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

Byatt

Well, had to bite the bullet and order a new mattress. Mine has for some time had mould on it (underneath) but they cost so much I have been reluctant to get one, but a combination of things, 1) I've been waking up all spluttery and coughing along with runny eyes, and b) I've just gone to get a blanket out of the blanket chest and everything is covered in mould. That's happened in less than a month and partly to blame is the natural grass the box is made of...but I air the room, even having the window open slightly at night. So now have put the storage heater on to help take the chill off (gets very cold), irrespective of cost. This month and next month I'm stocking the freezer (lots of money off vouchers from a couple of the top SM's) and then head down and cut back from January, so I can pay any electric bill.

So, I've lost 2 lovely cushions, a duvet and possibly a blanket. I don't know if washing them will be sufficient.

Meanmarie, I know what you mean about slipping off the wagon, I've done that recently and have under estimated how much I've spent, so back to the checking bank account daily.

Byatt

Anyone watching Animal Odd Couples? Sooooo lovely.

monnagran

As usual I'm just in time too be too late. By the time I get on here everyone else has shut up shop and gone to bed.
It's been manic here for a few days. I did my lunch for 60 (turned out to be 70) yesterday and it was greatly appreciated. Previously they have had cooks who bought everything in T*sc*s - I assume so that they get the points - and now my friend and I make everything from scratch so it is good home cooking. Lovely, except that it takes me a good 3 days what with the shopping, preparation and cooking. I get 2 people to help me on the day and even with all the preparation I do we only just get it on the tables by 12.00.

Today I went through the bottom of the house like a dose of salts so it doesn't look too bad. Let's draw a veil over the state of the rest of the house.

Well done fuddle on getting your next grade and fingers crossed for your adventure on Saturday. I'll pray for a fine, dry day.

Possession: Your fishy story reminds me of a story I read years ago.
A little boy wrote to the makers of Lux soap flakes...........
"Dear Sir,
I read your advertisement, 'If It's Safe In Water, It's Safe In Lux.'
Now, about my goldfish................."

Byatt: Good luck with the mould problem. The blankets may be OK after a wash. The duvet may be too but I would shove a load of Napisan in the machine. Not sure about the cushions, they may not take too kindly to being dunked in water.

Have spent half the evening searching for a cheque I've been given and which has spent the last week sitting on the coffee table in the lounge. After turning the lounge upside down and searching bags and waste paper bins, going through shoals of paper in the Rev's study and turning out the recycling and rubbish bins I have just come upstairs to find it sitting in the middle of my desk. I do try to be tidy and organised but it never lasts long enough.

I'll now organise myself off to bed.

x

stiltwalker

Evening all - successful day today at Kidz u North, we have decide that sometime next year we will be getting a VW Maxi Caddy Life, as took one look in the back and thought "oh yeah, we'll get all our gubbins on there!" but still not too huge for parking purposes as our parking at home is quite tight. Also sourced another few items that we need and got some great info on days out and possible holiday/activity day stuff.

Went into PC world in Trafford to sort the lappy (if you remember it got a cracked screen 6 days after I got it and went off for repair under insurance) well it didn't get done in the 21 days so got written off and got code to replace but turned into a meg saga and took ages to sort. Good news is that I'm typing this on the replacement and all is now well.

Take care all - X

fuddle

Monnagran went through the house like a dose of salts. Now I envisage that you've speedily and thoroughly cleaned and my mind is looking for the reasoning behind an old saying... does a 'dose of salts' make you 'go'.

I hope you had a catering sized kitchen for all that lot but as long as it was greatly appreciated, job done I'd be no good under the pressure!

Byatt enjoy your much needed new bedding. There's no good having a pot of money sat when your health is in jeopardy. I hope you can save as much as possible but if you can't enjoy the replacing Are you able to have your little stove on too? I adore your stove. Gosh is that a year! :eek:

Sheila are you ok? Has anyone heard from Shegar?

