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

PRINCESSX87

Wow it seems many are still having very tough times indeed.

SQ: I would have a word with your OH - Maybe he could speak to her & explain that its not that your being arkward but funds are tight this year and its the books or nothing.

Maybe your SIL little girlie hasn't found a book of interest. Who knows, Maybe the one you've chosen might be the spark to start her reading??


Gailey: I'm glad to hear that something's are picking up for you. Like the dentist appointment. I can understand the stress & worry that a fear of them can cause. So well done for going x

savingqueen

Back from GPs and got what I wanted without a fuss from a different receptionist. Some receptionists are wonderful, shame some are not! Thanks again for all your messages, meant a lot today.

Did a daft thing on the way there, went the usual way I walk in the daylight (never walked there in the dark) without thinking and had to walk down an unlit path with bushes one side. Never again!! I was feeling so anxious and instead of turning back and going the long way, I carried on thinking I would be late otherwise.

Lynn no apologies needed, we just love having you on here so much.

Monnagran - that is a truly awful experience for your friend. Puts my day in perspective I can tell you. I know she doesn't know me but sending her and you my warmest hugs. Greenbee, sorry to hear of your experiences too, my warmest hugs sent to you.

Glad the nutrientist is helping you pinkdebster. Baby steps but in the right direction at least. Hope you get through the coming weeks without feeling too fed up. Can you treat yourself to non edible goodies like nice bubble bath and a festive candle maybe? You deserve something nice too.

What a lovely gesture from your homeless friend monna - though hardly surprising that people want to show you how much they appreciate you. You are a wonderful star.

sq

kidcat

SQ - I think I would be trying to go with a gentle reminder that a gift is something given willingly, a unsolicited request is usually referred to as shopping!! well done on handling the doctors so well.

Gailey - ((hugs)) I am almost finished Christmas, but I have my own reasons for rushing this year, some relate to my being worried about falling ill, others relate to my worrying about where I will find the time nearer Christmas and I now have the worry that OH will not be kept on at work when his 12 weeks are up, now whilst this would make my life easier in lots of ways we would be left weeks with no money over Christmas whilst I attempt to sort benefits
Lots of my friends havent started yet and are waiting till the payday before Christmas, some are holding out for prices to fall at last minute.

The trick is not to get involved in what others are doing, you need to do what is best for you and your family, dont stress over it now, you will end up poorly.

I am struggling with the group issues, being ignored on the yard, given the cold shoulder or worse veiled comments posted on FB. Trying to rise above and ignore it, but its wearing thin.
Going to have to be firm with docs tomorrow too, I need to be seen and try to get this sorted before I lose patience with it all.

DD19 is still locked in bedroom - although she presented herself at regular time and still expected lifts etc!! But losing the extra help from her will make the difference between sinking and swimming this week if I am not careful.

While I remember I am planning on baking a large square cake and cutting it into small squares to ice etc as teacher gifts - has anyone done this - does it work ok? Or are small tins the only way to go?

maryb

Gailey, think about getting a prescription prepayment certificate. If you need a prescription more than 13 times a year it works out cheaper.

Even if it looks as if there is not a lot in it, it means that any unexpected prescriptions are effectively free. Come the winter when we're more prone to going down with things, you've only got to have something fairly minor which needs two lots of medications or your GP changes your normal medication and before you know it, you've got three prescription items to pay for in one go. A certificate would save that because you can spread the cost - although it's £104 for the year, you can pay by 10 direct debits, like council tax, so you get two 'free' months. It also means you don't get hit straight away when prescription charges go up

Nargleblast

Regarding the C festival next month - hate to depress you all, but today I saw two houses in our village that had Christmas decorations up. It's not even ruddy December!!!!!

Pooky

Mrs LW - thanks for that, I shall look out for the cheese. We've got a fondue set too, I picked up a couple of fondue cheese packs in France last week, we buy them when we go over as they are soooooooo tasty.

Kidkat - I have never brought or made or given the teachers a present. The girls have always written a card or made one but all my teacher friends end up with tons of stuff they don't want (a lot of them won't eat home made gifts as they don't know when/how it was made etc...I can only imagine the state of some of the kitchens).

SQ - glad you got the Drs sorted. As for the Christmas gifts, Id be tempted to send a message saying "sorry, can't afford to replace the gifts but can donate them to a local school if you'd prefer" - how rude of her to dictate.

savingqueen

I agree with you all your comments re the xmas books but although DH thinks SIL is being cheeky, he still wants to send vouchers. Family relationships on both sides are so dire that DH is hanging on to what's left and his brother and SIL are the best of a sorry bunch. I will respect his wishes and feelings - far more important than a few tenners down the drain. I also don't have the energy to fight everything so will let this one go I think. However I am tempted to word my email reply very carefully. If DH wasn't involved I would be tempted to send them all a poundshop pressie ha ha.

DS6 is waiting for me to sing lullabies...

kidcat

Nargle that would depress me, I love decorating the house and since we bought this place I have gone to town each year in making it really OTT, some of which relates to our never having been able to before, but the boys absolutely love it and it helps take some of the stress out of it for them. Its become a game to see what I can buy reasonably each year to add to the whole exhibition outside. But I will only have it up for a couple of weeks.

kidcat

Thanks Pooky - DD7 school have always been big on teacher gifts and I cannot compete with the types of gifts so we have always gone homemade, DS9 has 12 staff to buy for this year so again HM has to be the one. Thankfully I know they all will eat my HM stuff, I saw them fighting over the last piece of cake a few months back, and a couple of teachers not in with DS9 commented on the HM fudge from last year and how jealous they were when DS teachers were sat in staff meeting eating it all I am just not sure whether cutting a large cake will make the sides uneven - but I dont have any small tins at all.

savingqueen

Gailey - nice to see you posting again. Try not to worry about what's ahead, I know it's hard not to. You are managing to get through each day and doing well. I know you are not keen on ADs but if your low moods continue, maybe worth reconsidering.

Kidcat - glad you have almost finished your Christmas preps. Can't say the same for me but making a little progress at least. You must stick to your guns tomorrow at the docs - as you say, be firm. I can't believe you are getting grief about group issues. Why is it that those who have so much to deal with and yet give their time and energy so freely are not appreciated? Same as Kez, it just isn't right and I am cross on your behalf.

Hmmm re your DD, if she is expecting meals, lifts etc then she can expect to do her share! She must know you are not well and under huge pressure. I hope she comes to her senses soon. Can you try writing her a note and putting it under her door and explain how you need her help right now. Worth a try?

I give Xmas and of year gifts for teachers, TAs, LM and even dinner ladies but am thinking that might have to stop this year due to the expense(and now the situation with inlaws and gifts.) Usually get small gifts in sales but have no stash this year to use. Might get boys to make nice cards instead, far more thoughtful and personal.

I trimmed our Xmas card list last year due to postage costs so don't think I can/want to cut that down any more and we stopped most adults gifts a few years ago. I suggested to DH that we get a nice artificial tree to save costs but he insists on a real one and its become a tradition for boys to choose one with DH. They are so expensive though, will try again and talk him round. I have got to get our Xmas budget down this year, no way am I getting into a single penny of debt over it. I might sound a bit scrooge like but I am responsible for our finances and must be responsible with them too.

sq