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

[Deleted User]

Just pop on to say hello pet, we love it when we hear from you all even if you don't post often you're part of the family!!! Lyn xxx.

On the school uniform debate I have just talked to my teacher DD and asked her how the system works for complete new uniform change and she reccommends talking to the school now, today if you are expecting your child to start at the school in September, firstly most schools are pretty reasonable if you talk to them, secondly there is usually some leeway if you have a child at the school already and are in posession of outgrown old style uniform from an older sibling, she says where she teaches they would say you could use the old uniform until the child starting school grows out of it and then replace with the new style uniform, it is always worth talking to the school bursar as there is in most schools some allowance for real difficulties in conforming to uniform needs and they will help if the can, the peer reaction in her experience is usually curiosity as to why the child is wearing the old uniform and usually not an issue when it's explained that they have an older sibling already at the school and had the blazer, tie etc. already, not in her experience a bullying issue. She does say each school is an individual entity and all will have thier own rules for uniform, and if you are allowed to use old style uniform by the time you come to need to replace it with new style there should be second hand new style uniform available if the school has a second hand uniform arrangement. Hope that helps and eases worris a little, Cheers Lyn xxx.

GQ it's true that saying 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' and having had a difficult childhood in some ways, not impossible, just challenging, it really does make me appreciate what we have now, through our own efforts. Add to that that we had both our girls to university and out the other side with good degres and now successful and fulfilling careers of thier choice and it doesn't matter that I chose to drop out of education when I did, for whatever reason. I am such a fortunate woman, I lack nothing, I am proud of my family, I know we own our home and our pension and our own efforts keep us debt free, warm, clothed and fed, and we have the best and dippiest dog on the planet, what else could I possibly need other than my online friends? No my friend, life is sweet!!!

VJsMUM one other plus for autumn I forgot to throw in to the mix is those magical clear and sparklingly cold nights when the stars show up like diamond necklaces in a wonderful, huge night sky and you can stand and gaze with your breath like a dragon in steam as you breath, can't put a value on those can you? Lyn xxx.

GreyQueen

I'm sure I've seen that people in some parts of USA do that as well, to see the autumn colours in Vermont.

Japanese maples are stunning and I would have one in the garden I don't have, IYSWIM, like a shot.

I once spent some time in the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain in October. To walk the hills seeing the colours turning gold on the trees, with the occasional blaze of a solitary tree turning scarlet. To sit in a grove of (I think) aspens which were all gold, in constant motion, with the sun shining through.

I drank it in through my eyes like the feast it was. Lush!

FairyPrincessk

I must admit I'm baffled by the whole uniform issue. Surely, if one of the main purposes of the uniform is to ensure all of the children have the same and to avoid fuelling bullying, then having a uniform that is so out of reach for many children does nothing to solve that problem!

Coming from a very different tradition I don't really believe uniforms do have that effect. The children know who is poor and who is not. They know whose blazer is shabbier because it was bought second hand and they know who brings a posh packed lunch or who has the expensive new frou frou pencils every week or so. I think it would be far more practical to require plain and sensible clothing and put the effort into teaching children to maintain it, to respect each other's differences and to realize that family income is in no way a mark on someone's character. I fail to see how having the school's logo on every single piece of clothing contributes in any way to learning. Indeed, it seems to detract as poorer pupils are constantly worried about not having the "right" jumper or the fact that their peers have all of the extras for the P.E. kit. Surely this just repeats the problem of own clothes where a child worries endlessly about not having the "right" jumper?

I feel my lack of experience doesn't entitle me to much of an opinion but I'm getting worked up on all of your behalf!:rotfl:

VJs mum, I see winter as a time for pampering. A little bit of what you fancy to see you through. I think the coat is a brilliant idea.

[Deleted User]

FPK you have clear sight and much common sense. Would that all those who decide on school uniform policies could see it as practically and straightforwardly as that, good post, Lyn xxx.

carlymummy

Talking of school uniform I haven't bought any yet waiting until DH wage goes into the bank, which may mean I can't get things quite as cheaply and will probably have to shop around a bit more but such is life.
I was just going to add our eldest started high school last Sept and the uniform prices were ridiculous, PE kit was pathetic especially as he has not once in an entire year worn his 'logo'd rugby top', football boots or gumguard!!! Luckily I ignored the lady in the local shop that sells the uniforms with logos on and bought the top huge it will do for this year probably left unworn again festering in the bottom of his PE bag! I have learnt my lesson and selling his footy boots on ebay, not buying any this year, if he comes home needing some desperately I will have to deal with it at the time. Just to afford his blazer and tie etc last year we spent a few weeks eating a lot of baked beans on toast :eek: Hoping his blazer will fit at least part of the year, it needs a new button sewing on and the lining needs repairing but that won't take long and they are not allowed to take them off anyway unless it is very hot so no one really sees the state of the inner, thank goodness. Also hoping that his white PE polo top, joggers, tracky top and shorts still fit. He does need a new tie though as they have to wear these silly clip ons and they do not wash well at all, fell to bits by the end of the year that'll set me back £8!! If they don't wear the correct uniform they get detentions no warnings just an after school detention , he hasn't had one so far. Middle DS 'lost' his £15 PE top with the school logo on so will only be replacing it with a plain white top, youngest DS will probably cost the most this year as he is starting in reception so will need everything!

