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

alfsmum

NUTTYP hope your Mum is OK, as MrsLW says, she's in the best place.

POPS definitely sounds like fruit flies. Have had to keep all fruit n veg in fridge or tightly cling filmed if out of fridge ready to eat otherwise the little blighters are all over the place.

Mostly wet, dull and humid here, not a nice combination.

Trying to sort out possible future care for my Mum as her dementia worsens. Spoke to manager at newish care home today, going to look round in a couple of weeks. Sounds good, stimulating environment and only a few miles from home so could visit regularly. Not looking forward to having to make the decision to move Mum from her own home though as she has been in the same village for most of her 81 years, but worried she is less and less safe at home, even with a care package. She is so vulnerable to cold callers on the doorstep and phone. As an only child it's my decision in the end and it won't be popular with my aunties but they are not local and have no idea of the stress involved in keeping Mum at home. Ah well, will see what the home is like first.

fUDDLe your new wool sounds lovely. I've hardly touched my crochet this week so will sit down with it this evening as I am shattered. I can also recommend Deramores for excellent and very speedy service.

Popperwell

Wishing both Mum's well and both of you Nutty and likewise AlfsMum for different reasons. On top of all Mum's problems towards the end I do think there was a little confusion/dementia but to this day it could have been caused by mini-strokes, side effects of sleeping tablets or anemia(sp?)

And there was some breathlessness which was not looked into. Understand the mixed feelings about making a decision about putting Mum into a Nursing Home too. It was taken out of my hands. And I/we always hoped Mum would come home again.

Fruit flies...hmmm, I guess that's what they are. Move a curtain and woosh:mad:

At least the wheelie bin was emptied. Found 10 very big/strong tie bin bags for £1 in Wilkinsons(They are classed as garden refuse bags)thought they were good value. Will use them in future to keep possible pests away and the bin clean;)and I have some cheaper ones for lighter rubbish. The bin is emptied fortnightly but I don't always get it emptied as I usually put so little out.

[Deleted User]

ALFSMUM bless you it's such a difficult position for you to be in over Mums wellbeing. You are the only one who has the right to make the decision and you'll do what is right for her and you and your family. The relatives might not like it but they will have to accept it as it will mean your Mum being in a safe place and being cared for and living as well as she is able with her condition, looked after 24 hours a day and protected. It's never easy to do but it is necessary for all of you and particularly for Mum, you'll find the strength to make it happen when the time is right no matter how critical the rest of the family may be. Good on you, you'll be fine, Hugs and Love Lyn xxx.

katieowl_2

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Kate - Can I pm you the link to my facebook page? I would be grateful if you could say if my stuff would fit the bill for the markets up with you. Ta!

Go ahead Mrs Chips I'll have a scout around...

I've just signed up for Ravelry. This may be the beginning of the end LOL. I've spent the day sorting through my craft projects stuff. Then went to town to get some knitting needles for some of my CS wool. I have a bag of little skeins of natural dyed wool - lots of colours, and five balls of nice slightly thicker stuff that goes with it a treat. Now all I need is a pattern. Didn't like anything in the shop so DD told me to join Ravelry... I also bought a packet of cross stitch needles, and some blue thread to sew new buttons on a CS find.

While we were in town I accidentally bought a raspberry coloured cashemere/wool cape in a charity shop :j I can't be trusted!

Kate

savingqueen

Howdy folks!

**** WARNING – LOOONG POST ALERT ****

DH has just gone back to work after his last 4 days annual leave that needed taking as new leave year starts from Sept. We were planning to spend about half or so doing chores like clearing spare room and shed and the other spending quality time like going out for a walk, lunch etc. It didn't really work out like that.

Ended up going clothes shopping for DH (he needs persuading to buy clothes and wears them out literally) and to barbers and similar things and he did some reading and prep for his college course starting next week. Did have a nice coffee and a shared cake in a coffee shop one day.

