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

Pooky

Morning all

VJs - glad you had a nice holiday - there was some sort of "incident" in the tunnel yesterday so trains were all over the show. I've just finished crocheting a blanket in Aaron, it's so lovely to work with and wonderfully warm.

I'm still in my jimjams! DH woke at 4 in silly amount of pain so got him up and sorted, he's been potting about between his computer and the TV trying to get comfy and I managed a bit of a lie in (didn't get back to sleep until gone 7) so no doubt he'll be back in bed in a bit...it's like musical beds!

DD1 will be home this evening, she's been away with friends, I got a message from her earlier saying she just wants to be home with us and sleep in her own bed....bless! I've missed her too, not looking forward to her going to Uni next year.

Need to formulate a meal plan for the next few weeks, I need to pare back as I've been very "sloppy" with money, knowing there's some in savings to fall back on makes it very easy to justify the "oh but I can just transfer it across and we do need it really". It has to stop, that money is there to save us from the SHTF situations, not a dose of the spendy elves.

Right, off to pop a hair dye on, give my hair a trim (not easy but DD2 will cut the back for me) and then a day of cooking and cleaning. Got some past their best apples to use up, lots of bendy veg and a chicken to cook up and strip down. Might make some mini quiches too for lunch.

[Deleted User]

Morning all, can I join the skitty kitty club, Pushkin cat was delightful first thing, climbed on to my lap and wanted a big fuss making, stroking and scratching under the chin, purr,purr,purr! ate his breakfast and drank his milk then turned into a whirling dervish full of teeth claws and energy, upstairs, downstairs ,wall of death over the back of the sofa over the windowsill, up the curtains, down and repeat all, repeat all etc .I am punctured in several places due to being part of the circuit he chose to dash round. Never mind home to the lurcher tomorrow and looking forward to it. DD flys back in this afternoon and should be home round 7ish I expect the kitten will be pleased to see her and I'm sure some of his behaviour is due to his mum being away.

KEZ hope you have a nice day and don't let the nasty person get under your skin again, I'm sure your other friends will make sure you're OK.
Have a good day everyone, Cheers Lyn xxx.

PRINCESSX87

Morning everyone.

I’ve been trying to stay away from the forum over the past few days as my MH has taken a nose dive and I’ve convinced myself that you supportive lot have become slightly sick of me, My posts & continuous moaning & bad luck.

On Friday I received a letter stating that our rent is going to be increased and therefore this caused sheer panic because we’re barley making ends meat now, How we are going to cope with yet another expense. OH has his last three days at work this week before his brother (Also his employer) will be jetting off for yet another holiday (Fourth this year) meaning OH is entitled to 1 weeks pay. Leaving us with no money for three weeks. This is scaring me so much that I haven’t slept since Friday and today I’m feeling the zombie effects that tiredness brings.

We’re also facing troubles with our banks. The past week OH been paid and money is disappearing from our accounts, For the life of us, We cant think where this money has gone, But now we’re over drawn & bills have been unpaid which means lovely charges for us all round. I have made a appointment with our bank this morning but cant get one for nearly a week. This doesn’t help in anyway but, It means, A) It will show up on our accounts before the appointment or We’re still in the brown stuff. I personally don’t know which is the better outcome.

OH is still in agony from his accident from work, We have doctors appointments next Monday (Soonest appointments) But if nothing changes over the next few days I’ve told OH that we’re heading to the walk in A&E!!

Brother & SIL front is going well. Their back together no thanks to SIL parents - They decided that nanny (My mum) would have the pleasure of baby Ruby for Saturday evening whilst we all attended the balloon fiesta on Saturday evening. Before we all went to the local pound shop and stocked up on drinks, nibbles ect. Lucky we did as a bottle of warm water was £3.90. Shocking prices, But this didn’t effect us much so it turned out to be a lovely day for many.

Well, I’ve hammered your ears (lol, more like your eyes) for long enough, Off to try and get some house work done, Will pop back on in a bit. Xx


PS: Quick bio, Me, 25, OH 26, No children other than our fur babies. OH is a tiler, I’m a sahw (To be) Due to ill health. Our target is learning to be very much OS, will terrible results at present.

FPK: Thanks for looking out for me Hun hope all’s well with you?

Hugs to anyone who needs them… x

[Deleted User]

PX87 hello pet, sorry you're having all the problems in life at present but please don't think you are making us fed up with you by posting your worries, it's just not true. You are a part of the thread family, one of us, and we will always listen and help if we can. There really is nothing in the world that is going to change that lovie, it's how this support network works so keep chatting to us, keep posting and sharing even if it's only your worries, we care you know!!!! Glad that you had a nice time at the Balloon Fiesta at Ashton Court and glad that your brother and sister in law with the baby are sorting out their lives and back together again, look after yourself Love Lyn xxx.

FairyPrincessk

Oh, Princess! I'm sorry everything seems to be bubbling up at once for you, doesn't it? Please don't hesitate to share what is going on with you. Sometimes just typing it out can help you feel like you will eventually catch up! Big hugs, and please keep us posted on everything! And don't worry, being OS is a journey and wanting to go on that journey is half the battle, even if it doesn't seem it at times. You'll be so glad that you faced up to all of this as it happened in the long run!

kidcat

Princess - we are here to listen to the bad times not just the good - its a tough thread, its to help through the tough times

IF OH isnt going to be paid, can you get any benefits at all? When my OH is off and his sick pay stops we are entitled to claim income support I have been told (wish someone had told me years ago ) so its worth looking at.

