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

floss2

fuddle wrote: »

Floss you have pay for damage to work's car! That's terrible. The amount your DH will pay in tax etc that's just not fair. You now our first trip to the New Forest t'other day? We went in DH's work car. Only just delivered, less than 100 miles on clock - crack! Stone hit the window screen. New windscreen needed on Monday morning but DH's work pays for it out of the insurance. sure you have to foot the bill?

It was self-inflicted so he'd have had to pay the excess, and he didn't really want to report it as he's already had an insurance repair caused by someone else (and he's only been with them since March :eek:)

fuddle wrote: »

...Is it in a cat's nature to just quit a home or would there have been a reason why it's left the previous tenant.

Cats stay in hotels, not homes, changing their accomodation when they wish with staff to look after them

[Deleted User]

Hello Toughies, busy in the kitchen today and soup on the go for lunch. Hugs to everyone who needs them, it's a stressful time of year and I think we're all feeling the pressure so keep your chins up and we'll make it out the other side of christmas intact, Love and hugs Lyn xxx.

the_cake

On the subject of cats .....
My very naughty cat, Jeeves, is extremely playful, so any ideas how I can Jeeves-proof our Christmas tree? We always have a real one, about 6', in a corner of the sitting room. Some of the decorations are old enough to be glass, and it looks best with lots of tinsel draped over it. I foresee lots of problems here, especially as the cats (our other one is older and wiser) sleep in the sitting room overnight, and the tree will look a bit sad with no baubles on the bottom third, and no tinsel .... any suggestions very welcome!

Pooky

I just keep putting the stuff back on the tree once my lot of moggies have pulled it off....the get bored of it very quickly.

Just picked up the freebies from the c0-0p via the shop scan and save app....selection box and a box of shortbread! Yum. I do love a freebie (or two)

Popped into my favourite CS and found a pair of gorgeous fingerless gloves, just the right colour to go with the scarf I've just finished, fluffy lining and long cuffed...new with their tags still on. I took them to the till and she said " oh they're just going to half price in the sale"..... Even better!

BitterAndTwisted

fuddle wrote: »

The house was disgusting. My agent is lovely so very difficult to get cross with her but things are moving so slowly, if at all because she's not reporting properly to the LL.

Please don't delude yourself into thinking the agent is "yours". They are not: the only contract the agents has signed is with the landlord they represent and on whose behalf they are acting. So, in effect and in reality they are solely the landlord's chosen intermediary.

If you are not confident that the agent is reporting issues swiftly and clearly to the landlord you MUST put your observations/requests directly to the landlord. Their address can be found under the bit on your tenancy agreement where is says "for the serving of notices". You can copy in the agent as well at the same time, just to keep everyone in the picture if you want. You should put everything in writing in any case even if it's just confirming a previous verbal communication as this could protect you against accusations of allowing consequential damage and a deduction from your deposit at the end of your tenancy.

Some landlords do not allow agents to carry out repairs or anything else without their explicit agreement to cover the costs first. The time it takes to get their agreement or for the landlord to arrange their own contractors can be interpreted as reluctance by tenants but that may not always be the case.

[Deleted User]

What a grey day today here, drizzly and thoroughly unpleasant to be out in. The lurcha an I did a very nippy walk round the block this afternoon and retreated thankfully indoors for a cuppa.

I've been mulling over why our friends who read along or lurk and don't often post might percieve us as cliquey, it must be because we all know each other and each others circumstances and lifestlyes well enough that we don't stand on ceremony so are maybe less formal and more relaxed with each other on this thread than on some others. We mostly share a ready sense of the ridiculous hence the ongoing jokes about MAR and kale and sweeties which might make us seem a closed circle but, this is really not the case. I and so many others make a point of welcoming anyone new who posts and trying to make them feel at home and welcome here, and some do stay and become regular participants and are soon part of the whole and at ease with the rest of us. The problem is that very often newcomers post a very few times and then we lose touch as they don't ever become an integral part of this particular thread. If you keep posting we get to know you, you get to know us and we can't do that or make you properly welcome if you don't join in regularly!!! This is such a supportive and friendly place, please please please do feel welcomed, do feel that you can join in, do keep posting and join in the day to day natter that is so comforting and comfortable, ALL are welcome, ALL and as many of you who would like to be part of this Doorstep thread, please join us, we would love to have you, Love Lyn xxx.

Pinkdebster

I read avidly but post infrequently but you've never made me feel unwelcome!!! I haven't felt it cliquey at all.

I love reading along all the time and if I feel I can contribute I'll join in. My life is pretty limited at the moment with all my health problems so mostly I don't have anything much exciting to say - it's never because I don't feel welcome.

I'm currently sat in my lounge with the Christmas tree for company, wondering why the Christmas presents won't just wrap themselves!! Every year I make a resolution to wrap as I buy and yet every year I never do!! So next week I will mainly be wrapping presents..........

Christmas is a difficult time for me because it's all so "Food" orientated - I will still cook the Christmas dinner for everyone but it's just much harder at this time of the year when it's all about food etc. This is my fourth Christmas with a feeding tube so you'd think I'd be used to it by now but it seems not. So everyone has to have an extra roast spud, mince pie, roses chocolate etc for me!!!!

Debbie xx

meenlaragh

I read all the time but post very infrequently. I don't feel the board is at all cliquey and have been made to feel very welcome any time I do post.

I just like to read along in the quietly background. For everyone that does post, remember that there are more people here thinking of you and wishing the very best for you all when times are tough.

nuttyp

MRS LW, What you wrote is so how we all are. I love that I can talk here, im not judged over my past money problems and Im made to feel normal even though I don't have much spare money. Being an old styler, isn't anything to be ashamed of.

Pinkdebster I don't know how you cope with cooking but not being able to eat it. I am terrible at nibbling!!!!

Did a shop today, gave a lady a £5 coupon. She was very grateful. Got told off by the cashier for using more than 1 voucher of the same sort, I got 4 handwashes.... I appogised and felt like a naughty child.

Just waiting for OH to come home. Take care x

[Deleted User]

MEENLARAGH what a lovely post, thank you so very much, that is kindness and caring and consideration and all that is the very best rolled into one post, bless you love, Lyn xxx.