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

gailey_2

savingqueen wrote: »

Nutty: Congratulations and celebrations la la la la la!! :beer:
Glad you enjoyed your break away kez (even with OH doing his thang!) and welcome back

Monnagran - the wedding sounded wonderful, full of personal touches. So pleased you all had such a special time. Now you must take a breather!

We survived the storm in Essex, others in different parts of the county not so lucky unfortunately. My neighbour's fence collapsed and I was a bit worried about her coming home in the dark to find it - she is the end terraced house and there is a path to the side so a bit vulnerable security wise. Got hold of her at work and she sent her dad and her DD's boyfriend round and between them they fixed it.

One of our tiles (wall not roof, strange house!) fell off the day before and DH patched up the gap before the storm - looks very bodged but it will have to do until we can afford to get it fixed professionally. I was worried we would loose more tiles in the storm as we have lost 3 altogether this year.

Actually found some extra energy yesterday to spend the day cleaning and tidying the house to a reasonable standard ( I use the term reasonable loosely ha ha.) It has been very neglected for weeks as I haven't felt up to doing anything other than the basics. Looks so much better and hopefully can continue to declutter/deep clean after half term hols again. DS9 had a friend over yesterday and his mum accepted my invitation to stay for a cuppa and ending up staying for a few hours so was glad the place looked decentish.

This afternoon boys and I are meeting a friend and her son to see a film, Tuesday are half price tickets and then off for a burger and then a play at friend's house. The rest of the week we won't be spending much money. Weds weather forecast good so will go to park or woods and maybe the dreaded haircuts in town. Thursday Halloween costumes, decs and pumpkin making day before trick and treating with friends. Friday seeing more friends again park if weather is dry and play at one of our houses.

This is a 5 week month pay wise and 2 direct debits for bills have come out both end of September and today and DH not paid til Thursday grrrr. Lots of extras this month like a new tyre and renewed driving licence amongst other things, had to dip into savings pot yet again. Feels like we will never get our house repairs done but I know everyone is in the same boat. Will just have to learn a few new OS tricks!

right enough waffle, washing ready to peg out and need to wash me barnet

hugs to anyone who need them, take care everyone
sq

Im the same struggle some days been putting off cupboard doom under stars for months. need to et house semi tidy as my sis and mum moan so much gets me down. Just struggle find energy and now half term feels like shuvelling snow in a blizzard they make mess all the time. have to shot at them and turn tv off for them to tidy.

we went nursery halloween party friday.
dd1 wants ew costume halloween nite i said we will see
carved the pumkins sunday
need to get some stuff in for the trick-treaters

Popperwell

Busy cancelling CAB appointment so haven't managed to really read back. decided to cancel !!! nothing has moved on since last week with the drain situation and I know the water company is to call on the neighbour so it would be better to see how things proceed. Though I still dislike them coming into the garden taking images etc...

Also before I mention being possibly bothered by the HA to the CAB I want to see if they leave alone after November and I have my friend/friends here to see what is going on and if they see it as help or intimitation.

Have seen a few instances on line that suggest the latter.

AOT and others I have missed I have had occasions where my hands can sieze up(one reason why I avoid gardening)especially pulling weeds etc...

Gailey thanks for the thumbs up on the garden...its usually neat and tidy but I used to be able to offer the birds safety and had a lovely variety that visited but the neighbours changed their garden so much most of the wildlife moved out sadly.

Will look better when i get the flower tubs and baskets full again and in Spring/ummer the borders again.

There are snowdrops, daffodills, crocuses and tulips in bloom again.

It seems a bit colder this morning AOT but if I threw my doors and windows open and the HA were calling they'd no doubt be going on about the house being cold "Again"

But I'm not cold! I have been lovely and snuggly in bed, can put extra warm clothes on and have a warm drink/meal too.

I don't see arriving my HA with packages of tea and biscuits Kezlou:panytime soon. Glad your Blackpool trip went well. I want to visit a few places in the next week or two before they come to an end and weather really turns.

When they listen to me they should realise just how clued up I am on everything and they have little to worry over with me and can visit less frequently.

I now have friends and "Some" neighbours who would/do watch out for me and a good Dr and for now one of those phones you press a button and someone will come to my aid 24/7.

ginnyknit

gailey, if you can get to a poundshop they have some pretty good halloween costumes. We got dgs a pumpkin suit and its not bad. You can always add bits to them to make DS happy.