Popperwell

Elona wishing you and your OH all the best during this horrible experience...the waiting is probably the worst part even compared to the surgery.

mardatha

I'm another one who hates autumn. Really really loathe it. Even the colours - they aren't my kind of colours lol. And yet I like winter, enjoy long dark wild nights at the fire and cosying in. I also like summer - not keen on spring. So I'm unbalanced....you knew that anyway!

FairyPrincessk

Elona, I'm thinking of you and your OH. I hope they get answers quickly and for your sake that he is a cooperative patient!

Thanks, Lyn. I didn't want to offend anyone, not having uniforms to buy.

I'm popping in and out today. Writing, and as I prefer to do it by hand I have to give my fingers a break sometimes. We had the risotto last night for tea as I didn't get the curry in the sc early enough so will do that today.

Mrs_Chip

Morning All!

Wet, cool but humid and very grey here - feels very autumnal, but I like autumn and winter so not a problem here!

I do find that I very quickly lose interest in the garden as soon as it starts to go over, which is not a good thing as I should spend time clearing away for winter. But likely I won't, and will do a massive clear-up in the spring.

Not having children, I have not suffered the draconian requirements of a school uniform list but I do thing that those who make the decisions have lost sight of what a uniform is for, and there seems to be a lot of snobbery involved. Certainly when I was at school we did not have to have our own hockey sticks or tennis rackets, but I went to a comp, we didn't 'do' tennis!

Blazers are the most impractical things, and I remember the children whos mum's had tried to get a few years out of them by buying a big size - poor things were swamped. They are difficult to clean but get dirty easily, are too hot for summer, not warm enough for winter, and are expensive. What is wrong with shirts sleeves in summer and a fleece in winter, with a light rain jacket to cover either?

It is terrible that parents are forced to choose a scool based on whether they can afford the unifom - seems a very insidious way of weeding out childrem from poorer families.

Pops - get the foot checked, if it is Plantar, there are specific things that can be done to try to heal it. It is unlikely to get better on it's own as the foot will need the right support.

Princess - how's your OH's relationship with his brother - is he aware of the strain that closing for three weeks is causing? If relations are good I would suggest a heart-to-heart to try to find a solution.

Little Al the sparrow is doing well, now feeding himself and finding the boundaries of his cage. He has learned to scramble up and down to one of his perches and seems quite happy. He likes to come out and sit on my hand like a tiny chicken, so strange for a wild bird. Trouble is, he is a one-bird fertilizer factory, I now know why Orville wore a nappy!

Working tonight and up to my oxters in frozen fish - a slight miscalulation in how much we were going to sell means that I need fish that was delivered today for tonight. As it comes frozen in a block I have had to bag it up and dump it into my maslin pan under running water to get it defrosted in time. I will not make the same mistake again...

Have a good day everyone!

Molly41

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

MOLLY morning pet, my Docky was so pleased to see me yesterday, he even managed to jump on me at the station and not the lady behind me coming through the turnstile, which was what he did last time I was away, much to the amusement of a whole waiting room of people!!! It's lovely to be home again, blackberry picking on the common yesterday was easy, loads of big juicy ripe king berries to pick, and the paths had been recently mown on the common so no wading into the nettles to pick, lovely. Have a good day lovie, docky sends Molly Dog a SSSLLUURRRRPPPPP!!!! and says hello.

I like autumn, I love the colours of the turning leaves, the fruits ripening, the autumn flowers dahlias, chrysanthemums, asters, michaelmas daisies, the smell of bonfires lingering in the morning air, the gradual return of the garden and allotment to freshly turned earth. I love that feeling of a job well done when I look at the preserves and frozen and dehydrated produce we have grown, I love the fact that the evenings draw in and it is still dark when I wake in the morning, coming back from the dog walk in the afternoon feeling chilled to a nice hot cuppa and in the fullness of time coming back to a lit woodstove and a cosy home, and Christmas, magic time if you play by your own rules and not by consumer rules, everything home made if possible, nice but sensible presents,some from boot fairs and charity shops, things you know will be appreciated and not fashion, but actually needed. Then on to real winter with its stews and mittens and fur hats, dashing back because it's bitter outside but the odd day with sun to warm you in a sheltered spot, planning what to grow next year and the thought of spring ahead to lift your spirits. Autumn is sad because of the loss of the beautiful summer weather and summer activities but I suspect I'm not entirely alone in feeling that the turn of the seasons is a rightness and that autumn is welcome? Cheers Lyn xxx.

Many thanks for asking after me. I bet Docky was very pleased to see you home. Molly has a way of "wooing" whereby she chats away most of the day. When I have been away she is always pleased to see us back but then kind of sulks for a day or two and is strangely silent. It is pay back time:rotfl:

We are waiting with baited breathe for results tomorrow. It is for my second son (18) and he is having a year out working so it is not crucial but still nerve wracking.

Have a good day x