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

[Deleted User]

MOS she is displaying all the symptoms of separation anxiety isn't she? we can't leave our boy on his own for long even in daylight or he digs, and digs and we lose lino and carpet so we've evolved our own way of coping and try to take him with us whenever we can and sometimes he's ok on his own at home and sometimes not. I think they are stressed puppies with our modern world, I don't know anyone with a dog who doesn't have some kind of behavioural problem with them. It must be very difficult with thier increased senses to cope with the hustle, bustle and noise of life in 2013, no wonder the poor things get scared eh? Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.

All our finances have gone into our move. It's a process that has lasted from August. I have not started Christmas and can't till 15 December. I've a slight worry but I won't be buying £30 plastic this and that. My two don't write lists to Santa, they write him a letter. They've been bought up thinking that Christmas is about the enjoyment of giving and surprises - we've had to because of finances but now I wouldn't have it any other way.

We've got carols by candlelight in the square in a couple of weeks. We're all very excited about it - Christmas joyous sprit, costing nothing that a coffee or hot chocolate and donation to the charity box.

I'm not in the christmas spirit at all yet but have spied in my new inherited hedge there's holly

Slow cooker spag bol sauce with meat balls added later, spaghetti and grated cheese for tea.

Eldest went into school quite happy today. Youngest has her visit this afternoon. I do feel calmer because I walked to school this morning - kind of got my bearings as an idea of the road. I do have a sat nav but its about 6 year old and hasn't been updated to reflect new roads etc. I can only trust it so far.

I am finding it difficult in the house at the moment. We really need the night storage to be checked. It's cold and washing just not drying. I have the towel rail on to try dry some pants and socks but its a long process. There is a launderette so that is for me to source tomorrow. Just teething niggles really that will be sorted in time.

Bathroom clean soon. Ill try that power cord! Thank you

[Deleted User]

Morning FUDDLE by 'eck our kid you're doing right well you know? Bless you pet, you've got it all in hand and I think you're all amazing!!! Christmas can wait until the middle of December pet, in the old days it didn't start until a few days before (if you don't count making the cake and pud and ordering the meat) and most people didn't even decorate the tree until the evening on Christmas Eve. You're just being OS!!! Find the launderette and do your wash at home, double spin it and take it up to the launderette to dry it and save yourself a whole lot of hassle. Pleased your eldest little one has gone in to school happy and hope you both like littlest ones school on your visit this afternoon, Chin up, Love Lyn xxx.

PRINCESSX87

Morning everyone.

Quite day here after a rather busy weekend. OH dread going to work this morning because he’s so warn out. Its non stop at the moment for him. He’s doing roughly 12/14 hour days. Its amazing how many people want new bathroom / kitchens done before Christmas. One client that they have changes her tiles once a year ready for the “big day”.
(OH is a tiler)

MOS, We have the same issues going on at the minute. I’ve noticed you’ve said she is female. Has she been spayed? Because our girl, During season will not go out period! She will hold it hours until she can get into the kitchen.
We brought a carpet cleaner and use that often (Roughly every quarter) to refresh the carpets. We also have loads of super roll (The stuff that‘s like kitchen roll but you can ring it out) to absorb the wee! Finally we then use carpet shampoo neat and pour a small amount on the stained area and scrub well.

We’re hoping to have our girl spayed after Christmas now, Originally it was meant to be in oct but her seasons are very up & down and the vet wants to hold off.

Christmas tree & decorations was finally put up yesterday. Very long day - But finally sorted. Our aim tonight is to write our Christmas cards out and get them posted tomorrow. I have been meaning to do this about a week ago - But haven’t found the time.

We have our final list written and completed for the remaining presents. This year we have been so strict with our cash. Its simply a case, If it isn’t in the budget then we’re not getting it.

Saturday night we wrote our Christmas food list. As we’re all scattered over the Christmas period, We have decided to have family around for Christmas eve. So need to get the grub in for that. Ideally, It will be on budget, But, Food shopping is my biggest downfall.

I have to also buy ink for the printer so I can print off all our coupons ready for our shop too.

Right, Better get cracking with the house work. x

ginnyknit

I agree with Lyn, Fuddle you are doing really well and Im sure you will have a lovely 'real' Christmas. I sit here with the tv on in the background for company and growl at the stupid adverts. In fact I mostly record the things I want to watch and fast forward the adverts. Consumerism is disgusting and I have more to worry about than 'things' Mr M is making DD do lates again despite her begging for them to stop so Im on duty till her fella gets home from his new job twice a week.

Ds's company seems to be collapsing and he has been demoted as they cant afford him- yet he is doing the same job. 4 staff have handed in their notice last week and now he finds a newly promoted manager has left with no one knowing. However head office in Canada has spent millions on a new office building :mad: He has sent his CV to other companies but things will be precarious till he finds something else.