The main thing we did though was decide to try and move - that is my BIG NEWS. We have been talking about it for years, never 100% settled here or intended to stay more than 5 years (it's been nearly 11). The deciding factor is secondary school, our nearest is awful, just out of special measures and can't see much improvement. The other local choices are a fairly decent faith school further away which we/DS9 aren't keen on for several reasons and also it isn't that easy to get into especially if you are the non-religious type like us. The other choice is another reasonable school, again a bit further away which I didn't realise was oversubscribed so no guarantee DS would get a place.

Anyway to cut a very long story short, I have been brainstorming and researching like mad this week and we have a tentative plan to move to an area a few miles away with better schools. DH and I spent a few hours over a couple of days driving/walking around the proposed new area to get a feel for the place without the children. Choice would be from 2 good local schools and/or closer to the really good out of catchment schools (might still need to sit an entrance test) which means chances higher to get a place.

On the plus side: better and nearer schools and kids would be able to hook up with school friends more easily when at secondary. If we stay here and DS9 travels long distances, his school friends will mostly be a long way away. Also DS would be able to go to after school clubs etc as well. (obviously same applies for DS6 when he reaches secondary school)

Move not to far so I can still see my lovely friends here and the children, their current friends. I have one friend in the proposed area and her son is good friends with DS9.

Area bit better, much smaller town, less crime and nearer the coast.
Move away from rowdy neighbours.
Leave the house problems of condensation and other issues behind. Think we can get a better built house than we have now (wouldn't be hard!) Our house gets me down a lot.

Chance of an allotment and/or bigger garden to be more self sufficient

A chance for a "new start"

On the other side:

a much bigger mortgage for several reasons so:

money would be very tight - however in longer term I could get a job which might even things out (but jobs scare in proposed area so might mean travelling further - childcare issues)

less security/more risk in terms of finances and house because of above and I will be more anxious etc

current support network of friends eg. for childcare emergencies will be gone so more anxiety for me

changing primaries for both boys - they are not the sort of children to adapt easily. Would we get them into a decent primary and the same school? DS6 has several years left.

Slightly longer and more expensive journey for DH - he already has a long commute- but not as bad as we originally thought.

higher flood risk area - not keen on this at all.

My mind is whirring around such a big project. I realise that if we do decide to go ahead, it will need to be very soon. Then I will have to work like mad in the house to get it into a saleable state – huge declutter, big deep clean, big spruce up eg painting – the major repair/replace projects would have to be abandoned (would need our savings pot for moving/legal fees etc) and a lower house price to reflect that. DH is working flat out at work and his college course starts next week again so I will largely be on my own with it all. We have a year from now to move. I can’t tell local friends our plans yet as we don’t want the boys hearing it from anyone other than us. We will need to tighten our belts in til they pinch tightly so we can get the house spruced up and get used to a much tighter budget when a bigger mortgage kicks in. This will mean lots of OS/MSE grafting too. Oh and my new voluntary role starts as soon as my CRB comes through.

Am I mad? Can I pull it off? Answers on a postcard. Think I need to take a few deep breaths….

sq in a right old tizz....

[Deleted User]

SQ take a deep breath and relax. You've thought it through very carefully and pros and cons taken into the decision making so all very sensible. You can make it happen!!! Why should you not try for a better life? It won't be easy, moving never is it has it's moments!!! but that's no reason not to is it? Why should you not want and get better things for you all in a new place? Life is all about progression and it sounds like you're ready to take the next step in yours love, go for it, make it happen, believe it will happen and it WILL!!! Nothing ventured, nothing gained eh? Good luck we'll be here to help and defuse you if needed, Love Lyn xxx.

shegar

THE CAKE....Them there boots looks so comfy, but ive got mine and will wear this pair out before another purchase I think...........

Ibuy pads to put in wellies , they also give arch support and heel pad built in for my plantar fasciitis, they do cost £12.35 per pair , but I take them out of one pair and slip them into another so im never without support..........

SQ....Decisions , decisions, decisions eh, When anyone say that they are or want to move , the first thought is " oh no a bigger mortgage", it always worry the life out of me borrowing, but its your decision , I can see your reasons for wanting to move , just be careful you dont take on too much finance , its ok when money is rolling in each month , but always think in case it dont................Good luck on whatever you choose to do..........

