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

Cheapskate

PX87, I've washed sleeping bags many times, on a gentle acrylics wash, 30 or 40 degrees. Might be an idea to do today, they can take a while to dry! Ours go on the line outside or airer inside, wouldn't tumble dry, though. HTH.

Been trying to catch up all week, worked Mon, Tues and Weds, big event in school yesterday, visiting sister today, so finally got five minutes to spare before tea! Working all day Sat, and part of Sun, too, then 10 until 2 Mon and Tues! Is there a cream crackered smiley? :rotfl:

To those with depression, or other hard times, I've been there, too, everyone on here is a major supporting factor in getting to that light at the end of the tunnel. I'm going through a dreary patch right now, and working so much isn't helping, but in a few weeks I will not be working any more, we can manage on DH's income, although it will be tight. :eek:

fuddle, dreams are THE best thing to have, where would any of us be without something to hope or aim for? Have texted you, hun.

A xo

lobbyludd

SQ - I've been on ad's 7 times in total and am now on them permanently, with what I now realise were unrecognised periods of depression from being a young child. When I'm ill (and I get anxiety hand-in-hand with the level of depression) I am very upset that I can't cope like normal people with what seems like very little to deal with. However when I'm well - I view my depression just like diabetes, I have a chemical imbalance that I need to take meds for - it's not my fault, or a moral weakness, just part of the range of difficulties that humans cope with. I have to eat well, and sleep, I go to counselling and make sure I use self-care, but I'm very glad I live in an age where there are medications that can help keep me healthy. you may be like me (like a diabetic), or like the 1 in 3 people who occasionally suffer from depression, need a little help to get yourself back on an even keel (like taking pain meds, or resting up during a cold), but either way, there's a lot of it about - always has been, in the past though people succumbed that thank fully now can be helped.

I should introduce myself really, as I lurk on here, and get loads of good ideas from reading, and am jumping in more and more. Feel slightly fraudulent as my "tough times" aren't primarily financial - although I have an enormous debt burden which I'm trying to get rid of, I have a good job and am OK as long as I can keep it. I'm a single mum to 2 lovely kids whose father is unfortunately an alcoholic. I as above suffer from depression and anxiety (poor kids are beggared genetically!) and that's where my main problems come from, I find it difficult to be everything to my kids and work full time and keep well. My family is lovely, but live 200 miles away, and right now I'm struggling to keep all the plates spinning. I would love to cut my hours down at work, to give myself some precious time and be a better parent, but can't until the debt has gone, which is going to be years away.

I'm trying to be as frugal as possible to that end, have started growing our own fruit (and veg - but the slugs eat most of that), am a keen sewer, cook from scratch (although I loathe cooking, and can't bake to save my life) and have recently got back into knitting, make a lot of presents and enjoy very simple things in life: flowers, reading, pottering about: my dream is to have some ducks (live in an inner city though sp not very practical).

so that's me - "waves"

[Deleted User]

LOBBYLUDD welcome to the toughies thread, what a lovely post, thank you for introducing yourself and sharing what is a wonderful dream, I love ducks and hope with all my heart that in the not too distant future you achieve your dream and get yours, Cheers Lyn xxx

candlelight_2013

Lobbyludd, like you have I lurked for such a long time, and finally plucked up courage last week to join in.

I have picked up so many tips whilst lurking, and the wealth of knowledge and compassion is heart warming.

There are some things you would prefer not to worry your family about, but feel able to talk to this wonderful community and receive the benefit of their experience and words of wisdom.

Candlelight

katieowl_2

lobbyludd wrote: »

SQ - I've been on ad's 7 times in total and am now on them permanently, with what I now realise were unrecognised periods of depression from being a young child. When I'm ill (and I get anxiety hand-in-hand with the level of depression) I am very upset that I can't cope like normal people with what seems like very little to deal with. However when I'm well - I view my depression just like diabetes, I have a chemical imbalance that I need to take meds for - it's not my fault, or a moral weakness, just part of the range of difficulties that humans cope with. I have to eat well, and sleep, I go to counselling and make sure I use self-care, but I'm very glad I live in an age where there are medications that can help keep me healthy. you may be like me (like a diabetic), or like the 1 in 3 people who occasionally suffer from depression, need a little help to get yourself back on an even keel (like taking pain meds, or resting up during a cold), but either way, there's a lot of it about - always has been, in the past though people succumbed that thank fully now can be helped.

I should introduce myself really, as I lurk on here, and get loads of good ideas from reading, and am jumping in more and more. Feel slightly fraudulent as my "tough times" aren't primarily financial - although I have an enormous debt burden which I'm trying to get rid of, I have a good job and am OK as long as I can keep it. I'm a single mum to 2 lovely kids whose father is unfortunately an alcoholic. I as above suffer from depression and anxiety (poor kids are beggared genetically!) and that's where my main problems come from, I find it difficult to be everything to my kids and work full time and keep well. My family is lovely, but live 200 miles away, and right now I'm struggling to keep all the plates spinning. I would love to cut my hours down at work, to give myself some precious time and be a better parent, but can't until the debt has gone, which is going to be years away.

