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

FairyPrincessk

twofishes--excellent idea. I will check it out!

Curtains are done. They are not exactly beautiful, but they will be functional and they're at least a bit cute. Plus, they will be warmer than the wooden blinds on their own and they were made entirely from things I have.:cool: Now, I've just got to figure out the best way of hanging them. The blinds are actually hung over the top of the window, so I'll either have to go slightly above or perhaps get one of those wire things used for nets and stretch it across. I think that is a project for when I'm fresh, or at least not ready for bed!

I too like this thread because I don't have to pretend. I don't feel I need to make out that I'm trying for a delux lifestyle, but nor do I feel I have to apologize for the luxuries that we do have and how fortunate we are. I like that the members cheer for the good times and help out through the bad.

I've been contemplating cheap recipe ideas while I was sewing and I have either invented something potentially disgusting or (re)invented something delicious...I'm wondering about a sort of savoury crumble sort of thing. Say bits of meat, veg and a sauce or gravy with a crumble topping but with herbs or even a bit of stuffing mixture in? Does something like this exist and if so, where would I find recipes? I'm thinking the flavour options could be endless--a couple of sausages de-skinned and crumbled with onions, cabbage, root veg etc. Or perhaps a tiny bit of ham with tinned tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and other pizza toppings and a crumble with Italian seasoning? I'm thinking it might be hard to get the balance of wet and dry right--but maybe a good way of using up the odds and ends? I shall be experimenting shortly!

Right time for bed. Hugs to any who need them.x

twofishes

Bunbun, you should be able to freeze the risotto. Rice freezes very well.

Don't forget egg and chips as yummy comfort food - could make it egg and bubble and squeak to make it healthier, but nothing beats dipping homemade chips or wedges into a runny yolk *drool*

ginnyknit

I agree with you fairy princess, its a very honest down to earth thread. When we talk, like the last few days, about cardboard in our shoes and feeding our babies first its not a 'woe is me tale' its that we got through it and by goodness we will support each other so we can get through the latest troubles. And yes, sometimes we splurge on a holiday which leaves us juggling and pinching the pennies quite hard to afford it but its quality time for us all and we enjoyed mostly every minute of it!

I know I spend too much time on pinterest :o but there are some really good ideas knocking around there. For instance store packets of seeds in a photo album!!! simples

Righty ho off to the land of sleepyness see you all tomorrow.

kezlou

We've had a very quiet day in, boy did we need it. I just ignored my phone and pottered round the house.

We had lunch outside together of quiche, salad, cheese on toast and leftover sandwich filings. For dinner fish I bought earlier, mash and home made mushy peas.

Then sat together watching xmen.

tomorrow were off to my friends house, they have invited us round so going to make pack lunches ready for the picnic:). Should be good, both boys are excited to as they have made friends with my friends children.

Well going to read a little while I wait for meds to kick in.

jem132

Morning all was woken up in the night with the rain pouring down and itsstill pouring down now I think it's time to prepare for winter

Happy rain day everyone x

fuddle

The stories of hardship help me get a grip when worry spirals. My children want for nothing of basic needs and are protected from hardship. They can have their innocent childhood and I appreciate that because I fear there are many children growing up in loving families, just like mine, who are hungry, who are worried about their parents not getting enough food, who do see their parents faces just die on the spot when the gas bill comes in. My children are protected from that and for that, no matter how emotional I feel about what has happened re: finances, I appreciate that the line is still below us.

It's helpful to know that HMRC are so flexible in their repayment terms nutty. It's a weight off my mind.

Well, DH's birthday today. We're going to have lemon curd cake for a birthday cake. It went down well a few weeks back so I think a good call.

It's a rainy day today so we're staying in. the girls are going to design birthday banners for tea tonight so that'll be nice. The theme appears to be dangling birthday fish.

I've text my family this morning to be asked to have a week off from visiting and visits. I just want to be alone at the moment. I feel a bit unstable so will work hard to get over this blib and get my mind back to coping.

nuttyp

Morning everyone, I had a lovely sleep last night. Oh had the windows wide open and it was quite cool. We have rain here at the moment and I have quite a bit of washing to do. Maybe later...

My old tv cabinet is being upcycled at my friends house. We have done this for years, she still has my cabinet in her lounge. It didn't fit in my house when I moved so we took it to her house!! When our children grew out of things we swapped with each other, at times it was the only way her children got more clothes. In return she had my 2 after school and on certain days took then to school for me while I worked. We use to do a trip to the canning factory and buy a case of unlabelled tins - then we had to write on each can what was in it. Peas were like 5p a tin so bargain food.

My mum use to bring us a box of veg from the farm my dad worked on, and we were also known to pick up dropped veg from the road side. carrots, onions, cauli and cabbage are often found. I still do it now :-)

Well need to get sorted have some things to post that I sold on [EMAIL="eb@y"]eb@y[/EMAIL] yesterday. It all helps. One mans rubbish is anothers treasure!!

Have a good day everyone x

jem132

Fuddle the hmrc are really good I had a over payment of12.000 about 5 years ago and I pay it at £20 a mt until I am 101 so they were really good with me.
It was there falt tho.

I am starting to worry re dh job he's had enough of them taking the !!!!.
He has to have his time sheet in by 9am today to be paid on Friday but didn't get told until last night but had to leave for work at 5 so he couldn't do it I hope he gets paid we really need the money.

FairyPrincessk

Oh Jem, how annoying! Would it be possible for him to send it in by e-mail and then take the signed copy over after the deadline? I know it is a bit late now.

I'm having a bit of a wobble this morning. There is an outstanding decision to be made about my work next year and although all of my documentation is in order, my application a few months ago was returned and they told me to put it in at the beginning of September. This gives me very little warning, as technically I'm supposed to be finished at the end of September, so my supervisors and I agreed to put it in about a month ago. I still haven't heard anything and I woke up last night worrying about it. Things will get very complicated for me if it isn't granted, and to make matters worse I can't see why they aren't granting it as it is an extension based on medical documentation, not something that is technically negotiable but of course my mind goes to the worst place and worries they will deny and I'll have to appeal. Meanwhile my student loans will have to be paid whilst I'm appealing and trying to finish up my thesis. Not to mention the next step in my immigration will need to be applied for about the same time. It won't be a pretty situation, and I'll be a mess as each thing on its own will be very stressful.

Also a bit nervous as I have resolved to book this check at the surgery today. OH has agreed to wait in the waiting room as I tend to faint and then I'll have him to walk home with, so need to get it done before he is back at school in September.

Between the two things I've woken up feeling a bit sick with nerves. Will put some nice things on my list for today--a scented candle on my desk and some nice music.

Hugs to any and all who need them.

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies loved reading the thread for the past couple of days with the levels of support and the total honesty folks are sharing with each other here. It is such a help to feel you are not the only one that life deals bad hands to and then to read how many other folks have not only been through the mill with the same type of problems but how they have dealt with and come through it stronger than they were when it happened is inspirational to say the least. I know some of us are facing daunting things at the moment and so many of you have these things thrust upon you out of the blue and that is what causes the first reaction of horror and despair but we're a strong and supportive bunch on here and there is so much practical and helpful experience here from people who do know what they have done to solve their own crisis times that somewhere will be the way forwards. My heartfelt love to all of you who are feeling bruised and battered for whatever reason and my prayers for solutions to your current problems. Keep talking and we'll hopefully get through these really tough times together, Lyn xxx.