Is it NUTTYS mum in hospital?, well I hope all goes ok with her for you, good job you were at the outher end of the phone at the time..........

Weve had cloud all day today , no rain, but its so dismal I hate it when the sun wont come out....:mad:.........
Had to take hubby to drs this morning he as had a bad back for 5 weeks , its slowly been getting worse and hes been in agony in the night and waking me up as well, but theres very little I can do except rub some gel in and give him painkillers , drs say it muscle spasms , so he now on stronger pain killers and amitryptaline , so we see how that goes, god the running about im doing for him, its starting to tire me again, he goes into respite 23 sept , so ive still got 9 days to get through......:eek:...I will do my best , ive just put him to bed, and I thought id have half hour on here then bed for me....Sheila

VJsmum

Argghhh bluddy knitting.

So I did my 2 tension squares, the one on the recommended needles was too narrow and slightly longer than the 10cm square. So I went up a size - just about right in width but miles longer than 10cm.

Started knitting jumper in larger needles. It looked mahoosive! So I undid it and started on recommended needles. After 8 rows of 150 stitches - yep, it's too small

More unravelling - start again!

Thanks for cauli cheese suggestion - didn't have it after all, OH still out and the kids and I didn't fancy it. Had bacon and egg (or Begg as it's called in our house). Will bear the suggestions in mind for another day though.

SQ - only you will know what's right with regards to mortgage v schools. I believe that a good school is not one that takes in A grade students and produces A grade students, a good school is one that can take D and E grade students and get them some C's. A bright child with good backing will do well anywhere. Its difficult, I feel for you. Also, might it work out more economical to pay for some extra tuition if you feel they need it, rather than loads of interest on a bigger mortgage? We pay £45 a month for additional maths and English for DS - it has brought him on in leaps and bounds in all subjects as his confidence has grown and grown. I know it's a lot of money - but it's cheaper than moving to somewhere where we'd need a large mortgage.

Raining here:( it's not supposed to be. I have two loads of washing on the line - i'm looking at it like it's extra rinsing.:o At least I rescued DS quilt cover in time.

Hugs for Alf's mum and Nutty - and anyone else if you'd like one

Popperwell

I admitted having flies:rotfl:in two shops today and got the reply I am not alone so wonder what's caused it to be bad this year. I gave in and bought some fly spray(evil laugh)and think its made a difference already and I did not use that much of it.

They're dropping like flies...sorry:o:pThe spray I chose was 82p others were around £2.50 that was too steep for me.

Whilst out and as I had found some sandwiches(chicken and stuffing)reduced I also had a portion of chips from the chippy to go with them.

In Tesco's a few of us reported teenagers at the younger end of that period...you know those big plastic signs that are attached to the aisles they were(I thought)running their fingers down them to make a kind of cracking noise but the idea appears to be to rip them.

Something that would never cross my mind. Not all teenagers are bad and two others who reported what was happening were...teenagers and they were in hoodies!:D Well we know only too well how everyone gets tarred with the same stereotypical brush.

Mrs_Chip

Just back from cooking for a house party, and thought I would share the recipe for the dessert, as it worked really well.

I did Bolinhos de Chuva (Brazilian Raindrop Doughnuts) with home made vanill ice cream and chocolate sauce. I used the sauce and ice cream recipes from here (I just made vanilla ice cream, leaving out the cinnamon)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cinnamondoughnutswit_91336

And the doghnut recipe from here, because they are so quick to make, no resting or rolling etc

http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/snacksstreetfood/r/bolinhosdechuva.htm

I used thinned down yoghurt instead of buttermilk, and needed to add more water to get the right consistency (if you put Bolinhos de chuva into youtube there are lots of videos, in spanish, showing the required consistency of the batter).

Anyway, they were delicious, and went down a storm. I fried them in the chipfryer, but they would work in a saucepan, that how it's done in Brazil! Not sure they would work in a deep fat fryer.

I love finding easy, cheap recipes that are showstoppers, and this is one, the small doughnuts are just so scrummy!