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

Nargleblast

Good afternoon all, back on the thread after doing a run of night shifts so lots to catch up on.

Mrs Chip - so sorry about your George. We will be devastated when our two cats die, we love them so much. That's the thing about pets, you are open to all ranges of emotions with them, the sad and the happy. I suspect you will very soon have another four-legged family member, when the time is right, as I get the impression you are meant to have animals living with you.

Gailey - please get to that dentist asap, and get proper advice on your gums. You should be able to get help or come to some arrangement re costs, and go carefully with brushing so as not to cause too much trauma. As far as the small boy is concerned, I have found with most children that when they go through a "naughty" phase it is usually a sign that they are bored and ready to move on to the next stage of their lives, i.e toddler group, playgroup or school. And when they do start the new thing the behaviour improves. If there is a group he can attend nearby that will be a start. Other ideas? Wear him out by going outdoors when possible, have an afternoon rest period after lunch, get him involved with household jobs (give him a polishing cloth and things to polish, put loud music on and get him and the others to dance around whilst sweeping or dusting, stuff like that, get him involved in stripping beds and give him a pillow fight etc etc).

All this will mean obviously additional work and energy on your part, and I know it's tempting to let the kids do their own thing so you can get on with housework, but sometimes getting them involved can make them happier and wear them out! And you can always tidy up properly when things are quieter. Well done on managing your budget with food reductions, grocery shopping is such a challenge in these times. I am sure things will settle financially, health-wise and family-wise, at least your OH is in work even if money is tight.
Keep plodding on!

Hope everyone else is ok.

monnagran

Don't know what I am doing here. I have about 24 hours work to do before I go to bed tonight.
Katie: Just say to your friend. " NO. I am sorry but that is not possible." You don't have to go into explanations. If she presses you you can say "I am having no visitors for the foreseeable future." And leave it there. If she continues just keep repeating your first statement. Practise saying it looking into the mirror if necessary. It worked for me!

Had to laugh at the suggestion that you wear your hyperactive son out, Gailey. We tried that on holiday one year, one of the young, fit men in our family said to leave it to him and he would wear the boy out. All day he took him swimming, running, playing football, high jumping etc, etc. By 4.00 in the afternoon this poor chap was dead on his feet and DS was hopping from foot to foot saying, "What shall we do now?"
Of course, you can always try it.

Back to the salt mine.

x

ArthriticOldThing

Phew! Just had to dash out like a mad woman to get Daily Merriment for A**I voucher as hadn't realised was today - shows how much my head is screwed on - NOT:rotfl:

Changed mind about veg curry and now have mince with veg in SC instead. Will add some dumplings later as a treat for me.

All washing dry - good job as my coat was among it and needed for dash to shop. Am not up to this dashing about nowadays - need a cuppa and a rest I think.:T

FairyPrincessk

Ugh...just realized I forgot the shiny reflective surface voucher. Oh well, I can't remember it all, all of the time!

Been a long day at work but wanted to log in for PinkDebster. I have a whole list of ideas I keep taped up next to my desk. Take and leave as you wish. Here goes:

Listen to Music
Make a cup of tea, take it to a nice chair with something to read (NOT the laptop)
Stretch and breathe
Take a walk
make a list of craft projects I'd like to do, or a list of materials...etc. I never really 'allow' myself to spend time on things I enjoy, this is a way of breaking that down.
make a date with a friend for a cuppa/chatter etc.
change my inspirational desk photos/quotes (I keep up old family photos, quotes, cards etc. around my desk. Sometimes its nice to change them and arrange them)
write a gratitude list
write a worry list
plan and wear a pretty outfit I wouldn't normally wear
paint my nails
go to a yoga class
take a hot bath
light candles
write support thoughts/affirmations
do a craft project I've planned
use scented oils in the shower (i.e. peppermint or lavender)
bake
Write in a journal
Sketch or draw
find some new fiction to keep in my to read list (i'm good about reading but bad about keeping something new in reserve)

I hope at least some of these are helpful:)

Pinkdebster

Thank you SO much FairyPrincess. There are LOTS on that list that I like the look of and they are really helpful. I'm feeling better already just coming up with this list xx

EstherH

KATIEOWL: Not sure if I have read wrong as no one else seems to have suggested this, but did you say your replacement is coming with your friend. Can't you ring her and tell her that it just isn't convenient at the moment? Sorry if I have the wrong end of the stick. Esther x

savingqueen

Great list FairyP!

Monnagran - the reason you were on here earlier..... is because you needed a break woman! However busy you are, take a break every now and then - and if you need a "good reason" - you will be more productive if you do... and we get the pleasure of your company so win win.

Fuddle, hope the moving arrangements, packing etc are progressing well.

Proud parent alert/brag
Had parents eve and came out glowing with pride. Apart from the academic stuff, both teachers said they were a pleasure to teach. DS6's behaviour has been brilliant, teacher said he is very level headed. DS9's said his class consider him a role model, she seemed almost in love with him the praise she was heaping on . Both have surpassed expectations and DS6 is being assessed again for higher level than rest of class.

sq

Nargleblast

monnagran wrote: »

Had to laugh at the suggestion that you wear your hyperactive son out, Gailey. We tried that on holiday one year, one of the young, fit men in our family said to leave it to him and he would wear the boy out. All day he took him swimming, running, playing football, high jumping etc, etc. By 4.00 in the afternoon this poor chap was dead on his feet and DS was hopping from foot to foot saying, "What shall we do now?"
Of course, you can always try it.

Back to the salt mine.

x

That was a bloke. Gailey's a woman. We are superhuman at doing stuff that would floor most chaps!!!!:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

savingqueen

Adding to "the list":

find some beautiful photos to spend a few minutes looking at either online or from a book eg. flowers, natural scenery etc or paintings from a favourite artist. I did this at a class once, we all choose our favourite photo of natural scenery and said why we liked it.

Buy a nice notebook (wil-cos do cheap ones) and write uplifting and comforting things in eg. wish list of places you would like to visit (include some that are do-able one day), recipes/books/films/crafts etc you would like to try, things you like about yourself and your life, little (and big!) aims/goals, personal successes, compliments you have been paid, jokes that have made your laugh.... anything at all that is positive.

Have a foot* bath - just need an old washing up bowl and squirt something smelly in some warm water. make sure you have a hand towel nearby. combine with a nice drink and maybe something relaxing to read or listen to. then after rub some cream into your feet, anything will do, handcream is great. To me it feels luxurious!

* oh and do the same with your hands another time

Another thing is you feel up to being out is find a shop(s), even if a little local one and browse stuff you don't need at all but just like eg. pretty/funny greetings cards, jewellery, whatever or try out some tester perfumes. No pressure, just window shopping.

the library is my safe public spot, just feel comfortable and at home there.

if I think of more, will add later...

sq

savingqueen

Katieowl -if you can't bear telling your friend not to come, a white lie is what you need. Tell her that you are ill (something contagious maybe ) and unfortunately can't accommodate them. If you work yourself too hard, you really will be ill so not much of a white lie anyway. Hope you can find something you are comfortable with doing.

sq