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

camelot1001

Good news on the school Savingqueen, not so good on the expense but it could be a small price to pay.
Snowing heavily here, need to be careful on the way to work as I am changing my car tomorrow, don't want anything to happen to it (or me for that matter!).
Off for a shower, be back later.

FairyPrincessk

I'm still reading, although not frequently enough to quite keep up with everything. I'm about to hand in my thesis. It has been 8 years coming with lots of ups and downs with illness and other personal issues stretching it out to double the normal time to do the degree. I'm thrilled to have come so far in spite of what life has thrown at me. There were many times I didn't think I'd manage it, so I have a lot on my plate at the moment just trying to remember I've written it. I'll be back after I hand in and while I await the examination process. I'm planning a frugal challenge in April, and I'll definitely be back posting about that.

Hugs to all.x

Possession

Don't have any wine in the house, will have to make do with hot tea!
Walls are being cut down as I type. And the bannister rail has just been painted first thing, this is probably not a good mix.
Well done Master SQ. We too have to pay a wince-inducing amount for the school bus (almost £700 a year). When DD goes there too in Sept 2016 it would be cheaper to drive them I think, although that will obviously depend on employment.

savingqueen

Good morning everyone.

lovely to hear from some posters who haven't been around much lately - hello to you all!

FairyP - you are amazing to have battled on with your thesis despite everything life has chucked at you. Be very very proud of yourself!

thanks for all the good wishes re Master SQ. The extra expenses will be worth it - education is top of our list of priorities. We can't afford to live in a "better" area, near the good schools but we can find the money to pay for transport (similar in cost to yours Possession.) DS will also have to leave/return earlier to attend but he knows the score and was adamant that he wouldn't attend the local schools.

I have "called in sick" to my voluntary session today, have an awful sore throat and feeling bleurgh. Best not spread around nursery. I have offered to go in at the end of the week instead.

I also have a big proof reading job ahead. DH is applying for both an internal post and an external job. He is thoroughly fed up at work and has told them he is looking for a new job. I just hope it doesn't backfire if he doesn't find one - we never know if another round of redundancies are in the pipeline. So please cross everything of for him this week please, he rarely even gets shortlisted these days. DH struggles with his grammar, spelling etc (think undiagnosed dyslexia) so I often work behind the scenes fine tuning for him.

Used another voucher for shopping today. Feel like I am spending all the time but its part of my restocking plan. No big expenses this month and no council tax so I am using money to buy supplies and then will save time (and money) later doing lots of other non-shopping things.

Best make a start on the proofreading.... catch you all later

Pooky

Well done to Master SQ on the school! Such a weight of your minds SQ! DD's bus passes were the same sort of price - it was hellish paying for 2. Luckily DD2s college help towards the cost of hers as part of her course (she has to travel to college and placement - 40 odd miles apart).

Hello to all the old regs - lovely to see you posting.

Absolutely shattered today - trains were all over the place yesterday due to a fatality on the line so my 2 hour journey in was just over 4 hours, coming back I just managed to grab my train (by the skin of my teeth) or I'd have had to have waited another hour for the next. I went via the chip shop and wine shop on the way home - a glass of cold white with lovely hot chips....was bliss.

DH and I went out for breakfast this morning which was lovely - came home to do a bit of house work and then I think it's a bit of a quiet afternoon as DH is feeling a bit strange. Hopefully we'll get out for a few hours tomorrow.

Been very naughty and got a ready made lasagne for tea, I've used up all my frozen home made ready meals and bases and really fancied an easy night. Will get some chilli, rissotto and a stew on the go tomorrow to keep life and limb together for the rest of the week.

shanks77

I am also still here Sheila thanks for asking. I am still searching for my mojo found a tiny bit this morning but now it's gone so sitting here reading and drinking coffee til I find some more. Will have to as I have a friend coming round tomorrow so will need to get off my arris at some point and do something of a constructive nature.
FairyP congrats on finishing your thesis be very proud of yourself.
Lovely sunny day here again but with a very cold wind so will take dog out to park later on and enjoy the fresh air.

monnagran

Hi.

I am around but the wretched bug, whatever it was, has completely wiped me out. I have no energy whatsoever and the slightest bit of effort results in exhaustion and sleepiness. Must say that I'm not impressed with this being ill lark. Still, it could be worse, I spoke to someone who has had the cough since before Christmas and she coughed so much that she cracked a rib. So that's me at the moment - moan, whimper, whinge.

Softstuff: you seem to be making giant strides, well done.

Mrs LW: enjoy all your new furnishings. Isn't it amazing the difference a bit of flooring and some new paint makes?

My next challenge will be the garden - at the moment we have drifts of snowdrops, a neat but large rectangle of crocuses, (croci?), something that looks like tulip leaves and a few blessed primroses. I want to steer clear of daffs, unless they are tiny and wild. I will dig out a few patches of earth in the summer and scatter a few packets of Lidlees seeds. I want to make it as low maintenance as possible and will employ someone to mow the grass - large, rough and on a hillside!

Must try nhow to do at least one useful thing before I pack it in for the day.

x

[Deleted User]

Poor MONNA hate to think of you feeling awful but you will pick up, look after yourself until you do feel better. If you try to do too much your body will just say'Oh oh not a chance' and make you stop, be kind to you and when the warmer weather gets here take some time to just recouperate outside in the warm sun in a sheltered spot, you'll get there lovey, be patient!

ivyleaf

Hi everyone, I'm safely back home after one very nice day and one not so nice as my tummy was very sore. Getting better though.

Glad you had a lovely time Sheila! I bet the sunshine did you good.

Lyn Lovely news about the flooring :T

Dazi We were staying in Burlington Place, right near Terminus Road, but didn't go into the Wimpy, what a shame! Maybe next time. Your son will think I'm mad, saying "Hello, I know your mum on an internet forum!"

Squiggly Diddly We certainly had some sunshine, thanks Blooming cold wind last last couple of days though. Oh and we arrived in pouring rain, and laughed as we passed the "Eastbourne, the Sunshine Coast" sign :rotfl: We didn't go into The Scribe this time, but did have dinner in Pomodoro E Mozzarella


I'm just catching up now and will try to post properly tomorrow.

nuttyp

Hi all, and thankyou to the missing people for popping in for a catch up. Kitchen is nearly painted, and I really like it. It looks fresh and clean if you get me. Just a pleasant change.


Took mum to the dentist today and then we ended up in subway with DD for a sneaky drink and sandwich was under £3 each. We popped to Iceland and then m n s for a quick look. Mum got loads of bargains in m n s as they were reducing quite a bit. All safely stored in the freezer.


Tomorrow I am being treated to afternoon tea with my mum and DD. Its for our birthdays and then tomorrow we are at pizza hut but we have a voucher for 33% discount. Its one of our treats. I know some people think its normal, but eating out can end up quite expensive.


Thursday is the last day for the aldi voucher, so must sort out my list. I got the washing tablets that were on offer, and they are great. I don't buy them normally but they were cheaper so its rude not too. OH Is taking smiley faces in his sandwiches as the ham was on offer too - I think its for the under 5's but hey who cares.


Buddie the dog broke free from his collar at puppy class last night, so we had to invest in a new one today and he has a new haltie harness. he charmed the pet store lady and received loads of treats and a half price toy. So part of the shopping budget has gone already.


Will pop back later, take care x