Stiltwalker VW's are lovely. DH's work car is the Passat estate. It's a beautifully smoothe drive. We've been using a VW transporter van these past three weeks. For a van it's actually quite smoothe, nippy and has more mod cons than my micra!('tis 51 plate though) I'm liking VW very much.

meanmarie good to see you It is another string to my bow isn't it. My CV is filling up nicely. No idea what will happen or what opportunity will come my way but so much has happened and changed I'm just going to let it all wash around me.

Today is fridge cleaning day (needs duct tape on the inside freezer drawer, has dints on outside surface but I don't at all care It's saved us at least £150 and for that I'm very grateful. Anyway, my fridge is the kiddie picture display unit :rotfl:so it doesn't matter.

We have to pack up the storage unit today and get all sorted to leave at around 8am in the morning. We have to be in town to pick up the keys by 3.30pm so leaving plenty of time. Schools aren't yet sorted as the LA can't process a request until they have our contract so Monday morning the girls will be off roll but the case worker is on to it and set it for a priority.

It's the girls' last day today and they never fail to make me proud. They aren't at all sad to be leaving but full of praise for their school. How they manage to be so upbeat and eager to get to their new life is beyond me. I would have thought that they would have been sad to leave everything they know here but they aren't. I don't really understand it but I think, for their own wellbeing, that it's a good thing.

Our deposit money is in the bank today so that is a huge relief. As of yesterday we had £28 and the prospect of borrowing off MIL to fill the car up in petrol to get down there tomorrow. I can't tell you just how close to the wire this move has taken us. I share a lot but I keep a lot to myself too. It could have all ended horribly and at one point we were looking at the very real prospect of not finding a home but it worked out. I'm still in shock as to how it worked out but it has.

I'm the most stressed I have ever been in my life, and I've had to deal with some awful situations in the past. My face has broken out and I've lost weight. That's just the physical toll. Mentally I'm really unstable and worry that each negative experience I overcome will have a lasting effect and add to the already ridiculous behaviour and coping strategies I've adopted.

Still, looking forward to getting myself a home and starting a fresh. At 4pm tomorrow I should be carrying in my boxes to my new life. I best get moving... :eek: so much to do.

Looking forward to getting my OS hints and tips back. I've missed not being able to grow and learn OS ways. Since August my life kind of stopped and focus turned to getting to Dorset.

One OS tactic out the window though... DH can't cope with pie pastry anymore :eek:

Bigjenny

Good Luck with the move tomorrow fuddle, hope everything goes ok.

Look forward to hearing from you again when you are settle in your new home.

You and your family have overcome so much in the last year or so, that I am sure that the future will bring better things.

Jenny

mardatha

Fuddle, overcoming experiences are how we all learn, you'll be fine. Our mind lets things swill about for a bit and as more experiences pour in the older stuff settles on the bottom. Bit like a pond, LOL I think the more you overcome the stronger you are. Have fun on your adventure!

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE one more day!!! just one more long and tedious day I suspect as you try to finalise everything, but, after that it's day 1 of the future my girlie, and you'll cope because it's what you do best. You'll feel like a mega weight has been lifted off your shoulders as you go through that new front door with the keys in your hand. Yes, you'll be very tired, yes you'll be emotional, yes you'll have had doubts, but when you have everything inside and close and lock that front door for the first time and sit down with your cuppa the feeling of belonging and having a home will be the best in the world so enjoy it love, you deserve it so much so BE HAPPY!!!!!!! we'll all be with you every second of the day, giving you all the hugs you need and being happy for you. Good luck with it all and drive safely tomorrow, Love Lyn xxx.

Pooky

Good luck tomorrow Fuds and co, it's funny how things slot into place when they're meant to be. I hope your new life in Dorset is full of opportunities and contentment.

Shegar - hope you're feeling better if you're reading.

Dark and damp here again in this corner of Kent. I've been making an assault course for the cats this morning, theyre all bored of the wet weather and are skidding around under my feet so I set up boxes, tunnels, hidden treats and climbing walls....they've all worn themselves out and gone to bed, so perhaps I can get the floors washed. Worse than toddlers!

ivyleaf

Just had to drop in to wish Fuddle and her family all the best as they prepare for their big adventure

(((HUGS)) to all who need some!

I too hope Sheila is ok.

And kidcat i hope your chest is getting better.