Re the bank - do you have online banking? Can you see whats going on? If you dont have online banking register for it stuff shows up really quick usually. I also find if I call the telephone banking operator they can tell me stuff that hasnt appeared online yet - so they can tell you where the money has gone. If you think its wrong ask them to open a dispute and freeze any further funds going out. If the money has been taken incorrectly you may be able to recover your charges - at the very least you should now be able to prevent further charges.

Am in a grumpy mood this morning, mainly because all the kids are in go slow and wont do what I ask mode. Sent DS15 to tidy the mess he made last night in living room, to didcover him sitting watching TV for half an hour on sofa, nothing done, he has decided he will do the living room later err no I want my living room tidy now. Grrrr!

mardatha

Just showing face, couldn't sleep at all last night and got up at 3.30 f

Nargleblast

Good morning OS-ers, have been lurking but not posting, so have kept fairly up to speed with things.

Kezlou - life is too short to have such bitter and twisted people in your life. If you can't avoid that person altogether then at least keep an invisible Berlin Wall between you when you are in the same room. You can be civil but that's as far as it goes. Whatever age you are now, assume you live to your 80's or more - how many years ahead do you have left? Do you want to waste those years stressing over things and people you cannot change? If you are in reasonable health, have a roof over your head and happy, contented kids then you are doing something right!

Ginny - so sorry about poor puss. Why people keep dogs like that I don't know, it is not as if we need to go hunting for our food any more. At least you gave your cat a comfortable, contented life.

Popperwell - good to see you getting out and about regularly, that's what keeps you in good shape physically and mentally. Did you get to the concert at the DLI? (Keep meaning to look in on it myself)

Fuddle - new possibilities come along all the time. If Dorset is viable, I think you'll have a good lifestyle down there. Cost of living may be higher but that should not beat an old-styler like yourself!

Mrs LW - am I right in thinking you are to be a grandmamma? First one?

And to all the rest of the OS clan - health and happiness. I am coming to the end of my annual leave spell this week, and have just made a few jars of strawberry jam in the microwave using reduced price fruit from Mr T Cohen's food emporium. Hope it sets properly, but we will eat it all the same.

savingqueen

morning all,

I am still in my PJs trying to muster up the energy to get the house in some sort of shape. Today is first day since school hols (apart from the day after returning from our hols) where I plan to stay indoors and have nothing planned to do with kids. DS9 has been a right wotsit when I said we are having a tidy up day and I expect them both to tidy their stuff. Nursing a headache which will hopefully shift. Actually DS just come down all smiles, he has sorted himself out, phew!

Lots of people in need of hugs and support.

Ginny, what an awful thing to happen, I am so sorry to hear about your cat.

Kez - hope you and kids are ok now after the horrible incident at your friends. Take it easy and look after yourselves.

AOT - sending positive thoughts for your god-daughter, age is on her side and with the right frame of mind, a lot can be achieved.

SDG - you did well to stick at the party for 2 hours, don't beat yourself up, you are doing the best you can. Hope the tablets kick in soon, one hour at a time and plan something nice for yourself every day.

Princess - hey, you can post as much as you want love and we are here for you. You have a lot on your plate so entitled to get it off your chest. Hope your OH gets the medical attention he needs asap.

Not sure what to suggest re the money problems. You need to check your bank statements asap - can you go online or phone and get the last transactions so you can work out what's gone out lately.

Would it help to post a SOA on here for us to look out or have you already done all that? List of food to help with meal plans? Can you ask anyone to lend you some money for essentials or buy you some groceries? Food bank? Any supermarket/similar points/vouchers you can use for food? Any gold you can sell? Apologies if you have already done/considered all this. There are old threads with lots of ideas to scrape by when the chips are really down. Don't despair we will all help you get through. Keep on posting.

stiltwalker - MIL's 80th sounded lovely.

Mrs LW congrats on your special news!!! Lovely to hear all your plans for lentil.

fuddle- nice to hear all your dreams and plans... fingers crossed for you.

I am worried I will loose this so will post and finish off in a 2nd post....

savingqueen

kidcat - I totally getcha with the kids on go slow mode, I have had the grumps today not helped by having a headache. Planned to do lots of housework but realising my back which is playing up probably won't allow me to go too mad. Oh well, c'est la vie!

Mar, can you have a nap later in the day, you'll be good for nowt otherwise.

Hugs to everyone else, know I have missed lots of you. I took lappy to bed last night and read til 12.30am just to catch up but can't remember all the posts now sorry.

Been busy having fun with kids last week, that's why I haven't been posting much. Managed 3 brill free days out and 1 cheap one with 4 different friends/groups of friends. Then Sat was dance class and DH took boys to big library to get about about 12 books each (they read an awful lot). Sun had a fruitless hour in the car stuck in traffic trying to get to a swimming pool. One was shut, second the main A road to get there was closed and satnav took us on a merry goosechase then realised pools close lunchtime on Suns so we were too late. Nothing more disappointing for kids on a hot day coming home with their dry swimming gear still on. Instead I took them to local horse sanctuary in the afternoon, DS6 is horse mad at the mo, wish we could afford riding lessons for him.

right best go and DO something round the house, big yawn
sq:)