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

meenlaragh

Hi Burtha, so sorry to hear about your news. When you said about being cold it struck a chord with me. I have found in the past with family members that organisations such as Macmillan are really great at giving advice regarding financial help, and help with advice on energy bills should you require any.

All the very best.

meanmarie

Good luck Pops, will be thinking of you

Marie

Popperwell

nuttyp wrote: »

Update re work, me mentioning other collegue well the ball is rolling. I had to give an official statement over the phone today and I have been told to expect a follow up call from someone else..... I just hope I haven't shot myself in the foot by being the whistle blower.

Well, in many ways the company has not been looking after you...so why should you not cover your back? Let those who are supposedly in a responsible position(and probably on a better salary)have to deal with some flack and perhaps have something on their employment record.

Thanks for all the good wishes and advice about what to take with me.

From my blog...

"I feel like the boy who cried wolf as I was almost at the point of making a phone call to arrange things or my own way to hospital, it settled down again. But I know it will have to be seen to. Sooner rather than later. Things have to be really bad to make me give in.

I had to go out for a number of reasons and all seemed to be going better than normal because I have paced and rested myself so mobility wise I was happy, buses ran well etc...

I was rushing around packing a rucksack with all the things I needed for a hospital visit at short notice(pyjamas, slippers, dressng gown, medication, socks, shirts, flannels, shaving gear, money)probably missed something but had convinced myself that I had to go. Made my apologies to a few people explaining why I would be missing.

But as said in the original post if I disappear, you know why and hopefully it will go well and I won't be away too long.

The knapsack is now ready so I can go at a moments notice.

I hope they'll allow me home but there is no one to care for me unless neighbours pop in. But if I get into difficulty I have one of those phones where you hit a button or wear an alarm on the wrist so I can summon help."

I'm not an attention seeker...honest!

candlelight_2013

Glad you are feeling a little more comfortable Pops, but please don't leave it too long before seeking medical attention.

I wouldn't want to alarm you but it might take longer to recover, the longer you leave it.

Take care Pops

Candlelight

Popperwell

You're right Candlelight...
So far its behaving itself. Annoyingly, I'm a bit better mobility wise, gain one thing, lose another. Had enough of hospitals with Mum. TBH I wasn't impressed so it doesn't make for a positive attitude. I hope its successful and does not mean more problems afterwards.

Oh well...

Weatherwise a bit blustery today, not warm indoors but not terrifically cold either...may have to decide to sign up to a new energy plan today. Present plan runs out at the end of October...

I can have one that will cost me an extra £84 annually but I get £100 back(no penalty charges for leaving anytime)but knowing how every year there is a rise to energy bills, this plan lasts until 2017 so it may be worth signing up. I doubt I'll be using any more than at present but it may mean I avoid future price hikes.

Its the longest period offered by any energy supplier so far.

All being well, I will be watching a lunchtime concert at 1pm in an intimate venue(so far when I purchased my ticket yesterday there were 35 in the audience)

PRINCESSX87

Morning everyone.

For those having some tough health issues. I wish you a speedy recovery. The beauty of this chat is you learn quickly that money worries & material things are no where near urgent enough to ruin you!

So its OH birthday today and he wants to go out for a meal at our local pub / restaurant. So that’s this evenings plan. He works very hard for us therefore I’m sure one night of no money saving / OS can be forgiven?

We never heard what happened with OH brother yesterday as it was his hearing to finally found out for sure what charges he was up against. This is something that is eating away at OH today. He’s so angry (We have been informed the charges isn‘t great & very serious) at his brother right now. He still isn’t prepared to talk to anyone about it. But I’m determined to make sure his birthday isn’t ruined by this. I’m hoping & praying that it isn’t spread in the local news paper again. I think for OH that will be the icing on the cake.

I received another birthday card yesterday via the royal mail. Amazingly it was torn in half and a message stated this card was damaged whilst in our care. We understand from the contents inside that it was a greeting card? Therefore if there was anything missing please fill in a compensation form. No information to state where I can get my hands on a form. No contact details what so ever. It seems their great at damaging birthday, Christmas cards but never bills.

Anyways….That’s enough of me rambling on. Have a great day all. Wrap up warm! x

[Deleted User]

POPS glad you're a bit comfier this morning (is that a word?) and not in the pain you were yesterday. Would it be a good idea perhaps to see if you can see the practise nurse at the surgery just to check and make sure you don't need action now? I'd rather you had a planned trip to hospital if you need one rather than an emergency admission!!!

I think we'll all suffer from the price rises in the pipeline from the power companies, I've been thinking about ways to stretch the power we use to do several things at once and maybe one way would be the old trick of living mainly in one room and not heating anywhere else in the house directly. We open the radiators upstairs and when the boiler is heating the water in the tank we get heat from thermosyphoning in the radiators. We both share one bathfull of water, not together, but whoever is cleanest goes in first. The kettle will be boiled for tea etc and any water not used will go into a vacuum flask for use later, I'm going to really embrace my slow cooker and use it far more than I do, in fact make it the prime source of cooking whenever I can and try to adapt our meals to having only one hot meal a day whatever the weather. That along with never using the washing machine or dishwasher unless I have a full load and putting on extra layers should make a small difference in our comfort levels this winter. We haven't lit the woodstove yet this year but it was cold when we came home last night so I went to bed to get warm and read for half an hour, I did however dig out my hat scafr and gloves before we went out and was very glad to have them. The scarf particularly made a difference to temperature so I may take to wearing one indoors to fill the gap round my neck and be warmer that way. Have just seen on the TV we are getting Home Bargains in the south, having heard of it as a chain from other posters I'm looking forward to having one within reach. Is it as good as B & M? The other thing I noticed was that collections for Food Banks are going to be featured in most supermarkets this winter so I'll factor in a couple of things each week in the budget and give as often as I can, there but for the grace of God, eh? Cheers Lyn xxx.

mardatha

Sitting here absolutely fuming (so staying warm lol) at the price hikes. On cue as always, the minute the weather gets colder. The headlines today are all negative and dramatic - but I think it will be the same as last year and the year before, will all die down and people will be left to freeze. Back to Victorian basics eh? the hungry cold poor. And that's us
We're letting them do it.

Popperwell

Thanks Mrs L...I agree with you and will watch things carefully...and Mar too...

You may've seen I have to choose a plan soon for my energy...
this may help others choose...

http://paullewismoney.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/out-freeze-ed.html

I agree about making use of the slow cooker more...saw some great slow cooker books yesterday in a discount store, should've treated myself but which one to buy? As cheap as those that come up in charity shops...I am there again today all being well so may buy one. I am amazed what can be done in a slow cooker other than casseroles etc...

I got criticised(a troll I believe)for letting washing build up before using a washer but why would you waste/spend money on the electric and being single it takes a while to get a full load.

Its different if you are a family or are working and perhaps clothes from your job get dirty or need to be very clean each day...

I am possibly going into B&M today(was in Home Bargains yesterday)9 3ply toilet rolls for £2 as an example. They both have websites you can look at.

Talking of foodbanks etc...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exclusive-red-cross-launches-emergency-food-aid-plan-for-uks-hungry-8872496.html

Very sad:(

Possession

No need to buy a book for slow cooking Pops, there's loads and loads of recipes online. For a start there's lots on my pinterest board http://www.pinterest.com/possession/slow-cooker-recipes/

Malala didn't win the Nobel Prize for Peace sadly. But at least Putin didn't get it.
I'm worried about fuel usage too. I'm quite cold this morning for the first time, and as I work from home I've been used to having the heating on all day if necessary, otherwise I freeze sitting at the laptop. Might have to invest in some fingerless gloves!