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

lobbyludd

glad things are picking up glitter, have a stomping good time tonight, sing your heart out and dance the worry out off your body

was lovely when i woke up, bright fresh day with wind - perfect drying weather, I've opened all the curtains (during the week, most don't get opened, as it's dark when we get up and way before we get home) and windows and let the fresh air blow through the house, which I love.

washing on, first load finished and it starts to mizzle, then drizzle, the sort of rain that's barely worth it and will just hang around all day - the gods are playing with me, dang it.

So TD is on, I wouldn't be without mine, it's triple a rated so doesn't cost as much as old one to run, but it's not quick. In fact if I had to choose between a washing machine and a tumble dryer I think I'd choose the latter. Whilst hand washing is hard work, it is at least possible, but I can't get a darn thing dry in this house without the heating on full and tackling the condensation is a constant battle.

we are having a very very lazy weekend, there is no way I'm venturing near a shop between now and new year. I need milk and ham for lunchboxes to get us through the xmas period, everything else is here (we're away for the day), and although more expensive than a SM, the milkman can provide those.

silvasava

Just whizzed on to see how everyone is getting on - Nuttywhat a lovely thing to do. I always try to pass on my unused part of parking tickets & I sometimes have vouchers for MrM that I can't use 'cos I don't spend enough so I give them away too (if they're still in date - haha!)
Good Luck with your shoping MrsLWI know just what you mean.
MonnagranYour breakfast room sounds like my dining room - but I've got motorbike parts in it too 'cos DH has decided to build another trike - sigh.
Loved the cartoon MaryB I had a cat years ago who got so tangled up in the christmas lights she nearly strangled herself & we had to dismantle the tree - every christmas after she gave the tree a dirty look and a wide berth!
I'm NOT organised at all this year - no cards done, minimal presents bought & NO Christmas dinner yet - but do I care? Its just for two days & push comes to shove there's plenty in the freezer (not sure what DH will think!)
Hoe everyone has a good weekend. Off to unload the washing machine..........;)

fuddle

Are you getting a real tree kez? I'd love a real tree but loving the greenery dying and dropping it's needles while adorning (cellotaped!) to the stairs. I can only imagine the needle drop on a real one but I bet its worth it.

Nutty is it bingo you're in? It's frightening when you have a responsibility to fund a Christmas. I've been obsessing over it. Not having the money till the very end is awful and an experience I make sure I never repeat. At least I knew my money was coming and expectations are lower but... no excuse for being mean to you though! Mar's right, expectations are stupidly high and consumerism has to be to blame I think. Where will this be in 10-15 years time?

silvasava

Fuddle - you may find that now you are in a hard water area the washing machine suffers too! I've found a couple of tablespoons of washing soda in the pre-wash drawer make a real difference as it softens the water & you don't need to use as much detergent.
Hard water has some advantages - calcium for your bones!!

nuttyp

Hi fuddle, its not bingo its an actual book makers. Not a job I every thought I would do, but the opportunity arose and ive been there nearly 4 years. I personally don't gamble, I mite sometimes do the irish lottery or the new York lottery only because they pay out more than ours! but if I do its only a 25p steak on a couple of numbers.

OH has just called he will be home about half one, hes tired and irritated but a customer gave him a bottle of wine as a thankyou for off loading the last of his numerous wine crates he had ordered. We don't drink, so will wrap as a gift for someone!!

I like the look on peoples faces when you offer them the money off coupon you cant use, most are shocked and surprised. I usually add have a good Christmas. My mum says to be careful doing all these good deeds, but it costs me nothing to achieve, and hopefully the recipient will want to do a nice deed for someone else. As they say a smile costs nothing but it makes others wonder what you have either been up to or you are thinking!!

I had a migraine at the beginning of the week and I still have the muzzy head today. I feel tired and drained. The doctor just gave me more migraine tablets, but I wonder is there anything else I can do? I know stress and worry doesn't help, but they are something that I can often not change.

Ok washing machine has ended, take care x

kidcat

Afternoon toughies kez have fun getting your tree, nutty I am seeing the results for families who gamble and its not pretty I can only imagine what you have to put up with.

I survived the shopping trip better still I got everything on my list and even managed a few things I had forgotten. All presents are now finished and I even have two ready for ds9 birthday downside is the migraine I ignored this morning is murderous. I know its the stress of the school group that I have not managed to extricate myself front so am taking a verbal and online battering daily. Monday I have appointment with head to finish once and for all. Cried myself to sleep the past two nights which is so beyond reasonable.

lobbyludd

KC - I hate that, being talked round, when you need to do something for your own well being. I wonder if the meeting with the head will be another way of "talking you round"? Maybe it's just time to email them, with a firm but polite "I am resigning with immediate effect and an going to block any correspondence relating to this group" - no explaining or defending your decision and no discussing, it's not rude or letting anyone down. employees can legally walk out of their job for no reason, and you are a volunteer, not a slave!

[Deleted User]

Well, I didn't go to towm but got the bus to W*itrose instead and found some lovely things to top up the girls stockings including some bags of white mice which they loved when they were little. I also struck lucky and got the christmas meat as they had an offer on Aberdeen Angus Topside at 1/3rd off so christmas lunch is now in the freezer. I carried on to Mr.M and also got a lovely piece of smoked gammon to cook for having cold so all in all a productive trip.

I've just walked the houndicus and he took me down to the river where someone had been having some tree surgery done on a huge old pine tree and there were massive pinecones laying all over the pavement so I now have a 5 huge ones drying off in the hearth to be part of the christmas greenery, lovely. I think that's me done for the day so I'm going to wrap the last few presents, make a cuppa and have a half hours sit down, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Pollybear

We've put up our tree and decorations today, not a real tree but it looks pretty. We've got a few Christmas ornaments we've bought over the years and they always look nice.

Dark and windy and raining now but it's cosy inside.

ArthriticOldThing

Good evening everyone.
I am another one not going to visit the shops til after Christmas. I get panicky in crowds and closed in places so just stay away at this time of year.


Our small town has its annual Victorian Christmas market this weekend which I usually visit but buy very little - the prices make the eyes water. But today I bought myself some nice cheese and for a foodie friend I found some spiced oils etc made very locally. So that's her birthday gift sorted - gave her the Christmas gift last week as she is going away for the period.


Am hoping to get to [EMAIL="A@@I"]A@@I[/EMAIL] on Tuesday - I have a voucher to use and things I need to buy. The problem is that my shopping trolley has collapsed so I now have no idea how to get shopping home on public transport. Looks like I may have to buy new.


Your story of bad mannered people blaming you nutty reminded me of an incident I witnessed yesterday. I was in local Boots collecting prescription and noticed that they had a few of the Soap and Glory specials left. A young man got very angry with the staff because they would not let him put some 'behind the counter' as he couldn't pay for them all. He was so rude and aggressive to the girl trying to explain company policy. Luckily the manager was nearby and sorted him out. I don't understand why people have to be like that.


Right, now going to have home made lentil soup for tea.