not can she please borrow one from lost property for a few days until I can get new. Kids!

Mam's friends have been up and done so much to mam's house already! Sister and I have had words about her inaction and instead of taking photos of mam's fridge to send to social services (huh!) she has agreed to clean it if I send her up some gloves, aprons and masks... so I will.

Mam is sounding a lot better, extremely embarrassed that those ladies have seen her at her worst and most disgusting but they have topped up her gas card!!!!! and she has had a bath this afternoon. Her bathroom is clean and her toilet is working and clean. One of the ladies are taking mam to the doctors tomorrow. I cannot explain the relief right now. What those ladies must think of my sister and I for accepting that mam should live like that I don't know. I see a tiny glint of light but I have my realist feet greatly on the grounf.

I shall shush about this now and hope that the doctor trip is a positive step tomorrow.

Can I ask though? I was thinking (fridge cleanliness permitting) that for Christmas I should get mam a 'hamper' but in the way of a Supermarket food delivery? Do you think that is a good idea?