I'm trying to be as frugal as possible to that end, have started growing our own fruit (and veg - but the slugs eat most of that), am a keen sewer, cook from scratch (although I loathe cooking, and can't bake to save my life) and have recently got back into knitting, make a lot of presents and enjoy very simple things in life: flowers, reading, pottering about: my dream is to have some ducks (live in an inner city though sp not very practical).

so that's me - "waves"

Thanks for your post Lobbyludds, and welcome, you said what I always tell people who are stressing about taking AD's if you were diabetic, or had a condition that needed daily meds, you wouldn't think twice about taking them! Dunno what it is, maybe people think AD's are sign that you are weak in some way? That's not the case in anyone I know who takes them, and I do too, I take the tinest dose daily, as I don't tolerate meds well they tend to effect me very strongly, but if I don't take them, I simply fall to bits. Not much of a choice really

Kate

Popperwell

I think there are many in similar circumstances to you Lobbyludd(hello by the way:))most of us are genuine and not asking a life of luxury(though life should not be austere and downtrodden)there has to be joy and most of us on here have shown its the little things that mean the most and those near and dear to us.

But we seem to be having problems hanging onto what we have.

I think you have it pretty well sussed regarding depression and AD's. And Kate's response is spot on too. I'm on a very mild AD and never give it a thought. I don't see it as a weakness either.

Sometimes we'll give tips and recipes here, come up with ideas, sometimes chat but generally its a place to get some support and even if we disagree hopefully its done with respect. It seems to work very well.

shegar

KATIEOWL...POPS...My thoughts exactly, Im on a high dose of ad s, couldnt get by without them , no way, I need them and I take them, for the sake of taking 2 pillls a day , they are a tremendous help...............

Got so much on my plate with me and hubbies health , the last thing I need is depression , I cant see light at the end of the tunnel without them.......

Ive tried to cut them out gradually , thinking maybe im so use to them that they are not working , but after 10 to 14 days my moods are going downhill rapidly and other symptoms are very present , so I go back on them and thats that ..................

Quite agree KATIEOWL people will soon take other meds to keep them alive and on a even keel , but the word AD sends people into panic mode....................I would take anything to keep me well , whatever, people say to me "oh i couldnt inject 4 times aday like you do", well I say if I dont then I will die...!!.. simples .....So just get on with it .............Im alive and thats all that matters, as long as I keep waking up every morning then things arnt that bad....!!:eek:....Sheila.........

monnagran

Hi.

Welcome Lobbyludd. I suppose that as you've been lurking a while you will know what a fantastic bunch of people there are here, also how crazy it all gets at times. I always think that we are like a strong, but slightly dysfunctional, family. We might argue and bicker a bit but if anyone is in trouble we immediately close ranks and protect and support. I've never felt such love as happens here on a regular basis.

I've had no dealings with ADs, although there was a period in my life when I probably needed them, a fact I didn't recognise until I looked back on that time. However, I firmly believe that they are a sort of sticking plaster for the soul. They make life possible for the taker and their family, so what's the problem?

I had every second of today accounted for. You know that saying, "If you want to hear God laugh - make plans," well, the doorbell started at 8.30 this morning and didn't finish all day. It was visitor after visitor and sometimes overlapping. None of them were pre-booked. At just after 3.00pm we realised that we'd had no lunch and no time even to make a sandwich so the Rev shot up to the chippie for fish and chips (not at all OS but we were starving). She came back 10 minutes later to find an old friend from the mainland cosily ensconced on the sofa. We did offer her some of our chips but she intimated that she usually ate her lunch at lunchtime. So we made her sit and watch while we scoffed ours.

Needless to say the church won't be getting their magazine this weekend now and 25% of the events we are advertising will have already happened before anyone gets to hear about them.
Ah well! Worse things happen at sea.

My plum moutain has been transformed into crumbles and are in the freezer. My apple and pear mountain are still waiting to be sorted and I still have about 24 lemons and a dozen eggs only 2 days over their BB date that will have to be attended to tomorrow. Lemon drizzle cake anyone?

The Rev has announced that we are going to have to be very frugal and save lots of money for the next few months. Bless her! It's only taken about 5 years to get the message across and now she thinks it's all her idea! I don't really care so long as she now gets on board and stops spending our housekeeping money on 'little treats'.
Wait till she has lemon drizzle cake for breakfast, lunch and supper! She will soon learn what 'frugal' means.:D

I usually start my Christmas knitting at the beginning of September but I can't actually get near the knitting cupboard for all the 'stuff' piled up against the door. I'll either have to knit faster or give up knitting for Christmas Fairs etc. Probably the latter as I have a lot of bunting to make for DS2 and DIL2B's wedding at the end of October. I've been saving vintage and gingham type material for ages and they want bunting all round the room for their reception so when I've cleared the breakfast room table (and floor, if I'm honest) I ought to get on with that. Could someone not arrange for 36 hours in a day or 2 or 3 extra days a week? It wouldn't half help.

x

Popperwell

Sheila, That's one good post...

Popperwell

I can't believe I have spent £20 in the SM tonight, I used the new scanner system and could see what I was spending as I did so. If I am using the self op check out, its actually easier than scanning at the end of the shop.

Normally, I don't buy that much and what I have purchased will last me some weeks, it may really work out at nearer £5 per week.

Much of it was tinned goods(I'll probably get a two meals out of one can)They have increased the range of value goods again. I have some yogurts, vegetables and salad items, jacket potatoes etc...some reduced sandwiches too. Some Flora on offer too.

I am determined to bake bread but for now I had to buy some and panini rolls and both were seeded. When I get into baking my own I have decided I will try many different types and may bake more than one at a time. Especially, if they are small or I'll have to find a way to try and store them so they last longer.

Whether I bake in the oven, use the bread maker, the microwave or slow cooker they can all be used.