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

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Evening all

Bronchitis does take some shifting and can linger on for weeks and weeks.

It was our 21st wedding anniversary today and we spent it decorating. How romantic is that . I am sure that someone else was celebrating a wedding anniversary as well today but cannot remember who but congratulations anyway.

The first coat has gone on the walls and the second coat of gloss has gone on. Mr VP has decided not to paper the chimney breast until the wall I want papering in the dining room is ready and he will do them both at the same time.

Have been to visit my nan tonight and took her a new dress for her doll a lovely pink and white affair that is very girly and pretty. It went down well for the few minutes she was awake. The main lounge was closed as the carpet had been cleaned today and the staff were having a busy evening as not being able to access the room had really upskittled the residents (they all have dementia). Nan spends hours nursing her "baby", she is very contented with it. I don't think it is a breech of her dignity because of the sheer amount of pleasure it gives her. My DD's (her great granddaughters, 17 and 20) quite like changing its outfit each week when we visit so I can take the dirty one to wash.

jpscloud

No worries FairyPrincess! All advice gratefully received no matter whose name is on it

I hope the mice turn out to be random field mice and not house mice - you will know where they've been because mice poo and pee literally everywhere they go. You'd find some droppings and smell the pee (very musky urine smell) if they've been there.

Hopefully it's just that the cat has brought them in "for later" - they do that kind of thing :eek:

Many many years ago when I was a student in house share, the man next door died (in hospital), bless him. When they came to clear out his house, the mice that had happily lived with him chewed through the skirting halfway up the stairs, for some odd reason, and invaded us. The smell was the second thing we noticed!

Mrs VP, I did a summer job as activities co-ordinator for a dementia home and totally understand the doll thing. Lots of people with dementia are comforted by things like that. One of the residents had a beautiful collection that she had little basket cots for, and lovingly put them to bed every night. It's lovely that your nan gets that comfort.

kezlou

Well the, trip to d's went fine, when she, tried anything I had none and told her in no uncertain terms that, I wasn't having any nonsense.

I shocked her and, she backed down when she realised she couldn't dominate myself or my children.
My friend who I went with took to one side and said I can't believe how different you are. Your doing really well.

So were back chilling at home.watching a film.

Sorry but lard repulses me I, grew up with it, nasty stuff.
We now only use butter and veg oil for cooking, sandwiches etc
Since we've done this the change in our bodies is amazing. Ds2 stopped the stomach pains. Better concentration, told fuddle when she was at mine. If I make chips I shallow fry them in oil in a frying pan.

FairyPrincessk

It was definitely a house mouse. OH was convinced it was a vole (actually I think he was trying to convince me it was a vole as he thought this would mean I wouldn't be bothered. Fat chance. I only like invited guests in my house). Anyway, the tail was too long, it was definitely a little brown house mouse. There is a strange smell in the lounge, but I don't think it is mouse urine. I had the misfortune of hosting a whole family of them when I was in Uni, and the evidence then was far, far more obvious. Anyway, OH has agreed to get traps tomorrow and contact the landlord. I think he had a bit of a time getting the thing outside, and he was unimpressed when I told him letting it go in the alley way probably just meant it would be back with us by morning. Ah well. It looks like I'll be spending a bit of time tomorrow morning decanting the rest of our food shop into hard containers. Fortunately all of the flour is in the freezer, and I think I've got enough jars and cannisters to manage it.

Kez, I'm so glad you were able to follow through. I don't really understand why D thinks this is appropriate behaviour. Even if you weren't standing up for yourself, why would she even try it on? Ah well, nonetheless, well done for today.

JP, I've had several bouts of the dreaded bronchitis/asthma affair, another tip I didn't mention-- One A&E doctor a few years ago told me to try Olbas oil in the bottom of the shower. Unfortunately it makes me sneeze and makes everything worse, but I have had some luck with mint and eucalyptus essential oils on their own--it must be one of the other ingredients in it that sets me off. Be careful, as any and all of them can set some people's asthma off, but if they don't set off yours they can be brilliant in the shower before bed. I've also been known to boil the kettle, tip the water into a bowl and instead of doing the tea towel over the head trick, I've just dunked a flannel in and put it straight on my face so I could lie down.:rotfl:

monnagran

Hi all.

AOT: Hoping you feel better soon. We miss you when you're not here.

To all of you worried about what you should and should not be eating - a very old lady I knew used to say, 'Everything in moderation.....except chocolate.' Sounds about right to me.


MrsLW: Love the idea of Black Forest Hot Chocolate. I don't think I'll try it though. Even if I bought it as a present for someone I can't see it actually making it into anyone else's sticky fingers.

