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

nursemaggie

Mrsdwhite I agree with soft stuff. If you really do want to resign I don't think your manager has a legal leg to stand on. He cannot refuse your resignation. It must be adding to the stress.

MrsCD

Softstuff wrote: »

Still have to decorate a tree for no money using what I have here at home (Blue Peter anyone??) and bake my Christmas Cake (better late than never).

How about 'American style' popcorn strings? All threaded together? Also do you get free magazines in supermarkets that you could cut up to make paper chains? You can make very thin small ones for the tree, and the paper would make lovely tiny lanterns, like mccullogh29 suggested. We used to make cut up egg boxes covered with foil with a thread sewn through to hang upside down like bells. Paper bunting? How about bringing some flowers or greenery in from the garden too?
Sorry this is a bit disjointed; I'm typing while thinking instead of getting my thoughts all together first!

Softstuff

MrsCD wrote: »

How about 'American style' popcorn strings? All threaded together? Also do you get free magazines in supermarkets that you could cut up to make paper chains? You can make very thin small ones for the tree, and the paper would make lovely tiny lanterns, like mccullogh29 suggested. We used to make cut up egg boxes covered with foil with a thread sewn through to hang upside down like bells. Paper bunting? How about bringing some flowers or greenery in from the garden too?
Sorry this is a bit disjointed; I'm typing while thinking instead of getting my thoughts all together first!

No food related things over here, it's roach season (strung popcorn sprung to mind for me very early on too, great minds and all that ;-) ) Paper bunting sounds lovely though thank you, adding that to the list of to-dos. Going to get started on it shortly.

mcculloch29

I'm so pleased my suggestions on decorations helped you. I remembered making a star to hang on the wall out of wooden spring loaded clothes pegs; I gave that away but I still have a mini rocking chair I made from the same type of pegs.

Pooky

Morning all

Not been around for a few days, not sure where the times goes!

Went to look at a house with DD1 yesterday with some of her Uni friends ( I was token parent there to ask the sensible questions like "how much are the bills" - how quickly does maintenance get done" etc) - a huge 6 bedroomed house about 10 mins walk from Uni - it's been a long time since I've ventured into a student house and oh my goodness I was dumb struck....it was filthy - how people live like that is beyond me. Needless to say DD1 and friends were a bit put off - it's £350 per month per person which was cheap for the area, we can see why now.

Need to crack on with some work stuff this morning and then have a fridge clear out and cook up this afternoon - lots of veg that needs using and some left overs that can be turned into something else with the aid of pastry or a pasta sauce.

Sunny and very windy here so I've stripped beds - hopefully I'll get some out on the line for a bit of fresh air - they can finish off on an airer but they always smell so much nicer if they've been out for a while.

ivyleaf

Morning all

Hope those of you in Scotland, the North and NI are okay and you've got power back!

I have to take two jumpers back to BHS today. They were roomy when I bought them, but after washing according to the instructions they've shrunk so much that the sleeves are uncomfortably tight. I bought a similar one in a different colour 2 weeks previously and it shrank slightly but is still fine to wear, so I think it must be something to do with the dyes.

it's a shame because I did need some new ones!

DS has two days off and is going to replace a couple of radiators either today or tomorrow. The new ones were bought months ago and have been propped against walls waiting for him to have time to do it; they've been there so long that we don't even notice them any more, which is perhaps another reason he hasn't done it sooner!

Anyway, I'm in hospital tomorrow, so I hope he'll do it then so that I won't be here while the heating's not on! It depends what else he's got arranged.

Just thinking, I do love Christmas but the house seems terribly full of extraneous stuff; So glad we now have a very small tree, a small crib, and not a load of paperchains etc!

ginnyknit

OOh Mrs CD Im loving the idea of tiny paper chains on the tree - I actually wrote chins there :eek: I decided Im dont want the mishmash of old decorations this year and certainly wont buy any so I now have knitted little people - thank you Jean Greenhowe. Felt and knitted owls will be a min feature too, Its all Kirsty Alsopps fault Oh and pompoms of course. She also made popcorn mixed with sweet mincemeat which is going into the kids movie hampers.

Mardatha has snow and is loving it - keep it up there woman Im freezing as it is and writing this with fingerless gloves on - insert shivery smiley :santa2: ...wanders off to make more pompoms!

ivyleaf

just got home from collecting DGCs and went to wash my hair ready for hosp tomorrow, but neighbour rang to ask if we had water, as they and the neighbours on the other side of them haven't.

It seems we do have some water but the pressure is very low, not enough getting through to allow for hair-washing! And it may just be what's left in the tank in the loft.

ETA I told DS and he looked at Thames Water's Twitter feed, apparently it's due to a burst main. Hopefully it'll be fixed by the morning, then I can shower and wash hair before I leave. If not, I'll have to do my best with cleansing wipes

ETA as well! Thanks to GreyQueen's warnings we have plenty of bottled water. thank you GQ x

SDG31000

Evening Everyone

The best of luck for tomorrow ivyleaf.

Thankfully DS1's school is classed as being in a deprived area and we don't get the constant requests for money. Only for school trips and they are massively subsidised. Paris for 3 nights cost us £80 and that included all meals, transport and all the museums and boat trips.

It has turned cold and windy and wet and generally 'orrible here in Leicester. I'm hoping Santa brings me some more thermal socks.


I braved the weather for book group (having finished the book in the bath this morning) and then raided the shops for things to add to the foodie presents and stocking filler type stuff. I've finally got my head around the fact that Chr*stmas is 2 weeks away and thought I'd make myself get my bottom in gear and buy some things to make my life easier. I just have to make the rest of the food gifts, buy some more presents, deliver presents, cook and then collapse in a heap.
Thankfully DH has 3 days off next week and I can put him in charge of present wrapping. He is much better at it than I am and has more patience. Just a pity he takes ages on each one.


I must go and hide the pringles before DH gets home otherwise there will be none left by the weekend, let alone Christmas day.


Love and hugs xxxxxxx

wondercollie

It is warm and sunny here! The snow is melting. It's been as high as 12C the other day and is currently 7C.


There is a shortage of snow/winter tyres right now, so oldest's girlfriend isn't driving anywhere and is constantly asking for lifts.


Collie not happy due to wet feet and belly. Will gladly wear his muttluks when it's freezing but not for warm days.


Had a job interview today. The interview went really well, I pick up shifts there when they are short staffed, the manager didn't even want references because "I hired you already and you've worked out fine". Sounds great right? As I was leaving, he said he had another interview to do and "it's an accommodation". Now right there that's a problem. No matter how good at the job I am, how much seniority I have, the "accommodation" is practically guaranteed the job. An accommodation is a nurse who has had an injury and requires a light duty or desk type job. So, he focussed a lot on computer skill and speaking to other nurses and doctors.


So right now, my fingers and toes are crossed but I'm not holding out much hope.


Well, at least I made it to the final rounds of interviews.


I've got the Christmas garlands up and have no desire to tackle the tree.


I need motivation!