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

[Deleted User]

MOLLY DD1 who teaches is a Department Head of the History and Politics Department, she too waits with baited breath for A and AS results, she knows how well her students have been taught and knows how much hard work and effort they have all put in and obviously has seen and marked thier coursework so has some idea of how they are understanding and processing the course, but there is always the potential for a child to have exam jitters to the point of not being able to fulfill thier potential and when university places hang on the results it causes her sleepless nights too, she is a good teacher and an even better person!!! I so hope your son gets the grades he needs for whatever his next step in life is, good luck, I'll be thinking of you both tomorrow, let us know how he does, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Florenceem

Three of my children are teachers. Two are secondary school teachers so are also on tender hooks to see how their pupils do. My Daughter is Head of Music and my Son is part of a Business Studies department. My other Daughter teaches Reception class.

[Deleted User]

Good luck to them FLORENCEEM and all thier charges, hope tomorrow is a real success for all concerned, Cheers Lyn xxx.

fuddle

I've found an 'apple' tree near the ponds. If I take a picture do you think you can tell me if they are edible? Some of them are turning red, a few have dropped.

We're off out now to go pick some blackberries. Ill take a picture as we pass. Had no idea it was there until I saw some apples on the floor.

Some wannabe forager I am eh?

kezlou

fuddle so pleased dd has put weight on!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:j:j:j:j:j:j:j

I know i'm daft but i'm chuffed

School Uniforms - unfortunately they are really expensive.

I spoke to DS1's school as they hd a compulsory trip camping trip to go on too. I said i'm really sorry but they is no way i can afford all the full uniform and the trip. Have to say they were amazing. Even told where to cheap rugby socks from, said we didn't have to buy the proper trainers etc. But told us as long the trainers had a smooth grip for astro turf as well as outside they would be fine. The other rule was no brand names in the slightest. Any brand names and the child would be sent home.

So i had to buy rugby shirt, polo shirt, blazer and tie from the school store. The above wasn't cheap, when ds1 lost his tie, i phoned up the school i said i can't afford a new one so they ds1 a tie for two months till i could afford a new one. The holiday they allowed to pay over six months instead of 4 weeks. They don't have a hardship fund but if you phone up and explain they tend to be lenient.

but if don't explain to the school why they have school unform, they can be put into seclusion and repeated detentions, not good at all for a child's self esteem. So i buy only the main things to conform.

Just spent £31 on a blazer, ties we have, thank gawd.


Oops got to pick the boys up from scheme, will catch up in a bit xx

jpscloud

Mrs Chip well done for making Little Al's life possible, and a happy one at that - you are people after my own heart! I have a large group of sparrows that feed in my garden and use the bird bath. They are lovely little characters.

All this talk of autumn and winter has made me reflective - I wait all year for the summer, with dreams of projects and making my cluttered, dusty little house into a lovely shabby chic little house, making the garden a paradise etc. etc. and this year I've just been ill with bronchitis since before the holiday started.

I've only just been able to start pottering about and doing a little bit in the garden - of course that takes precedence over housework :rotfl: and we're due back at work in two and a half weeks. I can't believe how fast that's gone for me this year. I must at least get the bedrooms sorted this year!

Mrs_Chip

Fuddle

If the apples on the ground are tiny they are either where the tree has shed excess fruit or they are crab apples, which can be used to make jelly to go with meat. Taste a tiny bit - crab apples will make your mouth pucker like sloes, if the apple is just a bit sharp it may well be an eating apple not yet ripe. I picked an apple from the tree in the top garden yesterday, it was still very sharp, but I know they are sweet eaters.

ETA - if it is an eating tree, there should be some bigger apples on it!

FairyPrincessk

Good luck to all of those waiting for results!

Molly, the cat visiting us is much like that. She sulks every time she arrives. The first time she barricaded herself under the bed and wouldn't come out, even for her dreamies treats and homegrown catnip. This time she has been better. I'll have to ask if there is any pay back when she gets home! Of course, this morning I was playing with her and she suddenly became distracted. She chased a fly all over the house, paws up on book shelves, leaping into the air, stalking it around doorways. It was lovely to watch. Perhaps I'm sad, but she she seemed so happy, lively and in her element!

Just having a break with a coffee and some cake. It is the last of the blueberry loaf I made a few days ago. OH asked why I don't make it more often as he really enjoys it--he asks that EVERY time I make it and I always say I'd love to, but its the price of blueberries! I do stock up when they're cheap, so I can usually manage it once a month but it still isn't a cheap and cheerful cake! I think he is now convinced we need some blueberry bushes! Lyn, I can't wait for the reckless abandon with which you use your homegrown berries!

I've got clothes outside airing, but I knew as soon as I put them on the line it would pour. So, I've outfoxed the sky--I've got them pegged to the airer so they can be whisked inside! Neighbours must think I'm nuts, dragging the airer out right next to the clothesline.

Right, that is the bottom of my coffee cup so I'd better get back to work.

Mrs_Chip

Thanks jpscloud, I would always want a wild animal to stay as such, but I could not leave him to his fate, I know it would have played on my mind. I have read about several sparrows kept as pets (because of disablity) and they seem to be very adapatble. He certainly learned very quickly where everything in the cage is. He has a very big cage and comes out quite a lot. He does try to fly, but can't see the wall, so just tumbles down - I think he will be happy just hopping about and roosting on me in the evening - for some reason he thinks I am his parent, which I would understand if he had been a tiny chick, but he was nearly grownwhen we found him. He is very good and puts himself to bed at night in his little cat-food box house!

Mrs_Chip

You can buy frozen blueberries, I think they are quite a bit cheaper than fresh, and just as nice in cake!

I love Blueberry Boy Bait, it is totally lush and decadent!