Life is leaving me behind here. The latest idea (and it's being looked into seriously by several men) is for buying or renting somewhere for the Rev to set up her own church. This is seriously scary. Already two other ministers have offered to go in with her to help. I don't imagine that they will be able to find or afford a suitable building. If anything like this actually happens, the Rev will be on a seriouly reduced income - if indeed she has any income at all. As I only have my state pension to live on all my MS tricks will be brought into play. What a good thing that I am as mean as all get out. Poor as church mice will take on a whole new meaning. What's that ancient curse? May you live in interesting times. Mmmmmmm!

x

savingqueen

Mrs Veg Plot and carlymummy Happy Wedding Anniversary! :smileyhea

Hope you found/find somewhere to camp carlymummy, sorry can't help myself.

Sunshine, bad luck with your shoulder op. Horrible to have to have it done a second time when you think it's all over with. I had an op a few years back and had to have another the following year as they couldn't do it all at once. I didn't realise after the first op and no-one thought to tell me! Take it easy, lots of reading and resting and then hopefully the physio will help lots. Gentle hugs.

Hope you feel better soon AOT.

Didn't get as much done as hoped with 3 hyped up boys running around. They played outside lots but were in and out literally every few minutes. Took tons of stuff out with them including water pistols, didn't have enough so DS6 drew the short straw with an old squeezy bottle - he was the only one completely drenched and dripping at the end! Still they had fun.

Fancied a nice early night, cuppa and a read in bed. Over the road have been having a party for last few hours and it is incredibly loud and not even the weekend. I know I am a moaning middle-aged party pooper, happier reading in bed but the music is too BLOOMING LOUD. Several houses closer by (some with babies and toddlers) so hoping they will phone the police if it goes on too late. These are the neighbours that tried to take advantage of me before with babysitting their son (also a good school friend of DS6 infortunately for both kids) and I had to be blunt in the end and say no more firmly, had no further problems. Had a thought, could it be a goodbye party, they have sold up but then no for sale/sold signs so unlikely. Drat!

Well DH is off work tomorrow and no school so I guess it's ok. I can car doors slamming, hope it's people leaving and not more arriving :eek:

gonna hang on here a while
sq:)

savingqueen

Monnagran - you have the basis for a BBC drama series going on! It's all very well finding a church building but how about all the funds to actually run it day in and day out? These people might be well meaning but not being practical. How are you both coping with it all?

Party update, more people seem to be arriving and DH says the road is blocked (not literally but we have a narrow winding road) with lots of extra cars. DH is pacing up and down thinking of calling police, the music is extremely loud, sounds like a professional job, they have a big marquee in the garden too.

EstherH

:)MRS LURCHWALKER: thank you so much for that idea. It sounds great.
I had a blackforrest hot choc at costa last Christmas and it was lovely. That you could make your own is wonderful - oh no it's not for me is it, it's for a present.

stiltwalker

Lyn - so glad to hear Docky is feeling better, give him a hug from me - wish I lived nearer to meet him - I love a lurcher lean!

SQ - how rotten, it's only Wednesday do they not have work to go to (or small children to wake them up in the morning??)

Monnagran - sounds like things are getting interesting ( as in - may you live in interesting times!!) Take care and I hope things work out - at least you know you are wanted!! (lol)

Feeling better than yesterday - stay and play was good, DS kaffled and slept in his chair for a good half hour/40 minutes to lots of "awww bless" comments, and DD had a fab day, she made some melting moments that were really yummy! She has riding therapy in the morning - so hoping for another good day.

Take care all - hugs X

fuddle

Monnagran so many alarm bells are ringing over this.

I just hope you and the Rev don't make decisions based on emotion, kindness and what others want/need and put your own security and well being at risk.

Do what feels right but please do the sums over and over before you consider independence. I worry that the good upset people are allowing emotion to cloud their judgement, possibly acting with angered blind sight and dare I say it, a little selfishly?

They are good people with good hearts and I suspect would be very cross with me suggesting that but if breaking away means you have a very reduced income, then I feel they are not thinking about you two as people but more a possession and one they must hold onto regardless.

I don't know if I've said too much, I've dithered whether to post but your post strikes me as a little concerned and given that you don't do that kind of concern in life I feel like you need the toughies to say - hey, hold on. Think about it, can it really work, do what is right for you and make sure you can afford living. I suspect there won't be too many people around you that can say those things because of their emotion and they so badly want you to stay.

Stay true to common sense. I'm worried because you're a risk taker, you've a strong fighting spirit and have gone the independent route before. Just look after yourself ok? No rash decisions and especially non based on others' needs if it's not right for your own needs.