Torrential rain last night and black skys this morning. DGS's childminder has rung in sick so am on duty today. Strange its her birthday ?? Oh well bast give her the benefit of the doubt as her kiddies may be sick with one of the many bugs going round.

Was going to unload some more stuff at a cs and have a bit of lunch out but am sure it will be much more fun with my little man.

Pooky

Morning all

What a lovely bright and breezy morning.

I don't seem to have achieved anything yet, but hey ho!

Off for a charity shop mooch in a bit, just waiting for DHs meds to kick in, he's not having a good few days but some fresh air and sunshine will do him good.

No major damage here after the storm, few plants broken, one of next doors ridge tiles came off but didn't break anything, Inlaws fences went down but they phoned a local company we used last year and had a full compliment of panels reinstalled by 1pm yesterday (great service). The people across the way have a big chunk of a huge tree dangling in their garden, they're not the sort to get it sorted, so hope it falls off sooner rather than later and does no damage.

Nutty - fab news, here's to the start of the rest of your life!

Fuddle - are you back yet? Did you find somewhere to live?

kezlou

This is the one gailey

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3904165.htm

Its £9.99 for six games

Family games table featuring Bingo, Don't Be Angry, Snakes and Ladders, Line Up 4, Who's Who? and Hangman.
Its basically chad valleys version of the branded games.
i'll see if theres another one in store for you

pops you'd be surprised

nutty congratulations!!!

candlelight_2013

Good morning.

Weather not bad here this morning. no rain but definitely a chill in the air.

Monnagran the wedding sounds wonderful, all those special personal touches, just a pity the guests weren't able to stay longer.

Now I think it is time for you to take it easy!!!

Candlelight x

ArthriticOldThing

I live in HA accommodation too pops but I never see anyone from there. Just as well as they would DEFINITELY think the house is too cold in winter - I can't cope with heat and always try to have windows open.

My hands are a little easier this morning. I find that a day of overdoing things always takes a couple of days to recover from so today is basically a rest day.

Had a bit of sad news. Just learned that a friend from church is in hospital after being diagnosed with cancer - she went in for knee operation. I will try and get in to see her tomorrow.

Take care everyone.

candlelight_2013

GAILEY, you are an inspiration. What with all that you are coping with at the moment and you are still finding time to do Christmas shoe boxes for others, don't ever think you are not doing enough, you are an angel.

Candlelightxx

kidcat

Afternoon toughies, its been a really manic few days and I am struggling to keep up.

Nutty - well done on reaching your milestone, and also on the holiday

Monnagran - the wedding sounds incredible

I am sure there is loads more but my memory desserts me.

I am exhausted and dont seem to have got on top of things since we came back, the house was in a bad way and the washing was incredible. OH had done no washing at all for himself so I am struggling with catch up, with holiday stuff and the stuff I came home too.
I have hit a busy week this week and have been out way too much but its all essentials.

I am dreading Thursday, I hate Halloween and all it represents and we have never celebrated it, when I was a childrens worker I organised the alternative event which made life easy for me with the kids, but now I have the tears because DS9 cant go to his school disco and DD7 cant go to her friends party this week. I really need to kick into gear and sort out something we can do instead.

Gailey - my Aldi have a heated airer in stock at the moment, its £25 so much cheaper than a dryer, would that be an option for you? I must admit I was very tempted yesterday to pick one up, but I had no idea where I could out it safely so didnt bother.

Popperwell

Now get this...I've been chasing(I'll admit its NPower)about a bill I am supposed to now see as thy issue one every six months.

I understand its come in at around approx £225 for six months and I still am in credit for the same amount, I was told my new deal would cost me £3.50 more per month towards standing charges(covered until 2017)but they've reduced my monthly charge from £57 to £52 per month.:eek:

I want the payments to continue to be taken and credit built up for the difficult times ahead and it gives me extra money to pay when I need to use the gas/electric more. Yet there is talk of them giving me a refund. I don't want it back!

They said if they do I can phone back and pay £100 back into the account, if I'm doing that, why give me it back in the first place. If they ask me what I wish to do that's all that matters.