As soon as Dd's fella is accepted as permanent she is giving up work and that cant come soon enough so am crossing my fingers. I love having DGS but it is difficult with OH's health and unfair on all concerned.

Going to mop the kitchen floor and use up my anger

savingqueen

It's a big shop day today! Spent 2 of my Al-di vouchers this morning and got odds and ends from 2 other shops. Will go to farmyard foods before school run to stock up on loo rolls (will be buying LOTS ha ha) and tinned bits etc, anything not frozen.


Tomorrow will be Defrost Mr Chesty Day so that I can get back to Al-dis to spend last voucher on meat, fish, baked stuff etc for freezer. Lastly another trip to farmyard foods for lots of frozen veg. I have been running down all of our stocks for months, stashing away some cash that I have saved on shopping and so now can replenish. I will so happy once I have my winter stores in. I can also plan some different meals, the using up period has been a bit long!


Fuddle, don't worry about Xmas - you can use this time to window shop on-line or in real shops so you will be ready with your lists. Glad DD was happy today and hope this afternoon is going well for little DD.


I managed to get DS7 into school today, he woke up in a bouncy mood which helped. Spoke to TA at length and made an appointment also to see class teacher tomorrow. Thanks Kez.


better get some shopping put away - its still in the car but I was gasping for a cuppa so for once left it in there.


sq

savingqueen

FairyP - it is me with the book situation and when I tried to be politely assertive (not aggressive at all) about it, I got an even ruder response! Still waiting to hear back!


Sorry to hear about your DD and DS's work problems ginny. Hoping for good outcomes for them both soon. Give that floor what for pet!


Love all the old fashioned views about Christmas, we feel exactly the same. We can ignore the consumerist rubbish as best we can and share our sort of Christmas on here. I am finding it a little difficult being the 2nd year we won't be seeing my side of the family and we will spending most of the break on our own. Having said that I am acutely aware that many people will be spending Christmas Day on their own and that is very difficult for some people. I am very very lucky to have my little family, cats included and a warm, safe place to live in with enough food to eat. When I think about that nothing much else matters. I will do whatever I can to do a little bit - donate unwanted clothes and take some food to the foodbank - I am not drinking alcohol anymore so that money can buy some extra food to give away.


Right washing ready, car needs unloading and then a quick sandwich and off out again


take care toughies


sq

moments_of_sanity

Hi Princessx87, yes, our dog was spayed when she was about 6 or 7 months old and has been clean until October this year.

Having looked around the interweb, I have found this site so am off out to get supplies, I will come back and update once I have scrubbed the carpets.

http://www.dogchatforum.com/dog_urine_odor.htm#.Upxx1X8gGSO

FairyPrincessk

Lyn, I love that term, 'bringing in the green.' I've considered going out for a walk with some secateurs to see what I could find, we'll see if time permits.

SQ, I'm still appalled by the response you received. I think something similar must have gone on with my cousins when I was younger, but I don't really remember it. It isn't a nice situation and I think my parents were relieved when everyone was grown up and we stopped exchanging gifts.

Just popping in for a break. Feeling a bit under the weather today and worried I'm coming down with a cold. Will try to take it easy with a few extra warm drinks and an early bedtime tonight.

lobbyludd

I've still got a lot of things to make for christmas, although the big things (a knitted throw etc) are done, and hopefully the rest should be enjoyable makes, I'm trying to make the wrapping part of the present, so for those who are getting wine, the wrapping will be a home-made wine-tote etc.
The children did their letters to santa yesterday, they get one father christmas present, but give him a couple of ideas to choose from. We don't do the "if you've been good" thing, as it doesn't take a kid long to work out that some people get loads of presents from "santa", and I didn't want them to relate that to their behaviour.

we'll be making dried orange strings, pinecone and children's "clay" decorations next week and I've been sewing stars from scraps of felt and other material for a garland

Can I ask - has any one ever had any dealings with a primary school attendance officer? I had letters from them last week, and I spoke to her office on the phone and emailed her to request a telephone appointment (the kids have had a disasterous run of minor illnesses this year, which means I've no annual leave left so can't take time off to meet her). She's adamant that she's coming to the house, so I have an evening appointment tomorrow. I've been working with the school over DD's (5yo) refusal to attend (which I don't give in to! I make it into a game, distract, encourage, bribe, star chart, put sanctions in place and on occassions physically deposit a screaming, kicking bundle into the school room ) , and have put in place a number of things which are working well as she's happier now, and phoned DS (10)'s teacher last week because DS was struggling with a few things, so I'm not an uninvolved parent. I am very keen on supporting their education. I don't see that I could have done anything any different over the last few months, they were ill, and it has made life very difficult for me at work, so I don't know what to expect?